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[RoadDawg]

I'm looking for a waterproof seat cover that is safe to ride on. Anyone know of any? I have a leather seat coming and would like to protect it while riding.

[grc]

One of the nice things about leather versus vinyl seats is the breathability of the material and the feel.  If you put a vinyl cover over it, you give up both of those features.  Why bother buying an expensive leather seat if you plan to put a cover over it?  Keep the leather treated, especially any seams, and enjoy it.  Btw, the cow that gave it's hide for your new seat didn't have a plastic cover, and it did just fine right up until someone shot him in the head with a bolt. 

I can't imagine any waterproof cover that wouldn't be more slippery than just sitting on the actual seat.

Jerry

[CVODON]

If you put a plastic cover over your leather then sit & sweat on the plastic the leather under it will become "wet" and will mold/mildew and its life will be shortened dramatically. Just sayin, not a good idea, this rotting of the leather will start very quickly.

[Fired00d]

One of the nice things about leather versus vinyl seats is the breathability of the material and the feel.  If you put a vinyl cover over it, you give up both of those features.  Why bother buying an expensive leather seat if you plan to put a cover over it?  Keep the leather treated, especially any seams, and enjoy it. Btw, the cow that gave it's hide for your new seat didn't have a plastic cover, and it did just fine right up until someone shot him in the head with a bolt. 

I can't imagine any waterproof cover that wouldn't be more slippery than just sitting on the actual seat.

Jerry

I don't know Jerry, maybe it was this cow ...

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[grc]

I don't know Jerry, maybe it was this cow ...

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

   OK d00d, ya got me.  Btw, I wasn't referring to some sissy cow like that one.  Real cows are tough and don't let a little rain bother them.

Jerry

[RoadDawg]

One of the nice things about leather versus vinyl seats is the breathability of the material and the feel.  If you put a vinyl cover over it, you give up both of those features.  Why bother buying an expensive leather seat if you plan to put a cover over it?  Keep the leather treated, especially any seams, and enjoy it.  Btw, the cow that gave it's hide for your new seat didn't have a plastic cover, and it did just fine right up until someone shot him in the head with a bolt. 
Jerry

Gotcha on the quality and feel of leather. The seat is a custom with a genuine stingray inlay (so we have a dead cow and a dead fish     Seat cost is almost $1800, so I'm thinking about a little protection if caught in a heavy rain. Never had a leather seat before so I don't know if I should be concerned. Should I? Thanks for your reply. You guys are okay 

[grc]

Gotcha on the quality and feel of leather. The seat is a custom with a genuine stingray inlay (so we have a dead cow and a dead fish     Seat cost is almost $1800, so I'm thinking about a little protection if caught in a heavy rain. Never had a leather seat before so I don't know if I should be concerned. Should I? Thanks for your reply. You guys are okay 

Personally, I'd rather keep it well conditioned and forget any kind of cover for riding, just maybe have a simple one for when it's parked.  Have you talked to the seat builder and got his/her opinion?

Jerry

[jethro_3(deceased)]

Cover when parked keeping sun from drying it and fading it any more that it should but rain while riding is not going to be the issue.  If it gets soaked then you are twice as soaked...... 

[RoadDawg]

Personally, I'd rather keep it well conditioned and forget any kind of cover for riding, just maybe have a simple one for when it's parked.  Have you talked to the seat builder and got his/her opinion?
Jerry

Seat builder says don't get it wet. I realize it will survive wet conditions but he recommends protecting it from wet conditions when possible. I did find this cover in case anyone is interested: http://kingoffleece.com/
http://www.thunderpress.net/motorcycle-reviews/gear-reviews/splitweight-waterproof-motorcycle-seat-cover-rain-rain-go-away/2014/11/04.htm

[jethro_3(deceased)]

So the real question is:

Is this for show or for go?

I think you have already made your mind up. 

[RoadDawg]

So the real question is:

Is this for show or for go?

I think you have already made your mind up.

Show and go, Jethro. But you're right: I've pretty much made up my mind.
Thanks for your reply.

[Chains]

IMHO putting a cover on a $1,800 seat is like dating a model and putting a bag over her head when you go out.

[Twolanerider]

Seat builder says don't get it wet. I realize it will survive wet conditions but he recommends protecting it from wet conditions when possible. I did find this cover in case anyone is interested: http://kingoffleece.com/
http://www.thunderpress.net/motorcycle-reviews/gear-reviews/splitweight-waterproof-motorcycle-seat-cover-rain-rain-go-away/2014/11/04.htm

Re: the cover shown the link above.


So, you're happily riding along.  The rains come.  You stop.  Grab the rain gear and put yours on.  Good to go.  Almost.  Now, with traffic wizzing by as you're on the side of the road you're now going to remove the saddle, this nearly 2000 dollar saddle, carefully balance it on your toe (as the semis blow by), fit this cover on it, get the cover strapped in place, hop and balance on one foot keep that toe elevated so the precious saddle doesn't touch the dirty ground (did you thoroughly clean the top of your boot?), then reinstall the saddle, drop the screw (or did you lose track of it while hopping around getting the saddle cover on?), find the screw, it's raining hard now, install the screw (you did have a screw driver didn't you?), finish rigging your own rain gear, ride three miles to the nearest place to get out of the rain (because this whole scenario doesn't sound like bike and rider looking to spend a day riding in the rain), then wait, wait, wait; for the weather to get better.

Or......   Use a good leather treatment, seriously, a good one.  See the rain ahead of you, stop, throw on your rain gear, ride on.

[RoadDawg]

Re: the cover shown the link above.
So, you're happily riding along.  The rains come.  You stop.  Grab the rain gear and put yours on.  Good to go.  Almost.  Now, with traffic wizzing by as you're on the side of the road you're now going to remove the saddle, this nearly 2000 dollar saddle, carefully balance it on your toe (as the semis blow by), fit this cover on it, get the cover strapped in place, hop and balance on one foot keep that toe elevated so the precious saddle doesn't touch the dirty ground (did you thoroughly clean the top of your boot?), then reinstall the saddle, drop the screw (or did you lose track of it while hopping around getting the saddle cover on?), find the screw, it's raining hard now, install the screw (you did have a screw driver didn't you?), finish rigging your own rain gear, ride three miles to the nearest place to get out of the rain (because this whole scenario doesn't sound like bike and rider looking to spend a day riding in the rain), then wait, wait, wait; for the weather to get better.

Or......   Use a good leather treatment, seriously, a good one.  See the rain ahead of you, stop, throw on your rain gear, ride on.

Well, as long as we're conjuring images of the future, I like this one: Turn on TV and see weather forecast, walk into garage and cover bike seat, don rainsuit, ride off.   

[grc]

Well, as long as we're conjuring images of the future, I like this one: Turn on TV and see weather forecast, walk into garage and cover bike seat, don rainsuit, ride off.   

   Yup, that would be a great plan if we could actually depend on weather forecasts.  No matter how many computer models and tracking stations they have these days, I find I can count on an accurate forecast about as often as I could in the old days when we all assumed they just used a dart board to make their guesses.

Yes, if you actually know it's going to rain, or it already is raining before you set out on the ride, you can easily cover the seat beforehand.  However, in my long time riding bikes I rarely started out under that scenario.  My experience has always been more like what Twolanerider posted.  Riding along, and that 20% chance of showers turns into a 100% chance of thunder storms and gully washers as I'm riding.  In that situation, unless there is a convenient overhang you can quickly duck under, you and the seat will be soaking wet before you can stop to don the rain gear and cover the seat.  Covering something that is already soaking wet seems to be a waste of time and effort to me.

Anyway, if you're the type who willingly starts out on a ride in the rain, then your plan sounds like a good one.  Just don't be surprised when Mother Nature throws one of her curve balls at you.

Jerry