Corbin Smuggler Observations

1967 R50/2 · 10-07-2002, 06:40 AM

I now have quite a few miles on my smuggler and would like to make some observations.

1. I bought this because I wanted a custom seat that would get me lower to the ground at lights. I specified this to corbin, got the seat, and sent it back to be narrowed and lowered again. Still too far from the ground. If you are short, Corbin is probably not the best bet.

2. The seat is very wide...and even though I had it narrowed, it is still not too comfortable.

3. The seat is too flat. So if you are short, like me and sit right against the tank, you will find that you end up sliding back on acceleration. I've noted that tall riders have the opposite complaint about the stock seat, SLIDING FORWARD under braking. Never was a problem for me.

4. The seat is still hard. Not noticeably more comfortable than stock.

5. The sides of the seat need to be curved rather than slab sided as the are.

6. I enjoy having a trunk for small things like sunglasses, EZpass, helmet lock and gloves.

In summary, I would recommend that if you are short NOT to go with the Corbin unless you want it modified big time. So that leaves me with a two options going forward.

1. This winter, send the seat back to corbin, have it drastically narrowed and move the butt stop up a few inches, and maybe add a slope to the seat or...

2. Sell it.

Thoughts?

718Rider · 10-07-2002, 06:48 AM

I don't have the smuggler, but I do have a Corbin. I sent it back to the factory last winter to deal with the same problems you outlined in your posting - too wide, uncomfortable, etc. . .

I've been using the stock seat all summer and am really happy with it. Go figure. I spent $600 on my corbin before they dropped the price. I can say this for sure - I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CORBIN PRODUCT. The seat rubbed the paint, and it never felt comfotable. What a piece of crap.

My plan is to take it to an auto seat shop near my house and see if they can custom work it for me. I have NO confidence in Corbin's ability to fit the seat for me through the mail. I sent them detailed insturctions and digital photos/measurements the last time and they still screwed it up. I couldn't be less happy with anything I've purchased for the S.

Firebolter · 10-07-2002, 07:27 AM

I had a Corbin seat on my sportster, it was okay. I have always heard that the best way to do a Corbin is to go to their plant and have it made while you are there. Of course that's not easy for 99% of people looking for a seat as they don't live near Corbin.

I have also heard that the Corbin's are really heavy, compared to stock and other aftermarket alternatives.

The guys with Seargent seats seem to be really happy, I'm contemplating that route as the stock seat is a little less comfy after 250 miles or so...atleast for me....

pdonnell · 07:41 AM

As some here have noted I had a corbin and sold it. But I will get another some day. I live near the Hollister plant so I went down there for a custom fit. The corbin off the rack is made really badly. You'd think they built it for someone with a butt size of a sumo wrestler. They have those wings on the side of the seat ostensibly to add more comfort but they hamper your thighs up making the distance reaching the ground even further. Also the fiberglass pan with cover wrapped around it fits way too closely to the bike fairing parts. Compare that snug fit to the fit of the original seat and you'll see. Also they do not make a stop plate for the rubber post that are beneath the seat. Hence, you have to jerry-rig something up to stop from losing them or keep buying these rubber pieces. And only god knows why they use huge chrome screws for the cowell. And remember the Corbin has the weight of at least 5 OEM seats for the S.
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When I had mine made I had them take a grinder and grind down the perimeter of the seat pan so as to avoid contact with the plastic fairing pieces. I also had them shave down those "harley" wings big time as they were useless and made the reach to the ground even farther.
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My second visit with Corbin for a second seat was so fricked up with errors I eventually told them to take their seat and shove it up there arse. They have no customer service priorities.
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The corbin can make you lower to the ground by an inch or so. You need to be clear about shaving down those side wings on the seat though. I guess they rationalize once your riding who needs to touch the ground? And eventually the rubbing of the perimeter on the seat will be visible on the fairing pieces. Or the covering material will wear down. (on a majority of seats I've seen)
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Overall not a great seat, but whats the alternative if you want to have a passenger.? I'm still working on that. But I would like to see more competition making a seat for the S.

1967 R50/2 · 10-07-2002, 07:39 AM

"Also they do not make a stop plate for the rubber post that are beneath the seat. "

Actually, the smuggler does have a stop plate, thankfully.

pdonnell · 10-07-2002, 07:44 AM

All corbins have a stop plate for the rubber bumpers, but is the stop plate similiar in design to the OEM seat? Is there a wall partition in the stop plate to prevent the rubber bumpers from sliding off and falling off one at a time.??
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Can you also tell me why they use 1/4" thick angle iron to make that stop plate when the OEM is plastic??

1967 R50/2 · 10-07-2002, 08:30 AM

It's been a while since I looked, but I seem to remember it being very much like the stock seat. Don't remember an angle iron.

Maybe they learned from past experience?

pdonnell · 08:41 AM

Well then, pull out your OEM seat and compare.!! Should be self-evident. They use the angle iron for the stop but do not partition it like the OEM seat to prevent the rubber stoppies from sliding off. I would be curious to know from you if they have changed this.
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You may want to refer to the thread "seats on the R1100S" thread below to see what I mean.
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Seats on the R1100S

Roger Justus · 10-07-2002, 09:34 AM

I have a Corbin dual seat too. Yes, very heavy etc. etc. and lots of shortcomings but lets me do 800-900 km days without butt failure. The fix for the rubber bumpers falling off is no mount a small piece of pvc thin walled pipe (about 1 3/8" outside measurement) as a retainer piece. Cut it to go between the rubber bumpers and push against them to keep them on their tubular rods. Otherwise, they're gone and the seat slumps down onto the bodywork.

pdonnell · 02:07 PM

Yea, the only reason to own a corbin. Particularly if you can get to Hollister and have one made to your own liking. The biggest benefit to me was moving the rear incline about 3 inches forward and carving out a bucket for my butt. Actually I like a tight fit between my tailbone and gas tank. Kinda gives me a lower back support feeling and keeps me planted in the seat. I'm not a front to back rider. When I get tired I move side to side swapping cheeks. Occasionally, I'll get the nut sack check against the gas tank due to the tightness but overall its much more supportive. My last seat was very similiar to Lennie's but the back was a little more forward and deeper with no wings on the side of the seat to jam up into my inner thighs.

1967 R50/2 · 10-08-2002, 11:26 AM

I took a look at the underside of the Corbin last night and it does have the angle iron and not a compartmentalizing thing.

Rubber wheels are still there though.

Talked to Mr. Ed about re-doing the seat this winter. He estimates $175 for what I want.

Do it? or sell it?

Mr. Deltoid · 10-08-2002, 02:11 PM

I learned my lesson after the first Corbin purchace-run for your life and hide your wallet!! You are much better off taking your stock seat,or a trashed Corbin bought for very little, and taking it to your local upholstry shop.Try to find the guys who do custom work for the Hot Rod crowd. I've seen a few Sargent seats that looked far superior to Corbin. Years ago when Mike Corbin was hungry, his seats were awesome.But he has the HARLEY crowd with BIG BUCKS now. Those pinheads will buy anything

motoman · motoman's Garage

Well.....lemme check in with my $.02

I have a smuggler on mine, and things have worked out pretty well.. although it DID rub the plastic and I'm gonna have to have that taken care of.

I had the 'sliding forward' problem with the stock seat, plus I can always use the legroom, so I had mine built UP 2 inches and angled level. (I think someone on this board preceeded me so they already were familiar with it.)

So now it works very well! Sure at the end of the day, I'm happy to get off of any seat, but at least I'm not supporting my upper body with my arms. Yes it's heavy, but I can't believe enought to make a difference. Plus I still have my stock seat.

I agree if you are extremely particular, you're not gonna be happy with the Corbin guys. I kept the guy on the phone for an hour and made him repeat everything back several times. It would be nice if the S had 2 stepped seats like a lot of sport bikes. Make things easier and cheaper.

Raven · 10-08-2002, 06:32 PM

I have found the Corbin to be far more comfortable than stock. I recently rode pdonnel's bike and couldn't believe how bad his stock seat felt!

I also live close enough to Corbin to go there and have the seat made while I wait. I have never had a problem with comfort of the seat.

Quality seems to be a whole different story. I have the same problem with rubbing the body work and loseing rubbers.

Given the discomfort of the stock seat, I'll take the flaws of Corbin.

Why doesn't BMW build a better seat? Premeir motorcycle, crappy seat? What is that all about?

1967 R50/2 · 10-10-2002, 01:04 PM

Raven-

I'm guessing you are not 5'6" If you were, and sat against the tank like I do. You'd think the stock seat was lightyears ahead of Corbin. Stock is much more comfortable for me.

...but as I said when I started this thread it depends on your body type. If you are tall, you'll probably have problems with the stocker

Except for one thing with the Corbin...who's crotch is that wide? No body type I can think of works with that, and I'd be concerned if it did!