Wilsons Sandbox

I've done about all I really need to do to my bike, other than possibly add a GPS, so I'm contemplating adding a Corbin seat (The flat, non-lowering, non-emasculating, kind). My question is, what kind of covering do I want? Keep in mind that I am strictly a street rider. Should I go for this, I am considering either the basketweave vinyl or the carbon fiber leather. The piping around the edge would be yellow, to match the racks and the splash graphics. Any opinions? Ralph Ralph E. Hanson rhanson40@... 99 KRL 650 http://www.wvu.edu/~journal2

Ralph: I purchased the Corbin last year. I ordered it in grey leather with no dip and no piping. In hindsight I would have also ordered scallops around the grab handles, so it would be easier to get the bike up on the centerstand. I have had no problems with the leather even though I ride offroad (moderate). I use Lexol to clean/condition the leather. You need to talk to Raul who is the head of customer service at Corbin (if he is still at there). If I am not mistaken, some people have had problems with the basket weave based on my foggy recolection of the archives when I was looking to purchase the seat. The Carbon look would be cool. This seat made a big difference in my riding comfort on long hauls. John

--- In DSN_klr650@egroups.com, Ralph Hanson wrote: > I've done about all I really need to do to my bike, other than possibly add > a GPS, so I'm contemplating adding a Corbin seat (The flat, non- lowering, > non-emasculating, kind). My question is, what kind of covering do I want? > Keep in mind that I am strictly a street rider. > > Should I go for this, I am considering either the basketweave vinyl or the > carbon fiber leather. The piping around the edge would be yellow, to match > the racks and the splash graphics. > > Any opinions? > Ralph

Dave writes:

> On my modified Corbin, I chose smooth black leather on the top and >solid black vinyl on the sides (the sides were Corbin's suggestion - >they said leather would permanently wrinkle if used on the sides).

Thanks for the advice. Do you (or anyone else) have worries about leaving the bike out in the rain with a leather saddle? It rains here in WV a lot! Kurt, have you had any trouble with the basketweave leaking water? Ralph Ralph E. Hanson rhanson40@... 99 KRL 650 http://www.wvu.edu/~journal2

> Kurt, have you had any trouble with the basketweave leaking water? > > Ralph >

I'm not Kurt but I did put 70k miles on a basket weave Corbin installed on a BMW R65. It was very comfortable but acted like a veritable sponge when around water. Also, don't put any Armour-All or thick wax on a basket weave surface; it'll never come out of the crevasses. Bogdan

> DIP/ NO DIP > CANYON STYLE > FLAT TOP > > I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO RAUL??? AND NO ONE > AT CORBIN SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. > > DANA E HAGER

that is why you need to talk to Raul anyone else won't know what you're talking about...The stock Corbin has "the dip" which means that it is shaped like a saddle and ensures you will ride in the dip or slide down to it along with your passenger with each stop. One of 20 on the list have liked it and it does in fact reduce the height to the ground by an 11/2. The "canyon" is one of their trademark names...two exist (to my knowledge) among all KLR owners...Tim Bernard had one made after a senior executive wanted to thank him for a kindness offered in Sturgis last year. The other is owned by Conall O'Brien who (on the day I was to arrive in Hollister with my Quota) decided to have one custom built for him. They're neat because they have a separate dished area for the passenger. The only way you'll get one is by drive in appointment. The Flat-top is what Gino prefers...it is the wide Corbin seat with no "dish" (not dip). The "dish" is their trademark side to side dishing designed to conform to the shape of your butt. The way I order mine from Raul is "seating area moved 21/2 inches rearward; built-up with no dip; scallops around the grab handle (ala Jim Barthell) and retaining the dish at the rearmost area" if you don't want the dish order perfectly flat across the rear with no dish. This seat effectively adds an inch to the height of the bike to foot plant because of the width of the seat in the front. Raul is manager of customer service and has each and every one of these come to him before they're covered... Kurt

Hello listers, I have a '98 KLR with 7k miles on it. Last summer it had been very nicely prepared for a long overland journey. The modifications were : - 1. Progressive Front suspension 2. New Michellin T-66 tires 3. List of stuff from Happy Trails which Tim sent a. Fork Brace b. Highway pegs c. Radiater Protector d. Aluminum engine bash plate 4. Dual Star Center Stand 5. All new Race Handle bar with gel grips 6. cruise control Some other little modifications done 1. Fuel line filter 2. Extra outlet from the battery with it's own fuse (this was to be used for fixing a long corded ciggerette lighter. To be taken inside the tent while camping on the road. A power source for the laptop.) It was over and above the extra stock electrical outlet. It's a Bike ready to be ridden from Michigan ( or anywhere StateSide ) all the way to Tierra Del Fuego and back. Picture posted at http://www.cybrar.com/2.jpg I'd 'like' US $ 3700 but offcourse this could be talked about. All the after market stuff must have cost around a grand and a half. I just Upgraded to a heavier bike and Yes the transcontinental is still on the cards, starting from Europe heading towards Asia via N. Africa. Brar Detroit, MI ps. - The fork brace is for half the price ( $ 100 + shipping ) in case you are not looking for the rest of the bike.