Adv seat -- slippy or grippy?

[glasswave]

I am thinking of doing a Corbin ride in appointment for a seat build. They have about 50 leather materials that I could choose from for the top and another 50 vinyls for the sides. What do you think in terms of a seat material for and adv bike seat. Say 60% tarmac, 35% gravel roads and 5% truly nasty 4wd terrain.

Would you want a grippy or slippery seat material. It seems that on road a slippery material may be more conducive to moving around the bike, but it seem that a grippy material might keep you more planted off road.

It probably matters little overall, but since the choice is up to me, I wonder what people think.

thanks

Corbin Seat Materials

[perterra]

I think I would choose the Mayer or the Russell if Corbin offers that option.












Sorry, being a smart ass. I really disliked all the corbins I have sat on.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by perterra

I think I would choose the Mayer or the Russell if Corbin offers that option.

Sorry, being a smart ass. I really disliked all the corbins I have sat on.

Care to elaborate? What specific problems have you had with Corbin seats? I liked the Corbin because of its backrest design, but it's a lot of money if the seats are not good.

[BikePilot]

Corbin's quality is absolutely dismal and the seat will probably weight about as much as the bike itself (slight exaggeration). For heavily dished, very firm, seats like corbins I like the smooth slippy leather. For flatter seats I like something moderately grippy. The suede that renazco uses is spot-on ideal imo. The semi-grippy stuff that Buell uses on the Uly is quite good to.

Also matters a little what sort of bike you are on. Generally gripper seats for smaller bikes and less grippy for big ones is the way I go.

[blues]

Grippy, assuming you wear textile pants.

FWIW my all time favorite seat is a Corbin flat seat. Heavy, yes.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by BikePilot

Corbin's quality is absolutely dismal ....

Also matters a little what sort of bike you are on. Generally gripper seats for smaller bikes and less grippy for big ones is the way I go.

thx,

What probs specifically have you had w/Corbin quality?

the bike is a 2012 vStrom 650.

[perterra]

To me, the Corbin was miserable for long days in the saddle, like sitting on a 2X6, hard as a chunk of wood. I've heard good about Sargents.

I bought a Rick Mayer for my KLR and a week of 500 mile days are no sweat if I at least get a little steady road time before I do it. Now I do know people who liked the corbin so I'm not prepared to say my experience will carry over to everybody. I'm about 240# and that could have a large effect on it.

The Mayer is wider, could make it less satisfactory off road if reaching the ground is a challenge. I caught Mayer with a sale going on a couple of Decembers ago, I think it was $269

[EdOriginal]

Ordered a new Corbin around $450 custom work and within the year side stitching started coming apart....eventually 4 inches of stitching came loose.

Contacted Corbin more than once and their response each time was that they were not in the "fix-it" business...and that I must have caused the stitching to break loose.

Switched to a stock Sargent and actually like it better. And would never go back to Corbin for the time of day. If I lived closer I'd visit R.Mayer, or one of the other shops for a custom seat.

[perterra]

Originally Posted by EdOriginal

Ordered a new Corbin around $450 custom work and within the year side stitching started coming apart....eventually 4 inches of stitching came loose.

Contacted Corbin more than once and their response each time was that they were not in the "fix-it" business...and that I must have caused the stitching to break loose.

Switched to a stock Sargent and actually like it better. And would never go back to Corbin for the time of day. If I lived closer I'd visit R.Mayer, or one of the other shops for a custom seat.

I've heard this more than a few times. The Corbin I rode was an early one and was great quality, but for the last 10 years this seems to be pretty common with them.

[blk-betty]

Have Corbin on my DR650, seems to work just fine.

Used Corbins on all my HDs and never had a problem until recently. Seat on my '12 Road Glide was suppose to be custom built to my height and inseam but it always seemed that I was too far back. After 6 months I finally decied to do something and contacted Corbin. Spoke with someone in customer service and she had me measure the seat.....bottom line it was too far back.

Corbin sent FedEx to my house to pick it up. They came by yesterday and it's on it's way from SC back to CA so they can "make it right" and Corbin is paying the shipping back and forth.

I have heard customer service is bad, but my experience (so far) has been great.

Corbin seats are heavy and hard. People either hate em or love em. The DR seat is not as comfortable as the HD seats...it is flat where they are dished....but on either bike I never feel like I need to stop/rest because my butt is sore.

[Tinks]

We have had a couple bikes with Corbins with no trouble...seat was nice and comfy. No issues. I didn't buy them though, they were an upgrade already done. I have had two seats made custom from Sargent and bought one off the shelf from them.

The custom seats were custome BECAUSE I wanted a much grippier material. I have an anxiety disorder and absolutely want my butt to stay where I put it. Others don't always like it quite that grippy. If the seat slopes too far forward...you will slide forward and your gear would not causing potential crotch discomfort. If you want to move around on a grippier seat, you have to completely pick your butt up to move it. Again, I loved the control I had but grippy (as in dirt bike grippy) on a sport bike or sport tourer is not for everyone. You know yourself best but hopefully this helps.

[BikePilot]

Originally Posted by glasswave

thx,

What probs specifically have you had w/Corbin quality?

the bike is a 2012 vStrom 650.

I'd go anywhere from moderately gripy to slippy on the 'strom.

My corbin seat didn't fit without taking a grinder to it and then it didn't fit well. Weighed a ton also. They are famous for their lousy quality, you won't have troubles finding examples.

[Homey]

I bought a Corbin seat a long time ago (1984) and it was pretty good quality and much lighter than the stock seat but it was on a sport bike. Not totally relevant here but I just wanted to comment on the smooth vs grippy part. I'm not a fan of grippy seats unless I'm wearing full leathers. I have a grippy seat on my Husky and whenever I ride it I spend half my time pulling my pants back up. I'm not a plumber so I find that very annoying. It is better than riding on a 2x4 which the stock seat is like, otherwise I'd go back to the stock slippery seat.

[KS Jay]

Hate to say it but seat selection is only half your decision. What type of pants will you be wearing?

[Waco]

I hate a slick motorcycle seat.