SEAT SEAT SEAT

[Twardc]

Hey everyone  I have a 2001 B12S and of course I still have the stock seat.  Well it is time for a change, I can't go even 50 miles without it killing me.  So my question is what are the best seats to replace the stock that will give me more ride time and comfort.  And if anyone knows where to find good deals it would be much apperciated!  

Thanks Trent

[Red01]

As I've said before, seats are like matresses. What's comfortable for one will be terrible for someone else. That said, your options are:

Suzuki Accessory Gel Seat - you'll have to find a used one as Suzuki has discontinued this item. Shouldn't be too expensive. IIRC, they carried ~$165 or so MSRP and could be found even cheaper thu some of the higher volume Suzuki parts sources. This seat is a little bit lower than the stocker. The gel is a great conductor of heat, so if left parked in the sun uncovered can get even hotter than a non-gel seat. I can't comment on its comfort as I've never riden on one, but there are several here that have them that will probably pipe in.

Corbin Gunfighter & Lady - Expensive, but still available new. Has the option of a back rest for the passenger that slides into a receptacle in the back of the seat. They don't give the back rest away either. This seat is firmer than stock and also sits you a little lower on the bike. The rider's portion is sculpted and limits moving aft. Some complain it also makes hanging off more difficult. I have this one (and the optional backrest - which my wife LOVES). I was skeptical when I first slapped it on that it would be too firm, but found that for me, firmer was better. Some claim Corbin seats need to be broken in for 500-1000 miles before they become comfortable, some say it just takes that long for you to get used to them... I can't say, mine felt great when I first slapped it on. I noticed the burn I started to get after ~30-45 minutes on the stocker didn't come with the Corbin until the bike was about out of gas.

Corbin Gunfighter - Pretty much same as above except the passenger accomodation is rounded into a stylistic hump. Not really intended to carry a passenger very often - or for an all-day ride.

Corbin Smuggler - Ditto, except on this one, the passenger accomodations are replaced with a piece of bodywork with a lid to access storage - which includes the stock area as well as the hump.

Custom Reupholstery - there are literally dozens of sources that will take your stock seat and rework it into anything possible. Sargent is probably the best known, but there are many others. If you go this route, you may prefer to choose someone that's local so you can talk to them face-to-face and they can get the fit perfect for you. Corbin will also alter its seat s to fit you better is you know what part(s) you want different from their "off-the-shelf" versions.

[madmotorcyclist]

I've had a Corbin on my 01 B12S since shortly after I bought it.  It served me well on my 10,200 mile trip to Alaska, and several 500 plus mile trips.  I wouldn't be without it.  One of the first things I did   when I bought my KLR ws put a Corbin on it, too.  And, I wouldn't be without it.

Joe Grove
Jonesboro, AR        

[NCBANDIT]

Suzuki Accessory Gel Seat - you'll have to find a used one as Suzuki has discontinued this item. Shouldn't be too expensive. IIRC, they carried ~$165 or so MSRP and could be found even cheaper thu some of the higher volume Suzuki parts sources. This seat is a little bit lower than the stocker. The gel is a great conductor of heat, so if left parked in the sun uncovered can get even hotter than a non-gel seat. I can't comment on its comfort as I've never riden on one, but there are several here that have them that will probably pipe in.

 I actually just found a place that sells these new still. I ordered one thursday when I got back from willville. With shipping it was $157 from lacyclesports.com  Mine was for a 1st gen but I just checked there site and the 2nd gen is the same price.

[NCBANDIT]

Disregard above post, I just received an email saying they have no more

[Slider]

Suzuki Accessory Gel Seat - you'll have to find a used one as Suzuki has discontinued this item. Shouldn't be too expensive. IIRC, they carried ~$165 or so MSRP and could be found even cheaper thu some of the higher volume Suzuki parts sources. This seat is a little bit lower than the stocker. The gel is a great conductor of heat, so if left parked in the sun uncovered can get even hotter than a non-gel seat. I can't comment on its comfort as I've never riden on one, but there are several here that have them that will probably pipe in.

 I actually just found a place that sells these new still. I ordered one thursday when I got back from willville. With shipping it was $157 from lacyclesports.com  Mine was for a 1st gen but I just checked there site and the 2nd gen is the same price.

 
I would like to hear from you afer you have used your Corbin for awhile, for myself and for this thread in general. I seem to recall a Brit posting that the Gel seat tended "to crush your knackers". However, if you sit at the front and try to have something like a non covex shaped spine, (curved back), the stock seat tends to do likewise. Maybe I'm going concave out of fatigue... don't know.
 These guys know what they are talking about for long ride problems.... (the girls are lucky on this one).


Bye the bye guys. I tried out a Corbin briefly.  It seemed to be hard as a rock and too low = too much bent leg for my Technic armoured suit which binds behind the knees at the best of times. This is another story, though.
 

[Swamp Rat]

I bought a used Corbin with the back rest on it from e-bay. I'm happy with it so far. But the telling of the "tail" will be on the ride I'm taking Monday. I'm riding from here [south of Baton Rouge] to Birmingham Ala. Spend the night there get up and ride to Knoxville TN. where I'll hook up with my dad and his Harley buddies. Spend one night there in Knoxville and then ride to Myrtle Beach, S.C for bike week. Then reverse travel Sunday or Monday back home. I'm guessing around 1500 miles or better and then I'll be able to tell you if it was money well spent for the Corbin.

[banditoverde]

Corbin all the way.  I did a 3 day loop of California on a stocker and about died.  Slapped on a gunfighter (wife won't ride and won't let me have a girlfriend who will   ) and my butt's never been happier.  I'm 6' 230lbs, maybe being fat helps squash that hard foam.  I've heard people talking about not being able to slide around the seat in the twisties but I find the shape of the seat good for indexing my cheeks when I hang off.  Just my 2cents worth

[Silverstreak]

Indexing cheeks, hmmmmm.

[WEINERDOGBONE]

Corbin seats are overrated and overpriced(IMHO). I rode a Corbin on my B12 until I couldn't stand it anymore. I hated that P.O.S.

I went back to the OEM seat which kinda hurts my back after about 100 mi. or so.

Having been through all the regular options, I am leaning towards finding a local person to fit my seat to me.

[Silverstreak]

I just rode for four twelve hour days and my butt was beyond sore. I'm planning a two up trip around the NE and I'm concerned. I'm not putting out for a corbin, instaed I'm considering alternatives. Has anyone heard of or seen a Russel. It looks like a couch but I'd consider having it as a touring seat. The other option was the Carolina Butt Buffer. You send them your stock seat and they insert a gel foam. I'm just wondering what others have heard.

[gtbandit]

Russel Daylong Saddles have a reputation for being excellent long distant saddles. Also, check into Bill Mayer saddles and Rick Mayer saddles. As they both have also earned a great reputation. However, be ready to shell out some serious dough. Quite abit more than a corbin. Want a cheaper alternative? Chick into Sargent cycle saddles. http://www.sargentcycle.com/default2.html

I never did do any long distance riding on my stock saddle, but I do have a gel seat that I tried long distance trips on. After about 150 miles, it would get quite uncomfortable. After 200 miles, it would get downright painful. Six hundred miles was excruciating. I bought an Airhawk saddle pad which was highly praised on the internet, but didn't get significant relief. So, I bought a Corbin Gunfighter and Lady saddle. Initially, it feels like a brick, but on a long ride, for me at least, it works. It does take some time to "break in". Possibly up to 1000 miles or so. On my 1st gen. Bandit, I do have a significant gripe with my Corbin seat though. Because of the dished seat, the edges of the front part of the saddle are raised and cut into my thighs becoming quite uncomfortable. You can get this adjusted by Corbin for free and with the 2nd gen Bandits this is not an issue.

[Steve]

I am very happy with my Corbin GF. I did send it back to have them cut down the sides in front so it would not cut into my thigh when stopped, and had them fill in the "bucket seat" thing a bit ( for $0.00). Yes it is still very firm but I am free to move around on the bike and comfortable as I ride. The only drawback I see is that is lowers your body into the bike a bit, which results in a sharper bend angle for my knees, this gets more uncomfortable on long rides than a bit of a sore butt. And yes, I go on long rides when I have the chance.

The seat looks sporty, does it's job and is as well built as they come. I don't have any concerns for the passenger, the voices in my head take little room.

Steve

ps: One thought on the "sore butt", "sore neck", "sore arms", "sore back" thing - many of us are not as young as we wish, and don't ride as often as we wish. We hop on the bike and do a long ride (anything over 50 miles for some) and viola, something hurts. Go out in the yard and pull weeds for the time it takes to burn a couple of tanks of gas and let me know what you will buy to prevent that discomfort, I want it! I'd rather get sore having fun!!!

[banditII]

You might also check Sergent seats.  Not sure I spelled it right.  Some say their seats with the "Atomic Foam" does the trick.  Softer than corbin but still pretty supportive ( still depends on the person / rider ). I may just leave my stocker on there.  Seems to do me well enough.

Warren

[Banditboy600]

Cobin did the right thing.  I bought my Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat, right after I bought my Suzuki Bandit,  based on a fellow Bandit Alley member’s suggestion.  He recommended it, stating the stock seat was terrible, and if I was going to do any real miles I would need a different seat.  I went with the Corbin, Gunfighter and Lady, and really liked it, although I never gave the stocker a chance.  On to my second season of riding, I kept dealing with a muscle pain in between my shoulder blade and neck.  This pain occurred every time I rode, and got worse, so I went for Physical Therapy, exercised it, and stretched it.  Everything helped, but it was still there.  I changed my riding position up closer to the tank, this brought me some relief.  I initially squawked about paying so much for this Corbin seat, but was told that Corbin would refit once if the seat was not just right.  Keeping this in mind, I packaged up my Corbin and sent it back.  I wanted the seat raised three quarters of an inch, and the gunfighter section moved one and a half inches forward.  This would bring me closer to the bars.  I put the stocker back on and the Corbin was en route to California.  I took my first ride to Rhode Island. And the found the stock seat’s riding position to be great for the sore muscle.  However; twenty minutes into my three hour ride,  my ass was killing me.  This had never happened before.  My Corbin always felt great.  By the time I got to Newport, my ass was sore, sweating, the heat form the engine was painful as well.  I hated this seat!   I now knew why the Corbin was so much heavier; it kept the heat off of the rider.  A couple weeks passed by and I needed my Corbin back.  After a few hang ups on Corbin’s end, they did the right thing, by over-nighting the seat back to me.  It arrived with a new beautiful cover, with carbon fiber piping.  I added that.  The seat fit great, no more shoulder pain, and my ass could ride all day in it!  Corbin returned the seat as promised.  I highly recommend their product and their customer service is outstanding!