Anyone on the forum have a Kawasaki Concours 14 or thinking about getting one.

Although the bike was introduced in 2007 as a 2008 model, Kawasaki has not waited 4-5 years before tinkering with improvements. Kawasaki has decided to do some very nice upgrading:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com...ki2010concours14.htm

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/...s-14-First-Ride.aspx

I'm debating between the Honda VFR 1200 and this revised Kawasaki.

Thoughts, comments, opinions?

Trying to make the same decision here. Will be interested to see comments. I like the new VFR1200 but I wish the handlebars were more upgright for an old guy like me. Maybe Helibar or someone will make risers. Both look to be very fine motorcycles. Price has not been finalized for the VFR1200 either from what I know. The auto transmission option looks very interesting.

I have a Kawasaki ZX-14, and I love the bike. I have owned a number of Kawis and have always been very pleased.


Ez

My current bike is a 2003 Kawasaki ZZR 1200 that I bought new old stock (still in the crate) in May 2006. Previous bikes were a 1991 Honda CBR 600, 1993 CBR 900 RR (bought in 1994) and a 1997 Honda CBR 1100 XX (bought in 1998). I like Honda and Kawasaki the most.

I was close to buying an ABS Concours 14 when they came out a couple years ago. I ended up picking up a slightly used BMW K1200GT instead. My reasons being it is lighter, better MPG, just as fast, better heat management, cruise control, trip computer, electronic suspension adjustment, and has heated grips and seats.
Looks like Kawasaki has addressed some of these issues. And it still costs a lot less than a new BMW GT.

I vote for you to go for it!

Imho sport touring is the way to go. That's a beautiful machine.

I have a 1998 Concours, but probably won't upgrade to a 14. At my age, I'm starting to lean more toward the touring side rather than the sporting side. The 14 isn't so geared toward comfort, less so on the passenger end.

I think the Yamaha FJR1300 is more like the bike the Concours 14 should have been, but Yamaha built it first.

I've got over 70,000 miles on my 2001 Concours and had a chance to ride the C-14 this summer and loved it. It is scary fast, great brakes, and one heck of an upgrade. It is definitely tilted more to the sport side of sport-touring.

Mirrors gave me a really good view of my forearms, not so much of the road behind me. The fairing is nice, but no where near as much weather protection as the original Connie. Another unfortunate fact is that while the C-10 is simple to work on yourself for most things, the C-14 appears to pretty expensive for things like valve adjustments. From those I've talked to it isn't real passenger friendly. I don't do passengers though so not a concern for me.

In a few years I will be looking very hard at "upgrading" my C-10, as of now the FJR and the C-14 are the top two contenders.

Two things the Concours 14 has that I really like are a Gear Indicator (so you know what gear you are in) and Tire Pressure Monitor (you don't have to get down on your hands and knees and take a tire pressure reading). For me, these two feature mean a lot.

I will be real interested to see the 2010 shootout between the Concours, Honda ST 1300, Yamaha FJR 1300, and BMW 1200 GT.

I went from a 1982 KZ1000J to a 1986 Concours.
Both fast and reliable. I bought the latter used low miles and actually made money on it. I'd love to get another. That one went after the 2nd kid; now we have 4....

I have the 09 Black C14. It's a great bike. Go get one. You won't be sorry.

I have an 08 C14 and have never ridden a better bike.

The only complaints that I have about the bike were the heat output to your right leg, unheated grips, and the windscreen (I replaced the stock screen with an aftermarket one).

It appears that kawasaki has appropriately addressed my only concerns with the bike. I might even be tempted to upgrade if the reviews keep coming in as positive as those posted.

Even with the negatives listed, this bike is very hard to beat. I am 6'5" and was able to ride all day in comfort. Performance is way beyond my riding abilities, but I am still able to safely ride beyond what my limitations were prior to purchasing this bike.

This is the first bike that I wasn't looking to move past a year after I bought it.

I'm an extremely happy C14 owner.

Man, that is beautiful!
Concours is one of the all-time great classic touring motorbikes. They don't change much because you can't improve much on near-perfection!

I bought a VSTROM when making the choice, but only because I need something more dirt-rod friendly out here in the West. But Concours was one of the top contenders.

I am really drawn to the C 14. I've never had a touring style bike. Now that I am older, I would like a little more comfort and the ability to transport more stuff than can be fit in a back pack or seat bag.

Great bike. Almost bought an 08. Too bad it only comes in one color.