2016 C14

[Deziner]

I'll take "Conjecture and Wishful Thinking " for $500, Alex.

[twowheeladdict]

Yesterday walking from a parking lot into a restaurant I saw a parked, several-year-old, decked-out HD (with perhaps 2 or 3K miles on it).  It had a CHROME cup holder mounted to the bars....

Yes, I rolled my eyes.   

I have a nice 22 oz black cup on my touring bike.  Sure is nice to not have to try and squeeze that hydration pack tube into my FF helmet while riding.

I guess that is why they call it luxury touring. 

I suppose you roll your eyes at any car other than a Corvette.  (closest car I can think to compare to the Concours).

[jimmymac]

I've used my glove box for a cup holder...

[VirginiaJim]

 

[tomp]

  It had a CHROME cup holder mounted to the bars....

Those chrome cup holders are insulated and not cheap.  Seen them on all types of bikes, at rallies, etc.  I have a cheapie plastic one on my Dyna and RT.  They hold drinks at arms reach, so no stopping to take a swig,,, of water or diet DP, that is.  I NEVER consume any alcohol before or during a ride, ever.  Now after a ride, anything is possible.  Lost a friend to that nonsense, back in the late 70's.  Taught me well, his passing did.   tp

[jimmymac]

No doubt, Tomp. Drinking and riding don't mix. Ever.

That's why I don't get hardly wobbleson get togethers. There is always beer. I quit doing any poker runs because of this. I love getting my drink on, after the bike is parked for the day.

[VirginiaJim]

+1.  I can barely keep it upright (easy boys) when sober.

[tomp]

Back to the 16.  Still nothing pops on google for USA, UK, Europe, or Australia.  After owning a ZZR1200, with its arm wrenching feel, I would love a Concours seating position/ergos, with that same feel.  Guess it will require the ZX14R's engine to deliver that.  Oh well, WTF, I can't afford a new bike without digging into my retirement $'s.  Guess the current 14 will have to do.  A Multistrada, Diavel, Tuono, S1000R, etc would also provide that feel, but at a cost higher than a Kawi, or perhaps find a used ZX14R, and have a twofer, in the garage.  tp

[jwh20]

Back to the 16.  Still nothing pops on google for USA, UK, Europe, or Australia.  After owning a ZZR1200, with its arm wrenching feel, I would love a Concours seating position/ergos, with that same feel.  Guess it will require the ZX14R's engine to deliver that.  Oh well, WTF, I can't afford a new bike without digging into my retirement $'s.  Guess the current 14 will have to do.  A Multistrada, Diavel, Tuono, S1000R, etc would also provide that feel, but at a cost higher than a Kawi, or perhaps find a used ZX14R, and have a twofer, in the garage.  tp

The ZX-14's are amazing bikes.  They're much larger and heavier than 600cc sport bikes but because of that they are much more comfortable.  But as powerful as the C14 is, the ZX is in another class altogether.  You'd be amazed as how little you can pickup a nice used one for...

[VirginiaJim]

I though that this might be interesting on the past speculation for different years..

2015 - http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=17833.0
2014 - http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13058.0
2013 - http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9656.0
2012 - http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3364.0

[gPink]

deja vu all over again

[VirginiaJim]

It does seem that way..

[twowheeladdict]

I have never replaced a bike with the same.  Came close with the Versys because the '14s were heavily discounted when the new design was announced.  Love the green and the ABS was a plus, but when it came down to it I just couldn't justify replacing a perfectly fine motorcycle with the same.

I really want to give the Triumph Trophy a test ride.  I think it could replace the Concours and the Voyager.  My wife is rarely riding these days so my yearly average on the Voyager has dropped to 10,000 miles a year.

Looking around, the only bike besides the cruisers that offers a passenger floorboard is the Goldwing. 

[elp_jc]

I wouldn't buy the first year model of anything anymore, so do not regret buying a 2015 'old' Connie. Should be close to bulletproof by now . I'm used to a bit more power, but it has plenty. And the Throttlemeister is fine for the few times I need to free my right hand from the throttle. And I wouldn't mind adjustable shocks, as long as the entire suspension system was tuned on the sporty side... which is rarely the case. So rather have it fixed on the sporty side, like the Connie. The only improvement I'd like is a smoother engine, but no bike manufacturer has engine tolerances close enough to avoid that, so it's the nature of the beast. But a perfectly balanced engine (including crankshaft) would be awesome. Here BMW has the advantage with its 6-cyl K1600 bikes, since an inline 6 is naturally balanced in both primary and secondary order vibrations. But with so many inherent problem and mammoth size, I just couldn't justify one at the end. The Connie turned out a lot better than my ex K1300S, and although I still had numbing, it was manageable due to its long gearing on the highway. Even at its old age, the Connie is still the best sport-touring bike IMO, and certainly the best value as well. Happy with my purchase.

[VirginiaJim]

I wouldn't buy the first year model of anything anymore..

That's what I said back in 2007 before I bought my 2008 in August of that year...  Haven't regretted a single day.

[tomp]

Bought the first year Honda Prelude  car in 79-80, and what a mistake that was.  So slow we called it The Quaalude, because that's how it made you feel, like everything was moving in slow motion.  Ask all the first year Beta testers that own BMW's.  I believe that's how they road test their bikes, using their customers as guinea pigs.  tp

[stevewfl]

I bought he '10 C14 after they made a ton of changes.  105,000 miles later, couldn't be happier.

I've owned a gazillion race, enduro, dual sport, drag bike, and a plethora of all out crotch rockets and this by far has been my favorite bike.  Although i'm STILL not a Kawasaki fan as most know   

[VirginiaJim]

Thank goodness for that.  For a second I thought you were becoming a Kwackers fanatic. 

[tomp]

Thank goodness for that.  For a second I thought you were becoming a Kwackers fanatic. 

Rode 42 years before my first Kawi, a ZZR1200, have had five others since then.  All have been decent bikes, at decent prices.  If I had the extra bucks, I would probably get a Duc, Multistrada, or the new R1200R, S1000R or XR.  Oh well, don't have that level of extra, so the C14 it will be, for hopefully a long time.   tp

[MAN OF BLUES]

I bought he '10 C14 after they made a ton of changes.  105,000 miles later, couldn't be happier.

I've owned a gazillion race, enduro, dual sport, drag bike, and a plethora of all out crotch rockets and this by far has been my favorite bike.  Although i'm STILL not a Kawasaki fan as most know   

yeah, you say that now, but recent government officials forwarded this to me.. talk yer way outta this one....