Corbin seat.

[RayZer]

Hi folks:

This is my first time posting so re-direct me if I'm in the wrong area. I love my 2006 Rsv however I struggle with it at low speeds especially when riding 2 up. I'm considering installing the corbin seat but need some info before making that decision. Can someone give me some feedback regarding the following: how much lower is the corbin Seat? Will it help with the slow speed manoeuvres now that I'm sitting lower? Will I need to make other adjustments being a little further from the handlebars? And lastly. Are these seats comfortable?

 

Thanks,

RayZer

[etcswjoe]

I had a Corbin seat on one of My RSV's and handling wise no difference but I liked the seat my wife hated it, after many years of resistance I am about to put a 130 tire on the front which some say will improved slow speed handling.

[Kretz]

Putting a lower seat on won't imo help any with low speed handling, that's all down to technique. Engine Speed, Friction Zone, back brake & balance.

What it may help with is making it easier to put both feet down to stabilize yourself.

It's a fact, these bikes are top heavy even before you get riders & passengers on board, but I can't see how dropping the seat height will make that much improvement for you. As has been stated already a skinnier tire on the front can help with maneuverability.

For me low speed skills come from practice, practice, practice, find an empty parking lot somewhere & practice the skills you find difficult.

Hope that helps.

[mm482]

Some members have gotten improved slow speed handling by dropping the front end. You can raise the fork tubes 1” in the triple trees.

Earl

Edited September 5, 2017 by mm482

[Cowboy]

Did anyone mention LEVELING LINKS change and keeping the 150 tire.

Everyone has a way to skin a cat. You just have to read and decide which way you want to go.

No matter which way it only matters if it helps you and you are satisfied.

Also

Practice, Practice, Practice ask any motorcycle cop and he will say the same. Practice, Practice, Practice slow parking lot maneuvers.

[vzuden]

Did anyone mention LEVELING LINKS change and keeping the 150

By leveling links and improved handling we are referring to raising the rear about an inch or so, as I recall. The same would occur with the earlier mention of lowering the front at the forks. The choice of which route to take would be determined by your ability to plant your feet at stops. I have no problem flat footing with the raised rear so I use the shorter links at the shock (leveling links).

[RayZer]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm leaning towards doing a technical riding course which involves a lot of slow speed manoeuvres. I think as many of you suggested that practice is the key. Not to mention being a lot cheaper than the seat replacement.

[videoarizona]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm leaning towards doing a technical riding course which involves a lot of slow speed manoeuvres. I think as many of you suggested that practice is the key. Not to mention being a lot cheaper than the seat replacement.

 

 

The 130 front tire and lowering the front end will help with the physical side of things. I lowered my front end and very happy with that. Next comes the front tire!

 

...And the best thing you can do to help with slow speed turning is to look where you are going. Remember, where your chin is pointing is where the bike goes. Do that, feather the clutch, ride the rear brake and you will find yourself doing u-turns without even thinking it's an 867 pound elephant!

[RayZer]

Great advice guys. I picked up a copy of Ride like a Pro. It has a lot of helpful info and exercises. Looking forward to mastering the beast.

 

 

RayZer

[BratmanXj]

Hi folks:

This is my first time posting so re-direct me if I'm in the wrong area. I love my 2006 Rsv however I struggle with it at low speeds especially when riding 2 up. I'm considering installing the corbin seat but need some info before making that decision. Can someone give me some feedback regarding the following: how much lower is the corbin Seat? Will it help with the slow speed manoeuvres now that I'm sitting lower? Will I need to make other adjustments being a little further from the handlebars? And lastly. Are these seats comfortable?

 

Thanks,

RayZer

 

You don't mention your height / inseam but there are a few ways to help with getting your feet on the ground if that is the issue. There are a few places to have your factory seat modified for less than the cost of a new Corbin. They slim out the nose of the seat for better "reach" to the ground. They can do any number of additional services to sculpt the seat to you as well as add comfort like gel pads.

 

Lowering the forks in the triple-trees is a matter of an afternoon in the garage turning wrenches with no further cost. I believe you can get about 3/4" before the air-valves interfere with the fairing. This will both lessen the reach to the ground as well as change the steering geometry (decrease rake) for "lighter" low speed steering.

 

 

The 130 front tire and lowering the front end will help with the physical side of things. I lowered my front end and very happy with that. Next comes the front tire!

 

...And the best thing you can do to help with slow speed turning is to look where you are going. Remember, where your chin is pointing is where the bike goes. Do that, feather the clutch, ride the rear brake and you will find yourself doing u-turns without even thinking it's an 867 pound elephant!

 

Personal experience, DO NOT do to many of the modifications of the tires/geometry. I have a Hagon HD rear shock that raised the back 1/2" from stock as well as a Stratoliner 130-r18" front wheel and I have to be very careful on my selection of rear tires, certain tires are larger diameter with a taller V-shape to the tread. Those tires will make the bike unstable above 65 mph with a constant weave. If I switch back to the stock 150 front wheel the weave goes away. When modifying the handling characteristics of these bikes there is a line in which you can go to far.

[CaseyJ955]

I've had Corbins on a couple different bikes but not my Venture. Had one on my Vmax and like all the others it's like sitting on a marble courthouse bench. On the Vmax it was so wide that it would have been counterproductive for the height challenged rider, or the rider with a narrow ass expecting comfort. Bigger guys tend to like Corbins more than us narrow guys, generally. If you want a good seat and you can spend $600-800 take it to a specialist and have one made. If you do any distance riding it will be the best money you could possibly spend on the bike.

 

In my experience if you can plant both feet flat on the ground there is nothing to be gained from lowering. If you need to get yourself a little lower there are probably a handful of local upholstery shops that know how to do bike seats. Cheaper than a Corbin they may be able to dish it while keeping proper shape and even reuse the factory cover if cost is an issue.

 

There are two things I did to vastly improve my low speed handling of this Venture, first and with all bikes all the low speed/parking lot maneuvering is using rear brake only, the second is to make sure your steering head bearings are perfectly adjusted, serviced or replaced if necessary. This assumes tires are inflated properly. Mine is a 1st gen but I know this bit experience crosses the 1st gen and 2nd gen line. Good luck.

[videoarizona]

You don't mention your height / inseam but there are a few ways to help with getting your feet on the ground if that is the issue. There are a few places to have your factory seat modified for less than the cost of a new Corbin. They slim out the nose of the seat for better "reach" to the ground. They can do any number of additional services to sculpt the seat to you as well as add comfort like gel pads.

 

Lowering the forks in the triple-trees is a matter of an afternoon in the garage turning wrenches with no further cost. I believe you can get about 3/4" before the air-valves interfere with the fairing. This will both lessen the reach to the ground as well as change the steering geometry (decrease rake) for "lighter" low speed steering.

 

Personal experience, DO NOT do to many of the modifications of the tires/geometry. I have a Hagon HD rear shock that raised the back 1/2" from stock as well as a Stratoliner 130-r18" front wheel and I have to be very careful on my selection of rear tires, certain tires are larger diameter with a taller V-shape to the tread. Those tires will make the bike unstable above 65 mph with a constant weave. If I switch back to the stock 150 front wheel the weave goes away. When modifying the handling characteristics of these bikes there is a line in which you can go to far.

 

 

To many others have had good results with changing the front tire to a 130. Even the new Venture has skinny front tire. So I will buy the tire and find out. I wonder how much your speed instability was caused by the rear mod and the front 18" tire. Though, I haven't read anyone else having a stability problem with an 18 inch tire swap either???

 

Glad you brought up the seat mod. Rick Butler (on this site) did a seat mod for me and it was a great job. I'm looking forward to doing same for the RSV and VR at some point. Since I ride both scoots...keeping one in Phoenix and one in Green Valley....I simply haven't had the time to ship a seat out. And now we are getting into our prime riding season, so may have to forgo both seat mods until next summer.

 

I got 1 inch on the front end lowering and could have gone another 1/4 inch on the RSV. Did have to move the rubber bumpers to between the bars and the inner fairing so I could re-use them, but I also had Baron's 1 1/2 risers, so that helped me there as well. Probable why I was able to get 1 inch easily.

 

All good points to consider....Thanks

[BratmanXj]

To many others have had good results with changing the front tire to a 130. Even the new Venture has skinny front tire. So I will buy the tire and find out. I wonder how much your speed instability was caused by the rear mod and the front 18" tire. Though, I haven't read anyone else having a stability problem with an 18 inch tire swap either???

 

It has been mentioned elsewhere about doing EITHER the 130 front or leveling links, but not both. I did not have an issue in the 4-5k miles with the 130-R18 before the shock was installed. With the H.D. Hagon rear shock pre-load set for 2up riding I didn't have the wobble when the wife was on, only solo. I think my steering geometry is right at the cusp that rear tire size being a 1/2" difference between brands could cause the problem.

[cowpuc]

Nothing even close to the ride like a pro stuff I am sure but here is a little video that may or may not help..

[CaseyJ955]

Nothing even close to the ride like a pro stuff I am sure but here is a little video that may or may not help..

 

I know I said this before but I absolutely love your bike and admire your skill. You sure know your stuff buddy! Slow riding with a passenger and overloaded with gear takes plenty of experience and balance.

[Kretz]

Slow speed riding really is, as has been said many times all about Back Brake only, throttle control & clutch friction zone & Balancing those three things & turn your head to LOOK where you want to go. (I used to horseback ride, same thing, if you're not looking where you want the animal to go, you WILL fall off). DAMHIKT

Find an empty parking lot & practice LOTS. Get confident with Straight lines first, then light turns then smaller & smaller turns.

These bikes are top heavy & do not instill low speed confidence, but with perseverance I can now do full lock turns both ways on my garage apron.

It's very difficult to describe the "process" but you have a good video from the Motorman so get out there & practice! Once you "get it" you'll be so pleased with yourself. Keep at it! Hope that helps.

Edited September 7, 2017 by Kretz

[cowpuc]

I know I said this before but I absolutely love your bike and admire your skill. You sure know your stuff buddy! Slow riding with a passenger and overloaded with gear takes plenty of experience and balance.

 

Thanks and back at cha Casey.... Make no mistake about those stickers though brother,, they and the numerous zip ties located around that beat up ol scoot serve double duty = yes,, they do serve as our version of a totem pole BUT they also hold Tweeks together in more ways then one = a result of maybe not enough experience/skills and most of all lacking in practice practice practice,, ok,, and maybe taking a touring scoot into places it really didnt belong

 

Hey,, speaking about that,, you ever ride this one? Absolutely perfect for an evening ride so the suns behind ya!! Especially during the rally while everyone else is fighting the bike traffic at Hill City, Dead Wood, Spearfish, Keystone and on and on...

[CaseyJ955]

Thanks and back at cha Casey.... Make no mistake about those stickers though brother,, they and the numerous zip ties located around that beat up ol scoot serve double duty = yes,, they do serve as our version of a totem pole BUT they also hold Tweeks together in more ways then one = a result of maybe not enough experience/skills and most of all lacking in practice practice practice,, ok,, and maybe taking a touring scoot into places it really didnt belong

 

Hey,, speaking about that,, you ever ride this one? Absolutely perfect for an evening ride so the suns behind ya!! Especially during the rally while everyone else is fighting the bike traffic at Hill City, Dead Wood, Spearfish, Keystone and on and on...

 

Sounds like you found a few of our lesser known roads. The hills are full of little treasures like that. You are right, simply amazing.

 

Oh, a tidbit about deer for those less familiar. They are chalk full of feces, if you hit one hard enough to tear it open, not only are you likely to go down but there will be ample feces to go around. You can hit deer AND they can hit you! I had a rear car door caved in when one smashed his stupid head into the car as I was driving. One more thing, if they feel cornered or threatened, they can put the hurt on ya. They will try to run but if they have nowhere to go they can throw some hooves and make meaningful connections. BUT they are way cute! I see them in my yard every day. I saw something like this video but less severe.