Saw the 08' Kawasaki Concours in the flesh

[2006FJR]

I went in to me my local dealer, Mission Motorsports, to get my top case warranty work done and when I turned around I saw the 08' Kawasaki Concours in the flesh. It really is one great looking bike. The damn exhaust on the right side of the bike is huge and almost looks too big for the bike. If I was in the market for a bike today I would get the FJR again but damn if I wasn't drooling over 2 new bikes being delivered to the store. :dribble:

 

[HaulinAshe]

Yup, the single pipe gives me the willies. Looks like you need a whole roll of pink Owens-Corning fiberglass insulation to pack the big whore.

Anybody have any idea why Kawi would engineer such an asymmetrical exhaust system? Is it strictly price?

RadMan???

 

[ELP_JC]

After all the problems I've had with new vehicles, no way in hell I'd EVER consider again buying a first year model anymore, no matter how good it looks.

But having said that, do you really like that thing?? What's up with all those lines in the bags, fairing, and even the front fender? Looks so... yesteryear, and goofy. Just like the 1400 Kawi. Guess I like the more sophisticated look of the FJR and others. Maybe I'm getting old < he he>. Later gang.

JC

 

[Vstar2FJR]

What's up with all those lines in the bags, fairing, and even the front fender? Looks so... yesteryear, and goofy. Just like the 1400 Kawi. Guess I like the more sophisticated look of the FJR and others. Maybe I'm getting old < he he>. Later gang.JC

You've no doubt seen the Yamana Roadliner and Stratoliner. Similar treatment with the lines from the front carried all the way back into the bags. Yamaha did it for the retro look, and on the cruiser it works.

Road the Stratoliner at WFO5 last year along with the AE. It was a nice bike, but it ain't no FJR. Looks like I have to get down to my local Kawi dealer this weekend to see f they have any, as I too want to see this thing in person.

John

 

[MVF]

After all the problems I've had with new vehicles, no way in hell I'd EVER consider again buying a first year model anymore, no matter how good it looks. But having said that, do you really like that thing?? What's up with all those lines in the bags, fairing, and even the front fender? Looks so... yesteryear, and goofy. Just like the 1400 Kawi. Guess I like the more sophisticated look of the FJR and others. Maybe I'm getting old < he he>. Later gang.

JC

I am in total agreement- but, hey, c'mon- the Pontiac "body-cladding" team was looking for work and they figured they already had that monster muffler...

 

[ELP_JC]

I am in total agreement- but, hey, c'mon- the Pontiac "body-cladding" team was looking for work and they figured they already had that monster muffler...

You made me laugh man. I was trying to think of an analogy, and never came up wtih Pontiac...even though I drive one ('06 GTO) . But you're absolutely correct: that bike looks like a Grand Am on 2 wheels < ha ha>.

But honestly, I'm more into function than form, although the latter is important to stir the soul. I'd still not buy one no matter how good looking it was; thankfully, I'm over the 'first kid on the block' syndrome. But I'll be watching how this bike turns out with interest. There's a lot of competition among SPORTtourers out there, which was started by the FJR, no less. Have a great day folks.

JC

 

[Warchild]

Anybody have any idea why Kawi would engineer such an asymmetrical exhaust system? Is it strictly price?

Tetra-Lever suspension with shaft drive on the left suggests the decision may may have been driven by real estate concerns.... a can on the left would have to be hung out far enough to clear the suspension, apparently to an unacceptable level.

So that, and the fact that purposely want the cat in the stock canister, lead to the current bazooka that comes from the factory.

And I have little doubt the aftermarket will eliminate the crappy low-speed performance that is being heard from new C-14 owners who have already taken delivery of the bike. Once you unload that bazooka for a full Muzzy Ti system with TRE modules, etc, the bike should haul everywhere.

Should, anyway.... :huh:

 

[BrunDog]

I am surprised. The VVT should have fixed this.

-BD

 

[Randy]

I am surprised. The VVT should have fixed this.
-BD

How do you know it didn't? Because 1 or 2 people said it wasn't great, but, didn't say what they were comparing it to? As I stated elsewhere, I'll withhold my opinion until I hear from someone who can state the comparison to the FJR.

 

[rocketdoc]

I went down and test rode the New Connie. Kay rode pillion as a second opinion was needed for comfort from her perspective, and I had it for about 45 minutes in city traffic, then freeway, then some twisties.

First impressions, nice fit and finish, but the small plastic hatch between the gas filler the the triple tree was fussy and aweward to open. The 'keyless' feature is certainly cool. The side bags are smaller than the FJR. Stradling the Connie I sit taller on the bike, and Kay had to step up higher to get on. The pillion has more leg room than my '04 FJR and her seat feels roomier and the seat gave more support than my stocker, and positions her a bit higher than me.

I am 6'6" with a 36" inseam, and have more clearance from the fairing with my knees, a bit more leg room.

The left thumb control for signals horn, highbeams, and windscreen are absofekinlutely identical to the FJR's. The turn signals require cancelling.

The windscreen as said above is much smaller than the FJR and so is the amount of protection. I noticed this mostly on my arms. No buffeting with screen all the way up, but I don't get that with Kay on the back on the FJR, so not sure about this one.

Underway the bike has a lovely growl, very sport bike like and with the rpms up over 6k, it sounds as good as the FJR with aftermarket cans.

The shifting was pretty smooth for a new bike. There is a hi frequency vibration that is quite noticeable at around 3500 rpm. On the highway this thing is a beast, and the constant tire pressure display is a nice piece of work. It was shod with Bridgestones and was very flickable. And as good or a tad better than the FJR in this department. The braking is good, and required little effort to haul down nicely, but with Kay on the back I didn't explore the abs or full power stops, but as for feel, my '04 still has it beat. The gear display and the 6th gear or OD was only used to see it, stayed in 3rd or 4th for the mostpart. In the twisties the Connie was great, better clearance than the FJR and the suspension was better than stock FJR, but not better than my Wilber's setup front and rear. Very flickable and felt lighter than the FJR.

I began to notice some heat on my right leg, ten minutes into the ride, first at my ankle, then further up. No, Kay wasn't getting amorous, the Connie began kicking out major heat. By the end of the ride it was very noticeable and certainly way more than my unmodified '04 FJR. The temp today was about 20C or 68F, thereabouts. After getting back on the FJR and going for lunch, Kay said she was amazed how hot the passenger seat got, hotter than her 325 BMW with the seat warmers on Hi !! She said she could not have handled it for very long. My seat didn't get hot, just my right let, but it was VERY HOT.

So, in summary it seems the Connie is going to have a few issues similar to the early FJR's,namely the HEAT, probably the reason why they have been so long coming to market. I expect the next year's model with have an optional windscreen size, and will have incorporated some of Yamaha's technology for airflow management because this will be a huge issue.

Copied this from where I posted elsewhere on the site.

 

[06INDIXIE]

Dropped by the local Kawi dealer today for a peek at the C-14. Very nice bike and it draws a crowd. Sales rep was not sure if demo's would be available or not so I just looked and drooled a little when they cranked it,it does sound very nice indeed. Would love to take it for a little spin recent ride report from the C-14 forum says that it is scary fast but he did relate that it had a mild vibration at 3500rpm. Those that have not seen it in person do yourself a favor and go see one when you can for some reason when I was circling the bike looking it over I didn't even pay attention to the bazooka pipe. When the first year kinks get worked out, look out! Maybe I don't really want that test ride after all. :yahoo: :dribble:

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Was in a shop this morning and they have started delivery in Ca. they had two on the truck and said that all of Ca. will be delivered in the next five days.

 

[Langly]

Here is my take on the C14 coming from an 02 XX, 04 FJR background.

So I get a call from my favorite local moto sales guy about quitting time.

He asks what I am doing and tells me has one of these:

https://www.kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=220

Would I like to be the first customer to ride it?

Well does a bear? Well you know.

I've been wondering about this bike and what it will be like.

I'm thinking it will be some kludged together POS.

But I'm still curious. What time do you close?

We close at 6. Me mm test ride in rush hour? WTH.

So I beat feet over to the dealer.

The tech has finished putting the unit together and giving it a 2.8 mile shake down.

He pulls it around and says "this thing is like a turbocharged magic carpet ride."

I wonder what he means? I ask. He says this thing is smooth.

Really? I ride a XX and I know smooth I tell him.

I think to myself dam this bike looks pretty darn good.

Much better than the pre-prod unit I saw at the moto show last year.

The tech gives me the low down on the FOB and key operation.

Pretty high tech. The BMW gadget folks are going to love this.

FOB has to be within 5-10 feet of the bike for bike to start with the key.

FOB locks key in ignition when FOB leaves bikes and some other neat tricks.

blah blah blah lets ride.

One ting that strikes me. This bike is quiet. Like ST1300 quiet.

Are they sure they put the right engine in this bike?

I start the bike up while mounted up. No engine vibes.

Like moped smooth. WTH? I rev the engine a few times.

Dam this engine is smooth and feels tight to boot.

I recall riding the 2004 FJR off the lot and getting a few miles down the road.

That engine and transmission were rough as washboard fire road. No kidding.

I wanted to take that bike back and demand a refund.

But it smoothed out after several hundred miles of break in.

I wonder what this engine will be like after break in? It is already smooth.

So I am the second person on this bike with 2.8 miles and it feels like it is broken in.

What's up with that? So I launch it towards the service road where it takes forever to get a break in traffic.

Wow the engine feels smooth, clutch feels smooth.

I get a break and enter the service road. The engine is ST1300 smooth.

I plod along in 2nd gear on the service road and make it to southbound 75.

Find a few gaps and make it into third gear. Dang 60mph feels like 30.

Where can I find some room to stretch the young steeds legs?

I'm thinking eastbound 190. After a few miles I find some space.

Wow this bike feels really smooth at speed.

The gearbox is so smooth, I practically think of shifting and it is the gear I was thinking of.

I'm not making this stuff up.

Traffic opens up and so does the throttle. This engine will run.

The emissions guys obviously had a field day on this engine as it is LEAN and warm.

Outside temp is 85F and humid. I feel heat on the shins but it is not searing.

This engine could easily cruise at 100-120 all day long.

How do I put this? This bike will bury the other sport touring competition in a drag race or roll on.

Not surprising I know. What is surprising is how comfortable the seating position is.

The bars and seat are very high.

The foot pegs are probably an inch higher than I would like them to be, but they weren't uncomfortable.

The windscreen up, down, in the middle. Seemed pretty useless to me.

High it put turbulence around the helmet. Low is what liked best, my helmet in clean air.

Mid position blocked air to chest level slight turbulence to the helmet.

I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam.

So I make it to 78 and 190 and the large sweeping corners.

This bike corners well really well for a 600 pound bike.

40 mph no effort like cruising in a straight line.

50mph planted confident. 50-60 not much effort at all.

Back on 190 west. Open space, open throttle. This thing will roll.

Remember to watch for the DPS I saw writing a car for a performance award.

Sure enough he is writing another award. Dang I almost feel guilty. This bike is quick.

Much quicker engine than I suspect the bikes aerodynamics are capable of on the top-end with bags attached.

A slight front-end wobble warns me of this and I back off.

I wonder if the front wheel is balanced but it cruises so well at lower speeds.

This engine is an animal. De-tuned engine my behind. But so quiet and smooth.

Back into traffic on northbound 75. The bike maneuvers very well in traffic. Very little effort or input required.

I'm actually sad to be headed back to the dealer.

I pull back into the dealer lot after closing time with 25 miles on the clock

The sales guy Jason asks what I think. I give him the run down and tell him he is going to sell a lot of these.

He tells me he will work up a good deal on an ABS which he will have in a few weeks.

I had planned to clean my garage this weekend.

I will be happily doing so and marking a spot in the garage for this bike.

If the price is right on these bikes Kawasaki is going to sell a TON of them.

They got a lot of things right on this bike. Far more than are questionable.

Smooth, powerful, comfortable, with a shaft drive.

The LD and rally guys are going to eat these bikes up.

This bike kicks some major ASS.

 

[ponyfool]

So, what you are saying is, it's smooth?

Did you notice any listing to the right side? I mean, with that monstrosity of an exhaust, it has to have a natural lean to the right, right?

I look forward to seeing and riding one in person. I came from a Bandit to an FJR, so the FJR is pretty damn smooth to me.

 

[sgoat]

Nice reviews. Shouldn't be long before the magazines do full tests. Here's part one from M/C daily with part two to follow.

https://www.motorcycledaily.com/30june07_20..._concours14.htm

 

[ionbeam]

Here's part one from M/C daily with part two to follow.

Part two of the Motorcycle Daily review is now available.

 

[Orient_Express]

I hear it has 6 gears... :dribble:

 

[FJRMGM]

this is interesting "There is a hi frequency vibration that is quite noticeable at around 3500 rpm. " especially considering how everyone has been raving about how smooth the engine is on the new C-14.

 

[Clark Kent]

Yup, the single pipe gives me the willies. Looks like you need a whole roll of pink Owens-Corning fiberglass insulation to pack the big whore.
Anybody have any idea why Kawi would engineer such an asymmetrical exhaust system? Is it strictly price?

RadMan???

Only difference between the Kawi pipe and the pipe on the BMW is the color. One is Black (Kawi) and the other is Crome (BMW). Same size. Same design and almost the same end cap.

Maybe that's the way they have to be built, or maybe the Japanese just copied another part off someone elses bike again.

CK