Here's some general information for your research. I highly recommend the Corbin, but seats are very subjective to your particular hind-end and preferences. Best thing to do is find someone that has one and test it out if you can. If you are in the NW Georgia area (near Chatt TN) lelt me know and you can see what the Corbin is like 👍

Corbin:

• they can match seat build to your weight if you buy new
• my Corbin raised the seat height a little bit, but was OK with my 31" inseam (5'10" / 200lbs / 31" inseam)
• cost is higher - especially if you buy new
• seat built from scratch w/o using your seat pan
• wife approved for passenger comfort
• JT approved for overall comfort -- I love it
• maybe better for "touring" type riding ? (Wider / more bowl shaped to hold your hind end in place)

Seat Concepts

• some choice of seat height effect and materials based on weight
• cheaper option
• several members here have commented on this being a good option. @GeoGator is the only one coming to mind right now
• maybe better for adventure type riding? (but Geo rode from FL to AZ ... and FL to NE Canada ... so good for touring too I guess !!)

Happy seat hunting !

 

This won't help you and your 'seat-problem', but when I tested the 300 when they FIRST came out - my CONCERN was that I have some 2" by 4" lumber that is MORE COMFORTABLE TO SIT ON!

 

That means something coming from "iron butt eddie" 😉😂

 

I tried some low-cost options. First seat pad (non-inflatable) called Mad Dog and no improvement. Then several types of open and closed cell foam of different thicknesses under the seat pad still no good. I kept my awareness up for a secondhand Corbin and purchased one $300. The Corbin is much better, and I can stay in comfort for several hours. New X300 Cobins are north of $700, and I would recommend finding a secondhand Corbin. I see Corbin's up for sale about 3 to 4 times a year. I don't have any experience with Seat Concepts. The Corbin is for comfort and not so much for any standing up/off road. It is a bit taller but like what JT said it's a big change. I like the idea of having two seats as my OEM can go back on the X300 when I offer it up for sale and I can resell the Corbin for $300. Win-win.

 

You also might consider the Kawasaki OEM replacement seat for the Versys-X 300, which I believe is called their "Ergo-Fit" seat. From what I understand the Ergo-Fit seat is what came stock on those bikes sold in Europe. I've used various seats on different bikes over the years, including Corbin, Seat Concepts, and Sargent. Of course everyone's different so one person's recommendation may be totally wrong for someone else.

My Corbin on my old Kawasaki EX-500 was perfect; very firm yet shaped just right. I could take off on that bike and the only reason to stop was that around 200 miles I needed gas, but not because my butt needed a break. On the other hand, I later bought a used Corbin for my FJR1300, and that was a big mistake. It was hard as a rock and extremely slippery; I tried every kind of product to try to reduce that slickness, to no avail. Something to consider if buying a used seat. Regarding the Corbin seats, you'll find them extremely firm when new, but those folks warn you to not even bother complaining to them about it, until you've got about 1,000 miles on it first.

I found the Sargent World Tour seat to be the most comfortable on my V-Strom 650, and Seat Concepts worked out pretty well for my DR650. I weigh 155 lbs, and so at your weight, IF you go with Seat Concepts, don't make the mistake I did. You have to specify that you want a softer density foam, otherwise I think the standard kit is for people more like 180 lbs plus. I'm not sure if that info is on their online order form, but I had to call them to get it straightened out. Also, you can specify different material for the actual cover, and I found that their "Gripper" material is maybe a bit too grippy. Riding on that seat wearing jeans will make you a soprano after hitting the brakes a few times.

The Kawasaki Ergo-Fit was much cheaper than any Corbin or Sargent, and for me it's comfortable enough that I've done a couple 1,000 mile days on it, plus many more of 600 miles plus. If you bought your bike at a dealership, see if they'll give you a discount on any parts and accessories, for buying a new bike with them. That's what I did and with my discount, the cost of the Ergo-Fit seat was a no-brainer. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

You also might consider the Kawasaki OEM replacement seat for the Versys-X 300, which I believe is called their "Ergo-Fit" seat. From what I understand the Ergo-Fit seat is what came stock on those bikes sold in Europe. I've used various seats on different bikes over the years, including Corbin, Seat Concepts, and Sargent. Of course everyone's different so one person's recommendation may be totally wrong for someone else.

My Corbin on my old Kawasaki EX-500 was perfect; very firm yet shaped just right. I could take off on that bike and the only reason to stop was that around 200 miles I needed gas, but not because my butt needed a break. On the other hand, I later bought a used Corbin for my FJR1300, and that was a big mistake. It was hard as a rock and extremely slippery; I tried every kind of product to try to reduce that slickness, to no avail. Something to consider if buying a used seat. Regarding the Corbin seats, you'll find them extremely firm when new, but those folks warn you to not even bother complaining to them about it, until you've got about 1,000 miles on it first.

I found the Sargent World Tour seat to be the most comfortable on my V-Strom 650, and Seat Concepts worked out pretty well for my DR650. I weigh 155 lbs, and so at your weight, IF you go with Seat Concepts, don't make the mistake I did. You have to specify that you want a softer density foam, otherwise I think the standard kit is for people more like 180 lbs plus. I'm not sure if that info is on their online order form, but I had to call them to get it straightened out. Also, you can specify different material for the actual cover, and I found that their "Gripper" material is maybe a bit too grippy. Riding on that seat wearing jeans will make you a soprano after hitting the brakes a few times.

The Kawasaki Ergo-Fit was much cheaper than any Corbin or Sargent, and for me it's comfortable enough that I've done a couple 1,000 mile days on it, plus many more of 600 miles plus. If you bought your bike at a dealership, see if they'll give you a discount on any parts and accessories, for buying a new bike with them. That's what I did and with my discount, the cost of the Ergo-Fit seat was a no-brainer. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Considering I'll be doing a 4 hour ride in April, I'll likely go with the Corbin, but temporarily keep the OEM seat (Good idea from Dave X300). Once I get more experience with gravel, and start taking it on trails, I'll likely try out the ergo seat.

I appreciate the help everyone thank you!

 

I had the seat concepts on my x-300 and I can say it was no better than the stock seat.

 

I have the Seat Concepts Tall. It is not soft, more like an off-road seat and adds an inch or two of seat height.

I have a 32' inseam, I am 5'10, 180 lbs. I wear Adv Boots when on the Wee-X, so that gives me another 1.5"-2" of leg length to the ground.

I've always liked the seat to be on the firm side and I stand up a lot. I like my Seat Concepts Tall seat.

The stock seat made me feel like I was sitting on the frame rails.

 

I have NO IDEA if it would fit onto the 'little' V, but the OEM seats on ALL THREE of my V650s were absolutely WONDERFUL after I raised the fronts about 9/16"!

I REGULARLY rode very long days on rides like 4 times to Alaska and back, as well "across Canada and back".

Just a thought.

 

If you have specific complaints about the seat, a good upholsterer can likely modify your stock seat to make it much better for you, at a much lower cost than a replacement. We found a shop an easy ride from home that cut a bit more slope to the sides of the saddle so the edge at the top would be less sharp, and replaced some of the foam with a softer gel. Made a huge difference, for about $150 CDN, and we had the seat back in two days.

 

FWIW: I bought a leftover 2024 X300 this past March. Stock seat was miserable so based on some of the comments I read around here I got the 'comfort seat'. It's really not much better so it looks like I'll be sending off the stock seat for refurb/upgrade. Both seats tend to want to push you forward and there's just a lot of pressure in a narrow area of my body. I'm 6ft and 182 lbs. I'm still going thru the mileage break in so went out and managed to get in 60 miles today before I just had to come home and get off the thing. I really like the bike but endurance wise it's going to be a challenge until I get this sorted out.

Appreciate the info above from everyone.

 

Seat Concepts Tall, my review is post #9 in this thread.

From reading your post, I think you have two seats. Seat Concepts will send you the cover and the foam to be mounted on your own seat pan. I had a local Boat Upholstery shop do mine. It's not cheap, but I like it. It's been from Miami to Arizona and back and also Miami to Nova Scotia and back.

This picture is from today; the seat is 2 1/2 years old. (I think)

 

Your insight is correct the stock seats are angled forward which is bad as it puts directional slip pressure on your butt, which is always bad on bikes. The second issue is your height like me (6'1") means you sit further back. I have the seat concepts tall seat & would not recommend it for a tall person, as like the stock seats it angles forward & has approx 3/4" of foam over the seat pan where the back of a tall persons butt goes. So between the bad angle & lack of padding the rear of your butt goes to sleep after approx 1 hours riding time. I'm working on a cure for this, but have been to busy with other projects to get it finished yet.

 

I'm only 5'10. I didn't think my Seat Concepts Tall seat sloped forward, but I looked at the picture I posted above, and I guess the back of the seat does slope down. I don't sit that far back so I never noticed. I do stand a lot to stretch my legs and give my butt some relief.