Author Topic: Anyone try the Kawasaki Touring Seat? (Read 47732 times)

navdoc · « **Reply #225 on:** July 16, 2016, 10:56:52 am »

Nice write up on the seat mod. Since starting this thread, I did get the touring seat. I'm 6', 170 pounds. The touring seat isn't great for me. Still pushing me into the tank and rotating me forward too much. The problem is the sloping back part of the seat, If I scoot back at all, the seat want to rotate me forward a lot. I tried a bunch of garage mods on the original seat and never really got it. Likely will try a Baldwin this year. If I can't get the ergos right, the bike's gonna go.

Sailor_chic · « **Reply #226 on:** July 16, 2016, 11:48:52 am »

Try a Laam!

DDZX14 · « **Reply #227 on:** July 16, 2016, 01:05:24 pm »

For under $50 you can do what I did. Buy T50 heavy duty flat-tip staples, Gater 2" combo kit $15, a can of Adhesive spray and experiment. Work outside your garage and wear a mask.
After digging my hole I still have 2" depth of Foam.
Before selling your Concours, see if you can find a Corbin seat made for a 2012+ ZX14r. It has a nice shape and keeps you planted in the back. It has hard foam. I put a bead pad on it.
I'm 5'10" 200 lb. 65 yrs old with a slipped Disc, left Knee partial repair, Carpal Tunnel in both wrists, neck injuries and now a right Hip Flexor pain. The Touring Seat is about an 1" higher than my stock seat and I get relief. Motorcycle riding for 45 yrs and hope to get a couple more yrs before I trade my Bikes for a Convertible.

stevewfl · « **Reply #228 on:** October 04, 2016, 09:56:33 pm »

Shameless bump

as much as I loved this seat, I sold my bike and now the seat is in the forum classifieds

Conrad · « **Reply #229 on:** June 12, 2018, 09:28:06 am »

I just bought one and I have one complain about the Kaw touring seat. I'm not sure if mine is defective or if this is the way they come from Kawasaki.

In both of the seating areas it seems that the outside cover doesn't stick to the pad (or whatever is directly under the cover). It's like they needed to spray some stickum on the pad(s) before the installation of the cover and this wasn't done. So if you press your hand down on the cover there's a pocket of air that gets forced out on both the driver's and the passenger's seating area. It's not a big deal but it just doesn't seem right and with this pocket or air I'm concerned that the seat could rip more easily. Once you sit on it the air pocket goes away of course.

You guys that have this seat, is yours like that?

I could take some pics if you don't get what I'm asking?

TJ · « **Reply #230 on:** June 12, 2018, 11:17:18 am »

Quote from: Conrad on June 12, 2018, 09:28:06 am

I just bought one and I have one complain about the Kaw touring seat. I'm not sure if mine is defective or if this is the way they come from Kawasaki.

In both of the seating areas it seems that the outside cover doesn't stick to the pad (or whatever is directly under the cover). It's like they needed to spray some stickum on the pad(s) before the installation of the cover and this wasn't done. So if you press your hand down on the cover there's a pocket of air that gets forced out on both the driver's and the passenger's seating area. It's not a big deal but it just doesn't seem right and with this pocket or air I'm concerned that the seat could rip more easily. Once you sit on it the air pocket goes away of course.

You guys that have this seat, is yours like that?

I could take some pics if you don't get what I'm asking?

I noticed this as well. Seem peculiar to me why they would be content with that, but it does not seem to effect anything.

Phil · « **Reply #231 on:** June 12, 2018, 04:23:47 pm »

Quote from: Conrad on June 12, 2018, 09:28:06 am

I just bought one and I have one complain about the Kaw touring seat. I'm not sure if mine is defective or if this is the way they come from Kawasaki.

In both of the seating areas it seems that the outside cover doesn't stick to the pad (or whatever is directly under the cover). It's like they needed to spray some stickum on the pad(s) before the installation of the cover and this wasn't done. So if you press your hand down on the cover there's a pocket of air that gets forced out on both the driver's and the passenger's seating area. It's not a big deal but it just doesn't seem right and with this pocket or air I'm concerned that the seat could rip more easily. Once you sit on it the air pocket goes away of course.

You guys that have this seat, is yours like that?

I could take some pics if you don't get what I'm asking?

If you glue the material to the foam, it will feel harder than it does with it loose. Not gluing it allows the cover to move independently to the foam. Sargent seats are made that way as well.

Here is a quote from Sargent Seats, " Foam suspension interference - Gluing the upholstery to the foam doesn’t allow the foam to "move" independently from the upholstery resulting in foam that feels too stiff or hard. By allowing the foam to move independently from the upholstery, the full dynamics of the foam suspension can be fully utilized."

smokin · « **Reply #232 on:** June 12, 2018, 10:47:16 pm »

Quote from: Steve in Sunny Fla on May 15, 2015, 10:09:24 am

is this touring seat the same as they used to sell as the "low gel" seat? anyone? Steve

Steve I had the Kawasaki gel seat which I swapped for my original seat,looking at the pictures and description on the Kawasaki web site it looks different and no mention of gel inserts.
It was very uncomfortable.Sold it since.
First action when purchasing the GTR 1400 was to fir a sargent seat,outstanding seat IMHO.

Conrad · « **Reply #233 on:** June 13, 2018, 09:22:10 am »

Quote from: Phil on June 12, 2018, 04:23:47 pm

Quote from: Conrad on June 12, 2018, 09:28:06 am
I just bought one and I have one complain about the Kaw touring seat. I'm not sure if mine is defective or if this is the way they come from Kawasaki.

In both of the seating areas it seems that the outside cover doesn't stick to the pad (or whatever is directly under the cover). It's like they needed to spray some stickum on the pad(s) before the installation of the cover and this wasn't done. So if you press your hand down on the cover there's a pocket of air that gets forced out on both the driver's and the passenger's seating area. It's not a big deal but it just doesn't seem right and with this pocket or air I'm concerned that the seat could rip more easily. Once you sit on it the air pocket goes away of course.

You guys that have this seat, is yours like that?

I could take some pics if you don't get what I'm asking?

If you glue the material to the foam, it will feel harder than it does with it loose. Not gluing it allows the cover to move independently to the foam. Sargent seats are made that way as well.

Here is a quote from Sargent Seats, " Foam suspension interference - Gluing the upholstery to the foam doesn’t allow the foam to "move" independently from the upholstery resulting in foam that feels too stiff or hard. By allowing the foam to move independently from the upholstery, the full dynamics of the foam suspension can be fully utilized."

Thanks for the word on this guys.

And thank you Phil for that info from Sargent. Makes sense now. I have two other Kaw seats, the stocker and the low gel, and neither one is like I described the touring seat to be.

Wills · « **Reply #234 on:** July 11, 2018, 02:37:41 pm »

Does anyone have a photo of it to share? I like the sound of it from what I have read, but I'd like to see what it looks like rather than buying blind.

oldnslo_MO · « **Reply #235 on:** July 12, 2018, 03:42:30 pm »

hated the stock seat, tried a sargent, ok but too firm for me. tried a laam but just couldn't get it to fit right, even after a rework. finally ended up wit the kawasaki touring seat( not gel), and it suits me great.. comfy but not too soft and doesn't push me into the tank.. wish i had tried it first.. this is all IMHO...

Wills · « **Reply #236 on:** July 12, 2018, 04:03:33 pm »

HI ALL,

I just looked up this seat and it's made for 2010-2018. Any suggestions for an 08? I really like this touring seat but I guess it won't go on my Connie.

Phil · « **Reply #237 on:** July 12, 2018, 06:06:49 pm »

Quote from: Wills on July 12, 2018, 04:03:33 pm

HI ALL,

I just looked up this seat and it's made for 2010-2018. Any suggestions for an 08? I really like this touring seat but I guess it won't go on my Connie.

The Kawasaki Touring seat? I have it on my 2009. I suspect a simple poor catalog description.

Hayabusa3 · « **Reply #238 on:** July 12, 2018, 08:14:59 pm »

New owner here, I've been on bikes for about 30 years...Picked up a Concours about two months ago I'm not as impressed with the bike as most of you seem to be but I've decided to give it a fair shot. Loved my Hayabusa and my gen I FZ1. I hope to do a solid bit of touring with this one so after hearing my girl complain about sliding forward on the stock seat I bought the touring seat from Kawi and its been a good purchase. Totally needed if you ride 2up frequently. Only problem is that I've spent another chunk of change on this thing bringing it closer to the price of something more modern...BTW I've owned a Corbin seat before on the FZ1 and couldn't wait to get rid of it - too hard for me.

RoadKillHeaven · « **Reply #239 on:** July 12, 2018, 09:09:28 pm »

I'd like to hear *read* subjective reviews from owners of 15+ MY who opted for touring seat. Since 15+ c14 has an updated seat, what are the benefits of swapping it for touring one?

Cheers...

Conrad · « **Reply #240 on:** July 13, 2018, 12:24:18 pm »

Quote from: Wills on July 12, 2018, 04:03:33 pm

HI ALL,

I just looked up this seat and it's made for 2010-2018. Any suggestions for an 08? I really like this touring seat but I guess it won't go on my Connie.

All years of the C14 have the same seat pan. I have this touring seat on my '08 and it's a perfect fit.

Wills · « **Reply #241 on:** July 13, 2018, 02:22:05 pm »

Thx Conrad. I couldn't understand why it wouldn't fit.

oldnslo_MO · « **Reply #242 on:** July 14, 2018, 11:02:20 pm »

Quote from: RoadKillHeaven on July 12, 2018, 09:09:28 pm

I'd like to hear *read* subjective reviews from owners of 15+ MY who opted for touring seat. Since 15+ c14 has an updated seat, what are the benefits of swapping it for touring one?

Cheers...

i have a 2016, the stock seat is not the touring seat.. i switched to the touring seat from stock and have never looked back...

RoadKillHeaven · « **Reply #243 on:** July 14, 2018, 11:19:57 pm »

Quote from: oldnslo_MO on July 14, 2018, 11:02:20 pm

Quote from: RoadKillHeaven on July 12, 2018, 09:09:28 pm
I'd like to hear *read* subjective reviews from owners of 15+ MY who opted for touring seat. Since 15+ c14 has an updated seat, what are the benefits of swapping it for touring one?

Cheers...
i have a 2016, the stock seat is not the touring seat.. i switched to the touring seat from stock and have never looked back...

That is very good. What is your body build? Inseam and so on...
Cheers...

oldnslo_MO · « **Reply #244 on:** July 15, 2018, 11:38:01 am »

i'm 6 ft, 240 lbs, 32 inch inseam.

Bumblebee · « **Reply #245 on:** July 16, 2018, 01:22:51 pm »

RoadKillHeaven,
I have a 2015 and replaced the stock seat with Kawasaki's touring seat about a month ago. The stock and touring seats do look similar, but they are worlds apart when it comes to comfort. Based on my limited experience, (several short 200 km hops) I'd have to agree with most of what has been written about the touring seat thus far. It is 'cushier,' it seems to solve 'being shoved forward against the tank' to a certain extent, it is a bit taller and I find that I seem to be sitting a little more upright. I ride solo so I can't tell you about passenger comfort. So far, I am quite happy with it. I am 6'4", 205 lbs, with a 35 inch inseam.

RICH59 · « **Reply #246 on:** July 16, 2018, 03:15:19 pm »

I'm also 6ft/240#/32" inseam. I bought a Kawasaki Touring seat and used it for a year. Good seat but I couldn't stay on it for more than 200 miles. I also have the two piece Corbin but it doesn't work for me. The one piece Corbin had a fitment issue that I needed to solve. Once I got it properly mounted to the bike, the seat is all day comfortable. On really hot days, I add a beaded cover for additional air flow and comfort.

Wills · « **Reply #247 on:** July 16, 2018, 05:57:03 pm »

When I pull it up it says $534.95?

RoadKillHeaven · « **Reply #248 on:** July 16, 2018, 09:56:51 pm »

It seems the touring seat will not work for me. Since it is "slightly" taller. it would make touching ground "slightly" more difficult for me. As it is I cannot completely flat foot the C14. It wouldn't be a problem if C14 wasn't as corpulent as it is.
As corny as it may seem, I reckon finding a perfect seat would yield same results as with finding a perfect windshield. A futile attempt to improve nothing by throwing money at it.
As it is, I can make 300+ mile non-stop (fuel fill excluded) run with minimal discomfort. I don't fix my posterior to the seat. I constantly change positions in the saddle which helps with blood circulation which is the main attributing factor to keep my posterior from becoming a macaque butt.

Conrad · « **Reply #249 on:** July 17, 2018, 11:44:13 am »

Quote from: Bumblebee on July 16, 2018, 01:22:51 pm

RoadKillHeaven,
I have a 2015 and replaced the stock seat with Kawasaki's touring seat about a month ago. The stock and touring seats do look similar, but they are worlds apart when it comes to comfort. Based on my limited experience, (several short 200 km hops) I'd have to agree with most of what has been written about the touring seat thus far. It is 'cushier,' it seems to solve 'being shoved forward against the tank' to a certain extent, it is a bit taller and I find that I seem to be sitting a little more upright. I ride solo so I can't tell you about passenger comfort. So far, I am quite happy with it. I am 6'4", 205 lbs, with a 35 inch inseam.

I'm a bit confused by what you're saying here. The Kaw touring seat is taller, no doubt. A taller seat would make you lean forward more no? That's how it works for me anyways. How can you sit more upright with more of a body lean angle?