Corbin Nightmare

[Mclintoc]

On March 24th, I ordered a saddle with a backrest from from Corbin for $756.
When the seat arrived, I discovered that it did not fit. I called and explained this, and the guy in customer service told me to take pictures to show how it didn't fit, then send these pictures to him. It seemed strange that I would have to prove that it didn't fit, but I did so anyway. Turns out the seat was for a 750 Honda, which could have been determined just by reading the serial number on the bottom of the seat.

The "correct" seat was then sent to me, which did not fit again, and this time patches on the leather were bleached white. I called back to explain this, and again he tells me to take pictures. I tell him, no, that I had spent $756 on this seat and surely Corbin could figure out for themselves why it doesn't fit. On both occasions, the customer service representive acted like he didn't believe me--that I was lying. Treating customers as enemies is bad business.

I explain that I want my money back. He tells me he can't give me my money back. I get angry and tell him what I think about this, and he finally tells me he will run it by his superiors. I call back a week later to ask about the status of my refund. He says it will go through today. I call back a few days later, and the same story. After about three phone calls, he tells me on May 1st that it will definitely go through. It didn't.

I call a few more times. Turns out that the refund was denied by Mr. Corbin because they thought it was for a different bike and that the seat should fit. This important news was not relayed to me for some time.

The phone calls continue. (Note that they never once called me.) Finally, I threaten a law suit and three days later on May 16 gotl my money back (except for the $28 for freight), which is supposed to be forthcoming. I don't have much hope for getting the rest of my money back and am too tired to worry about it.

I went with Corbin because they are one of the most reputable after-market seat companies. When you spend that much money on a seat, you plan on getting a good seat and good service. I got neither.

Based on this experience, I would highly recommend that you never do business with Corbin. They are incompetent.

[big papa]

I went with Corbin because they are one of the most reputable after-market seat companies.

I hope you are kidding. They have the worst customer service reputation in the business. The only people I hear are happy w/ Corbin, are the guys that ride in and get fitted. Get a Sargent, their seats are great and their customer service. I loved mine, I think they look better also...

[Buckster]

I have a friend that went with Corban on his Kawi and was not impressed at all with the comfort. He spoke with them and ended up sending it out to get redone and he still is not happy with it.

[sweatmark]

Regarding Corbin seat for the R1150R:

Timely thread concerning Corbin seat option. Just finished a 3-day trip with an older Corbin Canyon Dual Sport on my Rockster, the longest stretch on that particular seat I've attempted. Yesterday's trip log shows 300 miles at low average speed, approx. 7 hours in the saddle. Overall, I really like the 'granite slab' firmness of this seat and smooth leather covering material; some aspects of the seat's shape work well for me while others do not.

Good
smooth leather cover on both rider and pillion areas
very firm foam foundation, good for long-haul riding
comfortable contour blending seat into R1150R tank at seat front
comfortable oval seatback for pillion (purchased separately)
solid construction, nice stitching work; the base is very solid but looks like a highschool shop project

Bad
The Corbin dual seat is heavy when compared to OE seat combination, and especially my Sargent driver seat plus a R1150R pillion cover panel... I'd guess the Corbin adds 10+lb of seating system weight.
Corbin's seats aren't cheap - I bought the dual seat in good used condition from a former Roadster board member for $300- bucks, then added the pillion seatback at full retail.
Driver seating is too low & scooped for me... if the seating position was 1-2" taller, then I'd avoid knee pain. For reference, my short-legged inseam is 30".
Another aspect of the seat's weight plus driver position is that the bike CG moves back a bit from OE and Sargent seating; the situation is obviously exaggerated by two-up riding with full bags, but I've noticed the difference when riding solo with the Corbin and no luggage... I prefer to be more forward with front wheel weighted.

Ugly
Expensive seating option.
Not sure if you can get the Canyon Dual Sport without tuck&roll and heated option, neither would be my choice.
Customer service: we stopped to chat with a regional moto dealer during our weekend travels, and learned that Corbin's service and business practices are not exactly held in high esteem by many in the moto parts network... it's too bad, since two of our bikes had Corbin seats that we really like.

I'm now convinced that my perfect R1150R saddle would be:
Sargent seat pan and seat height;
Corbin's smooth leather covering and firm foam foundation;
Corbin's seat contour at seat front, with Sargent's flat platform for rear half;
Sargent's pricing and option of buying single driver seat alone, or adding pillion portion.

[Tripton]

You are better off. No Rockster should be seen with a disgusting-looking Corbin seat on it.

Expensive, ugly as hell, customer service sucks, many people claim them to not be all that comfy...






Get a Sargent. They are great. I actually got mine used from Big Papa.

[harrisphil]

Hi all
I dont know why people bother with these seats
If you know what you want why not either have your original seat recovered or buy a second hand seat and get that done

I had the seat on my last bike a Honda Transalp remoulded to my spec and the original cover refited for about £10 or $20 by a local car retrimers