You guys recommend vinyl or leather for a seat? I'm in So. California so rain really isn't a worry here. Which one's more comfortable? Will the leather take too much of a beating in the California sun?

 

i am using a fuax leather vinyl cover on my seat and its wearing in like old leather, looks good and doesnt rot in the socal sun, very comfortable and doesnt heat up when sitting either. i say go vinyl, but not the shiny plastic looking kind

 

I have the leather Badlander and while it does require some care, it's been great.

 

Leather is more comfortable but requires much more maintenance to hold up to sun, rain and day to day wear. Also most leather seats are only leather on the seating surface so to prevent cracking the sides are almost always vinyl meaning that over time you will see a color and texture difference between the two.
I like leather but after seeing how my wife's car seats have held up over the years even with treating them (sides and creases cracking) I'll probably opt for vinyl in the future for my next cycle seat.

 

I have both. Either are fine. When it comes to vinyl, good vinyl is superior to leather, cheap vinyl is not.

 

I prefer leather. It seems to "breathe" and is more comfortable in the hot, humid weather we have down here. Leather also feels less slippery and holds me in place rather than me sliding back during hard acceleration. I use a good leather dressing once a month and it has held up well and has broken in nicely.

 

I have a custom leather and stingray sundowner, I love. When the wife and I ride somewhere, people stop and look at the seat. It hangs on the wall most days. I also have a leather and vinyle sidekick seat. I just like a leather seat. I dont mind cleaning it. I dont expect either seat to last forever. If you are going to leave in on the bike everyday and want to only buy the seat once, get a vinyle seat.
I would say seats are something most people ignore. If you look at some custom seats they can really make your bike standout.