I'm faced with a seat conundrum....

[johnnyquest]

I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death. I did a couple of searches and didn't come up with any pertinent data, so here it goes....

My K75s came with a "BMW by Corbin" seat. I saw some old pictures of it in some magazines from 1990 and it is the same seat in the pictures, so I'm guessing it's either stock or a dealer accessory. When I got the bike the vinyl covering was already peeling away from the canvas, and over the course of a year and 11,000 miles it's only gotten worse. So, my options are:
1. have a local shop re-cover the seat for $75-$100
2. have Corbin re-cover the seat. They emailed me back and said it would cost 75% of what a new seat would cost, plus shipping. I'm guessing @ $175
3. Buy a new seat. Corbin's are around $229 and Bill Mayers are more expensive from what I understand....

So, my problem is I don't know which avenue to take. I'm not sure how good the seat will look if a local shop does the work, and the foam will be the same. The foam isn't that bad, but wouldn't a new Corbin seat be better? I mean, is the material they're using now better than what they used 16 years ago? Or not really? Aesthetically, would my stock seat recovered by Corbin add more value to the bike? Were these seats rare or common in 1990? Would my kbike look goofy with a new Gunfighter seat? I've never seen any pictures of one installed. So many questions....

I know I'm not trying to cure cancer, or develop the longer-lasting light bulb or something...it's just a seat for crying out loud! But I'm trying to decide the best way to spend my money, I don't want to waste it but I also want to give my bike the seat it deserves....it's in good shape after all and I want to keep it looking nice. If anyone has any opinions or experience, or has had to make a similar decision please give me your insight. Thanks in advance!

JQ

[knary]

I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death. I did a couple of searches and didn't come up with any pertinent data, so here it goes....

My K75s came with a "BMW by Corbin" seat. I saw some old pictures of it in some magazines from 1990 and it is the same seat in the pictures, so I'm guessing it's either stock or a dealer accessory. When I got the bike the vinyl covering was already peeling away from the canvas, and over the course of a year and 11,000 miles it's only gotten worse. So, my options are:
1. have a local shop re-cover the seat for $75-$100
2. have Corbin re-cover the seat. They emailed me back and said it would cost 75% of what a new seat would cost, plus shipping. I'm guessing @ $175
3. Buy a new seat. Corbin's are around $229 and Bill Mayers are more expensive from what I understand....

So, my problem is I don't know which avenue to take. I'm not sure how good the seat will look if a local shop does the work, and the foam will be the same. The foam isn't that bad, but wouldn't a new Corbin seat be better? I mean, is the material they're using now better than what they used 16 years ago? Or not really? Aesthetically, would my stock seat recovered by Corbin add more value to the bike? Were these seats rare or common in 1990? Would my kbike look goofy with a new Gunfighter seat? I've never seen any pictures of one installed. So many questions....

I know I'm not trying to cure cancer, or develop the longer-lasting light bulb or something...it's just a seat for crying out loud! But I'm trying to decide the best way to spend my money, I don't want to waste it but I also want to give my bike the seat it deserves....it's in good shape after all and I want to keep it looking nice. If anyone has any opinions or experience, or has had to make a similar decision please give me your insight. Thanks in advance!

JQ

How does you butt feel about the seat?

[gsmetal]

Buy a new Corbin and put the old one up for sale on eBay to help subsidize it.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death. I did a couple of searches and didn't come up with any pertinent data, so here it goes....

My K75s came with a "BMW by Corbin" seat. I saw some old pictures of it in some magazines from 1990 and it is the same seat in the pictures, so I'm guessing it's either stock or a dealer accessory. When I got the bike the vinyl covering was already peeling away from the canvas, and over the course of a year and 11,000 miles it's only gotten worse. So, my options are:
1. have a local shop re-cover the seat for $75-$100
2. have Corbin re-cover the seat. They emailed me back and said it would cost 75% of what a new seat would cost, plus shipping. I'm guessing @ $175
3. Buy a new seat. Corbin's are around $229 and Bill Mayers are more expensive from what I understand....



One option is to look for a more intact seat in the used market. IBMWR (http://www.ibmwr.org/market/) is the best place for this. If you are not in a hurry, you can watch for a seat. Used seats can be had for 100-150.
A second option in the used seat area, is a used stock seat. There are many un-used stock seats on the market because everyone replaces them.

A third option, is to look outside of Corbin. Flip through your latest MOA ON and you will see a handful of companies who make custom seats. I would guess all they need is your seat pan

As an owner of a K75, with a Corbin seat that needs some work. I am thinking of having it refinished locally. A friend of mine gets his boat seats redone every 3 years or so. I may try them, they do nice work. I like to keep the expenses on my spare bike to a minimum, but don't want it to look run down either.

[johnnyquest]

How does you butt feel about the seat?

I guess my butt feels pretty good on my current seat. I didn't have any problems on my trip to Texas and back...but I stopped often and stood on the pegs periodically. My problem is I have nothing to compare this seat to since I've never had any other bike. My seat could be terrible (or fantastic) and I wouldn't know it.

JQ

[johnnyquest]

One option is to look for a more intact seat in the used market. IBMWR (http://www.ibmwr.org/market/) is the best place for this. If you are not in a hurry, you can watch for a seat. Used seats can be had for 100-150.
A second option in the used seat area, is a used stock seat. There are many un-used stock seats on the market because everyone replaces them.

A third option, is to look outside of Corbin. Flip through your latest MOA ON and you will see a handful of companies who make custom seats. I would guess all they need is your seat pan

As an owner of a K75, with a Corbin seat that needs some work. I am thinking of having it refinished locally. A friend of mine gets his boat seats redone every 3 years or so. I may try them, they do nice work. I like to keep the expenses on my spare bike to a minimum, but don't want it to look run down either.

Thanks for the advice, Gail. I'm sure I could find someone that would do pretty decent work locally, and it would keep the costs down. I looked on ibmwr.org last night and didn't see any seats for sale, I'd have to get lucky to find one (like I did with my bike). I know that Bill Mayer advertises in the ON and I saw some of his work up close and personal at the Road Runner rally this year, but I'm not sure that I'm ok with spending close to $600 on a seat when a Corbin costs $229. Some of the seats he made for the newer BMWs looked really nice though.....

JQ

[knary]

Thanks for the advice, Gail. I'm sure I could find someone that would do pretty decent work locally, and it would keep the costs down. I looked on ibmwr.org last night and didn't see any seats for sale, I'd have to get lucky to find one (like I did with my bike). I know that Bill Mayer advertises in the ON and I saw some of his work up close and personal at the Road Runner rally this year, but I'm not sure that I'm ok with spending close to $600 on a seat when a Corbin costs $229. Some of the seats he made for the newer BMWs looked really nice though.....

JQ


Corbins are known, generally, as uncomfortable seats. But if this one isn't bothering you now, why spend big bucks? Take it to a local auto upholstery place ask them for a new cover and a "freshening" of the foam.

[Kbrick]

I guess my butt feels pretty good on my current seat. I didn't have any problems on my trip to Texas and back...but I stopped often and stood on the pegs periodically. My problem is I have nothing to compare this seat to since I've never had any other bike. My seat could be terrible (or fantastic) and I wouldn't know it.

JQ
I had the same seat on my 91 K-RS, Corbin by BMW.
I didn't like it, so I got a new to me used seat from a second hand parts shop.
Re-sycle in central Ohio (they advertise in the MOANews).
I think I may be the only guy that likes the standard K bike seat, after that Corbin the Standard seat is like heaven. You can move around on the standard, not locked in with the bucket design of the Corbin.
Good luck!

[Bobmws]

I guess my butt feels pretty good on my current seat. I didn't have any problems on my trip to Texas and back...but I stopped often and stood on the pegs periodically. My problem is I have nothing to compare this seat to since I've never had any other bike. My seat could be terrible (or fantastic) and I wouldn't know it.

JQ
Did you stop often and stand on the pegs because your butt was uncomfortable? If so, ditch the Corbin and try another seat. If that wasn't the cause recover the existing seat locally.
Try and find some local K-bike owners that have different seats. Someone might be willing to let you try theirs on your bike. The seats swap out very easily. Any K75, 100 or 1100 seat from '86 on should fit.

[Motorman]

I'm in the same situation. The seat on my 90 has deterorated from age and has split open. I'm going to local route. I will have it enlarged just a bit and use less dense foam. The Corbin, while looking good stylewise, is damn hard and uncomfortable after an hour of riding.

The best seat I have ever had on a motorcycle came from MAC when they did MC seats. It was a double saddle style for my old R100. It was comfortable for all day riding and I felt MUCH better after 700 + miles on it than I do now after 200 on my K75 with the corbin. I just won't be able to use the same design on the K because of the bags.

[johnnyquest]

I appreciate everyone's input....I thought it over, also talked to some local BMW owners in person. It's seemed almost an even split 50/50 as far as people who either like or dislike Corbin. Bottom line is I don't currently have a problem with my current Corbin seat so I decided to try a newer Corbin Gunfighter. $253 out the door, black leather that is made to look like the vinyl weave of my current seat, a red welt to accent the red on my bike, and the "motorsport" emblem on the front. If you visit corbin's website it will look just like the gunfighter in the picture only with a red welt. It's going to take them a few weeks to make it for me, the foam and the pan are guaranteed for life and the leather for a year.

I'm sure the other seats you all mentioned are great, and if cost were no object I'd love to have a custome Bill Mayer seat.....but I just can't see spending $600 on a seat. I may end up regreting my purchase, if so I'll sell it on eBay and chalk it up as a lesson learned.

Thanks again to everyone who gave their advice and opinions. I'll post a follow-up thread once I install it and try it out. If I ride as much in the coming year as I did last, then I should have it pretty well broken in about 4 months after installing it.

JQ

[qkvic]

I have had a corbin seat on my 85 k100rs for 6-7 years
It was purchased new by me aftermarket and i never looked back.
Along with suspension upgrades and motolights, all part of excellent improvement projects.
I personally would recommend it bearing in mind it is expensive.
As someone here said , your butt will thank you.
:type ..best regards,
Vic

[tjtraver]

You may want to try a gelpad. I modified my stock BMW seat , installed a 3/4" gel pad into it , overlaid with 3/8" memory foam. Materials cost about $60 , improvement as the saying goes "priceless". A great upgrade for long trips.

[john1691]

I am new to the group, and to owning a K1200RS, and am sure I've missed a lot of great information, but......what is the "best" seat for the K1200RS? I lucked into the K12, it was a salvage title, with spare parts that I spent the winter putting back together. Otherwise I could not have afforded this nice machine. I'd like to improve the ergos related to a sore butt and numb throttle hand. Granted they are much better than the '85 Ninja I used to ride, (I know, I'm sorry) but my goal is to stay on the bike longer, and the two main issues are seat and bar risers. I am 5'11 and weigh in at 190, so anyone with affordable ideas, please send them my way. Thanks

[jwhite518]

I guess my butt feels pretty good on my current seat. I didn't have any problems on my trip to Texas and back...but I stopped often and stood on the pegs periodically. My problem is I have nothing to compare this seat to since I've never had any other bike. My seat could be terrible (or fantastic) and I wouldn't know it.

JQ

Oh, you'd know it if your seat were terrible. But since you don't have any complaints about the current seat, just refinish it locally and save yer money for a farkle that will make a difference for you.

I had the same questions about my stock seat. It seemed that everyone was replacing seats to "better" aftermarket ones. I just never had that much of a problem with my seat. And I have run numerous 24-hour rides including a Bun Burner Gold. I figured if my buns didn't get burned on that one, my seat was "good enough." I suppose some day when I run out of things to spend my money on, I'll try a new seat just to see what I've been missing. In the meantime, I need a new Darien, a SmarTire, HID upgrade, etc etc etc.

[johnnyquest]

I got my seat delivered last Friday and installed it when I got home that evening. I had to transfer all the hardware from my old seat to the new one. My first observation was how nice the new seat looked after taking it out of the box. The material, stitching, and general workmanship looked top-notch. I then noticed while transferring the hardware that all the holes for the mounting hardware were actually in the right place. I also noticed that the new seat had two more rubber grommets on the bottom (the hard rubber pieces that actually ride on the frame) than the old one, and upon closer inspection noticed that my old seat at one time had the same grommets, you could see where there were once rivets there. I then mounted the seat and adjusted the hardware accordingly so it would open and close properly. The extra grommets in the front and the fact that they're new grommets make the new seat sit higher on the bike. Initially when I sat on it I felt like I was higher and a little further back than normal. The seat looks really great on the bike I think.

My first ride on the new seat left me with mixed feelings. I immediately noticed the higher center of gravity as a result of the seat being higher, not to mention having to use my tip-toes to get the bike off the center-stand. In corners I now feel more like I'm on top of the bike than in or with the bike....I found myself counter-steering more and body-steering less. My MSF instructors at my base would say that's a good thing! I then noticed what so many people told me would be the case: The seat is really, really firm. But, I found that I kinda liked it. But I'm the kind of person who likes a firm bed, and I like the seats in my VW because they're more firm than plush. I also remembered people telling me that it would take a while to break in my new seat, so with that in mind I decided I wouldn't make any final decisions for a few months.

I've ridden the bike three or four times since installing the seat, and either I'm getting used to the new seat or it's getting used to me because when I road home tonight I felt really comfy on it.

JQ