leather seat

[Rob S.]

Anybody ever ridden on a leather seat? I haven't.

I'm assuming an obvious benefit is look, but I'd hate to spend the extra $80 to find out it's less comfortable than the standard vinyl.

I'm also wondering about durability. I'll probably pull the trigger soon, so any advice is appreciated.

[Cipher]

It's gonna get wet and stay wet a long time.

[nvr2old]

Upholsterers do make a leather that is wet weather resistant (not waterproof). I had one made for my 400F and it was very comfortable, too. Depends on how stock you want to keep it and whether or not it's going to be exposed to a lot of rain..if so I would probably stay with the vinyl...but the leather looks sooooo nice.

[BurntKittyForge]

I had a Corbin leather seat on my '95 HD Heritage Softail, Although as the PO informed me , "It's NOT a "seat" it's a "Saddle"".

That's exactly what it was to. Never intentionally called it a "seat" since then before I bought it.

It was superior in every way to vinyl.
More durable , more comfortable, etc.

As far as rain resistance, never had a problem with it and rode plenty in rain.
And it didn't ever "stay wet a looong time" either.

I don't know what/whether it had been treated with. I only used black kiwi shoe polish when detailing the bike and also would give it a spray with silicone lubricant spray occasionally.

Once or twice ( before attempting to sell and selling it) I applied saddle soap before the wax because there was a slight worn area (probably would be a tear on vinyl). I cannot recommend saddle soap, but it restored looks coupled with polish after...looked new again.

I imagine a product " sno-seal" (for boots), made from beeswax would do for just about whatever leather seat.
Thing is it may get a little damp from rain but by then I'd either have wet pants or rain-pants anyway.
As stated it never stayed damp too long.
This was show-bike quality so when ever it was parked at work outside I brought a cover in my (leather) saddlebags.

IF you're on the fence about the extra $80 (a bargain IMO) and don't think leather is more comfortable and think it's just for "looks" then I don't know whether I can explain it though.

Planning on doing a homemade leather covering on my current bike because of tears and a stretching vinyl under butt feeling at lights mostly when my feet are on ground, during acceleration from stop...and It's sort of a distraction.
Good luck with whichever.
Oh, BTW, my vinyl seat stays wet due to cigg. hole, and a tear my patch peeled from too.

[JJ]

I considered getting one covered in leather once, but the upholsterer talked me out of it. She has several reasons, but basically that leather wasn't very good for anything that would be exposed to the elements and a wide temperature range. I was happy with the results.

[Griffin]

There are several products available that can make leather pretty much waterproof if applied regularly. Mink oil, Beeswax, Sno-seal, Lexol, etc... all work great, if you follow directions and use properly and regularly.

Ask anyone who works outside in work boots, any hunter who hunts in slop, or any cowboy (real one, not football player) if leather can be treated to make it essentially waterproof.

Most custom seat restoration/recovering companies (Sargent, Rich's, Corbin, etc...) offer leather as an option. Some use it as standard with vinyl as an option. They wouldn't do so if it didn't work. Corbin alone has sold thousands of leather seats over the years. I have one on my 1100E. No worries, just spend 10-15 minutes every couple months rubbing some mink oil into it and it's good to go.

From the Corbin website:

Leather cover: The best material to use for your streetbike saddle! To protect and extend the life of a leather saddle, we suggest that you periodically apply a coating of Corbin's Saddle Cream or similar product. This will prolong the life of the leather and help it to resist moisture. Frequent conditioning will also enhance the hide's resilience and suppleness so your leather seat breaks in gracefully.

We strongly suggest that you avoid any cleaners or conditioners with a petroleum or kerosene base as they cause color fading and/or cracking. Look for conditioners and cleaners with a silicone or parafin base. Remember, the appearance of scars or marks on the hide are signs that you have, in fact, purchased a genuine leather product. These marks will not inhibit the life or performance of the product and should in no way be considered a defect

[sam000lee]

I made a leather cover for my seat that I have pictures of in my rebuild thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...-GS450-Rebuild

I used various creams to finish it up but I use beeswax to help waterproof and apply it every once in a while on a hot day and leave it in the sun to help it soak into the leather. It's leather and so will absorb moisture but for me it's only ever been annoying when I had to leave my bike out in a storm with heavy rain and it got really soaked since the water was pooling on the seat. Otherwise if it's just a little rain it should be fine.

[Griffin]

I made a leather cover for my seat that I have pictures of in my rebuild thread: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...-GS450-Rebuild

I used various creams to finish it up but I use beeswax to help waterproof and apply it every once in a while on a hot day and leave it in the sun to help it soak into the leather. It's leather and so will absorb moisture but for me it's only ever been annoying when I had to leave my bike out in a storm with heavy rain and it got really soaked since the water was pooling on the seat. Otherwise if it's just a little rain it should be fine.

It's a bit hard to see in your picture, but that's a nice looking seat.

[Rob S.]

Thanks for the opinions. I'm going to go with the leather. (And both girls don't go out in the rain. )

[Cipher]

no rain = awesome seat!
Seat not a saddle
it's like those brit cyclists who call the seat a saddle as if semantics make a difference.
Call it a collagen perch and be done with it.

[mmattockx]

Anybody ever ridden on a leather seat? I haven't.

From the Corbin website:

Thanks for the opinions. I'm going to go with the leather. (And both girls don't go out in the rain. )

Damn you, Rob S. I had never, ever considered leather for a seat cover material and now I want it!

Post pics when you get it done, I need to see what it looks like before I lose my mind and recover a perfectly good seat.


Mark

[BurntKittyForge]

I like the seat linked in reply to thread about the GS450. Trying similar but I'll avoid seams.
Been checking old fav.s for leatherwork links found just one:

http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html

That's the "hand-stitch" it's called, I used and some black hemp thread to fix one damaged thread on my old saddle-bag. Worked well.
I have two types leather scraps (it's hard to find large scraps without seams, finally though).
Just deciding the thicker stuff for top OR sides.
The seat/Saddle actually for my bike on Corbin is $453 and I don't care for wide passenger portion. (passenger occasionally for emergency or to get lai...d, oops TMI, but they're a liability too much IMO).
I'm a hobbyist knife and sword maker and had/have lots of leather and tools for sheaths but things got jumbled and tossed when I moved last. Going to use what big pieces I have for seat soon.
(Had to make sure bike was worth it first).
There's some cool vids (youtube) how to cover dashboards w/ leather too BTW. (Nice for old busted truck dash IMO)...


Just remembering one time in a Kohl's store a long time ago and they had a super bargain sale rack with jackets (after season) so I bought a thin suede one for like $19 , that's about what it was worth though.

So the next time I was there I saw same rack there same sale, so I bought a very thin black "leather" jacket for wearing on MC in summer...Anyway by winter I was cleaning Garage and found it under the workbench.
It was a bit cold there and the jacket was stiff, so I thought ,"wow I'll have to put saddle soap, this is bad"

It just wasn't right though, something just not right, so I look at label and it read "PVC shell"
DOH! Seriously I wore "Pleather" (effin' "pleasure leather term LOL)...Man I was ticked! I paid like $20 for it too!
Yeah, vinyl is imitation leather really. There are (very) nice vinyl seats but that's what it is.

[Cipher]

You are obsessed by the notion that leather is better than vinyl this is clearly not the case even BSA introduced it on their bikes in the 50s not to get a mystique but because its a better practical seat covering. It has been ever since.

No matter how well-sealed leather will get wet and stay wet.

With the exception of trailer queens or bikes that got a slight splash only to be dried later in hot sunshine,

Waste money for a false value or button up the seat and spend momey on something that counts.

[BurntKittyForge]

You are obsessed by the notion that leather is better than vinyl this is clearly not the case even BSA introduced it on their bikes in the 50s not to get a mystique but because its a better practical seat covering. It has been ever since.

No matter how well-sealed leather will get wet and stay wet.

With the exception of trailer queens or bikes that got a slight splash only to be dried later in hot sunshine,

Waste money for a false value or button up the seat and spend momey on something that counts.

"Obsessed" ?? I'm discussing purely from experience. Vinyl seats I've had either felt stretchy, had tears/holes and held much more water which got trapped inside.

One time in particular I can think of riding in rain with corbin leather saddle(there were many times):
When my daughter was born my wife was visiting her sister one state away. So when I got call to go to hospital up there, I had GMC safari van OR my motorcycle.
I hopped on bike and took off, less than half the time driving would've been that night.

When I parked the guards at booth pointed to parking space for me, ran in... by then it was drizzling.
It poured that night.
They had a policy where the Dad could stay in room overnight. I got so bored/ jittery etc. I went out to find the beer store (back then I used to drink quite a bit), pouring rain.
Had to park assigned spot outside again.
Coming home next day it was still raining but I rode to get home by time wife and baby arrived back.
NOPE, no wet Corbin saddle.

If rain gets on vinyl with even a tiny hole/tear foam soaks up water like sponge.
Now that really stays wet.
Gets all cruddy too. My leather seat/ saddle actually never stayed damp IDK where you get your info.
Or stating "obsessed" .
But yeah, vinyl even has lines to simulate leather look.
The more I look at my seat w/ tears, patches peeling and thinking how it feels on hot days , how much water it'll sponge in when it rains, the cheap looking simulated leather lines...It's gotta go SOON!
I'll "value" a leather seat quite a bit more.

Dang, daylights wasting , I'm spending time replying to probably a teenager and OP went with best choice sounds like anyway. It's breakfast time now

[GS1150Pilot]

Rob's getting into leather. Chain is next.