Seat material

What are these seats made from and what's the best way to care for them (besides keeping them indoors)?

 

Vinyl and foam. armorall may be good if you dont mind a slippery seat.


best way is to never get off the bike so the sun doesn't shine on the seat

 

Cover it when you park outdoors.
I've been using one of these for 8 years.

http://www.genuinecoolass.com/motorcycle-seat-cover.htm

 

doesn't armour all eat the vinyl over time? silicone...

 

armourAll will soak in, ad oce you've used it, you have to keep using it. Otherwise, the plastic/vinyl will dry out, then it becomes brittle and cracks. I stopped using it way back in the '80's and refuse to use it anymore. I definitely would NOT use it on a seat (or any other type of polish/cleaner that makes things slippery). I prefer to stay 'planted' on the seat. Somehow, the idea of sliding around during some evasive maneuver doesn't really appeal to me

 

Yes found out years ago that Armor All was like crack, you couldn't stop using

 

It's pretty bad for vinyl too...

 

Main reason I ask is because I bought the seat Nate was selling off his XJ550R. It's basically perfect condition, but I notice it's a little dull looking and I'm just thinking of a way to properly clean and maintain it's condition. Lots of stuff comes up when googling and I was hoping there was some great product I just haven't learned about yet.

 

I use PlastX on mine...... Yes, the same stuff for polishing everything else. It. Gives a good deep cleaning, and I don't have to clean for a long time after. You may have to do it a few times before you get it really clean though

 

Somebody suggested watered down vinegar to me recently.

I kind of want to replace the foam inside my seat to a gel seat though, is there any reason I shouldn't?
Or any suggestions like only putting a layer of gel across the top of the foam or something?

For that matter is there a link to a thread for seats that can fit on XJs?

 

Vinegar already is watered down

 

I have read that gel by itself probably isn't a great idea a it isn't as supportive on its own. Adding it to a layer of foam would be ideal. There is a lot of great info at this site:http://diymotorcycleseat.com
I haven't done it myself yet, but I hope to at some point in the near future.