2011 Ninja 1000 (Seat)

[JSharp]

The seat is thin and while better than stock it should definitely be considered a sport bike seat. It is not a sport touring seat. For that matter I think most people would consider the Ninja more of a sport bike than a ST bike.

I'm one of the few guys that the Sargent seat doesn't fit. The construction quality is great and the rise in the front is good. No more sliding forward all the time. But it's too hard for me and the pocket in the center is too pronounced. It puts way too much pressure on my legs.

I was going to send it back but I traded a couple of emails with Spencers and instead I'm sending it there over the winter. He commented that it would never be a touring bike seat and of course that's not what I expect. But he thinks he can make it better, more the way I want it. I figure it's worth a shot.

Spending under $350 total for a seat that's really 'made to order' doesn't sound out of line to me. It's my only major complaint with the bike and if that's all it takes to fix it it's money well spent.

[Squidlius]

I'm one of the few guys that the Sargent seat doesn't fit. The construction quality is great and the rise in the front is good. No more sliding forward all the time. But it's too hard for me and the pocket in the center is too pronounced. It puts way too much pressure on my legs.

I was going to send it back but I traded a couple of emails with Spencers and instead I'm sending it there over the winter. He commented that it would never be a touring bike seat and of course that's not what I expect. But he thinks he can make it better, more the way I want it. I figure it's worth a shot.

Spending under $350 total for a seat that's really 'made to order' doesn't sound out of line to me. It's my only major complaint with the bike and if that's all it takes to fix it it's money well spent.

I think there are more than a few who have issues with Sargent seats, myself included. It’s hard to believe that companies that have been making seats for so long still don’t quite get it. I guess it’s really difficult to make a one size fits all. The Ninja Sargent is much better than my FZ1 Sargent was. This one has some padding and is usable, my FZ1 seat was not. This seat digs into my legs as well ever so slightly at the outer front part of the dish. I don’t know if this will be an issue on the 4th day of a 4 day ride but I’ll find out. For me this seat is noticeably better than the stock seat so I’m gonna stick with it and see if it gets better with time.

[JSharp]

I think there are more than a few who have issues with Sargent seats, myself included. It’s hard to believe that companies that have been making seats for so long still don’t quite get it. I guess it’s really difficult to make a one size fits all. The Ninja Sargent is much better than my FZ1 Sargent was. This one has some padding and is usable, my FZ1 seat was not. This seat digs into my legs as well ever so slightly at the outer front part of the dish. I don’t know if this will be an issue on the 4th day of a 4 day ride but I’ll find out. For me this seat is noticeably better than the stock seat so I’m gonna stick with it and see if it gets better with time.

+1 on the part I bolded.

I rode my kid's GPz 550 some lately and the seat is 10X as good as either of my Ninja seats. It's an '83 model so they had discovered dual density foam but didn't get too creative on shape or angle. It's pretty much flat and nondescript with just a little rise to keep you from sliding back. Just like the stock seat I had on my '81 GPz 1100. You can ride it all day and not hurt.

I'm hopeful I can make the Sargent work out. The construction and styling are first rate.

  

[Squidlius]

+1 on the part I bolded.

I rode my kid's GPz 550 some lately and the seat is 10X as good as either of my Ninja seats. It's an '83 model so they had discovered dual density foam but didn't get too creative on shape or angle. It's pretty much flat and nondescript with just a little rise to keep you from sliding back. Just like the stock seat I had on my '81 GPz 1100. You can ride it all day and not hurt.

I'm hopeful I can make the Sargent work out. The construction and styling are first rate.

Yep, the issue there is a one piece seat vs a two piece seat. The Gen 1 FZ1 and the Bandit have great seats (1 piece) like your kid's GPZ and the Gen 2 FZ1 and the Ninja have full on sport bike seats which are planks to protect the paint on the tail section.

[JSharp]

Yep, the issue there is a one piece seat vs a two piece seat. The Gen 1 FZ1 and the Bandit have great seats (1 piece) like your kid's GPZ and the Gen 2 FZ1 and the Ninja have full on sport bike seats which are planks to protect the paint on the tail section.

I call it an upholstered battery protector on my bike.

[mesmotized]

I believe it was previous mentioned, but has anybody tried a Rick/Bill Mayer or other custom saddle on this bike yet?  If so, how did it turn out?

[Squidlius]

I understand that you are changing tires more often than chain adjustments. Sounds like a fun bike.   I'm jealous.

Let me make a suggestion. Both eccentric adjusters should always move as one piece. I'm not sure why you are moving them separately. When doing remove and replace on the rear wheel for tire changes (if you can't remove the chain without moving the adjusters) try the following:

1) loosen the pinch bolts, rotate the adjusters to allow for most chain slack then snug the pinch bolts again.  
2) Loosen the axle nut and remove the axle.
3) Remove and replace the rear wheel.
4) Install the axle and tighten the axle nut.
5) loosen the pinch bolts and set chain tension.
6) Tighten the pinch bolts.
7) Go burn up another rear tire (not optional).

Thats what I did on my ZRX after some trial and error. Obviously I haven't done a rear wheel R&R on the Ninja 1000 so I may be completely out of line (wouldn't be the first time) so I apologize if this procedure is totally wrong and won't work for you.  

DogBoy, been meaning to say thanks. The service manual does not mention your trick. Your method works great and has saved me a lot of grief!

[blakebird]

for some the stock seat is fine....I'm 56 and would ride this bike to the coast and back as is.


you might give these guys a call and see if they plan a Ninja 1000 / Z1000 option.
http://www.saddlemen.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=476_479_491

Their current Kawasaki sportbike offerings look good

[DogBoy]

DogBoy, been meaning to say thanks. The service manual does not mention your trick. Your method works great and has saved me a lot of grief!

Glad it worked for you.

[blakebird]

I emailed Saddlemen and they responded, they will be coming out with a line of their 'Gel Channel' seats for the Z1000 in early March.

[sportrider]

would like to hear as well.  thanks.  

[JSharp]

My Sargent went off to Spencers today to have him modify it. Nice that I still have the stocker so I can ride while the Sargent is being worked on.

[blakebird]

I've had this a couple of weeks now....pretty happy with it.

Had the seat pocket raised just enough to maintain the oem seat height.
I do that on every Corbin, if I don't buy it from their traveling big rig at the races. I've had a number of their seats, overall a very happy customer.

[NinjaTourer]

So how do you like the corbin seat now that it's been a while.  I bought the sargent and it's hurting my back because I'm raised up a bit higher so now I tend to want to slouch when I'm riding.  I'm also slipping a lot on it and feel like I have to push on the bars in order to stay at the back of the seat.  any issues like that with the corbin?

THanks,

[blakebird]

So how do you like the corbin seat now that it's been a while.  I bought the sargent and it's hurting my back because I'm raised up a bit higher so now I tend to want to slouch when I'm riding.  I'm also slipping a lot on it and feel like I have to push on the bars in order to stay at the back of the seat.  any issues like that with the corbin?

go down a thread  
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,69699.0.html

When I ordered the Corbin, I did what I've done on a few of their seats - asked for the seat pocket to be raised back to stock height, sometimes 3/4" more or so (ZX-14). I'm pretty happy with the results, though they could have raised it more beneath the crotch.

I still have a tendency to slide a bit under braking if I don't squeeze the bike between my knees a bit....which you kinda need to do anyway with the upright seating position when riding in a sporty mode.