Leather Saddles & Bags

Leather Saddles & Bags

There are two important parts to caring for your bike's leather saddles and bags: cleaning and conditioning. Since your leather is the most delicate surface on your bike, it is necessary to clean and condition regularly in order to preserve it, protect it, and keep it looking good.

Whether you’re cleaning or conditioning, I recommend that you work on one item at a time. This means, when you have applied your cleaner or conditioner to a bag seat, fully wipe down that bag before you proceed to the next. This process ensures that you cover everything thoroughly.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY LEATHER?
Apply the leather cleaner of your choice one section at a time and work the solution into a nice lather. If your leather is heavily soiled, use an upholstery brush. When you're finished, be sure to remove all soap from the surface with a damp towel. Rinse and wipe several times, then dry the leather with a fresh, dry towel. By the way, water will not hurt your leather. Most leather is made (tanned) in water.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY LEATHER?
Cleaning frequency will depend on how much time your bike spends on the road or uncoverd. If your bike is a daily rider, you will need to clean your leather monthly. If you have a weekend ride, plan on cleaning the leather 2-3 times a year. In between cleanings, use a clean, damp towel to wipe down all leather surfaces completely. This removes the dust and light dirt so it won’t have a chance to work into your leather.

There are two cleaning factors that cause leather to wear. The first is dirt and the second is oil from your skin. The oil from your skin is actually the most damaging to your leather. This is particularly true if you wear shorts and have recently applied lotion or sun screen to your skin. Take this into consideration, also, in determining your cleaning schedule.

HOW DO I CONDITION MY LEATHER?
Apply the leather conditioner of your choice on one item at a time using a foam applicator. Work the conditioner in thoroughly. Allow the conditioner to sit (soak in) for a few minutes, then buff off the excess with a dry terry cloth towel. It’s important to buff off the excess. If you allow the excess to stay, your saddle and bags will be slippery. After a few minutes of soak time, your leather has taken in all the moisture it can.

WHY IS CONDITIONING MY LEATHER SO IMPORTANT?
Leather requires replacement of natural oils or it will dry out and crack. Conditioning helps to restore these natural oils and keeps the leather soft and supple.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CONDITION MY LEATHER?
I recommend once every 30-45 days depending on the climate conditions where you ride. If you live in a climate that is humid, you won't have to condition as often as someone who lives in a dryer climate. A cold, dry winter in the East can deplete your leather of it's moisture causing it to dry and crack just like a hot dry summer in the West.