Kawasaki Concours Forum
Introductions - Tell us a bit about yourself => Introductions => Topic started by: MMMOTORCYCLE on May 08, 2016, 08:09:00 AM
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So I found a deal on a left over 2014 C14, cut the check and took her home. Went on a 100 mile ride and thought I made a HUGE mistake (not one Im willing to admit to my wife!).
I could barely move after. The stock seat, in my opinion, is the worst Ive ever sat on (soft foam bottoming out on the pan and forward cant) The noise/buffeting from the stock windshield is horrible. Amazingly, if I crouched down about 1.5"....silence, like I have never experienced on a motorcycle. You could have a conversation wearing full face helmets in that zone?!?
Seat was sent out the next day to Spencers. V stream windshield and HeliBar risers installed. I wont have the seat back for another week to see if it all makes a difference.
I really want a his bike to fit, has always been on my radar and have heard great things.
If anyone in the Chicagoland area has a seat sitting on a shelf I could borrow for a week, I would greatly appreciate it :-)
MichaelMichaelMotorcycle
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Your height/weight/sleeve length/inseam?
Aftermarket windshield is almost considered a given.
Risers do make a difference too.
Trust me, the bike can be fit to most riders, after the flash it's even better.
I have "flat ass " disorder, can't fill out the back of spandex ( there's an image :-[ ). Most bikes kill me after 200 miles. I use a laam seat and 500+ mile days are comfy now .
As a short term solution an air hawk can make a big difference ( and can be used on the passenger section when the lady rides with you.
I went the other way, removed risers and wedges too off tall stream and installed cee Bailey short windscreen in prep for a 4000+ mile loop this summer. 6'3" 190lbs 33 inseam 36 sleeve.
With the short screen up its quiet , with it down I get air to my chest ( something I want in summer).
Don't give up yet..... Oh btw most farkles can be passed through the misses by explaining how it will make her riding experience better, and if she is long legged, passenger peg drop/offsets are recommended
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Welcome to the forum. Seat, windscreen, and handle bar position are basic ergonomic modifications. Everything else are just farkles.
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I'm not sure what you are used to riding, I had an Electra Glide before I got my C14. I have 2 inch risers, a V-Stream windshield, and a Sergeant seat. 1000 mile days on either bike is a non issue. I'm 5-10, 175, in reasonably good shape, with a 33 inch inseam, 34 sleeve. I too suffer from noassatall.
Ergonomics are a very personal thing. Once you get dialed in, I believe you will find the C14 to be an amazing machine.
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If you felt like meeting in Indianapolis you could try my bike, V Stream windshield, Saddleman seat, two inch risers and wedges.
It is very comfortable for me at 6'1".
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Harry76,
I might, just to check out your Saddlemen. Which model is it?
And what are "wedges"?
Gonna have to wait til end of this week or next for my seat to come back from Spencers...
I will have a better feel how my V-Stream, Helibar risers and seat work together then.
Thanks for all the info.
MichaelMichaelMotorcycle
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My seat is the Explorer RS, the wedges go under the handle bars tilting them to a more comfortable angle and brings them closer together.
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mmm, you might want to check this out, also:http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=914.0
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Welcome to the forum MMM! I had a similar experience 6 years and 65,000 miles ago. Handle bars was the most major thing to fix it. I eventually got to Horizon ST totally adjustable bars from HeliBars. Second, CB ultra tour domed wind shield. Went through 4 seats, Spencers, Russel, Lamm now Corbin. Also installed canyon cages with highway pegs. Obviously I spent a bit (but got most of my money back on the Russel and Lamm seats) but now the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden and have done 900+ mile days on this bike.
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Welcome to the forum, and enjoy the access to all the info you'll ever need.
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So I found a deal on a left over 2014 C14, cut the check and took her home. Went on a 100 mile ride and thought I made a HUGE mistake (not one Im willing to admit to my wife!).
I could barely move after. The stock seat, in my opinion, is the worst Ive ever sat on (soft foam bottoming out on the pan and forward cant) The noise/buffeting from the stock windshield is horrible. Amazingly, if I crouched down about 1.5"....silence, like I have never experienced on a motorcycle. You could have a conversation wearing full face helmets in that zone?!?
Seat was sent out the next day to Spencers. V stream windshield and HeliBar risers installed. I wont have the seat back for another week to see if it all makes a difference.
I really want a his bike to fit, has always been on my radar and have heard great things.
If anyone in the Chicagoland area has a seat sitting on a shelf I could borrow for a week, I would greatly appreciate it :-)
MichaelMichaelMotorcycle
Welcome MMM!
As for your windshield needing to be raised 1.5" to get into the quite zone. You did use the button to raise the shield right? ;)
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You did use the button to raise the shield right? ;)
:rotflmao:
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when I purchased my C14, having 2 C10's in my garage, both with Corbin seats on them, and having never ridden or sat on a C14 (7-7-07)
I talked briefly with the sales guy, and explained I wanted to sit on it for a half hour... come back and tell me when a half hour elapses... I handed him my cell phone, which I set to alarm in a half hour, he smiled at me and said, no problem....
its interesting to think about, but man, when you are spending $14k, you better be aware.
during the 30 minutes, I busied myself with reaching controls, studying the feel, ergo, and operational do dads, and tried different seating and reaching functions.. I admit, sitting still on that bike, for a half hour.... without placing my feet on the floor or changing from "operator position" was a challenge, and did produce a sense of "this isn't perfectly comfortable... (I'll return to this in a moment)... but when he walked back and said, "sorry, I ran over on the time because I was on a call", and asked if it was all cool... I said let's write this up, gimme a card I can write "sold... do not touch" on, and a piece of tape...
he did, and I signed and said I'll see ya on Monday...
I did a 1100 mile round trip in 24 hours to my credit union to pick up a check for this bike, on my C10, and picked it up, and never changed a thing ergo wise to the C14...to this day.
I admit, the seat kinda sucks, my azz gets sore, but I have logged many 500-700 milendays on it, many with my wife asleep behind me..
yeah, I may make a change to my seat, but I can't pay someone else to make a seat for my butt, its gotta be a trial and ride thing, and I ain't gonna do $2k in various trials, to find one that I like. ( some folks here have easily spent that much searching to find one acceptable...)
my C10's I got lucky on, I found the C10 configuration from Corbin, perfect for me, and if it had not been for those, I never would have logged the miles I have. saying this, I don't see the Corbin C14 seat being idealnyet, as it is not in anyway similar to the C10 seats fitment and pressure points... time will tell, I wouldn't buy a seat I didn't try... and being a COG owner, and member, I can always pry a seat from someone for a "day test" at a rally...
best of luck on getting the bike to fit you, a lot has to do with you learning to fit yourself to the bike also...and 100 miles on a new bike is like wearing a pair of shoes in the store for 4 minutes. Trying a pair of pants on, and finding them tight, but thinking I'll buy em, is about the same.
ridensafe,
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when I purchased my C14, having 2 C10's in my garage, both with Corbin seats on them, and having never ridden or sat on a C14 (7-7-07)
I talked briefly with the sales guy, and explained I wanted to sit on it for a half hour... come back and tell me when a half hour elapses... I handed him my cell phone, which I set to alarm in a half hour, he smiled at me and said, no problem....
its interesting to think about, but man, when you are spending $14k, you better be aware.
during the 30 minutes, I busied myself with reaching controls, studying the feel, ergo, and operational do dads, and tried different seating and reaching functions.. I admit, sitting still on that bike, for a half hour.... without placing my feet on the floor or changing from "operator position" was a challenge, and did produce a sense of "this isn't perfectly comfortable... (I'll return to this in a moment)... but when he walked back and said, "sorry, I ran over on the time because I was on a call", and asked if it was all cool... I said let's write this up, gimme a card I can write "sold... do not touch" on, and a piece of tape...
he did, and I signed and said I'll see ya on Monday...
I did a 1100 mile round trip in 24 hours to my credit union to pick up a check for this bike, on my C10, and picked it up, and never changed a thing ergo wise to the C14...to this day.
I admit, the seat kinda sucks, my azz gets sore, but I have logged many 500-700 milendays on it, many with my wife asleep behind me..
yeah, I may make a change to my seat, but I can't pay someone else to make a seat for my butt, its gotta be a trial and ride thing, and I ain't gonna do $2k in various trials, to find one that I like. ( some folks here have easily spent that much searching to find one acceptable...)
my C10's I got lucky on, I found the C10 configuration from Corbin, perfect for me, and if it had not been for those, I never would have logged the miles I have. saying this, I don't see the Corbin C14 seat being idealnyet, as it is not in anyway similar to the C10 seats fitment and pressure points... time will tell, I wouldn't buy a seat I didn't try... and being a COG owner, and member, I can always pry a seat from someone for a "day test" at a rally...
best of luck on getting the bike to fit you, a lot has to do with you learning to fit yourself to the bike also...and 100 miles on a new bike is like wearing a pair of shoes in the store for 4 minutes. Trying a pair of pants on, and finding them tight, but thinking I'll buy em, is about the same.
ridensafe,
All great advice right there. I'm one of the folks that spent a bundle finding the right seat, not 2k, but too much. I now have 2 bikes with Corbin seats and if I ever get another bike I will probably go directly to Corbin. But I think this is key: "a lot has to do with you learning to fit yourself to the bike".
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Conrad...yes it was all the way up :o
I got my Spencer seat back. It is definetely firmer, but will take some breaking in before I know how well it fits my rear.
The Helibars and V stream were good investments to meet my needs.
Ordered highway pegs yesterday.
That should give me a good starting point ;)
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For me, the highway pegs make a huge difference in comfort when riding long distances. I have always stayed with the stock seat, and it works fine for me. Ability to raise your legs, sit back a bit farther in the seat, and get some airflow under your butt add significantly to the riding comfort.
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I rode mine home from the dealer (over 100 miles) and I was thinking the same thing. every bike takes some getting used to and now that I have put over 1000 miles on it I am comfortable with the minor parts I have swapped (still want a nice aftermarket seat)
The first things were the murphs lowering pegs, ram mount on the clutch m/c, fender extender and grip puppies (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) and I purchased a short oem windscreen from a forum member that has made a big difference.
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6-3 240 here. Bought a 2011 holdover this past fall... 5years old-new! I don't mind the stock seat or the peg locations. I am using an Airhawk R to log 500-600 mile days, but now I'm trying to ride without the pad. I agree there is a bit of slope, but I haven't had an issue with the foam density yet. If I make it long enough with this bike to warrant a seat change, I will go with Loren Mock over at Baldwin Saddles. He made a great seat to my exact specs for my ZR7, so I know what to expect. I put on 2-inch risers, but they only make a small difference.
The stock screen isn't terrible; hot weather is pretty good. It did way better than I expected through 300 miles of rain at 37 degrees F. I got a Puig screen and it takes care of the noise and buffeting, but it does wiggle because it is thin. I just picked up a CB UTD 17-inch and it is a high quality piece of plastic. Will probably be my winter shield, but I'm testing it now in Arkansas 90-100F heat. For all but the worst weather don't overlook a short screen with a good helmet, although neck strain and forehead pressure becomes an issue.
The Connie is definitely a compromise bike as it sits on the floor. You have to fit it to yourself, which is part of the fun. Good luck!!
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So Im still not in love with my bikes ergos. Today I installed "Phil's now Murph's wedges" and went for a ride to test them out. About a minute into the ride I notice a red light and NO TRANSPONDER on the screen......Crap, where is my FOB???
This KIPASS system sucks! Long story short, I found it on the road only to see it being run over by multiple vehicles as they passed...its toast.
Any leads on the best price for a replacement? ThumperTalk is the lowest Ive found at $268.63!
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Sounds like kipass operated as advertised. It's your fob retention that sucks. Did you recover parts from the fob to see if the passive chip was salvageable?
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So Im still not in love with my bikes ergos. Today I installed "Phil's now Murph's wedges" and went for a ride to test them out. About a minute into the ride I notice a red light and NO TRANSPONDER on the screen......Crap, where is my FOB???
This KIPASS system sucks! Long story short, I found it on the road only to see it being run over by multiple vehicles as they passed...its toast.
Any leads on the best price for a replacement? ThumperTalk is the lowest Ive found at $268.63!
That sucks! I had my own kipass mishap the other day, left the key in the on position and killed my battery! Never would happen on my 1982 bike where key on = headlight on, I would have noticed that.
soooo did the wedges make a difference? Or are you stuck with no key now
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It's all in the way you choose to view the situation. As long as you think that the bike sucks, it will suck. Remember, the only difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude.
There are some on this forum that love their bikes in stock trim, others have spent over $1000 to get their bike the way they wanted it. Motorcycles are an amazingly personal thing, what works well for one may be like a medieval torture machine to others.
The C14 is a WONDERFUL machine. It's fast, smooth, dependable, can handle like it's on rails, and it will take all you can give it then ask for more. With attributes like that, spending the time and $ to get it to "fit" is a worth while investment. But that's just MY attitude about it....
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It's all in the way you choose to view the situation. As long as you think that the bike sucks, it will suck. Remember, the only difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude.
There are some on this forum that love their bikes in stock trim, others have spent over $1000 to get their bike the way they wanted it. Motorcycles are an amazingly personal thing, what works well for one may be like a medieval torture machine to others.
The C14 is a WONDERFUL machine. It's fast, smooth, dependable, can handle like it's on rails, and it will take all you can give it then ask for more. With attributes like that, spending the time and $ to get it to "fit" is a worth while investment. But that's just MY attitude about it....
+1!! Totally have to agree
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Why don't FOB haters leave it in the glove box and take the stove knob key with them?
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Why don't FOB haters leave it in the glove box and take the stove knob key with them?
There's something inherently wrong with these FOB haters so there's no making sense in the things that they do or don't do... ;)
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I dont think the op is saying his bike sucks, and he is already invested in aftermarket parts and has had the bike around 3 months.
I find it difficult (presumptive maybe) to judge poster's attitudes but can completely understand frustration at losing riding time and having to pay out for a simple mistake, others apparently see it as a blessing. :stirpot:
KIPASS is one unique feature of this bike and, like the bike itself, takes time to become familiar.
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Leave the fob in the glove box, then use the stove knob key as you would any other bike. Problem solved & fob haters quit crying !