Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: mike-s4 on April 19, 2014, 05:20:20 PM
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Hi guys,
I found a great local deal on a nice leather Corbin for my 08. But I am reluctant because of the fact that they are not waterproof. Yes, I did a search, but did not get the answers I am looking for. Corbin's website says they are "water resistant" when treated with the Corbin saddle cream.(Anyone who has owned a British car knows what "water resistant" means.). Also, they should be covered up when it rains, and to remove the seat when washing the bike.
I ride in jeans unless it is raining.
I put in long days in the saddle and would rather have a heart attack than a soggy, itchy butt on a ride.
I am presently on a (waterproof) Sargent saddle that I love but the Corbin looks really comfy.
My question is what happens to the Corbin when you ride in heavy rain?
Does it take a few days to dry out?
Is it worth the trouble?
Thanks!
Mike
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Hi guys,
I found a great local deal on a nice leather Corbin for my 08.
Did you see the one on Kijiji in Quebec? That seemed like a good price no?
I have a Sargent on my Concours-14, and it has been fine in all types of rain, and I've spent days riding in it.
I've never had a Corbin on either of my C14's, but I did have them on other bikes. I found that they would get waterlogged after a while....if you remove the seat, they feel like they weigh 20 lbs...lol. It wasn't a problem so much...I usually had a suit of some sort on, but if you were just wearing jeans it might be a bit of a issue.
Rem :)
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I have a Corbin and the poor bike now sits out. I put the cream on and the leather is fine getting a little wet but water seeps into the stitching and a day later I sit on it and some water comes out. I'm not going to cover it up every time I come back from work or whatever. Thinking of trying a product like snow seal. Totally water proof leather boots. Why wouldn't work on a leather seat?
http://www.campmor.com/sno-seal-original-beeswax-waterproofing-jar.shtml (http://www.campmor.com/sno-seal-original-beeswax-waterproofing-jar.shtml)
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Rembrant- Yes it's on KIJIJI in Quebec. Another Corbin and a Sargent were listed yesterday.
I think I'll stick with my Sargent. Do not want to wear rain pants on sunny days.
Rhino- I also think that any creams or sprays would wear off rapidly. I get on and off the thing dozens of times in a day. Fueling, meals, taking photos etc...
Thanks for the info!
Mike
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I have never had a problem with any of my Corbins getting water logged. It is funny you mention taking it off to wash the bike. I have never even thought about taking my Corbin off when I wash my bike. I take care of the seat just as I do any good pair of leather boots. I put Whites Boots Preservative (http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29835) on it a half a dozen times a year.
I don't ride to work on rainy days and I try not to leave for trips on rainy days, but once out on the road one never knows what Mother Nature is going to throw at ya.
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From Corbin's website of do's and dont's.
9. Please remove your saddle from the bike when you wash it. Its a simple thing to do and will save you some hassles and a wet-butt later on
3. Don't leave your seat uncovered in the rain. This won't hurt the seat, but it'll get you wet later and make you uncomfortable. Corbin saddles are ergonomically shaped and this shape, although comfortable, has a tendancy to collect water.
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I have never had a problem with any of my Corbins getting water logged. It is funny you mention taking it off to wash the bike. I have never even thought about taking my Corbin off when I wash my bike. I take care of the seat just as I do any good pair of leather boots. I put Whites Boots Preservative (http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29835) on it a half a dozen times a year.
I don't ride to work on rainy days and I try not to leave for trips on rainy days, but once out on the road one never knows what Mother Nature is going to throw at ya.
No issues with water logging on mine, leave it on the bike whenever I hose it off and yes it has been in allot of rain. I use Bick 7 horse saddle conditioner/cleaner every few months.
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This seat comes OFF :loco:
Oh yeah I had the seat off to have the ECU flashed :salute:
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Rhino- I also think that any creams or sprays would wear off rapidly. I get on and off the thing dozens of times in a day. Fueling, meals, taking photos etc...
I hear you but my Sorrel boots got a lot of wear and tear also. If it will get down into the holes in the stitching, maybe could help. I used to have a garage and it rarely stayed out in the rain. But until I buy a house in Austin, its out all night every night. And I'm way too lazy to cover it up. I'm going to wait for a hot day, get the seat nice and warm so the sno seal can melt into the stitching. I'll let everyone know how it works out.
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I hear you but my Sorrel boots got a lot of wear and tear also. If it will get down into the holes in the stitching, maybe could help. I used to have a garage and it rarely stayed out in the rain. But until I buy a house in Austin, its out all night every night. And I'm way too lazy to cover it up. I'm going to wait for a hot day, get the seat nice and warm so the sno seal can melt into the stitching. I'll let everyone know how it works out.
A hair dryer works.
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My Russell came with a cover. Does Corbin offer this as an option?
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My Russell came with a cover. Does Corbin offer this as an option?
Yup. http://www.corbin.com/accessories/rc.shtml (http://www.corbin.com/accessories/rc.shtml)
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Do you have said cover?
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Do you have said cover?
Nope. Have not decided if I will buy the seat yet. But $80.00 plus shipping for a cover? I would probably cover it up with a bag. Or have a cover made up locally.
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That's a bit pricey. I don't think my Russell cover cost that much...I want to think it was 40 or so way back when.
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When was the last time you saw a bike with a covered seat?
Buy a motorcycle cover! (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31VYz0za73L._SX300_.jpg)
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I have a Corbin seat and other than giving it a good leather treatment in the spring I don't worry about it.
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???
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q81/t0xic621/Randoms/DSCN0518a.jpg) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/t0xic621/media/Randoms/DSCN0518a.jpg.html)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/cbauerle/scan0049.jpg) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/cbauerle/media/scan0049.jpg.html)
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And the purpose of that photo?
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Cause it's funny.
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If I knew it was going to rain, or be very dewy in the morning, I'd take the trash can liner out of my hotel room and wrap it over my seat and tucked it in around the edges. Never got soggy butt.
Plus, a little conditioner to seal the stitching goes a long way.
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Cause it's funny.
:) :chugbeer:
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And the purpose of that photo?
Is that not a seat cover for rain? :-\
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Sure sounds like a pain in the ass to me. ;)
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Sure sounds like a pain in the ass to me. ;)
+1
Leather cream, seat cover, bike cover......... I think I'm going to keep my waterproof Sargent.
Thanks for all the info guys.
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Quit riding in jeans and with cotton underwear. ;)
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Quit riding in jeans and with cotton underwear. ;)
Corbin + adult diaper= problem solved!
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Corbin + adult diaper= problem solved!
HA HA great idea!!!
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I had a Corbin on my ST1300... have one on my C14 for local riding. I've never put a cover on them, and they've both been ridden in some serious down pours... I mean several hundreds of miles of heavy rain. I've never had issues with either of them. I just treated/treat them with a Huberd's Shoe Oil.
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I have used Corbin seats on a XR650L dual sport and have one on my FZ1 and now the Concours. The XR650L saw lots of rain, river crossings, mud, you name it and I never had a problem with the seat collecting to much water or foam distorting in any way. I really believe this is one of those things where the manufacture is just protecting their butt knowing the seat cover material they use are not waterproof and if soaked for to long can cause issues with thier proprietery foam. I don't even remember ever using any special conditioner on mine. Now I don't typically wash my bikes with a hose and water anyway (sometimes with the XR I would need to) but I wouldn't worry about doing so as long as you just dry the seat when your done.
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Do you have said cover?
I have said cover. I use it if it will be parked outside with possible rain, and on long trips in heavy downpours. In light rain and rain that doesn't last long I don't worry. My seat has seen rain. I bought the cover though and figure I may as well use it. Sort of a pain to put on though, it's in two pieces so you have to remove the back part at the very least to out it on. It fits nicely though and is well made.
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The police that ride the Concours in rain drenched Oregon hate riding the Corbin solo seats with seams. The seats soak up the water and holds the water for days. By chose the cops ride solo seats without any stitching. Butt still gets wet, but not from a soaked seat.
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Could not resist. The guy lowered the price, so I bought the seat. Front & rear not heated. Like new!
If I don't like it i'll just sell them.
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Almost forgot.. While perusing Corbin's web site I found this beauty.
"Warning! Heater elements (when available) should never be installed in motorcycle seats used by riders that cannot sense heat."
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Could not resist. The guy lowered the price, so I bought the seat. Front & rear not heated. Like new!
If I don't like it i'll just sell them.
Grats brother, I love mine! :thumbs: :thumbs: :chugbeer:
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Cause it's funny.
I don't think it is and it has nothing to do with this thread or board for that matter.
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Jay, please remove it.
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Jay, please remove it.
Not a Snoop fan Sparky? ???
Changed, better? :-\
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Thanks, Jay. Not sure I know what a Snoop is.
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Thanks, Jay. Not sure I know what a Snoop is.
Snoop Dogg was the guy in the pic you didn't like...
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Well, I know what Snoopy is, not sure about a Snoop Dog. I didn't see Snoopy in the pic.
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Ok now I'm curious.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg)
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For the record, this is Snoop Dogg
(http://image.funscrape.com/images/s/snoop_dogg_28581.jpg)
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Did he pee on someone's Corbin?
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Did he pee on someone's Corbin?
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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For the record, this is Snoop Dogg
(http://image.funscrape.com/images/s/snoop_dogg_28581.jpg)
Fo shizzle...
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Did he pee on someone's Corbin?
Maybe, I thought it was just rain water that seeped into the seams. But it did feel warmer than expected...
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Maybe, I thought it was just rain water that seeped into the seams. But it did feel warmer than expected...
Heated Corbin? :-\ ;D
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:rotflmao: :battle: