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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: Richard230 on June 21, 2012, 03:56:14 AM
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Today, in a moment of weakness caused by a sore butt, I stopped by my dealer and bought the Zero accessory Corbin low saddle that they had hanging on the wall. I just installed it and I offer the following comments.
The saddle seems well made and is no more heavier than the stock saddle.
The rear fastening brackets were slightly too wide, which could have been resolved by elongating the bracket mounting holes, but instead I just loosened the nuts that hold the brackets to the saddle slightly to allow them to bend inward a little and that solved the problem.
The saddle slopes forward more than I would like and it feels just as hard as the original saddle. However, I have been buying Corbin saddles for the past 25 years and they can take many miles to break in and conform to the shape of your rear end. After that they are quite comfortable. I hope that will be the case this time also. It is most likely that the normal height Corbin saddle is more comfortable as it probably doesn't have the forward slope that produces a very low seat near the back of the "tank".
The low saddle causes my legs to bend backward a little more than I prefer, but the lower saddle also makes the bars and my windshield feel taller which is a plus.
The saddle is slightly wider and flatter than the stock saddle and I think it spreads the load better over the seat.
In removing the saddle I noticed that there is a decent amount of space for some sort of stuff under the rear of the seat. There is enough room for a small tool kit, a rag, a tire plugging kit and a small bicycle hand pump, with room to spare for an emergency rain poncho. All you would need to carry is a 5mm hex wrench in your pocket, or on a key ring, to remove the two seat bolts and seat to get to the compartment.
Attached are photos of the seat and the chassis under it.
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Here is the under seat area.
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And another photo from further back. Note the silver dollar-like device on the "tank". A bracket on the seat slips under this fastener to retain the front of the seat. When removing the seat, you remove the two bolts that secure it to the frame at the rear of the seat and pull the seat rearward to remove it.
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the seat makes the bike look much better IMHO.
I like that one sits a bit lower but found that you slide into a fix position when breaking. that is the lowest part of the seat and might not be most comfortable for all riders.
So far as well feels harder than the stock seat.
Wondering as you sit now quite a bit lower if you see differences even in range.
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Hey,
I am curious - can you store anything IN the Zero under the seat or somewhere?
Looks like there is tiny space in the back under the seat ... right?
regards, Christian
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Hey,
I am curious - can you store anything IN the Zero under the seat or somewhere?
Looks like there is tiny space in the back under the seat ... right?
regards, Christian
There appears to be a fairly generous "glove compartment" under the rear of the seat. You have to unbolt the seat by removing the two fasteners with a 5 mm hex wrench and then slide the seat back to remove it and access the area. You could probably fabricate a sort of removable box that could sit on the two flat metal braces located in this area. That would make it less likely that something small might slip out of the area and fall down along side the frame where it would be difficult to remove.
I think there are lots of opportunities to use this space productively and if I was Zero I would design, manufacture and sell a removable box that would fit in this space. Also, replacing the fastening bolts with bolts with a thumb screw end might also be a good idea. I did that to my Triumph Bonneville. Its seat is removed using a couple of long bolts that are turned with a hex wrench located under the right side panel (the only tool on the bike). But I replaced these bolts with accessory bolts sold by a Triumph accessory catalog company (New Triumph dot com) that you turn with a knurled knob at the end of the bolts. Something like that would work on the Zero to make it more convenient to remove the seat and access this storage compartment.
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Almost two years later... I decided to steal Richard's idea.
I found that there is enough space under the seat for a couple of small bags (first aid kit, etc.) and a multitool.
I replaced the seat bolts with "thumb screws", so I can access the space without tools.
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The straps from the tail bag just clear the thumb screws.
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I love the thumb screws! What a great idea!
I ran into Mike Corbin a few times in Daytona for bike week, and he invited me up to his shop in Ormond Beach before I left. He and I have a super crazy plan coming for a seat. Coming later this year...
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I agree oobflyer, nice screws. ;)
Ok. Spill the beans. Where did you buy them?
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Great idea oobflyer!
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I ordered them online (Amazon.com)
Just search for M8x1.25, 30mm length thumbscrews.