Help Choosing a Corbin Saddle

OK, so after seeing that most of you like the Corbin seats I went to their website to price it out and look at options.

HOLY BEGEEZES they have so many fabric choices!! If you have ordered from them what did you get for the fabric and how do you like it? Any suggestions? I have an 02 VFR, Italian Red.

Thanks in advance!!

 

http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.415638/sc.2/category.984/.f
http://www.sargentcycle.com/
Check it out before you commit to Corbin.

Both have great products, but Corbin's customer service is only top notch when you go there and get one made... My buddy was lazy and didn't make the two hour trip there, ended up taking 6 weeks to resolve that they built the pan wrong. Then took another month to get the replacement once they finally agreed it was their fault.

 

I am one of the lucky few that went down to Holister to have my saddle custom made to my specs. One thing that looks cool but I do not recommend getting, is the color piping on the seat. It fades and becomes an area that will collect moisture that will cause a tear.

The corbin saddle is almost twice as heavy as a stock saddle, but the comfort level between the two is like night and day. The strange thing about the corbin is the foam they use is firmer than what is used on the stock saddle. I was skeptic at first, but a buddy of mine had his viffer custom done and told me that comfort was about 10 times better than stock.
The question is how much do you want to spend for some addtional comfort. I forked out $450 clams for mine as I was about to do a cross country trip to Knoxville TN from California and back. I see the need for it and purchase it.

You know, it has been one of my favorite upgrades.

 

I can not speak for the Corbin saddle, I would venture a guess it is a plenty good product. When I was in saddle shopping mode I did my fair share of research and ultimately went with a Sargent. Primarily because of the above mentioned service issues. Again, I am not in a position to compare the actual seats. I can tell you that my Sargent is a pretty big improvement over stock. No complaints. However, when I ordered it they e-mailed me back promptly and explained that it was back ordered and it would take about a month to get it. As a token of their interest in having me as a customer, they offered me free shipping to sorta 'make up' fo it. Anyway, that is my story, and I'm stickin' to it.
Side note - It would have been in my posession 3 days earlier than it was, if UPS hadn't goofed up shipping!! All is good now.
Sorry, as to your question. I was concerned mainly with the fabrics ability to not hold water. That is, I wanted a grippy feel, but not too bumpy of a surface either. As far as piping goes, IMHO, black on black is the only way to go.

 

I road to NY and back on a 5 year old corbin that's on the blackbird. It's definitely held up over the years, but needs some repairs. So I'll be going up to get it re-sculpted to my ass and a minor tear in the leather to get worked out.

But I'd never mail-order from them.

I want a Sargent for the VFR, but I'm actually ok with the stock seat at least for the touring around california I've done on it.

 

Hmmm ok I shall check out the Sargents with a closer eye. Would you consider it necessary to do a custom fitting with them as well? I am willing, especially if it gives me an excuse for a road trip...My problem is that I am of the boney-butt varietal and its tough to find a comfortable one.

 

Where you planning on making the thousand mile trip to custom fit a Corbin? If that's the case, you can't get much better then that. I've never found an unhappy customer that went that route. I just don't recommend buying a mailorder one through them...

On the flip side of that, the Sargent owners I've talked to have been very happy with their mailorder saddles. I'm not even 100% certain they do custom fits, however they will make alterations after the fact if yous end stuff in.

 

there both hi dollar 4 sure next motorcycle expo that comes to town go check them out ill bet a rep will be their may even get a discount just a thought.vfrworld rocks!!!

 

I would go with the carbon fiber black leather seat, vinyl black sides and black welt. I thought about ninja red welts but I thought it would be too busy and the red may fade in the future.

 

I had a Corbin on my Valkyrie and my CBR1000F, now I have a Sargent on my VFR. The Sargent is better in every way.

 

I have a boney ass. I'll hop on Reggie's Sargent during the weekend of debauchery at his house coming up.

 

Ok, question for you Corbin owners. Leather or Vinyl? weaved or not? just curious about your thoughts. pros vs. cons?

 

I think leather would be ok for occasional wetness, but doesn't WA get it's share of rain?

The synthetic leather weave on the XX has held up well with the moisture here. Lots of misting and fog, plus some torrential downpours here and there.

 

From California?! how many days did it take you each way?

 

I am a lucky WA resident who lives in the San Juan Islands. We get rain in the winter but last summer a total of 12 days of rain from May to October!! That added to scenic coastal cruises makes up for the fact that if you want to do a 100 mile ride you have to lap the island 3 times..lol

 

14 day round trip. But between a family reunion in the Smokey Mountains, visiting friends and other family on the east coast, and an overnight in NYC. We only had 10 days on the road.

 

step one, go to http://www.sargentcycle.com/ :biggrin:

 

OK well I ordered the Sargent after reading what everyone had to say, install is Friday if UPS cooperates. Also ordered ASV levers.