Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: harryzgnilek on August 31, 2011, 08:47:40 AM
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Hi all
Just wondering ,
who has ... and what protection you have for your C14
Do you really need to install Sliders or fairing protectors?
thanks
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I don't have any protection. My plan is not to drop it.
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You don't have to, no. But, if the bike ever falls over, or tips over, the repair bills usually start at $2500USD, and go up quickly from there.
One guy had his totalled by a tip over in his garage (it fell on a planter or something).
It's totally a matter of choice.
That said, there are 4 options that I've seen so far. A little searching on your part, right here on this site, will get you pictures and everything. ;)
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I use MC Enterprise small rear case guards with ProjektD sliders. Not too intrusive but reasonable protections from a zero to very slow speed drop.
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In my opinion, the protection are nice to have for any accidental drop. Most of us are careful to keep the bike upright. But sometimes it can happen (like the stupid U-turn I tried to take) that can make your bike tip over. It is kinda like insurance. I currently do not have any, but plan to put some on here soon.
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Hi all
Just wondering ,
who has ... and what protection you have for your C14
Do you really need to install Sliders or fairing protectors?
thanks
Nope, you don't need them. Just never drop the bike is all. The only way to be sure never to drop it, other than not riding it, is to install some protection (a variant of Murphy's law).
I have the GSG sliders on mine.
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I've got a C-14 & a Goldwing, I've dropped both more than once. Total cost on the Goldwing $0, each time on the C-14, $1,000+. I rarely install the side-bags on the C-14 for that very resaon.
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All you have to do is NEVER drop your bike.
I can't guarantee that personally, since I have dropped EVERY bike I have ever owned,
some many, many times, including both my c14's.
And yes, a simple drop can be very expensive to restore to as-new condition.
Way more expensive than drop bars, unless you count ugly into the cost. I don't.
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Nope, not really needed, my bikes never go down... ::)
I only bought the Top Block sliders because I thought they looked cool and I was bored... ;) ;D 8)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00194-20110408-1706.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00198-20110408-1708.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00197-20110408-1707-1.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00398-20110713-1749.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00396-20110713-1747.jpg)
Plus I heard that Fred thinks they make a great kickstand!! :thumbs: :hail:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/134427771_lVdLo9wF.jpg)
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I went with the GSG's. I doubt they will completely save the side cases but I sure wish I had installed them BEFORE I dropped my bike!
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I wanted mine for the accidental tip over in the driveway. In a serious accident, the insurance can deal with it. For me, I dont need the hassle of a zero mph tip over claim.
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Nope, not really needed, my bikes never go down... ::)
I only bought the Top Block sliders because I thought they looked cool and I was bored... ;) ;D 8)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00194-20110408-1706.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00198-20110408-1708.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00197-20110408-1707-1.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00398-20110713-1749.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00396-20110713-1747.jpg)
Plus I heard that Fred thinks they make a great kickstand!! :thumbs: :hail:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/134427771_lVdLo9wF.jpg)
Boy, those things look tasty -- too bad they are so expensive......sigh.....
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One guy had his totalled by a tip over in his garage (it fell on a planter or something).
Which illustrates another truth- if you drop the bike over on something, almost no "protection" device is going to help much.
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just as you don't need the helmet. Seriously. Nobody is planning to fall, or crash, or loose the keys, o get robbed. But things happen and, although we cannot be prepared for everything, we can try. Without being paranoic.
One thing I found out recently is that a rather expensive motorcycle like the Ducati Multistrada can be fitted with protectors for as low as 150 bucks. Why our bike cannot have something like that at a reasonable cost???!!!
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I don't have any protection. My plan is not to drop it.
That is also my plan. I am not prone to dropping motorcycles like some are... but, if the thing even just falls over, you have paid more than the price of protection. Consider that. ;)
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Nope, not really needed, my bikes never go down... ::)
I only bought the Top Block sliders because I thought they looked cool and I was bored... ;) ;D 8)
Plus I heard that Fred thinks they make a great kickstand!! :thumbs: :hail:
Great looking seat!!!
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No protection here.
Frame sliders on track bikes, thats about it for me.
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I've yet to drop any of my bikes, and I have full coverage insurance, so there's really no point...
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I've yet to drop any of my bikes, and I have full coverage insurance, so there's really no point...
Sure there is. For one, someone ELSE might knock over your bike. And just because you didn't do it yet doesn't mean it won't happen.
Plus- insurance- OK, now you pay the detectable, risk having your rates go up, have to fill out lots of forms, be without the bike for X number of days or weeks, go back when things aren't done right, put up with potential long term issues. Avoiding an accident is far better.
That said, I still have no tip-over protection :(
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Great looking seat!!!
Thanks RB! :chugbeer:
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Sure there is. For one, someone ELSE might knock over your bike. And just because you didn't do it yet doesn't mean it won't happen.
Plus- insurance- OK, now you pay the detectable, risk having your rates go up, have to fill out lots of forms, be without the bike for X number of days or weeks, go back when things aren't done right, put up with potential long term issues. Avoiding an accident is far better.
That said, I still have no tip-over protection :(
The way I see it, for what little protection sliders offer in a "real" crash, I would rather save my money or buy something else. Besides, I have a good relationship with my insurance company, so I have a low deductible, accessory coverage and major accident forgiveness. If the bike ever gets in a wreck or knocked over, I will deal with it then...
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Many of these products are called "frame" sliders as opposed to plastic protectors. I believe the thought is keeping the frame off the road, in a crash, vs protecting the plastic bits. With that in mind, it might be worthwhile. 300-700 spent on protecting the vital bits may mean the difference between a repairable bike and a total loss. With that in mind, are they a good deal? I did bunny up for a set on my bike, but have had second thoughts after adding them. I would much rather have a pcv or a remap.....or a new gun.
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Only if you fall over :-\
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MURPHY'S LAW IS ALWAYS ALIVE AND WELL!!
NINJA
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I take my chances without the sliders .
I think they might help in some situations and do more harm than good in others.
You realize in a tipover or lowside that sliders will transfer the impact directly to the frame. I dont know if thats better or worse than letting the plastic cushion the blow.
Besides, they are ugly, expensive and add more weight to an already too heavy bike.
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I take my chances without the sliders .
I think they might help in some situations and do more harm than good in others.
You realize in a tipover or lowside that sliders will transfer the impact directly to the frame. I dont know if thats better or worse than letting the plastic cushion the blow.
Besides, they are ugly, expensive and add more weight to an already too heavy bike.
Not all of them, I think the TB ones are actually sexy... 8)
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Not all of them, I think the TB ones are actually sexy... 8)
I don't know about being sexy, they don't suck is about as far as I'll go. The TB sliders are the best looking hands down.
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I think the GSGs are dangerous, actually. On my last trip to Dayton, I pulled up to a stop light and went for the rear brake and couldn't move my foot off the right foot peg. My jeans had the seam loose from pants leg. I couldn't put my foot down and I couldn't use the rear brake. Panic ensued so I gave it a real good kick and ran my shin into the GSGs. I nearly fainted from the pain and had a bruise for nearly a month. Therefore and ergo they are dangerous in my opinion. Better to replace the plastic bits than go through that pain again. Either that or get a shorter pant leg....high waters here I come.
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you could just strap pillows to the sides of your bikes.
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I think the GSGs are dangerous, actually. On my last trip to Dayton, I pulled up to a stop light and went for the rear brake and couldn't move my foot off the right foot peg. My jeans had the seam loose from pants leg. I couldn't put my foot down and I couldn't use the rear brake. Panic ensued so I gave it a real good kick and ran my shin into the GSGs. I nearly fainted from the pain and had a bruise for nearly a month. Therefore and ergo they are dangerous in my opinion. Better to replace the plastic bits than go through that pain again. Either that or get a shorter pant leg....high waters here I come.
By your logic I would say jeans are dangerous, not the GSGs. The initial problem was the fact your jeans got caught on something and that had nothing to do with the GSGs.
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I have brushed my leg against the gsg guards. Its not hard to imagine what happened to VirginiaJim, though. I will start riding in my speedo to prevent the pantleg catching.
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I have brushed my leg against the gsg guards. Its not hard to imagine what happened to VirginiaJim, though. I will start riding in my speedo to prevent the pantleg catching.
:yikes:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/kajshduiqywd8.jpg)
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You caught me!
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By your logic I would say jeans are dangerous, not the GSGs. The initial problem was the fact your jeans got caught on something and that had nothing to do with the GSGs.
Ah, and you would be wrong in assuming I'm using logic. My wife swears that I don't and she's always right.
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Ah, and you would be wrong in assuming I'm using logic. My wife swears that I don't and she's always right.
:rotflmao: :thumbs: :hail:
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I think the GSGs are dangerous, actually. On my last trip to Dayton, I pulled up to a stop light and went for the rear brake and couldn't move my foot off the right foot peg. My jeans had the seam loose from pants leg. I couldn't put my foot down and I couldn't use the rear brake. Panic ensued so I gave it a real good kick and ran my shin into the GSGs. I nearly fainted from the pain and had a bruise for nearly a month. Therefore and ergo they are dangerous in my opinion. Better to replace the plastic bits than go through that pain again. Either that or get a shorter pant leg....high waters here I come.
There is, in fact, a brake on your right handlebar...
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Ah, and you would be wrong in assuming I'm using logic. My wife swears that I don't and she's always right.
:rotflmao: :chugbeer:
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There is, in fact, a brake on your right handlebar...
Really, Wow! If only I had been told that 15 years ago.... ;)
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There is, in fact, a brake on your right handlebar...
Really, Wow! If only I had been told that 15 years ago.... ;)
You don't wanna be using that brake on the handlebar Jim, you'll go flying over the bars donchaknow?
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By your logic I would say jeans are dangerous, not the GSGs. The initial problem was the fact your jeans got caught on something and that had nothing to do with the GSGs.
Well, if you crash, (which I have) you will find that jeans are worthless anyway. You might as well be naked. Not kidding. ;)
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I'm still planning to go the MC Enterprises "Road Warrior" route if/when I ever get the courage to call and see how much they cost. Wonder if the little light bracket on them is strong enough to support a 22LR mini-gun? :cannon:
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/Halomfg/Minivs.jpg)
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You don't wanna be using that brake on the handlebar Jim, you'll go flying over the bars donchaknow?
LOL! You guys are just so much wittier than I...
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Well, if you crash, (which I have) you will find that jeans are worthless anyway. You might as well be naked. Not kidding. ;)
Absolutely correct with that statement. If I had been wearing my mesh overpants it wouldn't have happened and I would be here today without a bone bruise on my right shin.
I just happened to not have been wearing them on that trip. They don't do much good on a hanger at home in those situations.
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To the OP,
Browse through some of the posts in the CDA thread. No one plans on dropping their bike, but sh#t happens. A lot of drops occur at low speeds or while sitting still, and, as mentioned before, a simple drop can cost a lot of money to fix. I installed frame sliders on my bike, and I feel like it was good decision. My father has the same make/model C14 that I do. On our last bike trip, he let my brother borrow the Connie (Dad still rides the Wing more) since his bike was having issues. My brother is a very capable rider, but the "sh#t happens" bug bit him when he least expected it. He was doing a simple U-turn on a very wide road, but the hill killed his momentum, and the fully loaded Connie fell. Even with my brother slowing the fall (he's a strong guy, so strong that he immediately picked the Connie back up by its handle bars, on a hill), the drop still damaged the left side mirror, middle and lower fairing, and left bag. Insurance footed the bill, but it was still an ass pain to fix the bike. The local body shop completely botched the paint on the first attempt... gloss red instead of the metallic red. The second attempt was better color wise, but they ran the clear coat and failed to clean properly before painting (fish eyes in the finish). The mirror had to be completely replaced, and I believe the left bag suffered from the same bad paint as the middle fairing. The bike is fine now, and most people will never notice the less than desirable paint, but the down-time was significant. Frame sliders and MC Enterprises bag protectors would've made that drop nothing more than another funny story to tell and something to give my bro sh#t about.
If I honestly believed that nothing would ever happen to my bike or myself, I'd ride in a t-shirt, shorts, tennis shoes, and sunglasses. But I've witnessed multiple bike accidents/drops, so my bike and I both dress for the fall.
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If I honestly believed that nothing would ever happen to my bike or myself, I'd ride in a t-shirt, shorts, tennis shoes, and sunglasses. But I've witnessed multiple bike accidents/drops, so my bike and I both dress for the fall.
Well said... :thumbs:
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Nope, not really needed, my bikes never go down... ::)
I only bought the Top Block sliders because I thought they looked cool and I was bored... ;) ;D 8)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00194-20110408-1706.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00198-20110408-1708.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00197-20110408-1707-1.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00398-20110713-1749.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00396-20110713-1747.jpg)
Plus I heard that Fred thinks they make a great kickstand!! :thumbs: :hail:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/134427771_lVdLo9wF.jpg)
where can I get these?
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http://top-block.com/index.php (http://top-block.com/index.php)