Corbin Seat Report

[Arthurwg]

I've just fitted a new Corbin seat to the R12 and can easily say that it is MUCH more comfortable than the stock saddle. It's flat and wide, with no tendency to force the rider forward. It's much firmer than stock, which somehow suits me. At first, however, I couldn't get it to fit on the bike. After measuring I discovered that the distance between the front and read mounting bars was 1/2" less than stock. After calls to Corbin it was found that the bar mounts had been installed backwards, and that reversing them brought them in range. After a 60-mile ride I was very satisfied with the comfort level but found that the added width in front combined with the tall mounting position did not let me reach the ground comfortably (I'm 6'1" with a 32-in inseam). I then reinstalled the mounting bars in the lower position, which solved that problem. But now, for some reason the seat refuses to latch in place. (Sigh). I'll be talking to Corbin again in the morning.

 

[J.Garth Milam]

Corbin Seat

Arthurwg,

Glad to hear the Corbin has improved the ride. The factory attempt at a saddle was the first change I had to make on my 1200. I had researched the Corbin and knew its reputation. I chose to go with the Bill Mayer saddle. And am very pleased. With the higher profile I faced the same problems with latch and reaching the ground. But since 95 % of the time our feet are up it's a small price to pay for seated comfort. I hope you continue to be pleased.
See Ya, Garth

 

[gazza]

Just a thought, recently had my front seat off and then couldn't get it to lock back in position. After 10 minutes of kicking the wall and swearing I found the problem. The rear spring loaded latch can be forced towards the front of the bike past a retaining plastic pawl. Seems I had caught it and forced it forward during my first attempt at fitting the seat. Worth a check anyway the hooks should be facing just forward but to the rear of verticle.
You may need to prise the back past the plastic pawl.

 

[BAKERMAN]

Just a thought, recently had my front seat off and then couldn't get it to lock back in position. After 10 minutes of kicking the wall and swearing I found the problem. The rear spring loaded latch can be forced towards the front of the bike past a retaining plastic pawl. Seems I had caught it and forced it forward during my first attempt at fitting the seat. Worth a check anyway the hooks should be facing just forward but to the rear of verticle.
You may need to prise the back past the plastic pawl.

Got my fecking fingers stuck under mine after 45mins fighting with it.

 

[Welshmagician]

Corbin Seat Fitting

I also fitted a Corbin seat to my 12gs a month or so ago, i had exactly the same problems you have had, in the low position the receiving mechanism would just not catch. Corbin tech guys were less than helpful but through a process of elimination i managed to sort the problem.

Firstly make sure the factory welds that hold the bar to the two tabs are ground back neatly, there is very little alignment play with the corbin seat in the low setting, then use some tipex or a similar substance to ascertain where the bar is reaching, in my case i actually had to grind away a minute (1-1.5mm) of the bar to make sure it caught correctly, also before resorting to grinding make sure you fully oil the receiving mechanism and also the catches themselves and the bar that latches into place, in all it took me approx 10 hours of tinkering before i got the seat to latch.

One further point, i'm sure you're aware of it but make sure you turn the key anticlockwise prior to pushing the seat down into its locking mechanism.

Corbin were made very aware of my difficulties in fitting the seat and eventually my supplier agreed a decent discount to in view of the difficulties i had with a seat that seems to suffer from poor manufacture.

Corbin have clearly not designed the receiving bar mechanism with any room for manouvre, additionally the rear seat latches into place but still allows upward travel of more than 15mm although it does remain locked into place.

 

[LA_GS12]

Similar Experience Here

My Corbin seat fit fine on the upper setting, but I decided I preferred the lower mount height.

I had to fiddle quite a bit to get the thing to latch properly. It didn't help that I've added extra tools to my kit.

I've got it to the point now where I set it in place and then give it a good butt-whump to click it in. Stays latched just fine. To remove it I have to press down on the saddle firmly while turning the key.

In the lower position it is much more comfortable than the stock saddle, though I'll retain the stock one for off-road riding. The Corbin seat shape seems silly for off-road.

I'm 6' 2" with a 34" inseam. I reach the ground fine, though with not as much reserve as the stock seat.

-Bill