Corbin seats

[180pilot]

Has anyone recently purchased a Corbin Seat. A local Calif. BMW dealer is telling me their service has gone down hill, so to speak, but for professional reasons he wouldn't expand on his statement?









1981 R80GS
1973 Toaster Tank

[nh7robmw]

I just ordered Dual Sport with an Ovalback backrest from them last week.
I won't get it installed until late October when I go back to California (in preparation for a ride down Baja from the Bay Area where I store my GSPD), so I can't tell you much right now.

I did, however, meet with Corbin's plant manager at their Hollister factory when I rode my bike up from LA to the Bay Area in July and he thoroughly convinced me that their saddles are among the best out there (still).

Looks like they use quality leather and do close to custom work by hand. I sat on a stock saddle for a while and it seemed a lot more comfortable than my OEM solo seat and the craftsmanship looked superb.

I'll post my impressions after the long ride come November but in the meantime perhaps some others would care to add their 2 cents... ---Jeff

[MurphyPeoples]

Has anyone recently purchased a Corbin Seat. A local Calif. BMW dealer is telling me their service has gone down hill, so to speak, but for professional reasons he wouldn't expand on his statement?
1981 R80GS
1973 Toaster Tank

I was doing the same research earlier this year about Corbin when I was looking to buy a seat for my R100S. A fellow BMW rider in Chicago turned me on to these folks:

http://www.meyer-bikes.com/home.php

and said that I could get an extremely comfortable seat for half the price of a Corbin. I'm glad I listened to him, as I've put over 1,800 miles on the new seat, and can stay in the saddle without discomfort for nearly an entire tank of gas.
Just my two cents.
Murph

BTW- S. Meyer has a "buy it now" shop for their saddles on ebay. They take Paypal and ship directly in from Germany.

[Brettendress]

I purchased a Corbin this spring and have about 15,000 miles on it. My butt never gets tired I rode consistent 700 mile days over a 6000 mile trip in 13 days out west this year and not one problem. I am however about to send it back for a few adjustments just because its a little wide at the front and needs the seat pan shortened an inch so I don't slide back under hard acceleration on my GS. It will go back Friday and well see how the seat comes back. On the phone they seem great and like I said not one problem in 15,000 miles.

Brett Endress

[180pilot]

For a GS80 that might be out in rain etc and a lot of dirt. Is the basket weave vinyl dual canyon style the best choice? doesn't look like one could change position on the Corbin Touring style.

[nh7robmw]

Vinyl might be best for rain,mud and dirt but Corbin recommends their "Mercedes" leather which is the most durable and breathes (unlike vinyl), saving vinyl for just the side panels and trim.

maybe you could get a cover if you're in the rain much?

[Bob_M]

I just had a seat hinge break. It scratched the fender paint. I am sending it back and I am sure they will replace it no charge (THEY BETTER!). I may have a big ass, but it is not so big that I am breaking other stuff I sit on:uhoh .

[osbornk]

I bought 2 BMWs with Corbins on them and attempted to buy one for a K75RT I had. I had great difficulty trying to deal with them so I ordered a Russell ( http://www.day-long.com/). It was far more comfortable and cheaper than the Corbin. I also found many prople who were less than happy with Corbin when their seat was less than satisfactory.

[rmarkr]

I have a new leather seat on my K100. Very comfortable, beautifully made, no more expensive than vinyl. It can get wet, and be a little bit of an issue until it dries. Service was good, delivery 1 week, price about $375 (complete seat - no mounting h/ware) My F650 has a vinyl Corbin, looks great, but I'm not too happy with the shape - it seems to slope down towards the front.

[hondarider]

I've had 5 or 6 Corbin seats on various bikes...always very happy with comfort and quality...my GS is a different bike with the Corbin installed...I can't speak to the recent service complaints but I've had excellent experience with ordering custom designs and options from them in the past.

[ducatipaso]

I've had 5 or 6 Corbin seats on various bikes...always very happy with comfort and quality...my GS is a different bike with the Corbin installed...I can't speak to the recent service complaints but I've had excellent experience with ordering custom designs and options from them in the past.

Corbin just recently went out of their way to build me a custom saddle. Customer service has not gone downhill whatsoever over the past 15 years I've been dealing with them.

[PHMarvin]

Hi, 180 Pilot,
Corbin seems to enjoy a good reputation with people who can go to the factory to have a saddle built and /or installed, and a not-so-good reputation for mail order saddles. If your mail-order saddle fits and is comfortable, fine. If there are problems, Corbin's reputation is NOT good is resolving the problems.

I bought one new Corbin, through my dealer, for an R75/7 I was rebuilding (Corbin was $195; OEM BMW was $677). It fit onto the bike, but the pan always rode on the rear fender. This was not a concours restoration, but there WAS a problem which I elected not to try to fix. There was a Corbin on my first K1100LT when I bought it. After a number of years, the rubber grommets which ride on the frame deteriorated. I called Corbin and in a few days I received an envelope with new grommets and pop-rivets - all at no charge.

[12bswayed]

I put a Corbin on my R90S, the dual canyon model, black leather, and I like it alot. I ordered it back in April, and received it in 2 weeks. I called the order in and found the service to be good. The seat is comfy and I like the way it looks on the bike.

The only issue I have with it is that the leather doesn't seem to be affixed to the foam in the driver's seat. Like maybe there wasn't any adheasive in that area or something. It doesn't affect the comfort, just the looks. I've heard mixed things about after sale customer service, so I haven't addressed it with them, but plan to address it soon as the riding season is over.