Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Bagger on December 11, 2011, 05:12:34 PM
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I sent Loren at Baldwin Saddles one of my stock saddles and had him modify it for me. We did some work on the ergo's to make it more comfy and keep me from sliding forward ... added some memory foam and such.
I chose a somewhat 'radical look' for my newly renovated saddle. Blue ostrich-look and plain vinyl along with some bright green stitching to set it off.
It's very hard to make the photos look how the real deal appears, but here's a photo that is close. I had a riding friend over yesterday who has a C14. He liked it, too. Liked the way it 'sat' and how it looked.
So do I.
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Other views ....
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The close up sucks. Sorry. I'm not much of a techy photographer. The saddle, however, is very nicely done.
Thanx, Loren !! I'll prolly send you some more stuff to renovate. 8)
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Different, but I like it. It would look better on a silverdammit though.............. ;D
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Different, but I like it. It would look better on a silverdammit though.............. ;D
Different, yes, Jeremy ... and I like it a great deal. I only had time to ride for a couple hours the other day. 40* (F) and memory foam is a little hard at lower temps, but it 'warmed' up.
I suspect ... as with all saddles .... it will take a bit to "break in'. But, I must say .... this is the most comfy saddle I've tossed a leg over in some time.
I have Spencer's mod on another saddle for the C14 and I like it a great deal. But, with Spencer's, you can't have the Utopia backrest I have on Loren's Baldwin. The Utopia is much better designed and feel than the other. And, altho the cost differential between Baldwin and Spencer's ... but, I have a completely recovered and renovated saddle with Baldwin.
This does not disparage Spencer, tho. For the cost, his saddle mod is terrific IMO ! I have had several of his saddles on various rides. All are great.
I'm quite pleased with Loren's work. Super quality and great consumer service. I like it !
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:o Bold colors indeed Bagger! :chugbeer:
So how does that work with a passenger on on the back, does the front back rest get in the way? ???
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Very nice indeed, and I sure do like mine.
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:o Bold colors indeed Bagger! :chugbeer:
So how does that work with a passenger on on the back, does the front back rest get in the way? ???
I ride solo, m'friend.
But, that said .... I have Utopia's installed on a variety of bikes. Bikes that I did have a passenger included the Wing. Also, had Utiopia's installed on the ST1300, FJR and ZX1400 ... no passengers on those.
The black vinyl cover offers some protection, as does riding gear. You can pad the vertical metal portion with other 'stuff' if you are concerned. But, there is quite a distance between the passenger and the Utopia on the Wing ... and, the C14. Look at the photos. You can see that there is ample room for passenger comfort IMO.
Of course, if you meant something "different" .... I have no idea.
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Solo, got it! 8) :chugbeer:
Any pics of the full side so we can see how those seat colors look on your blue 10?
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Solo, got it! 8) :chugbeer:
Any pics of the full side so we can see how those seat colors look on your blue 10?
I snapped them quickly when I was about to ride. No real "side views" that you want.
I'll try to do a couple manana if I can.
BTW, the color of the saddle is not exactly as it shows on the photos provided. I took some under the kitchen's fluorescents when I unpacked the saddle. Much different ... and still not what it really looks like.
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Nice looking and different, thats for sure. Are you able to use the backrest?
I have a Baldwin on my 09, I went with all black in case I didn't like it and wanted to sell it. It is hard, I also had the memory foam added but it is still hard. I didn't think there would be much use for the back rest since your riding position on the concours is leaning forward and there are no highway pegs. I had the Utopia backest on my wing and loved it, but I also had highway pegs on it.
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd34b3127ccefccb319d4f5e00000030O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d609b3127ccefaacc8f1591c00000030O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
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So Cal .... yes, it is different in color. I don't typically sell stuff I have made for me. But, if I sell the C14, the saddles will go with along.
A soft saddle doesn't always mean a comfy saddle in my experience. I've had lots of soft and hard saddles. Some more comfortable than others. But, the Baldwin ... even being on the 'firm' side ... was more comfortable than stock and more comfy than Spencer's mod. In typical riding temperatures, I'm sure it will be even more so.
And, yeah, I can use the Utopia backrest just like on my Wing. The original riding position on the Connie was tooooo far forward and the weight on my hands caused numbness in my fingers, pain in my elbows and shoulders ... and neck, too. (this has been discussed in other threads)
I started with MCL's risers, added Phil's wedges and it still wasn't enough. I then designed and had made a set of riser blocks that are another inch taller and back another couple inches. So, I sit pretty much upright with only a slight forward pressure on my hands. Hence, the Utiopia comes into play. And, I like the entire set up.
On one of the photos above, you may be able to see that the handlebars are considerably higher than stock. I find the position comfy and it doesn't seem to interfere with any of my riding preferences. A C14 riding buddy liked the set up so much he had me get the machine shop to make him a set of my risers.
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10 months ago or so I had a Baldwin seat made for my 09. It was beautifully made but I still slide forward. I ended up sending it back for a refund, which Lorne did with no problem. I am using a Spencer's Mod seat which is OK, but I am only good for about and hour at a time with out a break. I have been looking at the new Baldwin and also the Russell all day seat. Any comments on these to seats? I have riden on my son's BMW with a Rich's seat. It was good, but only good for about 11/2 hours. My son is the same size as I am.
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Bagger, Thanks for the reply. When you added the riser blocks that moved the bars up and back did you have to get longer cables? I have Phil wedges and risers I think are about 1 5/8".
I have been through 4 seats on my concours in 1 year., so having done that I wasn't sure this one would work either, that is why I had it done in all black. Mine would probably look better with red stitching or red piping. I always found the seat on all 6 of my Gold Wings very comfortable, and they were on the soft side. I know that each time I ride with the baldwin it gets a little better, this will be the one I keep unless I get a good deal on a Russell.
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Looks like a nice saddle but... ewwww that blue. wouldnt have been my first choice but as long as you like it .
you'll be very popular in the gay pride ride :) ::)
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Looks like a nice saddle but... ewwww that blue. wouldnt have been my first choice but as long as you like it .
you'll be very popular in the gay pride ride :) ::)
This is probably an uncalled for comment, m'friend. What if I am gay? And, me and my friends all come over to your house for a beer? How'd that work for ya?
And, I like the saddle a great deal. Loren did a fine job.
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You can come over to my house for a beer, Bagger..............no matter what color your saddle is. ;D
But it better not be Coors or Miller, then we would have serious problems. ;)
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You can come over to my house for a beer, Bagger..............no matter what color your saddle is. ;D
But it better not be Coors or Miller, then we would have serious problems. ;)
:rotflmao:
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You can come over to my house for a beer, Bagger..............no matter what color your saddle is. ;D
But it better not be Coors or Miller, then we would have serious problems. ;)
Actually, Jeremy .... I'm more of a pinot grigio sorta guy. Wimsical little white wine .... don'tcha think? 8)
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Thats cool im a big fan of the gay community. cmon over!!
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Actually, Jeremy .... I'm more of a pinot grigio sorta guy. Wimsical little white wine .... don'tcha think? 8)
Well......your site name is "Bagger". :stirpot:
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Well......your site name is "Bagger". :stirpot:
And ... your's is POKEY?
Perhaps this line of somewhat questionable posting should stop.
Jus' sayin' ....................
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And ... your's is POKEY?
Perhaps this line of somewhat questionable posting should stop.
Jus' sayin' ....................
And what is the fun in that, there is another really boring grumpy old fart Concours forum out there. I like your new seat, so I am on your side regardless of what side you play for. ;)
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Good looking seat.
Not to be nosey, but what did it run?
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Good looking seat.
Not to be nosey, but what did it run?
$395 Sport Saddle
$125 Recover Utopia and install
$36.74 Shipping
Well worth it from what I can see on my inspection and experience.
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Well......your site name is "Bagger". :stirpot:
And ... your's is POKEY?
My mouth is bleeding from biting my tongue here... :-X
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My mouth is bleeding from biting my tongue here... :-X
I know the feeling. Too many one-liners going to waste :-X
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Actually, Jeremy .... I'm more of a pinot grigio sorta guy. Wimsical little white wine .... don'tcha think? 8)
Nothing wrong with drinking wine...........especially the kind that comes in a box. ;D
I like to call it "grown up juice box" ;)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3376/3436390195_32e2de522f_z.jpg)
(http://www.instructables.com/image/FO6BCL6F8DOSUHR/FINISH-OFF-THE-BOX-OF-WINE.jpg)
See the similarity. ;)
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I'm a fan o'the Black Box stuff myself.
Makes less noice when I toss 'em in the trash.
That way the GF doesn't hear the glass breaking and keeping track of how many I've had this week ! :)
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Bagger, thanks for the kind review. I had a real tough time capturing the true color of the seat with the digital camera too. Where's Kodachrome when you need it.
From the direction of this thread it looks like it is going to be a looonnnngggg winter.
Paul Simon - Kodachrome + lyrics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLsDxvAErTU#)