Hepco Becker 'Journey' Saddlebags

[markmartin]

Those are some big saddlebags. Throw in a 52L topbox and you are all set for a month long ride.

Fred

Is it possible to open the top case with a (corbin) backrest installed on the Corbin seat??  Or is the top case easily removed from the rack for easy access??

Mark

[aviationfred]

I have a slightly different set up than you have. 1st) The backrest is a Corbin knock-off, it has the ability to fold forward. I don't know if a genuine Corbin backrest can fold forward. 2nd) The top box I use is a GIVI E470 knock-off.

With that said, I fold the backrest forward and the top box is able to open completely.

Fred

[markmartin]

The backrest is a Corbin knock-off, it has the ability to fold forward.
Fred

Nice.  I never thought of that.  The Corbin back rest can pivot, but it's set and locked in place with a set screw, and nut and bolt.

[markmartin]

We went on a 140 mile loop today to get a cup of coffee and a few items at the farmers market. 
Here are few pictures of my 2-up touring set-up with a TMS brand top case.  The TMS is a Chinese knockoff of the Givi E470.  It's available on  eBay.  The shiny black plastic top and matt finish body of the TMS top case is a perfect match to the German made Hepco & Becker side cases.  The quality of the top case is amazingly good, especially for $59 delivered to my front door.   I painted the side reflectors on the top case with some 'hammered silver' Rustoleum rattle can, to match the color scheme of my bike.

With the 42 liter side cases, and 47 liter top case, I've got 131 liters of storage.  If I throw on my Givi Arrowbag
tank bag, I'm at about 154 liters, comparable to the carry capacity of a standard Gold Wing.

[Country Joe]

I hadn't seen these exact bags mounted on an FJ so here's a picture or two if anyone is interested.

T

Two up set up with the Day Long seat.





Solo touring with the Corbin seat



Mark,
I'm curious about the Russell seat. Is that a suspension seat or a sport bike seat? I wasn't aware that Russell offered a backrest, I could probably get my wife on the FJ if it had a cushy seat with a backrest.


   Joe

[markmartin]

Joe,

The seat is built by Daylong Seats, (which I think was or is Russell Seats) .  It's built on a Corbin Seat pan-- I sent them a Corbin seat to be rebuilt.  They re-foam to their 'winged" design, and recover.   http://www.day-long.com/

I also sent them a Corbin back rest that I stripped and welded 'wings' onto to make it bigger. The wings are steel sheeting similar to the Corbin backrest frame  material -- 3/32" ??  in thickness.   I also put a bit of a curve back in the backrest as well, to make it more comfortable.  Daylong foamed and recovered the backrest to match the seat.  The biggest hassle with the backrest is the stock Corbin stem is not long enough.  It worked with the Corbin, but because of the different design, is not long enough to fit correctly on the Daylong design.  I had to order some bar stock and drill and tap etc to fit.  The hassle part for me was finding the 5/8" bar stock.  I ended up ordering a metric sized bar stock and filing it down to fit.  I can give you the measurements of the stem if your ever inclined.



The seat is leather.  It's very supportive and probably more comfortable than most seats except for the big full dressers like a Gold Wing etc.

I still prefer the Corbin for solo riding.

I could probably get my wife on the FJ if it had a cushy seat with a backrest.

Joe

Christmas is right around the corner!

[Country Joe]

Mark,
I appreciate the explanation. I guess I need to get my hands on a Corbin seat with a backrest and start modifying. Looks like you did some nice work.


      Joe

[candieandy]

I hadn't seen these exact bags mounted on an FJ so here's a picture or two if anyone is interested.



Two up set up with the Day Long seat.





Solo touring with the Corbin seat

Tell me about this Corbin seat.. It looks the passenger area has been raised up?

[markmartin]

Andy, it was like this when I bought it, used, private sale.  I did have another Gunfighter and Lady and the rear was not as high. 

Mark

[candieandy]

Andy, it was like this when I bought it, used, private sale.  I did have another Gunfighter and Lady and the rear was not as high. 

Mark

Thanks Mark,

I have a regular height Corbin ladyfighter and my wife is squished right up against me. Its fine for short trips, but anything over 45mins and We're uncomfortable. I want to tear it apart and make the passenger area larger/moved back 2-3". was going to mold into the back of the current seat pan to provide the extra support needed. Now i just have to do the research on foam and such... then recover the seat. ha that's going to be a lot of work.

Could you also tell me about your daylong seat? you said there were pros and cons to it? and how much did you end up paying for it? If you don't mind me asking.

thanks,

andrew

[markmartin]

No, I don't mind.  $995 for the seat, backrest and shipping.  That's with the full leather option and having them also foam and cover a backrest with leather. Also, I supplied a Corbin pan for them to build the seat on and the backrest.  I'm assuming they'd be able to do this seat on a stock pan. ?  

The Cons:
1.)  It is about an inch higher than my Corbin.  I can reach the ground, but I'm leaned forward more when in the riding position.
2.) When I come to a stop, I have to kinda slide forward to the tank in a quasi stand position to be able to reach the ground.  This is slightly because of the seat height, but more because of the 'wings'. _I'm 5-10
3.) You'll probably still want another seat, unless all of your miles are on the Highway.  I use my Corbin unless we're going 2-up.

The Pros:
Comfort on a ride that will last more than an hour or all day.  No sore butt and legs.  It's shaped more like a chair, provides much better support, and keeps the passenger from sliding forward much better than the Corbin.  My wife loves it. She's as tough as nails and never complained about the Corbin seat, but she wasn't comfortable.

I think you'll find that it sits your passenger a little further back also.  

With that said, the day after I got my seat back from 'Daylong' they announced  that they are making a 'sport' seat that has the winged rear and a modified front winged seat to allow a sportier feel for the driver.  It sounds like that is the seat I would be happiest with.  ---I just looked at the website and didn't see any mention of this 'sport' seat--maybe I just didn't find it.  I'd call them and ask them about it if you go this way.

It's an expensive seat, but as I've said before, it's cheaper than a second bike.