[vraetorian]

I'm seriously considering a tour across Canada to Halifax... maybe St.Johns next year.

With that said, I'm looking to make a few adjustments to the bike to make the journey as enjoyable as possible.

Is there a good option for a replacement seat for the 250?

For those that have done long distance touring on the it. What would you have done to the bike, or brought along on the journey to make it better?

 

[Michael]

Some people are replacing their seats with a Corbin leather seat, which costs the best part of $300, takes a month or so to ship, then can take a thousand miles or so to break in. Myself... I would not bother........

Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Kawasaki Z1000 | 800-538-7035
(the link says Kawazaki Z1000 for some reason, but it takes you to their Honda CBR250R page).

I reckon sheepskin is a better, and simpler solution.

For less than $60 you can get a sheepskin Butt Pad from Alaska Leather, shipped within a few days, and is instantly comfortable.

http://www.alaskaleatheronline.com/servlet/StoreFront

In the early 1990's I picked up an off-cut of sheepskin for less than $10 from a sheepskin rug shop. On the seat of my CB250RS when touring Europe, it was like riding a magic carpet.

I have used sheepskin for long hauls ever since.

My only other suggestion is to travel light; just take the essentials. Don't carry a whole lot of stuff you might need..... you will probably use little, if any of the extra stuff.

Don't get too specialised in your riding gear; wear comfortable gear that can double as casual wear when you are off your bike.

Take a camera, take plenty of photos......... and post them for the rest of us to see.

My only regret is not having more photos of my journeys in days gone by, most of whch were in the days before digital cameras. Film was a hassle when my home was half way around the world, so I took very few photos. I have not been touring recently, but hope to get on the road again in future..... with a camera.

 

[CBR-STL]

I want to go!!!! someday maybe I'll get the chance for that kind of adventure, hope so. Good luck. I too have been doing a little research on seats. Corbin is the only one that specifically makes one for our bike. Looking into other bike forums the reviews on Corbins are not as great as I thought they would be. Search Corbin on this site as one poster (forgot who) just put one on his bike and promised a review. I found that most people were unsatisfied with customer service if there were any issues at all. Also, quality seemed to be an issue. In general more people were happy with the Sargent on their other model bikes. I was just kind of surprised how many people were unhappy with their Corbins. I might look into the sheepskin for longer rides but the thought of that just isn't very appealing for several reasons.

 

[Ibex250R]

travel light; just take the essentials. Don't carry a whole lot of stuff you might need..... you will probably use little, if any of the extra stuff.

Don't get too specialised in your riding gear; wear comfortable gear that can double as casual wear when you are off your bike.

I agree. I started to find this out as I've begun to tour. Less is better. less to carry, less to worry about loosing or being stolen.

And riding about riding gear, did not think about that before but makes perfect sense. That being said I'm a beginner and still trying to figure out my touring set up.

I did find the seat more than adequate for some distance riding.

 

[Ibex250R]

For those that have done long distance touring on the it. What would you have done to the bike, or brought along on the journey to make it better?

Check my blog in a few, I will be doing a post tour write up, maybe you'll find something useful.

how many km is if from point to point? it sounds like one heck of an adventure!!

 

[bungie4]

I've had two Corbins in the past, one new, one used. Both were raging piles of rock hard crap. I will never buy another.

Now, that being said. Try Russell Seats. They do custom work, and, in the LD/IronButt/Rally worlds. They are the goto seats. On my FJR, I had the stocker (not bad really, but 3hrs tops), a Rick Mayer Custom (good for about 8hrs but it was worn out - 2 previous owners) so I sprung for the Russell Day Long.

This is an appropriately named seat. Day long for sure. You get off the bike with your butt feeling just like you did when stepped on it. But it's ugly, big and expensive; and I'd buy another without hesitation.

I'm going to an FJR meet in Kentucky next week and seriously toyed with the idea of riding the CBR down. The bike will do it just fine, me though, the stock seat I'm down for in about 2 hours. Doing back to back 8hr days there and back are just NOT in the cards with the stock seat.

Skip on the beads and the sheepskin. They provide ventilation only and do little to support what needs to be supported. Airhawk works for some people. Just inflate them enough to keep your bum off the seat, thats it. About $150.

Find a decent seat (or make your own) and invest in some good seamless underwear (LDComfort.com). Do not wear jeans or anything with seams where you have pressure points. Seams will do you in in short order.

 

[Brian]

I have had two corbin seats, love them both, sold one bike, still have one. When I put a seat on the cbr, I will ride to Hollister, and try it before it is covered. Adjust if necessary, get it covered and ride home with it. They ship your stock seat home for you. by appt. only. They are firm, but after a few hours, I usually wish they were more firm, and mine never really seemed to change with miles, like break in. They were good to go.
That all being said, on the cbr there is much less to work with, but I am still going to try another Corbin.

 

[spdklls]

I got my Corbin in yesterday..right as a cold front was over top of me..drizzling rain and 60's..havent rode yet..I might get out some later today....as far as just sitting on it it seems more comfortable....it sure as heck can be absolutely no worse than the stock saddle is
...
i plan on a 5 hour ride this weekend to "the Snake" between Boone NC and mountain City TN...if after riding 1 1/2 -2 hours (maximum time in the stock I can withstand) and I am not in pure agony like i am used to being in so far...then the corbin will be worth every penny to me

 

[Michael]

Skip on the beads and the sheepskin. They provide ventilation only and do little to support what needs to be supported. Airhawk works for some people. Just inflate them enough to keep your bum off the seat, thats it. About $150.

Obviously your worthy remarks on after market seats come from experience, but have you actually tried the cheap 'n' cheerful sheepskin option?

Another comment re touring:

People have different objectives when they do tour. For some "Iron Butt" types it is about logging hours and distance. Some just love to ride. For others it is different. It is worth thinking about what you want to achieve on tour.

I have done some long days to get to where I want to go, but once I get there it is more about exploring and doing things in the area. For me, the motorcycle and the road are the means, not the reason for the journey.

That being said, there are interesting roads where the ride is reason enough.

 

[bungie4]

Obviously your worthy remarks on after market seats come from experience, but have you actually tried the cheap'n cheerful sheepskin?

Yup, tried both and gave them a fair chance (a couple of months for each).

I agree with your sentiments about 'touring'. If your on and off the bike every hour or so, your seat won't be an issue. If your like me where I do longish (400-900 miles/day) to 'get' somewhere to 'ride'. Then the investment in comfort is money well spent.

I'm headed to Southern Kentucky next week, I've got 1300ish km to cover in 2 days. Then I get to ride the best roads around those parts, then 2 days back. This will be my last long trip of the season (leaves are starting to turn here) and I sure don't want it spoiled because of a sore butt! Imagine riding all that way and NOT wanting to get back on the bike once your there!

 

[Pete]

I had a Corbin on my Nighthawk 750. When I first got it and put it on and felt it and sat on it I thought "this is like a horse saddle; it's never going to work."
But it did. Right from the get go. It's the way it distributes your weight. Don't know how it would work on a CBR though; the Nighthawk is a cruiser/street bike.
The gel filled sheepskin from Alaska leather looks interesting - anyone tried those?
Bungie - you're right about pant seams.

 

[bungie4]

Bungie - you're right about pant seams.

ANY seams. But pants are the worst.

My usual LD gear is my riding overpants, a cheapo lightweight pair of track pants from WallyWorld and LDComfort shorts. This is all day gear and the end of the day, I'm good to go again.

So lets say I go for a day ride with a standard pair of boxer-briefs and some jeans. 3 hours and I'm uncomfortable and suffering from some burn. Even a $600 custom made Russell seat can't compete with some folded and sewn fabric on your butt.

Go get yourself some bicycle shorts and wear just those under your riding gear, no jeans. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.

BTW, Gel gets hot in the sun and holds the heat for hours. No good when it's cold either. Like sitting on a rock.