Blacktip vs Riva vs OEM seat cover

[WaveJumpingBama]

FINALLY have the wiring harness fixed in my VXR and am back to full RPMS. Been a long two years off of the water.

My seat has been duct taped in several places for a while, and has several new spots now from sitting ignored. Time to replace the cover!

I've read through the 16 pages in the How To forum, but still can't decide which seat to buy. I see people say that I need to leave the OEM cover in place to protect the foam from getting too wet, but since it is full of tears, what should I do? Someone on Facebook suggested cover it with plastic before I install the new cover.

I was thinking of just buying a new OEM cover, because it is actually cheaper on Partzilla than aftermarket. However, I hear Riva and Blacktip offer better grip. Plus they look better.

Anyone have any input on what seat cover to buy, and if I should remove old one? Or, should I use waterproof duct tape to patch it up, and install over it?

[musubi]

According to the Riva install instructions, you can install a trash bag over the existing seat after removing the stock seat cover. This is only if your seat cover does not have the seat pulls. If it does, then you install the new seat cover over the existing, but I'd add a trash bag either way.

[WaveJumpingBama]

According to the Riva install instructions, you can install a trash bag over the existing seat after removing the stock seat cover. This is only if your seat cover does not have the seat pulls. If it does, then you install the new seat cover over the existing, but I'd add a trash bag either way.

Thank you- do you have the Riva? How do you like it? It definitely looks better than the stock one for my machine.

[musubi]

Thank you- do you have the Riva? How do you like it? It definitely looks better than the stock one for my machine.

I don't have the Riva, but I'd probably go with it if I plan to replace my seat covers. I agree, they look better than stock.
Hopefully someone here can share their experience on either seat cover.

[johnhoo08]

I've read cover over cover. But I've always ripped off and replaced with a new cover and never had any problems. They say you can shingle over an existing roof on your house at least once. I don't like that. Stick with your gut on what you want to do and either way is probably fine.

[WaveJumpingBama]

I think since my old one is trashed, it will be better to take it off, cover with thick plastic, then install new seat cover. Now still have to decide which brand.

[DavidH]

Go to Jet Trim. They make the covers for Riva. You can customize everything. Colors, placement of different materials, grip level, and stitching color. Call them if you have questions about design choices, they are very helpful. May take a month or two but totally worth it.

[K7fxho]

I had a riva seat installed on my old 2007 FXHO and I had the upholstery shop remove my
old seat cover and replace with the new. Didn’t really have any issues with the factory seat padding getting wet. But I did assume that the seat cover would be designed to be able to get wet.

[Sinner05]

I bought blaktip last year for my vxr and love it. I just bought another cover this month for my other vxr.