Hi, I am interested in seat mods for my 06 zx14 and am confused with the different models out there such as C14 , corbin, Sargent.

In addition, I am looking for a sissy bar or backrest for the pillion.
I also am trying not to spend a lot of money on this mod. I see some seats selling for $500 and up. which is too much.

That being said, I don't know which seats work/not work with the real cowl, and which work and not work with a sissybar.

Also, Is the stock seat with a sheepskin cushion installed almost as comfy as a whole new seat swap? Do they make these cushions for the pillion as well? the cushions seem to be the cheapest option, about $50 on ebay.

I can handle the stock seat for a couple of hours, but my ass does get sore eventually. my wife definitely hates the stock seat because of the lack of cushion and backrest.

I'm happy with my Saddlemen Techstyle. About $400. A little bit lower and flatter than the stock seat. A lot less slipery. looks very sharp. Love that smooshy memory foam top. It's got rounded edges which make a little more comfortable for long rides.

I wish they would have made the rider seat portion go back farther instaed of protruding forward from the seat cowl...I suppose that is a plus for carrying a passenger and a minus for a long torsoed guy who wants to tuck down.

One complaint, The back of the Saddlemen is about 1/4-1/8" too short. You see a gap between the back of the passenger seat and the tail piece. With the Seat cowl on, that is covered up. The seat cowl fits with the Saddlemen but seems to increse the space between the seat cowl and the side tail fairings. Not a real objectionable appearnce change, IMO. That settles in after a while and the gap seems pretty normal now.

http://s461.photobucket.com/user/Rookzx/library/2008%20ZX-14/Body%20and%20Exterior%20Parts/Seat/Saddleman%20Tech%20Style?sort=3&page=1

If you need a backrest for marital harmony, it's kind of hard to beat the Corbin. And, lucky you, there's one for sale here!

If you want to go a less expensive route check out Spencer's seat mods, about $75. Spencer uses your stock seat, redoes the padding, and puts the stock cover back on. I've used seats from just about company and I personally think the Spencer mod is the most comfortable seat I have ever tried! I have a lot of miles on my modded seat and there is ABSOLUTELY no butt burn or need to wiggle around to get comfortable. Spencer is a great guy to work with and the turn-around is VERY quick.

http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

Rook/Rkt/Anyone

I just got actual riding boots (my first pair). I wasn't flat footed with my steel toed boots, but I think these have made two changes. They probably have less sole thickness (maybe 1/8") than the work boots I was wearing, then the shin gaurds and where the pegs are also reduces my foot to ground contact.

Do you think these mods would increase my ability to flat foot? I'm more like back on the front of my feet instead of front-middle (never heal), and I'd prefer a little more positive contact. (and no, I'm not interested in lowering the bike in any manner).

I've also thought (prior to the boot change) about getting rearsets which would help with the shin gaurd - footpeg interference. But I don't want to lose my rear brake light switch which is one reason I've avoided that change. I do think there are a few on the market though now that allow keeping the brake light switch.

Rook, I am curious is the aftermarket seat you have lighter at all?

* Last updated by: VicThing on 12/13/2014 @ 10:22 PM *

Riding boots do generally have a thinner sole and will make it harder for some to "flat-foot" on the ground. You could possibly take your boots to a shoe shop and have a thicker sole put on but your boots would feel a lot different after, not sure I would do that but just a thought.

I have seen some of the rear-sets that have a switch bracket like you mentioned, being 6-2 rear-sets tend to cramp me up more so I have never been inclined to use them, that plus the fact I am getting old! I use a set of modified Buell pegs to give me a little more leg room so I can stretch some. You could probably fabricate a switch bracket if needed fairly easy.

If you want to call Spencer I'm sure he could work with you to get your seat cut down a little and still maintain comfort. Spencer usually asks for customers to send a picture with you sitting on the seat so he knows where and how much to modify a seat. I am generally reserved when I recommend services but never hesitate to recommend Spencer, he does VERY good work.

Thanks Rkt for the sole suggestion. My footing isn't bad enough to consider quite going to that extent. If it was any worse, or I was tip-toed-tripoded I would probably consider that more but I can touch both feet just not quite as much as I'd prefer. I also think being new the soles are a little slippy too (and the roads being cold/damp a little).

I've been thinking about rearsets for a while. I think I'd like the slightly more sporty position and also appreciate the increase in leverage it would provide. I'm thinking somewhere around 1-2" rearward and 1/2" to 1" higher would be about perfect.

I think if the I could get about 1/2" out of the seat (maybe flatter as it goes back) it would be about perfect. So I really like your suggestion about having the foam shaved. I'm also interested in the seat Rook has, that it might be slightly lower but also might have performance benefits?

I'll probably try to get something done by the start of next season.

Rook, I am curious is the aftermarket seat you have lighter at all?

Not bad. This is the Gen1 seat. i bet the Gen2 stocker is a tad lighter. Looks cut down some.

I think the Gen2 OEM seat is patterned after the less sloped aftermarket seats. I don't know if you would notice a big dif going with an aftermarket seat on your Gen2. You could cut it down a half inch or so. The thinner it is at the back the better the bike looks, IMO. I'm not sure you will gain much in comfort since the OEM seat is already thinner than the Gen1's seat. Check Ebay. I got a second OEM seat to experiment with cutting down. It cost me $75 free shipping. Private sale. Went well.

Vic, I have a Sargent seat on my gen 1, my ass thinks its a lot more comfortable than stock. Anyway when I got mine they offered two different ride heights, stock and another one that was about an inch lower.sargent

Thanks great tips and suggestions from all. Rook thank you for weighing your seats or however you came up with that info..you're a classy guy! Rkt, Fox, you guys all rock!

As far as comfort, my butt loves the stocker no complaints on comfort at all for me.

Rode again today I think the answer for me might just be rear sets. If I push the stock pages with my calves it gives me plenty of solid footing. The height of the shin guards, and the thickness on the inside of hte boots (this is where the velcro flap closes up) on these boots definitely causes some of this loss of footing, it's just not there with my steel toed So if the pegs were moved back a an inch or two this would be about perfect. Also give me more of the position I want.

Vic, I have purchased several Sargent seats over the years and have always found them to be great, but I would like to mention some ergonomics to consider. If you go to rearset pegs you will be putting more weight on your arms and wrists and introducing more fatigue factor. Using a cut-down seat (probably about 1/2") will maintain good ergos, put your feet on the ground, and still maintain comfort. If you go with a Sargent seat you'll be getting a great seat but spending considerable dollars. If you go with a Spencer mod you will still end up with a comfortable seat and spend less money, plus you won't have an extra seat laying around collecting dust. By using a lower seat height you won't have the added expense of the rearset pegs and won't have to mess with the brake switch.

Just some things to consider.

* Last updated by: Rktsled on 12/14/2014 @ 9:17 PM *

Rook thank you for weighing your seats or however you came up with that info..

[quote Anything that gets removed or replaced gets weighed.

[/quote]

This is a good rule of thumb for women as well.

* Last updated by: wfozx14 on 12/15/2014 @ 5:11 AM *

I use a stock Connie seat and both I and the co-pilot report it's comfy on rides over 8 hours in length. It does not have a backrest though nor does the solo cowl fit over it. But at $80 off ebay, it is a deal.

Mad