Well guys...I mentioned in an earlier post that I was gonna get a custom seat,using my connie platform(pan)and foam.I sent it away

Today I received my "new"seat back.

First off,let me say...my connie seat has been the BEST comfort mod I've done.I can ride all day without one teensy bit of discomfort.Best seat that I've ever had on a bike.Okay....now to the "review".

I got er back...I looked through the holes on the bottom of the pan....the guy used my connie foam as I asked. Next,I looked at the quality of the cover and stitching.I don't know WHAT kind of material the cover's made of...but it's NOT yer regular vinyl.It's grippy,but not slick looking.Kinda like some sort of fabric,but stretchy .

Now I installed it.Everything fit perfect(EXCEPT THE COWL)which I'm going to "slightly" reshape the rear pillion so it will fit....it's not off by much,and I could actually live without the cowl on there because the shaping and quality of his work on the pillion was(is)top notch.The shape fits right in to the Ninja look.So I'm in no rush to change anything.But clearly,if/when I do go to reshape it,it's going to be VERY simple and quick.It's almost just right,but a tad thick on the sides...no big deal.(for fitting the cowl).

Okay...onward.I've been waiting here for it to arrive for a week and a half(well,WANTING to ride with it).Not knowing what to expect(so many scams out there ya know).Ya...first thing...my feet fit the ground perfectly.His claim of lowering it 1 and 1/2" to 2" was honest.SHWEET!(This I was concerned about)

Got er out on the highway,with some good fast curves and such.Gotta say...this friggin seat has transformed the handling of my baby WAY more than I ever thought it might.My bike feels like a different bird now...it's amazing really.It's definitely got my center of gravity down lower.I'm now taking curves MUCH faster than I was,and I'm feeling way more connected to my bike.He said"it will allow you to 'sit down in your bike'"...he was right.It IS way more comfortable and secure feeling.She's holding the line feeling much more planted and stable now,not that it was "bad" before...it wasn't,but it's definitely improved now.The arm position is of course different now as well,and the bar inputs are way more effective than they were(I've got Helis and Genmars on there,and I'll be keeping them on as well.They really feel much better now.It's just crazy how much this simple mod has changed the way I feel on my bike and how she is reponding and cruising.The price was VERY resonable....$275.00,and I paid for shipping which was $44 dollars to Pennsylvania.I thought my connie seat coudn't be beat...I was wrong.Comfort...completely.No problems at all.And the position of the pilot's seat is extremely good feeling.Crusing with fingertips is very nice now.And I could "kinda" compare the CG with the Busa...which I feel has a lower seating position giving the rider a more connected feeling with the road and controls.IDK....she's AWESOME.Very glad I did this.Very glad.

I haven't yet taken any pics...but I will soon.I can't compare (natch) with a sargeant or corbin or any other "custom" seats,but this baby absolutely ROCKS.

As you can see,the pillion is a tad bigger than I would have liked,but shaping it won't be any prob...the cowl will not fit with it like this...(she's just a bit too wide,and a bit too high) The pics make it appear a bit "thicker" than what it really is.Gonna do the shave down now.....WoHoooo!(I don't mind...I half expected to need to do this anyway...he didn't have a form to actually go by,so it's all good).He can do these mods any way you want,with any fabric,leather,snakeskin,ostrich...whatever...logos...color combos...the whole nine yards.Quality is exceptional.

The pilot seating position appears angled up in the foto...it's not really,it's fairly flat.And the little ridge right there really does support your lower back and make acellerations much more solid feeling,with room to sit back a tad as well(for cruising).

Okay,I'm back...that wasn't too bad...Here's the reshaped seat

Okay...did a second reshape... Like this one much better.Simple...went perfect!And it IS vinyl.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/1/2010 @ 7:02 PM *

Nice job, I remember this guy awhile back who said I have just a couple more mods to do to the bike and thats it. can't remember his name though.
Owning a bike is a journey, this is just the last, latest twist in the road ??.

The cowl makes it look very neat.!!

Thanks Ethin.I just got back from a 120(at least)mile ride to see how she handles again.Unbelieveable.That's really my impression.I don't know about you,but sometimes when I'm in a curve at a fairly good clip,the bike will kind of either run wide(or try to)or if getting into the center and getting a line,she'll kinda waver a tad.Not like she's losing control,but just not completely feeling planted in the turn.Hard to describe really.Kinda have to shift my balance sometimes,slow up a bit to get er to straighten some and "reset" my line.It's almost now completely opposite.She dips in perfectly to the "line",and instead of "wandering feeling",she begs for more gas to deepen the lean and stays right where I'm puttin her.Giving her more gas just intensifies the feeling of plantedness and control.It's very strange....but so much more fun now.I feel like I'm riding a new bike.I've not been able to corner as fast and feel this secure ever.I know it sounds crazy.It feels like the faster(speedwise) I get into the turn,the more gas I'm able to go through the turn with...the sensation is MORE FUEL.Before it was like,okay,ease up a tad.Not anymore.This is an AWESOME mod.I HIGHLY recommend getting someone to lower your seat at least an inch and a half,two if you can do it.Mine's lowered right around two inches.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/1/2010 @ 10:16 PM *

Nothing better than spending some money and time on a project, and when you are finished it exceeds expectation !!
Sounds like you got some real gains lowering the centre of gravity.
I get a sore ass on long trips, will look for a connie seat in the future as the next stage.

New tyres new seat , think you need good long ride for a couple of days somewhere .

Nice post man, that sounds like it worked out for you big time and it looks great.

One question for you... is this the screen you have in those pics?

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2661/524/

I love my new C14 seat but I would like it more if it was the same height as the stock seat for sure. Plus you have those XB pegs installed with double stacked risers ya? So with all that in mind you are really like 1" lower in the seat and feet and 1" higher in the wrists? Sounds like a nice combo man, how tall are you? I'm 6' 2" and am looking at installing either pegs or risers next to improve comfort.

* Last updated by: IKeyes on 7/2/2010 @ 8:34 AM *

Who did the seat work for you blue?

IKEYES...ya...that's the windscreen.Works really well at moving the airflow up and kinda over your helmet.I'm 6'1".Buell pegs...yes.Risers,yes.If you can find a guy who can do seats...I mean,KNOWS what's needed to get the pressure points correct and such,then I would definitely say lower it!I'm down now right around two inches.U-turns and slow manuvering...shweet.And Loaded...the e-bay store is BallZmotorsports.Josh is the owner.Lee does the seat work.Very cool guys both.As you can see in the pics,Lee didn't get the pillion right for me...I think when we talked he may have misunderstood how I wanted the back area.PLUS...it was a connie seat.The shape of course is VERY different than our stockers.So I think he was trying to get a compromise with mine,not knowing exactly how I wanted it shaped.No problem though.I've shaped some seats before,so it only took around 1/2 hour or so to reshape the rear down so the cowl would fit....he did a great job with it...very quality work.(the front was my main concern...I didn't want to mess that up trying to do it myself).He knows what he's doing,that's for sure.VERY COMFY.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/2/2010 @ 10:02 AM *

thanks blue, that's good to know. the last thing i want to do is drop $100 on a screen that will cause my head to wobble at speed...

I like these better than the XB peg's and from what I understand these only require the pin hole to be drilled out, otherwise they fit... i may stop in a local HD shop and see if they have them in stock to check it out.

http://www.buellparts.net/content-product_info/product_id-1609/ulysses_footpegs_rider.html

I don't have issues with leg cramps with the stock or connie seat but the extra 1" would probably feel even better.

* Last updated by: IKeyes on 7/2/2010 @ 10:19 AM *

I will say this...IMO,the best position for my head is ABOVE the screen lip.You would think it would be behind(which also works well,but ya can't stay bent over all the time).The smoothest airflow I've found for me is up in the windflow.I get very minimal head movement doing that.I get NO airflow on my chest.The "pocket's" right there.That said,I also bought a VEMAR carbon fiber helmet a while back.I posted about it here as well.I have to say,the helmet "could" be making a difference.It's extremely slippery.And light.No like my ARAI profile(which I no longer use).

ya see, now i'm still not sure then. lmao

the stock profile hits me right in the chest/shoulders area which i like because it keeps me cool and has zero effect on my head... hmmm... i might just spray the inside of my stock shield black and put a nice emblem over the kawasaki logo lol

I was gonna say...I switch off between this screen and the stock one.My stock screen,(after spending several hundred dollars on screens)is actually very good at speed directing the airflow into the driver,but not at his head.(my experience anyway).Kinda hits me in the upper chest...but my helmet stays right in the smooth oncoming windflow(which for me is THE quietest spot)(except directly down,under the screen,virtually my chin on the tank)No noise but the motor there...very cool.The only other screen that actually will stop head level windblast would be the Zero Gravity Touring screen.I've got one of those also.Works VERY well at keeping a calm pocket right in front of ya.It's NOT too sporty looking however...and it WILL somewhat affect your handling at speed.More force to turn in and hold a line with...but not seriously bad or anything.Just have to get used to the difference,piece o'cake.It's very good if ya hit rainstorms and such.Kinda tuck in just a bit....NO HITTING OF ANYTHING ON YA.It really IS for touring.I've grown to appreciate my stock screen.But the MRA is the next closest thing to it...so,it's all good.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/2/2010 @ 1:38 PM *

Just put on my MRA sport touring screen last week per Blue07 and Black01 suggestion. I LOVE IT. 6'3" 260. No issues and looks and works great.

Got some REDO pics of my new seat....I did a bit more work on er.She's now VERY CUSTOM

THIS is definitely MORE than an inch and a half.(it could be 2...I'm not sure...but it's LOW)

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/3/2010 @ 5:20 PM *

Ikeyes, those are the Buell pegs I got. They were $40ish bucks for the pair from my dealer. They're silver not black but fit perfectly. I drilled them out ever-so-slightly and slid the pin and spring in like they were made for the bike. The extra width and forward lean of the pegs makes them very comfy and the angle seems to match the angle of my foot...

Blue that 2nd pass on the reshape came out much nicer, well done!

@GSRON - Thanks for that reply man, I am now going to track those down for hopefully a much lower price. I really like the feel of my stock pegs into my Alpinestar boots (SMX-Plus) so the idea of putting the much thinner XB pegs didn't appeal to me as much, but these look nice and comfy for my size 13's to hang on to.

If the difference between black and silver is 2x the price then I will go silver! ebay here i come hehe

Blue is this your weapon of choice for shaping the seats? Is that circa 1980's Black & Decker??? lol

Also what is that little hole in your tail piece? Or is that just a reflection or something? Do you have a little spy cam in there dude?

* Last updated by: IKeyes on 7/4/2010 @ 9:08 AM *

WoHoooo...weapon of choice!Me LIKES!!...well,it WAS....until it gave up the ghost yesterday(she's an old Sunbeam).NOW I have a Black and Decker.Heck,they all work okay as long as ya keep the blades clean while yer workin.That deal on the rear there..nah,no spy cam.Just an old earring I found at the store(on the floor)It's not sitting on there right now straight down,it usually does..ya...looks a bit strange cocked like that.Thanks for the props on the seat.I was afraid it was gonna take too much of the rideability off it to go any farther down with it,but no....I was really careful this time around and took plenty of time to get it right.It's low...but there's still about an inch and a half of foam down the center and about an inch or so along the sides...so the ride quality remained.I actually took the cover off(this is gonna sound REALLY stupid)of the "new" seat I had done,and fit it over this older connie seat(08 model)after reshaping.So now she's exactly how I wanted her.The "new"seat is sitting on the cabinet top,probably won't ever use it....Really nothing wrong with it...the guy did a good job...just not LOW enough for me.Course,it doesn't have it's nice cover anymore!I hope that seat guy doesn't look on this post...think he'd be pissed if he knew I actually only used the cover!!!!!It's all good.Live and learn.He got paid...so I guess it doesn't matter.The cover was worth the money to me anyway.Very nice quality and she fit right up.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/4/2010 @ 9:51 AM *

so wait, are you saying you put the new cover from the new seat onto your old concours seat?

Well...yes and no.I had a connie seat from earlier this year.Okay,so I reshaped that one(I know...why spend for a "new" reshaped seat)....but his reshape just wasn't low enough for me.But his cover was designed for the lowered seat...not the stock connie seat.So I reshaped my other one,then installed his cover.Worked great!His seat really wasn't bad...just too thick still for my wants.And I wasn't gonna send it back to him.But overall,he did an excellent job of reshaping.Besides...I can't leave well enough alone!So I've still got the "almost" stock connie seat foam,and the vinyl cover for the connie seat.IF I ever want to go back.Which I really can't see happening...this ride position is extremely cool.Makes my baby handle so much better in the curves and straights.WAY more comfy than the stock seat even.(and that's not as high as the stock connie).I feel so much more part of my bike now...everything about the ride position has changed for the better.Very cool.I really can't say enough about lowering yer seat.You'd have to ride her to see what I mean.You know those pesky U-turns,the ones where ya feel like she's gonna drop on ya!No more....just comes right around no muss,no fuss.Sweeet!

I also mentioned on my other post"WHAT am I doing?"...that I removed my genmars and kept the helis on there just to see how she would feel now with the lowered position.Pleasantly surprised I'll say that.My forearms are able to kind of wrap around the tank now,and be supported by the tank top edges.My upper torso can rest nicely against the tank there,with no discomfort.It's a very comfy feeling.I'm already "kind of" in a mild "tuck" so to speak,with the seat like it is...so railing through the corners has just gotta WAY more exciting and safe feeling(my corner speeds have increased,she just feels way more planted and solid the more I give er through the turns).Also reinstalled my stock screen as well to see how the flow was.Nice...very nice.But I'll still switch off from time to time to get a "different" feel with my sweet MRA.

Honestly,she feels like a different bike...in a good way..still the same,just better.Being able to grip the tank has just gotten much better as well.

I'm thinkin right now that I should give my Zero Grav Touring screen a go...see how THAT one feels.It was good before.But now,maybe even better!

Kawasaki really should have spent more time designing the seat layout better IMO.The stock foam is terrible,least it hurt my arse plenty.They solved that with the Connie seat.So why not re-design the stocker with something more user friendly and performance enhancing.Their connie foam is the right ticket...that's for sure.And apparently cutting it down isn't really a problem,mine feels really good thin as it is.As good as the stock connie.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 7/4/2010 @ 11:20 AM *

I got those Ulysses pegs, and they are nice !

Drill the hole out, of course. But you still need to grind some of the hanger section or they point backwards. Not nearly has much work as the XB pegs were, and they are wide which I like.

blue07,
i believe, no, i know that is the ugliest seat i have ever seen. luckily you can't see it while riding it. i hope it was cheap, and worth it.

i had a concours14 seat on mine for a couple of rides and didn't like it because it raised the seat height which, in affect lowered the bars. so i traded a sore a$$ for a sore back. best combo i've found is 1" bar risers and a sheep skin cover on the stock seat. a lot of maximus pain is caused by no air circulation between the skin and the vinyl seat except for the small amount that flows through the pants and briefs. sheep wool flows much more. and now, no more astroids circling uranus.

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder"....wohooo...she's way comfy,and sits right down about a half inch lower than the stock seat.Very nice for cornering and those full on takeoffs!Cruising is..well...perfecto my man.I aint no professional upholsterer(good thing huh?)but it's okay to me.Really think it looks ugly?He didn't get the cuts right on the one I sent him...(the first pic).Ya...I didn't think it looked very good either.It's cool though.I had another Connie seat sittin here.Just redid that one,and used his cover for it.

This is an idea...maybe go with it in the future here.Buy a drag seat from Muzzy or Shnitz...someone like that.Get a connie seat.Use the connie foam to build a pilot bucket there.Reupholster.Sound like a nice winter project?It'd be way low,but the pan would have no ridges and stuff built in to press on your legs.So the foam could be fairly minimal in thickness...yet still retain the comfort level.I think it could work okay.Just a thought.I aint plannin on spending any more cash on a friggin seat!She's good to go right now.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 9/5/2010 @ 10:06 PM *

The factory low gel seat for the 2010 C14 and all ZX14s (same) is fantastic. After 1,000 miles of riding on it, I give it 5 stars and an enthusiastic thumbs up.