Ultimate King

[RickJ]

Good timing on the rain cover mention...I am intrigued by this seat, and it seems like a good style and function upgrade. HOWEVER, the site makes it clear that the rain cover should be used when riding in the rain, as well as when leaving it in the rain...seems like a weakness in the functionability of an item on a vehicle designed to be able to withstand use in the rain! I understand their reason, I don't like the idea that not covering it in the rain (even riding in the rain) is a necessity. Observations? Thoughts? corrections?

[Hornblower]

Good timing on the rain cover mention...I am intrigued by this seat, and it seems like a good style and function upgrade. HOWEVER, the site makes it clear that the rain cover should be used when riding in the rain, as well as when leaving it in the rain...seems like a weakness in the functionability of an item on a vehicle designed to be able to withstand use in the rain! I understand their reason, I don't like the idea that not covering it in the rain (even riding in the rain) is a necessity. Observations? Thoughts? corrections?

I agree with others that putting on the rain cover is something you'd rather not have to do, especially if you get caught suddenly and find yourself trying to wrestle that thing on with rain pouring down. I used to wonder why many of the premium aftermarket seats didn't use a more water resistant material similar to what the OEM uses. I finally decided (assumed) that the reason was to use a more breathable material offering better comfort. AFAIK, that is accurate. Of course, you always have trade-offs when you make changes and having to use a rain cover is the one here.

[shooter]

Your stock seat will leak water also. Anything with a seam and stitches will leak. Ultimates thought is that when you pay big money for a premium product you should want to protect it.

[Ultimate Seats]

Your stock seat will leak water also. Anything with a seam and stitches will leak. Ultimates thought is that when you pay big money for a premium product you should want to protect it.

Shooter nailed it- No seat out there, including stock seats, are completely waterproof. The vinyl that we use in our seats is premium marine grade vinyl - it won't leak a drop. It has sometimes been perceived as a flaw or weakness in our design, however ANY SEAT with a stitch line will let water in. We talk about the rain covers up front and not as an after thought (when you have a wet butt) because we offer a custom fitted (and application specific) solution to combat mother nature. That all said - we know that the F6Bs rain cover can be a PITA to install under the deluxe passenger backrest bracket - it's on the radar, and if/when we come up with something better we will advise.

Best,

Dave

[98valk]

Your stock seat will leak water also. Anything with a seam and stitches will leak. Ultimates thought is that when you pay big money for a premium product you should want to protect it.

The stock cover may leak a bit. But the stock seat has a plastic layer on top of the foam just under the cover. That keeps the sponge from getting soaked. Big difference between just the cover being wet and the sponge getting saturated.

I had an Ultimate seat on my Valk that got caught in the rain overnight. I got to ride the next 12 hours with a wet butt! I would take the discomfort of the dry plastic layer all the time vs riding on a soaked seat all day. But that's just me.

[Hornblower]

The stock cover may leak a bit. But the stock seat has a plastic layer on top of the foam just under the cover. That keeps the sponge from getting soaked. Big difference between just the cover being wet and the sponge getting saturated.

I had an Ultimate seat on my Valk that got caught in the rain overnight. I got to ride the next 12 hours with a wet butt! I would take the discomfort of the dry plastic layer all the time vs riding on a soaked seat all day. But that's just me.

Sooooo...maybe the real reason the Ultimate is more breathable is not the material itself but that the plastic layer protecting the foam is missing. What about that Ultimate?

[Ultimate Seats]

Sooooo...maybe the real reason the Ultimate is more breathable is not the material itself but that the plastic layer protecting the foam is missing. What about that Ultimate?

Hornblower,

That is absolutely correct.

From our website: http://ultimateseats.ca/ultimate-seats-quality

"We do not use plastic between our foam and cover like the original seat that came on your motorcycle because we want our seats to breathe. Manufacturing our motorcycle seats without the sheet of plastic between the vinyl and foam allows for a cooler ride."

Best,
Dave

[toy_collector]

I wish the plastic liner was an option. I've taken the ultimate seat back off for daily riding to work so I don't have to worry about soaking the foam. If the rain cover was easier to use this might not be an issue.

[willtill]

I wish the plastic liner was an option. I've taken the ultimate seat back off for daily riding to work so I don't have to worry about soaking the foam. If the rain cover was easier to use this might not be an issue.

There has got to be something that we can treat the stitch lines with, to prevent water from seeping into the foam underneath.

Periodic application of warmed beeswax in the stitches? It would be pliable enough.