Corbin VS. Spencer's Seat Mods

[Sykes92]

I'm looking into getting some techspecs and a seat mod to improve comfort for extended rides. I heard Spencer has fast turnaround and is really good quality, as well as maintains your seat's stock shape. I've heard very few complaints about Corbin as well, but the price difference is dramatic.

Anyone able to shed some light on this situation?

[jkv45]

I had Spencer mod the seat on my SV650 a few years back with the gel foam - huge improvement and looks completely stock.

There have been some questionable reviews about Corbin, and the way the seat fits the SV, as well as possibly a few customer service reviews that were not favorable.

If I had to do it again I'd go with Spencer's.

[tfkrocks]

I love my Corbin seat. It's comfy and good looking. I got mine for free though so I dunno how fair my opinion is lol.

[old3]

Renazco seats is the tops IMO. Doggie Pooch is sending them one to do after several others failed to satisfy him.

http://www.renazco.com/

I've posted pics of mine somewhere here. I'll add ones I just took for DP yesterday in a minute. He just got a build date in Feb. which is a really good for them considering 6 months + is common wait time.

You can see in my pics below I had 1.5" in height added and I did the same for the passenger seat. Both are a non issue now. I would actually add a total of 2.5" if I did it again for the legroom in the seat to peg ergos.

I asked for the plain, stock style cover to avoid seams. He can do anything so use your imagination. Carbon looking vinyl, suede, colors, different stitching. Anything goes.

[old3]

[old3]

[old3]

[Sykes92]

Thanks for the input so far guys.

@Alex I just realized I posted this in 300 Farkles by mistake. I own a two-fiddy haha.

[Sirref]

Luckily it applies to both machines, personally I'd go with a Spencer's seat and will at some point when my ungrateful bum starts complaining enough to go without riding for a week or so. I've heard more bad things about Corbin than good recently, at least in comparison to Spencer especially considering the price difference.

[Sykes92]

Hmmm. Well we're in for a cold week so I might go forth with Spencer and give a whirl. I'm leaning towards him since comments stated Corbin has been "iffy" lately. The renazco looks nice, but the wait period and the fact that it's seude is off-putting. I already dislike having to keep my gel pad out of the rain haha. The pad I have is "okay". It doesn't really help relieve pain, it just delays the discomfort by about 45 minutes. And it also raises me a solid inch up which can my BP a little discomforting.

So I'll send off my seat Monday and post results when I get it back. I'm going to get the Supracor installed for extra comfort.

[Sirref]

You should send in the passenger seat too, it's not much more $ and any passengers you may have will thank you for it (if you tell them of course)

[Sykes92]

Originally Posted by Sirref

You should send in the passenger seat too, it's not much more $ and any passengers you may have will thank you for it (if you tell them of course)

I didn't even think of that. I haven't had passengers so far, but that's not a bad idea at all . It's still marginally cheaper than Corbin.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by Sykes92

I didn't even think of that. I haven't had passengers so far, but that's not a bad idea at all . It's still marginally cheaper than Corbin.

Just remember to read up on 2up rules before taking a passenger.
http://rideapart.com/2013/11/prepare...torcycle-ride/
Rideapart is one of my favorite moto news sites and they have tons of great informative articles like this one.

@Motofool probably has a few links for advice on riding 2up, one important thing to remember though is that your brakes won't work as well and you'll want to be as smooth as possible with them to avoid helmet knocking.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Sirref

............Rideapart is one of my favorite moto news sites and they have tons of great informative articles like this one.

Very good site and link

Here you are:

http://198.50.222.41/forums/showthread.php?p=778179

http://www.motomom.ca/hello-world/

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=103787

http://www.sportrider.com/riding_tip...cle_passenger/

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53726

[Xtina]

I'm still aiming to get a Saddlemen myself. MMMMM memory foam and gel.

[Sykes92]

Just sent out my seat today (holy crap it took a while to sort out UPS :P. I work in a warehouse so I'm used to it being a very quick process)
Riding home was a very interesting experience as well.. I had my gel seat to put over the battery but it was pretty awkward haha. I actually made it all the way home before my boss called and said I could park it in the warehouse for a week. Going to try and beat the snow storm tomorrow and ride back to park it in the warehouse.

Tl;dr

Sent out seat, should be back in a week, will review then.

[JohnnyBravo]

Riding seatless? At least it isn't a bicycle
Congrats on getin a place to park and a new seat

[Sirref]

congrats on finding a place to park, I'm off work tomorrow and got mine to fit in a very small spot between my parents cars in their garage in exchange for shoveling (which I would do anyway)

you should grab an old pillow or something and duct tape it down as your temporary seat for shits and giggles.

[Sykes92]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

Riding seatless? At least it isn't a bicycle
Congrats on getin a place to park and a new seat

Originally Posted by Sirref

congrats on finding a place to park, I'm off work tomorrow and got mine to fit in a very small spot between my parents cars in their garage in exchange for shoveling (which I would do anyway)

you should grab an old pillow or something and duct tape it down as your temporary seat for shits and giggles.

Haha I like that idea!

And yeah I'm glad I found a place to park as well. With all the snow coming to maryland, plus two weeks of below 30 weather, my bike and my backyard say "no bueno"

[Sirref]

just invest in these and you should be fine riding in sub 30 degree weather

[Sykes92]

Originally Posted by Sirref

just invest in these and you should be fine riding in sub 30 degree weather

Oh I have had my fair share of sub 30 riding haha. It's just not very comfortable at 130lbs . I usually wear a t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, 3 thermal long-sleeves, a hoodie, and my A* jacket with winter liner. As well as thermal leggings and pajama pants under my jeans and a half-balaclava. The little bit of fun factor isn't worth it . Though I might take the bike out for a 5 min spin with the new seat. Spencer is familiar with the 250R seat and gave a nice explanation of what it will be like.

"Your '10 Kawasaki 250R rider seat actually has a decent amount of seat depth to work with relative to other current sport bikes so takes to modification well but a touring seat it will never be The dual section 250R rider seat is typically reshaped internally with slightly more rearward bias, for better support, and to help distribute your weight across the entire available width of the seat rather than concentrating it on the crowned center without effecting the nose shape so you will still have freedom of movement in the twisties and enhanced position and comfort. This angle correction will help allot with the slide to the tank giving you more of a correct neutral position. The Supracor works for the rider because it is a dynamic material with an instant rebound. It moves with you, working with your weight shifts for proper bike control. If you use a material in the riders section that takes a set it locks you in one position and fights against you. This is the main problem with foams as the rider is constantly moving, even while cruising the highway you are making small corrections in your weight distribution. With this seats already shallow depth it would remain stock height."

[Sirref]

I weigh around 130lbs so I know how cold it is, I doubt it's comfortable for anyone other than those old guys on bmw's that have heated everything.

[Sykes92]

Originally Posted by Sirref

I weigh around 130lbs so I know how cold it is, I doubt it's comfortable for anyone other than those old guys on bmw's that have heated everything.

Or people like this.

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by Sirref

...I doubt it's comfortable for anyone other than those old guys on bmw's that have heated everything.

No need to be hatin' on the BMW riders! Or old guys, for that matter. Any of us can buy an electric vest or jacket liner and electric gloves. Money well spent if you ride regularly in cold weather. Wore the old electric Widder vest, sleeves, and gloves on a 37 F Ninjette ride Saturday.

[JohnnyBravo]

These crazy weather people say it's supposed to snow here I'm ready to warm weather and sunshine again

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by dcj13

No need to be hatin' on the BMW riders! Or old guys, for that matter. Any of us can buy an electric vest or jacket liner and electric gloves. Money well spent if you ride regularly in cold weather. Wore the old electric Widder vest, sleeves, and gloves on a 37 F Ninjette ride Saturday.

just some stereotype usage, they're the only people I've met who are typically prepared with stuff like that. While it is a good investment I can't really invest in everything so I'll likely finish up this winter without a heated vest (note: I do have heated gloves that I wear under my gloves)

[Sykes92]

The seat came back today! One day earlier than I had planned.
There is a break-in period, a few gas tanks or so, but it already feels fantastic.

I decided not to send in my passenger seat, so luckily it was there for comparison. Oh my god the supracor feels great compared to stock foam. You can sit on the stock seat and feel that your ass is going to hurt in 30-45 minutes. I sit on the new seat and it is great, and will only get better as it breaks in.

But overall, I definitely definitely definitely recommend sending your seat to Spencer for a great bang for your buck deal. I have never sat on a Corbin, but I guarantee I am glad I didn't spend $300+. This seat only cost me $75+Shipping to and from. Roughly $100 or so. Definitely good service and a good seat.

I will write a full in-depth review after the break-in period, along with pics and such (seat retained stock shape).

[willi777]

Thanks for posting your impressions. Have heard nothing but good things about Spencer's work- my seat will be next in line

[Sirref]

Looking forward to the in-depth review, the price is fairly convincing for spencer's and the stock seat is rather uncomfortable after 2-3 hours.

[headshrink]

Always loved my Corbin. I haven't heard anything negative about them lately... what's up?

[Sirref]

The only real negative thing about corbin is the price, spencer's seems to be comparable though I'm content with the stock seat for now. me loco

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by Sirref

The only real negative thing about corbin is the price, spencer's seems to be comparable though I'm content with the stock seat for now. me loco

I rode OEM for a long time too, but had no idea what a difference a good seat makes until I got one. I used to get sore pretty quickly on the stock seat, but if you're content with it there's no reason to spend more money.

[misfitsailor]

Corbin really is overpriced, but I am glad to have bought one. They take a while to "wear-in", but I can ride all day long now.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by headshrink

Always loved my Corbin. I haven't heard anything negative about them lately... what's up?

I'm not the only one that has heard rumors of poor customer service from Corbin, but it sounds like it may be improving - http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247473

[LoD575]

Spencer's does great work. Had my seat done last year and my behind has thanked me every since.

[Mjj]

Just got my seat back from Spencer. Can't speak to the Corbin or other mods, but the work performed by Spencer was first rate. Just starting the break in process now, but it is a substantial change.

I use the bike mainly for trips around town. Occasionally I'll go for a nice ride. The stock seat was really uncomfortable...something had to be done. I really didn't feel like pumping $300 into a custom seat, so I was really happy to read about Spencer. It looks completely stock, so if that is the look you are going for, look no further. If not for the new staples, you can't tell anything was done by looking at it. You sure can by sitting on the bike though.

Did I mention how seriously fast he is? Solid recommendation. With shipping it was less than $100.

Now I'm on to new brake lines....

[antiant]

Does anyone have pictures of Spencer's seats, done to their bike(s) and care to share? An in-depth review after break-in and riding a few hundred miles, would be appreciated. The next mod I will do is the seat and I'm looking at all the options (Corbin, Spencer, Saddleman, etc) plus cost and overall good service.

[Sirref]

^ paging @Sykes92
I'm interested as well since I'll be making more free spending $$$ this summer than I am now and should be able to invest in a few mods.

[willi777]

Does anyone have pictures of Spencer's seats, done to their bike(s) and care to share?

He keeps the seat looking stock, so unless you get it lowered, it will look just like a stock seat.

Mjj

It looks completely stock, so if that is the look you are going for, look no further.

jkv45

I had Spencer mod the seat on my SV650 a few years back with the gel foam - huge improvement and looks completely stock.

[antiant]

I still want pics (in-depth one's at that, close-ups, etc), I'm a visual person.