Nice score there Six , I am liking the color , got a good look to it . Now be looking forward to your Suzuki and this Kawasaki thread , future posts .
Kawasaki Concours
- Thread starter sixpack577
- Start date
Zerks
Registered
That exact thought has also been mine... I would love a Hayabusa powered touring bike set up like the Concours. Mine ( 2010 model ) was well optioned with 5K in upgrades plus a single wheel trailer that I sold. About 31,000 on it when I got it. Its been trouble free after 19k worth of commuting and 2 up riding with the wife. It showed up on E Bay twice... the 2nd time I said to myself... that one is mine! The seller wasn't happy to let it go but he already had another bike... he acted like he was cheated or something.
I have a laminated folder assembled by the first owner with all the receipts, options, labor charges that documents the history of it for years. The original owner was in it about 25K from what I could see.
I love the way it handles given its as heavy as it is. The power was decent enough to walk a ZL1 Camaro one day... what are they rated at? 650hp?
You have to remember to turn the traction control off when you want to have some fun. The ABS saved me one day when the guy in front of me got brake checked by the guy in front of him... I pulled up next to him and asked him what's going on? He apologized... I was about 6 ft away at the closest point with the brakes jammed full on.
But I digress... lol !
I saw my first Concours 14 in 2008 I believe and the rider (military guy) had a ZX12R before that but his wife wanted to go with him so the Concours was bought....he put something like 150,000 trouble free kms on that bike before getting a new one...I don't know what he's riding now as I've lost touch with him....but knowing him it's a Concours.
He rode it like he rode his ZX12R.....hard and fast......
..........and just great....another "cowaski" rider
He rode it like he rode his ZX12R.....hard and fast......
..........and just great....another "cowaski" rider
Last edited:
There is a forum member on the concours site that has well over 200k miles on his. These engines seem to be, as bullet proof as, the hayabusa engine.
I’ve never been on an old one and not sure how they compare but I think the 2nd gen is gorgeous. I personally would’ve never bought a gen1. I think they look terrible and outdated.
I've seen a few of those with a few hundred thousand kms on them without an issue...Of course they look outdated, they are basically from 1986 and haven't changed which is a testament to how good they were/are..not many bikes can say this. Kawasaki got it right with both generation bikes...
Last edited:
Dont get the OEM can sensor O ring get it from Murphs Kits
I is over sized, and you need 2 of them
MOB Oversize Cam Sensor O-Ringing
murphskits.com
Thank you sir!!
I ordered 4, lol.
I also ordered a set of 90° valve stems that work with the tpms...the batteries in mine are dead, but the tires are new, so next set I'll fix them.
Last edited:
I believe Fred Harmon(?) is one of the guys that offers battery replacement services on those older sensors, in case you don’t feel like experimenting with them yourself.
I hadn't looked into that yet, but don't really care if they work or not.
I'm old school, I use a gage before I head out...and I can tell when I have a flat, lol.
I'll search for him and see what it costs/how it's done.
Only hard part may be sourcing the batteries.
TPMS sensors are like cruise control, once you try them, you’ll get spoiled. Lol! I have aftermarket setup on the busa and love them. I took the DR650 out one day not thinking that it doesn’t have TpMS and didn’t check my tires. They were both low so coming out of a turn the front got really squarely and had to pull over just to find front completely flat thanks to a ripped valve stem on the tub. You say you have new tires, but it won’t be long before you need new ones. This heavy girl likes to eat tires, so a few pages in on this thread we’ll be talking about tire recommendations.
Zerks
Registered
You are talking about Clint... over 40 sets of tires and just had his 3rd valve adjustment like 6 or 7 months ago.
I test drove a Connie in 2008 when the Kawasaki Reps were out for a Sunday drive at the Lookout on Highway 74 in Lake Elsinore California. I was on a 01 Busa at the time and I asked the Rep with the Connie if I could ride it up and down the hill... he asked me what are you riding now and I pointed to my Busa... he said... go ahead!
I you where close i have a Kawasaki KDS programmer
If you run them dead, for a while they will disappear from your dash!
Oh boy . Should of got a FJRI can not bash Six's new ride to bad as he is enjoying it . Unless he wants the real dirt on the C14's
Bash ahead...I'll probably agree with it all, lol.
This thing is great...until I would get on to something better, lol.
But, it'll do the job comfortably.
In the meantime, I'll plot on a gen3
I think that is the guy.You are talking about Clint... over 40 sets of tires and just had his 3rd valve adjustment like 6 or 7 months ago.
I test drove a Connie in 2008 when the Kawasaki Reps were out for a Sunday drive at the Lookout on Highway 74 in Lake Elsinore California. I was on a 01 Busa at the time and I asked the Rep with the Connie if I could ride it up and down the hill... he asked me what are you riding now and I pointed to my Busa... he said... go ahead!
Cool, I havn't even scrolled through the functions yet.
(My daughter is with me through Friday morning, so I havnt had time to play with the bike or ride).
TPMS sensors are like cruise control, once you try them, you’ll get spoiled. Lol! I have aftermarket setup on the busa and love them. I took the DR650 out one day not thinking that it doesn’t have TpMS and didn’t check my tires. They were both low so coming out of a turn the front got really squarely and had to pull over just to find front completely flat thanks to a ripped valve stem on the tub. You say you have new tires, but it won’t be long before you need new ones. This heavy girl likes to eat tires, so a few pages in on this thread we’ll be talking about tire recommendations.
Yeah, I can see looking at the dash to check my tires, vs a tire gage, but it's what I do before every ride anyway.
The tires are Michelin, 2ct front, and a 2ct+ rear.
As heavy as this thing is, I don't doubt it eats tires either, lol.
c10
Registered
Six this is my take on the C14 vs other sport tours . 1st be sure to perform the TRACTOR pin mod to the bags !
Or they can get blown off in heavy winds mixed with some speed .
The factory exhaust can length is very important IF you ride two up . Kawasaki increased the can lenght not for Euro or sound but CO poisiong of the passangers in testing before the bike was released to the public . A shorther can with varying windshied height or configurations can make CO linger or come up just behind the rider affecting the passenger.
The C14 is great but falls in last place of the ultimite sport touring rigs . Why you might ask well here is
The list.
Smallest fuel tank with lowest mpg of the bunch.
Most time consuming ,difficult to service, and always seems to require shim changes.
Rear diff seal failures ( most dont ) but when they do the dealers don't have the Kaw tool to repair / replace.
No factory cruise on any model or update. Aftermarket only and a high cost or fab together low end system .
Lowest slow speed performing of the group in parking lot maneuvers.
While the C14 can claim most Hp / Tq it gets this by means of the only RAM AIR Sport tour teamed with largest displacement motor from a 1s Gen ZX14 1352 cc .
The Honda ST1300 is the best Range ( 7.1 gallons ) and slow speed performer due to its shorth wheels base but looks terrible with bags removed . Over 300 mile range with a top speed exceeding any Gold Wing , but weighs nearly as much.
FJR1300 6.6 gallons . Breeze to service ( rarely needs shim changes ) cam timing on top not gears so easy view .
the 5 speed trans was overdriven with a 5th being .91 over drive. When the 6th gear came out it was to satisfy the cry babies , but it has cost the FJR reliability as cases were not altered . Gears were altered , and 2nd now cracks.
I have yet to see a C14 crack low tens in the 1/4 , but my FJR would run a 10.29 @ 130 mph with me ( no bags )
I'm very happy you are liking the rig ! Just plan your service , and never rush it .
Or they can get blown off in heavy winds mixed with some speed .
The factory exhaust can length is very important IF you ride two up . Kawasaki increased the can lenght not for Euro or sound but CO poisiong of the passangers in testing before the bike was released to the public . A shorther can with varying windshied height or configurations can make CO linger or come up just behind the rider affecting the passenger.
The C14 is great but falls in last place of the ultimite sport touring rigs . Why you might ask well here is
The list.
Smallest fuel tank with lowest mpg of the bunch.
Most time consuming ,difficult to service, and always seems to require shim changes.
Rear diff seal failures ( most dont ) but when they do the dealers don't have the Kaw tool to repair / replace.
No factory cruise on any model or update. Aftermarket only and a high cost or fab together low end system .
Lowest slow speed performing of the group in parking lot maneuvers.
While the C14 can claim most Hp / Tq it gets this by means of the only RAM AIR Sport tour teamed with largest displacement motor from a 1s Gen ZX14 1352 cc .
The Honda ST1300 is the best Range ( 7.1 gallons ) and slow speed performer due to its shorth wheels base but looks terrible with bags removed . Over 300 mile range with a top speed exceeding any Gold Wing , but weighs nearly as much.
FJR1300 6.6 gallons . Breeze to service ( rarely needs shim changes ) cam timing on top not gears so easy view .
the 5 speed trans was overdriven with a 5th being .91 over drive. When the 6th gear came out it was to satisfy the cry babies , but it has cost the FJR reliability as cases were not altered . Gears were altered , and 2nd now cracks.
I have yet to see a C14 crack low tens in the 1/4 , but my FJR would run a 10.29 @ 130 mph with me ( no bags )
I'm very happy you are liking the rig ! Just plan your service , and never rush it .
Similar threads
