leather seat more comfortable?

2987 Views 12 Replies 10 Participants Last post by 05Train, Jun 22, 2012

Trojan

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2012

Morning all. I have the stock low two piece seat for R1200RT, which I've replaced with the BMW Comfort Seat. The comfort seat is better - probably not bad, though I've never gone more than a couple hours.

I wondered if the comfort seat would be more comfortable still if I had it recovered in leather. Any thoughts? Seems like it would have to breathe a little better?

Thanks for your thoughts.

John

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

tsperez

· #2 · Jun 11, 2012

My last 2 custom seats have been leather Corbin seats. I like the leather because I like leather. That being said...
The good:
I think it molds to your shape better than anything else.
Looks nice.
I don't mind caring for the leather (use good stuff and wait at least a day to ride).

The bad:
Does not last as long as vinyl.
Soaks up water (I use waterproofing wax on mine but still...).

tsp
Blog: www.swriding.blogspot.com

See less See more

Save

ka5ysy

· #3 · Jun 11, 2012

The covering on the seat mostly has nothing to do with comfort. The contour, stitching, padding material and sometime the width has a whole lot to do with it.

On my R1200R, I had a really nice Rick Mayer seat that was far superior to the stock seat. As noted, it looks good, but has to be maintained and kept dry. A necessary accessory is the rain cover. This was an all day seat for me:

Stock seat and the Rick Mayer comparison:

When I traded in the RR for the RT, I made the leap of faith to try the Kontour seat upgrade, and it is the best seat I have ever had on any motorcycle. Very comfortable, no maintenance, and best of all, no monkey butt for long rides

See less See more

Save

Trojan

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 11, 2012

Guys, thanks for your thoughts.
Doug, that Mayer seat is sure handsome, and the Kontour looks good too.
John

Save

jeffdean

· #5 · Jun 14, 2012

I have gone with Rick Mayer on several motorcycles.

http://www.rickmayercycle.com/leatherorvinyl.html

http://www.rickmayercycle.com/PleasuresOfTheButt.pdf

See less See more

Save

Alaskan

· #6 · Jun 14, 2012

I am sorry to add...and please don't take this personally, but I think that Kontour seat is the ugliest seat I have ever seen! Plus, it looks like a recovered factory seat....nothing else done to it. It may feel different, as I have never sat on one. But I think it is FUGLY...to say the least.

Sorry, hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings.....and this is just my opinion, so you can bash me if you like.

Alaskan

Save

OU812

· #7 · Jun 15, 2012

Corbin here. With the LD comfort undies I can do 12+ hours in 90+deg temps and not have to stand once.

Ok, just to refuel and drain.
Anyone know if rain covers are made/sold?
I sure need one.

Save

twkBMW

· #8 · Jun 15, 2012

Alaskan said:
I am sorry to add...and please don't take this personally, but I think that Kontour seat is the ugliest seat I have ever seen! Plus, it looks like a recovered factory seat....nothing else done to it. It may feel different, as I have never sat on one. But I think it is FUGLY...to say the least.

Sorry, hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings.....and this is just my opinion, so you can bash me if you like.

Alaskan

Yep, and when I change my seat that is the one that I will be getting. When my butt is on the seat it does not care what the seat look like.

Some people in my neighborhood have really nice front doors with leaded glass. Just beautiful. But we live in the desert. I went with custom wood doors. No heat gain and if I don't want to asnwer the door, nobody can see in. Always look and function and form, don't be a slave to fashion...

Save

frontiercat

· #9 · Jun 15, 2012

The Kontour seat looks okay. Function over form in that area...

Save

Alaskan

· #10 · Jun 15, 2012

I am not one to choose looks over function, usually. But, to me (again my opinion only) is looks so bad that I could not get past the looks to enjoy the comfort of it. In most cases I can, but this one is just a bit over the top for me to get past it. I would hate it every time I looked at my bike.

But, I am glad that everyone does not have the same opinion, and ride the same bike with the same options. Could you imagine trying to find your bike in a parking lot filled with bikes that all look the same !?!?!

Alaskan

Save

cessna

· #11 · Jun 16, 2012

Ford & Chevy argument I guess. I have a Rick Mayer seat on mine but I bought it used so it wasn't made custom for me. I happen to like the looks of the Kontour seat an am considering having Ron do my OEM seat.

Regards,

Save

tsperez

· #12 · Jun 18, 2012

Yes, I got a cover with my leather Corbin. Once you fight it on it fits rather well and keeps the water off. I also use waterproofing on the leather several times a year.

tsp
Blog: www.swriding.blogspot.com

OU812 said:
Corbin here. With the LD comfort undies I can do 12+ hours in 90+deg temps and not have to stand once.
Ok, just to refuel and drain.
Anyone know if rain covers are made/sold?
I sure need one.

Save

05Train

· #13 · Jun 22, 2012

Leather breathes, vinyl doesn't. Leather also conforms to your butt better. After break-in, and especially in the heat, a leather seat will outperform a vinyl seat every single time. All you need to do is take 5 minutes a month and put some leather dressing on it.

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month