Anyone got a corbin on their 1200?

[Geordie Steve]

I know this topic's been done to death, but even after trawling for hours through loads of similar threads I haven't found the answer...

I'm gonna treat myself to a new seat for next year, coz although the OE seat is ok for normal use, when I'm doing longer runs (say 350+ miles) I get to the point where it feels uncomfortable and no amount of moving around or stopping for coffee breaks helps.

I'd pretty much narrowed it down to either a Sargeant or a Corbin based mainly on the recommendations from other tossers. BUT looking at the Corbin website their 1200 seat looks as if it really slopes quite steeply down towards the tank, which is exactly the thing that annoys me with the OE seat (I always ride with the front high and the rear low.)

Now that's a shame, coz I think the Corbin 11xx seats looked just about perfect - quite wide and flat and sort of arse-shaped. (Real leather too! )

I'm hoping someone will say that it's just the angle the photo's been taken at, and that they don't pitch you forward at all... So has anyone got one or had a long test ride on one??

Cheers, Steve

 

[Dometop]

I can't help you with your question but after viewing the Corbin Web site a few weeks ago I had the same concern. It certainly appears that the seat has the same slope as the stock seat. I sent two emails to the Corbins site and voiced this concern but as yet I have received no reply. I was reluctant to purchase their product prior to my emails because of the negative comments regarding their service I have read on The Adventure website. So, I quess the poor service/follow-up compalints may have some merit. I decided to go with a Seargent even though, like you, I preferred the looks of the Corbin. So far the service from Seargent has been great. My seat should arrive sometime this month

 

[jez]

Steve, I've got a corbin on mine and I've found it much better than the stock seat. If you fancy a look at it sometime let me know as I'm only about 20 miles away from you.
cheers
Jez

 

[Geordie Steve]

Thanks for the response guys.

Jez, it would be good to see one for real before I make the decision so I'd like to take you up on your kind offer. I'll pm you...

Dometop... welcome to the site, by the way . Hope your sargeant seat works for you. You'll have to post a quick pic & report when it arrives. Just in case I'm still, er, undecided.

 

[surfk9]

Steve,

Had a Corbin on my 1100 and now on my 1200. The seat has some adjustment for the rake from about level to tilt forward. I have mine level and there is no more sliding into the tank. Beware that the foam is quite firm and takes some miles before it breaks in. Once it fits your tush its great. Have been using Corbins seats on all my bikes since 1985 (live 30 miles from his plant) and have no complaints.

 

[Fredb51]

I have a Corbin on my 1200GS and it is certainly way more comfortable than the OEM seat. Despite appearances it does not push you towards the tank. It's quite wide which is good on a long trip, but that width can present problems for the shorter of leg when trying to reach the ground. It is also extraordinarily heavy and quite poorly made. I tried to contact Corbin customer service on a couple of occasions but heard nothing back from them and in fact am not sure if that department even exists, going by other complaints about Corbin. I even saw Mike Corbin at a bike show and tried to speak to him about the issues with his product but he was impressively slippery. I put a Sargent seat on another bike and the quality, service and general experience with the product way surpasses that of Corbin.

 

[MIKE R]

I have a Sargent on my 12GSA which I bought s/h off this site. I find it very comfy and well made.

On my 1150ADV I had a heated Corbin. Again very comfy but VERY heavy. Also the workmanship underneath was atrocious.

Mike

 

[Ken H.]

Notice that it doesn't tilt forward it's entire length. There is a little 'bowl' for you posterior, then it heads upward.

30K so far sitting on it, no problems. They are firm though. The heated part is great too!

 

[Geordie Steve]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Still in two minds about it, until I actually get to sit on one. From the pic above it looks as if the slope of the seat shouldn't be a problem. The reports of poor workmanship sound a bit worrying though! As is the fact that the seat may be a good bit wider than the original... not sure if I'll be able to reach the ground comfortably.

Ken H... is that a standard height seat in the pic?

 

[jez]

Steve I'm 6'2" and have a 33" inside leg and have the seat on the high setting (found it not as comfy on the lower setting over long distances) and I find that I can't flat foot at the lights, whereas with the standard seat on high I can sit with my legs slightly bent.

 

[Arthurwg]

I've got a Corbin on my bike and must say that I find it very comfortable and a giant improvement over the stock seat. When I go for long rides I also add a sheepskin pad, which helps as well. But the seat does not pop on and off as easily as the stock seat because the tolerances are just not as good. That can be a bit of a problem on occasion.

 

[Off Piste]

Seat

I Put a Sargeant seat on my 1200 GSA. Great seat. Bit harder than standard
but great shape. Also a good bit lower than standard seat. Fit onto bike is better than standard.

Go on you know you want one.

 

[Geordie Steve]

Hmmm, Jez I think you've made the decision for me there. I'm 5' 9" and if the Corbin is that much higher / wider than the stock seat it would probably be a bad choice for me. I reckon I'll be putting in an order for a Sargeant as soon as the holidays are over. If I've got any money left, that is... ;-)

Many thanks for all the replies - I'll post a pic & report when I finally get sorted...

 

[gwyrdd]

I've got a Corbin on my 1200 and it gets better with use as it shapes itself to my "anatomy". It's quite a bit wider than the stock seat but it doesn't slope forwards. Overall it's very comfortable and I have no issues with the quality of it. It looks ace too and enhances the overall look of the bike aswell as being alot more comfortable on longer rides.

 

[Charlie George]

Sargent Seat

I have recently bought a standard height Sargent and only done about 100mile but it is certainly more comfortable and better finished than the supplied seat. It is also a little lower and it helps with me with my footing.

I also found the stock seat pulled me forward and that has stopped.

I looked at the Corbin and Sargent at the NEC and thought that the Corbin was not as well finished and if made of leather probably vunerable to the damp.

The service I got from the Sargent's was prompt and very helpful.

 

[Big-G]

I get all my seats re-worked at www.motorcycleseatworks.co.uk.
the GS was £95 to my spec, weight and height.
Fantasic. My buddy does big miles and also swears by them.
Cheers
G