Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: mlouris on May 14, 2011, 10:26:23 PM
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Hi Guys,
I just purchased a 2009 Concours. I really like it, but after riding sport bikes my whole life, I feel like it would be better if the bars were lower. Does anyone else feel this way, and is anyone aware of lower bars for this bike? I also feel it would help with the wind protection issue. I'm six feet tall and the wind hits my head and is quite loud and a bit tiring. I have ordered a taller windscreen from Murph's and I'm also considering the wings to protect my hands. Thanks for your advice.
Mike
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Does anyone else feel this way?
Me? Heavens no! I had to add handlebar risers to help save my back :)
That aside, did you see this thread? : http://zggtr.org/index.php?topic=252.0 (http://zggtr.org/index.php?topic=252.0) I am sure it could be used for lower/forward bars as well as [the more typical] higher/back bars.
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Hi Guys,
I just purchased a 2009 Concours. I really like it, but after riding sport bikes my whole life, I feel like it would be better if the bars were lower. Does anyone else feel this way, and is anyone aware of lower bars for this bike? I also feel it would help with the wind protection issue. I'm six feet tall and the wind hits my head and is quite loud and a bit tiring. I have ordered a taller windscreen from Murph's and I'm also considering the wings to protect my hands. Thanks for your advice.
Mike
Here you go Mike, me like... :thumbs:
http://zggtr.org/index.php?topic=306.0 (http://zggtr.org/index.php?topic=306.0)
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Mike you're probably going to need to purchase one of the LSV handlebar systems that use conventional (ProTaper style) handlebars to get anything lower.
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I agree with the OP, I've ridden mostly sportbikes and the C14's bars feel like semi ape hangers to me. The upright feel though is similar to my (previous) BMW 1200RT but in heavy lean turns I can position myself better on the C14. In a nutshell, they feel high to me but I can live with them so I probably wouldn't want to lower them even in the even with the presence of a convenient mod.
But using clip-ons like a sportbike (ZX14?) would make them too low and you'd have to chop the fairings to accomodate them.
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I shortened my handle bar risers by an inch and another member shortened his by an inch and a half by cutting the base off, removing the required amount and then welding the 2 pieces back together. There used to be a couple of threads with pictures, but I don't know if they exist any more.
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I shortened my handle bar risers by an inch and another member shortened his by an inch and a half by cutting the base off, removing the required amount and then welding the 2 pieces back together. There used to be a couple of threads with pictures, but I don't know if they exist any more.
Sounds like a lot of work and not everybody has access to machine tools and welding gear. Just saying . . .
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Sounds like a lot of work and not everybody has access to machine tools and welding gear. Just saying . . .
I cut them carefully with a hacksaw and paid a shop to weld them. Not a lot of work. Just giving you another option.
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i wanted lower bars too. I started to take em off to cut and reweld but thought what the hell this 700 lb bike is not going to be a sportbike and never will .I will probably trade the bike off for something sportier in the future. For now I'll just accept it for what it is.
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I am confused... there are those that bought a C-14 and then want to mod them into being less comfortable?? I am so old........
Mike
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I am confused... there are those that bought a C-14 and then want to mod them into being less comfortable?? I am so old.......
Comfort is in the eye of the beholder. But there are plenty of reasons for choosing a Concours other than comfort. Perhaps the engine type, the transmission, the look, the amount of storage space, the chainless shaft drive, and/or the cool electronics, etc.
Everyone has different expectations, needs, and wants.
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Hi Guys,
I just purchased a 2009 Concours. I really like it, but after riding sport bikes my whole life, I feel like it would be better if the bars were lower. Does anyone else feel this way, and is anyone aware of lower bars for this bike? I also feel it would help with the wind protection issue. I'm six feet tall and the wind hits my head and is quite loud and a bit tiring. I have ordered a taller windscreen from Murph's and I'm also considering the wings to protect my hands. Thanks for your advice.
Mike
Yeah, I would like to go down and back.
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convertibars. Make the bike handle like it was supposed to and it feels about 100lbs lighter, even around town.
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Comfort is in the eye of the beholder. But there are plenty of reasons for choosing a Concours other than comfort. Perhaps the engine type, the transmission, the look, the amount of storage space, the chainless shaft drive, and/or the cool electronics, etc.
Everyone has different expectations, needs, and wants.
Yep!
:goodpost:
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How about these.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh48/danvforce/521.jpg)
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$695.00 :o
For ape hangers? :'(
What ever floats your boat I guess... ???
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How about these.
Wow- I didn't see THOSE before ordering the Helibars risers. In fact, I can't find that on helibars.com at all. Even worse, I can't find them through Google ????
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$695.00 :o
For ape hangers? :'(
What ever floats your boat I guess... ???
Where are you finding this info???
I wouldn't call tham "ape hangers"- it depends on where you adjust them- they are pivoted in two places, meaning they can be at any height.
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http://www.helibars.com/photo-gallery/coming-soon-multi-adjustable-helibars-handlebars-concours14 (http://www.helibars.com/photo-gallery/coming-soon-multi-adjustable-helibars-handlebars-concours14) :)
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http://www.helibars.com/photo-gallery/coming-soon-multi-adjustable-helibars-handlebars-concours14 (http://www.helibars.com/photo-gallery/coming-soon-multi-adjustable-helibars-handlebars-concours14) :)
Ah! No WONDER I couldn't find them... they don't exist yet!
Those are sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! But $700??? OMG
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I know this is an old thread but found it very interesting. I had 2" up, 3/4" back Heli Bars on my 2011 and rode for a thousand miles then removed them. I found the handling and performance was improved with the stock position and did not find the position uncomfortable. I did however find that my right hand was getting numb or more numb than I thought it had been with risers, so to satisfy myself I put them back on Wednesday night and I'll be taking them off tonight. I needed to go through that process to convince myself that the stock bar postition, for this bike, for me is the preferred height. I like the idea of the bike feeling more toward the sport side of the equation than the touring, and the lower bars gives me that. With those 2" risers I feel literally like I'm sitting straight up with no athletic riding postion at all. I don't think i would want them lower on this bike however.
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Hi Guys,
I just purchased a 2009 Concours. I really like it, but after riding sport bikes my whole life, I feel like it would be better if the bars were lower. Does anyone else feel this way, and is anyone aware of lower bars for this bike? I also feel it would help with the wind protection issue. I'm six feet tall and the wind hits my head and is quite loud and a bit tiring. I have ordered a taller windscreen from Murph's and I'm also considering the wings to protect my hands. Thanks for your advice.
Mike
I can't help you with the bars, I like mine just where they're at, but if you're looking for the hand wings, check this out.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1946.msg21568#msg21568 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1946.msg21568#msg21568)
You want the second link. Last year we had a group buy on these and David Cork imported them for us. He had some leftovers and looks like he took them to ebay.