In testing, we have rated Kawasaki’s Concours 14 highly. With a smooth, strong engine and excellent chassis, this bike remains near the top of the luxury sport touring category. Not resting on its laurels, Kawasaki has made several refinements to this model for 2015.
To begin with, the larger electrically adjustable windshield has a three-position vent, and together they improve air flow around the rider while reducing buffeting, according to Kawasaki, as the vent allows removal of the low-pressure zone in front of the rider. Wind protection is crucial during long distance touring, so these are important changes we are anxious to test.
First gear has been lowered for 2015 to ease standing starts, and a lower friction steering stem seal has been installed to improve low speed maneuverability.
The rear suspension is stiffer for 2015 in order to better balance the Concours, particularly with a passenger and/or luggage. The Concours 14 continues to feature an easy-to-use remote preload adjuster for the rear suspension, as well.
Focusing on an improvement to rider and passenger comfort, Kawasaki has revised the seat, which is now narrower at the front (allowing the rider to reach the ground more easily) and re-sculpted. The passenger portion of the seat is flatter and longer, as well. New shielding keeps heat off the rider and passenger at stops.
During our last test, one of the few complaints we had concerned corner entry stability while using the linked braking system on the Concours 14. Kawasaki has apparently addressed this for 2015 by reducing the linked effect on the front brake when the rear brake is applied. In the process, Kawasaki has revised the braking master cylinder and incorporated a new ABS module. The rider can choose one of two available ABS modes to further fine tune the combined braking effect.
Other details received attention. The passenger foot pegs transmit less vibration due to new rubber padding, and the instruments now have smart looking silver bezels.
We will report back after we have had a chance to test the 2015 Concours 14 ABS. It is priced at $15,499 for the U.S. market, and will be available in Metallic Spark Black and Candy Lime Green.
I made the switch recently from 10 years on a 1200LT to a 2008 Connie. Got it for a great price with under 3K on it. Changed windshield, installed 2″ risers and a Kaoko throttle lock. It is a really fun bike to ride. Very stable, even in crosswinds, and just purrs down the road in OD. But I still miss the cruise control. Question for you guys…I’ve gotta change tires soon. Talk to me about going to the 55’s on the rear vs 50’s. Mine handles really hard right now in the turns, and it’s probably from the worn tires, but is it true that the 55’s will help the handling? Or should I just stay with the 50’s.
Thanks,
CM
The 55s on the rear will make s huge difference in the tip in. It will affect the accuracy of your speedometer (larger circumference), but the trade off in handling was worth it for me. The profile on the front (even keeping the factory 120/70 size) between different manufacturers makes a big difference too. For spirited riding on twisty roads a set of PR2s held great with twice the mileage of the factory skins. The PR3s do not have the same profile (according to reviews) and turn in slower.
Great information, thanks. My next bike will be the 2016 C14….if it has cruise.
re: “should I just stay with the 50’s.”
the 50’s only existed ’cause none of the tyre manufacturer’s actually made the correct size. Pirelli came along in ’01 and saw the OEM trend of fitting wider 6″ rims, while all the other tyre co’s were standing pat and said “gee, maybe we ought to do something about this…?”
10 years on, the rest began paying attention.
OK, I take it that you agree with Klamath that the 55’s are the way to go? It’s also my understanding that the difference in speed because of the larger size will actually be more accurate. At least that is what some of the gps speed calculations are indicating.
I had a ZX14 and changed from 190/50 to a 190/55. It transformed the handling and made turning significantly easier. It corrected my speedo to accurate mph. I went from the stock Bridgestone’s (which I did not like) to Dunlop Q2’s (handled great but didn’t last, but the price was right. Then I went to the PR3’s (a stiffer tire a little rougher ride but handled very good). On my ZRX1200, I just put on the PR4’s, these tires are awesome, very confidence inspiring, so far wearing excellent. They are very similar to the Pilot Power 2 in handling in my opinion.
the C14 looks really sharp in green. Someday maybe…
Never understood why Kawasaki tuned the engine to run premium fuel on a long distant motorcycle. Can’t always find it inthe middle of nowhere. FJR runs regular ….just sayin’
Honda ST 1300 calls for premium as well, but trust me, in a pinch it runs just fine on regular. Some guys on the ST board run regular all the time. I trust the Kawasaki could run it for a tank in a pinch as well with no problems, until you could find a station with premium.
I don’t understand it either but a lot of companies do it, the new Suzuki 1000 VStrom for example.
In any case I’v run regular in it quite a few times, really have not seen any ill sounds or effects. I run premium when I can but its a pretty tough piec of hardware, lot of them over 100k miles and have never hard of any kind of problem you could attribute to fuel.
unless you’re going to shell out for a pallet of VP…? put in whatever. it’s got ethanol in it right…? ok, then all it’s high volume, mass-produced JUNK…!!! burn it up and be done with it.
BIG OIL knows you’re not coming back for a refund.
BMW R1200RT wants premium. I found it annoying/inconvenient.
My 08 has been nothing but a pleasure to own and ride. It shares the garage with an 05 Honda VFR800 that my wrists refuse to deal with anymore. I have ridden the beast from home in Miami to Vancouver BC and back twice with total comfort. Cruise control is easily mitigated with a Throttlemeister. Even on mountinious highways it can be easily modulated to keep a steady speed. The other serious gripe for all Concours 14s is the windscreen, it is inadequate on all years, again plenty of aftermarket support to find a workable option.
Here is my two cents. I bought earlier this year my 2010 C-14. It had 49,000+ miles and was discounted because of the miles and was being sold at a Honda/Yamaha dealer. I have had a Honda ST 1300, put 50,000+ miles on it over five years. This Kawasaki Concours is a much better bike in every way. Much cooler, more modern, more information, and the suspension is fully adjustable. The OEM windshield is crap, I replaced it with a CeeBaily Euro Tour. Huge difference. Now I just raise it 2″ and it gets very quiet, no buffeting. If this is the type of bike you wish to be riding, try to find a used 2010 or later. See the review in Motorcycle Consumer News, August 2010, it will make you a believer.
re: “Kawasaki Concours is a much better bike in every way. Much cooler, more modern, more information, and…”
…MO’ POWAH!
I have a 2012 C14 and frankly t think its a great bike. It has a lengthy list of pros and cons like all of them do and not everyone who owns one will see it the same way.
For me I call it like this:
Pros: Great power, probably a lot more of it inside if you want to go fishing for it.
Shockingly good fuel economy when you happen to be riding at relatively steady speeds. Good luggage even though the tail trunk is a Givi and needs its own mount and keys. Nice features like the TPMS. Very good extended warranty program. Very good weather protection,
Cons: Somewhat flimsy body work, I broke a mirror panel on mine over nothing, of course you have to buy a whole mirror, not just the panel, ridiculous for a part that just snaps on. Way, way overly complex technology like KIPASS. Very difficult (and expensive) access to the engine bay for things like valve adjustment which is spec’d at 15k (but about double that in Europe, hmmm) . How about no valve adjustment? Difficulty getting inside makes hookup of something simple like an electric jacket liner an adventure. couldn’t have just left a couple of good hot leads under the seat (not the weenie 5A ones they did leave). Also, it is a somewhat buzzy bike at some engine rpm, usually its easy to shift up or down to avoid that range, but it is there. Oh and lack of cruise control sucks.
I do not count the seat, windscreen and handlebars as cons per se, thats a personal thing that I seem to end up fooling with on most bikes. I have thought that if you are building a touring bike with an adjustable windscreen wouldn’t you get the buffeting out? And might you not make the seat level?
Out of some 50 bikes over the last 45 years I consider this one excellent and the list of cons is actually very short, probably no worse than most of the others in its class.
Always have like the Concours, and now, with all the new quasi-touring (Adventure) machines coming to market with chain final-drives, it makes more sense than ever before; especially with an electronically adjustable windshield, included hard bags, heated grips, and a price reduction. Is there a better sport-touring value on the market today?
“Is there a better sport-touring value on the market today?”
Yes, FJR 1300.
…which I just bought; my second one. I like it’s shorter reach to the bars, no fob ignition, and the much smaller impression from the rider seat.
X-planer, do you ever find the bags on the FJR to be too small? They look small compared to the ones on the Concours. For instance, are you able to fit a standard laptop (in a bag) in them?
The answer to this question is highly subjective of course. For me personally, the difference in engine buzziness is a very important difference between the FJR and the C14. Both bikes use dual counter-rotating counterbalancers, spinning at twice the crankshaft speed. But the two implememtations are very different. In the FJR, neither one of the two counterbalancers is found in the location where it is supposed to be. The net effect is comparable to the effect achievable using a single counterbalancer located directly under the crankshaft.
Why no cruise control!
trololol “hornet with hemorrhoids” cant stop laughing…
with you:
-that dash it’s impressive (as all the controls on that particular photo, which now that you mention it, deserves the desktop background privilege of monitor 1, monitor 2 belongs to BMW concept 6, 3 to Christina Hendricks)
-analog tach it’s the way
-speed(ometer) can be trade for a digital one with big numbers, high contrast, back illuminated with programmable shift lights (which I’m not sure if Concours has)
reply to Dino, my internet fu doesn’t look correct today
I commute 85mi each day in LA traffic, needing a new commuter I couldnt believe my luck when I found a super clean 08 for 5 grand. All I can say is I love this bike, it makes me want to take a trip to Alaska.
Well done Kawasaki. A superb mount that looks to be a far better choice than anything coming from Honda or Suzuki and more than capable of EARNING buyers from both BMW and Yamaha, especially the former of those two.
Yes, cruise control would be nice and it should be standard because its much easier to ignore that feature when its there than it is to desire it when it is not. Unlike some I will not make light of anyone that finds the lack of it to be a deal breaker because they have every right to think so. They will vote with their wallet. Whiners simply vote with their thoughts.
Such as they are.
The only thing that stopped me from buying a Concours over a K1600 GTL was the lack of factory electronic cruise. In other words, I payed a premium (much more than I would have preferred) for the BMW with electronic cruise. I know electronic cruise is available after market, but I’ve had a bad experience with after market cruise control on a car and didn’t like that option.
I was a big fan of the Concours, which is a steal at the price. I could have had a Concours and a KLR 650, and money to pay the taxes on both of them for the price of the BMW. I tested the Triumph Trophy and BMW RT, but I preferred the Concours and GTL to either of those.
So, yes, cruise is a very important feature to some people. It will spoil you, especially if you enjoy long trips and long days in the saddle. So thanks for nothing, Kawasaki. I could have had a lot of fun on that KLR.
Wouldn’t a simple (mechanical) throttle lock have sufficed?? Cruise is certainly cool. But how often do ANY of us sit for hours crossing Kansas with the cruise on…..? I’ve only personally ever wished for, and/or used my own throttle lock on my GS, for very brief moments to shake out the hand (blood flow) or use my right hand to get into a pocket or something. Seems like a very small item to use to differentiate and justify that much money spent. But, to each his own!!
Actually, I live in Eastern Kansas and tend to take my long trips to the West, so I’m one of those guys who actually has to do that. (I don’t mind the flat landscape, but the the wind out in Western Kansas is a b#tch.)
I’ve had throttle locks on other bikes, and they’re better than nothing, but they don’t maintain a very constant speed. I also have a little tendonitis in my throttle hand from a high school basketball injury. Electronic cruise has spoiled me, what can I say?
Yiii I rode back from California thru Kansas. Not much there but wind and windmills.
The sound of the BMW 6 cylinder engine may have had something to do with me paying that premium too, if I’m being honest.
Ah ha!!!! the truth!!! yes that 6 cyl has gotta sound like a million bucks!! But also, since you live there in the land of eternal flatness, I can more readily see you preference!
Kansas is conveniently enough one of the places where a mechanical throttle lock just ay work. But by the time you get to Colorado, you will arrested and your new pride and joy impounded at the first hint of a downhill, with the kind of effortless power bikes like this makes. I ride a lot between SF and LA, and cruise just makes the whole “steady at 10 over” routine so much less risky to pursue.
I will have to say, that if Kawi has to give up their absolutely spectacular, industry leading throttle for one of the newfangled, remote, disconnected and dull ride-by-wire setups to get cruise, I’d probably rather be without. RBW is what makes cruise almost costless to include. It’s not necessary, as the Goldwing demonstrates, and I really hope Kawi will continue to differentiate themselves to connoisseurs by keeping the direct connection between the twistgrip and at least the main throttle valve, instead of falling into the black hole that is RBW and closed looping around pretty much the entire combustion process.
every rider in the states who owns a Connie (selleca) seems to ASSEMBLE on Indianapolis during MotoGP weekend. it’s almost like they’re forming VOLTRON…? such is the popularity…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZZv5Z2Iz_s
John Tesh coming for you. He is 6′ 6″ and weighs over 200 lbs.
I recently rented a BMW R1200ST out in Calif that had an e-windshield. My first experience with one. The electric windshield alone is worth $15,000. The fact that they include a motorcycle with it…… priceless.
“an e-windshield”…..sounds like an “RT”
Yeah, I guess it was an RT. I actually rented a GS from Eagle Rider Laguna Beach, but the back tire wore down to the metal bands after a couple of days riding and they didn’t have a replacement tire. So they gave me the RT as a replacement bike. I wasn’t really into that bike (RT) so much, I like GS’s. But the damn e-windshield on it was very nice indeed.
tunable!
Beautiful ICBM…(inter continental ballistic motorcycle).
Hmmm, at least now we know where all the unemployed Pontiac stylists got hired. Nice that Kawasaki took ’em in so they could slap their tacky cladding all over this bike.
Cladding? Where? It has a fairing, but not an extra surface fastened to a lower surface.
I was referring to the dozen worthless, silly ‘Pontiac-style whoosh lines’ on the fender, fairing, and -jeez- even the hard bags, as if you didn’t know precisely what I meant. Cladding can also simply mean an additional surface covering for decoration, if you feel the need to nit pick the definition. Google Pontiac Aztec or Grand Prix and tell me there’s no family resemblance. Years from now this poor bike – however good it may be – will be looked upon primarily as a failed styling attempt.
re: “Google Pontiac Aztec or Grand Prix and tell me there’s no family resemblance.”
I’m in, there’s no family resemblance.
Ronnie here’s something you can Google…
“Suzuki RF900 1983”.
just saw somebody riding one a week ago. it’s important we raise our moto-IQ’s my Padawan.
Frivolous? The 4 on the fairing attach the front to the back and the 4 on the cases make that surface more rigid, the fender, I’ll give you. These things have been “styled” into the bodywork but if 12 lines offend you then do yourself a favor and don’t open any of the other articles (especially the H2) from the show. This bike is downright understated compared to the rest of what’s out there.
Maybe they came from Ferrari…remember the Testarossa? Depending on how you count it’s about 12-16 “whoosh lines”
Ed
I can tell you right now that I prefer the old seat. I don’t have trouble reaching the ground. Broader and flatter is better. I don’t want to ride on my huevos, like on a BMW.
THIS – seats that do this make you constantly have to scoot back all day long. GRRRR.
Hmmmm. That’s not a whole lotta green for a whole lotta green.
Amazing bike in total and my wife liked it also which is rare for us as I have a 2 biggie buttttt and she is tall so we do not fit on many bikes.
Only issue in my view with our 2008 model was it did not have a front or back compression adjustment….maybe this is still the case with the 2015, but could be wrong here. Our Concours just rode wayyyyy too hard and stiff over bumps two up.
It was used when we bought it and came with the stock seat and a Corbin. The Corbin was about 1.5″ to 2″ longer which worked is a great feature for any passenger.
If you like the pix and specs……..give it a test ride and be ready to sign on the dotted line.
We kept it for 2-3 years and moved on to a Victory Vision…..another great two up bike, though without any pretense of sport touring as we all know.
All of the subliminal messages from the industry marketing collective must have finally taken their toll on my psyche, because my first thought was, “Wow. That is a lot of bike for $15,500.” The motorcycle financial evaluation parameters of my brain have been officially reconditioned.
I keep looking into these types of bikes, the FJR, Trophy, the Concourse, all seem like great choices, but they are all massive in size.
Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000, is another option, now if they could somehow combine the two.
What about the new R1200RS? Similar in weight to the 1000, but with a shaft and touring amenities closer to he Connie. And cruise 🙂 You do have to be willing to live with the boxer engine, which while plenty powerful by now, isn’t the most viscerally exciting power plant in the world next to a pair of hotrodded Kawis.
I think weight is relative, allworld. When I moved from a Triumph Sprint ST to a Kawasaki Nomad, it took me some time to get used to the weight. Now, it’s second nature. For guys like me, the Concours would feel supremely agile. I think the new Versys 1000 comes pretty close to the bike you speak of, btw. The Ninja 1000 motor, hardbags, center-stand, all day comfort for two, great range, decent weather protection, and adjustable windshield all add up to a pretty nice package.
meh…2003 vstrom 1000 for 3500 bucks….done
Not even in the same class. Sure you could ride one across the country, but you’d have less weather protection, no hard bags, a shaky V twin and chain drive (yes I have ridden one), but it would make it. Like comparing a regular train to a Japanese super train. Both will make the same trip, just one quicker, and much more comfortably.
Well said.
mickey, I test drove a brand new Accord the other day. It was much quieter and more comfortable than any of my motorcycles. I think I’ll buy it then I won’t have to ride anywhere ever again.
That is one option, but why not have both? A smooth powerful motorcycle and a smooth comfortable car. I do.
When you think about it, it is rather crazy that you can buy a new Accord, which has total weather protection, a heater for winter, an air conditioner for summer, cruise control, a nice sound system, something like 9 air bags to keep you safe and a host of other feature, which will go 100,000 miles before needing anything other than oil changes and a set of tires for less than a new top of the line Gold Wing, BMW or Harley
But riding a motorcycle while not for everyone, has it’s own rewards totally irrespective of it’s amenities or price.
Indeed. If only people bought bikes like they did cars, we could buy that GoldWing for $10,000.
re: “When you think about it, it is rather crazy that you can buy a new Accord, which has total weather protection, a heater for winter, an air conditioner for summer, cruise control, a nice sound system, something like 9 air bags to keep you safe and a host of other feature, which will go 100,000 miles before needing anything other than oil changes and a set of tires for less than a new top of the line Gold Wing, BMW or Harley”
in much the same way Brinskee (regarding the H2R’s appearance) stumbled upon the algorithm for STEALTH, YOU have stumbled upon one of the “root evils” plaguing the industry…
the inability/unwillingness of domestic motorcyclist’s to do MATH.
re: “If only people bought bikes like they did cars, we could buy that GoldWing for $10,000.”
ladies and gentleman… #2.
“the inability/unwillingness of domestic motorcyclist’s to do MATH.”
Yea, wish I could understand what you meant by that Norm, but honestly I don’t.
re: “Yea, wish I could understand what you meant by that Norm, but honestly I don’t.”
no worries…
in·a·bil·i·ty, inəˈbilədē
noun
noun: inability; plural noun: inabilities
the state of being unable to do something.
“his inability to accept new ideas”
synonyms: lack of ability, incapability, incapacity, powerlessness, impotence, helplessness.
un·will·ing·ness, ənˈwiliNGnəs
noun
noun: unwillingness
the quality or state of being unwilling to do something; reluctance. “he deplored the government’s unwillingness to provide adequate funds”
synonyms: disinclination, reluctance, hesitation, diffidence, wavering, vacillation, resistance, foot-dragging, objection, opposition, doubts, second thoughts, scruples, qualms, misgivings
“their unwillingness to subsidize a school lunch program”.
Bill…..maybe be open to test riding a 2008 Concours which run 6k to 7k or so
The Kawasaki is 10 times the bike as a 2003 VStrom for just twice the money
Sidebar: And riding two up on a 2003 VStrom 1000 with OEM luggage is not possible. Also…2003 VStrom I put lots of miles vibrated more at higher rpms than my 1961 BSA Goldstar 500cc one cylinder roadracer!!!!
I’ve done a lot of 2 up mileage on a Strom Mike. Givi luggage rather than the OEM (which is manufactured by Kappa/Givi), but it uses the same mounts. It does cut into rear foot room a bit, but never killed my wife. The Strom would be better for twisties and definitely dirt, but the Connie would kill it on the highway and for bigger mileage days on freeway. I own both coincidentally.
Vrooom: I thank you for your comments.
Specifics:
The front bottom part of the OEM 2003 Vstrom side cases were so close to the passenger footpegs there was no room for my wife to put her foot on the pegs
Also the OEM top case covered 1.5″ or so of the rear seat….again a major minus for my wife.
As far as the Concours vs the Vstrom…..(something I never heard in the same sentence before)…..each his/her own….depends on the usage which can be diff from person to person, but for us it had to be the Connie
Mike
And yet I know of a guy that sold his Concours and returned to riding a V-Strom. The suggestion that a V-Strom vibrates more than a BSA single is absurd. The V-Strom is relatively vibration free. V-Strom mirrors remain clear.
To Cyclemotorist
I stated the following: The 2003 VStrom I put lots of miles vibrated more at higher rpms than my 1961 BSA Goldstar 500cc one cylinder roadracer!!!!
Key and a wild guess here ….I might be the only one on this forum that has rode these two bikes at “higher rpms” = to near and at the red line. I also think I recall Rider Magazine test in 2003/4 stating Vstrom vibrations at high rpms for the 2003 they were testing.
In saying all this, I will admit it could have been this particular V-Strom which I should have stated/qualified in my post and will do from now on.
Fair nuff?
Lol I don’t know that I’s say it vibrates more than a Beeza Gold Star, but you get caught in the wrong gear on the thing and it shudders like a junkie going thru the rehab. No liter bike should shudder when you get caught 1 ( or even 2 ) gears too high.
Haaaaa…..50 years ago was my last ride in the tight twisties at speed on the Goldie.
Perhaps the Goldie just got much smoother in my mind at redline after all these years though I do recall on the VStrom test ride just what I stated about that bikes vibration!!!
Onward
http://www.ridermagazine.com/road-tests/2002-suzuki-dl1000-v-strom-road-test.htm/
Miracle…I found the link to 2002 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom Road Test By Rider Magazine. Neat read btw!
>>>>>>
Rider Test related to vibration: “When we originally got the bike with about 600 miles on it, vibration quivered the seat at about 6,000 rpm. During the course of our test the quiver decreased, and by 1,100 miles the engine had become quite smooth in all rpm ranges”
My comment: The one I rode was near new and we rode it an entire weekend for maybe 350 miles. Everyone wins…..it vibrated when new at high rpms (Per Mike….like a childs jackhammer)…. this stopped thereafter.
FISH ON…!!!
Good heavens, I seem to have hit a nerve here. My strom rides so low in the rpms in 6th gear, (probably the only bike I’ve ridden with a true overdrive 6th). I can’t comment on the luggage/passenger leg room. However I did ride it through the Florida Everglades (which was an adventure). My neighbor has a concourse, he loves it, he paid 10k for it, and it is butter smooth. I’m cheap.
Folks…don’t feed the trolls.
Looks like a refined mile-eater and very comfortable road miles too.
Any word on the Honda VFR 1200? Updates, colors, different versions? The latest Honda has on the website is the 2013 version and here we are going into 2015.
That’s because they haven’t sold all of the 2013’s yet.
Yeah I figured but still.
re: “The latest Honda has on the website is the 2013 version and here we are going into 2015.”
see, their lights are on but nobody’s home. which is a shame as I rate that kit.
today’s AFPA (Award For Paying Attention) goes to Sean. Sean, you are going to be a General some day…!!!
I have one and I love it. I haven’t ever felt the need for a cruise control on a motorcycle. I like my hand on the throttle as I pay attention to my riding.
I love mine too, but after my 7000 mile ride in 40 day’s….I want cruise control.
I have a new ducati and an older tuono which I don’t need or want cruise.
I bought my 12 Concours new and was ready to buy a new 15 but very little has changed. I already have an after market seat, windshield and a few other items.
Wow 7000 miles in 40 days that’s 175 miles a day. I see why you would want a cruise control with a grueling ride like that.
Florida to montana and back.
My mechanical throttle lock cruise works for 30 sec. Set it at 70 mph and 1 min later you’re going 100 or 30, ha
Right!
Throttle locks are perfect on older Electraglides and my WR250R. Get on the freeway in LA, peg it and lock it, turn it off and exit in Bozeman. Minus the occasional fuel stop. Despite the Utahns best efforts, the speed limit setters have fallen too far behind engine engineers to keep things equally simple on bikes like this…
Try a ThrottleRocker, I won’t ride without one.
I think Dave was being sarcastic :p I did 5200 miles in 10 days of riding / 12 days total and the lack of a cruise control wasn’t a big deal – you gettin’ soft ova there? 😀 😉
In June I did 5500 miles in 11 days, Ohio to Pacific Ocean and back. A cruise would have been nice, but not a deal breaker. Never had cruise on a motorcycle and except for long slab rides don’t find it necessary. Some places out west are mighty open and flat and straight. But on those rare occasions, yea it would be nice.
re: “Never had cruise on a motorcycle and except for long slab rides don’t find it necessary.”
+1, not a dealbreaker. throttle locks (and aspirin) suffice.
http://tinyurl.com/qg9gjqa
once in the twisties it’s HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick). up to that point, cruise mostly sees me SLIPSTREAMING into the back of lorries.
I hate it when that happens.
As is typical with model changes, they are making a few refinements this year, with next year I predict, a move to electronic suspenders, cruise, and maybe some fuel injection changes and/or the addition of an oxy sensor to make it a complete closed loop system like the European models.
Oh, and I own a 2011 and LOVE it!!
Bartman50
Still one of the top five touring bikes in the world, at what has always been a “real world” price. Love the new/old green. Looking forward to one of Dirck’s real world reviews, especially since he just tested the FJR and Norge last year.
Dirck, can you do a video on the Connie?
Considering all the really expensive motorcycles we’ve all been talking about the last few days, the Concours strikes me as being a heck of a lot of motorcycle for comparatively little money.
That was my first thought too! It’s a lot of bike for the money and will eat miles like there’s no tomorrow.
1400cc, once the most powerful bike on earth…
yet still the dash reads… average
Ha! Just as I was gonna ask what you didn’t like about the dash, I noticed the readout… Nice!
I’ve always liked the Connie 14, and with all the new bikes out there, I actually like the gauges on this the best. Analog speedo and Tach, then the other readouts and lights. Perfect. Since you stare at the gauges more than any other part of the bike, that was important. I don’t like my gauges to be a video game, I want the info.
Think it’s time I trade up, before the Connie gets restyled to look like a hornet with hemorrhoids..
As an owner of a 2012 model I can say, zzzzzz.
Cruise control????
The bigger zx 14 motor?
And too keep prices in line, new gauges.
Keep the electric suspension off and no worries on new body work.
and yes, you are right, that’s how incredible things are… new gauges are as much as they can do.
we can excuse them because they were busy… with a super.. cough… charger…
Hi John, how do you like your Concours? How many miles have you put on? Is it as comfortable as the reviewers always say? What about insurance rates?
Dale I really like my concours. Bought it new in Dec 12. Already have 17k miles on it.
Added a heated Corbin seat now have a heated Sargent. Raised the bars. Put on a California scientific windshield, rear top bag and a gps.
Fantastic long distance bike. Great for 2 up.
Thanks John. I’ve got a 2000 Buell Thunderbolt that I bought new and love dearly (the seating position is perfect for my 5’8 frame). However, even though it is is in mint condition with thousands of miles to go, I keep looking at the new Concours 14 and FJR with all the modern accouterments like ABS, Traction Control, Heated Grips, Electric Windscreen, etc. My brother just bought a new 2014 FJR after having a Road King for years, and absolutely loves it.