Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Mighty on August 04, 2011, 08:00:16 PM
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Highly recommended. Better seating position and I don't slide into the tank anymore.
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HT Moto cover. Black marine grade vinyl with Black Carbon fiber sides.
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Did it change the stock seat height? Can you tell us how much it cost, and what was involved in getting it done (time wise, shipping etc).?
Really looks nice!
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Just got my Spencer's back yesterday... $75 with the Supracor (rider only)... plus shipping each way. He estimated 2 day turnaround when I contacted him, but got it done quicker than that... plus the shipper delivered it a day before they anticipated. I used Fedex... $20 each way from Washington State, insured for replacement (Corbin and such) value, 5 day. Lowering is free.
His site has a TON of info regarding how to order, and contact him... so definitely read up. And he's very responsive to queries. So a big thumbs up for customer service.
I'm holding judgement until I get the chance for a longer ride this weekend, since that is when I noticed the discomfort in the old (but it does feel better already).
Also, there are numerous other threads that address the Spencer Mod.
I'm too lazy to give links, but a search will take care of that one for you.
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I think $90 shipped for the seat cover, $75 to spencers about $50 shipping both ways using UPS. $215 total. Fed ex ground looks cheaper. 4 days to get it to him, had it for one day and shipped it back the next morning. He kept my height the same as I requested. If you like the looks of your stock cover you can save $90. The HT Moto cover looks sooooo much better. Stock cover looks cheap to me.
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I sent my seat out to Spencer too and its a whole new bike now. He put in that special foam, took out the slope for rider and passenger and lowered the rider section an inch. It feels like i'm sitting in the seat rather than floating on top. I just got back from a 1,500 mile round trip to the Tail of the Dragon and it was worth every single penny. No hot spots or hurting butt. The best part is that it didn't affect my ability to navigate the Dragon in the least. Highly recommended.
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I think $90 shipped for the seat cover, $75 to spencers about $50 shipping both ways using UPS. $215 total. Fed ex ground looks cheaper. 4 days to get it to him, had it for one day and shipped it back the next morning. He kept my height the same as I requested. If you like the looks of your stock cover you can save $90. The HT Moto cover looks sooooo much better. Stock cover looks cheap to me.
Thanks for the info. I agree with you - it looks fantastic. I don't use my stock seat because I bought a low Sargent. I may send him my stock seat and have it reworked. It would probably work better for me when I do long rides.
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I have over 2000 KM on my Spencer seat mod. and very much enjoy it. My wife also likes the improvement in ride comfort.
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Almost unanimously the Spencer reviews are highly positive. I'm 100% doing that mod this winter, or if I know I'll be off the bike for a week before then.
I'm curious, I come from sportbike/dirt/supermoto background, and I tend to ride nutz on the tank. Seat isn't comfy there, but I am very, very happy that far forward. I'm 5'9", are you guys that want to be further back all taller???
Barry
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I'm curious, I come from sportbike/dirt/supermoto background, and I tend to ride nutz on the tank. Seat isn't comfy there, but I am very, very happy that far forward. I'm 5'9", are you guys that want to be further back all taller???
Barry
We just don't want our nuts squashed by the gas tank... :o
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Almost unanimously the Spencer reviews are highly positive. I'm 100% doing that mod this winter, or if I know I'll be off the bike for a week before then.
I'm curious, I come from sportbike/dirt/supermoto background, and I tend to ride nutz on the tank. Seat isn't comfy there, but I am very, very happy that far forward. I'm 5'9", are you guys that want to be further back all taller???
Barry
Spencer will customize the seat for your riding position. In fact, he'll request a picture and his order form asks if you want to sit close to the tank. I'm 5'10' (30" inseam) and I can't ride against the tank--it puts my legs in a really awkward position.
I like my Spencerized seat and I really like the HT Moto cover he put on it for me. However, I've posted several times that this was a decent range extender for me (especially for the price), but it wasn't a range eliminator. I can go about 100 miles with no discomfort, but a 300 mile day is still about my limit. In a few weeks, I'm sending a spare seat off to Russell for a Day-Long. I'll use the Spencer seat for most riding and the Russell for trips and travel.
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I think $90 shipped for the seat cover, $75 to spencers about $50 shipping both ways using UPS. $215 total. Fed ex ground looks cheaper. 4 days to get it to him, had it for one day and shipped it back the next morning. He kept my height the same as I requested. If you like the looks of your stock cover you can save $90. The HT Moto cover looks sooooo much better. Stock cover looks cheap to me.
In re-reading your post, I'm confused on the cover. Did Spencer make that or did you get it somewhere else?
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HT Moto seat covers. Buy it first and ship it to Spencer with your seat. He'll install it for free when he does your seat mod.
http://www.htmoto.us/store/p/382-KAWASAKI-Concours-14-08-09-Seat-Cover.aspx (http://www.htmoto.us/store/p/382-KAWASAKI-Concours-14-08-09-Seat-Cover.aspx)
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I'm almost 6'3" and like sitting further back. I also think this seat will work for the distsnces I ride. Anything further and I'd just get a wing.
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I'm 6'2" and just sent my seat off to Spencer for improvement.
Will report back when it arrives.
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2500 Km on the Spencer mod seat and loving it. I am 6'2" with 34" inseam
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HT Moto seat covers. Buy it first and ship it to Spencer with your seat. He'll install it for free when he does your seat mod.
http://www.htmoto.us/store/p/382-KAWASAKI-Concours-14-08-09-Seat-Cover.aspx (http://www.htmoto.us/store/p/382-KAWASAKI-Concours-14-08-09-Seat-Cover.aspx)
Thanks, I guess I slept through class that day. I was not aware someone sold such an animal. Those are nice looking and appear to be a good price.
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No problem. And they are nice seat covers. I really like my black ostrich seats with black carbon fiber trim. :D
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Got my seat back from Spencer's, and rode to work today. All I can say is WOW!. It does not look like anything was done to it when looking at it on the bike, but my commute this morning was a much better ride. NO hot spots, NO sliding into the tank which relieved pressure on my hands, and lessened the numbing in my right pinky finger. I'll put my risers back on, and see if that takes care of the hands issues, but the butt issue is all better now.
Took exactly a week to have the mod done. Sent on Friday, Fedex home delivery ($13 there, $15 back), he got it Tuesday, shipped it back on Wednesday, and I had it back Friday. $118 is a great deal for essentially a new seat!
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Almost unanimously the Spencer reviews are highly positive...
After getting the chance to put 500 miles on mine, I'm finding that this may not be the right solution for me. I actually "hot spotted" quicker after the mod than I did with the stocker. Absolutely NO ill will towards Spencer... but seat mods are like windshield mods, jackets and riding... everybody is different. The forward lean is certainly gone (mostly). Definitely worth the money and time to try to get comfort, as it's MUCH more economical than seat replacement or Russell mods.
He said it would take a few tanks of gas for the thing to fully break in, so I haven't given up all hope yet, but I have a messed up foot (We FINALLY get a real summer here in the NW, and I have a gimp foot!), and can't ride right now. I want to get another 500 miles in the seat before I decide what to try next.
Ride safe.
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I have about 900 miles on my Spencer mod. Last weekend was a 540 mile ride just to get more miles on the seat. It seems to be getting better by the mile, certainly much better than stock. I'll know for sure after next weekend. Several of us are taking a 3000 mile 5 day weekend to the mountains. I just have to survive the first 800 mile day and all will be easy after that.
Spencer's service was great. I shipped him the seat on Monday and had it back on the bike on Thursday evenning. The seat came back in better shape than the way I sent it to him. :thumbs:
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Just finished a 4300 mile tour, could not have done it without the Spencer mod and Alaskan sheepskin cover. We sent the better half's cruiser seat to him before the trip, she loved the difference. If mama ain't happy, no one is happy. ;D
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I have about 900 miles on my Spencer mod. Last weekend was a 540 mile ride just to get more miles on the seat. It seems to be getting better by the mile, certainly much better than stock. I'll know for sure after next weekend. Several of us are taking a 3000 mile 5 day weekend to the mountains. I just have to survive the first 800 mile day and all will be easy after that.
Spencer's service was great. I shipped him the seat on Monday and had it back on the bike on Thursday evenning. The seat came back in better shape than the way I sent it to him. :thumbs:
Ed, I'm anxious to hear how you like it on your trip. Sounds like you (like myself) are having more fun on the Concours than the Goldwing ;)
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Ed, I'm anxious to hear how you like it on your trip. Sounds like you (like myself) are having more fun on the Concours than the Goldwing ;)
I'm going to take the Wing out this weekend for some exercise. I have not had it out in over a month now. The C14 has 1750 miles on it already in 4 weeks. It's a blast to ride. The rides I have been on were with my GW buddies. Same guys that will go to the mountains with me. They are a lot of fun to ride with and can crank it up pretty good when it gets twisty. We make several mountain runs each year. Some are only short weekend trips of 3 days. This 5 day trip is a luxury ride. We are all very anxiously looking forward to this trip.
I'll let you know how the trip turns out.
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OK, here is the deal for me with the Spencer Mod. I now have 3600Km on the seat. The good news is if I ride under one hour at time no problem. We put over 1000 Km on the MC into two day last weekend, after an hour I was beginning to feel some hot spots. At 1.5 hour I had enough. So for me if I am riding one hour or less it is a great seat, but any longer and I am looking to get off and have a little stand up time. For the money it is a great seat, and the service is over the top. I will order a Russell day long this winter.
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I'm going to take the Wing out this weekend for some exercise. I have not had it out in over a month now. The C14 has 1750 miles on it already in 4 weeks. It's a blast to ride. The rides I have been on were with my GW buddies. Same guys that will go to the mountains with me. They are a lot of fun to ride with and can crank it up pretty good when it gets twisty. We make several mountain runs each year. Some are only short weekend trips of 3 days. This 5 day trip is a luxury ride. We are all very anxiously looking forward to this trip.
I'll let you know how the trip turns out.
Ed, you and I have a lot in common. I have a 30 month old Goldwing with 8,500 miles on it, and a 20 month old Concours with almost 25,000 miles on it. A friend and I ride the "Sport bikes" about 300-350 miles every Saturday, and once a year we do a week trip to the Smoky Mountains or Rockies.
Have fun!
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Whats his web site address? Must have missed it.
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I just had the Spencer Mod performed and then road roughly 300 Miles over the course of the weekend with my wife.
Firstly, great service!!
Second, we wanted two things addressed, first the forward lean of the seat and second comfort. I can confirm that the forward lean of the seat has been addressed, both my wife and I were very happy. I just need some tank grips to further improve it. As for the comfort factor, I think its too early to call it. I felt there was improvement, my wife said it felt better, but without a side by side comparison, or a long 250+ mile stint on the bike its a tough one to call right now.
But I'm happy for the cost.
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Whats his web site address? Must have missed it.
http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php (http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php)
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I also had the Spencer mod done to my 09 seat. When I first got it back, I posted a raving review on the old forum after about 300 miles riding. Now I'm afraid that I'll have to change my tune. Let me say first that the service was quick and very inexpensive. The mods performed were EXACTLY what I asked for, it just turns out they were not what I really needed. My long range observations include: Supracore is not for me. At 275 lbs dry, I think I just crushed the life out of it. I seemed to be sitting on the seat pan. My request that he take the pressure off of my thighs at the edge of the seat was ill-advised. Turns out, the pressure was moved to the middle, just behind the jewels, to an area called the "perineum". (don't look it up, it's not pretty). Anyway, the result was nerve damage, and my urologist gave me an ultimatum: Get a different seat, or give up either riding or sex, my choice. AAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!! Talk about a tough spot to be in.
Don't get me wrong, so let me reiterate: Spencers gave me what I requested, quickly, and for a low price. I just did not ask for the right things.
Anyway, I ended up getting the seat re-done by another outfit, called "Mean City Cycles". This time around I had a much more educated list of requirements, and spent quite a lot more money. Quality and fit are just right for me, and I've put a few thousand miles on it so far with great results. Service was adequate, can't go any higher than that, unfortunately. What prevented a higher rating? They had an equipment failure that caused them to miss my appointment window. Okay, stuff happens. But when I requested that they upgrade my return shipping so I could have the seat back for an important date, they said "sure, but you pay the increased shipping." It was only $29, and I am sure I won't die broke because of it, but it wasn't my issue that caused the delay, and I just don't think I should have had to pay to make it right. But they had my seat, so what could I do? I'd still recommend their product, and I've seen their service after-the-sale, and it was impressive.
So, if you know what you need, I'd say you can't go wrong with either company. Just didn't work out well for me.
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I put in 250 miles on my Spencer's modded seat today and I'm loving it. My knees and bladder gave in before the seat did.
And yes I know 250 miles is not a lot or an iron butt, but it better than sitting at home.
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My seat is in transit now to Spencers. After a couple of 900mile days on my trip anything has got to be better than this stock junk. Looking forward to getting it back.
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I want to get one of those HT Moto seat covers (black ostrich, black carbon fiber) for my 2011 Concours and have it installed by Spencer. However, HT Moto only lists '08-'09 as the Concours model years on their website. I wrote them an email about this back in July and someone named Cory wrote back and said they would love to have a 2011 seat in order to make a pattern and they would "waive the install fee" if I sent them mine. Has anyone had an HT Moto cover made for a 2010 or 2011? Or, maybe the seats are the same from '08-'11? Maybe "Cory" was just pulling my leg...?
The photo is me and "mi novia" (originally from Bolivia) riding in Deal's Gap on August 10. This photo was by us129photos.com.
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The seat bases and foam are the same for '08 to '11.
Loren
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I just returned from a 5 day 2500 mile ride to NC,GA, TN & SC. I have about 3000 on my Spencer mod now. I would never have been able to make this ride with the stock seat. It's not perfect but seems to be getting better with the miles. My last day out seemed like the most comfortable one. Day one was just over 800 miles and 14 1/2 hours on the road. The next 3 days were around 300-350 but were sun up to sun down. Day 5 was 540 miles in 10 hours. I did have some sore spots along the way but a short break was all I needed to recover. To be fair I can not sit in my recliner at hove for more than a couple of hours without getting sore. I also used an Alaska Leather sheep skin for most of the trip. I took it off for day 5 because of threatening rain and did not miss it.
This mod is turning out better than I had hoped for. I'll take a few more long trips on my Spencer before I decide if I want a custom seat or not.