ZX14R modifications to bring it in line with the Kawasaki C14 Concours?

[blackbobcat]

Hi Guys... I haven't posted here in a number of years (5 I think) and even then wasn't a regular. I was tossing up between putting this is Sports, Touring or here... so i put it here. Please fell free to tell me if it should be posted somewhere else.

OK so I'm in the market for a new Bike. My previous bike was a 2006 Zx-10 and It was great to ride but Christ did I get sore on it... I think in the end I couldn't do more than 30 minutes on it the back of my hamstrings at the base of my ass would kill me. So i sold it a few years ago and have been bike less ever since...

So ive decided to fix that, did a bit of research, took a few bikes out and have narrowed it down to two. The Zx14R or the ZG1400 Concours. Both the same basic chassis I know. I loved the Zx14, but I still got that pain in my ass and legs when I was riding it, I am pretty sure it is either the riding position or the narrow seat the sports bikes tend to have. So as it stands it's not really an option.

I finally found a concours I could take out and flew to Auckland from Wellington to take it for a spin (thanks to the guys at Red Baron if they are reading this) and it was near on perfect. I could ride it for hours. Nice upright position, seat that covers your whole ass. Really really comfortable, and only a hair or two slower than the 14. But the issue is is that while I do do some long distance riding (2 - 3 hours) I don't do it regularly and the bike would be used just as much around town as it would for long distance... and I cant help but shake the feeling the Concours might be just a bit too cumbersome for this, particularly in Wellington.

So I did a bit more research and have come across a number of people who have modified their Zx14's to roughly fit the C14 Concours's ergonomics. From what I have picked up the common additions to the Zx14 for this are a Speigler Handlebar raising kit with/without renthal bars to give a more upright position, adding a custom seat or the C-14 seat to the Zx14 (apparently they are interchangeable??) and lowering the pegs or fitting a set of Buell pegs to expand the riders triangle

Is there anyone out there who has modified a Zx14 for touring or to fit the specs of the Connie more and if so, how much difference did it make, would you recommend it and can you compare it to the C14, if you have ridden both?

Any advice is much appreciated, I would prefer not to spend thousands of $$$$ on a bike and modifications only to discover its not going to give me what I want, I would be better off just going straight for the C14.

Thanks

[Cloggy]

I'd go for the Concours. They are not that cumbersome to commute on. I do it every day. But I have only been doing this for a little over 3 months so far. Yes, they are a little heavy to move about when parking up but once on the move, as you would have found out, the weight just disappears.
And if you are talking that Black 2008 at Red Baron in Auckland, that seems a little over priced. There must be plenty of wiggle room for them in that price. Especially as the 2010 onwards models with the revised fairing to improve cooling and airflow are probably a bit more desirable.
I bought my 2010 Connie with 50000 km on the clock from a dealer in Lower Hutt for $4.5K less in December.

[AllanB]

D U C A T I

Bugger the comfort.

Oh the sound :-)

[blackbobcat]

I'd go for the Concours. They are not that cumbersome to commute on. I do it every day. But I have only been doing this for a little over 3 months so far. Yes, they are a little heavy to move about when parking up but once on the move, as you would have found out, the weight just disappears.
And if you are talking that Black 2008 at Red Baron in Auckland, that seems a little over priced. There must be plenty of wiggle room for them in that price. Especially as the 2010 onwards models with the revised fairing to improve cooling and airflow are probably a bit more desirable.
I bought my 2010 Connie with 50000 km on the clock from a dealer in Lower Hutt for $4.5K less in December.

Hi Cloggy

Ok thanks good to know. Yeah it was the one in Auckland. Tee dealer did say there was some wiggle room on the price and would cut me a deal but also wanted an upfront deposit which I'm not ready to commit to just yet. But good to know I'll keep an eye out thanks

[insomnia01]

Hi there, Well I dont count my 06' ZX14 as modified as what your looking for but what I have added to help with the common pains you mention is gel pad's ( rider & pillion ) & sheep skin seat cover that lifts me @ 20-30mm from standard seat configuration, I haven't worried about pegs or handlebars as I feel I dont need them. Suspension is stock & haven't changed factory settings either, Once a year ( November normally ) I do the C1KC (1000km day ride ) & have done a TT2000 on it & feel quite comfortable after doing some big days, just my 2 cents worth..........

[blackbobcat]

Thanks everyone for your help its much appreciated