First, let me say I have read all the seat threads, some several times. Also before some throws out the "it's a dirt bike", mine is not a dirt bike. Mine is a "touring on stone roads" bike. I already own the comfort seat (6000 miles on it) but I want something better. 32" inseam before riding boots, 245 lbs. I need the "wall" behind my seat further back so I can get a wider part of the seat under my butt. Has anybody seen, or have a comparison (opinion) between the comfort seat and the Corbin and Sargent canyon style seats. Please, these are the only two seats I am considering. The Cons I have read: Corbin: Some say it's too wide at front and you feel it between your legs when they are on the ground. Sargent: Some say you are always sliding forward. [FONT="][/FONT]
Corbin: Just hope and pray you never had a defect or warranty issue. I've found them non-responsive with a 2 inch tear (in stitching) after 6 months...even if I offered to pay (under warranty). Known for their customer no-service. Sargeant: Have one now and overall it is ok but... The best seat is one you have modified to your inseam and weight. The Sargeant I have was modified with extra padding ($70 by a local, took 30 minutes) but the pocket should be further back for my inseam. Most seats are more comfortable if they are "dished". I'd talk to Sargeant to see about your specific inseam requirements. If the Sargeant pocket was back about 2 inches it would have been better for my inseam (ass). I added an Alaska Leather (daily riding) & AirHawk (for multi-day rides) and depending on length of ride use one or the other. The original BMW seat is :eek1
Personal Favorite = a Rich's Custom. No guessing. They build the seat to meet your specific needs. No guess work. They are the number one choice of all the motorcycle cops up here in Washington and those guys live on their bikes. http://www.richscustomseats.com/
L&C, Did you have the Corbin on the 800? If yes, was the pocket further back? Dave, I would think about "drive in seat builders" but I don't know of any here in Eastern PA. To go to Washington with my bike would cost more than the seat
I would recommend the Sargent Enduro seat. No step in it which for me is key for moving around. Wide for your big tall ass too. j/k! My stock saddle and a TouraTech I have, each have a step in them that locks you in. Not good. IMO the 658(which I have) and the 800 both have comfort issues. Ergos, windshield location. etc... My Sargent Enduro saddle helps it out.
I have a Sargent and it is great. Had some earlier Sargent seats and they were marginal. I must say, they now have all the finer points of comfort figured out. I have 30K miles on my F800 and they have all been on the Sargent.
I have a Sargent Enduro and it works pretty well. You can move around to change positions. I put in a 650 mile day on it. My wife has enough padding, but she doesn't ride on my 800 GS. (I hope she doesn't read this)
I have had Corbins on my last three bikes, they were all wider in the front than the stock seats. They were also lower but the width in the front made the reach to the ground farther. I have one now I use on my F650GS, pretty much the same bike as the F800GS. The seat pocket is not farther back but on the other hand it doesn't slope toward the tank like the stock seat. The only problem I have with the Corbins is that they are leather, and soak up water. Great seats for comfort though. Just my $.02
JRP, If I go with a Corbin, they don't have any built so I could pick any maternal I want and have the same turn around time. If you did it again, would you order Vinyl over leather? I look it the leather on a seat like leather on a boot ( or even horse saddle), if it's not treated with water proofing, it's not going to be water proof. Can you apply stuff like Snow seal on a Corbin seat? also you said the "seat pocket is not any further back". Is this compared to the Sargent or BMW comfort seat? Thanks
I have a Sargent sport touring seat (I think that's the one you indicated) for sale and took some photos that compare it with the stock seat. Several side-by-side shots. The "dish" on the Sargent is pretty far back on the seat. The guy I bought the mc and seat from was well over 6' tall. https://picasaweb.google.com/wponder/SargentSeat?authkey=Gv1sRgCJjOrd3vgej9ggE#
I don't believe Corbin will use vinyl on the top surface. I do use leather treatment and that does help. The seating pocket is the same as the BMW but it seems father back because it is not pitched toward the front of the bike, You should try and find some one close to you that has either of the seats so you can try them. You're more than welcome to try mine.
Another vote for the Sargent 2 up Touring seat. After going through 2 other seats I ordered the Sargent and the wife and I love it. My F650GS is what get rode when the wife wants to ride somewhere with me and generally its a long distance ride. If I'm by myself I ride my buell XB12R :) Purchased the seat direct from Sargent. Was shipped and at my door really quick could not have been happier with the service and the seat.
I had them all then I oreded another Corbin this time with a "Nose job"! PERFECT!!! ZERO sliding forward.... perfect pocket... sweet!!
The most comfortable seat I have ever owned was the 2006 stock (high) seat I put on my 2007 Buell XB12XT Even the wife loved that seat. And you can't beat the $110.00 delivered! My last BMW (87 K100RS) came with a Corbin seat that was all vinyl.
Yup! Mine is too. You're only going to do it once. You might as well spend the money and get it right! http://www.day-long.com/
I did read about your seat trials. What did you find bad about the original Corbin before the "nose job?" If you dont mind me asking, what is your height, inseam and weight? I did call Russel, they modify my old seat. I want to keep the original seat because it's a red 30th anv seat, so I would need to send them my comfort seat. I have the MOD rear plate which can slide forward when i am on solo trips. the comfort seat is low enough in the back that the MOD plate will slide forward over the seat. So I would have Russel only modify the front 1/2 of the seat, then they recover the whole seat. $415 plus shipping. But if I go with a Sargent or Corbin, I could sell the comfort seat for probably 1/2 of the price of the new seat. Decisions, decisions, decisions. My buddy does have a Sargent seat that is a couple years old. I called Sargent, he said it is the same seat they are currently selling. Guess I need to borrow his seat.
you should try a tt tall you might like it! Or perhaps you should buy another buell seat and put the foam and cover on the 8 pan?
Went from stock to TT Standard Touring (too narrow, and has a back ledge) to Sargent Enduro, which I still use, and like it.