Artificial leather or genuine leather — which is better?

The question comes up regularly: why faux leather and not genuine leather? On a motorcycle, where quality is valued? The answer has nothing to do with economy — but with the demands a motorcycle places on the material.

Why genuine leather is problematic on a motorcycle

Genuine leather is a great material — for shoes, furniture, and motorcycle jackets. But on a seat that is exposed to wind, rain, UV radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations, it reaches its limits.

Leather absorbs moisture. After a rain shower, you sit on a wet seat that takes hours to dry. In the sun, leather dries out and becomes brittle if not regularly maintained. In winter, absorbed moisture can freeze and damage the material. And leather requires regular care with special products to keep it supple.

For a motorcycle kept in a garage and ridden only in sunny weather, genuine leather can work. For everything else, there are better options.

What modern outdoor artificial leather can do

The artificial leather we use at Sitzfleisch has nothing in common with cheap PVC material from the hardware store. It is an outdoor artificial leather produced in the EU with the following properties: highly abrasion-resistant, UV-resistant, water-repellent, resistant to driving rain, and easy to clean. It is also REACH-compliant, DMF-free, phthalate-free, and antibacterial certified for use in vehicle upholstery.

The material composition: 80% polychloride, 18% polyester, 2% polyurethane. For the Comfort and Diamond lines, the seating surface consists of 97% PVC and 3% PU on a polyester backing. This results in a surface that is grippy enough to provide hold, but smooth enough not to hinder mounting and dismounting.

Durability in comparison

Under the conditions prevalent on a motorcycle, high-quality outdoor artificial leather lasts longer than genuine leather. It does not fade in the sun, does not absorb water, does not become brittle, and does not require regular leather care. A damp cloth and occasional impregnation are sufficient.

What we recommend

For use on a motorcycle seat, high-quality outdoor artificial leather is the pragmatically best choice. It combines durability, weather resistance, and ease of care at a level that genuine leather cannot achieve under these conditions. Tips for care can be found on our care tips page [LINK: Care tips].