Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: So Cal Joe on January 28, 2012, 08:19:56 AM

Title: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: So Cal Joe on January 28, 2012, 08:19:56 AM
Go to the second page
http://www.helibars.com/sites/default/files/press/Concours14%20review.pdf (http://www.helibars.com/sites/default/files/press/Concours14%20review.pdf)
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 28, 2012, 08:49:05 AM
I'm probably going to spring for a set this year at some point.
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: maxtog on January 28, 2012, 09:57:50 AM
I'm probably going to spring for a set this year at some point.

You should.  We need to get you on the road again.
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 28, 2012, 10:10:08 AM
It's what I'm hoping for at the moment.
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: ZG on January 28, 2012, 10:45:29 AM
You should.  We need to get you on the road again.

Agreed! We should all chip in to a fund and buy these for Jim for his bday or something...  :)
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 28, 2012, 11:10:05 AM
No need for that, but I appreciate the sentiment.
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: Cuda on January 29, 2012, 03:32:14 PM
I just bought a 2011  Concours  14,  I'm 57 5'11"  and this is my first bike in 26 yrs ,
I went for a one hour ride last night and I got a hell of a pain near the top of my back spine area! .
What can solve this ? two inch riser? those new Horizon ST bar kit?
I ordered a Corban seat and I was going to wait till that came before I made any other changes but I need to change something with the bars!
I saw a 200+lb black bear run in front of me on a dark two lane road near a rest area that made me nervous , what IF'S started going through my mind :-\ 
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: vortex2 on January 29, 2012, 04:01:19 PM
I see longer hoses for the brakes, but what about the heated grips on the >'10 models?
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: maxtog on January 29, 2012, 05:50:21 PM
I just bought a 2011  Concours  14,  I'm 57 5'11"  and this is my first bike in 26 yrs ,
I went for a one hour ride last night and I got a hell of a pain near the top of my back spine area! .
What can solve this ? two inch riser? those new Horizon ST bar kit?

You need to practice.  You can't just jump on a new bike after 26 years and not have some pain.  Especially since you are probably at least in your 40's now.  That is perfectly normal.  Your body will adjust- hopefully becoming stronger and more flexible where needed.  You might need some accessories, but knowing your height means nothing.  Body mechanics are far more complicated than that.  You will have to experiment, pay attention to your body, etc.
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: 556ALPHA on January 29, 2012, 06:38:01 PM
Here is a good thread on riding position

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1601.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1601.0)
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: philipintexas on January 29, 2012, 06:50:21 PM
"You need to practice.  You can't just jump on a new bike after 26 years and not have some pain.  Especially since you are probably at least in your 40's now.  That is perfectly normal.  Your body will adjust- hopefully becoming stronger and more flexible where needed."

I put over 135K miles on my ST1100 and on long days my neck/back would hurt so bad I could barely raise my arms to remove my helmet. I finally made an extender to the bars so I sat upright and it solved the problem. Just supporting the weight of a helmet while leaning forward does it (I think). 
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: ZG on January 29, 2012, 07:14:07 PM
Here is a good thread on riding position

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1601.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1601.0)

Thanks bro, I somehow missed that thread the 1st time around.  :)
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: maxtog on January 29, 2012, 07:41:51 PM
"You need to practice.  You can't just jump on a new bike after 26 years and not have some pain.  Especially since you are probably at least in your 40's now.  That is perfectly normal.  Your body will adjust- hopefully becoming stronger and more flexible where needed."

I put over 135K miles on my ST1100 and on long days my neck/back would hurt so bad I could barely raise my arms to remove my helmet. I finally made an extender to the bars so I sat upright and it solved the problem. Just supporting the weight of a helmet while leaning forward does it (I think).

Well, you left off my last part- sometimes you still need to make changes to the ergonomics of the bike.  But it is my experience that you have to give it some time.  Problems tend to shift around and change... in time, you will know what things are yourself (inability to adjust or adapt) and what things are the machine (simply not designed for your body).

I have such a strange body design that I knew from the start that the stock bike would never work for me- very long torso, short legs and arms, plus I brought RSI/CTS/FMS into the equation.  Still, it is surprising how many things I thought I would need to change did not need changing.  Equally surprising was how much difference and help a tiny change could make (Phil's Wedges are a perfect example).
Title: Re: Heli Bars for the C 14
Post by: 556ALPHA on January 29, 2012, 07:59:05 PM

Thanks bro, I somehow missed that thread the 1st time around.  :)

U got it, found it by a quick search.  I had forgotten about it.  I am almost there, arms are still just about 1 1/2 too short..