Going to Corbin on Saturday for a new seat, any advice?

davidmc · 08-07-2007, 01:31 PM

Hey folks. I have an appointment scheduled on Saturday for a new custom Corbin seat for my 650 V-Strom. I have had Corbins in the past and liked them.

However, I have never had a custom seat made before. I have heard that at Corbin, you kind of have to know what you want in advance. Any tips? I am no custom seat expert...

I know they have you jump on a seat, go for a ride, tweak it a bit, go for a ride, tweak it again, etc. I am wondering how to get the seat dialed in, as comfort problems often don't show up until after many hours in the saddle.

Any advice on how to get the best fit possible from someone who has done this before?

Ricardo Kuhn · 08-07-2007, 01:38 PM

well as easy as...

Do Not GO... !!!!!!!

And spend your money on a seat properly made by a guy like Rocky meyer, Ricky meyer or even a off the sheft sargent.

christian · 08-07-2007, 01:57 PM

I think prices are not the same, isn't it like $200 for the custom corbin when you bring your own seat pan ?

davidmc · 08-07-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian

I think prices are not the same, isn't it like $200 for the custom corbin when you bring your own seat pan ?

Will Corbin do a custom seat on my stock seat pan?

Gummee! · 08-07-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmc

Will Corbin do a custom seat on my stock seat pan?

Nope. Corbin only uses Corbin pans. Expect to have a pair of sadles for yer bike.

Been to the factory. Nice place.

Treat you REALLY well there. Having said that, the seats are heavy, and sometimes, not the best thing for you. Custom may be a different critter tho.

I'd shoot you to James Renazco before I suggest you go to Corbin.

HTH

M

christian · 08-07-2007, 03:23 PM

My friend had his corbin custom seat done on the original KTM 525EXC seat pan. I think it was just over $200 total.

can't be that different for a DL.

mistercindy · 08-07-2007, 03:42 PM

Good heavens, you're already in California so why jack around with Corbin? Don't waste your money. Make an appointment at Russell, Bill Mayer, or Rick Mayer and get the real deal.

Just my $0.02.

Mike Butt · 08-07-2007, 03:47 PM

The Corbin on my 1150GS rocks. The other Corbins I have bought sucked.

davidmc · 08-07-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercindy

Good heavens, you're already in California so why jack around with Corbin? Don't waste your money. Make an appointment at Russell, Bill Mayer, or Rick Mayer and get the real deal.

Just my $0.02.

I knew when I posted this I would get some crap about going with Corbin...

Rick Mayer flaked out on two good friends of mine (he WAS my #1 choice), Russell seats are butt ugly (but good service, I understand) and I have heard mixed things about Rocky Mayer as well. In fact I have heard negative things about all things custom, I think that is the nature of the custom business, you can't make everyone happy. I have sat on a few Sargents and didn't like them compared to the Corbin.

That being said, I have had Corbins on my last two bikes, including a 30,000+ mile RTW trip on the last one. So I know the Corbin will be comfortable for me. Most of the complaints I have heard about Corbin have NOT been from people who had their saddles made during a ride in at the factory. I am hoping that any fit or quality problems can be solved at the factory on the spot.

Any other advice to help with the fitting of the Corbin?

DRGNHTR · 08-07-2007, 04:35 PM

The one that I had done was at the factory on my seat pan. The only complaint I have was that in an effort to be a little bit lower I had them make it too thin. It was great at first but after about 4 months it settled in a little bit and on hard bumps I would have liked a little more padding. Other than that it was an all day seat that looked great and showed no wear or tear 10 + years later when I sold the bike.

huhwhye · 08-07-2007, 04:54 PM

If you must go Corbin I suggest their standard universal seat. People I know have had trouble with getting the "custom" seat just right. It may feel good in the parking lot but after a few hours and several hundred miles it might be a different story.

My best friend had a "custom" Corbin seat made for his Triumph. He brought it back twice to get it adjusted. They were less than helpful with this and it was never right. The custom seat now sits on the shelf and he rides the stock saddle.

But my advice as a 2 time Corbin owner is don't go (second one came with the bike). Their Customer Service is lacking and there are others out their that do an amazing job and treat you nice as well. Same friend had a Bill Mayer made for his GS and its AWESOME!

Gezerbike · 08-07-2007, 04:54 PM

Don't stop..................................

Walt-FL · 08-07-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo Kuhn

well as easy as...

Do Not GO... !!!!!!!

And spend your money on a seat properly made by a guy like Rocky meyer, Ricky meyer or even a off the sheft sargent.

I second that. Check out Russel Daylong.

pbansen · 08-07-2007, 07:05 PM

If you have your heart set on a Corbin and a ride-in appointment and you can get the seat built on your pan, I'd wish you good luck. The biggest problems with Corbin are their crappy pans and lack of accountability - once you buy the seat, they feel no obligation to provide you with any level of customer service.

They are a "custom" seat manufacturer in that they have designs for a whole lot of makes and models and you can choose the type and color of cover that goes over the seat. I don't think they have a pretension of making a seat that is "custom" for your body (which is what makes it comfortable) - they are making a seat according to your choices (thus a "custom" seat) for your bike.

Starting with your pan (which presumably fits the bike) and doing a ride-in, you have eliminated some of the variables. I don't believe that they are capable of building a saddle that will be as comfortable as the Russell people or Rick Mayer are, but they should be able to do a pretty good job with you there to try it out before it's finished. Make sure they understand that you want to take a LONG ride on it prior to finishing it - at least an hour. Keep in mind that once you leave they never want to see you again and they will be much less willing or able to make any corrections to the seat.

I know people that have done ride-ins at Corbin and were happy with both the ride-in experience and the seat, but they are not what I would consider hard-core long distance riders (or even moderately hard-core, for that matter). They mentioned what a cool place the Corbin factory is and that they were treated very well while there. I don't think they had any issues with the seat, but I don't have the impression that it would have been terribly hard to meet their expectations. That's OK: they ride their ride and I ride mine and I have different needs from a seat.

You won't change my mind on Corbin, but you should get what you want and I sincerely hope that you're happy with the ride-in experience and your new saddle!

Rabid Dog · 08-07-2007, 07:20 PM

I did the ride-in thing about 5 year ago, for an RT. It was an OK seat (not great).

On my next bike (GS) I went with a local guy (Rich's in Seattle). Much better seat and much better service.

08-07-2007, 01:38 PM	#2
Ricardo Kuhn a.k.a. Mr Rico Suave Joined: Sep 2001 Location: Salt lake city, Utah Oddometer: 11,582	well as easy as... Do Not GO... !!!!!!! And spend your money on a seat properly made by a guy like Rocky meyer, Ricky meyer or even a off the sheft sargent. __________________ I'm really Sorry but I'm "Out" of Rickybars, Actually I have a bunch of bars and a Ton of end pieces but Not that many clamps to offer them as a product anymore.

08-07-2007, 01:57 PM	#3
christian Exchange your GPS Track! Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Redwood City, CA Oddometer: 2,539	I think prices are not the same, isn't it like $200 for the custom corbin when you bring your own seat pan ? __________________ Yamaha Majesty '08 KTM 690 Enduro '10

08-07-2007, 03:23 PM	#6
christian Exchange your GPS Track! Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Redwood City, CA Oddometer: 2,539	My friend had his corbin custom seat done on the original KTM 525EXC seat pan. I think it was just over $200 total. can't be that different for a DL. __________________ Yamaha Majesty '08 KTM 690 Enduro '10

08-07-2007, 03:42 PM	#7
mistercindy In a state of equilibrium Joined: Oct 2005 Location: North Dallas 'burb in a box made of ticky tacky. Oddometer: 2,905	Good heavens, you're already in California so why jack around with Corbin? Don't waste your money. Make an appointment at Russell, Bill Mayer, or Rick Mayer and get the real deal. Just my $0.02. __________________ '05 R1200GS The following statement is true. The above statement is false.

08-07-2007, 03:47 PM	#8
Mike Butt Agent Provocateur Joined: Mar 2002 Location: Looking west Oddometer: 55,635	The Corbin on my 1150GS rocks. The other Corbins I have bought sucked. __________________ Adventure Rider #799

08-07-2007, 01:31 PM	#1
davidmc ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Oddometer: 291	Going to Corbin on Saturday for a new seat, any advice? Hey folks. I have an appointment scheduled on Saturday for a new custom Corbin seat for my 650 V-Strom. I have had Corbins in the past and liked them. However, I have never had a custom seat made before. I have heard that at Corbin, you kind of have to know what you want in advance. Any tips? I am no custom seat expert... I know they have you jump on a seat, go for a ride, tweak it a bit, go for a ride, tweak it again, etc. I am wondering how to get the seat dialed in, as comfort problems often don't show up until after many hours in the saddle. Any advice on how to get the best fit possible from someone who has done this before? __________________ -Dave www.mototrekker.com '08 R1200GS

08-07-2007, 04:35 PM	#10
DRGNHTR Dragonhunter Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Castro Valley, Ca. Oddometer: 387	The one that I had done was at the factory on my seat pan. The only complaint I have was that in an effort to be a little bit lower I had them make it too thin. It was great at first but after about 4 months it settled in a little bit and on hard bumps I would have liked a little more padding. Other than that it was an all day seat that looked great and showed no wear or tear 10 + years later when I sold the bike.

08-07-2007, 04:54 PM	#11
huhwhye So when we going? Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Southern Cal Oddometer: 532	If you must go Corbin I suggest their standard universal seat. People I know have had trouble with getting the "custom" seat just right. It may feel good in the parking lot but after a few hours and several hundred miles it might be a different story. My best friend had a "custom" Corbin seat made for his Triumph. He brought it back twice to get it adjusted. They were less than helpful with this and it was never right. The custom seat now sits on the shelf and he rides the stock saddle. But my advice as a 2 time Corbin owner is don't go (second one came with the bike). Their Customer Service is lacking and there are others out their that do an amazing job and treat you nice as well. Same friend had a Bill Mayer made for his GS and its AWESOME! __________________ ABC#8265 2005 Yamaha FZ-1 1995 R100 GS 1998 Yamaha YZF400 2006 TTR-125

08-07-2007, 04:54 PM	#12
Gezerbike Hey Rocky........... Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Frostbite Falls, Il Oddometer: 3,014	Don't stop.................................. __________________ ___________________________________________ Mike 1998 R 1100 GS 2007 K 1200 GT

08-07-2007, 07:05 PM	#14
pbansen Hosehead Joined: Jul 2001 Location: Truckee, California Oddometer: 432	Buena suerte, amigo! If you have your heart set on a Corbin and a ride-in appointment and you can get the seat built on your pan, I'd wish you good luck. The biggest problems with Corbin are their crappy pans and lack of accountability - once you buy the seat, they feel no obligation to provide you with any level of customer service. They are a "custom" seat manufacturer in that they have designs for a whole lot of makes and models and you can choose the type and color of cover that goes over the seat. I don't think they have a pretension of making a seat that is "custom" for your body (which is what makes it comfortable) - they are making a seat according to your choices (thus a "custom" seat) for your bike. Starting with your pan (which presumably fits the bike) and doing a ride-in, you have eliminated some of the variables. I don't believe that they are capable of building a saddle that will be as comfortable as the Russell people or Rick Mayer are, but they should be able to do a pretty good job with you there to try it out before it's finished. Make sure they understand that you want to take a LONG ride on it prior to finishing it - at least an hour. Keep in mind that once you leave they never want to see you again and they will be much less willing or able to make any corrections to the seat. I know people that have done ride-ins at Corbin and were happy with both the ride-in experience and the seat, but they are not what I would consider hard-core long distance riders (or even moderately hard-core, for that matter). They mentioned what a cool place the Corbin factory is and that they were treated very well while there. I don't think they had any issues with the seat, but I don't have the impression that it would have been terribly hard to meet their expectations. That's OK: they ride their ride and I ride mine and I have different needs from a seat. You won't change my mind on Corbin, but you should get what you want and I sincerely hope that you're happy with the ride-in experience and your new saddle!

08-07-2007, 07:20 PM	#15
Rabid Dog Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Where the Sun Don't Shine Oddometer: 354	I did the ride-in thing about 5 year ago, for an RT. It was an OK seat (not great). On my next bike (GS) I went with a local guy (Rich's in Seattle). Much better seat and much better service. __________________ Rabid 2007 KTM 990 Adventure (Black)

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