Backrest for the new Corbin

[SMGray]

I just received and installed my new Corbin seat and after only a short ride it became apparent that I MUST have a backrest. I was used to the Backup that I had with the standard seat. Unfortunately, the Backup doesn't work on the Corbin.

All I have heard is that the Corbin backrest is a POS so I didn't buy one. Now I'm beginning to think that I will have to buy one and then modify it to work. From what I understand, the Corbin backrest is so far back that you really can't lean back on it and reach the bars. And I need the backrest to be quite a ways forward to provide lower back support.

Anybody out there with any ideas? I sent Corbin a message inquiring about whether they would custom build a backrest for me but have not heard back from them yet.

All I know for sure is that I have to do something... once you get used to the lower back support that you get from a backrest, its hard to get along without one!

I'm open to all ideas.

Thanks

[jdanek]

During bike week I stopped by the Corbin store in Daytona and picked up a low-profile driver seat, matching passenger seat, and backrest. I loved my old Backups but couldn't figure out a way to make it work with the Corbin seat.

The Corbin backrest is too thin and only tilts from the top. I realized this on my ride home and called them back the next day to complain. They agreed to build a new backrest with additional padding, no charge other than shipping cost from CA.

Unfortunately I over estimated the amount of additional padding and told them to add a wedge with 1 inch of padding at the top and 1.5 inches at the bottom. About 5 weeks later the new backrest arrived and was now way too thick! :(

Corbin has agreed to make one more adjustment taking it down by .75 inches. That was last Saturday so it will probably be sometime in May before I know if this is going to work. It's really amazing that they didn't come up with a better adjustment mechanism.

P.S. The Corbin low seat is incredibly thin but somehow it works. So much better than the BMW OEM low seat. The workmanship and quality are first rate.

John

[Gino]

I just received and installed my new Corbin seat and after only a short ride it became apparent that I MUST have a backrest. I was used to the Backup that I had with the standard seat. Unfortunately, the Backup doesn't work on the Corbin.

Do you have both driver and passenger Corbin seats?

I was able to use the Corbin driver's seat, Bakup backrest and stock passenger seat with no issues - other than the 'gap' between the back of the Corbin and the Bakup.

[SMGray]

I have the complete set of rider, passenger, and passenger backrest.

John,

Please let me know how your new Corbin backrest works with the modifications that you have selected. If it works, then I'm going to call them and order the exact same thing!

Steve

[surfran]

I have a Corbin and backrest for it. I find it to be fine for comfort over the last year, but I have only ridden an entire day twice so not a lot of "long day" experience. My issue with the Corbin is the width under your legs makes it harder to touch the ground. I have 34" inseam and can't flat foot as easy as I could on the stock.

I also have a Backup that I believe could be used, as I have stock rear seat and there is quite a gap. I have never tried it though as the Corbin worked fine for me since I bought it used. I agree that there are no real adjustments on the Corbin backrest.

I have toyed with the idea of sending my Corbin in for a "nose job" to narrow the front, but never seem to take the time to check into it.

Good luck,

Randy

[jdanek]

I have the complete set of rider, passenger, and passenger backrest.

John,

Please let me know how your new Corbin backrest works with the modifications that you have selected. If it works, then I'm going to call them and order the exact same thing!

Steve

Steve,

Well it took 6 weeks to receive the modified backrest but it was worth the wait. On the last go around I had Corbin add a wedge of padding, 0.75 inches thick at the bottom and 0.25 inches at the top. The bottom is where the additional padding is needed since it can't adjust forward to contact your back. Corbin claims their design is adjustable but that just means tilting the top forward until it "pokes" your upper back :cool:

The current thickness feels like a good compromise. I like to sit all the way back in the seat and the additional padding is thick enough to provide good lower back support without pushing me forward. Wearing a mesh jacket with spine armor adds another half inch but that still feels acceptable.

Having a proper screw adjustment like my old Bakups is still the best of all worlds since you can make slight adjustments for your clothing and riding style. Also the Bakups tilts forward when you need to throw a leg over the seat. Corbin's backrest doesn't easily tilt forward so you need to swing a leg completely over it (or straight across the drivers seat).

In spite of all that I'm still pleased with the Corbin. It's built well, looks great, and is reasonably comfortable. They didn't charge me for either of the two adjustments, not even shipping.

Oh, one more thing. I originally purchased the "oval" backrest model with the hole in the center but later switched to the solid back. I didn't think the oval version would have looked good with the additional padding. I have some photos which I'll try to upload now.

John