Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: mikeb2411 on July 02, 2014, 01:05:03 PM
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So, what's preferred...leather seats or vinyl seats? Also, anyone sitting on a LAAM seat? If so, how is it?
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So, what's preferred...leather seats or vinyl seats?
I have never had a leather motorcycle seat. The major problem with leather is that without special (and ongoing) treatment, it is not waterproof. Add some water and you have a soggy mess that is no fun to sit on. It will also not wear well with exposure to weather- discoloring/fading, stretching, decomposing, cracking. On the other hand, it feels much better (with proper care), doesn't hold heat the way vinyl does, and is less slippery. Of course leather is more expensive too... given a choice of the same seats in leather vs. vinyl for a motorcycle, I will probably always choose vinyl.
Keep in mind there are various quality levels for vinyl, just like anything else... (thickness, formulation, feel, stamping, longevity, UV resistance, etc)
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I have never had a leather seat. The major problem with leather is that without special (and ongoing) treatment, it is not waterproof. Add some water and you have a soggy mess that is no fun to sit on. It will also not wear well with exposure to weather. On the other hand, it feels much better, doesn't hold heat the way vinyl does, and is less slippery. Of course leather is more expensive too... given a choice of the same seats in leather vs. vinyl for a motorcycle, I will probably always choose vinyl.
Keep in mind there are various quality levels for vinyl, just like anything else... (thickness, formulation, feel, stamping, longevity, UV resistance, etc)
Thanks for the info...that's what I needed to hear!
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Leather... and treating it is not a real big deal... leather breathes.... leather will fit you, it stretches to conform to you. Vinyl gets hot... it sweats... it gets hot... and so on... 8)
When you buy a nice luxury car, does it come with leather seats or vinyl? :o
To help YOU decide on what is your comfort level...
http://www.rickmayercycle.com/leatherorvinyl.html (http://www.rickmayercycle.com/leatherorvinyl.html)
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With out a doubt leather. Not much care at all compared to comfort , fit and wear-ability. 120k miles on my C10 and the leather still is like new.
26k miles on my C14 and the leather is like new. $20k on my KLR and the leather is new. All Corbins. I had to put leather in my car seats for the same reasons.
All the above are water proof.
All my riding boots are leather and all of those are also water proof.
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Leather... and treating it is not a real big deal... leather breathes.... leather will fit you, it stretches to conform to you. Vinyl gets hot... it sweats... it gets hot... and so on... 8)
When you buy a nice luxury car, does it come with leather seats or vinyl? :o
I totally agree with the conforming, breathing, comfort, etc of leather. But the leather in my nice luxury car never gets rained on or soapy wet when I wash the vehicle and never sees much sun that hasn't already gone through UV filtering glass.
If you take care of it, "outside" leather can work out just fine (especially if garage kept... damn I wish I had room in the garage for my Concours). My leather riding boots aren't looking so hot anymore (since they are often outside and have been wet almost as often as the bike), but I admit I haven't taken much care of them :)
Of course, I take care of my "inside" car leather.... Lexol maybe twice a year (leather needs to maintain conditioners to prevent it from being damaged). Hmm... maybe I would possibly consider a leather motorcycle seat, I would certainly be willing to treat it and take care of it.
Damnit, OK, I will at least drag out my boots this weekend and clean and seal them.
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Damnit, OK, I will at least drag out my boots this weekend and clean and seal them.
I'll sleep better tonight knowing that :banana
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:thumbs: Excellent usage of the banana!
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Leather. :thumbs: :thumbs:
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:thumbs: Excellent usage of the banana!
It's peanut butter jelly time...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8MDNFaGfT4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8MDNFaGfT4)
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Max, I feel bad for you and your Connie because you need vinyl to combat the elements. Garage space is only 50-75/mo. for a 10x10 storage unit. With that you could enjoy the full experience of a Laam leather seat which I have had for the last 2 years and wouldn't trade it for love or money.
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I actually prefer cloth. My Russell is covered with cloth.
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i went with what seth laam recommended for me, the carbon vinyl.
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Max, I feel bad for you and your Connie because you need vinyl to combat the elements. Garage space is only 50-75/mo. for a 10x10 storage unit. With that you could enjoy the full experience of a Laam leather seat which I have had for the last 2 years and wouldn't trade it for love or money.
Garage space varies by location. I'm looking at $250/month ..... so it stays on the street.
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Max, I feel bad for you and your Connie because you need vinyl to combat the elements. Garage space is only 50-75/mo. for a 10x10 storage unit. With that you could enjoy the full experience of a Laam leather seat which I have had for the last 2 years and wouldn't trade it for love or money.
where???
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I have the Sargent in vinyl and a Corbin in leather. I like the feel of the Corbin because it breathes better. Shape is a different matter, but I like the feel of the leather. I do have a cover for the Corbin but don't worry about it for general riding. If I know I will be riding in a deluge for a long time I will stop and put it on, or if it is parked outside and it is going to rain. General riding in rain hasn't been an issue.
I actually don't like leather seats in cars, I prefer cloth, an the motorcycle though I love leather.
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i went with what seth laam recommended for me, the carbon vinyl.
How do you like the Laam seat?
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Vinyl Seat with a real sheepskin pad on top. When it rains the sheepskin gets stowed. When it is cold the sheepskin keeps my backside warm. When it is hot the sheepskin keeps my backside cool.
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Did someone say SHEEP Baaa-studs
check out LED art video
http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/pictures/picture_sheep.htm (http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/pictures/picture_sheep.htm)
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where???
Public Storage, Raleigh, N.C. $60./mo.
Extra Space Storage, Dallas, Tx. $50./mo.
Cube Smart San Diego, Ca. $60./mo. with 6 mos. lease (50% discount for winter).
I am paying $75. /mo. now in Germantown, Md. at a private storage from an on line offer.
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How do you like the Laam seat?
its good, feels good for me, did 750+ one day on the way back from the nationals, no issues.
jeans on my commute only, otherwise riding days are in my dainese pants.
cant add to the leather or vinyl comparison. just figured if Seth thought it was a better option for me, he would have recommended it,
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I actually don't like leather seats in cars, I prefer cloth, an the motorcycle though I love leather.
How about when no one is watching?
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How about when no one is watching?
They're always watching, always... (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-scared004.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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Excellent! Nothing better than a good sense of paranoia.
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Excellent! Nothing better than a good sense of paranoia.
:chugbeer: