do all aftermarket seats require a rain cover?

[NoHeat]

or is there one that can withstand rain without harm to the foam underneath?

[johnlt]

I have had two RM leather seats and never used a rain cover. If it gets a little wet, it'll dry. If it really get soaked, I take it off and stand it on end inside the house until it is dry. Works for me.

[NewtomeR850R]

Sargeants are waterproof, no need for a cover.

[Ken H.]

Never used one in decades of bikes and different materials. Including with heated seats. Rarely ever even see one on rows of bikes parked in the rain. Basically I think it's a non-issue. When the sun comes out, it'll dry.

[ELP_JC]

If it's leather, you need a rain cover. Your seat is not going to get ruined if it gets wet, but it's much better if it doesn't. Even vinyl ones might need a cover if they have seams, depending where the seams are and how much it rains.

 

I have a leather Sargent and leather Corbin on my 2 bikes, and all I do for rain protection is to carry a thick (3 mil) garbage bag. As a comment, my leather Sargent wrinkled after only ONE rain episode (driving rain under the roof of a hotel), even when leather was conditioned to death.

[2wheelterry]

The Russell Day-Long seats have a metal spring(s), they suggested a seat cover would also protect the spring from rust.

 

I also cover the seat on really hot days, not necessarily with the waterproof cover. I hate sitting on a hot seat.

[timmr]

I have a leather Rocky Mayer on the S. I put conditioner on it every 3 months or so. If it gets wet, it beads off well. No worries. It gets wet when I get caught in the rain. I'm not about to pull over to put a bag on my seat. You shouldn't have to unless you have some decoritive stiching in the seat. The only thing I carry a rain cover for is the tank bag.

[bayne]

Same here...been caught in the rain with my Corbin many times. Don't even own or need a cover. Just treat it with a good conditioner, like Lexol occasionally, and it'll be fine.