Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: ZG on May 17, 2011, 06:44:42 PM
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I bought my new 09 last fall, since then I'm on my 3rd seat... :) :nuts:
My many seats are somewhat the result of being short, but please comment and vote for what ever is important to you and what you have or had...
I love the one I have now but I see this question pop up often on here, maybe this will help folks.
For me, I obviously started out with the stock seat... here's the day I brought her home from the dealer.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG_1177.jpg)
I'm a short guy (29" inseam), so I knew just bringing her home that I needed a low cut seat. I went back to the dealer the next day and bought this Sargent "low cut", it was in stock and readily available to use... ;D
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG_1201.jpg)
On the same day I purchased the Sargent low cut I also placed my order for a "low cut" (deep dish & nose job) heated Corbin with passenger backrest (4 to 6 week lead time or something like that)...
I bought the Sargent to use for a month knowing full well that I would sell it when my Corbin arrived. I sold it on this forum for $100 less when my Corbin arrived, $100 well spent IMO. Again, I'm a short guy and the stock seat was just too high to use while waiting on my Corbin...
The short time I used the Sargent I really liked it, but I really wanted the Corbin with removable passenger backrest for mama and daughter.
I'm very pleased with my Corbin, great seat all around for me and either my wife or daughter on the back, the heat option is great IMO! :thumbs:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00232-20110507-1441.jpg)
So what you got or what's your opinion??
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I voted Sargent because that's what I have, but I can't make a valid comparison to any seat other than stock. I like the Sargent so far. I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam, and vary in weight between 180-190lbs. I think the Sargent is a good combination of comfort, looks, and sport (ability to shift your weight for cornering). I'm about to take my first road trip on the C14 this coming weekend, so my opinion could change.
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I'm about to take my first road trip on the C14 this coming weekend, so my opinion could change.
I left the option to change your vote open on the poll Metz... ;)
As you can tell by my post, I'm on my 3rd seat in 6 months... :loco: ;D
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Well I hope that is not the case for me. I told myself that I'm done buying farkles for a while lol. Even if this seat kicks my butt on the trip, I'll probably stick with it for a while because it's doing the job for all the rides in my area. Maybe further down the road I'll make a trip to Hollister, CA and have a seat tailored to fit me.
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I voted for Corbin because you asked what we used. But the truth be told. This thread really won't answer the question. Because there really is no true way to answer which is best. Everybody is different. Some like Sargent, some like Corbin, etc. Everybody is different. So their opinions will be also.
Then you throw in the fact that probably nobody has tried every one of these seats. So nobody is truly qualified to even make the judgement of just their opinion on all the seats! :D
I think you should just change the title to "what did you wind up using on your bike!" 8)
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I voted for Corbin because you asked what we used. But the truth be told. This thread really won't answer the question. Because there really is no true way to answer which is best. Everybody is different. Some like Sargent, some like Corbin, etc. Everybody is different. So their opinions will be also.
Then you throw in the fact that probably nobody has tried every one of these seats. So nobody is truly qualified to even make the judgement of just their opinion on all the seats! :D
I think you should just change the title to "what did you wind up using on your bike!" 8)
+1 BINGO Most people can't possibly compare except to the stock seat. And even if they do, it doesn't really mean anything. Me from other thread:
MHO the quality of both Sargent and Corbin are high- perhaps equal. They also have similar and/or identical features. You can tell from pictures what they "look" like and make that determination ahead of time. You can pick certain features. You can know the exact price. But as for what they FEEL like compared to what you want- that is a user preference that is hard for anyone to define in any way that would be terribly helpful. Even just sitting on one in a showroom somewhere is not the same as RIDING the bike with it. And even RIDING the bike a few times with it is not the same as USING it for many times (and on different days, different temps, different weather, different distances, and in different clothing). And even THEN, you still can't know what you MIGHT be missing with some other brand or model.
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I'm on a leather Baldwin saddle, cut low, narrow at the front sides and with a neutral (level) bias. It's pretty firm, so I've put on an Alaskan Sheepskin cover, and the combination is pretty comfortable. I still need to get off it for a break every 100 miles or so, but that's probably more a function of having old, creaking bones. My previous bike was a cruiser and despite the forward controls and big honkin' travel seat, I still needed a break on that too.
On long trips, I'll often wear bicyclists padded undershorts - if that's not TMI - which help the comfort level and adds some protection for the boys during quick stops.
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i will be keeping an eye on this theread as the seat purchase will be coming in the near future.
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Even though I'm pretty happy with my Spencer mod, I'd love a chance to try every one of those seat options free for a day.
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'10 EOM stock seat rocks.
especially compared to other bike seats I've owned, a few examples of them with their mad seats. That 600RR in the last pic i was doing 1000 mile 2-day weekends like it was nothing. Discovered i need a C14 for luggage space 2-up :o
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/seebike.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/orangebike.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/standswheelsoff.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/LR/20110501-DSC_0090_1_2_tonemapped.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/RR%20CBR/Marge4.jpg)
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I voted Sargent because that's what I have, but I can't make a valid comparison to any seat other than stock. I like the Sargent so far. I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam, and vary in weight between 180-190lbs. I think the Sargent is a good combination of comfort, looks, and sport (ability to shift your weight for cornering). I'm about to take my first road trip on the C14 this coming weekend, so my opinion could change.
Are you my identical twin? I look forward to hearing your thoughts after a road trip. Also, not to get off topic, but did you add risers or anything else?
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Steve,
It's a good think you post some decent pictures. (And I don't mean the bikes!) Because you really don't have a clue. "OEM seat Rocks" :rotflmao:
Only messing with ya!
'10 EOM stock seat rocks.
especially compared to other bike seats I've owned, a few examples of them with their mad seats. That 600RR in the last pic i was doing 1000 mile 2-day weekends like it was nothing. Discovered i need a C14 for luggage space 2-up :o
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/seebike.jpg)
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I have a Corbin for my local riding, but my Russell gets thrown on for anything leaving town. Nothing, as far as comfort, compares to that Russell :hail: It sits you up a bit, so the local riding with stop and go's is a bit taxing, the reason for the Corbin.
I like the Corbin alot... but after 800 miles, I want my Russell :o
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I have a Baldwin and it is the best of the 4 I have had.
Stock, killed me getting home from the dealer (75 miles)
Sargent low, better than stock 09 but hard as a rock
Stock 2010 seat, better than the 09, I know they are suppose to be the same but the 10 is much better
Baldwin Just got back from 6 days of riding and I think this is the best so far.
Still want to try a Corbin or a Russell.
This is my Baldwin seat
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Baldwin......................now add it to the poll please!!!!! :thumbs:
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Baldwin......................now add it to the poll please!!!!! :thumbs:
Done for ya Pokey... ;)
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I went from the stock to the sargent and am very pleased with it. I'd like to try a low seat sometime though as I am vertically challenged. I am used to just having the balls of my feet on the ground when I stop.
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And what's best with/for pillion??
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I voted for Russel but I've only just sat on one. It's more of a hope thing because I just bought one and scheduled to be delivered on Friday. I do have the Spencer mod but it is difficult for me to say it is better then stock since I only put about 1000 miles on the stock seat and can't remember what that was like. I'll come back to this thread after a long trip scheduled the end of June to mid July and talk about the Russel.
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I voted but since I've only sat on two seats (stocker and low gel) I'm not much of a judge. The gel got my vote.
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Steve,
It's a good think you post some decent pictures. (And I don't mean the bikes!) Because you really don't have a clue. "OEM seat Rocks" :rotflmao:
Only messing with ya!
I don't have experience with touring bikes, only the sportbike/track bike variety but i try to post with ya'll anywayz
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And what's best with/for pillion??
They'll love the Russell as well. 8)
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Are you my identical twin? I look forward to hearing your thoughts after a road trip. Also, not to get off topic, but did you add risers or anything else?
Idk lol. There will be another C14 with a stock seat in the group, and I've already agreed to swap seats/bikes periodically for the other rider's benefit. So I should get a good feel for what the major differences are between the two seats. I do have risers, 1-3/8" from www.murphskits.com (http://www.murphskits.com).
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Well, got back from my trip today. I'm very pleased with how the Sargent seat did overall. The first day was a 500 mile run to Colorado, and I was still in pretty good shape when I got there. I'm sure a Russell is more comfortable for long hauls, but the Sargent does well considering it still looks good and allows you to shift your weight easily. I didn't get to compare it to a stock seat since my brother refused to trade bikes lol. He didn't want to get spoiled with my seat and then have to go back to the stock seat.
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Best looking ??? and most comfortable seat on the market
(http://www.pbase.com/cognosticator/image/124496798/medium.jpg)
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I havent tried anything other than stock but I can say the oem seat is the best by far out of 16 bikes that I have owned.
Cogs seat in the pic above looks great though.
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Line them up......I'd like to try them all!
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That Russell seat sure looks comfortable, but it just looks (and this is only my opinion, not be taken seriously) idk...out of place on the Concours. But, like mentioned before, your ass doesn't have eyes, nor does it care too much about what the surface looks like lol. If I had the extra money to throw around, I'd probably have one made for bike trips...maybe I'll get one sometime down the road. BTW, your bike looks great in that photo...very nice shine. What kind of wax do you use?
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If I had the extra money to throw around, I'd probably have one made for bike trips...maybe I'll get one sometime down the road.
Ditto. In fact, I'd ship it off tomorrow, but it's the added expense of buying another seat just to ship it off and have it remade that stops me. Anyone know where you can get a C14 seat pan with hardware cheap?
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Best looking ??? and most comfortable seat on the market
(http://www.pbase.com/cognosticator/image/124496798/medium.jpg)
I'll give you most comfortable, but, that seat is butt ugly in person. ;)
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ZG:
I bought your Sargent seat last fall and have put over 10k miles on it since then. Needless to say, I love it for my riding style and comfort. It is probably not for everyone, but for me it was just the ticket.
-David
Athens, GA
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I'll give you most comfortable, but, that seat is butt ugly in person. ;)
;D I cover it with a sheep skin, hides the beauty ;)
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ZG:
I bought your Sargent seat last fall and have put over 10k miles on it since then. Needless to say, I love it for my riding style and comfort. It is probably not for everyone, but for me it was just the ticket.
-David
Athens, GA
Right on David, I'm really glad to hear that, it worked out great for both of us! :)
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Oh yeh, forgot to mention. Sargent seat for me. I have 7,800 comfy miles on it now.
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Please don't vote the Seargant as #1, I hated it and returned it within minutes of taking it out of the box. My Corbin is the best seat I've ever owned, pure magic. My buddy, who's ridden hundreds of thousands of miles said, "I can't believe that seat is a Corbin, that's incredible. I've always heard they were hard, but that's shockingly comfortable. Go Irish!
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I did 700 miles on my Sargent today.
Worked well with no hot spots.
Longer days may need a Russell.
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Please don't vote the Seargant as #1, I hated it and returned it within minutes of taking it out of the box. My Corbin is the best seat I've ever owned, pure magic.
It is "Sargent", not "Seargant"...
So let me understand, you think nobody should rate the Sargent #1 because YOU like the Corbin better?
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It is "Sargent", not "Seargant"...
So let me understand, you think nobody should rate the Sargent #1 because YOU like the Corbin better?
I was thinking the same thing. ???
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I had Sargent add the gel pads to make the stock feel better...well it did feel a little better...than stock.
Tried the kawasaki Lo-gel.....it is much lower but a hard seat fits the bike very well.
Got a Sargent low....too low and pushed me to the rear of the gas tank....uncomfortable not enough padding..
Got a regular Sargent now....and it is better than all of them so far, it is difficult to install and fit and remove when compared to stock.........BUT.......
Would love to put some miles on a Russel as it looks like my living room couch easy chair in comfort.
You need to have a great feeling seat, and comfortable hand grips on a bike if you are going to be riding lots of miles....everyone seems to love the Russel after trying all the others...only drawback is big price...but the best always costs more....
Ninja
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I have the Sargent regular and it's a better looking seat than the stocker. It is good for me, I like the feel on shorter rides but I did 350 miles and a wasn't happy after. It's too hard for me after my butt says it's not happy... once it's unhappy it only gets ugly and I want off so I will consider something else. The Corbin is said to be hard and I think too hard isn't good for me. I think I need my seat to have more rearward room. I would like it as narrow as I can make it upfront and some cushion, not rock hard. Sounds like I need to have it made to my specs...
vivo
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I have ridin with a stock seat, an 08 with gel inserts added, a 10 stock all black seat, a sargent, and a Corbin. My choice is Corbin. I ride solo, wife has her own bike. i like the way the Corbin moves me back to give rider more room. But I must say that any seat on a C14 is not bad. Bike rides 100% better than my C10 did with any seat on it. Plus I would go as far as to say it rides about as good as my Goldwing. Goldwing is ride everyday to work bike. Plus in the event wife wants to ride with me (no often) we take the wing. My wife has ridin with me a couple of short rides on the back of the C14 and she does not like it on the back. She says the back of the bike is hard on back and hip.
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Leather Baldwin + gel pads insert (rider/pillion) do a very good job in my case. No more pain after hours on the saddle.
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What's the "sit" difference, comparison between the Sargent Concours and Sargent ZX 14 2 up, one piece saddles. :o
My understanding is the pans are identical.
Anyone tried?
Advantage of one over the other?