Kawasaki concours 1400 help

[dans2014]

  Looking at a 2013 KAWASAKI concours 1400 with low mileage. Do any of you know anything about these? I was thinking about making an offer?

[st2sam]

Looking at a 2013 KAWASAKI concours 1400 with low mileage. Do any of you know anything about these? I was thinking about making an offer?

I had a 2009, put 59,000 trouble free miles on it.
I traded it on my Valk.. The only reason being I need a change.
In 2010 Kawasaki did a lot of nice up grades, made the bike more touring friendly.
A very f a s t bike, way faster than the Valk..
 I can see myself owning another, after my Valk wears out.  (if that ever happens )

[Rocket rod]

Great bikes. I had a 2012 with no problems. Plenty of power and a real nice ST package.
I did not like the OE tires  But other than that I was very pleased.
Regards,
Rod

[dans2014]

  Thanks guys. I bought it but to much snow to ride 2013 with 615 miles. The owner rode it twice in a year and a half. Sure has a lot more Stuff than our Valks. ABS, traction control, heated grips, Alarm,  Full computer readout, Can't wait to try it out. Should be a rocket.

[texrider]

Congrats on the 14, its a great bike. I let my '09 go in trade for my Valk, but could have continued to ride the 14 as it was suitable for most uses.
The cons were that it is a heavy S/T bike, with a fair bit of pressure on the hands and wrists riding position, electronics somewhat fiddly, eats tires, harsh ride, top heavy plus tall seating, and later models have linked brakes that feel strange in any mode.

Pros included it is a big fast decent handling touring bike with hard bags, that you can hustle some corners with. Has good wind protection, lighting, great value for the price, enough ground clearance, still has throttle cables instead of jerky throttle by wire system.

The Valk has become my current one bike solution, but having a stable seems to be a re-occurring theme for me...

[bradrcfii]

I rode a Concourse recently.  I was attracted to all of its features but was a little tall for me.  However, after the ride, getting back on the Valk felt like home.

[buzzard]

Had several C-10 connies, all were fun, but had old technology.
The new C-14's are rocketships. Fast, great fairing protection, lots of storage and a lot of data display options. Great internet support at "COG".
Seriously considered one before testing the Valk.
The Valk won one due to riding comfort, seating position for the wife and much better dealer pricing at the time. Don't regret the choice at all!

[Robert]

It was the Connie that got me to look at a newer bike from my 1500. I really liked so much about it but the riding position was just not comfortable for me. Now I'm kinda glad though because I never would have bought the Valk if I had bought the Connnie.

[bscrive]

I looked at the Concours as well when I was thinking of buying a new bike.  But, the riding position was not what I wanted.  My prime choice was the CTX1300, but when I saw the low HP I decided that I needed more power.  When my dealer offered me my Valk at cost I jumped on it, and I have never regretted my decision.

[buzzard]

Robert,

When I was looking at for a new scoot earlier this year I started with 3 options: Concours, CTX-1300 and Valk.
I was very familiar with the C-14 having ridden many owned by friends and at various COG and Kawa events. Very nice machines, seating position is hard on the knees and wrists even with the bars raised and pegs lowered. Wife was basically unable to get over the hardbags when tryng to mount up.
The CTX was very appealing from a design and appearance stand point. I was however very turned off about the very poor front forks and poor lean angle clearance.
The valk was a totally different beast.
Still smile ear to ear when I ride, solo or two up it still is very capable and fun!!!

[Robert]

Robert,

When I was looking at for a new scoot earlier this year I started with 3 options: Concours, CTX-1300 and Valk.
I was very familiar with the C-14 having ridden many owned by friends and at various COG and Kawa events. Very nice machines, seating position is hard on the knees and wrists even with the bars raised and pegs lowered. Wife was basically unable to get over the hardbags when tryng to mount up.
The CTX was very appealing from a design and appearance stand point. I was however very turned off about the very poor front forks and poor lean angle clearance.
The valk was a totally different beast.
Still smile ear to ear when I ride, solo or two up it still is very capable and fun!!!

 

Yup its a wonderful thing to get going down the black top on the Valk. pretty much said what I thought also, even to the choices of bikes. The wife so much as said have a nice time on the Connie. 

  I must be getting smarter in my old age since I knew exactly what that meant. 

[blackvalk]

Dan,

I own a 2012 concours 14. I also own a '98 and a 2014 Valkyrie.

I purchased the concours in 2012 used and paid $10,500.00 (I think)

Until I put new Michelin tires on it this summer, I did not realize how spectacular the bike is. It's way different then the Valkyrie. I love my 2014 Valkyrie as well.

It was too tall for me as well so I lowered it by 2". I am moving to Park City Utah this summer and presently have it out there.

Plenty of power, handles very well and travels long distances perfectly. I did install a Givi tour pack so I can go any distance I want on it.

Call me if you want to talk about it. 847 997-9996

I just got back from Calif. so I didn't log into the VRCC for a while.

You won't be disappointed!

Bill

[Tundra]

  I loved everything about the Connie, until I rode it.
Great bike, great wind protection, 6 speed transmission, torque, horsepower, new technology. I went to buy a sweet one with cash in hand. Glad I rode it first because I was sure in love with everything it has to offer. I turned around before the end of his street, my hips locked up, not for me.
 I went out the next week and bought an ST1300 which is more comfortable to me, with pegs lowered adjustable seat and risers I thought I could make it work. My first long ride with it was yesterday and it does everything well, I just can't get comfortable on it (compared to my Valk)
Sadly, I think I will be selling it.
The Connie is a great bike with a cult like following, I don't know how they can ride it and wish I could.

[Kidd]

I had a 20016  ST1300 , amazing smooth motor  , incredible machine .

It has some draw backs , wait til you pass a big truck on the freeway  , it will scare you half to death .
It's not stable at high speeds  .
Top heavy , too , the only bike I ever dropped and I did it twice  , the tip over bars work good .

Be careful and watch your speed , it's easy to go 25 mph over the speed limit  without realizing it .

And the  heat from the motor in the summer is too much for me

[Tundra]

Kidd,
 Agreed, incredible smooth power, great acceleration and braking and great in the corners.
Yup, I'm familiar with the high speed wobble and I installed a fork brace... still wobble between 80mph-120mph on straight away. Fantastic on the backroads and not much can out run it accept the Connie.
 It's VERY EASY to speed on this and you don't know it unless you look at the speedo. You are also correct on the heat. I didn't know this until I bought it, jeez it's a deal breaker for sure. I'm trying real hard to like my new bike, but I don't.

Sorry to hijack your thread, I did respond to your question earlier.
Wish you could by a bike that was ready to ride without dumping thousands into modifications, seats, risers and crap just to make it tolerable.

[Kidd]

It's a favorite with the police  , they get used to the heat  as I did  .

And they put that same engine in a new bike recently and tuned it way down and one one whats to buy it .

I may of considered one if they left the power alone or even added to it

[dans2014]

  I'm confused does the st1300 put out to much heat or the Kawi 1400?? you lost me

[Tundra]

I'm confused does the st1300 put out to much heat or the Kawi 1400?? you lost me

Dan,
 I was referring to the ST1300 regarding the heat issue.

I love the Connie and everything it offers. I just can't ride it more than a couple of blocks comfortably.
 I would recommend riding before buying. Every bike is different for every rider. What's comfortable for one may not be for another. We all have different injuries/aches/pains.
I hope it works for you, they are awesome bikes.

[ledany]

I don't intend to hijack the thread either  but has anyone of you owned a BMW K1200/1300 R or GT ?
I had a K1200 R for 50' miles, and after that a K1200 GT for 80' miles and I loved it ! 160 HP, comfortable, very fast, easy to handle, absolutely no heat problem 
And the K1300 are better ! 

[buzzard]

The next gen Concours 14 introduced in 2008 and the 2009 version had serious heat issues on the right side.
The bike went through a major redesign for the 2010 model year where the front fairing was improved and virtually eliminated the heat problem.

[dans2014]

  ah ha, thank you, now I get it. Sounds like its going to be a blast but never replace the Valk. I got it with 615 miles in perfect condition, original owner $7250.00 How could I sat NO????

[Kidd]

You stole it , thief 

ah ha, thank you, now I get it. Sounds like its going to be a blast but never replace the Valk. I got it with 615 miles in perfect condition, original owner $7250.00 How could I sat NO????

[Kidd]

looks like I am now hi jacking the thread
1 year ago ,  I was a  friendly thief as well , one of my clients offered me their home they used as a rental for $75K  , they knew and I knew it's value was $145K   , whats a guy to do ....
I raided my mutual funds , maxed out 3 credit cards  and used all the money in my checking account and bought a home for $75K , I now rent it out for $925 a month , I do not feel bad because they knew what they were doing , , I mean , I think they did , they had a real estate agent  advise them and so did I

I stole a home  , one might say

[dans2014]

  Yes, once in a while, great legitimate deals show up. I raided my tax fund to buy the Concours as I have time to replace it

[blackvalk]

Without hi way pegs, the Connie can be a little confining. It gives you another place to stretch out. But, I feel that way about any bike I own or have ridden.