Corbin Gunfighter & Lady w/ Backrest

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

I received my new Corbin with backrest for my 03' VFR a few days ago and installed it (which was a breeze BTW) and took a 65 mile ride with it a few nights ago. I bought a slightly used backrest from a guy who was selling his bike (parting some of his accessories out) for only $100 ($199 regularly.)

The seat fits perfectly on the bike and does look nice IMO. The backrest installs very easily and seems to be stable and safe.

At first, I wondered if my GF would actually be able to benefit from the backrest based on where she (or any passenger) would normally and comfortably plant their behinds on the saddle. But, after the 65 mile ride 2up ... she mentioned 2 or 3 times how much more comfortable and relaxed (a feeling of additional safety/security) she was riding with the backrest compared to no backrest. The only negative thing she mentioned was that she slid forward on the Corbin saddle easier (when stopping or hitting bumps, etc.) than the stock. But, I think that is a minor thing and she'll adjust by using the footpegs a little more.

I kind of wish it didn't take 1000 to 1500 miles to break in the seat to actually "feel" the benefit of the Corbin saddle ... but I guess I have no choice.

I can say one thing though: The Corbin seat is MUCH heavier than the stock.

Any thoughts from other Corbin saddle owners?

[Rumblefish]

Hello,

I've got the Corbin 'Smuggler' on mine...solo seat...my wife doesn't ride after her dad told her scared her to death with stories of lost limbs::)

My only complaint about my Corbin was the 'lip'on the sides that made it awkward to 'hang off' in the turns. I've since sent the seat back to Corbin (twice now) for re-shaping of the foam.
Was dealing with a really helpful, friendly guy...then last week I called to check on my seat...he's no longer with the company ???

The guy I'm dealing with now doesn't seem nearly as on top of things as the other guy >:(

Oh well, as long as my seats back by next week, I won't go ballistic >:(

[rshimmel]

Brian- when you say the corbin is "much heavier" than the stock seat, how much are we talking about? Like, twice as heavy? I like the gunfighter & lady w/backrest but I'm trying to get weight off the bike, not put it on...
Thanks, Rick

[Hedgehog]

I've had 3 Corbin seats in my hands now: one for a BMW Airhead which I had bought, and two I was looking at for the Ducati. They were all very very heavy as compared to the stocker. I was very dissatisfied with the fit on the one I bought. I almost sent it back.

[Tourmeister]

Howdy Brian,

You need to get your GF to use her legs to stabilize herself on the backseat. It takes very little squeezing with her thighs to keep her planted on the seat. One of my passengers finally understood this after I have been telling her for some time. Now she complains about not knowing what to do with her hands ;-) She's not my wife so no perv comments *::) She is also much more relaxed on the bike and does not freak about every little bump and ripple in the road now. It took putting a camcorder in her hands to get her to use her legs and to appreciate how well this works hehe. The vid sucked *:(

[woodcycl]

Rick,

Wow - I guess I forgot to click the "notify of replies" - sorry.

Without weighing the saddle, it's hard to say. But, I'd say the Corbin is at least 75% heavier if not twice as heavy.

However, adding a couple pounds for extra comfort is worth it in my opinion. When I decide to shed some weight (and have the cash), I'm going to ditch the stock pipes and go with Staintunes. I'll also one day ditch the stock rims and consider Magnesium Alloy. Between those two mods .... I'd say you'd shed around 20 to 25lbs. Does that sound about right to everyone?

[rshimmel]

Brian- I can vouch for the Staintunes reducing the weight quite a bit...those stock pipes felt like ingots when I took them off! ;) Don't know about the wheels, but I'd like to see what that difference is, especially since it's unsprung weight.
Ride safe, Rick

[AWESOMEVFR750]

I am selling the backrest that came with my Corbin Gunfighter seat....don't need it as I ride solo. I can send pictures to anyone interested.

send emails to; ravlins@yahoo.com

[AWESOMEVFR750]

Corbin backrest has been sold.

[92yellowveefer]

I put a gunfighter and lady on my '91 back in '96 or so - specifically for my wife. The saddle "without" the back rest is not twice the weight of the stock saddle - it is heavier, but I've done many 700-800 mile days on the Corbin, so I guess the extra weight is there for a reason.
My wife absolutely feared riding with me until I got the backrest. Then she felt completely safe, and even more importantly, relaxed. So I didn't have to fight her every time I leaned over a couple of degrees.
I actually had tried to get Corbin to make me one of their convertible "rumble" seats - where the backrest folds down on to the passenger potion of the seat - which gives it a really nice solo look. But I would have had to bring the bike to them - and since I'm in Boston and they're in CA, wasn't really possible.
So I went the next best route and got the gunfighter and lady with the backrest.
Great investment all around.

[JRotten]

I had the pleasure to have my Corbin saddle to be custom fitted to my spec's and any other additions that I wanted done when I went to Corbin Factory in Hollister, CA. Thinking about the passenger, I had the rear seaction of the seat ramped up to form a "saddle" shape that would help center the passenger onto the seat. This does seem to help a little, but if you need to still hammer on the brakes, the law of physics takes over and your passenger will be riding in the same seat as you. Sometimes that isn't that bad

[scotsy]

Originally Posted by rshimmel

Brian- when you say the corbin is "much heavier" than the stock seat, how much are we talking about? Like, twice as heavy? I like the gunfighter & lady w/backrest but I'm trying to get weight off the bike, not put it on...
Thanks, Rick

Are you serious?
You talk about losing weight from the bike and then in the same breath you talk about riding 2 up
If you're going to take a pillion then you ain't gonna be riding like you might on your own, so why worry about carrying a few extra pounds in the seat/backrest?
Ian

[VFR4ME]

The VFR I'm getting this Sunday has the gunfighter and lady seat and I know I'll end up getting the backrest for my GF and daughter. Anybody have another one for sale? I've had Corbin seats before and they are great, especially after the breakin. I think some of the weight may be the denser foam and leather. The denser foam helps on the long rides. Doesn't break down and make your a&& hurt

[reg71]

I just saw the seat listed on ebay with the backrest and stuff yesterday. I put a link to it in another message.

[VFR4ME]

I was too cheap to buy a backrest from Corbin so I found a company on Ebay that makes backrests to fit Corbin seats. They are vinyl instead of leather but the carbon fiber looking one cost me $89. It'll be here in a couple of days and I'll update at to the quality. It's a cheaper way to keep the girlfriend happy.