New Kawasaki Concours - 2008 Concours 14
October 9th, 2006 by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"
The Kawasaki Concours has a couple of things in common with the Yamaha Vmax, it’s been around essentially unchanged almost forever (introduced in 1986) and it has a very dedicated following of owners who absolutely love it. This year, though, Kawasaki finally decided to bring the bike into the 21st century and they are introducing the Concours 14 and Concours 14 ABS as 2008 models that will show up in dealers early in 2007. They just happened to have a superb platform as a starting point, the new ZX14, which was modified a bit for touring duty to produce what should be one lightning quick cross country machine.
It’s no secret that a lot of the hypersport machines like the venerable ZX11 and the Suzuki Hayabusa, were and still are purchased for long distance road use. If you’ve never put any miles on one of these machines, you can’t appreciate how well suited for touring duty they really are. But anyone who wants to do that needs to add decent bags of some sort, a better windshield and a few other odds and ends to tweak the machine to better serve the owner’s intentions. Kawasaki did all of the work up front with the new Concours 14 and I can see it swinging a few purchasers away from the big Z as well as pulling a lot of old Concours owners back into the dealers.
The Concours has shaft drive, an electrically adjustable windshield plus different aerodynamics than the ZX14, designed to protect a rider and passenger from the wind as opposed to maximizing top speed. There are heated grips, an accessory power outlet and of course, detachable hard bags. But the really sweet part is the engine, which is the big ZX14 engine in a slightly different state of tune but certainly a helluva lot more engine than any other touring rig you’ll run across.
If Kawasaki is true to form, what you see here is probably the Concours you’ll see for many years to come and I can’t argue with their reasoning, I don’t see any reason they would want to change it again any time soon. I like this.
Kawasaki Press release and more photos below:
Supersport performance with long-distance touring comfort
The new Concours 14 and Concours 14 ABS combine breathtaking engine performance, impeccable handling and a comfortable riding position with clean, convenient shaft drive, locking hard luggage, an electrically adjustable windscreen and a host of other features to create the most impressive long-distance, high-speed machine on the market today.
An aluminum monocoque chassis, radial-mount brake calipers, inverted fork, and ram air induction are all features riders expect to find on top-of-the-line supersport machines. However, instead of riding a high-strung racetrack missile, they can enjoy these high-performance features on Kawasaki’s new Concours 14 sport touring motorcycles. They are the first representatives of an entirely new genre of high-performance motorcycle: the Transcontinental Supersport.
Because it’s a Kawasaki, the Concours 14 is naturally designed to do much more than just take a rider from point A to point B. Thanks to its sporting heritage, the new Concours 14 is not only an awe-inspiring road burner, it can also carve up mountain roads like a true supersport bike. For those riders who cross state lines the way others cross town, this machine offers more excitement than anything else in its category.
The Concours 14 may be a physically impressive machine, but as soon as riders flip the side stand up, they’ll be astonished at the bike’s lightweight feel. The confidence-enhancing ABS brake system (Concours 14 ABS) features radial-mount front calipers operated by a radial-pump master cylinder, for the superb control and powerful, reliable braking performance that continent-crossing sport riders expect. Belying its tourer-like appearance, the Concours 14’s phenomenally responsive handling characteristics make the other bikes in its category seem like transports by comparison. This provides the Concours 14 rider with a feeling of complete control for spirited, confident journeys.
In addition to an incredible level of sporting performance, the new Concours 14 has the functional touches of a Grand Touring machine. Features include KI-PASS (Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System), the first smart key ignition system in its class, and an accessory power outlet located near the cockpit for powering portable electronics, grip heaters and other accessories. There’s also an electrically adjustable windscreen, shaft drive and detachable, locking side cases, so the Concours 14 is always ready for a high-speed ride to the local hangout or that favorite spot… fifteen hundred miles away.
The Concours 14 is much more than a sportbike with tacked-on touring features; it’s an integrated high-speed touring system. Wind protection for rider and passenger is based on a supersport-style design philosophy, aerodynamically curving wind around the riders to reduce buffeting that occurs when wind curls around screens that simply block the wind. Additionally, maintenance chores on long-distance trips are minimized thanks to quiet and reliable shaft drive. Featuring a special four-link design, the Tetra-Lever shaft drive system significantly reduces driveline lash during sport riding and helps ensure smooth acceleration when exploiting the engine’s incredible power output. In fact, power delivery to the rear wheel is so smooth and so direct that it gives the same natural ride quality as a chain.
The Concours 14’s touring prowess doesn’t stop there. The included hard luggage features a slim, integrated design which mounts the cases closer to the machine’s centerline for excellent mass centralization. Sensors in the front and rear wheels monitor tire pressure and display this information on the instrument panel, giving riders peace of mind during two-up high-speed riding or when carving up a mountain road.
With all the equipment needed for safe and exciting long-distance riding mated to a decidedly supersport core, the new Concours 14 amplifies all the best riding features that motorcycling has to offer. Motorcyclists carry a driver’s license, but Concours 14 riders should bring their passports, too.
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46 Responses to “New Kawasaki Concours - 2008 Concours 14”
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October 9th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Like touring in a Benz. In fact too much like touring in a benz. Lighter and simpler please.
October 9th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Based on the pics, the shaft drive/swingarm design looks good. Is it lighter than BMW or Guzzi shaft drive on equivalent models?
October 9th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
Why would anyone want fairing on this? Just put a saddle on the chassis and off you go. That’s what Iwant!
October 9th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
I agree with Petr - this thing looks like it would make for one cool naked!
October 10th, 2006 at 12:20 am
I’m with you guys…that was the first thing I thought when I saw the naked pics. Slap some drag bars and and a saddle on there, like the Hellcat and you’re good to go!
October 10th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Please, please change that horrible muffler, get rid of the 80’s fairing and sadle bag strakes and I’ll be the first in line to purchase one. Maybe I’ll even trade in my 1990 concours.
October 16th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
i’ve been waiting on this bike even before i bought my last Connie. NO VIBRATION, say “smooth as a baby’s a–”. Better Heat management, “riding a Concours is like riding a Bar B Cue Grill.” Aluminum frame Serious Weight Lost. More capacity can i say “run like a Scalded Skunk.” This is the short for me.
later
e
motorcyling saxophonist
October 17th, 2006 at 11:08 am
I’m thrilled that this bike has finally been updated, as I love travelling on my own Connie, but I still can’t find an answer to the most important question to MY safety and comfort - What is the seat height? I’m 5′ 8″ and even with a Corbin seat which drops the seat height about 1″, I can not hold my 2002 top-heavy beast. if she decides that to lay down while my hubby is trying to decide where we can park, that I can get the beast in and out safely. What I’ve put out in replacement foot pegs has brought me to the point of looking for another bike, sadly.
October 20th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Finally, this is exactly the bike I have been waiting for Kawasaki to build. I love my 2002 Concours but I am ready for a faster better handling machine with the same basic features. The new goodies they have added will be icing on the cake. I can’t wait, sign me up!
October 21st, 2006 at 9:59 pm
I agree with Mayakovski’s remarks above about the faring and hard bag “strakes”. It’s a similar “over the top”, superfulous detail on the ZX14 that is totally unnecessary. C’mon Team Green - GRIND ‘EM OFF!
Otherwise, can’t wait to see how it compares to the ST1300, FJR1300 and the CLC1200 - not just in HP, but in overall performance and ergonomics!
October 22nd, 2006 at 1:28 pm
I love the new style of the Concours14. My 2003 Connie has a lot of upgrades and mods but when I saw the new Connie my mouth watered. My question is what’s the price tag?
October 22nd, 2006 at 9:42 pm
WOW! I’m in the process of choosing my next bike. A sport tourer is what I’m looking for. ST1300, st3 ducati, fjr1300, bmw’s rt, now I have to include this new Concours14. Life is a pain, I have to wait to know how much it will be, and then will it be distributed to Canada? The cool thing about the st classification is , the Quebec provincial governement is passing a law to triple the cost of registration for sport bikes ( near 1700.00/year in 2008), touring bikes are less impacted. I can see a lot of sport riders opting for a Concours 14 !
October 24th, 2006 at 1:36 am
I have a 92 bought new in 94, been waiting for this one a long time.
And to think, I almost went for the ST1300. Yeah baby, yeah.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:39 am
I ride a ZZR1200. I can’t wait to see this new Connie. If it has cruise I think I’m in!
October 31st, 2006 at 8:59 pm
i agree with mayakovski about the muffler i would have liked to have seen duals on it. a few other things bother me ;one what kind of setup is there on the abs? two what about fuel capacity?to equal my 04 it would have to provide 250-300 mile range . what about valve maintenance if any ?will save any more comments till after i seeone at the bike show in Ft Worth next month i hope that they will have more info on it
November 2nd, 2006 at 3:41 pm
I don’t mind the fact that it’s a 4-into1 exhaust but could they have made the muffler any bigger (it’s huge)!!?? I don’t care for the “strakes” on the bags either. Those two items aside, it appears that they addressed most of my issues with my ‘03. The forks are beefier, it looks like there may actually be real front brakes on it!! Hopefully they made the valve train require less attention, we’ll have to wait and see.
November 4th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
I CURENTLY OWN A 2000 CONCOURS & NEW ZX14, THE 14 BRINGS BACK THE OLD DAYS OF MY 750 H2 EXCITEMENT ON THE ROAD, BUT I THOUGHT AT 49 I WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTROL MYSELF. I AM ACTING 20 AGAIN AND I THINK THE NEW ZX14 CONCOURS WILL BE PUT ME EXACTLY WHERE I NEED TO BE AGAIN.
November 9th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Can’t believe the guys want to lose the bags! We are talking about a take your wife along touring bike here. There are tons of sport bikes out there with no bags and pillion pads that no human could set on for more than 10 minutes without looking forward to some rump surgury. Can’t believe they will supply hydralic self adjusting lifters on this high out put engine. Most touring types want ride it and put it up and not have to worry about getting the bike to the dealers service department before it eats a valve. I am looking at the Honda TS1300 and the FJR but will also wait on this bike full spec.s before making a decision.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Although I’ll reserve final judgement until I get my hands on hard specs… here are my basic thoughts:
Critical decision makers/breakers will involve such items as what method was used to impliment the variable valve timing system (will it be a royal PIA to set the clearances like on the 02+ VFR’s or will it be like the Mitsubishi truck patent which is as simple any bike’s), service intervals, ergonomics and price-point. If they follow the same pricing strategy they used in the UK, expect the Concours14 (aka 1400GTR) to be about 12.5% over the price of the ZX14, which would mean $12,999-$13,500 MSRP in the USA (or two new-on-floor Connie 500’s left over from last year).
As for the fairings/looks/muffler:
Of course, I’d prefer a bit more minimalism (more akin to the ZX14)… and the huge muffler (to comply with Euro-3 specs while keeping ground clearance up) is an eyesore when the bags are off… Dual-sided exhaust from the ZX14 will probably bolt right up…
It may well be a love-hate thing, but if they do a good job of shunting the heat of the engine anywhere except directly onto me, I will adore them (Florida’s summer humid-heat means many bikes become the equivilent of concentration camps when the fans kick on; for examples, previous years’ FJRs would get their frames hot enough to scald your thighs, and the SprintST is an ankle roaster).
Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet
November 26th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
well i finally got to see the new concours last weekend at the bike show in ft worth , it was up on a platform to view they wouldn”t even let anyone sit on it . and the kawasaki reps didnt know or wouldnt tell anything besides what we already know next to nothing, i might ride my 04 for a while longer,have 62k on it and running good michael
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:49 am
Get rid of the bags? Buy the ZX - 14? You can do everything with this bike from carving canyons to taking a trip across the continent. I like a bike that has that much power and torque. So many crazies that follow close to you and even do some harrassment. With this bike, good grief; one twist and aloha! Thanks Kawi!
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Just what we need, another overweight sport-tourer.
January 31st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
This bike looks awesome. I’ve been riding a vstrom 1000 with lots of mods…out of all the STourers the Connie’s felt the best to ride but not quite enough to buy…but good value…this new one I will get…sell the Stromer and go for this beauty….it looks to have the Saki Farfegnugen, power looks and upscale enough to grab some BMW and FJR folks…Honda as well…ST1300’s are ok but to smooth…not sporty enough..BMR’s to much $ and maintenence…FJR’s..ah..slick but no Charisma…cant wait to get my hands on one of these babies…go Kawasaki!
February 12th, 2007 at 5:16 am
Those of you who want to loose the saddlebags need to buy the ZX14. Own a 86 Connie and love it but was thinking of upgrading it to the FJR but Kawasaki has made me re-think that. Living in Alaska won’t see one up close till the fisrt one gets to town in June. (bummer!!!)
The local dealer is also the BMW guy and he really thinks this bike will take away sells from the BMW’s. Looking, drooling and hearing the price will be around $15000.00 makes me REALLY want it.
Ken
February 13th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
I have been riding a 97 ZX-11 for the last 9 years (50,000 miles and counting). Since I love the power, I rigged the bike with touring extras to satisfy my LD riding. I was thinking about getting a ZX-14 and doing the same thing but NOW Kawasaki answered my prayers. I could not be happier !!!!
March 14th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
WOW, this is a hell of a bike!~
No1 for sure in its class, although I’m a superbikes lover, this is the one and only -no superbike- motorcycle that I would consider very seriously! It offers everything, really great , can’ty wait to see it live in dealers!
March 15th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Yada yada yada @’overweight sportbike’. I can barely hide my cheshire grin under my smoked visor when some kid in a sport bike approaches my ZZR1200. They laugh at the hard bags until they realize they can’t take her.
I just hope the ZZR14 isn’t as low in the saddle as the ZX14 . . . why are 5′ tall peeps buyin’ a bike this size anyway? LOL
May 19th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Have to admit, the Concours 14 is a beautiful machine! And if it acts like it looks, I’ll have to see if I can afford one. I would perfer a 4 into 2 exhaust however. I have been riding about 30 years now and am at about 750,000 miles on 2 wheels to date. Have had many bikes, even raced professionally for a few years at one point. Now I like to ride for pleasure, but do appreciate moderate performance. Like to keep the ‘ol license if ya know what I mean. Love to shut others down even when I ride a lesser bike than theirs. It’s mostly in your ability to handle what you ride, and get the most out of your powerband.
I’ve had stuff like Harley’s, CBX, V65 Sabre, Gold Wing, ST 1100. I am now riding my 2000 Connie which I like real well. I’ve been going from a sport bike to a touring bike and back to sport for a long time, now I really enjoy the “sport touring features”. Glad to see the Connie didn’t go away, it just got better.
Anyone know just what they will be going for once they reach the market??? Can’t seem to pin that down.
June 2nd, 2007 at 8:23 am
Bitterr-Sweet! I love the old (current) Concours - I had the silver ‘86 (first year of the model) then the black ‘94 and currently have the Blue ‘06 (last year of the 1000 model). I love the bike and dreaded the day they would change it - Well, that day is here (almost) and I hate to admit it, but I love the 1400 better. I got to sit on one at Bike Week in Daytona and it is fantatastic - I just wish they were allowing test rides! Anyway, I’ll miss the old style, at least when my ‘06 dies one day, but the new girl will get me through the sad times. Oh, so bitter sweet!
June 11th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Like Peg I would be very interested in the seat height. How can that be TBD?
July 11th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
My initial reaction to this bike is wow, what a cool looking, want to ride it now bike! It looks like it could eat any other bike for lunch! But thats not exactly why I would ride. Well uh, maybe I would enjoy smoking other riders just for the fun of it….but just think it would be so cool to cruise comfortably at say 125mph. On further thought I am surprised that the concours has jumped from 997cc to 1400cc. Seems to me it would have been better perhaps to take the existing 1200cc kawasaki sport bikes and make them into sport touring bikes? Isnt a 1200cc enough power for sport touring? After all my 1995 connie with 100hp will do 75 in second gear….yee ha! But then again I guess there are other reasons that kawasaki has decided to do this? Perhaps to keep the leading edge in sport touring since honda has the st1300 and yamaha the fjr1300? I suppose in a quarter mile the new concours 14 would smoke the competition? jomama
July 17th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
I saw the Concours 14 at a local dealer. He got a standard model in (non ABS) and sold it immediatly. It was still there to inspect and I was quite impressed with what I saw. A few flaws in my estimation…….the muffler in particular.They had a ZX 14 next to it and it’s exhaust was much nicer.The weight may aslo be a deterant. The salesman said no heated grips? True? I ride a BMW R1100 RSL and want to try this baby out. It may be time for a change,,,,,,,,,,,,,,!
Thegoman
July 19th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Wow! I can tell there a bunch of smart butt Americans in here. Here is another one. Lose the bags? This is a sport “TOURER”…You guys missed the sportbike page…Leave and go there.
Sport tourers are inheriently heavier than sportbikes. I see no problem with the 600 pounds. The 900 pound Goldwing is a heavy sport tourer, but it handles like a SPORT tourer. You don’t want to have a touring machine that a twist of the wrist makes the front in go to flight. Not a good combination for a long ride motorcycle…Too task saturating. Weight adds stability and stops the gerkiness of the high horsepower - Read: Smoother bike.
I like the lines on the bike, and I like the bags, and I like the fairing (well, the Ferrari fairing is growing on me - think Suzuki RF900). It’s doesn’t look like a FJR or a Duc. It definately doesn’t look like the electronic entorage and humdrum image of the BMW GT - BORING.
I think for a first year out of the box bike, this is a HOME RUN and a half. The engineers deserve a raise. The only complaints were HEAT (well, put an 800cc engine in it and then let them complain about power), RANGE (see the last comment on the 800cc or learn to not full throttle everywhere), and HEATED GRIPS ($400 option on FJR, is it standard on the $20,000 BMW GT?). The bike is reasonable priced for all the design work into it. I hope they do keep the design for 20 years again.
If you want to complain, complain about the “glove” box with the kind of cheap looking door, too small, and even worse latch system for it. I would also complain about the lack of lockable small box storage. There are two perfect panels on the inner fairing for two lock boxes. I think the glove box is a neat feature, but a little more work was needed on that.
Overall, This is a SUPER HOME RUN for Kawasaki!!! Thanks for the older model, but quadruple thanks for the new one!!!
July 19th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I picked up my new 14 ABS 2 days ago with just enough time to garage it and make it to work. It has been raining since. I rode the thing right out of the showroom. The bike does not feel like the same 600 lb that my 05 connie weighed. It is so smooth it is like riding a 2 wheeled Lexus. Of course sticking to the 4000 rpm limit for break in will be tough but in overdrive we were cruising at 80 before 4k rpm. I’m a little concerned about the heat of the cat converter but we will see after a few more miles. Nice weather tomorrow, I feel a vac day coming on!
July 25th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Walt, can you give us an update on how the bike rides, specifically power and acceleration? I’ve ridden the ZX-14, which has phenomenal acceleration. How does the Concours 14 compare?
September 11th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Dropped off my Honda VTX1300C for an oil change and while waiting for my ride, walked into showroom. Traded right there and picked it up the next day! Have about 1000 miles on it and I love this bike! Its fast, great brakes, handles better than anything I have ever driven. Will pick up a taller windshield and I’m sure someone will come out with a replacement glovebox.
Only real problem is it is hard to stay under the speed limit!
September 18th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Went for a ride on Sunday with two friends on GSX-R 1000s and my wife on her GSX-R 750. My 1991 ZX-11 with its many mods decided this was the day to die (total transmission failure). I have loved the ZX-11 since I demo’ed one at the first AMA Heritage Homecoming in 1990. I finally picked mine up in 1995 and it has been my sole street bike since then. We had covered twenty states and 40,000 miles together. It kept me sane through law school.
Now it appears that it will cost more than it’s worth to fix, assuming I can get all the parts for the C model. I was distraught. Nothing manufactured in the last five years even interested me, including the DL 1000, FJR, Hayabusa, and ZX-14. Then, on Tuesday, I saw the new Concours 14 on the showroom. The dealer had just gotten it in that day. The salesman let me take it for a 10 mile ride and that’s all it took! It looks great with the bags on or off. It is totally SMOOTH and has at least as much oomph as my ZX-11. The brakes are fantastic and the suspension supple yet well damped for my 236 lbs. I gave the dealer $12,890.00 USD out the door, and rode it home.
The negatives? While it handles about as well as my old ZX-11 (with full Race Tech modified suspension), it will always weigh a lot. Just no way around that fact. Also, the KIPASS keyless ignition thing is way more gimmick than substance. I would have preferred a different accessory (GPS, cruise control, heated grips, MP3 player, etc.) for the money this feature added to the price tag. It is a bit warm on the lower legs as well, but just to the point that I noticed there was some heat on my calves, not that they were being cooked. This occurred on an 80 deg. F day. I could see this being a bigger problem on very hot days.
I see that there is some concern about seat height on this page. It is no taller than my ZX-11. I’m 5′10″ tall with a 32″ inseam and can get the balls of both feet on the ground, which is comfortable enough for me. Of course the only way to really tell if one would fit you is to sit on it!
Thank you Kawasaki for keeping me in the fold! With any luck, I won’t have to purchase a bike for another 13 years!
October 14th, 2007 at 2:53 am
My brother bought one and he is hardcore, ex-racer and has ridden bikes since 1957. On the other hand, I recently bought a used ‘92 Connie for my 1st bike. He was looking to sell his ZX and go buy a Duc, but hearing I bought a Connie, he took a look at the 2008 Connie 14. He bought it immediately and is making a trip from Wisconsin to California, then heading up to Alaska with his New Zealand buddies. He wouldn’t be doing this if he didn’t feel that the 14 was up to the task. My only worry is that when I ride his 14, I’ll be wanting to sell my old Connie the next day!
October 24th, 2007 at 7:36 am
hey x motox racer go-kart racer(motorhead speedfreak etc.)rider for over 40 yrs and not brand loyal.i’ve ridden everthing up to 07’s.owned dozens of bikes,riding a valkyrie and a liter v-strom presently.yaya i scrap the strom pegs too.i now need a comfortable bike with wind protection on legs and torso.should get a st1300? fjr1300? now the concours has entered as well! life tuff ! all great bikes!concours torque and handling could win me over even with less wind protection than the st and maybe better handling than the fjr ? some nice bikes out there alright!but why dont these bikes have cruise control?weather protection for your hands ? touring riders do miles !i’ll do these mods myself i can’t miss out any longer on these and other great sport touring rides.
October 26th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
For all the children racers around here that a griping about the size of this beast…and the hard bags…please go away…go back and play cops and robbers on your little 600cc sport bikes that have about as much torque as a Singer sewing machine!
The Concours was built for MEN. Not “Speed Racer” wannabees. This is a man’s bike for men…like me…that ride 7000 miles in 10 days.
Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead!
Kawasaki has killed the proverbial witch with this motorcycle. It is the definitive Sport Touring Monster and Yamaha had better get it high gear if they expect to keep the FJR within sight of this beast.
So go away “Boy Racers”. Go play with your 16,000 rpm sewing machine motors and leave real bikes …with real torque…to real men.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
gonna park it next to the busa-truly a dream come true! christmas 4 me is gonna fall on halloween!!! key west, here i come!
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:18 am
I purchased the Concourse 14 on 11/06/2007. Immediately following the first ride (250 miles) the bike developed a coolant leak. The bike is in the shop waitng for engine head replacement parts. It was determined to be a manufacture defect. In addition, the warning tire pressure sensor activated, informing me that a battery replacement was necessary. If that was not enough, I experienced some hesitation during clutch engagement. Of course Kawasaki has refused to replace the bike but has agreed to make all repairs at no cost to me. Gee, thank you Kawasaki.
I’ve had to accept the fact that my new Concourse 14 is having engine work, but I think many of you can understand that I’m now questioning my purchase decision. I’ve been told the bike will be “as good as new.” Anyone out there really believe that?
I’m trying to remain positive and focus on the reasons I purchased the motorcycle. I hesitated making the purchase because it was a first year bike. After two test rides, I made the purchase. I was considering the BMW K1200 GT but didn’t want to spend the high bucks like I’ve done so many times before. I felt the 14 offered much of the same for 5 to 6 thousand dollars less.
The primary issue I have with the motorcycle (besides the obvious) is the amount of heat from the engine onto the legs and feet. I was aware of the issue when test riding the motorcycle, but didn’t experience the flame thrower blast until my 250 mile ride. Although my motorcycle was showing no signs of overheating during the 250 mile ride, I’m hoping the coolant leak was the reason I experienced extreme hot air. If not, buy fire retardant pants to slow down the spontanious combustion.
I’ll keep you posted……may be spending big bucks soon.
December 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Well gentelmen, I purchased the new 14 and love the bike. Yes its a bit top heavy, afterall it’s a “sport touring” machine, not a (little racer). Yes the power Kawassaki delivers is still, in my book phenomenal, as it’s always been! Like a lot of you said, we have a great selection of bikes out here. However the overall refinement and sophistication of the machine is what made my purchase. Thank you Kawasaki for keeping up with the 21st century!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Well I also just purchased my new C14 and with the initial 600 mile break-in period under my belt I couldn’t be any happier! This bike is everything one could want in a “super” sport touring bike. The heat issue is a non issue for me even though I live and ride in So Ca (wear riding gear). The power band is amazing (although the break-in period limits you to 4k rpm…Of course I fudged that just a little), the fit an dfinish of the bike is excelent. I was looking at the BMW 1200gt and thank GD I didn’t go down that road. After 1 mile on my C14 I knew I had made the right choice. Like me I read every review I could find and they were where extremly helpful. From an ex GSX guy who is in his 40’s this is the bike that will staisfy your need for speed in the sweepers as well as those not-so=limber knee’s. Buy this bike if you can!!
June 17th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
1. 5.8 gallon tank is way too small. Range is only about 200 m. Bad for a tourer. Compare to ST1300 w/7.2 gal. Even my VN2000 has 240 mile range.
2. No self cancelling turn signals. Why not? Again, my (Kawasaki)VN2000 has them. Should be a no brainer for Kawasaki.
3. Such a drab, gray color and no second choice. What is sporting about gray? There is nothing sporting about gray.
4. Exhaust pipe is really un-comely. Was an under-engine exhaust ala Buell even considered?
5. No top case??!!! Not even as an extra cost accessory? That is really bad. Where am I going to store my helmet, on my head?
6. No gear indicator? No heated grips? No analog gauges?
7. Good thing I don’t listen to music when I ride.
I don’t know, Kawasaki, it looks like I’m getting short changed on this one.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:56 am
I’ve owned “too many” motorcycles in my time. At one time i was changing bikes every year looking for the “perfect ride.” Currently I’m riding a Honda VTX1800R. A VERY powerful and comfortable cruiser but it gets terrible millage. And Wanna talk about a heavy ride … over 800 lbs! I WAS in the market for a Harley because I’ve never owned one but common sense won over and now I’m looking into a Sport Tourer. I owned a honda ST100 in the 90s and loved it but got sore knees on long rides and owned a BMW RT (I forget the number but it was a sports tourer with a boxer motor)and it was nice but REAL top heavy and when you would reve up the motor it pulled to one side. (Guess all boxers do that) Now it seems the ergos have been improved on most Sports tourers and since i do a lot of highway driving I’m once again looking for a comfortable rocket! The Concours14 has been getting awesome reviews so I’m VERY interested but I don’t like the ribs on the hard bags and hate the color. I’m also considering the Honda ST1300 … mainly because it holds a lot more gas and gets around 42 MPG. That’s over 300 miles per tank, I have to fill my VTX1800 every 150 miles!!! The Concours14 gets what 200 miles per tank? …. Guess it’s because the motor is so powerful! ANYWAY I found this forum and thought I’d throw in my 2 cents and read what everyone is thinking. If i end up buying the Concours 14 you will be “seeing’ much more of me! If not … keep the rubber side down.
(I always likes the old Concours even though i never owned one.)