Was over at Corbin seats today

[F-106]

Stopped in on my way home from the coast. Times hit Corbin seats hard. It is just a fraction of what it once was. I only saw one guy cutting seats and one girl making the covers. It hurts to see this due to I remember days when they employed hunders of people and the bikes were lined up to get in for seats.  If things don't get better I can see them going down. 

[elraque]

My baby black standard came with Beetle Bags. They weren't installed. One of the installation studs hadn't been installed.

They responded to my first e-mail request (for information) with a smartass comment about how "that information is on our website." (They were right, the answer to ONE of my questions was on the website).

The second response was a little better "I can get you a quote with shipping for that part," but ignored my second installation question.

The guy who responded took the next day off (good for him), so when I called to order I got someone else. Twenty five bucks for a mounting stud and another five for shipping! But I need it to mount the bags so I gave her the credit card number (over a week ago).

Monday I got another e-mail from the guy who had returned from his day off (interview, maybe?). Ignored my technical question (as a courtesy I had e-mailed him to let him know I had ordered the stud in his absence). But he told me I could order a PAIR of studs for $55.00 plus $15.00 shipping. Did I mention he ignored my repeated installation question?

I hope that good things happen for Corbin, and I hope that the good things start with improvements in their customer service department. Based on the experience I had with them (three different people over the course of 2 weeks or more) I don't believe I'll be buying a Corbin seat anytime soon...

Did I mention that it has been over a week and I still haven't received the mounting stud that I ordered? Nor an answer to my installation question, which I posed to all three of the different people with whom I interacted. They ain't investing in anything that's gonna pay them back with MY loyalty! 

[Ghillie]

A friend just went through getting beetle bags and a trunk from them. It took six weeks to get the bags. Paint started bubbling on the bags within a month. Had to consult with a dealer to intermediate. Had to remove the bags and ship them back to Corbin. New paint job and bags back three weeks later. Reinstall bags and paint starts bubbling on the bags three weeks later. Remove bags again, take to local painter, new paint out of packet expense, reinstall bags. Problem solved but now the trunk is bubbling.

I don't think customer service is their only problem.

[Robert]

Had a Corbin seat and within 3 years wore through on the sides so I wanted something done well my choices were buy a new seat. Have it recovered by them for 30 dollars less all of course with shipping additional. This is after emails and going there in person. Ive had Corbin seats on other bikes and really liked them this was just a total waste to the tune of 900.00. Thats 300.00 a year for use, I said no way and  went and had a custom seat done and the first thing out of his mouth was Ill use better leather its not very good. After he made me his seat I really understood the difference. I went to Daytona and they had a huge building with one guy in it. The owner is looking for a buyer from what Ive heard and this was a year or two ago. They've lost the edge.

[Kaiser]

I could not possibly dislike any seat more than my Corbin.  I've sat on park benches that are more comfortable than this seat.  It sounds like their products and customer service have taken a sharp turn in the wrong direction.

They've made their seat - now they have to sit in it.

[Jess from VA]

I could not possibly dislike any seat more than my Corbin.


Hahaha....... exactly my feelings.  

You can get the same comfort from a cement block covered in leather..... at a fraction of the price.


However, to be fair, they always looked very cool. 

[MNBill]

I picked up a used one, it was not bad after I cut it open and added 2 inches of memory foam.

[elraque]

I'm working with them to get the parts for my Beetle Bag. I think I'll share some of your comments with them (after I get my parts)...

I wonder if it will make any difference to them. ???

[Billy]

Over the years, I've read all sorts of complaints against Corbin's customer service. I hated the Corbin on the Valk but loved them on my BM and my now departed Guzzi. So it depends on the bike.

[Gear Jammer]

I bought a used Corbin, because I liked the look.     After rding about 2 hours, I feared I had incurred permanent nerve damage to my butt.      I described the pain as sitting on a 4x4 witth two golf balls glued on top directly under my butt cheeks.      I'm hesitant to sell it, for fear a lawsuits afterwards      And after this thread, nobody will want a Corbin anyway     I know there's riders who swear by Corbin, but I'm more likely to swear at a Corbin 

[Michael K (Az.)]

I know that there's many on this board that has had the pleasure of dealing with Des of Ultimate Seats. I have never seen him or any of his staff be rude to a customer, always answering all questions. I've known him and Leslie for quite a few years now and consider them good friends.
 Ultimate Seats is a sponsor of this site that we all enjoy.
Those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure, give 'em a call and tell them Michael K sent ya and maybe he'll buy me a beer next time we meet!!

[NITRO]

I was considering buying a used Corbin seat, but am glad I read this info first. I'll stick with my modded OEM seat!

[Printer Mike]

The '98 Tourer I picked up last year came with Corbin dual tours. Seems fairly comfortable to me.

[Wingman]

I had a Corbin on my GL 1000, it was firm but comfortable enough. I don't personally have any complaints against Corbin and I believe they set the standard for aftermarket seat when there was really a need for them.

I have an Ultimate on mine and I've never dealt with a better company. I will by my seats from Des as long as he is in business. They are always courteous an service oriented. I've lost small hardware from my seats over the years and they've always shipped replacements for free; I really never expected that, but haven't forgot it either!

[RedValk]

ALL my bikes....have Corbin seats...or...they have NO SEAT at all........

I love my Corbin's (on both the Runes and Valk). Mine are comfortable...look FANTASTIC. is there customer service lacking at times? OH HECK YES. Do they have issues sometimes...with fit...defects ...etc? SOMETIMES, HELL YES.

I love Des....and i know him personally. I LOVE....his customer service. EVERYONE I KNOW, says his seats are SUPER comfortable. BUT................I don't like ...........the LOOK of them. and on my bikes...looks are PARAMOUNT! If i was more of a LONG DISTANCE rider, and less of a "trailer queen"....perhaps i'd have to have another brand seat over my Corbins? But for any of the riding i do...and i have ridden 500-600 mile days in the past years...and often ride 200-300 "local" day rides....the Corbin is FANTASTIC.

on the Rune board, we pretty much put it this way: Looks, HANDS DOWN....Corbin is THE BEST. Comfort....Ultimate is the best....then the Corbin....followed by the stock seat....which is a "50 mile then break seat".

anyway, I truly love my Corbins....and they are comfortable...and look great. the leather breaths....and is much cooler due to that "breathing"....as well as being cooler to the touch after sittin out in the sun.

IF ANYONE....made a seat that looks as good as a Corbin, I'd be all over it. Cost doesn't matter that much to me. But i can't have a seat on a bike of mine that i don't like looking at..................

Again, I am fully aware of the "issues" that SOME Corbin products have had (like having to do the old washer trick to get the seat on ....until the rubber bumpers get broken in.....etc.). But that said, it's still the ONLY seat for me. When my 10 year old Corbin leather on my Valk got to looking "rough" a few years back, i just sent it back to them....paid a couple hundred....and had it completely refurbished. I'm good for another 10 years now (ok, 7 more....that was actually 3 years ago).

But hey, seats are like windshields....are like bikes...are like women....are like..................etc...........  Different strokes for different folks.    

[12voltclothing]

Corbin has committed suicide with poor products and customer service. They have had legal problems to.
Corbin seat I had for my Kaw Voyager 1200 was a cement block. What a waste of money that was.

[oxfordhog]

When I bought my Valk there was a Corbin seat on it.  I promptly took it off and sold it on eBay.

[Jess Tolbirt]

i did the same thing,, both my valks had corbins and i sold them on ebay...
i would like to have an ultimate but funds are a problem right now,,