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Leather or vinyl for new seat?

Even though I sort of prefer leather seats in my cages; I've never had a leather seating surface on any of my bikes...

...and I really don't miss it there! :thumbup:
I suppose that I'd be concerned about the heat, sunshine, and rain on the leather... At least the vinyl seats are pretty stable.
 
you have to special order real leather in a Mercedes Benz and end up paying a whole lot more. they have been using vinyl seats for decades. get yourself marine grade vinyl which will look as good if not better and have better resistance to the elements.
 
Last edited:
Depends..!

When andwhere your ryding. If your ryde spends most of the time out and uncovered and you ryde in a lot of bad weather...go vinyl, if you keep her covered garaged and out of the weather you can go leather...then you can chuck all this aside and go for the one you like and is most comfortable...:thumbup:
 
On my RDL I went with leather for the seating area and vinyl for the sides. I have tried both on my last two RDL's for my Harley's and preferred leather as it seemed cooler when riding as compaired to the vinyl.
The leather is holding up very well even through the North To Alaska trip was very harsh on it.

Either way you go you are going to love your RDL seat.
 
Today's vinyl is actually pretty good. Real Leather looks and feels better but requires more care and attention.

Rain, direct sunlight, heat, are all enemies of leather. The natural look, is very susceptible to stains from sweat or other things.

I used to sell leather, have had it on a couple different cars, but would not want a motorcycle seat that was leather. :thumbup:
 
I've had a number of leather motorcycle seats and have never had any problems. I will always go with leather if it is available.
 
Leather

Have it on my rdl and my Corbin saddles. Wears like iron, breathes, comfortable. Cooler in heat, warmer in cold. Grabs better, too!
 
Hi Dave here.
I have been building custom motorcycle seats since 1967
In the 60's and the 70's leather was always the way to go
however now it is a hard choice here is why...
Think about it, leather is SKIN are you willing to put skin lotion
leather treatment on your seat often? not many people do, motorcycle riders
are better about doing it than car drivers but remember your car seat, unless
your car is a rag top is not in the SUN and WEATHER like your motorcycle seat is.
Leather will crack, it will get hard, it will fade in the sun if you don't take care of it.
Starting in the late 80 the vinyl manufactures started making vinyls that are now
BETTER than leather in that they don't crack, dry out or fade in the sun and you don't
have to put conditioners on it.
Go out to your car, the one that has leather seats, unless you have a real expensive car
the only part of the seat that is leather is the small section you sit on and some of the back part you lean back on, all the rest is VINYL that is made to mimic the leather and it is so well made you can not tell the difference in looks and feel.
Leather is sold by the hyde vinyl is sold by the yard it is much less expensive than leather.
Vinyl can be had is a zillion different styles... some looks and feels like leather, be it cow hyde, snake, alagater, or whatever, it is also available in some that looks and feels like fabric.
So you will have to make the choice. Premium high quality vinyl will cost $35.00 to $80.00
per yard. Leather is WAY more costly to buy....
I use and recomend both however on my own seats on my motorcycles I use VINYL
because I can have any desigh I want from leather looking material to carbon fiber and more
There you have it, if you ever want some samples let me know I will be happy to sed you some
Ride Safe
Dave



QUOTE=Fatcycledaddy;1055308]I hope I am not beating a dead horse :bdh:but I am thinking about the Russel Day Long Saddle for a new seat for the :spyder2:RT Limited. I have looked at the vinyl and the leather and am trying to decide between the two. :dontknow:
If you have any experience with either or bot, can you tell me what you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance for the input.[/QUOTE]
 
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Never had a leather seat crack - of course I take care of it.
Leather does fade, but so does vinyl as evidence in car dashes, siding of homes, certain areas on motorcycles.
It comes down to what one wants and is no different then the 1000s of arguments on which motor oil one should use.
Additionally, since most commercial mass produced custom seats have stitching (Corbin, Ultimate, Mustang) it does matter if vinyl or leather as all these seats are susceptible to rain.
I agree with you in theory, but 50 years of use have proven a little bit different.

So my suggestion to the OP. Both sides have pros & cons. Get what you want and makes you happy! :yes:

AJ

Motorcycledave said:
Hi Dave here.
I have been building custom motorcycle seats since 1967
In the 60's and the 70's leather was always the way to go
however now it is a hard choice here is why...
Think about it, leather is SKIN are you willing to put skin lotion
leather treatment on your seat often? not many people do, motorcycle riders
are better about doing it than car drivers but remember your car seat, unless
your car is a rag top is not in the SUN and WEATHER like your motorcycle seat is.
Leather will crack, it will get hard, it will fade in the sun if you don't take care of it.
Starting in the late 80 the vinyl manufactures started making vinyls that are now
BETTER than leather in that they don't crack, dry out or fade in the sun and you don't
have to put conditioners on it.
Go out to your car, the one that has leather seats, unless you have a real expensive car
the only part of the seat that is leather is the small section you sit on and some of the back part you lean back on, all the rest is VINYL that is made to mimic the leather and it is so well made you can not tell the difference in looks and feel.
Leather is sold by the hyde vinyl is sold by the yard it is much less expensive than leather.
Vinyl can be had is a zillion different styles... some looks and feels like leather, be it cow hyde, snake, alagater, or whatever, it is also available in some that looks and feels like fabric.
So you will have to make the choice. Premium high quality vinyl will cost $35.00 to $80.00
per yard. Leather is WAY more costly to buy....
I use and recomend both however on my own seats on my motorcycles I use VINYL
because I can have any desigh I want from leather looking material to carbon fiber and more
There you have it, if you ever want some samples let me know I will be happy to sed you some
Ride Safe
Dave



QUOTE=Fatcycledaddy;1055308]I hope I am not beating a dead horse :bdh:but I am thinking about the Russel Day Long Saddle for a new seat for the :spyder2:RT Limited. I have looked at the vinyl and the leather and am trying to decide between the two. :dontknow:
If you have any experience with either or bot, can you tell me what you prefer and why?

Thanks in advance for the input.
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]
 
I ordered full leather on the Russel Day Long they are currently building for my F3. I may regret it but somehow I doubt it. I do tend to care for the seats as well as the rest of the bike well so not worried about maintenance issues, just comfort and feel.
 
Leaning toward a RDL seat myself. It will be vinyl, or the sunbrella. Have not seen the sunbrella used anywhere so it will be difficult to choose it. I had a fabric RDL on a Beemer I had. Had to spray it all the time to keep it from absorbing water. They no longer offer it. Also had a leather Corbin. Treated the seat every time I washed the bike. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:
 
VINYL

I've always had vinyl seats on all my MC's, It really doesn't matter because I've always used sheepskins for the last 40 yrs., I don't feel the seat material anyway..
 
IMHO, there is nothing that looks as good as a well used, well treated leather seat. Over time, it develops a "PATINA" that vinyl just can't duplicate.
On a motorcycle seat, leather is a harder surface than vinyl. It requires more care, too.
Kind of like the difference in the kitchen between formica and granite countertops.
They both work.
 
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