Everyone knows that leather looks good on both bikers and their motorcycles. You get the perfect combination of both quality and fashion when leather is worn. However, leather, whether it's on the rider or on the motorcycle, needs to be taken care of if it's going to last over the years.
The leather on your bike is going to be exposed to the harsh elements of weather the year round. The result is worn leather, color fading, and leather cracks. And, we can all agree that an old torn and worn leather jacket is not a pretty sight.
Great Tips to Maintain your Motorcycle Leather Accessories:
1. Vacuum Your Leather
Before you clean, make sure you vacuum your leather accessories. Excess dirt and coarse particles can cause leather scratching.
2. Avoid Acidic or Alkaline Chemicals
The mistake that many bike owners often make is to use cleaners that aren't made for leather and vinyl. It's best to choose cleaners void of acidic or alkaline chemical bases.
3. Avoid Common Household Cleaners
Avoid the use of detergents, soaps, or bleaches. These chemicals can ruin leather saddle bags, seats, and leather grips. They will dull the oil that keeps your leather accessories looking shiny and new. Saddle soap, as well, can gradually damage leather and the stitches that bind the leather.
After cleaning, you should be careful to thoroughly rinse with water and a clean sponge. A good rule of thumb is to never use blow dryers. Allow the leather to dry naturally. The high heats of a blow dryer can dry out leather rather quickly.
4. Prevent Parching
To prevent parching, you should apply a small amount of restorer or conditioner to your leather on a periodic basis. The right kind of conditioners will nourish, moisturize, and help to prevent pollutants from damaging your leather products.
5. Use a Little Petroleum Jelly on Occasion
Petroleum jelly works fine in a pinch for treating leather. A common mistake is to treat motorcycle leather accessories as if they're water resistant. Water can wash out the oil and dry out and crack you leather in a very short period.
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