Leather is cooler for long distance riding but requires more upkeep.

Vinyl tends to handle being caught in lots of rain better. Harley seats are vinyl.

Corbin makes a leather as does C & C Motorcycle seats.

 

Thanks for that. I wouldn't have thought temperature would be that different. My issues with the stock Harley seat don't center so much around temperature but on the pressure points it creates for me. I do Ok on the bike for a couple of hours and then it goes down hill from there. When you're on a 10 hour ride, that makes for a "long" time of relative discomfort.

What you said about vinyls resistance to rain is another reason I was considering it. I was always worried about the leather getting wet when the weather looked threatening and it wasn't always convenient to stop and put on the seat cover. It would be nice to not have to be as concerned about that although Russell recommends a seat cover even with the vinyl as none of their seat covers are 100% water proof because of the stitching. I'll probably make the final decision when actually place the order!

Ride Safe,
Steve R.

 

My leather Corbin getting wet has never been a problem. I'm always sitting on it while riding in heavy rain. At night at a motel if it is raining pretty hard I will undo a screw and take the seat into the room or leave it on the bike covered with something water resistant, or park it under cover at the entrance to the motel. I put leather conditioner on all my leather and water just beads up on it.

To me, leather is more comfortable to ride on than vinyl.