F3L Seats - Stock vs. Cannonball vs. Ultimate vs. ???
I do a lot of riding/touring and haven’t found the stock seat very comfortable for lengthy rides.
I purchased the Cannonball, which I currently have installed, and although its comfortable, it pushes me forward, which I don’t like.
I’m 5’3”, so not looking for a seat that pushes me back and further than stock (ie: Ultimate Tallboy) as I already have the long reach handlebars and risers to ensure I’m not leaning over the tank to steer and tour comfortably.
I know seats can be very subjective, but…. Any suggestions out there from the community and if so, why?
Thanks for your input!!
2021 F3L Black/Chrome
LAMonster:
Ultimate Backrest, Bottle Holder, Baja Ron Sway bar, Cat Delete Pipe, Freedom Windshield, Highway brackets/Black Demond pegs, Upgraded Tension Roller, FOBO Tire Pressure Monitor
TricLED:
Sequential LED Spyder Fender Lights, Run/Brake/Turn Strobe Light Kit, Brake flasher
SlingMods:
Chrome Luggage Rack
Pedal Commander
Spyder Accessories.com:
Tank Pad
Amazon:
Ciro phone holder/mount, Stebel Nautilus Air Horn/Wiring Kit, Short Reach Handlebar
2katz, Seth Laam has been mentioned above, and there is also Russell Daylong. Both take a photo or two of you on the Spyder, ask what you expect from your seat, and modify your seat to provide all day comfort. Ultimate, Corbin, Mustang etc are a one size fits all, which effectively means that they are only comfortable for “some”. Yes, custom seats are expensive, but they are the only way to ensure day long comfort.
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round, with sag adjusted for extra 3/8” clearance up front
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
I own a 2019 F3L. Within 500 miles, I changed out the OEM seat for the Cannonball. Like you, some improvement. Not quite as mushy, and can do a hundred miles at a time without going to the Doctor. I have no problem with being pushed forward. I am of short stature.
I bought the Cannonball, because I did not want to go much over $500 for a new seat. There are better ones out there, but you have to decide if it is worth it or not.
Linda has a 2020 F3L and does NOT want to change out the seat. She is good with it.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
I had the same problem and found the alternatives quite expensive. A fellow Can Am driver pointed me to a a very reasonable option of 35USD.
Ordered it from the internet(ali) and it works like a charm
Easily could do over 500 miles a day.
It even comes with a pump.....
I had comfort problems on long rides with the original seat. I took it to a custom auto upholstery shop and they put a layer of memory foam in it. It’s great now. Just for me. Bridge
My Corbin just arrived this week, I decided to go with Corbin because ultimate did not have any seats with their customizations available plus the width of the passenger seat on the ultimate was 15 inches compared to 17 inches on the Corbin.
I will update on the comfort for me and my passenger once it is warm enough to go for a ride and there is no salt on the road.
2020 F3 SE6
Safety and Lighting: LED Headlight upgrade, IPS LED Fog lights, Show Chrome LED Fender Signals, LED Signature Light, Tric LED Afterburnerz, MotoHorn 2.0
Suspension: Wilbers Front and Rear Shocks, BajaRon Sway Bar, Vredestein Quatrac Front and Rear Tires
Comfort: Blue Ridge Windshield, Corbin Dual Touring Saddle, Ultimate Floorboards, OEM Passenger Backrest with Rear Shelf, OEM Passenger Floorboards Modified with High Risers from Pierre
Tackform Center Mount Phone Holder w/ rapid charging USB-C.
My Corbin just arrived this week, I decided to go with Corbin because ultimate did not have any seats with their customizations available plus the width of the passenger seat on the ultimate was 15 inches compared to 17 inches on the Corbin.
I will update on the comfort for me and my passenger once it is warm enough to go for a ride and there is no salt on the road.
And ... Not sure if you've ever had a Corbin seat before, but you have to give it some time to conform to your butt
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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I am a Corbin Virgin but I understand that they feel a bit hard at first then break in.
2020 F3 SE6
Safety and Lighting: LED Headlight upgrade, IPS LED Fog lights, Show Chrome LED Fender Signals, LED Signature Light, Tric LED Afterburnerz, MotoHorn 2.0
Suspension: Wilbers Front and Rear Shocks, BajaRon Sway Bar, Vredestein Quatrac Front and Rear Tires
Comfort: Blue Ridge Windshield, Corbin Dual Touring Saddle, Ultimate Floorboards, OEM Passenger Backrest with Rear Shelf, OEM Passenger Floorboards Modified with High Risers from Pierre
Tackform Center Mount Phone Holder w/ rapid charging USB-C.
2katz, Seth Laam has been mentioned above, and there is also Russell Daylong. Both take a photo or two of you on the Spyder, ask what you expect from your seat, and modify your seat to provide all day comfort. Ultimate, Corbin, Mustang etc are a one size fits all, which effectively means that they are only comfortable for “some”. Yes, custom seats are expensive, but they are the only way to ensure day long comfort.
Pete
A little late to the party with this. Corbin can actually make custom changes to their seats. Within limits, they can be built taller/lower height and closer/further back. I have had (4) prior Corbin seats, with my last (2) built to my specs. Plus, a multitude of cover/stitching options. I am actually contemplating getting a Corbin for my F3S later this spring. Just some future FYI...
** Hey Clover .. How long did it take to get your seat? **
Last edited by troop; 01-29-2022 at 12:54 PM.
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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Last edited by CloverHillCrawler; 01-31-2022 at 11:29 PM.
2020 F3 SE6
Safety and Lighting: LED Headlight upgrade, IPS LED Fog lights, Show Chrome LED Fender Signals, LED Signature Light, Tric LED Afterburnerz, MotoHorn 2.0
Suspension: Wilbers Front and Rear Shocks, BajaRon Sway Bar, Vredestein Quatrac Front and Rear Tires
Comfort: Blue Ridge Windshield, Corbin Dual Touring Saddle, Ultimate Floorboards, OEM Passenger Backrest with Rear Shelf, OEM Passenger Floorboards Modified with High Risers from Pierre
Tackform Center Mount Phone Holder w/ rapid charging USB-C.
A little late to the party with this. Corbin can actually make custom changes to their seats. Within limits, they can be built taller/lower height and closer/further back. I have had (4) prior Corbin seats, with my last (2) built to my specs. Plus, a multitude of cover/stitching options. I am actually contemplating getting a Corbin for my F3S later this spring. Just some future FYI...
** Hey Clover .. How long did it take to get your seat? **
Yes, it’s the “within limits” that has always stopped me, troop. You have to be a bit lucky to correctly guess what you need, whereas Laam and Daylong work off measurements and photos that you provide to get the correct width, height, angle and firmness. Even so, I may have tried a Corbin on my ‘21RT, but they are not making them due to the hinged 2 piece seat.
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round, with sag adjusted for extra 3/8” clearance up front
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
Yes, it’s the “within limits” that has always stopped me, troop. You have to be a bit lucky to correctly guess what you need, whereas Laam and Daylong work off measurements and photos that you provide to get the correct width, height, angle and firmness. Even so, I may have tried a Corbin on my ‘21RT, but they are not making them due to the hinged 2 piece seat.
Pete
I currently have a Seth Laam seat. I do like it, but I don't love it. I had him adjust it so I'd be approx. 1" from my standard position. The main issue with the F3 seat is its limitation with the one piece driver pan. So much more flexibility with a one piece seat. The stock Corbin is slightly larger in seating area than my Laam. I'm likely going to have a Corbin made that puts me back approx. 1" . Although not as tall/long as you, I do have a 36" inseam. We shall see...
Last edited by troop; 02-01-2022 at 04:34 PM.
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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I currently have a Seth Laam seat. I do like it, but I don't love it. I had him adjust it so I'd be approx. 1" from my standard position. The main issue with the F3 seat is its limitation with the one piece driver pan. So much more flexibility with a one piece seat. The stock Corbin is slightly larger in seating area than my Laam. I'm likely going to have a Corbin made that puts me back approx. 1" . Although not as tall/long as you, I do have a 36" inseam. We shall see...
Yeah, 36” is a long leg alright, troop. Good luck. My problem is not only long legs, but a big butt, so the 20” width that Daylong give me with their “wings” is the biggest comfort factor for me. It’s that support under the outer thighs that helps me. I let Daylong decide what I need, and they haven’t let me down yet with 4 seats……here’s hoping that the Daylong for the new RT (which they can’t move back because of the hinge), doesn’t spoil that record.
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round, with sag adjusted for extra 3/8” clearance up front
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
I also have a note in to my old employer about the Mustang seat. Its seating surface is a touch bigger than the Corbin. https://www.mustangseats.com/product...one-piece-seat
DRIVER SEAT LENGTH 16-1/2"
DRIVER SEAT WIDTH 18"
Last edited by troop; 02-02-2022 at 07:47 AM.
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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Hey Clover, At your convenience, can you measure the dimensions of your Corbin rider area to compare to my Seth Laam seating area? I attached pix of what I'd like. Thanks
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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I'll get some measurements in the morning, I went to Install the corbin tonight and they have you install a new bracket and move the latch to the new bracket and this isn't working out too well.
I had no issues with moving the bracket and latch but it looks like the post on the seat is in the wrong position. I'll need to contact Corbin in the morning. In order to get the post in the bracket it moves the seat too far off of the tank and sits too high
Update: Just tried to email corbin tech support at the email address in their instructions and it was kicked back from google as a unknown user . Guess I am making a phone call.
Troop the length to rider backrest 14" width 16 3/4"
Last edited by CloverHillCrawler; 02-04-2022 at 08:43 AM.
2020 F3 SE6
Safety and Lighting: LED Headlight upgrade, IPS LED Fog lights, Show Chrome LED Fender Signals, LED Signature Light, Tric LED Afterburnerz, MotoHorn 2.0
Suspension: Wilbers Front and Rear Shocks, BajaRon Sway Bar, Vredestein Quatrac Front and Rear Tires
Comfort: Blue Ridge Windshield, Corbin Dual Touring Saddle, Ultimate Floorboards, OEM Passenger Backrest with Rear Shelf, OEM Passenger Floorboards Modified with High Risers from Pierre
Tackform Center Mount Phone Holder w/ rapid charging USB-C.
Got in touch with Corbin today and sent some pics , they confirmed correct installation of the bracket.
They are getting the paper work ready to send the seat back to them for corrections. I think the latch post may be incorrectly positioned on the seat.
When I place the seat in the front tongue grooves it looks great until you have to align the post into the latch. that's when things go all wonky.
2020 F3 SE6
Safety and Lighting: LED Headlight upgrade, IPS LED Fog lights, Show Chrome LED Fender Signals, LED Signature Light, Tric LED Afterburnerz, MotoHorn 2.0
Suspension: Wilbers Front and Rear Shocks, BajaRon Sway Bar, Vredestein Quatrac Front and Rear Tires
Comfort: Blue Ridge Windshield, Corbin Dual Touring Saddle, Ultimate Floorboards, OEM Passenger Backrest with Rear Shelf, OEM Passenger Floorboards Modified with High Risers from Pierre
Tackform Center Mount Phone Holder w/ rapid charging USB-C.
Got in touch with Corbin today and sent some pics , they confirmed correct installation of the bracket.
They are getting the paper work ready to send the seat back to them for corrections. I think the latch post may be incorrectly positioned on the seat.
When I place the seat in the front tongue grooves it looks great until you have to align the post into the latch. that's when things go all wonky.
Sounds good. Hopefully the front nose gap gets tightened up a bit. I had some weird leather issues with the Corbin I had on my Yamaha FZ09. I sent them pix and they sent me a express shipping return label. I had new replacement from WI > CA > WI in less than ten days. Only issue I ever had with any of my Corbin's. Still leaning that way, as I want to sit in the seat more than I want to sit on it. Heck, it is a F3S after all
Last edited by troop; 02-05-2022 at 04:03 PM.
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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Looks like my choice of an aftermarket seat would be the Ultimate. That said, I'll try a couple things first:
1.) My Laam seat is on the way back to Seth for an "adjustment". He said he never adjusted a completed F3 seat, but based on my height/weight, he's going to try a couple tweaks. Figure the $60 there/back shipping is worth the try.
2.) BikerChris has an Ultimate tall boy on his F3L. He lives about 15 miles from me. Once my seat gets back from Seth Laam, I'll take it over to his place and do some A/B comparisons. This should give me a better idea.
We shall see in a couple weeks...
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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