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[motor1]

So imagine my surprise, took delivery of a 2011 FLTRCUSE, and found the following in the owners manual, in the care and cleaning section. "LEATHER CARE" ( 2nd paragraph ) and I quote " Leather surfaces are designed for long term exposure to inclement weather and should be protected with Harley Davidson Seat Rain Cover or Motorcycle Storage Cover (sold separately). See your Harley Davidson dealer.
         Wow, since the rain cover is not to be used while riding I guess I am not supposed to ride in the rain. I don't get it, I don't like riding in the rain, but sometimes get caught in it anyway. What do you guys think?

[Twolanerider]

So imagine my surprise, took delivery of a 2011 FLTRCUSE, and found the following in the owners manual, in the care and cleaning section. "LEATHER CARE" ( 2nd paragraph ) and I quote " Leather surfaces are designed for long term exposure to inclement weather and should be protected with Harley Davidson Seat Rain Cover or Motorcycle Storage Cover (sold separately). See your Harley Davidson dealer.
         Wow, since the rain cover is not to be used while riding I guess I am not supposed to ride in the rain. I don't get it, I don't like riding in the rain, but sometimes get caught in it anyway. What do you guys think?

Think you're reading more in to this than it says.  Harley is trying to sell you a rain cover and/or a storage cover.  They're not suggesting you can't ride in the rain.

[cahdbiker]

Motor1, I don't think a rain shower is going to hurt your seat. My 09SEUC has been thru quite a few rainy days since I got it, and has sat in the rain on occassion. Plus when I wash it the seat usually gets wet. No issues so far. Good Luck CAHDBIKER

[Ohio phil]

Let's see cow's go out in the rain, I thank they r saying leather changes color and shows wear when it gets wet, I do take it in at night on the rode when raining so my butt will start out dry !!!

[yellowhog]

I agree with Twolane.  Harley is just covering their asses and trying to sell more product.  If you can't ride these things in the "weather", then why buy them?  Remember, everything begins to wear out the day it's made!

[Air-Cooled]

They make them in leather because that is what the consumer wants. No leather is waterproof. That is why Naugahide and other plastics are given as an option for virtually all seat makers. If they stopped making them in leather, you'd hear even more whining than in this thread. When the leather seat wears out, you get a new one. This should not even require an explanation.

[Gecko]

The sun degrades the leather faster, but getting the foam wet isn't good for the seat either.  I usually find just a little water seeping out at the seams after it gets wet, no big deal.  Same with bike covers, conditioners, etc. - how much effort and expense are you willing to go to to preserve things?  I don't get fanatical about it, but try to keep sun and water off the bike when I can.

[willymax4]

  how else ya supposed to get em clean if ya don't ride em in the rain?

[2018_FLTRXSE]

The sun degrades the leather faster, but getting the foam wet isn't good for the seat either.  I usually find just a little water seeping out at the seams after it gets wet, no big deal.  Same with bike covers, conditioners, etc. - how much effort and expense are you willing to go to to preserve things?  I don't get fanatical about it, but try to keep sun and water off the bike when I can.

So ride only on clear nights? 

[dooinit2u]

The sun degrades the leather faster, but getting the foam wet isn't good for the seat either.  I usually find just a little water seeping out at the seams after it gets wet, no big deal.  Same with bike covers, conditioners, etc. - how much effort and expense are you willing to go to to preserve things?  I don't get fanatical about it, but try to keep sun and water off the bike when I can.

Thats my philosophy !!! It mostly gets when when I clean it, and dried quickly after that. A good leather conditioner will not let the material soak up water either. My $.02...

[nudels2u75]

These seats are not leather....they are made of cheap vinyl----take it down to an upholstery  shop and just ask---funny a replacement seat sells for so much----

[SBB]

These seats are not leather....they are made of cheap vinyl----take it down to an upholstery  shop and just ask---funny a replacement seat sells for so much----

X 2

The upholstery shop laughed at the faux insert on my seat.

SBB

[grc]

First, that little statement in the manual is no different than all the other disclaimers that attempt to limit Harley's responsibilities for their products.  Not only do they want to sell you an overpriced accessory seat cover, but they also want to have something to point to when your "leather insert" seat starts to fall apart after the first year and they don't want to pay for a new one.  And yes, most of the various CVO seats are about 80% vinyl, and only the inserts are possibly some sort of leather.  I say possibly because I'm not convinced it's any sort of real quality leather, more like those cheap "leather" jackets you find in the mall for less than $100 with the laminated material that quickly delaminates.

Keep the seat treated with a good leather and vinyl protectant, and don't worry about it.  If you're like many/most, you'll eventually buy a better seat from the aftermarket anyway.


Jerry

[ultrafan]

motor1 is correct I have a 2010 seuc after one weekend ride in the rain the seat had a raised line around the entire seat it looks like crap! dealer took photos sent to moco they gave me the email response from harley saying it is leather and cosmetic so they will not cover under warranty .even the dealer could not believe it wasnt covered.I know  :worthless without pictures will try later.for the others that told him just ride in the rain dont worry,I have been on trips with motor1 with sirens from tornado warnings going off,we ride in the rain. 

[Cosmic Charlie]

So my stock seat Buffalo Leather insert (center section) is FAKE ?  WTF  ?