Corbin Seat

[kjsett]

Hi, I mention this with trepidation, but I long have desired a replacement seat for my XII. I currently use two cushions for trips as they are usually in excess of 8 hours (10 to 12 when the wife isn't with me).
Money has been tight since we are now a 2 bike family, most of it going into making her 97 Vulcan 800 more travel able.
Anyway, on Ebay is a almost new Corbin seat with backrest starting at $400. Tax return is in and it makes this possible, but is this a good price. It goes off tomorrow so not much time.
The trepidation is that someone else here will outbid me (my ebay name is almost the same as it is here) because by this post I have made them aware.

Questions again: Is a Corbin seat bought online worth it (for all day riding), and is this price a "GREAT" deal (or only so-so).

Thanks for any response - Ken

[debron]

A new Corbin for the XII is $549 (+shipping) so only you can decide if it's worth saving $150 for a used seat. Also, Corbin doesn't tell you what their shipping costs will be until you place the order (at least not on their website.) So shipping could be well over $30 so your savings could be even more with the used seat.

[kjsett]

A new Corbin for the XII is $549 (+shipping) so only you can decide if it's worth saving $150 for a used seat. Also, Corbin doesn't tell you what their shipping costs will be until you place the order (at least not on their website.) So shipping could be well over $30 so your savings could be even more with the used seat.

Listing said "put on bike, sat on, legs too short (I'm 6'2), took off of bike". $30 shipping, so if quality and comfort isn't an issue with anyone, I think I will bid.
Oh and, for the right price, I don't mind if the green piping doesn't match my olive/silver '03.
Note: looking back thru forums, the Corbin name had a real quality control issue back 2006-08, but I would think "HMB Don" wouldn't have bought one if that was still the case.
Thanks for the input.

[Mr Jensee]

From past experience Corbins are not worth the price or the time unless you live close to the factory. I say that because if you talk to them they will tell you that the best Corbin seat must be matched specifically to each rider's butt to be comfortable and they can't do that if you are not there to test fit it. Every Corbin I've experienced has been a molded brick. Some people love them, maybe they have lots of fat on their deriairs, but I don't. If you live near the factory you can have them adjust the seat to your comfort while you wait (so I've been told by folks who've done that) but if you live anyplace else where you have to ship it back and forth to get it right it ain't worth the time or the price. Another issue I have is they ONLY make leather seats. Where I live leather doesn't wear well. But that is personal preference. They CAN be the most uncomfortable thing you can possibly sit on or they can be heaven. I'm just sayin....

[kjsett]

From past experience Corbins are not worth the price or the time unless you live close to the factory. I say that because if you talk to them they will tell you that the best Corbin seat must be matched specifically to each rider's butt to be comfortable and they can't do that if you are not there to test fit it. Every Corbin I've experienced has been a molded brick. Some people love them, maybe they have lots of fat on their deriairs, but I don't. If you live near the factory you can have them adjust the seat to your comfort while you wait (so I've been told by folks who've done that) but if you live anyplace else where you have to ship it back and forth to get it right it ain't worth the time or the price. Another issue I have is they ONLY make leather seats. Where I live leather doesn't wear well. But that is personal preference. They CAN be the most uncomfortable thing you can possibly sit on or they can be heaven. I'm just sayin....

Ok, don't know if I will "win" it as I don't plan on bidding any higher, but I appreciate the advice. If it becomes mine, I will plan on swinging by Hollister, CA when we go on our trip to the Northwest sometime May to June for adjustment. Because new owners are forcing us out of our office location at the time we were to be on vacation, the when is iffy.
Unfortunately, all the weight I lost, found me again, but my derriere sure don't feel well padded when it comes to trips over an hour or so with the stock seat.
Will let you know......

[kjsett]

Ok, paying for it today. Thanks to any and all who let me get it the beginning price.
Also thank you for the advice. Here's what I am getting for my '03:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190829021949?ss ... 1497.l2649

I will be planning a factory visit (if nothing else than for fun) this summer. Going that way anyway, or close enough.
Have plans for at least 3 trips of over 2k each so I am looking forward to this. (note: I may be selling a working backrest later this summer)

[HMB Don]

Good Job, if you like riding all day for more then eight hours you'll like the Corbin. Just last weekend another NorCal member went to the Factory and had a new seat made for theirt 1700 Voyager.

When you come into this part of California, call and I'll ride over to Corbin and meet you there.


Don Medina
President
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA boardmember

[kjsett]

Good Job, if you like riding all day for more then eight hours you'll like the Corbin. Just last weekend another NorCal member went to the Factory and had a new seat made for theirt 1700 Voyager.

When you come into this part of California, call and I'll ride over to Corbin and meet you there.
Don Medina

Right now, if I can choose, it would be approx the 24th of May. My son is going to some music event and we would probably ride as far as Fresno (?) together on the 22nd or 23rd. Next day (whichever) we would be on to Hollister. As I said, this right now is a hope as to those dates, it could be in June.
Hope to see you. - Ken

[kjsett]

Got the new Corbin "Master" seat in with backrest last night. Has a green pinstripe, but I can live with that.
Emailed with the seller, is not a member of the AVA but said he will be selling more parts on Ebay in the near future.
Realized last night that I got a new seat for $400 plus a seat back.
Looked up Corbin's website last night and I knew that a new seat was $549 (150 savings), but I realized I was getting the "Optional" seatback ($229) for free.
Rode in to work today on the old seat, but will have the new one on by this weekend (Friday I think). Thought about using it as a pillow, but then I realized I am an adult now and shouldn't do such childish things (maybe tonight).

[Charles L.]

I've had a corbin on my Voyager for years. It's really very well made, but SO HARD. On a lengthy ride, i have to put something, a sheepskin, or something else on top of it, or i'm suffering.

[Lucasind]

.... I'm with charles L. ,,,,, every corbin seat has been too hard ! too much $$ for what u get,, just sayin

[kjsett]

I've had a corbin on my Voyager for years. It's really very well made, but SO HARD. On a lengthy ride, i have to put something, a sheepskin, or something else on top of it, or i'm suffering.

Ok, well it is on with a ride to work only so far. Yes it is hard, they say it will conform and become adjusted to my backside. I have a Diamond sheepskin like pad that I have been using, so will probably try it for long rides also. Plus, being in Phoenix, much cooler to sit on after being out in the sun when running errands.
Someone locked my Trunk in place, but now I can't get the seat off. I will be removing the bolts that they used as stops to see if it will move back enough to allow clearance.
Have to get used to the seat back, the previous one could be adjusted, this one only up or down (they call it "Lumbar" adjustable?).
Otherwise it looks great and I can already tell it spreads out the support to the "bottom".
Thanks for all the advice,
ken

PS. Office move may delay it, but might be going on a 2k+ ride later this month (Phoenix to Portland, OR. via Hollister, CA.)

[David (N. Alabama)]

Corbins are firm they will form to you if you buy it new. Once the foam ages and/or forms to the previous owner you are done. Nothing else to do but send it to Corbin for rework. Get out there and put 1000 miles on it as fast as you can. I have a corbin for my mean streak that I put on for longer rides. It is firm but comfortable.

[Charles L.]

My son recently bought a new Concours, and, had a new Corbin seat put on. You know what, it aint hard as stone anymore. I guess the Corbin company has been paying attention to the comments folks have made about their product, and changed out the "concrete" with whatever makes the new seats so very comfortable now.

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Im looking for a aftermarket saddle for my xii. I would prefer the rider position built taller or raised up as the stock height is too short for me. If you have line on one let me know, please and thankyou.