K&H saddle for CT125

[Mick In VT]

It took a few months to be made by K&H after ordering from WeBike Japan, but the seat finally arrived. The seat is described as 20mm taller than stock. It appears about 1” taller at the nose, about 1/2” taller in the center. The shape is narrower, so standing over it is even easier than with the stock seat. The plain black leather is very nice quality, and the fit and finish are top end. The foam is much firmer than stock (and is offered in different densities for riders of different weights). I found it much more comfortable, especially on bumps. WeBike doesn’t offer many options, but K&H show lots of leather choices on their website. With the favorable exchange rate and shipping included, it cost me $330.

 

[TheBenson]

How much narrower is the new seat?

 

[Mick In VT]

OK, it is a bit of a challenge determining how the seats compare since it is the foam shape that differs. Seam-to-seam at the widest part appears to be about 3/4” narrower on the K&H, but about the same width at the nose. I’m not clear how that applies in the real world since the foam density on the K&H is considerably firmer and will compress differently from the stock seat. The OEM seat is really soft and easily depressed with finger pressure. Where I could feel the cross bar on the rear rack if I slid back using the original seat, this wasn’t an issue for me with the K&H. The manufacturer says that the increased height of the seat doesn’t affect the stand-over height of the motorcycle because of the contour of the foam. The greatest height difference is on the nose, not where the rider sits, and does provide a way to “grip” the motorcycle with the legs. I was drawn to this seat because the additional height would change my leg angle relative to the foot pegs and shifter. I try to get up off the seat when the going gets rough, and the extra inch probably helps make that easier.

 

[TheBenson]

Thanks just checking to see how it may or may not affect my vertically challenged wife.

 

[mcmd]

It took a few months to be made by K&H after ordering from WeBike Japan, but the seat finally arrived. The seat is described as 20mm taller than stock. It appears about 1” taller at the nose, about 1/2” taller in the center. The shape is narrower, so standing over it is even easier than with the stock seat. The plain black leather is very nice quality, and the fit and finish are top end. The foam is much firmer than stock (and is offered in different densities for riders of different weights). I found it much more comfortable, especially on bumps. WeBike doesn’t offer many options, but K&H show lots of leather choices on their website. With the favorable exchange rate and shipping included, it cost me View attachment 4187$330.View attachment 4188View attachment 4189

Hi Mick,
I happened to be reading your post about your new seat for the CT 125 when I noticed that you have what appears to be a mounting plate on your luggage rack for a GIVI Top Box. That's interesting, as I just ordered one for my CT 125. It has not arrived yet. I was wondering if you could pass along any information or tips about how you installed the mounting plate and any other information you feel is important. Please keep in mind that I'm mechanically challenged. Really just not good at DIY at all. Any information or tips about the use of the GIVI, it's installation, etc. that you can pass along would be much appreciated. I'm relatively new to this forum and I believe your post is the only one I've seen with pictures of the mounting plate on the luggage rack. If you happen to have any other pictures of the mounting plate and the box in use, I'd love to see them. Thank you in advance. I look forward to your response.

 

[dmonkey]

Here are a few other Givi top box posts to get an idea of various mounting options:

Givi Trekker Outback Mounted!

I mounted my 58L Givi Trekker Outback case today. I love this box for a number of reasons and decided to mount it up. The mounting location I chose was on purpose, while I know it's rather rearward I wanted the front of the rack available to strap dry bags or other items. In order to make...

hondatrail125.com

Givi Trekker Outback 58 Liter Monokey Top Case and mount

I decided to upgrade from the cheap 46L collapsible Instacrate from Costco and move to a weatherproof and locking top case. There are some no-name options designed to be used as top cases that you can find on sites like Aliexpress, eBay, or Amazon for cheaper, but I've had good luck with Givi...

hondatrail125.com

 

[Mick In VT]

Sorry for the slow reply, I hadn’t seen your question until just now. I didn’t want the Givi box to extend beyond the rear rack, so it is positioned with just a few inches space behind the seat. I was able to use two of the threaded mounting points that are stock on the rack, and used two of the Givi flat steel plates that come with the base plate for the forward attachments. I covered those with sections of narrow bicycle inner tube to prevent metal-to-metal damage and used sections of the same inner tube between the rack and the Givi mounting plate to prevent damage to the top of the rack. It seems quite sturdy and never loosened over the 2700+ miles I rode this past season.

 

[mcmd]

Sorry for the slow reply, I hadn’t seen your question until just now. I didn’t want the Givi box to extend beyond the rear rack, so it is positioned with just a few inches space behind the seat. I was able to use two of the threaded mounting points that are stock on the rack, and used two of the Givi flat steel plates that come with the base plate for the forward attachments. I covered those with sections of narrow bicycle inner tube to prevent metal-to-metal damage and used sections of the same inner tube between the rack and the Givi mounting plate to prevent damage to the top of the rack. It seems quite sturdy and never loosened over the 2700+ miles I rode this past season.View attachment 4466

Thanks Mick. I ordered one of the smaller cases. (GIVI E370NA 39LTR MONOLOCK CASE). I do not plan to take any long trips on the bike. I just wanted a place to stow the helmet and lock when I run errands. It seems that you and I are thinking the same way when it comes to protecting the paint on the luggage rack. I'm not sure where to get my hands on an old inner tube but I definitely will put some kind of lining between the plate and the rack. I suppose it's best to use something that will not retain moisture. I'm also with you when it comes to not having the box extending off the back of the rack. Thanks for your help.

 

[dmonkey]

Others on this forum have mentioned used dish drying mats and drawer liners to prevent scratching. I'm using the cheap toolbox drawer liner from Harbor Freight.

18 in. x 72 in. Nonslip Toolbox Solid Liner

Amazing deals on this 18Inx72In Nonslip Toolbox Solid Liner at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[mcmd]

Others on this forum have mentioned used dish drying mats and drawer liners to prevent scratching. I'm using the cheap toolbox drawer liner from Harbor Freight.

18 in. x 72 in. Nonslip Toolbox Solid Liner

Amazing deals on this 18Inx72In Nonslip Toolbox Solid Liner at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Those are all good suggestions. I'll have to look around. Thanks.

 

[mcmd]

A question for Mick, dmonkey and all others about the placement of some sort of liner under the GIVI mount hardware. Are you placing the liner under the entire mounting plate or just between the mounting brackets that go under the luggage rack? As I've mentioned, I'm not terribly mechanically inclined. While I'm at it, would anyone know which magnetic oil drain plug I need for the 2022 ct 125. Thank in advance. Sorry I'm not too with it with the mechanical stuff!

 

[oldskool]

Goldplug MP-01

 

[mcmd]

Goldplug MP-01

Thank you very much. It's now on the list.