[kl3640]

I finally received my Corbin order today, which includes:

1) Front saddle, integrated seat heater option, CF textured leather on top, asphalt leather on sides, M-sport logo on side
2) Rear saddle (same exact config as front, except for M-sport logo)
3) Oval backrest with glovebox color-matched to my bike's Granite Grey
4) Smuggler rear seat replacement trunk, color-matched to my bike's Granite Grey
5) One bottle of saddle cream.

Total Price: $1,258 US (Corbin honored their original price from the other forum's post, before they raised them).

I have to say that I'm very impressed with the quality of the Corbin products so far. I have yet to install them, but the first sign of quality is the packaging. Every part was protected enough to avoid damage in case they happened to fall out of one of UPS's 747's from 35,000 feet! It was almost annoying to have to unpack it all. The packaging is so good that I'm actually saving it for packing up my wife's China and other fragile objects.

Once unwrapped, I was really impressed with the finish of everything. The color is a spot-on match to the bike (by garage light anyway - the daylight tomorrow will tell for sure). Everything is solid. The hinges for the Smuggler trunk and backrest glovebox doors are solid and smooth, as are the locks. There is a bit of side-to-side play, but I think that that's done on purpose to allow the lids to seat according to the shape of the receving component and the gasket, as opposed to being forced by the hinge.

All of the mounting hardware is really heavy duty feeling and looking.

My only complaint so far is that the oval backrest padding isn't a totally perfect match to the curvature of the glovebox - but I'm really nitpicking about that. One would be hard pressed to notice it at all unless looking for it specifically.

Everything also smells like it's straight from the factory - which it is. I'm not going to wax over the painted parts for at least a month until I'm absolutely sure that they've cured fully.

I can't wait to put the seat on and for my first LONG ride on it.

I'll post pictures up when I have a chance later, both pre and post install, in single rider/Smuggler and two-up glovebox configs, for those who have the Grey bike and want to know what it would look like.

I hope that everything fits on the bike and works/feels as solid as my initial impression of the quality. I just need to figure out the lug bolt thing for my BMW sport panniers.

I know that Bahnburner was working on them, but someone posted up that Corbin now offers a kit? Does anyone know about this?

 

[xlr8r]

Here are 2 photo's of the modification that worked to allow the stock panniers to fit. I would suggest using a bolt of 45mm and a spacer of 3/8. Both are available at your local fastener supplier.

The set up you see is of 50mm allen bolts and 1/2 spacers. They are the same on both sides and worked fine but didn't need to be as long. The spacers are available in various lengths and are chrome steel. The allen bolts are stainless.

My thread on this subject a month ago explained that I returned the Corbin saddle and Smuggler due to poor paint match in the yellow paint and the fact that I thought the bike looked worse with a Smuggler installed. The lines of the Smuggler caused the rear end of the bike to look odd in my opinion.

 

[jimjam66]

Xlr8r, is that the view from your backyard? You poor sod - it must be agony having to put up with that ...

... Me, jealous? What makes you think that?!?!?!?

 

[kl3640]

Here are 2 photo's of the modification that worked to allow the stock panniers to fit. I would suggest using a bolt of 45mm and a spacer of 3/8. Both are available at your local fastener supplier.

The set up you see is of 50mm allen bolts and 1/2 spacers. They are the same on both sides and worked fine but didn't need to be as long. The spacers are available in various lengths and are chrome steel. The allen bolts are stainless.

My thread on this subject a month ago explained that I returned the Corbin saddle and Smuggler due to poor paint match in the yellow paint and the fact that I thought the bike looked worse with a Smuggler installed. The lines of the Smuggler caused the rear end of the bike to look odd in my opinion.

Thanks XLR8R - that's very helpful.

I agree that the Yellow didn't seem like a good match to the yellow on your bumble-bee K-S, based on your pics. The grey on mine is much better match, for whatever reason. Also, I think that with a solid color bike that it tends to stand out less, so it may blend in a little easier as a body part.

 

[xlr8r]

In the background you see the Tacoma Narrows bridge. The water is Puget sound.

This photo in not my backyard. It is a little town called Steilacoom, WA. I live a few miles from here.

I hear that www.sandbarcomposites.co.uk is developing a single seat and tail for the S. This might be more to my liking but as yet I haven't seen any details.

 

[kl3640]

In the background you see the Tacoma Narrows bridge. The water is Puget sound.

This photo in not my backyard. It is a little town called Steilacoom, WA. I live a few miles from here.

I hear that www.sandbarcomposites.co.uk is developing a single seat and tail for the S. This might be more to my liking but as yet I haven't seen any details.

Sargent is also making their "World Touring Seat" in '06, and it will likely include some kind of rear seat replacement cowl.

 

[Pirate]

Your Opinion??

Sure would like your impressions of the seat once you've tried it... It just doesn't look like it would work well for the rider who likes to move around and or hang off.. and the stop in the back looks like it would lock you in to place..

I spoke with the Corbin people yesterday and they said they designed it for touring only.. NOT fast/track riders and I guess I understand that. They did say that they would be glad to modify one for me at no extra cost to have the drop-off sides like the factory seat rather than the flat-ish platform should I decide to order one . So they are at least open minded to making a customer happy. That's a good thing..

Please post your opinions and pics when possible. Is the seat height any different than stock? .. Corbin seats are generally a full 1" taller on other models.

Thx

 

[kl3640]

Sure would like your impressions of the seat once you've tried it... It just doesn't look like it would work well for the rider who likes to move around and or hang off.. and the stop in the back looks like it would lock you in to place..

I spoke with the Corbin people yesterday and they said they designed it for touring only.. NOT fast/track riders and I guess I understand that. They did say that they would be glad to modify one for me at no extra cost to have the drop-off sides like the factory seat rather than the flat-ish platform should I decide to order one . So they are at least open minded to making a customer happy. That's a good thing..

Please post your opinions and pics when possible. Is the seat height any different than stock? .. Corbin seats are generally a full 1" taller on other models.

Thx

Good to hear from you again Jerry (did you get me my gas cap mounted tank bag from Deutschland yet?).

I'll definitely post pics and a full review. I too thought that the saddle wouldn't be good for sliding the old posterior off the sides of the bike, but I think that I was mistaken because the actual "cup" for your "cheeks" is really only towards the back.

I'm installing tonight and going for 300 miles tomorrow, with the front seat and Smuggler, and will post up a detailed review when finished.

BTW, Corbin now includes the spacers and extra long hex bolts for the BMW Sport Panniers as part of installation hardware set by default - so no more trips to the hardware store required.

 

[kl3640]

OK - it's done. I'll post a full review under a separate subject.