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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
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  #1  
Old 11 May 2007
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KLE & KLR seat
I seem to remember reading on here that the KLE seat was exactly the same pan and fitting as the KLR seat. However, have searched the forum a number of times and still can't find the reference again. Did I imagine this or is it in fact the same. I ask as it is relatively easy to find replacement seats listed for the KLR but difficult to find them for the KLE. After the first 1600 miles on my new bike I have decided that I am not going to get used to the seat and I am really going to have to get a replacement.
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  #2  
Old 11 May 2007
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I dunno if thats true? PLECO, HELP!!!!!

If Im honest, thats my only gripe with my KLE. I think the seat is just a bit to narrow...or is it my ass to big??.

Anyway, I found that sitting further back helps. I sit on the the slope of the seat where the divide between rider and pilion, I gues its gonna be different for each rider.

The way I get round it is just by standing out of the seat every now and again. 10 seconds out of the seat and Im good to go again!.

Mabey you could get one of those gel pads that strap to the seat...
Busters Motorcycle Accessories they do one for a pillion seat on a sports bike which would be just about the right size for the kle.

Hope this helps???

Roy
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  #3  
Old 11 May 2007
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I find sitting back helps. Trouble is the Wife starts to moan a bit when she is on the back

I quite fancied the idea of the air seats. But they were a bit expensive. Mind you the other day I saw inflatable cushions in Asda for 99p. Problem solved I thought. It was like riding on a water bed. Every time I accelerated or braked I rolled around like a bowl of jelly. It was the hairest ride to work I have ever had (((

So maybe the next try is the gel seat. For me the problem is really the cut out. I either seat to the back of the cut out and then my trousers stick to the seat and I roll forward exerting a tightening to you know where. Or I sit forward in the cut out resulting in pressure on the same spot. Fortunately I have had all the kids I want but it still makes the eyes water after a few miles.
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Old 11 May 2007
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Apologise butting in as a non KLE owner but a lot of people swear by sheepskins. Going to try this myself soon.
Matt
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Old 11 May 2007
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What about taking the seat to an upholstery firm to have it altered, My mate did it with one of his old bikes. It may work out cheaper then the gel pad option???.

Also, Ive started using a kidney belt, only a cheap one from Aldi but it has made a big difference in overall comfort on the bike.

As for the sheepskin route (Matt), Ive heared a few people on about it, but im not sure I could go for it?.


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Old 11 May 2007
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KLE seat
Hello Guys.

Unfortunately only Le Cap has owned both bikes that I know of. I am sure he will chip in.

Nicki did a very good conversion on his seat, where he took the cover off, and cut the seat with a bread knife, too make the slope more pronounced, and a little further back.

Makes quite a difference, and definitely on my list of mods. It makes the seat flatter, and you then spread you weight a lot better lengthwise. Unless you get a wide chopper seat, no replacement seat will be wider.

I will ask Nicki if he can get a template together for a starting point.

regards
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Old 12 May 2007
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Hi Pleco,

I was looking at my seat last night and thats the thought I had, moving the slope further back and the angle of it would make a difference.

Theres a guy close to me who as re-covered a few seats for me in the past, I may pop the seat into him to get it done right.

on another issue, I hate the mirrors on the kle coz i just cant see owt through them(appart from me). My mate has a kwak z750 which has rectangle mirrors on which look like they would give better vision. The fitting looks the same, Just wondering if anyone else has changed to different mirrors?.

cheers
Roy
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Old 12 May 2007
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Hello Roy
Take a look at the pics thread. The mirrors were the first things I changed. They work well, and cost about 15USD.

I looked around until i found something that had long enough stems so that the outside of the mirror lines up with the outside of the handles.

Works quite well.

Let us know of the seat changes, and how it works. Remember all vehicles gets built for the average person. We are not all average, so dont be afraid to modify a few things

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Old 13 May 2007
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Im gonna try my mates z750 mirrors and see if it improves, I think they will do the job.

Just in the middle of fixing my garage at the moment, Having a new roof and doors etc.. so money all spoken for. I will get the seat altered after that and let you know what its like.

As you may remember Pleco, Ive been after a touring screen for the bike. I know you made yours but I dunno if i could do as good. Ive only ever seen an MRA screen for my 2006 KLE available but the other day a catalog came from a local bike parts and accessories place (Busters) and they had a flip screen for £35 (thats better then the £83 that MRA want!!!).

Anyway, Ive ordered one. I will give it a road test and post the results up shortly.

Cheers
Roy

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