I've been looking at all three of the major seat manufacturers for my new R1200R (if it ever arrives). I'm torn.
Corbin has some good looking stuff and their smuggler seat for other bikes looks like a really nice option for days without a passenger and leaving the hard bags at home to commute in.
Mayer and Sargeant also have great looking stuff and are discussed a great deal on this forum?
Having no personal experience with any of the custom seats, what things should I consider in order to determine which one is right for me?
I'm also keen on keeping the sleek look of the bike so I don't want an oversized seat that will kill the look of the bike.
My physical attributes are: 5'10", 200lbs, 32-33" inseam.
Riding style covers the entire range from commuting in, running to the store, long hauls to deals gap, tearing it up at the gap when I get there and sunday afternoons with the wife.
I haven't checked lately, but is there a Corbin or Sargent seat available for the R12R? I had one for an 02RR and have one for my K12S with a Smuggler. It is a good option when you don't have a passenger, but it is very costly.
When it comes to seats, the only way to really know is to try it for several hours. People have different amounts of "natural padding", so what's comfortable for one person is not necessarily for someone else.
you are correct - these folks haven't really announced R12R products yet. I'm going on what has been available for similar bike / seat configurations and assuming they will carry forward.
I had a Corbin on my K75S a number of years ago. I thought it was quite comfortable. Corbins tend to be rather firm(ok hard) at first until they get conformed to your butt. Some people don't give them time to break in & write them off as being uncomfortable. A lot of the complaints I have heard about Corbin comes from their customer service after the sale. A lot of guys in the Valkyrie group of which I am a member have said their after sale service is not good if you have a problem. I can't verify that as I never had a problem. The Mayer & Sargeant? Never had one so I can't offer anything about them.
I had a Corbin on my Harley a few years back. Very nicely made and very comfortable. I would consider one for my R1200R if it looked as nice as the stock seat.
I've had a Corbin seat on my 1993 R100R for the past 13 years, and loved it. It was broad and well contoured, and has worked for over 90,000 miles. It only needed to be reupholstered once after 70,000 miles of riding.
I would seriously consider a Corbin seat for my new R1200R when they start making them. I exchanged emails with a guy at Corbin in March 2007, and he said they have received a few requests for an R1200R seat, but have not yet made a decision to begin design and production.
I've inquired to Corbin 3 times since January when I placed the order for my bike. I'm envisioning a black seat with a smuggler and pin striping the smuggler to match the pin striped tank. I figure it will be reminissent of this type of design:
Have to wait for the parabellum fairing and then I'll decide about striping it. The factory stripes just didn't do it for me. I had a hard time finding one without stripes.
Harry Costello -- Jersey Shore
2007 R1200R
1974 + 75 CB125S
1971 R75
2020 Guzzi V85TT
BMWMOA 57358
