Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Corbin lovers - Talk me off the ledge

Bought a used Corbin solo with backrest. Have not used the backrest yet. I've heard plenty about the "break-in" period, but how long is this supposed to take? I figured since it's used it would have already been broken in a little. Does it have to conform to my butt or does my butt have to conform to the seat? I've ridden about 160 miles with it so far. I'm at work now and my butt hurts when I think about getting back on to ride home. I feel like it pushed me forward in the seat, which I don't like, is this normal? Is it possible that I'm too fat for the seat? Also, can I use the backrest without removing the seat and bolting it down, or is this a must?

I felt pushed forward at first also, I guess I got used to it. I do not bolt my backrest in. I just slide it in or out as I see fit. My break in period might have been a little over 1000 miles.
Do you have a fat a$$? Possibly.

first, any new saddle is going to hurt till your rearend gets used to it. Second, simply sliding the backrest into the receiver works but the backrest will wobble and is readily available for theft. Having said that, I had no break in for either of my corbin saddles. But, corbin does take into account one's inseam and such when taking the order, so your saddle could have been made for someone whose confirmation is different from yours. Vera Lynn's backrest is on the wall. Cinnamon girls is in the saddle. Why? Looks. Recently road over 3000 miles without the backrest. GA Rally 2010. Would I do it again? No. Backrest are a big boon for the lower back. The cool factor notwithstanding. And I have thought about not bolting in the backrest. Thinking about it for over 70,000 miles and still I bolt it in! Now what was I thinking?

I take my backrest off and lock it in my hardbag when I can't keep the bike in sight

I felt pushed forward at first too, Scott. It's something I wasn't happy about at first with but it's fine now as I got used to it as well.
About the ride...My butt hurt too for awhile and it took over 1000 miles to get the feel that it's conformed to my rear. Give it some more time and see.

Not every ride is outstanding either. For example, the ride coming home from your rally this year was as painful as I could stand. I was sore for a week. But that doesn't happen very much.

I dunno how fat you are, but I'm HUGE and I had to have Corbin re-work the padding (didn't "break in" even after a few thousand miles) but now I love it. They re-worked it for free. I don't even think I paid shipping. But I bought it new, direct from Corbin.

I'm pretty fat. 6'4" 350+. I'll give it a little more time before I give up on it. I have a long ride coming up Sunday and I'm contemplating putting my old seat on for the trip. I put my wallet in my front pocket and that seemed to help a little, but I was still squirming after about 20-25 miles.
I wonder how much Corbin would charge me for them to re-work it. What exactly is involved in that process?

Of course that backrest can be adjusted so ya might want to play with that. There is a little allen wrench screw behind the rest which could make a difference.

Wow, it would be like looking in a mirror, plus about 5.5-6".

You have to call and ask for an estimate. Tell them exactly what you have and your problem. They will probably ask a few questions and tell you where to ship it. They might do it for free but I wouldn't bet on it. They reshaped mine and added a bit of foam, but it's still harder than most other Corbins I've seen. I can go between fill ups without stopping but about every 40-50 or so miles I either prop myself up against the backrest to air things out or stand on my rear pegs (with Newspeedmaster brackets) to stretch everything out. You can see the bracket in this photo.

Basically everthing Moe said I agree with. In saying that, I've always had my suspicions those who have larger bums Have had a harder time of it getting the Corbin to perform to the standard they expect. I did cross this exact subject several years ago butt (sorry), I didn't get many takers who have been honest with themselves for any concensus. I am thinking having Corbin do some alterations is a good suggestion though. Personally I would be persevering cos once it's right and conforms to you (not the other way round), you'll be forever grateful you persevered. Keep in mind though I'm in the skinnier bum brigade and can't
Comment on your shape. As far as a backrest goes, I wouldn't be without one in a million years. I'm hoping if you persevere the rewards will be there for you. After all, just how important is a great seat???

I'm in love with mine - but I weigh 145 soaking wet. Funny, I would have imagined you guys to be well padded. I guess though, if you don't fit into my jeans why would you fit in my seat.

One thing on the backrest - especially if you're heavy: Mine is attached really solidly courtesy of Dinqua and some fender washers. Seems to me if it weren't fastened well it would wobble and eventually something would break. The seat is basically plastic after all.

I'm a bigger guy with a Corbin. My impression is, it's not perfect, but it's ****** good, and probably the best you're going to get without going the Sargent or Russell route.

I would not get one used. I would order a new one from the factory. They do take weight into consideration, and I think they use a somewhat stiffer foam to make the seats for us heavy dudes.

When I ordered my Corbin, I was asked my inseam length, and weight. The foam density, and seat cut is probably adjusted for the individual.

I'm VERY pleased with mine
H.

Huh... no one asked me those questions.

I've had one new (never asked any questions, just ordered the seat) and one used and both have been my favorites for riding; no shrinking violet either in the bum either. That said, it is a harder seat (which I appreciate for the tailbone support) and does take some time to break in.

Regarding the backrest, couldn't agree more about using a stainless washer under the screw that holds the shaft in position. I did exactly the same thing myself as I believed over time if i didn't the continual small movements would eventually stress the threaded area and crack or break this anchor point.

I've also mentioned this before but I don't think it can be said often enough. It took me about 3k miles for my seat to really mould to MY shape. My experience with buying a new seat saw me begin to doubt the benefit of paying so much for the Corbin. Its not that it wasn't more comfortable than the stock seat but was expecting more for big bucks I'd spent. Then there was this annoying pressure point right on my coccyx or tailbone where it felt like the foam was to thin in that area and that part of my anatomy was sitting fair on the area that held the backrest in place. So initially all wasn't looking that good for my Corbin. I even bought an airhawk which other than the backrest was defeating the purpose of the Corbin in the first place.

Also, I missed the special position Corbin gave me of feeling like I was riding as part of my bike and not just on it. So I persevered and eventually every pressure point just disappeared. Since then I've sold the airhawk and count my lucky stars every time I use the Corbin. I guess trusting Corbin's r&d dept paid off.

Btw, I never got asked any sizing questions either

5000 miles on mine still makes my A$$ hurt, hot spots, NOT a thrilled Corbin owner!

When I was on the phone placing my order with Corbin, I was asked my inseam and weight. I was told that the seat would form to be mine with the correct 'feel' once broken in.

I have been treating the leather weekly, as per Corbin's advice to aid in speeding up the break-in process. I currently have ~1700 km (1100 miles) on the seat, and I'm really liking it. It hasn't given me any fitment problems. It is firm, but very supportive for me. I didn't get the backrest, and I have no need for one. I had Corbin delete the backrest opening on my seat, and I have no regrets there.

My wife's Speedmaster has the stock seat, and in comparison I feel lower on her seat, and support is dearly lacking, especially for my back.

One size doesn't fit all, so I can certainly see how others may not agree.

These seats are expensive, and without the ability to try one on in the store, there is some risk there for sure. I bought the Corbin due to the recommendations from this forum.

H.

Alright. I put another hundred miles on and still not liking it so far. I think I'm too far forward. My balls are actually resting on top of the tank I'm pushed up so far. The backrest is out of the question, it pushes me forward even more. I think this experiment has run it's course and I'm going to sell it. My stock seat has Spencer's seat mod already, I thought maybe the Corbin would be even better, and for as cheap as it was I figured it was worth a shot. Oh well. Anyone wanna buy my Corbin?

I've been very happy with my Corbin.....until now. (More on that in a minute).
I'm 6'4" 250lb, I bought it new direct from Corbin, it changed the seating position a little but after breaking in for a while (Corbin says about 2,500 miles and I'd say that's about right) it fit very well and 400 mile rides are no problem.
They make the seat for your height/inseam and weight, so if you're bigger/smaller than the guy you buy a used one from, it won't fit. Imagine someone my size buying a jacket from someone 5'6" 145lbs and then complaining about the fit. Same thing.

Now for the "until now" I bought the seat in October of '07, put around 25,000 miles on it and the seam across the seat has split. I e-mailed them two weeks ago and haven't heard back, just tried another direct to service boss. We'll see, I may have to pay for the repair, but I don't mind if it's not outrageous and doesn't take too long. The covering is warranted for one year but the foam and pan are forever so if it's a foam breakdown problem they should cover it.

You're probably right about the fit. I just don't have 700 bucks for a new seat. And again, I really didn't have issue with my modified stock seat, just always looking to improve. Thanks and hopefully they fix yours for you.

Hey Bill, just curious but have you been treating your corbin with a leather conditioner, making sure it's rubbed well into the threading.

Just interested cos if you haven't, it may explain the problem.

Regardless, I hope you get it sorted out cos I know how important these add on to our bikes are.

staffo

I don't suppose that's leather conditioner that comes after a meal of arroz con frijoles is it?

I had a Corbin Smuggler on my orginal Bonnie, and loved.
When I got my America, I immediately ordered a Corbin solo.
I never got that thing to break in. Not comfortable.
Finally, I got the LePera with spring kit from Mike Sellman.
Now there is a great seat.