Most Comfortable Seat?
- Thread starter blk rubricon
- Start date
Re: seats
I spent the last seven days on a 2,500 mile roadtrip atop my Corbin, and other being exhausted upon arriving home, had no seat related issues. I don't recall it being custom made, I simply ordered it and paid for it. Maybe I just don't remember?
It's not that I'm trying to disrespect your opinion, but just because the Corbin brand isn't for you doesn't mean they are only good for 30 minutes at a time for everyone. It's like the initial complaint that they are too hard - this is where I roll my eyes.
All this talk of seats makes me want to go out and try some. Easier said than done.
I spent the last seven days on a 2,500 mile roadtrip atop my Corbin, and other being exhausted upon arriving home, had no seat related issues. I don't recall it being custom made, I simply ordered it and paid for it. Maybe I just don't remember?
It's not that I'm trying to disrespect your opinion, but just because the Corbin brand isn't for you doesn't mean they are only good for 30 minutes at a time for everyone. It's like the initial complaint that they are too hard - this is where I roll my eyes.
All this talk of seats makes me want to go out and try some. Easier said than done.
I do a lot of LD riding, and found the stock seat was only good for about 4 hours before I felt real pain. An airhawk boosted that to 6 or 7 hours.
Bought a Sargent seat - that was better - maybe 6 hours before pain.
Bit the bullet and had a Daylong made, and what a difference! The longest ride I've done since was 32 continuous hours - even slept sitting on the bike for 3 hours - just very slight discomfort by the last few hours but no pain at all.
If you do decide to go with the Daylong - get one made for you - don't buy someone elses, as it will not be made to suit your height, weight etc.
Bought a Sargent seat - that was better - maybe 6 hours before pain.
Bit the bullet and had a Daylong made, and what a difference! The longest ride I've done since was 32 continuous hours - even slept sitting on the bike for 3 hours - just very slight discomfort by the last few hours but no pain at all.
If you do decide to go with the Daylong - get one made for you - don't buy someone elses, as it will not be made to suit your height, weight etc.
That looks comfy. Where do the other parts of the three-point seat belt attach?
I had removed the stock seat for Spencerizing and while it was out I was working on my 96 Prelude. I needed a place to store the seat for a few hours so I just sat it on the ST. I thought that picture would come in handy someday. I like the stock seat better than the Corbin that was on the bike when I bought it. I hit a road cut depression once that really jarred my spine. I decided that Corbin didn't have enough padding for me. I went back to the dealership and he had the original seat in the used bike department. I bought it for $50.00 then sold the Corbin on Fleabay for over $200.00. So even counting the cost buying, shipping and modifying the stock one, I was bucks ahead. I might like a Russell Day long but didn't want to spend that much.
Louie Louie
I'm very pleased with my Russell. I've tried several others. Got mine in vinyl and am very pleased.
Louis
Louis
Even if by some rare chance the russell is not quite right I believe you can send it in to day-long for an adjustment for a small fee.
I think every seat thread should start out with this line before everyone starts rolling out their opinions.
Personally I have never owned a bad Corbin and the Russell feels too soft for me. Regardless, I think it's proper to say that a firm seat is better than too soft a seat for long distance miles and that you want to keep blood circulation up, and moisture down. Some swear that car beads are the ultimate for this.
Tankereng
Site Supporter
The original owner sold the seat to me almost 5 years ago. All I remember is that he was a doctor and the only difference between us physically was that he was about 3 inches shorter and maybe 20lbs heavier. The thing I liked about it was the firmness. I didn't sink into it like the stock seat and get hotspots.
Sadly, the seat stayed on the bike when I traded it for a Wing (Going back to the ST now)
Everyone has a different need in seats!
I have 3 corbins in the garage and keep going back to the stock seats to the tune of over 180,000 miles on them (too bad all that is on multiple ST1100s!).
I have 3 corbins in the garage and keep going back to the stock seats to the tune of over 180,000 miles on them (too bad all that is on multiple ST1100s!
).
I had a Corbin on my ST1100. At first, I hated it as I thought it was too hard. But, over time, I grew to really like it and never really had any complaints, even on long trips and 700+ mile days. Maybe the hard Corbin has to "break in" to your fanny shape?
I have a stock seat on my ST1300, and at first I didn't like it either. But, I tried it in all three positions (like Goldilocks), for a week or more and many miles and found that the low setting was very uncomfortable, the middle was a bit better, and the highest worked really well. So far, I have done lots of 500+ mile days on it at the highest position and have no complaints. A friend I ride with has a stock seat and had concluded he was going to have to buy an aftermarket. I told him about my experience at raising the seat to the highest position. He has a shorter inseam than me, so didn't know if that would work, but found out that the seat worked really well for him at the highest setting as well, and he rides a lot of miles.
I have tried Airhawks and gel pads, but didn't like the way they made me feel disconnected from the bike.
Have a 3k trip coming up next week, with some 500-700 mile days. Will see how my opinion of the stock seat holds up.
I have a stock seat on my ST1300, and at first I didn't like it either. But, I tried it in all three positions (like Goldilocks), for a week or more and many miles and found that the low setting was very uncomfortable, the middle was a bit better, and the highest worked really well. So far, I have done lots of 500+ mile days on it at the highest position and have no complaints. A friend I ride with has a stock seat and had concluded he was going to have to buy an aftermarket. I told him about my experience at raising the seat to the highest position. He has a shorter inseam than me, so didn't know if that would work, but found out that the seat worked really well for him at the highest setting as well, and he rides a lot of miles.
I have tried Airhawks and gel pads, but didn't like the way they made me feel disconnected from the bike.
Have a 3k trip coming up next week, with some 500-700 mile days. Will see how my opinion of the stock seat holds up.
My post stated my opinion on seats I have used on my 1100. The Corbin was only good for an hour or so not much better than the Stock seat's 30 minutes. That said, another guy, Guy, rode his stock seat for a little under 100K miles.
Well, I am back from my trip from KC to Vegas and back. Lots of 500-700 mile days, including one 776 mile day. My opinion on the stock seat is still good. It didn't bother me until the point where everything is bothering you (helmet, ear plugs, back, legs, wrists, etc.), and you know you are ready to call it a day. But, seriously, I thought the seat was fine. Not enough to make me want to go drop $500+ on a new seat. But, I know this varies from person to person. If I had $500 burning a hole in my pocket, I might be tempted to purchase an aftermarket seat. But for now, I am OK with stock.
Actually, Kevin, that suggests that you need to fix your helmet, ear plugs and riding position ... as well as the seat
Imagine you are contemplating multiple 1000+ mile days. Even a perfect seat is not going to help if your other stuff is only good for 700 miles.
The key to LD Riding is to identify EVERY annoyance and distraction, and ruthlessly eliminate them.
height, width, mass?
Actually, Kevin, that suggests that you need to fix your helmet, ear plugs and riding position ... as well as the seat
Imagine you are contemplating multiple 1000+ mile days. Even a perfect seat is not going to help if your other stuff is only good for 700 miles.
The key to LD Riding is to identify EVERY annoyance and distraction, and ruthlessly eliminate them.
+1 on your suggestions. However, my motorcycle budget won't let me create the ultimate perfect riding experience. Single income families with five kids (two in college, two in braces) don't have much $ available for Dad's motorcycle hobby/obsession/addiction.
My helmet, ear plugs, and riding position are actually very good. The point I was trying to make was one of contrasts. The seat was not a problem for 700 miles. I am confident I could do 1000 on it. I was more ready to get the helmet off and the ear plugs out and give myself a break from them more than I was needing a break from the seat. I wear an Arai RXQ that I got new in the box off of Craigslist for $200 (a big expense for me). It is very comfortable, quiet, and vents well. But, a helmet is a helmet and wearing one for 14 hours is still wearing a helmet for 14 hours. While comfortable, having it off is more comfortable than having it on. Same goes for ear plugs. While comfortable, having them out is more comfortable than having them in.
I hope my budget and my time will someday allow me to do multiple 1000+ mile days. But, you don't have to be an Iron Butt devotee to enjoy motorcycling. I'll take what I can get and thank God for it.
There is a difference in the styles that nobody has talked about, and it is THE main difference. When discussing motorcycle seats, you have to distinguish between SEAT mfgs and SADDLE mfgs. Comparisons of seats vs. saddles is a waste of time. They aren't the same thing, so you'll get WIDELY varying responses and opinions.
This is what matters:
Corbin makes SADDLES.
Sargent and RDL's are SEATS.
Some butts like SADDLES. Some like SEATS. KNOW which style your butt likes, then get opinions on THAT style . LOL!! Comparing a Corbin to a Russell is fruitless.
I agree 100%. I have absolutely ZERO desire to ride 1000 miles in 24 hours. In fact, it is EXACTLY what I DON'T want to do. I ride motorcycles to enjoy the scenery, smells of a bakery when you're riding by it, stopping to see something along the mountain, or barn, store, etc. I am what the LD riders call a flower sniffer I guess. But that is what I want out of biking.
I applaud the LD riders for what they love also. They would go CRAZY if they had to ride on a trip with me. If I had to ride on a trip with them, I would hate it....and that's IF I could even keep up. LOL! The LD riders get their kicks doing it their way, and us "cruisers" get our kicks doing it OUR way.
But don't think I can't ride hard. When I'm alone and want to make time, I can burn up the road as well as anybody. Usually that is on the way BACK from Daytona. LOL!
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From all the reading, and talking I have done it seems that the critical factor is simply the use the seat/saddle will be put to.
Many after-market saddles are good for 500 miles, and that would, for most folk, include Corbin. Corbin seats also look fabulous, with a price to match their looks
Where they depart is when the distances grow. The guys who are concerned with ultimate comfort expect to ride much further than 500 miles ... Indeed, they expect to go for 1000+ miles, and then do it again the next day, and the next.
They expect to do that and while there may be all kinds of things to worry about, a pain in the rear is not one of them.
So it's reasonable that many seat brands have their adherents, because those seats perform exactly the way they are intended to. A Corbin listed as suitable for long distance riding is well specified. 500 miles, for the vast majority of riders IS a long distance, and more than most will ever do.
That smaller subset who regularly exceed those rides usually (but not always) find that most brands start to make their presence felt in a way that Russell does not. I hear that some of the Meyer seats are pretty damned good too.
It's not a coincidence that the majority of riders in the Iron Butt Rally sit on Russell seats. Those guys don't simply buy marketing hype, the products are tested over millions of miles, and hard-earned $$$ are spent. None of this should detract from individual choice, it's simply that, in extremis, the choice of most is not Corbin.