So all of us know how little storage there is on this bike, literally none for anything other than the OEM tool kit. I've always wanted to use the pillion cowl but needed some ability for basic storage. Then my brain eventually figured out with a little ingenuity I could have my cake and eat it too.

Primary goals: create storage area, install pillion cowl, retain ability to carry passenger
secondary goals: reduce weight

I procured a second seat for this modification. I can swap the original seat for passengers. There's enough room for my tire repair kit, and a small lunch container, and maybe another small item. I'm not quite done with the mod, but this is a point I'm going to start using it.

These two pics show how it works. I cut the seat foam with a sharp knife, and back cut under the seat. I can push this down with the pillion cover installed and put or pull things out of the storage area. The hole also allows for me to remove the seat, and access any contents if necessary.

The seat I bought had been damaged, and I had to repair the plastic area the latch bracket mounts to. I used a soldering iron and melted the plastic back into rough shape. I sanded it and drilled the hole. Works great!

Before installing pillion cover

Here's a pic with the pillion cover installed, and the access hole I cut in the seat bottom. NOTE the access hole in the bottom is only needed if something gets lost or stuck. Primary access is by pushing down the back seat. I can put my hole arm into the storage area.

Modded seat installed - goals met!

* Last updated by: VicThing on 4/23/2015 @ 8:03 PM *

Reserved for update

looks like my Sargent seat.

looks like my Sargent seat.

You got robbed!

Neat idea. I have a dream of modding a seat cowl so that it lifts up on a hinge to reveal a compartment made from removing the entire passenger seat. I'm planning to put a nitrous bottle back there. If I want to carry a passenger, I just have to remove the bottle and put a whole seat on.

Thanks Rook. I can see your gears turning and even some possibilities on how it could work.

I rode to work this morning, it was 30F when I left. But at least my new storage compartment served it's purpose!

actually, I didn't pay even close to that, more like $260. I bought the version they don't make anymore. No pod, just empty under the cowl. Yes, I have to remove the seat, but I have a compartment that opens under the seat, and if I take off the cowl there's tons of space under there. Sure yours is cheaper, but then I also have a way more comfortable seat. Sorry, I forgot the smilie in the first post. Not knocking the mod, just commenting on the idea being done.

* Last updated by: alg8er on 4/25/2015 @ 2:48 AM *

...come to think of it, I seem to recall an aftermarket tail cowl for the gen1 that opened on hinges. It was pretty expensive.

Found it. It goes with the Sargent seat. Smaller than the OEM tail cowl but nice if you want to spend the $$ and not fuss with things and have a Sargent seat.

http://ultimatemotorcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-sargent-modular-seats-zx-14-concours-6.jpg

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/25/2015 @ 5:39 AM *

Rook...bad!!! EEWWWWWW that is FUGLY!!!

alg8er

LOL it would suck have to take the seat off to use the storage. This is way better!

My tire repair kit

Lunch container

Looks like water will easily work its way under your seat, any fears of damaging any thing?

Vic: Yep, gen 1. I can't imagine any stock seat, or aftermarket for that matter, more comfortable than a Sargent, but yeah, buts are different. I keep my rain liner in the compartment under the seat, so 5 seconds to pop the seat off and get it out. Tire repair kit is under the cowl, with room for an inflator, first aid kit, extra cash, and still room for plenty more. I do like your idea better than a tank bag.

Looks like water will easily work its way under your seat, any fears of damaging any thing?

You mean like if there's a flood? Or like if I ride it into a swimming pool?

Vic: Yep, gen 1

That explains a lot. I never would've guessed it, but apparently Gen 2's seat is several times more comfy than Gen 1 stock seats. I only learned this here recently. Never would've guessed it otherwise. Just one of those areas Kaw made a small change that made a big difference from Gen 1 to 2.

I'll take that as a no. Good luck, water is extremely thorough.

I'll take that as a no. Good luck, water is extremely thorough.

No concerns or worries at all.

how soft is the seat back? Does it still hold you forward, or do you slide back against the cowl?

how soft is the seat back? Does it still hold you forward, or do you slide back against the cowl?

Are you asking this because you have some interest in duplicating this mod or something like it? I'm not really sure I understand the question. But you're either asking because you're interested, being an asshat, or ask a lot of legitimately stupid questions. I know they say "the only stupid question is the one not asked." That's not really true, they just say that to be nice.

my ohline version didn't come with a seat cowl so not sure if it fits the same way as my gen 1 did with four screws.
If so let me ask another dumb question and only based on me liking the idea but would want easy access.
Do you only access it via pushing your hand in between the seat and the cowl? I'm assuming the lunch box sticking out is just for illustration and it goes all the way in.

I'm assuming the lunch box sticking out is just for illustration and it goes all the way in.

Correct. There's room for the tire plug kit, the lunch box, probably a pair of gloves or bag of coffee.

Vic; Not an asshat. Legit question. I have 3 seats, and thinking about modding one. Not using your idea exactly, but... Just wondering if removing the back half of the seat removes the support of the back. If you can pull things through, it seems like the hump would be too soft to hold you forward like it used to.

alg8er

No. Even the way I undercut the foam sliding my butt back I don't feel any difference at all.

cool, thanks.

When you slam on your brakes does stuff come sliding out of your new trunk? If not, why not? I don't understand what would stop it.

Good idea ...

When you slam on your brakes does stuff come sliding out of your new trunk? If not, why not? I don't understand what would stop it.

Good idea ...

Thanks. I've had this mod for a while all I can say is it's met every goal I set out for it. I love having the pillion cover in place.

No stored items do not come sliding out. The seat foam stops it. Items can and do shift (I wouldn't say slide) around. Since the sub-frame is sloped downward to the center of the bike, items tends to shift forward I imagine due to braking (shifting there) and gravity (keeping it there).

I wanted to use it as is for a while the consider alterations. Now that I have I'm going to use velcro and fasten the tire repair kit in a place (not sure where yet, probably towards the back). It'll still be accessible without removing the seat, but this way it won't shift around.

The toughest thing about this mod was figuring out what to cut and why to cut it then cutting once.