Protecting Our New Seats Corbin,TS,etc....

[Geoff]

So I have noticed that the Seat trend has increased quite a bit this year. We all have our fancy thrones on our motorcycles that we love so much. I myself work 10 hour shifts from 10am-8pm and my motorcycle really doesn't have much shade. I thought I might share some ideas on how to protect or seats so that Quote (Bonemen) keeps "shakes hands with my a$$ every time I sit down..." .

Ultra Violet rays from the sun can dry out and fade your leather.

1 Get a Bike cover, they are cheap online and Majority Bike shops keep them on hand. Simple as that.

or

2 URAD FAQ: How to care for motorcycle leather seats and riding apparels ?

This link will describe different products and how to use if you got extra $$$

3 Armor all also makes a pretty good leather protect-ant product, but remember like anything else, it makes is slippery.

I don't think this is that much help, but it's more of a reminder because these seats are expensive..and we want them to last.

 

[lonesoldier84]

really good point. hadnt even considered this. I would be so pissed if my new TS started cracking or peeling in this or next season.

I will look into something for it, but I'll probably go the route of buying chemicals and rubbing them into the seat. I cant be bothered with covers.

 

[motopete]

I'm sure people will argue this but... Never use Armour All!!! It is mostly alcohol and actualy takes all the moisture out of anything it touches. I detailed one of my bikes and Armour Alled the tire sidewalls before I put it away for the winter one year. When I came back in the spring (2-3 months)the tires were all dried out and cracked. I had to replace the rubber before I could ride. The only stuff I'll use on my bikes is Protect All.

 

[wolfe1down]

Thanks for the post Geoff. Just got my TS saddle, and hadn't even though about properly protecting it...

So, here is what Top Saddlery (Sellerie) has to say about their seats:

[Seats] Materials and maintenance

What kind of material do you use to make your seat covers?

Our seat covers are made using top quality products that meet all the current legislative requirements with respect to fire safety standards, fracture and tear resistance in the field of saddlery manufacture.

Materials that come in several textures and colors are PVC coated fabrics (80 to 90 % PVC and 10 to 20 % for the base made primarily of cotton or cotton/polyester).

How can I best take care of my Top Sellerie seat?

For everyday maintenance, simply wash using a sponge and warm soapy water, rinse with clean water then dry. Avoid washing and rinsing using excessive amounts of water.
Such regular maintenance will help preserve the materials' original shine and brilliance.

To remove stubborn stains, scrub using a sponge or soft brush and a solution of water and alcohol (of less than 30 percent), then rinse with clean water.

Do not use pure alcohol, acetone, solvents and detergents, abrasive cleaning products, or any kind of wax: such products could damage the protective material coatings and render them porous.

And from Corbin:

Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Frequently Asked Questions | 800-538-7035

What happens if my saddle gets wet?

Don't panic, water won't damage your saddle. Corbin covers are extremely durable and are weather resistant too. Although the materials are resistant to water intrusion, the stitching in the cover can let water in. If this happens, your behind will probably get wet a couple of the times as you squeeze the water back out while sitting on the seat. The solution to this is to let the seat dry out in the sun for awhile. If you often find yourself getting caught in the rain, you may want to consider a saddle rain cover.

To assure that your leather seat retains it weather resistance, we recommend conditioning your seat on a regular basis with Corbin's Saddle Cream or similar product. You should condition your seat at least as often as you wash your bike (TIP: Remove your saddle from your bike when washing it). We strongly suggest a regular coating of a good parafin or silicon based leather conditioner like ours... do NOT use cleaners or conditioners with a petroleum or kerosene base!

Good conditioning will help the leather to stay supple and age gracefully as it breaks in. Remember, much like your leather jacket, the leather will conform to your shape and develop its own unique character over time. Good care will go a long ways towards the lasting beauty of your new seat.

Hope this helps! :thumbup:

 

[FZ-B]

top coated leather, as used on your motorcycle seats can't be treated from the surface, the only way to get oils into the leather itself is to treat the raw side. Taking the seat cover off is the only way to do so. DO NOT be told otherwise.

Mild soap and water will keep it clean.

Leather cleaners/conditioners sold in automotive stores are about as useful as ice cubes in the North Pole. Topical conditioners do one thing, trap dirt. Don't sweat UV protection, it's already in the top coat.