2015 Kawasaki Concours 14 Review

[MCRIDER007]

It already has 6 gears but needs a lower 6th gear ratio that you can actually use most of the time and....

MCRIDER007,

Do you feel the C14's 6th gear is too tall?

Mr. BR

Absolutely, the 6th gear is so tall that it reduces gas mileage. The overdrive 6th works great on a downhill or a tailwind but about 80 percent of the time I can get better gas mileage by riding in 5th.....which is lower geared than the FJR's 5th gear.

If you want to compare gear reduction ratios, 6th gear is 3:40 and 5th gear is 4:08........ 5th gear on a GEN2/3 is 3:92. I think a 3:70 would be a good ratio for 6th.

At first I thought: "That's the point of a sixth gear 'overdrive', to be tall" and wondered how it was actually hurting gas mileage. Makes sense though as the C14 engine tune is biased more for upper RPM HP than low and mid range torque so it's 'lugging' a bit at 65mph. I wonder what speed the Kawa engineers had in mind when figuring the ratio? Autobahn?

Good question! The C14 is lugging a bit at 65 mph going uphill or into a head wind because it's only turning about 3K rpms and the serious torque starts kicking in around 4k. I may be able to get higher gas mileage in 6th vs 5th above 80 mph, I just have never been in a position to do any good comparison testing of the higher speeds. I think it is save to say that the mileage will drop considerably in either gear at high speeds, the C14 is pretty wide in the front with a huge radiator and is pushing a lot of air.

 

[OldButNotDead (sockpuppet)]

Gear ratios, number of gears, size of gas tank, rpm/torque, etc. All are kinda irrelevant (not really, sometimes it's nice to know why something is the way it is). When I ride with C14 guys on my 14A, same roads, same speeds, same everything except the bike, the Connie guys are huntin' for gas when I still have plenty left.

They like their Connie; I like my FJR and I think that is the heart of the matter. I don't see too many significant differences between the bikes. I would say that maybe CC is a deal breaker, but it really boils down to I just like the FJR better than the Connie.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I've seen a few Connies. Mostly in my rear view mirror. Jealous I am not.

 

[Bungie]

I've ridden my buddy Marc's 2012 C14 a couple hunnert miles on both interstate (the stock windshield is great! But the gauge pack is hard to read), secondary hwys (all good) and some boring, flat, straight SE Ohio backroads (a little top heavy but otherwise turns great) and I came away with the impression that you could flip a coin and be happy with either one.

That being said, he rode my FJR for the same distance under the same conditions. He's looking to trade his C14 for an FJR (at least after I took it out of tour mode - "Your bikes broken!"). Between the cruise control and the Russell (mostly the Russell I think) he was a convert.

 

[RadioHowie]

I've seen a few Connies. Mostly in my rear view mirror. Jealous I am not.

You are such a stud.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I've seen a few Connies. Mostly in my rear view mirror. Jealous I am not.

You are such a stud.

No way Howie. IF I was a stud, I'd be over on the sport bike forum talking about my massive...




Horsepower. Lol.

 

[OldButNotDead (sockpuppet)]

That being said, he rode my FJR for the same distance under the same conditions. He's looking to trade his C14 for an FJR (at least after I took it out of tour mode - "Your bikes broken!"). Between the cruise control and the Russell (mostly the Russell I think) he was a convert.

Ya know, this is kind of a common theme. Got two friends I ride with, one FJR and other C14. It seems the longer I ride with them the more serious the C14 guy gets about getting an FJR.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Interesting. No TBW, and hence no cruise (to me) is still a dagger in today's times. I'm a modern gadget guru, so I guess this one won't be on my Xmas wish list.

Perfect new bike for Howie tho! Mean Green Machine!

 

[Rain Dancer]

Guess I am old school. Don't care about cruise, power modes or traction control, and not thrilled with TBW. I am glad it's available for those that want it. The c14 is a good bike, and for some folks that don't want or need all the electric's, I am sure it's a great choice. I will stick with my '04 FJR....it's paid for and is simple by any newer bikes standards. Since Kawai brought out the c14 in their racing green, will we have an FJR in Yami's racing blue and white?

 

[COGnosticator]

I had an '09 C14 and removing the flies, and PC5 with custom map it was making 150 rear wheel HP and 97 Ft lb torque and that bike would fly. I now have an 05 FJR and it is plenty fast for me and I don't miss the 6th gear at all. I hated the Kipass and the TPMS. If someone was going to give me either a 2015 FJR or C14 I would take the FJR without a doubt. I am still a member of COG and have been for 15 years and at the national rally this past June, there were a gaggle of FJR's in the parking lot.

Our motto of "Join for the bike and stay for the people" holds true for a lot of us.

 

[BanjoBoy]

Me, I'd take any generation FJR over any generation C14. The CC isn't a deal breaker fer me either, butt the connie's fuel range, 'n higher maintenance, (Mor valve checks, and much mor difficult to do.) are. Plus it haz too many gears!!! Im kinda a Yamaha butt boy anywayz.

 

[Rain Dancer]

I agree it's a good bike, and the lack of throttle by wire is a plus for me. Do not want cruise, nor do I see any reason for power modes. However, never warmed up to it's looks, weight, gas milage, needing premium (Do not understand that on a touring bike) and a huge issue, maintenance. I'll just keep my Gen 1 going as long as I can!

Still wouldn't turn one down for a long trip......

 

[garyahouse]

Guess I am old school. Don't care about cruise, power modes or traction control, and not thrilled with TBW. I am glad it's available for those that want it. The c14 is a good bike, and for some folks that don't want or need all the electric's, I am sure it's a great choice. I will stick with my '04 FJR....it's paid for and is simple by any newer bikes standards. Since Kawai brought out the c14 in their racing green, will we have an FJR in Yami's racing blue and white?

Here here to paid for...

 

[Saddletramp]

I've had two FJR's and a 2009 C-14. When I recently decided to buy another sport-touring bike a Concours was never a consideration.

It seemed too top-heavy. I too hated the KPASS & TPMS. The plusses were; the engine seems smoother to my than an FJR's & the stock seat was very comfortable on long rides.

Both bikes do their jobs as sport-touring bikes well.

 

[jayke]

I had a '08 silver C14. I hate the new green color. It looks hideous, why didn't they use the pretty dark green from the original C10 Concours sometime around '97 instead?

 

[BigOgre]

Just read the March Rider review. Wouldn't call it a glowing one.

 

[Denver_FJR]

Huh... just got my February issue of Motorcycle Consumer News and what's on the cover? They apparently dig the C14 as they rated if 5 stars, also said it's cheaper then '15 FJR (non ES).

Just glossing the specs... 0-60 in 2.91 sec (Tesla, I got your "insane" mode right here), incredibly flat torque curve, 60-0 in 127'. Thankfully Kawi offers it in an alternate color than green!

And crickey! Are folks really complaining this bike has a 6th gear but that it's too tall?