Seat Comparo Stock v. Corbin v. Sargent

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by reg71, Jan 29, 2009.

  1. WiscoTwisties

    WiscoTwisties New Member

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    I hear everyone complaining how slippery the Corbin seat is.....my question is has anyone made a custom Corbin seat? I was playing around in their website and saw all the options these seats have.....leather, vinyl, grippy cloth. I’m thinking asphalt vinyl would solve any sliding issues.....what do you think of this one on a red 6th gen?
     

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  2. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    How slippery the Corbin is depends on what you clean it with. If you use Armor All, yeah it will be slick. I just use a Mequires interior cleaner and its fine.

    --- I do prefer Corbin's as the seat for the VFR.......
     
  3. headshrink

    headshrink New Member

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    You COULD, but I wouldn't do this. The asphalt vinyl is really intended for the vertical seat sides, because leather can crack if placed on side panels. If you're spending all that money, you might as well get a nice leather. I always by the carbon printed leather. I've owned 2 and never had a problem with sliding. It's nice to be able to move around easily, and shifting positions is a must both for long rides, and performance riding.
     
  4. gvt

    gvt New Member

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    For the people asking about Corbin custom seats and the surface... I got myself a Corbin seat custom-made for my 2003 VFR and I absolutely LOVED it. I was actually blown away by how much of an improvement it turned out to be over the stock seat and my comfort complaints with the stock seat. I did not experience any slipperiness with mine. I had the benefit of being able to ride down from SF to Corbin and get it made during an afternoon so I was able to see sample seats and materials and make my selections in person. This was a big benefit, and if you can do this I imagine it would help you select a seat and materials with which you will be happy. They also shaped the seat to perfectly match my body which was super great too. Not everyone could do this obviously, this is just what I did. For what its worth, I don't recall which material I selected for the seat since this was over 10 years ago. Anyway, hope this helps.
     
  5. WiscoTwisties

    WiscoTwisties New Member

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    Thanks that would be awesome if I was able to go to the factory. Looks like they have a nice cafe too, while you wait. I’m definitely going to go with a custom, just because I like to be different....so noted....leather seat....no leather on sides. I really don’t mind the stock seat really for the 2 hours I spent in it but just wanting a seat with a backrest for the wifey when she decides she wants to tag along. From what I see Corbin is the only one that offers that option
     
  6. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Don't forget those nifty leather seats get wet, and stay wet for a while, and will soak through your riding pants/jeans after a rain.
     
  7. headshrink

    headshrink New Member

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    I rode for years in the rain with a leather Corbin. Never had a problem, and never did anything to maintain the seat surface. To this day it still looks pretty new. Oh, and I'm the 2nd owner of that seat.
     
  8. headshrink

    headshrink New Member

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    I'm saving for my 3rd Corbin. This one for my 2014 8th Gen. Unfortunately they are only making the Gunslinger, even though the 8th gen has a split stock seat. Does anyone know if you loose the ability to adjust the seat height with the Corbin on 8th Gen VFRs?
     
  9. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    My Rich's custom seat is leather as well and have not noticed it to be any wetter or retaining water any more than the original vinyl seats either. Leather does hold up very well in rain. One of the benefits of leather is that it does breath so if it does get wet beneath the leather, and it will through the welts, it will dry out. With vinyl, it is far less likely to breath enough to dry out, yet it will get just as wet through those same welts. So really, a leather seat will be dryer in the long run.
     
  10. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Just looked at the Riches Custom Seat website and its very impressive - Major talent going on!
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I agree. But those in the PNW should be aware that there is a Rich's Custom Upholstery in Seattle, and Rich's Custom Seats in Kingston Wa. The later is who did my seat. I can't comment on the one in Seattle.
     
  12. WiscoTwisties

    WiscoTwisties New Member

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    Okay so I got off my wallet yesterday and got a custom Corbin in the works. Thanks for everyone’s input....can’t wait to see it on the bike and test it out. Probably will just spend all winter watching tv on it though since it’s not supposed to arrive until around Thanksgiving. Will post pics once I get it on.
     
  13. VFRIRL

    VFRIRL New Member

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    Wondering how much hassle it is to use the seat hump for storage on the 5th gen, (Sargent seat) must be a hassle taking it off and refitting it say a few times a day?
     
  14. steve gs

    steve gs New Member

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    I'll be diving into, at least the OEM vs the Sargent comparison, tomorrow as my new Sargent arrives for my gen 5.

    Ride solo so it will be interesting to see how the storage feature works out.

    Will post some pics once it arrives and is given a road test.
     
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  15. VFRIRL

    VFRIRL New Member

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    Great, I'll be interested to hear what you think of your new sargent, wonder if they'll have a black Friday sale?
     
  16. steve gs

    steve gs New Member

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    Well the seat arrived yesterday and I was able to road test this afternoon. Here is my take based on my physical characteristics and ergo preferences. I ride with the solo seat cowling and without bar risers.

    I am 5'7" @150 lbs. Have also been a cyclist all my life which has kept me in shape. I am 65 yrs old and have been riding motorcycles since I was 18. Have preferred sportbikes and dualsports over the years.

    As a comparison or reference is my 02 SV 650S. Though many complain about the ergos of the S model it works for me. Not perfect but much closer than the VFR. The SV saddle is rather flat unlike the rise in the VFR saddle (my main issue) as one slides back to the rear of the seat. The SV's saddle allows stretch out room as I can slide back and forth in the saddle giving the body a comfortable position.

    The Sargent seat is very nice to look at and appears to be a quality build. Though I did order the quick release pins, even if the seat was acceptable I would have not modified the mounting points to utilize.

    On the VFR static and rolling one notes a slight concave/bowl shape as one slides back to the forward seat back. This loads the buttocks outside the pelvic sit bones. I found this to be not to my liking and I will returning the seat (30 day return policy).

    Back to the SV seat; the slight side to side convex shape allows the pelvic sitbones to provide the main contact. The foam provides stabilization to the sit bones and general support to the rest of the buttocks.

    Now I will hunt down a decent another OEM seat and go to work on it to take the rise out of the back section. I find the rest of the contours comfortable. Then I will send it out for new foam and recovering

    On my road bicycle I have a Selle Italia.

    This was my take and only applies to me. Others have or may find that the seat will work for them.
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2019
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  17. VFRIRL

    VFRIRL New Member

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    Thanks, I'm 6'1" 245lbs. 32" inseam, maybe the sargent would suit me? it's an expensive gamble though, not easy ordering this side of the pond,or returning it if not suitable. a reworked oem might be the ticket.
     
  18. steve gs

    steve gs New Member

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    Wish I could offer you something definitive.

    FWIW, my inseam is 30" and the Sargent seat is perhaps 1/2" higher than the OEM. I ride with my upper body rather low than more straight up. I have found the ergo magic with the SV but not the VFR. Will keep trying.

    I think you would have a better chance at an acceptable fit. They do have a 30 day return policy when ordered direct. Any stocking importers on your side of pond.

    Obviously you would have to confirm returns with them and that does not cover what the return shipping would cost you.
     
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  19. VFRIRL

    VFRIRL New Member

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    They have a distributor in the UK,
    https://www.sargentcycle.co.uk/acatalog/honda.html

    with Brexit still uncertain I wouldn't like ordering from there though, I can see them relocating tho to Ireland or mainland Europe if the UK does leave the EU which looks fairly certain now, question is how they leave, return postage would be fairly high too. wish I could find someone with a sargent seat on a vfr to try out.

    looks like I was right, they are moving their distributor to the EU, not sure where yet.
    http://www.sargentcycle.eu/
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2019
  20. WiscoTwisties

    WiscoTwisties New Member

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    Well just got my custom Corbin in the mail, she looks great and is pretty squishy. Can’t wait to try it out in 4 months.
     

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