K11 Owners Group

Corkboy

I'll bet that got your attention!

When I bought my K1100LT it had a Corbin Dual Tour fitted. It has the little flaps to cover the optional back rest posts. It looks like the option of having the backrests has moved both rider and passenger seats forwards by about an inch.

I find it a comfortable seat, if a bit lower than I'm used to (on the K100 or tansalp that I had). The rider seat is really contured. It isn't lowered though.

I recently went for my second spin with my wife, who is about 5' 10". Asking her how she liked the new bike, the only issue was that she found the seat to be a problem.

Specifically, there is a bead running along the back of the seat (which looks like it covers a stitched join) , just at a point where she can feel it when sitting normally. If she moves forwards to what is the "natural" seat contour, she finds that her legs are too bent.

So what options do I have ?

1. Replace the seat with the original that I have? I know that it is regarded as not as comfortable, but we never had a problem with the original of the K100RS that I had.
2. Get the backrest for her. She says that she cannot reach the back rest pad on the top box as it is, which suggests to me that the Corbin pillion area is more forwards. This doesnt solve the problem of the too-bent knees though.
3. Lower the footpegs so she can sit forwards and not have her legs as bent.

Has anyone else come across this problem with a Corbin?
_________________
'08 K1200GT
'87 K100RS 0140995 (Gone)
'97 K1100LT 0188024 (Gone)
'08 Transalp 700 (Gone)

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:47 am Post subject:

Seats are a personal item, such that what is good for one person may be totally crap for someone else.

To that end.... I have had, the stock comfort seat, 2 variations of Crobin seats, and a couple of Russel seats.

For me and my wife we like the Russel's. I got them used,(the '95 came with one, and I bought a used one for my '97) and they are not identically the same.

If you are going to be doing some serious 2-up riding, you might consider a custom build seat, or have your Corbin modified, though not sure how much it can be changed with the backrest seat-pan molding.

Another option you could lower the pillion foot-pegs. I know that Owrstrich has a set of peg lowering adapters for sale, but can't remember if they were some that he tried and didn't fit, or if his s.o. didn't need them anymore.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

owrstrich · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:24 am Post subject:

i would trade her in on a newer model... the wife...not the moto...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Corkboy · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:44 am Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:46 am Post subject:

2 ideas:

1) If you plan on doing a lot of 2-up riding then you might want to consider investing (they're not cheap) in a Russell Day Long custom built for both you and your wife.

2) Look for an early model Corbin Dual tour.

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

552255 · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:56 pm Post subject:

Lowered footpegs on both sets, have been worth it...stock seat, with black cabbie beads for me...I also installed highway pegs on the engine-guard bars.
_________________
1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
Lincoln, NE

Corkboy · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:41 am Post subject:

Thanks guys,
the approach will be to try the stock seat first (the free option).

If that doesn't work, then lowered pegs with the corbin seat. (the $190 option)

We don't do marathon days, and tend to stop and stretch/admire the view every one to two hours, (European back roads is where it's at). So it is not an insurmountable problem.

Thanks for the suggestions.
_________________
'08 K1200GT
'87 K100RS 0140995 (Gone)
'97 K1100LT 0188024 (Gone)
'08 Transalp 700 (Gone)

Corkboy · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 4:36 am Post subject:

Just an update,
I collected the original "comfort" seat from the previous owner. I have attached it and it is definitely highter/softter (and a lot lighter).

The pillion seat looks like it is better for my wife. She sits higher and further back. We are going to France for a week next week so it will have a good road test.

The riders seat is also slightly higher and softer. I took it for a first spin yesterday, and found that it was constantly sliding me forwards so my knees hit the fairing. This didn't happen on the Corbin.

In fact I did a 300mile round trip on Saturday on the Corbin and got off as good as I started. I don't know what it would have been like on the Comfort seat, but I suspect it would have been worse.

So, I will see how the wife likes the comfort seat, but I still may go for the Corbin and peg lowering option. I might do a mock-up of the lowered peg position before splashing out on the lowering kit.
_________________
'08 K1200GT
'87 K100RS 0140995 (Gone)
'97 K1100LT 0188024 (Gone)
'08 Transalp 700 (Gone)

rbm · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 7:39 am Post subject:

You might want to get an upholstery shop to insert foam in the nose of the Comfort seat. That will stop you sliding forward. This is what the Corbin has that makes it so comfortable for you.
_________________
- Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

Rafal · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:12 pm Post subject:

Hello!

I have RS with stock seat. So passenger set is lean toward the driver. To stop my wife sliding on my back each time motorcycle sows down, I have bought such net:

(of course that not K seat Wink

)
It improves situation a lot! And can be installed or removed in few minutes.
BTW you have no, i mean no experience about long leg wife Razz

. My wife is 6' 3" tall, so I was seriously thinking about mounting second set of foot rest for her.

Best regards,
_________________
Rafal
K1100RS is a real beast (in Marrakesh Red)
K75S is a real beauty - she has gone Sad

, but not to far Smile

.

Corkboy · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:19 am Post subject:

hockeyshifter · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 4:34 pm Post subject:

wow no one mentions the AIRHAWK seat pad...

i would keep the corbin on and get her the airhawk and lower the pegs...
most of the discomfort is from the bend angle in her legs... extend the pegs/legs and her pelvis rotates foward changing the riding position..
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fix the problem not the blame ; fix what is messed up ; NO one is to blame.