Do you have saddlebags? If so, do you find it difficult to access your helmet lock which is located on the left side of the bike, just underneath the saddle bags?
I found the helmet lock impossible to use after installing my saddlebags. I was looking for an alternate location for the helmet lock. I didn't simply want to install an aftermarket lock, as this would mean that I'd have to add yet another key to my key chain.
I found an acceptable location for the helmet lock which does not interfere with the looks of the bike.
Look just in front of the tank, on the left side near the steering head, you can see where I relocated my helmet lock. This is to allow the LeatherLyke bags to be used, and still retain the factory helmet lock and use of the ignition key to unlock it.
I didn't have to drill any holes, or use any alternate hardware. I simply removed the helmet lock from the rear fender, along with it's mount. You have to remove the left rear chrome fender mount to do this. It's easy to do. On the top of the frame near the steering head you will see two holes. These holes are used for mounting of either the engine guard or radiator guard (I have neither of these). Use the original screw from the helmet lock in one hole. On the back of the helmet lock is a little anti-spin pin. This will almost reach into the other hole, I found that by placing this at the right point, the helmet lock would be secure and could not be spun around to remove it.
The image on the right shows it holding a helmet.
This is the Corbin Solo Saddle with the back rest. This seat is VERY comfortable! The backrest can be installed so that it is easily removable by you (or anyone else), you just lift it off. Or you can install it so it needs tools to allow it to be removed.
The backrest is adjustable in that the angle of the pad can be set to be just how you like it. The height of it cannot be changed.
I find that using the backrest adds a lot to the comfort of riding.
Even without the backrest, this seat is adds a lot of comfort. There is no comparison to the stock seat. When will bikes come from the factory with a seat which is comfortable? Can you imagine if you had to buy an aftermarket seat for your car to be able to ride in it for more than 30 minutes? The Corbin Solo Saddle causes you to sit a bit lower. Compared to the factory seat, it makes you feel more like you are a part of the bike, as if sitting in the bike, instead of on top of the bike.
This is the Corbin Pillion pad for the Aero. I don't recommend it for a passenger except for short trips. It has foam which is much firmer than the stock pillion, but it is much easier for your passenger to slip off the rear of the bike when using the Corbin Pillion. It would be ok if you had a factory back rest for your passenger.
Here's a close up of the pillion pad with the Solo seat on the left. The image on the right show the tab which fits under the rear of the Solo Saddle. The tab is covered in leather so as not to scratch anything. The rear of the pillion is held by the chrome acorn nut on the rear fender just behind the pillion pad. It's easy to add or remove the pillion.
Personal opinion:
I think that this pillion is well made, but over priced for the size. It's not much more comfortable than the Honda Factory Pillion pad. The foam is a bit more dense than the factory pillion, so it's a bit better in keeping your bones from taking a beating on bumps. However the pillion is not very usable without using the factory (or aftermarket) back rest. This is because the design of this pillion doesn't do anything to keep the passenger from sliding off the rear. I have a plain leather pillion, and it is quite slippery compared to the vinyl of the factory pillion. Be sure your passenger is holding on tightly when using this pillion without a backrest. I think that Corbin should charge about $50 for this pillion considering the style and lack of support and comfort. This really detracts from their product line. If you really want to ride two up in comfort, get the Corbin Dual Tour seat. It is very comfortable.
The Honda factory pillion pad will fit with the Corbin Solo seat. You will want to create a tab to mount on the front of the factory pillion which will slip under the the Corbin Solo saddle to hold down the pillion in a similar method as the Corbin Pillion pad. Yes, the Honda factory Pillon pad is softer foam, but appears to have a larger seating area. At least people won't slide off the rear of the factory pillion as easily.
I would have been MUCH happier with this pillion pad if it was wider and sculpted to provide more support for the passenger. The Corbin pillion pad for the Valkyrie is what I had in mind, and as a bonus will allow the use of the Corbin backrest for the passenger. What are these guys at Corbin thinking? I don't know, this seems to be functional, but barely so. It certainly isn't as comfortable as it should be!
I orginally had one of these pillion pad from Corbin, however after trying it and even having Corbin try to customize it for me, I sent it back and purchased a Corbin Dual Tour seat.
Last updated 07/26/99
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