Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Forum banner

Hi, from Pennsylvania

2035 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  The Goof
Hi guys (and ladies),

Bought a 2011 all black model a week or so ago and mods are started. I never owned a Kawasaki before and I've been a Harley owner/do it yourself wrencher for many years. I still own my '09 Harley XR 1200 which I probably won't ever part with. This Ninja 1000 is more comfortable for my girlfriend to ride on the back than the XR is so far, but we need to ride it more to see if a better seat for her is needed. (She only got a short ride on it because of weather here in PA). And just so ya know, I'm not one of those idiot Harley riders that don't wave to the guys on the foreign bikes. I always waved to any cyclist, because they are sharing the same interest as I am, but with a different name on the tank. Heck, the "oh, Harley is the only bike" riders don't even wave to me on my XR because they either don't recognize it, or feel it's not a "real" Harley. Oh well, I've been around them/rode them much longer than most of them, and always did my own work/mods. :cool: AND none of my bikes ever blew up after I got done working on them, that's always a plus. ;)
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
For any decent length rides, you're gonna find that a new seat is a must. The seats are like planks. I just went to the Kawasaki Gel Seats, but don't have enough seat time right now to really say how much of an improvement they are.
Thanks for the info, JohnC. My bike came with a Corbin rider's seat, and a stock passenger seat. I'm already figuring on getting her a better seat because it seems that most bikes seats aren't the greatest from factory.
Welcome Penn's Woods
Are you from the side that says "pop" or "soda?"

I never understood the superiority complex of some riders. We all share the road on 2 wheels...show some love.
I do have to think twice when I see a scooter. Maybe a Burgman, but they all look like they're sitting on a toilet.
You may be hard-pressed to find just an aftermarket passenger seat "out of the box" for this, but Corbin or Sargent or one of the other custom seatmakers might be able to help. I know my girlfriend told me that the first thing I needed to do to the bike was swap out her seat. We did an afternoon ride on it when I first picked it up, and her butt went numb.
Welcome. I had my seats improved by a guy who's re-done seats for me on other bikes. I posted a pic & comments on this forum.
Thanks for the welcomes, guys.

ToNY97, I'm from the "soda" side of the state, Lancaster County. (Southeast of the state capitol).

JohnC and Mikey1000, there is a guy close to me that I heard is pretty good with seats, but I also looked at Corbin's website and saw a thicker and wider seat than the stock. With snow on the ground I have plenty of time to sort something out, unfortunately.
Welcome aboard... looking forward to your posts.
Corbin seat

Thanks for the welcomes, guys.

ToNY97, I'm from the "soda" side of the state, Lancaster County. (Southeast of the state capitol).

JohnC and Mikey1000, there is a guy close to me that I heard is pretty good with seats, but I also looked at Corbin's website and saw a thicker and wider seat than the stock. With snow on the ground I have plenty of time to sort something out, unfortunately.
I'm from Lancaster (southern end of the county) and have a Corbin seat on my 2013 if you want to try it. The passenger seat is flatter and thicker than stock but all Corbins are rock hard when new. Also, Corbins are notorious for not fitting properly without modification.

If the seat guy you are talking about is from Mount Joy, I was not happy with his work.
Thanks sprockethead, I may be posting from time to time.

Dezeez; Yeah, it was the guy in Mount Joy (I'm in Manheim) that I heard about, but the guys that told me about him didn't actually have work done. I was going to be doing more homework before I decided anyway and your input will be remembered. Thank you. As for the Corbins' not fitting the greatest, I had an '81 Superglide that I bought a Corbin seat for, and I remember having to do some modifications. With enough of tools, ridiculously abrasive language, a beer distributor and State Store near by, I may have a chance of making it fit.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Seth Laam redid my seat. He's a hard man to get ahold of but what great work he does. Google him and give him a shot. You do have to send your seat to California but the turnaround time is good. I'm telling you it's worth the money!!!
Thanks for the info cowasockee, I just may look him up when the time comes.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top