A couple weeks ago after researching feedback from seats on the forums here and asking for advice I ordered a Corbin Classic Solo seat with rider backrest to make a quick run for work down from central minnesota, through wisconsin, and into southeastern illinois monday and then back up yesterday (thursday). Luckily my seat came in saturday morning - didn't expect it on such short notice, but was real happy to see it. The backrest hasn't come in yet, so I did the ride with the seat minus the backrest. I just wanted to write up a little summary so this will be here for other people researching seat options.

To recap I'm about 6'4" and 260 lbs. I'm on an '07 road king classic. I've had lower back problems in the past. I had been using the stock seat with the adjustable rider backrest. On the stock seat I get lower back pain after 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Saturday I rode 1 hour after installing it. This left me with a very stiff, but not painful back sunday morning. But don't be discouraged by this. This stiffness was gone by monday morning and didn't show up again, so I attribute this to my back muscles having to get used to the different support and posture the seat provides.

On the way down monday I was on the bike moving for about 10 hours continuously, except for a total of about 35 minutes split between 3 fuel stops.

On the way back up thursday I was on the bike for about 9 hours continuously, except for about 40 minutes split between 3 fuel stops.

No back pain or even stiffness either direction or the next morning. Bottom does get a little sore while on the bike. I find that after a fuel stop I can go about 100 mi in one position before it gets a little sore and I have to shift. Shifting positions forward and back in the seat relieves this and by the return trip so long as I shift positions I can make it between fuel stops with only minor soreness. A 10-15 minute fuel stop is enough to refresh me and the soreness is gone. For reference, I do most of my miles with both legs out on the highway pegs.

But the biggest thing is no back pain, and no stiffness or soreness anywhere the next morning. Overall I am very happy with the seat; it opens up opportunities for longer rides that I didn't think I'd ever be able to handle. I'll write another update after the backrest comes in and I have a chance to use it.

The only complaint I have about the seat is that I have a hard time taking it off. The locking mechanism fits very tightly and you have to lift and wiggle it just so to get it off. I would personally prefer a simpler mounting mechanism even if that meant no lock.

 

Great write up. I think your pain will quickly go away once you have the backrest. I'm also a Corbin believer. Having gone through many different seats in the past, I always ended up with a Corbin. Again, this is just my own experience. Others may have different thoughts.

 

Did 1700 miles in 4 days (one of those days was 20 miles messing around at the rally) last weekend on mine. Love it.

 

I have the Hollywood Solo and love it... Kinda wish I woulda got a Classic for the backrest... Does the Classic move you up any further the Hollywood??

 

Yes, by a seat-o'-the-pants (lol-I kill me sometimes) guesstimate about an inch up and 1-1/2" forward compared to the Hollywood. Still, the Classic puts you lower and farther back than a stock H-D seat.

 

but, just because the solo sits lower than stock, does not mean that you will have increased ability to flatfoot. the nose on the seat is actually a bit wider than stock so you actually lose ground reach. but it is a damn comfy seat...