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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| I have an 11 Arlen Ness Vision. I like the looks and the feel of the stitched leather seat but it allows water to seep through. My jeans then soak the water up from the seat. Not so great especially in the winter.
Anybody figured out anything to apply to the seat to keep the water out? Guess I can get a rain cover for when it's parked but can't ride with it. Never had a seat with this problem.
Anyone know who actually makes these seats for Victory? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 112
Denver, Iowa | My seat on my '09 Ness is the same way. I have an 8-ball seat on it now. It is far more comfortable, too. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I would think there should be some leather care instructions with the bike, but since I don't have one I don't know. You do need to put more care into a leather seat, such as using a leather sealant like mink oil. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | It's called mink oil! You should use it on all leather to help keep the water off. Leather is not water proof. And if you have a lot of seems that ain't helping. I would Mink oil it and still cover it when it rains. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Are you guys actually using Mink oil on your seats? I've used it on my boots, but I don't think I'd want to sit on it. There are better suited leather conditioners available that won't turn your seat nasty.
Unless you really goop it on, it's still going to leak through the seams anyway. No different than the vinyl seats. The Ness seats have a lot of extra stitching that makes it even easier for the water to get through.
Russell Day Long seats says that if the seat gets soaked, pull it off the bike and stand it up so that gravity pulls the water out. They also say that it may take a couple of days to dry.
The best thing for a leather seat is to get a light weight cover for it and use it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
Chino Valley, AZ | I have a custom leather seat on my 08 Vision and i do not have rain problems with it, the best way to care for your seat is to use Saddle Soap on it once a month, more often if it gets wet. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I do agree with cchristo, keep it covered. I'm doing my homework on this topic and find there is alot of stuff out there to confuse a person, but the bottomline is that leather must be cared for. Seats are difficult to care for because you sit on it so if you use an oil like mink oil, you have to make sure you have applied and then wipe until noticeable residue is gone. I know that Armorall makes a leathercare product but I try to avoid anything armorall because in time there is a nasty residure that forms that you will not clean off. I had a leatherseat on my Gold Wing for a time and I would use this stuff sparingly, but didn't keep the bike long afterwards so I don't know what it would have done.
I've only had vinyl seats on the Vision and I don't like it at all in the summer time. The real reason most manufacturers will not put leather seats on bikes is that it does take a lot to care for them and they look really bad when you don't. Indian motorcycles only come with leather seats and emphasize you have to care for them. The best advice on this subject is to research, find someone who has a leather seat and share experiences. I've heard of using a wax around the seems even on vinyl seats to help seal out water. One thing about owning a motorcycle is that it takes time and effort to maintain it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | RustyNails - 2012-01-02 9:26 AM
I have a custom leather seat on my 08 Vision and i do not have rain problems with it, the best way to care for your seat is to use Saddle Soap on it once a month, more often if it gets wet.
Saddle Soap is, well, soap, which in time will dry the leather out if you are not putting on some kind of leather conditioner afterwards. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| Thanks for the replies. I think the stitching is the problem more than the leather. I've had Corbin leather seats before without stitching and didn't have any issues with leaking. This one got wet yesterday after a 15 minute light rain shower.
Was hoping someone had found the magic potion for sealing the stitching but I guess a cover is the only solution other than switching seats. Just don't see how a cover will be practical for use when riding in the rain. Has anyone tried using something like Camp Dry on the seams/stitching? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Just so you know this has been going on since Corbin made leather seats for the '99s and I am sure any leather seat with stitches in it. I remember Tom complaining cause it would take 3 days to dry after riding in a downpour.
Years ago a boot guy (same name as me) said NOT to use silicone because it degrades the stitches. I think thread has changed enough in the last 10 years so it should be okay but ask a boot person near you. Auburn saddlebags has some real nice leather products.
I used Lexol on my Mom's leather seats and they did not get slippery at all but I can't say if it waterproofed them. I use silicone on my leather boots and then boot wax over it. Maybe you could silicone the seat without it getting slippery?
Just make sure you won't slide on the seat at at stop. Worse would be you and your passenger sliding at a stop.
Take good care of your leather and will serve you many years. Do a web search for leather seat makers and see what they say. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| Okay. Looking online at the various rain covers for the seat. Would like to have one the covers the pad on the top box as well. Anybody using a particular one that they are happy with? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 49
| Just purchased the Ness seat I think they stopped making it in leather back in "09" I believe they are vinyl. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| Their specs still say Leather even for the 2012 Ness Vision on their website. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 5
| oakwood I live in the uk and own a 2010 vision which was ocean blue and stone. I wanted a white one so had the blue painted white,SENT SEAT TO BE RECOVERED IN TWO SHADES OF BROWN LEATHER. I used a nanotechnology sealant on the seat and the paint work even chrome. all I can say is FANTASNTIC,used a range call tough seal look it up on the net it looks like witch craft but it works by the way if you use it on the paint work you DONOT ever need to wax your baby [they say ] for ten years I don't know about that but after a year dirt just rolls off. I Know it sounds that I work for them but it's that this forum has been so useful and fun it's nice to have the chance to put something back.  If anyone has any other questions about the stuff I have used just ask. I will post a picture of my bike when it stops raining and my daughter has time to show me how [still a bit of a luddite when it comes too techno gear]. any way sorry about waffering on hope it's some use. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 5
| oakwood I live in the uk and own a 2010 vision which was ocean blue and stone. I wanted a white one so had the blue painted white,SENT SEAT TO BE RECOVERED IN TWO SHADES OF BROWN LEATHER. I used a nanotechnology sealant on the seat and the paint work even chrome. all I can say is FANTASNTIC,used a range call tough seal look it up on the net it looks like witch craft but it works by the way if you use it on the paint work you DONOT ever need to wax your baby [they say ] for ten years I don't know about that but after a year dirt just rolls off. I Know it sounds that I work for them but it's that this forum has been so useful and fun it's nice to have the chance to put something back. If anyone has any other questions about the stuff I have used just ask. I will post a picture of my bike when it stops raining and my daughter has time to show me how [still a bit of a luddite when it comes too techno gear]. any way sorry about waffering on hope it's some use. |
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Tourer
Posts: 366
Albuquerque, NM | Anyone tried seam seal? Several different brands out there...
http://www.amazon.com/Kenyon-Seam-Seal-3-2oz/dp/B0007RSG70 |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | cchristo, I have never actually used mink oil on a leather seat (mine is currently vinyl), but I use it on my shoes, chaps and jacket. Used properly it should be not be a problem and should not come off on your pants etc. You have to rub it into the leather, let it sit for a while, wipe off the excess and then wipe again a bit later. Leather is skin, skin has natural oils to protect and keep water out. Proper leather care requires a substance that can keep the leather supple (an oil based product in most cases). Not all "mink oils" are equal. A quality mink oil is suitable for leather upholstery as well as your shoes, chaps, leather jackets, etc.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| I talked to a service guy at Arlen Ness. He said that I will have a tough time making the seat leak proof because of all the holes due to all the stitching. He said to try something like SnoSeal like waterproofing boots because it's a thick waxy substance and might seal the holes. Other than that, he had no ideas. He thinks the seats may be manufactured by Corbin. Guess I will call Corbin. Ordered a seat rain cover but that will only help when it's parked. Don't know of many trips where I didn't end up riding in the rain at some point. I'm from the southeast . . .
Really like the looks of the seat and it's comfortable so far but also really don't like having a wet butt. May have to find a comparable leather seat that isn't stitched. They could have embossed the Arlen Ness symbol into a plain leather seat and it wouldn't have leaked. Guess it doesn't rain much in CA.
I'm thinking that anything thick enough (Seam Seal or SnoSeal, etc) to fill the holes and stop the leaking will be very obvious and unattractive but I may try some different products on something other than the seat first. |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| You might want to think about giving up the Ness seat if it continues to bug you...The Vision 8-ball seat is vinyl but is the same seat otherwise..I have one on my Vision and love it.....Good Luck |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Yeah, give it and send it to me, I'll send you my vinyl one, it don't leak, and I know. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I have the stock vinyl seat and two or three time a year I mink oil all the sticking just so the threads don't dry out and cause tearing. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| Ordered some Aquaseal Stitch Guard and Black Leather. The Stitch Guard is made for sealing the stitching on leather boots. Will advise once it's applied and tested. |
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Arlen Ness seat leaking?