Ryan, who do we have to lean on at Mama Kaw to get you an 08/09? Is there a rental company in your area that might have one?
@Conrad, Road trip?
The owner here has a connect at Kawasaki Corporate but I can't remember the gentlemans name. I know he's pretty far up the food chain though so I'm not sure he'd appreciate us handing out his email. No offense to you guys at all but giving out emails to people we work with to have you "lean on them" is a bit of a dick move on our part. I think our best bet is to have the owner here call his buddy down there and ask him if we can use the bike just like we've done in the past. Our guy at Kawasaki is super nice and borrowing bikes has never been an issue before as long as they have one there for us to borrow. So, it's not so much an issue of needing to talk him into letting us use it as it is just hoping they have one there for us!
If you guys wanted to road trip out here though, that'd be awesome!
Yeah, there really is a huge difference in the two. There are lots of subtle differences between the 1st and 2nd gen, but the front fairings are absolutely the most noticeable difference (and yes, I do think the 2nd gen ones are much more attractive, but that is a different topic ).
A different design is going to be needed for the 1st gen. Unfortunately, it appears that to have a similar 3 point mounting, the fairing would have to be cut in at least one location.
This is true. I also believe a different design is going to be needed for the 1st generation Connies. The Canyon Cage for the 2010-2012 we've built MAY fit but it wouldn't flow with the lines of the bike very well and there may be some fairing modification required. I'm hoping we can find an '08 somewhere local so we can just fit up an entirely new application. Now that we have the basic design figured out it wouldn't take long to adapt it to the 2008-2009 model.
I think you got a winner.
I sure hope so!
Now that there is a final design its time for a drop test. I would love to see another youtube video of the bars protecting the bike. If you have to ease it down to the ground incase the mirror might hit that is the test that determins the crashability of these bars. OUTSTANDING design and I wish that we can pre order so once the first batch is done you can just ship them out to us. If that is possible let us know please. I also wonder is the 275 just for the front or is that the package price of front and saddle bag bars. :-!
We're definitely getting close to doing tilt and tip-over testing and you can be sure that I'll be taking photos and video for you guys! So stay tuned for that! I really think this design is going to protect the bike well but it's hard to say for sure until we begin doing the drop testing. I'm hoping I can have some footage of tip-overs for you guys as early as this afternoon. I'm trying to get the bar finished and ready to send to our powder coaters by days end so it'll be ready for pickup on Monday, Tuesday at the very latest.
Once the bar is powder coated and we've taken photos for the website and everything I'll start a new, separate thread for a group buy. That way you guys can see the finished product before signing up for a set. I think this would be a good way to go about it because then you guys can get your preorders in while the bars are making their way through our production process. That way, as soon as they're done I can begin shipping them out to you guys! Also, that $275 estimated price is for the Canyon Cage only. That price does
not include the small rears. However, keep in mind that those of you who participate in the group buy will get a discount based on how many people participate just like the last group buy we did. Although, I'm not quite sure how much the discount will be for as of yet. I'll have to wait until all material and labor has been assessed and I have a firm MSRP price set first. Also, for those of you interested in the small rears, they will be available through the Canyon Cage Group Buy so if you're thinking of buying them that would be the time to do so!
Anyhow, stay tuned for drop testing video and keep your eyes peeled for the Group Buy thread once these bars are done!