Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Ghost Rider 2 on October 13, 2017, 07:21:47 PM
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Well my C14 is up on lift and getting ready to be transformed. This summer I have been riding very hard on my Goldwing. I have over 15,000 miles on a car tire on my wing and I love it. Never had a bike that responded as well. Handling is unbelievable. I have a Pirelli 205 50 17 that will be on the Connie tomorrow. I think it will be great but only time will tell. Will post back here in a couple of days as to how well or not it works on this bike. I have looked around and have found that most Connie riders do not believe in a CT. I was that way for years on the same opinion with a Goldwing until I tried it for myself. I just cant wait to ride the Connie on a Wonky tire.
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You, sir, are mad whack! ... just like your car tire brethren!
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No comment...
(Well, I guess saying "no comment" is, itself, a comment)
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I think a 205/45-17 would give a tad more clearance while maintain other requirements. ;D
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they're called car tyres for a reason ;)
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Tip of the hat to the OP. Am looking forward to a detailed report on his experience doing this. I have gone to the darkside for the past few years on my other bike (a middle-weight V-twin) which admittedly is used for more leisurely rides than the C14. No problems with the handling and love not having to change tires every year. Are those run-flat Pirelli that you are using? I'm wondering if the stiffer sidewalls are better or worse for a motorcycle.
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:popcorn: Can you provide pictures?
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Once you join the Darkside who knows what's next.....
http://youtu.be/cnVjkE87FDY (http://youtu.be/cnVjkE87FDY)
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Dammit, you've gone and uncovered my daily morning ritual. ;D
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A a Wing owner, I've been considering a car tire also. Just wore out a pair of B-stones in one 4+ week trip. What did you have on the wing?? The size mentioned is, I assume, for the C-14?
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It is on. I just went out made a 10 mile shake down, came back and checked things over all looked good. Went back out and ran 50 miles. did not push bike real hard just enjoying the ride. Did a combination of country roads, state highways, and Interstate. YES I like it. I figure right now I have 1 of the dozen best riding and handling Connies in the country. The others have a car tire too! It rides smooth and handles better than any Connie I have owned. This is my third 1400 and I had 3 1000's. I will say this is not for everyone. It is different especially at slow speeds. Rear tire will chase grooves and risers in roads at slow to stopping speeds. I might be a CVRAZY old man. But I sure have a big smile on my face right now! Pics very soon.
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It is on. I just went out made a 10 mile shake down, came back and checked things over all looked good. Went back out and ran 50 miles. did not push bike real hard just enjoying the ride. Did a combination of country roads, state highways, and Interstate. YES I like it. I figure right now I have 1 of the dozen best riding and handling Connies in the country. The others have a car tire too! It rides smooth and handles better than any Connie I have owned. This is my third 1400 and I had 3 1000's. I will say this is not for everyone. It is different especially at slow speeds. Rear tire will chase grooves and risers in roads at slow to stopping speeds. I might be a CVRAZY old man. But I sure have a big smile on my face right now! Pics very soon.
On wing I run a Pirelli P1 195 55 16 run flat. On the Connie I cant get a P1 in the size. So I went with a Perelli P7 205 50 17. it is summer performance not a run flat. Spoke to another Connie rider on a car tire. He said he had never used a run flat and was happy. Time will tell I may step up to some run flat next time but not sure. Just look for rounded edge. I don't like the square cut edge tires.
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pics,
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looks like you might need a wider mudflap
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It is BIG for sure.
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Check with .... Blue One.... he makes a rear extender that looks like it would work...
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=128.msg850#msg850 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=128.msg850#msg850)
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Here is the previous thread: http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6116 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6116) has some noise, but an interesting re-read.
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Just to let my thoughts known I posted this. I in no way am trying to or will ever try to talk someone into running a car tire. That is a personal choice. I was dead set against it a couple years ago on the Goldwing boards. I rode several times with guys that ran them and one day I decided to just give one a try. At first I did not care much for it. After the first 500 miles I started to like it. The Connie is nothing like the Goldwing but so far it feels OK to me. Time will tell.
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So, the initial post was made on Friday the 13th. That alone took guts. Running a CT on a "Sport bike with bags" also takes some intestinal fortitude.
That being writ, I say bravo to you! Experience is the only way to truly prove any theory/idea. What I am trying to say is that when there is a genuine need to try something different it must be done or you will never know for sure if it was a good/bad idea in the first place. (My opinion) There are many arguments for and against running a CT on this, or any, motorcycle. Considering that many riders have crossed over to the Dark Side and haven't returned says something. Doesn't it?
Since I am a potential convert to a CT I would like to know about the process of making the switch. Stuff like difficulty with mounting, balancing, tire choices, side clearances, and speed rating to name a few. Anyone?
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What air pressure are you using? TPS system functions the same, right?
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To start this project I used a Pirelli P7 205 50 17. Mounting the tire was easier than the dismount of the Angel ST that was on bike. I lube the bead and also the lip of the rim. I use the stock pressure sensor and I started out at 36 pound. The reason for that # is that is what I run in the car tire on my GL1800. This as of now is a test and yes I does feel very different than the one on my Goldwing. At slow speeds the tire squirms around a little. Parking lots and coming into a stop sign on a tar and chip country road is the worst. I need a couple more days to be confident enough to start laying it hard into a corner. I scrape pegs and floorboards on my wing, but not on the Connie just yet. I also use a run flat tire on my wing and was told because of weight difference that I should not need it on the C14. Time will tell.
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Can you post a photo from the side?
Would like to see how it looks side/on.
Ride safe, Ted
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side view.
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Interesting. I am looking forward to hearing how this works out.
Hey Ted, I can almost see the hole in that rear axle. :rotflmao:
Brian
side view.
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Well I am at the 500 mile mark in first week. I have made a couple changes. I am up to 42 psi. Tire has now lost that squirm it had originally. Rolls into corners very nice. By seeing the difference in what 6 pounds of pressure is making, I starting to think a runflat might have been a better choice. I cant explain how much better the ride is out on an open road. Heaves in road are much smoother and the drop off of exit of bridge on Interstate is almost not noticeable. I think if I could get down a couple of inches into the bike and feel like I riding with the bike not on top of the bike as I do now. I think this bike would be perfect.
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Sounds like time for a new (2" lower) seat.....
Ride safe, Ted
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Sounds like time for a new (2" lower) seat.....
Not even the lowest of the low seats, like the Sargent low, is 2" lower. There just isn't much there to work with. So expect no more than 1" (but typically less than that), despite any marketing claims.
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Made a little ride this afternoon. Have a few miles on tire and starting to gain some confidence in the tire. Ran a couple errand for my wife and had to go to another town we don't go to very often. There are 2 sets of curves both of the 90 degree right the back 90 degree left. Nice sweepers but pretty flat not much banking on curves. Was just cruse threw and ran both sets at 65. car tire felt great. Both to town and back. Rear tire is different but I think I going to like it. I found an old video camera we have I going to make a mount and try to video the rear tire on a curvy road sometime pretty some.
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Route 9 east? Would you be as happy in the rain in the sweepers?
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I think so I ride my wing in the rain just like it was dry. And yes it was rt 9 east. The only curves around me as you know.
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Well got stuck in rain leaving work yesterday. Was not sure what to expect. But the car tire seems fine running down the road. The thing still gets my attention in parking lots on uneven pavement or on a country road that is heaved up coming into a stop sign. The rear tire seems to follow the crown. I do like the tire, but at slow speed so far is the only negative I have about it.