Opinions with explanations needed leather vs Vinyl for seat.

[Cliff]

I am ordering  a Russell day long soon and need input with explanations in regard to leather vs Vinyl.  I don't care about the cost difference but do care about long term comfort and appearance.
Thanks in advance for you input on this.

Cliff

[Spirited-6]

I am ordering  a Russell day long soon and need input with explanations in regard to leather vs Vinyl.  I don't care about the cost difference but do care about long term comfort and appearance.
Thanks in advance for you input on this.

Cliff

Cliff , IMOP leather will not hold up as well as Vinyl. Leather must be cared for and Vinyl does not.
As for as comfort, that is up to personal butts. You say cost is not a factor, but Lea. requires a lot of care. I have had both and will pick Vinyl over just for the ease of care. Leather will crack over time if not pambered. Spell ? But, that is what makes the World go around, differant strokes for differant folks.

[hubcapsc]

I don't have a first hand opinion, because I don't have both leather and vinyl... the guy (Des?) at the Ultimate booth
at InZane said he'd get vinyl, and that's what I got... my longest ride so far was the Blue/Gray ride, five
days in the saddle... no complaints...

-Mike

[John Schmidt]

I've had both over the years....many years. I'll take leather over vinyl any time, to me it's just plain more comfy. And not as hot if left in the sun. As for care, a couple times a year I'll give it a good coating of mink oil, rub it in real good and let sit to dry. Then give it a second coat and buff it by hand. Like I said...only a couple times a year, usually late Spring for the Summer riding season, then early Fall for the Winter riding(live in Florida). I'll wipe it down from time to time...if I think of it. The leather will breathe better for you on those long days in the saddle. Just my 2 cents.

[Highbinder]

Between my wife and I we have 4 Russell saddles...only one is vinyl, that is a heated seat and I would assume leather would dry out faster with heat applied...the leather seats wear well and are cooler then the vinyl, the leather is softer and has a better appearance in my opinion....the leather is easy to maintain with many of the available compounds and conditioners...I use a waterproof cream put out by Outback and have never had a problem with water...of course I use the cover they provide when the bike is parked....my choice would be leather :cooldude:some of the saddles have over 100,000 miles on them and show no cracks and very little wear...

[rainman]

AGREE WITH Spirited-6

[MP]

+1 on leather.  Cooler, better looking.  Use a good oil on it.  Keep it covered when not in use. I really like it on my Russell.  I have two now with leather.  One on std, one on IS.  Had vinyl on first used seat on the std.  The leather is MUCH better.

MP

[Ratdog]

Leather, hands down.  I've put 50,000 miles (over the years) with vinyl, and have about 100,000 miles on my leather Russell Day Long.  I've had the foam rebuilt on this saddle, but the same leather cover resides on it.  It still looks like this.  BTW... my saddle gets far less "pampering" than the rest of the bike.  A good quality leather conditioner a couple of times a year is about all I've done, many times only once a year.

I bought an Ultimate to use while my Russell was being rebuilt, and, reluctantly, let Des talk me into a vinyl one.  I hated that thing, and as soon as the 7,000 miles I put on that seat were done (getting my beloved Russell back) I traded that vinyl thing off as soon as I could get it off my bike.  Wouldn't own another one.

[JimL]

+1 on leather.  Cooler, better looking.  Use a good oil on it.  Keep it covered when not in use. I really like it on my Russell.  I have two now with leather.  One on std, one on IS.  Had vinyl on first used seat on the std.  The leather is MUCH better.

MP

MP even though I don't own a leather saddle (all of mine are vinyl), I would imagine that leather would be cooler and probably do look better (if taken care of).  I just couldn't help but chuckle a bit with the thought of you having to worry about vinyl being too hot, considering that you live in North Dakota!!  

[Spirited-6]

I just couldn't help but chuckle a bit with the thought of you having to worry about vinyl being too hot, considering that you live in North Dakota!!  

Good one Jim.  

Look at all the "CARE" for Leather. Vinyl, wipe that sucker off and go. If your seat gets too hot buy a sheep skin.  
Don`t get me wrong, I love Leather, wear it every day on several parts of my body, just not on my bike seat.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Leather. You said money doesn't mattter, get the leather and if you do wear it out or don't like it get it recovered in vinyl.

Very few who have a leather Russell would say otherwise then leather.

Raymond

Leather shown below in the sig line picture (with over 100,000 miles on it.)

[Scott in Ok]

I got Vinyl on my Russell.  I'd do it again.  It wears better, its cheaper and I don't have to glob conditioner on it.

-Scott

[Big Rig]

What are the OEM seats covered with?

[fudgie]

Vinyl.  Thats what I have on my Mustang and like it. No wear after 50k miles. My HD has a leather corbin and its all crack, less then 15k on his. Leather will absorb water. I dont like riding with a wet but. Did that Labor Day and got pneumonia. 

[MP]

Well, we get 100 deg days here in the summer.  And, I have ridden in AZ and CA at over 115 deg.  It is also warmer than vinyl when cold.  I condition mine about twice a year, max of 5 min. a time.

MP

[Gear Jammer]

I bought my Russel Day-Long in leather, based on LadyDraco's and Highbinder's recommendation.  Don't regret the choice at all.  When Russell sends you the samples of the leather and vinyl, you'll see that they appear almost identical.   I've already used a leather conditioner before I ever rode the saddle.  And I wipe it down to get off any dust after the ride, and like Highbinder said, put the raincover over the seat while it sits.  Down here in Hot,Humid Houston area, I can attest to the "sweat" factor being miserable on vinyl.  I'm hoping that leather's breathability will reduce that problem.

[Valker]

I had mine made in cloth. I love it for the Texas summers. I can ride all day long and still have a dry rear. I have about 6 years and 60K miles on mine now.