Just wondering if anyone knows.
I just read the Nov' Motorcyclist issue and they quoted the 2012's ZX14R seat as "soft and supple". Anyone compared the two seats? If the '12 is more comfortable I'd like to know if I can swap seats. Thanks for any help.

I checked out Bikebandit and the P/N is the same for both years. So I guess Motorcyclist was a bit off when describing the 2012's seat as "soft and supple". No way anyone would describe the '07's like that. Thought I had a nice change in the works.

My '08's seat definitely is soft and supple compared to a friends zx6 and another friends fz1. So it's relative, though personally I have no complaints.

Hey KAK
The 12 seat is much more comfortable campared to 07's seat and I dont see why it wouldn't fit the earlier models.
Snuffy

Thanks Snuffy. I need to go to the dealer and check out the 12's seat. Only thing I don't understand is both years have the same P/N. I'll check one out if the dealer has one. Hope I can touch it without falling in love again. Have to tell myself not to bring home another bike.

The 12 seat is much more comfortable campared to 07's seat

* Last updated by: bean07 on 10/15/2012 @ 3:26 AM *

I think Ricky Gadsen in one of his vids was riding an earlier model 14...maybe an 09 or something...and it LOOKED like he had installed the 14R seat on there as well as the cowl...IDK for sure.But it looked like it to me...I was like...how the heck did he do THAT?The 2012 is NOT the same seat material as the earlier ones.OR the seating design of the bowl.

The pan however MAY be identical??????

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/15/2012 @ 4:33 PM *

I like the look of either seats. But for comfort, you sit "ON" the '07 seat but I hear you sit more "IN" the '12 seat. If all else is the same then you'll also sit a little closer to the ground and not tend to slide toward the tank. More reasons I'd like to change my seat.
I'm looking into the Spencer mod too. Much cheaper than a $400 new 14R seat but I'm not sure I want to go with Spencer. I guess I don't quite understand his method of how he can make the seat softer, lower and angled back just a little. He says the mod "usually" doesn't change the covers appearance. Not sure how the seat will look after. He has good references and the price is right.
If the dealer has a 14R and I like the feel of the seat then I have to find out if it will fit. It would be a special order I'm sure so you couldn't return it. Not sure how you can be positive it will fit just by eye-balling it. Thanks for the replies.

* Last updated by: KAK on 10/15/2012 @ 11:24 PM *

You can return the 14R seat...long as you don't use it for a week figuring out whether you like it or not.And yes...the 14R seat does have a mildly different design....and your feet will be closer to the ground.It's possible that's the seat pan number....which would be apparently identical?That's my guess....the pad now....that's different,yes?They could redesign the pad...yet keep the pan the same.

My impression of the 14R seat was...it was supple and comfy like the Concours...very similar...yet without the slight angle going towards the tank...even though it IS lower right there.Feet planted easily on the ground....nice.VERY.For a more plush ride...say...longer rides...you can sit back in the bowl and really relax.I thought Kawasaki did very good with this new seat.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/16/2012 @ 8:59 AM *

YES.
All 3 seats inter-change with each other,no issues.
C-14 fits Gen1/2 ZX-14 and vice-versa.
I prefer the new 14R seat but the cover is to sticky for serious road work,just like the C-14 seat cover.
I had a Gen1 ZX-14 seat on my C-14 for the lower height and smaller width at the tank for shifting around in the apexs. It was shaved a tad at the thighs and re-covered with slicker material.I still use it on my 14R untill I get the stocker re-covered.

Thanks for the help.
I talked to the closest dealer yesterday and he wasn't sure. He said the P/N's are different and because there are "some minor changes in that area of the bike" he didn't think the seats could be swapped. He also said they sold their last 14R and won't have anything until the 2013's are delivered so I can't even stop by to feel the seat.
But since shotgun says they can be swapped I'll try to stay on it and see what I can do. My plan was to bring my seat down to the dealer and see if it slipped onto the 2012. Since I bought my bike there and buy other stuff there I think they'd let me carefully swap the seats.
If the seat isn't a "special order" then I could return it and pay only shipping if it didn't fit.
I can see the 2012's seat cowl is shaped different and the key insert for the seat lock has been moved.

I think the pan is the same.....just a guess.That connie seat goes right on there...with a latch hardware switch.But the fitment is the same.Yet the two seat cushions are a pretty different design.Now....that's on a pre 2012 machine however.The foam and the pan are seperate parts...did you google connie seat and zx14 seat?(pre 2012 and 2012?)May be the pan IS the same.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/22/2012 @ 6:53 PM *

That mag said 'soft and supple'....yes...compared to the earlier stock seats...it is.It's a hybrid Connie seat deal.Foamwise.

As far as the seat hardware fitting in the frame, they are interchangeable.

The 2012 is wider at the back, so I don't think the cowl from the older model will work, as going the other way (older seat and 2012 cowl) will leave a pretty large gap around the edges.

2012 with 2012 cowl on the right is noticeably wider (Pic got cut off on the right - too large???).

[image assist... -bg]

* Last updated by: bgordon on 11/5/2012 @ 4:21 PM *

Lucky14, thanks for taking the time to sort this for me. Kinda bummed because I thought it would work but you saved me quite a bit of time.
I was going to ride to the dealer when the 2013's arrive and try a seat swap (if they'd let me). Oh well, back to trying to find a shop that can modify my seat.