[longhaul747]

I went out for a short 20 mile ride today. All though in the show room the stock seat feels comfortable and is even alright for short distance trips I could start to feel some discomfort even after a short 20 miles. So I imagine the stock seat would be torture on a day ride. I see that Corbin now makes a seat for the Ninja 500. I have a Corbin on my Concours and KLR. They are pretty good seats and comfortable. A bit stiff but that does not seem to affect the comfort of the seat or cause problems on long rides. I have been pretty satisfied so far.

Only thing I don't like about Corbin seats is the fit. Sometimes (in fact most often) they are a pain to fit and even then they don't fit exactly correct.

Anyone have a Corbin and is it much improved over the stock seat? Also did it fit right up or did you have to re engineer the seat to make it fit?

 

[longhaul747]

I like this seat...

http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/ninja5002.shtml

Except I would not bother getting the backrest. I think it looks hideous with it on and I never ride 2 up anyway.

Sometimes these seats will show up on ebay for cheap. Companies will buy in bulk from Corbin and you can save a bit of cash that way. I paid $339 for the Corbin on my Concours and it retails for $399. It was brand new and arrived in a never opened Corbin box. It appears nobody is selling Ninja 500 Corbin seats yet.

 

[AntiAndy]

I like this seat...

http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/ninja5002.shtml

Except I would not bother getting the backrest. I think it looks hideous with it on and I never ride 2 up anyway.

Sometimes these seats will show up on ebay for cheap. Companies will buy in bulk from Corbin and you can save a bit of cash that way. I paid $339 for the Corbin on my Concours and it retails for $399. It was brand new and arrived in a never opened Corbin box. It appears nobody is selling Ninja 500 Corbin seats yet.

nice lookign seat, except for the backrest,bah.
nothin for first gen tho :/

 

[render]

I have one and it fit/feels great. Right out of the box it fit onto the bike and I think it makes a BIG improvement for riding. This summer I rode 1000 miles in 2 days and only had mild discomfort instead of pain that the original seet would have gave. I'll try to post a pic. I guess the price went up. I paid $250 last year. . .

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I had one for my 500 and it was the best money I spent. It looked good and felt great.

The down side is the weight, but it's not really a downside because I couldn't feel a differance in performace.

For my current ride I sent my saddle to Sargent. I'll let you know how that goes. So far they are really dragging their feet getting it back to me.

 

[Lacessit]

nice lookign seat, except for the backrest,bah.
nothin for first gen tho :/

There is one available for first gen.. but I don't have the link. You can call them, if you're interested and they'll hook you up.

Taking into consideration that I have no other aftermarket seats to compare to: The Corbin I bought for my '06 was the best money I've spent since buying the bike. Hands down, no question. Fitment was easy-peasy: remove stock, transfer a bit o' the hardware, and slip 'er on. My butt hasn't gotten tired through a full tank since swapping.

 

[Guest]

I must be odd, I didn't notice a big improvement in comfort, but I haven't taken any long trips yet either. It does look much better though, and the fit is just about perfect. But mine is off for the winter. It has a textured seat cover that makes it almost impossible to get the morning frost off. The stock one I just scrape with an ID card and its clean.

Rich

 

[MrSciTrek]

I must be odd, I didn't notice a big improvement in comfort, but I haven't taken any long trips yet either. It does look much better though, and the fit is just about perfect. But mine is off for the winter. It has a textured seat cover that makes it almost impossible to get the morning frost off. The stock one I just scrape with an ID card and its clean.

Rich

Try puting a towel over it at night... or an old rain proof jacket.

 

[Lacessit]

I just went with the standard black leather, no piping. I thought it'd be safer than having a very customized seat that looked good but I couldn't resell later.

Please excuse the $10 digi-camera photo but here ya go:

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I asked for flames with no piping. The flames were no extra cost. Looked great.

If you want to carry a passenger ask for the gunfighter lady, but if not, ask for the standard gunfighter so it will have the hump in the back making it look like a seat cowel.

 

[longhaul747]

I am pretty much sold on the Corbin. I am going to wait until January since I am fighting the typical holiday budget crisis but January should not be a problem.

 

[longhaul747]

I ordered my Corbin seat today!!

After a 100 mile ride yesterday I decided the stock seat had to go. I opted for the black carbon fiber leather seating panels and black carbon fiber side panels and the carbon fiber welts. This is how the seat is on my Concours is and it looks great. This is the standard Gunfighter & lady model. I don't normally ride 2 up but I like the style and versatility.

Since I ordered it today and I suspect Corbin is mostly shut down for the holidays I will probably not see it until the middle of January. Thats fine because I am not doing a lot of riding right now with the weather being so nasty. I can't wait to try it out though!!

The stock seat is not half bad but it seems a bit weak in the foam department so after a while your butt and lower back starts to ache. After a short time of this its hard to concentrate on riding and all you end up focusing on is your aches and pains from the seat and it ends up getting worse.

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I got my Sargent seat the other day. I haven't gone for a ride on it yet since it's 38F outside. When I do I'll let ya'll know how it compares to the Corbin.

 

[Xwelder]

Bringing this back from the depths...

I got my Sargent seat the other day. I haven't gone for a ride on it yet since it's 38F outside. When I do I'll let ya'll know how it compares to the Corbin.

I'm getting ready to send mine to Sargent. How you like yours?

 

[GrayGamut]

I routinely do 100+ mile days on the stock seat...

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Bringing this back from the depths...

I got my Sargent seat the other day. I haven't gone for a ride on it yet since it's 38F outside. When I do I'll let ya'll know how it compares to the Corbin.

I'm getting ready to send mine to Sargent. How you like yours?

I'm very happy with the Sargent. I'll try to break it down.

Sargent:
+ no added weight
+ cheaper than Corbin
+/- softer than Corbin
- even though they offer leather they reccomend vinyl because the leather can deform because of the softer saddle.

Corbin:
+ slightly more comfortable for me because I like firm
+ well made leather
+ you get to keep your stock seat so you can sell Corbin seperately for resale
+ no down time while they make your seat
- heavy seat, but not noticeable while riding
- more expensive
- customer service is questionable.

I was 100% happy with both of these seats. Can't go wrong with either.

I've done every mod possible to my EX and upgrading my saddle was the single best thing I've done.

 

[faderz75]

i know this is an old post but ... did the sargent or corbin lower the seat height any?.. was thinking if this is a better than trying to shave off the seat...
-J

 

[Evil Result]

I have a few Q's about the corbin.... are you moved further back from the tank? Also during 2 up with the stock seat my pillon has a hard time staying in place namely sliding during stops, forward and crushing my jewels. How well does the corbin hold rider and passenger in place?

 

[Spruce]

my pillon has a hard time staying in place namely sliding during stops, forward and crushing my jewels. How well does the corbin hold rider and passenger in place?

that is a question that i have also...

 

[Lacessit]

i know this is an old post but ... did the sargent or corbin lower the seat height any?.. was thinking if this is a better than trying to shave off the seat...
-J

I'm not sure about the Sargent. The Corbin does pull you back a little from stock, and lowers the seat a bit, but it's also a bit wider than the stock seat. So it actually increases the reach required to flat foot (maybe 1/2"). If you'd like you can request a lower seat when you order- just tell 'em what your inseam is.

my pillon has a hard time staying in place namely sliding during stops, forward and crushing my jewels. How well does the corbin hold rider and passenger in place?

that is a question that i have also...

Some, but it doesn't do everything. The rise in the seat between the rider and pillion helps a little bit, but having an educated passenger helps more. Teach your passenger to squeeze with his/her knees to prevent them from pushing you forward, while you squeeze the tank with your knees.