2009 C14 Passenger back rests

[Poniesatemybagel]

My wife and I are about to buy a 2009 C14 from my Grandpa. We live in CA, but we're flying to GA to get the bike. We'll be riding from GA back to CA in June and taking our time. I expect to do 3500-4500 miles. My wife has some back issues, genetic conditions resulting in degenerated discs and other serious damage. We've been riding together for several years and she's done 200+ mile days on an R1. More recently she has done 60-80 miles a day or two a week on my VFR. A back rest is pretty much mandatory, the more support and comfort the better.

So far I've found this: http://www.amazon.com/2008-2013-Kawasaki-Concours-Passenger-Backrest/dp/B008GVIU1Q/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2E6L5B5815748&coliid=I1NZS98WLDCPB6

I saw corbin's rear case, but I can't even begin to afford that. I'm trying to keep the price down, but her comfort is paramount. Any other advice would be very helpful, I'm considering buying an Airhawk seat pad for her too. Is the stock pillion seat comfortable enough that I should skip that?

Airhawk: http://www.amazon.com/Airhawk-Pillion-Cushion-Large-CRUISERPILLIONL/dp/B000M6S0JK/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1366089792&sr=1-1&keywords=airhawk+seat+cushion+large+pillion#productDetails

[deepseamdv]

I have the backrest your looking at on amazon. I use it with a Russell Day Long seat I bought on the forum. Love the seat and the backrest. Keep in mind that the backrest your looking at does NOT come with the luggage rack in the picture, it is a separate purchase but IMHO is well worth the cost. My wife rode from Sacramento to Salt Lake and back with me on the stock seat and was 'just' ok. With the Russell she is happy all the time. It is an expensive seat but you may find one that was made for someone similar in size and weight for less money. Or maybe you can have the stock seat modified before picking the bike up. Take a look at Spencers, his cost seems reasonable. http://greatdaytoride.com/
Good luck & have a great ride.

[Poniesatemybagel]

I have the backrest your looking at on amazon. I use it with a Russell Day Long seat I bought on the forum. Love the seat and the backrest. Keep in mind that the backrest your looking at does NOT come with the luggage rack in the picture, it is a separate purchase but IMHO is well worth the cost. My wife rode from Sacramento to Salt Lake and back with me on the stock seat and was 'just' ok. With the Russell she is happy all the time. It is an expensive seat but you may find one that was made for someone similar in size and weight for less money. Or maybe you can have the stock seat modified before picking the bike up. Take a look at Spencers, his cost seems reasonable. http://greatdaytoride.com/
Good luck & have a great ride.

The bike has the stock luggage rack on it, that seat should fit it, right? I'll be leaving to get the bike in about a month and a half, I don't know that I can afford to have the seat reworked. A new seat is pretty much out of the question.

[mvjr1904]

Some options to consider

http://pirateslair.net/ConcoursPP.htm

http://www.pca-one.com/productDetail.asp?productID=2702&RetURL=search&search=brand&BlockSize=20&SortOrder=Default&bikeType=&bikeMake=&bikeModel=&bikeYear=&MfgCode=PCA&subgroupID=290

http://www.bakupusa.com/kawasaki_models.html

[Conrad]

I have the one that mvjr1904 posted above and it works great. It's built well too.

http://www.pca-one.com/productDetail.asp?productID=2702&RetURL=search&search=brand&BlockSize=20&SortOrder=Default&bikeType=&bikeMake=&bikeModel=&bikeYear=&MfgCode=PCA&subgroupID=290

You should keep your ponies away from your breakfast in the future. 

[speed545]

it tooks me 3 years to figure how to make my passenger comfy on long ride.  I started with the V46 Givi, Givi backrest and Phils rack. Followed by a Baldwin seat and lowered pegs. This year I replaced the OEM pegs by Kuryakin largers pegs

Honestly, I would go to a dealer and have your wife sit on a C14 and try to figure out how to make her comfy with minimum add ons. Don't neglect  foot position since knees will pay on a longer trip and she would rely on her legs to position herself while riding.

[wroman]

  Speed545 -- what Kuryakyn pegs did you use?  Kuryakyn does not spec any pegs for the C14 but they told me there are probably some that would fit.

  Ponies -- I think the AST backrest would be a little more comfortable because it is lower and fits the small of the back but I added a Shad SH50 trunk that comes with a back pad.  Murphskits.com has them with the specific heavy steel mount for $350.00 shipping included.  That gives you alot of addl storage and a backrest.

[556ALPHA]

If you search my member name you will see a thread I did on the Kury pegs.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6028.msg70995#msg70995

[speed545]

If you search my member name you will see a thread I did on the Kury pegs.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6028.msg70995#msg70995

Alpha s thread gave me the idea    so I went to the shop and order the exact same pegs and the adaptor that fits the ZX-14 (rear). I think it s part # 8345 but not sure. It s a direct fits.

Only problem I had is with the lowered rear pegs, the ISO pegs will not fold up completely on the exhaust side, hitting the potatoe laucher at mid course.

Time for me to get a slip on

[ZG]

Corbin passenger backrest! 
 

 

 

 

 
 

[MrSkydriver]

If you're interested in the Corbin, I'm picking up my new to me '08 C14 next week and it has a Corbin on it.  It is bigger than I want so I'll probably be selling it.......$600???  It is silver since it's on an '08.

Gregg

[Poniesatemybagel]

If you're interested in the Corbin, I'm picking up my new to me '08 C14 next week and it has a Corbin on it.  It is bigger than I want so I'll probably be selling it.......$600???  It is silver since it's on an '08.

Gregg

I would be interested, but I can buy it new for $549. Does it have the backrest with it?

[Rhino]

I'm pretty happy with this one that includes a nice aluminum rack.

http://www.pca-one.com/productDetail.asp?productID=2702&RetURL=search&search=brand&BlockSize=20&SortOrder=Default&bikeType=&bikeMake=&bikeModel=&bikeYear=&MfgCode=PCA&subgroupID=290

[MrSkydriver]

Here is the link to Corbin that has a picture of the one I have:  http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kc8trnk.shtml

It says the price is $899, where can you get one for $549?

Gregg

[Poniesatemybagel]

Here is the link to Corbin that has a picture of the one I have:  http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kc8trnk.shtml

It says the price is $899, where can you get one for $549?

Gregg

I totally misunderstood! I thought you had a seat, not the trunk. I'm interested, but I don't think I'll be able to pony up for one. I'm pretty set on upgrading the saddle to a corbin and extending the foot pegs for her. I'm 5' 7" with a shorty stubby 28" inseam. She's 5' 9" with a 33" inseam. I was told the Corbin seat will get me closer to the ground and and help her immensely. If you're not in a rush to sell I may get back to you on the trunk. It looks like it would be great for her.

[MrSkydriver]

No problem.  I got a Corbin seat for my C10 and it's about an inch taller....NOT shorter, so beware.  See if you can find someone with the seat you want and sit on it.......

Gregg

[Poniesatemybagel]

No problem.  I got a Corbin seat for my C10 and it's about an inch taller....NOT shorter, so beware.  See if you can find someone with the seat you want and sit on it.......

Gregg

According to the Corbin site the seat height is 31.25", a whole .25" lower than stock! Woo. Either way I'm not worried, I grew up on dirtbikes and raced 500 EXC's, I can handle a taller bike without any issue.

[mvjr1904]

Since you brought it up.... to me, the Corbin feels shorter than the OEM seat, more than the claimed .25.  Maybe Corbin is measuring at the point where the seat meets up with the gas tank.  I bet if you measure from the rear of the driver seat to the ground, on both seat, you'll gain a few inches.

More importantly the Corbin is firmer, flatter and it doesn't have the forward slope the OEM has.
I would try to "test sit" on a Corbin before you buy. Some like the Corbin sone don't. I love mine!
Check out the "For Sale" section, there are always Corbin seats for sale.

Sorry to get off thread..... check the "For Sale" section for a used backrest.
There you go..... back on track!

[Poniesatemybagel]

Since you brought it up.... to me, the Corbin feels shorter than the OEM seat, more than the claimed .25.  Maybe Corbin is measuring at the point where the seat meets up with the gas tank.  I bet if you measure from the rear of the driver seat to the ground, on both seat, you'll gain a few inches.

More importantly the Corbin is firmer, flatter and it doesn't have the forward slope the OEM has.
I would try to "test sit" on a Corbin before you buy. Some like the Corbin sone don't. I love mine!
Check out the "For Sale" section, there are always Corbin seats for sale.

Sorry to get off thread..... check the "For Sale" section for a used backrest.
There you go..... back on track!

I've already got a wanted ad up and when I get some time I will definitely be browsing the for sale section. I don't get paid until Thursday though, so I couldn't buy this moment even if I found one.

[cablebandit]

With a 28" inseam you better make sure she has gear on for the many times you'll tip-over.