A final thought:
Yay for your first post!
The tail end of the C14 is lofty and constantly reminds me that the C14 is a big-boned gal. I throw a leg over the C14 to mount carefully stretching my leg out in the knowledge that I have to clear the side cases. Throw in the Shad on top of the rear rack and I'm kicking like a Radio City Rockette in my efforts to get aboard without my boot marring anything up too badly.
Simply change the way you mount. Face the bike, hold the left grip with left hand, pick up your right leg, bend at knee, then extend over seat, then twist body to face forward after leg is over. Zero damage, ever. Of course, it does require a bit more flexibility, and some people are not able to do it.