Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Flienlow on February 23, 2014, 04:55:03 PM
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Has anyone here installed a Seat heater kit or have any insights on it?
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Has anyone here installed a Seat heater kit or have any insights on it?
My Sargent came with one pre-installed. My insight is that it isn't really all that needed of an accessory. There are far better things to spend money on. If you do it anyway, make sure you have a variable controller for it.
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My insight is that it is too cold to ride if you need/want a seat heater. ;)
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Just did a 500 mile ride on a bike with a heated seat in 30-40 degree temps. Had an Airhawk on the seat (which totally blocks the warmth) until the sun went down, then had to make a decision: Airhawk or heat. Took the Airhawk off, turned on the seat heat, and enjoyed the rest of the ride. Of course, as usual, was sore after about 30 minutes, but it was a warm soreness.
I'm definitely going to add heating elements to my factory C14 seat prior to next fall.
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I have the heated Corbin seat and absolutely love it! :thumbs: :thumbs:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/c14badge_zps90d15d06.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/jaywilcox/media/c14badge_zps90d15d06.jpg.html)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/install9_zpsc4b3bfc2.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/jaywilcox/media/install9_zpsc4b3bfc2.jpg.html)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/83A8DB09-8ED9-4072-815B-A3F46F9EC177-3775-000003581F73BEAF.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/jaywilcox/media/83A8DB09-8ED9-4072-815B-A3F46F9EC177-3775-000003581F73BEAF.jpg.html)
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I have the heated Corbin seat and absolutely love it! :thumbs: :thumbs:
+1
Really three pictures? (http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/headscratch.gif) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/tomdvaughan/media/emoticons/headscratch.gif.html) :chugbeer:
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+1
Really three pictures? (http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/headscratch.gif) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/tomdvaughan/media/emoticons/headscratch.gif.html) :chugbeer:
:-[ ;D :chugbeer:
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Have front and rear heated seats installed when I got the seat upgraded by Loren at Baldwin Saddles. I have the model he now calls the 'Sport' saddle, and it was great for my Iron Butt ride. Highly recommended.
(http://www.galaxieman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/20110226-IMG_2789-300x200.jpg) (http://www.galaxieman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/20110226-IMG_2789.jpg)
As far as insights, it's really great for mornings that are too cool for mesh pants, since you can wear them anyway and then be prepped for the perfect ride home. All without freezing your nuts off on the way to work. It was also helpful on the Iron Butt ride, as I was able to crank the heat on high for a couple of minutes, then stand on the pegs for a minute or two to help stretch while in the doldrums about 2/3 of the way through. Combined with heated grips it makes for MUCH less fatigue on cool/cold mornings.
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My insight is that it is too cold to ride if you need/want a seat heater. ;)
Puss... ;) ;D :chugbeer:
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+1
Really three pictures? (http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/headscratch.gif) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/tomdvaughan/media/emoticons/headscratch.gif.html) :chugbeer:
Picture whore ;D
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Picture whore ;D
:rotflmao: :chugbeer:
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:rotflmao: :chugbeer:
Could not help it :chugbeer:
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Love my heated Corbin. I wish it had variable heat, it seems to go from nothing to blistering. Not a huge deal, I just click it off for a minute then back on. It also works with my airhawk but maybe because it gets ssooo hot.
It really works the best when you have other heated gear. I was riding in 28 degree weather last week with the grips, seat, and jacket (the jacket was turned halfway up). My heated pants were in the trunk because I didn't need them. :D
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I've no heated seat, but do have heated grips, jacket, gloves, pants.
But I've gotta tell you, at some point we really ought to just take the car.
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Just added this and heated grips and am very happy with them. Made fun of a friend who had heated seats and now I'm a convert. Simple to install, just a few staples, hole saw for the wire through the bottom of the seat and wiring. Hardest part was putting a hole in the side of my baby for the switch. Like pulling my own tooth. Installed the dark pad at bottom of page. http://www.seatcomfort.com/# (http://www.seatcomfort.com/#)!moto-seat-heater/cyme
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I have using one of the heating elements similar to the ones mentioned above and put it under a sheepskin butt pad and regulating the thing with a Pulse Width Modulator or even possibly use a Gerbing controller as opposed to using an on off switch.
Fred
Wa2gzw
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Here's an inexpensive way to go heated no matter if you put it in your seat, under the skin or an airhawk, etc.
Wire it to an on off switch, variable resistor (such as any heat controller), etc.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-seat-heater-pads-heated-seat-pads-universal-carbon-fiber-seat-heater-pads-/151188864509?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23338efdfd&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-seat-heater-pads-heated-seat-pads-universal-carbon-fiber-seat-heater-pads-/151188864509?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23338efdfd&vxp=mtr)
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Here's the one I installed under my factory seat (driver and passenger) two months ago.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281206965492?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281206965492?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
I wasn't sure how well it would work, so I did a temporary install first. I wired it into my aux. power connectors under the seat (for now, until I get a j-box), and I just left the switch loose, just barely hanging out from under the the seat on the right side. The carbon fiber element can be cut down lengthwise, but not the width. It has three switch positions: Off, High, and 1ST DEGREE BURN. I assume mine gets unusually warm due to the fact that I did cut it down quite a bit (especially in the rear).
Shortly after I installed it, wife and I did a 2000 mile ride over to the Sierras and down through Death Valley. It worked amazingly well for us, so much so that I'm definitely going to make a more permanent install. Like FMWHIT said, a variable controller is the way to go. Also, I don't think there's much you can do to eliminate some visual evidence of it under the thin material on the OEM seat. Mine looks OK, but it's probably going to look much better under leather or thicker upholstery.
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I had heated seats on my Beemer. Came with the package, I wouldn't pay extra for them. I've used them a couple times.
Heated grips? Absolute must have.
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I had heated seats on my Beemer. Came with the package, I wouldn't pay extra for them. I've used them a couple times.
Heated grips? Absolute must have.
I had plenty of 40-degree and colder rides with my K1200LT, loved the heated seats, and the grips.
I also had a lot of fun turning on the passenger seat to "high" when riding in the summer with the wife. Usually took three or four minutes before I heard her on the intercom, "wow, it's really hot today..."