Kawasaki GTR1400 - Son of Concours

[Rogue]

Lets see.....

FJR revamped in 04', then 06'.... due for changes in 08'?

Connie14 due in 08'.

This could get interesting............ :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: :dribble:

 

[madmike2]

Of course, we won't want the first edition of the new Connie...just in case there are a few "bugs", so I'll have time to wait-and-see what Yamaha will do. Oh dang, what a time to be a sport-touring" rider. :yahoo:

Aaaannnndddd, it looks as if Kawi has seen the light. No doubt partially because of what the owners of the ZZR-1400 are doing. You KNOW they've been watching the sales of FJRs. So, after 5 years, NO MORE RUMOURS about the "new" Connie.... :clapping:

 

[boogahboogah]

When the bike is in a dealership, then to me it's a possibility worth investigating, till then it's VaporBike. I'm a little surprised at the brouhaha over this bike...

I can get a speeding ticket anywhere in the US in 6 seconds from a standing start, how much more horsepower does someone need ?

Since the FJR is farkled just where I want it, and it's paid for, and it runs like screaming terror, and it handles just great with the Wilburs, maybe I'll think about another bike when my FJR warranty runs out...

In 2010.

 

[madmike2]

When the bike is in a dealership, then to me it's a possibility worth investigating, till then it's VaporBike. I'm a little surprised at the brouhaha over this bike...<snip>

Because our motorcycling interests can be piqued and pecause many of us came from a Kawasaki Concours and enjoyed them. Some of us wanted Kawi to do the update 5 years ago, then Yamaha came out with the FJR (And like you, this bike suits me just fine).

IF the new GTR1400 is anywhere near a modernized Connie (Doesn't it look like a combo of a BMW-RT and a 'Busa?) it will be a winner. Does that mean we'll "jump ship" next year? Prolly not. Does that mean we'll enjoy the discussion, check out the "new kid on the block" and keep our options open? You betcha! Is it true that some dealers have gouged and been less than satisfactory concering the FJR (Particularly California dealers, because they can.)? Sadly, yes. Do some of us remember? Yep. Do you think Kawi will play the PDP game?

 

[BrunDog]

That suspension looks kick-ass. Going to need to extract that single sided bazooka and put on something with a little more flavor. Say... twin blue flames?

Centerstand is there, plus look how high the bars come and the grips angle down, prolly a little more natural position.

One thing that really has me excited is a variable valve train. I cannot believe no one has done it yet. Mark my words: in 3-5 years, no sportbikes will be without. It's the only way (ok, variable runners help, too) you can really manage engine power across a huge engine speed range. It blows my mind that the 600s get to 16k rpm without being choked somewhere along the aspiration line. They would really benefit.

2008?? Who the hell can wait that long?

-BD

 

[xcsp]

Any idea what the mileage intervals may be for valve adjustments? With variable valve timimg, may get expensive if it remains at 6k miles.

Interesting to see what it weights and the price of the beast.

 

[twowheelnut]

Lets see.....FJR revamped in 04', then 06'.... due for changes in 08'?

Connie14 due in 08'.

This could get interesting............ :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: :dribble:

And don't forget the ST... '08 looks to be an interesting model year, indeed. I for one will wait until the guinea pigs do there thing before plunking down my bennies...

 

[Ari Rankum]

A few more pics turned up today - apparently from a bikeshow.

clicky.

More pictures posted in the last 24 hours.

Return of clicky.

 

[06INDIXIE]

Splendid looking machine. Bet it's even better in black. Several have inquired about price I read that it was tentatively priced between the FJR and BMW. Probably in line with the ST1300. Can't wait to see one in the dealership. Nice pics Ari. I need a cigarette. :yahoo:

 

[Dan23]

Resembles a Triumph Trophy.

>>Why can't it be a Honda?<<

I think the answer to that is obvious.

 

[BrunDog]

Guys, this thing is for real.

And I bet this bike will be out sooner than later. If it is being displayed, let alone available for sit-ons and close inspection, this bike will hit the streets within a few months.

Looks like bikeland already took the domain: www.concours14.com!!

-BD

 

[Aviator]

Wow, what a great looking bike! Figure I got a few years on te FJR before I would consider it. But Kawi did such a great job on the Connie and it last for this long (still ugly). This bike acutally looks good.

Hmmm. . . I got the itch again. Thank goodness winter is coming and I won't be buying just yet.

 

[Clark Kent]

No Thanks! I'd take an old Concours over that!I am glad Yamaha came out with the FJR.

I don't get the fascination with the bigger and bigger engines either.

Ya right! A new 2008 1400 Concours on the floor and a new 05 1000 concours on the floor and you would take the 1000! Ya right!

I don't believe you. But then it would leave the 2008 1400 for me.

And I'm sure your one of the riders who "doesn't get the fascination with the bigger and bigger engines."

I'm sure you never go over the speed limit EVER, do you. Why? How about a Honda Trail 90? It will go the speed limit in all states.

That's right, I forgot, Japan took over the bike industry by building faster and faster bikes with more HP because no one wanted them! Makes sense to me.

CK :grin:

 

[ndivita]

All this talk is making me misty eyed for my 2005 FJR ABS as it innocently sits in the garage dutifully awaiting its 2000 mile trip to the Talladega 500 in about two weeks. Kawasaki has upped the ante, that's for damn sure. I covet the Concours 14, even as I love my FJR. I am trying to read about some feature it does not have, that it should have. Cruise control? Six gears? Self cancelling turn signals?

 

[SouthernCruizer]

The 2008 Concours 14, a sport-tourer based on the fearsome ZX-14 uber-sportbike.

Kawasaki started with the basic ZX-14 motor. Kawasaki added variable valve timing (VVT) to smooth the powerband and aid in power delivery by altering the cam profiles at different RPMs. They also added shaft drive to ease on-the-road maintenance.

The chassis seems similar to the ZX-14,

which uses an aluminum monocoque design to provide a light, stiff chassis that carries fuel and the motor low in the frame for optimal mass centralization. Out back is a "Tetra-lever" driveshaft/swingarm unit that reduces the drivetrain lash usually associated with shaft drive (and hopefully the shaft-jacking effect too) that also promises to be "maintenance free".

The front suspension and brakes are similar to the ZX-14's, with big, juicy inverted forks and radial-mount four-piston calipers grabbing humungous petal-style rotors. The Concours 14 also offers ABS as an option.

The package comes gift-wrapped in some pretty wild bodywork for a sport-tourer. It looks like a ZX-14, but with a higher (and electrically adjustable) windscreen, a large exhaust canister, and big locking hard luggage complete with

louvered speed trim. Wild-looking as it may be, it's also designed to put the rider and passenger in a big, quiet bubble of air at the absurdly high speeds this bike will be capable of. There's also a rear parcel rack, tire pressure monitors, 12v outlet, a small glove box in the fairing, and a cool "smart key" system that won't allow the bike to start unless a special key fob is present.

 

[Toecutter]

I bought the FJR because it was the biggest & baddest at the time. Now, it looks like there's bigger & badder. It's okay, I can wait. I didn't have a bike for 23 years prior to getting the FJR. The GTR won't go 200 mph, so I'll wait until my warranty expires AND someone hasn't come up with something better, AND either I outgrow the performance of my bike (not likely) or a GTR passes me on one of my favorite twisty haunts (and it will probably be one of my former FJR brothas who jumped ship and is gunnin' for me)

.

I jumped into the FJR on a bit of a whim, but it will do just fine while I take my sweet time figuring out the best bike for me to replace it with. It may very well be the new Connie, and most certainly will be another sport tourer, but time will tell. I'm certainly not going to get into the "latest greatest" upgrade frenzy, unless I hit the lotto (very unlikely, since I don't play dat).

Edit- C'mon! At least label this NWS. Bike-related porn in its highest form:

 

[Ari Rankum]

My read on the new Connie is that 2008 will be at least that good. It sure looks like, reading the list of specs and features, that Kawasaki has done their homework, and may even have taken some of the complaints on this and similar fora into account in their attempt at the new Connie. I say "at least that good" because it's clear in the sport-touring segment that no manufacturer has a permanent seat license at the top of the heap. That's a good thing for everyone, even those who refuse to look at anything other than their brand of choice, be it Yamaha, Honda, or any other manufacturer. Shots across the bow of the other manufacturers, like the GTR1400, force every manufacturer to improve their game. We all benefit from that.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Some interesting fairing design mods there....

1) Windshied has a hole similar to the CalSci shield.

2) The fairing is tight to the tank so no heat ( if there's any ) is thrown on the riders upper leg / crotch.

3) The front tiangular "nose " fairing is wide open behind the front wheel, air flows right through the headers.

4) Glove box is at the front of the tank ??

5) rear rack is HUGE !!

and the calipers and wave rotors are too cool, and the statement of the lean angle being the same as the ZX is a big plus!!

 

[SilverStreak]

 

[user 213]

Some interesting fairing design mods there....1) Windshied has a hole similar to the CalSci shield.

2) The fairing is tight to the tank so no heat ( if there's any ) is thrown on the riders upper leg / crotch.

3) The front tiangular "nose " fairing is wide open behind the front wheel, air flows right through the headers.

4) Glove box is at the front of the tank ??

5) rear rack is HUGE !!

and the calipers and wave rotors are too cool, and the statement of the lean angle being the same as the ZX is a big plus!!

These aren't production pictures guys, just marketing shots. Who knows what it will really look like when it becomes available.

You are a fickle bunch of riders. :lol: It's not even real yet and you're ready to buy one.

T"he 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. "

That sounds like marketing speak for "it's heavy like a pig" Only when we see the specs and people ride the bike will the truth be known. Maybe it will be great, or maybe it will just be another ST-1300.