There are a couple of seat covers listed on ebay that I've been looking at, and I was wondering whether anyone has bought one of these to recover their seat and how well things worked out. Did the cover fit correctly and how hard was it to install?

 

I haven't done my 1000F seat (yet) but I have done one for a GPZ900R and the shape is pretty close. Total time to cut, and fit was about 2 hours (that's making the cover yourself) If you have an upholstery staple gun it's easy to do.
I saw those precut covers for around $35 on e-bay......I don't know the cost of good quality vynil in the US but making it yourself has to be a fair bit cheaper.

 

A good cover will need to be stitched in certain areas to fit correctly. Now it can be done w/o stitching, but will require more on your part to make it fit n look right. Like Shadow said a upholstery staple gun will make it alot easier, but can be done with a good staple gun.

I've dont both a nana seat n split seats n both sets of covers came off ebay. One seller is customcreations and the other was Luimoto. Both have great products as reasonable prices.

 

I bought one off ebay for a Yam xj550. That I had a couple of years ago. As Shadow says you will need an profesional stapler. It is relatively easy to do.

 

What about the padding underneath? My cover is fine but I'd love to put some cushier foam.

 

Nothing to stop you fitting more/stiffer foam - you'll need to shape it with a special file or machine, but it can be done

 

I tried recovering my seat with just a plain sheet of vinyl and a staple gun , but gave up and took it to an upholsterer. Got it done for £60 ($90).

If you get a kit , it will be easier if it has been stitched to fit the seat properly. But I also had difficulties with the stapler I had , you will need a stapler with a very long narrow nose.

At the end of the day , you need to find how much a local upholsterer will charge and figure out how much you will save . It may not be worth the time and hassle and you may not get it right first time , whereas the upholsterer will.

I'm not saying it cant be done , just that I may not be worth the effort.

 

I had mine recovered here in Indianapolis, that redone car seats. He charged $75. I did not think it was bad at all. I am going to send it to SARGENT to have the padding and all redone.

 

Did mine myself a couple years ago. Took a bit to get my head around how to lay the insert but after that it wasn't difficult. Used a good home sewing machine with marine grade thread. If you have the equipment it's worth having a go but if you have to fork out for it all, get it done professionally. I don't know what year your bike is but if you have the seat that wraps around the tank then I would be reluctant to try it as a first attempt.