Once More With Feeling: Corbin Smuggler

[Sven]

In several of the threads in discussing seats, the generic "Corbin" is used, or specifically the Corbin Gunfighter is mentioned.  Not a lot of discussion about the Smuggler, which is the one that gives you a little glove compartment on back.

So...who has tried it, and dija like it?  It's kinda pricy new from Corbin, haven't looked at ebay, etc. yet.

Many sportbikes come with a little plastic hump in the back, and I think they LOOK uncomfortable, but it may be that they're so far back you never notice them.  SO that's a potential negative.

ANother negative is that it's something else to scratch when you use saddlebags.  Plastic motorcycle parts seem to be a bad idea in general.

On the upside, the little trunk wouldn't help with the grocery shopping, but since the Bandit has such lousy underseat storage, it would give a place to throw gloves, a ball cap (to hide that helmet hair), maybe a small lock, and the DVDs I seem to be exchanging with friends all the time.  Not a lot of storage, but better than I have now unless I take the tankbag.

So...thoughts?

[2005B12S]

Looked at it but way too pricey for what you get.

BTW, just ordered a Corbin for the Ducati, dealer cost on the Bandit Smuggler seat was about $400.

[RDUBandit]

...dealer cost on the Bandit Smuggler seat was about $400.

What do you mean by this?  Retail for the Smuggler is $699.

I want one too, but as I alluded to in another thread, I like the stock seat, and the Corbins that I've seen sorta scare me (they're HARD).

If they were $200 less expensive, I'd probably buy one.

I'm not worried about scratching it as I have hard cases.  The little bit of extra space that is EASY to get to for everyday use is attractive.

P.S. I've looked on eBay, but no dice.

[Sven]

So if anyone can tell us how to get a Smuggler for $400 or thereabouts, they'll sell at least, two, huh?

[2005B12S]

What that means is that whomever orders the seat for you makes the difference. $400 is what any Corbin authorized dealer will pay, the rest is markup and pure profit for the retailer.

When I got back in motorcycling full time about 5 years ago, after a career induced absence of several years, I found a local independent shop to deal with. After ordering $500+ worth of retail parts for my TL1000 and GS750, I had a talk with the owner. I basically told him that I would give him all my business- several thousands of $ worth as I was then restoring the 750- but that I was unwilling to pay full retail on anything. We came up with a compramise, we would split the difference between dealer cost and full retail.

This way he still makes money and I get a really good deal. my Corbin seat for the Ducati is costing me $250 total (incl shipping and local tax). Thats a hell of a deal. But I have ordered thousands of $ worth of parts, and its a win-win situation for both parties. Take a look at this shopping list:

http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=6296

I did not pay full retail on most of the items listed, including the RS Mikuni carbs on the B12 ($800 retail) or the RS carbs on my '83 750.

I would encourage anyone to work up a business relationship with an independent shop and do not be afraid to speak frankly about the difference between full retail and dealer pricing. I have saved thousands of dollars by doing just that.

Full retail markup pricing can be sobering, a buddy of mine works part time at Best Buy- employees pay cost plus 5%. He has purchased many items for me at his reduced rate. Most recently stereo cables, namely subwoofer cables- Retail $60, his cost $20 (and this is still 5% over cost).

Good Luck, Ed.

[Red01]

GREAT idea, Ed! Thanks for sharing your strategy.