Question for Corbin Seat People

[guyver60]

I am planning to get a Corbin seat in black leather, but I see I have an option of stitching or no stitching. I assume the stitching is the design in the top seat section, like is shown on their website with the heat option. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you have or have seen the plain and the stitched versions and had an opinion on the looks. Any pics to offer? Thanks.

 

[phroenips]

Here's some pictures of two Corbin seats without the stitching.

This one is plain black leather:

And this one is a little more custom. Black "shark" skin leather with Oxblood welting (which does match the 2007 Black Cherry color pretty well):

 

[highcountry]

My bike came with a Corbin and frankly, it is hardest, slipperiest seat that my posterior has ever perched on. I replaced it with a Sargent which I really like. If you haven't tried a Corbin, you might want to try one before parting with your cash. YMMV

 

[just roy]

i have had a few bikes (six i think) that i purchased with corbin seats already on them and i have never liked any of them. very hard and uncomfortable to my a$$. but everyone is different so test one out and see if you like it. you can always sell an aftermarket seat and only lose a little.

 

[kolonial72]

I have a Corbin leather with stiching. I think it's a pretty good looking seat.

 

[zom]

I recently purchased a used Corbin which I have only used for 700 miles so far. Yes, it is very hard, but it is a lot more cofortable than the stock seat. The longest day so far has only been 400 miles, but I was not uncomfortable afterwards.

As others have said, try 1 first if you can.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I guess I'm a Corbin seat person--I've had three. Two came on used FJRs I bought. The first one, I hated. It was like riding on a telephone pole. Sold it and bought a softer and more comfortable Sargent saddle.

Then I got a KLR and after looking at the options, rode to Hollister and had Corbin make me a saddle. Here it is:

After I was satisfied with the shape, he asked me if I wanted stitching in the seat. They'd have put anything on there I wanted, design-wise. The main reason I had them do it was because to have the pattern stand out, they put an extra layer of some kind of material under the leather to give that "quilted" effect, and I thought it might bump up the pillowing factor a little. I still remembered the hardness of that first one on the FJR. This seat was actually VERY comfortable. Those "flames," btw, he just freehanded onto the leather with chalk and a gal stitched them on with a machine. Not too sure how much comfort they really added, though.

By the way, the stitching of the seat is different from the "piping" (in this case gray) around the back edge of the seat and the ridge between the rider and passenger. It's really for looks, and is optional. I like it, myself.

The third Corbin came on my second used FJR, and is MUCH more comfortable than the first one was. I'm keeping it, though I don't truly LOVE it. Still haven't found one I really DO love, and I've tried a lot of the major makers, at least for short rides, or just to sit on. I think Corbin makes a good looking and well made saddle, and they make enough of a variety that you would be wise to evaluate them separately, since there's a big variety of comfort for individual tastes. You don't say where you are in your profile (which you should go back and add), so I don't know if you can get to the factory for custom work. That's the best bet, if it's possible for you. Good luck.

 

[lnewlf]

I've had 3 Corbin seats-last one a leather gunfighter on my FJ1200 and liked them all. They were all very firm but wide, and kept me from sliding foward and abusing the twins. Didn't like the leather tho as it soaked up water overnight and gave me a wet arse the next day. I'm waiting for Fed Ex on Thurs. to bring a new Corbin for the FJR [vinyl seat this time] with stitching-hope it's as good as the others..

 

[cruppelt]

I have a Corbin that came with my 2006, and even though I really like the look I am not completely sold on the hardness level. It has the standard stitching BTW. I am sure it's better then the stock seat, but for my bony butt it did start to hurt after 300 miles. I was very glad about the Highway pegs the PO mounted; they let me move my butt around a bit...

 

[TILAM]

I looked at the Corbin as I had one on my 92 FJ1200 and liked it. I ended up with a Sargent because on the Gen II the Corbin eliminates the height adjustment and sets it at the lower position. I've got long legs so that was a factor. I like the Sargent and would say it's of comparable quality and they gave good customer service. You really need to spend time on them to decide if they are right for you. I think it was cheaper too.

 

[GreyGoose]

I am planning to get a Corbin seat in black leather, but I see I have an option of stitching or no stitching. I assume the stitching is the design in the top seat section, like is shown on their website with the heat option. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you have or have seen the plain and the stitched versions and had an opinion on the looks. Any pics to offer? Thanks.

I've had corbins for the last 10 years. they run on the hard side which for me is an advantage over the long haul. Each of these custom seats have some advantages and disadvantages (seat height, width, style, etc.(and lets not speak of different ass types)). The corbin is slim compared to some of the alternatives. So if your "slim of Hips" (thats a nice way of saying....well....you know..), you can still get good coverage. Those will a wider structure wll be hanging off the sides of this seat. I think thats where mayer and russell do such a good job. Those wings that folks dont seem to like the look of, cradle your posterior in a way that makes it comfortable all day. I would definitly consider this option if it didnt affect my seat height, but at 29 inch inseam, i dont have many options. Just a note about corbin customer service: I had to send my corbin back multiple times when i first recieved it to get it right, but once they got it right, it was good. if you going to order from corbin, and you think you want the driver and passenger combination at some point in time, order both together. I ordered the driver first and the passenger portion a year later. they could not get the order right untill i finally sent the whole thing back. There were mulitple problems along the way, but they covered the shipping cost everytime and finally got it right.i've got a stitched driver and passenger with the passenger backrest. Seats got leather on top and vinyl sides. It looks nice (IMHO) and i think its very comfortable. Heres a couple of pixs to give you some idea of what it looks like.

I found the stitched seat to have a little more padding that the smooth version. I had both and sent the smooth one back. I think the stitched seat has a nicer look to it (and when you shelling out this kind of cash for a seat, it better make you happy when you not only sit in it , but look at it. the mayer and russell will probably increase your reach to the ground, so if your vertically challenged, that a definite consideration. The corbin is a little wider than the stock seat , but it still drops you a little closer than the stock seat. The corbin will also only fit in the lowest position on the bike. it forces you to remove the seat adjustability bracket. So if you using this bracket for anything but the lowest position, look for a different seat. I've heard alot of good things about sargent, but didnt think the overall finish looked like the quality product that the other manufactures were putting out. I've never heard of any customer service issues with them though and everyone i know that has one enjoys it.

GreyGoose