Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: GTRrob on November 18, 2013, 04:51:27 PM
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Hey guys,
I just recently ordered a set of hippo hands and I am very happy with them... minus the collapsing when the speed picks up. I have seen other guys with hippo hands on their 14s and wonder what they are using to keep them from collapsing. I have done the search but am not seeing the answer easily. It is a shame the people who sell the hippo hands don't sell the hand guards/ bracket to make the hippo hands more effective. I don't want to fabricate anything myself because I wouldn't do as good a job as I would want. :-\
In short, what is the best/ popular way to keep these hippo hands from collapsing onto the levers? Baker, projekt D, etc?
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I gave up trying and use them on the GS or KTM as they have the rigid handguards to prevent them collapsing. Baker hand wings and spare gloves for me. When it gets really cold out, I ride the GS, less leg protection, but my hands stay warm and the Gerbings jacket helps with the rest.
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There was a thread on here where someone made a guard for the inside to prevent them from collapsing. I would like a pair and have wondered if my wind deflectors will be enough to prevent them form collapsing.
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I gave up trying and use them on the GS or KTM as they have the rigid handguards to prevent them collapsing. Baker hand wings and spare gloves for me. When it gets really cold out, I ride the GS, less leg protection, but my hands stay warm and the Gerbings jacket helps with the rest.
Interestingly, my hands rarely get cold on the C14. The grip warmers are plenty strong enough with just regular weight insulated gloves. Have a heated vest that I put on when it is in the 50's or below and that seems to be OK down to about 40F. Even wearing acrylic long underwear and socks, then jeans, then leather chaps and boots, it is my hips/legs/feet that get cold long before my torso, arms, or hands. That seems to be my limiting factor right now. Low 40's are not enjoyable.
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My all time fav temp is mid '50s, still comfy in the '40s. '30s I have the Gerbings on medium and the teens it's on full bore. My hands get cold when it's raining and mid '40s on down. If my hands stay dry and out of the wind I never have an issue with even the cheapo grip elements and the ones on the GS on low with the Hippo Hands. Were it not for the Throttle Meister I would add Bark Buster style guards to the LSL setup I have and run the HHs as rain or shine my hands do not get cold and I am a function over form kinda guy.
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My buddy cut the threads on the seams and placed plastic pieces cut to shape from a milk carton or something similar inside the fabric then sowed them back up. Worked ok from what I remember. Personally, I think the manufacturer should do something like this from the start.
I use the hand wings and electric gloves. Just personal preference.
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Interestingly, my hands rarely get cold on the C14. The grip warmers are plenty strong enough with just regular weight insulated gloves. Have a heated vest that I put on when it is in the 50's or below and that seems to be OK down to about 40F. Even wearing acrylic long underwear and socks, then jeans, then leather chaps and boots, it is my hips/legs/feet that get cold long before my torso, arms, or hands. That seems to be my limiting factor right now. Low 40's are not enjoyable.
Yeah, I'm fine in those temps even without heated grips. 40's and 50's are fine. I ride a lot in 30's and below and think the Hippo Hands would be great.
Has anyone used them with deflectors? Did they collapse?
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I gave up trying and use them on the GS or KTM as they have the rigid handguards to prevent them collapsing. Baker hand wings and spare gloves for me. When it gets really cold out, I ride the GS, less leg protection, but my hands stay warm and the Gerbings jacket helps with the rest.
Would the hippo hands work over the Baker hand wings?
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My all time fav temp is mid '50s, still comfy in the '40s. '30s I have the Gerbings on medium and the teens it's on full bore. My hands get cold when it's raining and mid '40s on down. If my hands stay dry and out of the wind I never have an issue with even the cheapo grip elements and the ones on the GS on low with the Hippo Hands. Were it not for the Throttle Meister I would add Bark Buster style guards to the LSL setup I have and run the HHs as rain or shine my hands do not get cold and I am a function over form kinda guy.
I thought that you said that 63 was your fav temp? ??? ;)
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I thought that you said that 63 was your fav temp? ??? ;)
Depends on what time of the year it is ;) 63 is borderline hot ;D
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Just got some of these and was worried about them deforming enough to push on the levers but it does not seem to be a problem for me. My biggest complaint is they completely block the few of the mirrors. This may be related to the fact I ain't that tall and I have a Sargent low saddle.
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Just got some of these and was worried about them deforming enough to push on the levers but it does not seem to be a problem for me. My biggest complaint is they completely block the few of the mirrors. This may be related to the fact I ain't that tall and I have a Sargent low saddle.
In the emporium member KAS has for sale aux mirror stems that bolt on at the control clamps just for this problem.
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Would the hippo hands work over the Baker hand wings?
No. The Baker hand wings mount by the wind shield. And no, they don't block enough wind to prevent the HHs from collapsing.