Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Conhardcore on July 09, 2011, 03:45:48 PM
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I've had my C14 for about a month and have approximately 2000 miles on it. I love this bike but do find that some vibration creeps in at around 5K RPM or faster. Nothing major or even necessarily unpleasent, but obviously would prefer it was silk all the way to redline. This is my fist sport type bike and I'm having fun with the outstanding power band available. Just curious what others experience regarding the topic.
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I do not think they really 'kick in' on my bike but the engine is smoothest around 3K RPM under light throttle. The vibration increases starting at about 3K or maybe 3,500 RPM as the engine speed increases but I do not find it to be a problem as 3,500 RPM is just over 70 MPH in sixth gear- 5K RPM would be well over 100 MPH and at those speeds road and wind vibration become more pronounced than the engine, at least on my bike.
Brian
I've had my C14 for about a month and have approximately 2000 miles on it. I love this bike but do find that some vibration creeps in at around 5K RPM or faster. Nothing major or even necessarily unpleasent, but obviously would prefer it was silk all the way to redline. This is my fist sport type bike and I'm having fun with the outstanding power band available. Just curious what others experience regarding the topic.
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I do not think they really 'kick in' on my bike but the engine is smoothest around 3K RPM under light throttle. The vibration increases starting at about 3K or maybe 3,500 RPM as the engine speed increases but I do not find it to be a problem as 3,500 RPM is just over 70 MPH in sixth gear- 5K RPM would be well over 100 MPH and at those speeds road and wind vibration become more pronounced than the engine, at least on my bike.
Brian
Hey Brian...yeah at crusing speeds there is simply 0 vibration from this bike. I'm talking more moving through the power band as I accelerate.
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Yep, under heavy throttle there is some vibration and it is proportionate to engine speed. The thing is that at the larger throttle openings I am usually not paying any attention to anything other than the Earth going past me. ;) The engine would have to throw a rod to get my attention to be honest.
Brian
Hey Brian...yeah at crusing speeds there is simply 0 vibration from this bike. I'm talking more moving through the power band as I accelerate.
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....This is my first sport type bike and I'm having fun with the outstanding power band available. Just curious what others experience regarding the topic.
Could it be that you used to the cruiser type (v-twins) bikes in the past? Or maybe your body still vibrating from the Harley?
...my bike is pretty smooth. sorry.
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I had/have exactley as you described at 5k as of lately 11.5k it seems to have become much less noticeable. 2010 ABS.
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Could it be that you used to the cruiser type (v-twins) bikes in the past? Or maybe your body still vibrating from the Harley?
...my bike is pretty smooth. sorry.
Yep could be...no apologies here. What are you apologizing for other than arrogance ::)
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Could it be that you used to the cruiser type (v-twins) bikes in the past? Or maybe your body still vibrating from the Harley?
...my bike is pretty smooth. sorry.
Conhardcore, I know what you are talking about. I am getting a little buzziness around 5100 rpm and 7200 rpm. I actually think my Road King was smoother throughout the powerband.
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I don't notice much for vibrations, but I also have the heavy throttlemeister bar ends/throttle lock. Are you running stock bar ends?
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I don't notice much for vibrations, but I also have the heavy throttlemeister bar ends/throttle lock. Are you running stock bar ends?
Yes I am Manowar, but my post is a little misleading. The bike is actually extremely smooth without any real vibration issues. I was really just curious as to what was reasonable as far as when the bike begins to emit more vibration when racing through the gears. Mine is REAL smooth and free of any till about 5k and then I can feel them starting to come through. I don't even think of that as a problem or unnatural but was curious if that was what most experienced. To another posters comments, typically when running up to 6-8K I'm paying more attention to the drama unfolding beneath and in front of me than any vibrations:) I have been riding rubber mounted motors on Harley Davidson touring bikes and it's all relative given the low redline levels on those bikes, but do the motor not being fixed to the frame, the only real vibrations on those bikes is at idle, contrary to popular opinion ;D On the other hand Softail bikes, motor afixed to the frame, the opposite is true. Silky smooth at idle, but as the revs rise the motor as no where to float and the vibrations begin to come through the footboards and bars.
Most of what I post is stuff that I am exploring and getting used to on this bike. I have to say, while I still love my HD and happily share my garage with the Connie, I haven't been on it since I bought the Kawi.
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When I am on it hard I don't notice any buzz till 6k or so. That is when I start to feel it in the handle bars and then it moves into the footpegs and the tank from there.
When I am cruising, I can feel an increase in vibrations in the handle bars at 3.5-4k. Nothing bad and i stop noticing it after a few miles but it is there. BTW 4k is about 80 mph. My bike seems to love it there. I average high forties to fifty when I cruise in that area.
I forgot to mention, I have the Throttlemeister Heavy Ends and Grip Puppies too.
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I feel it around 5k -6K under light acceleration or at a constant speed, but under hard acceleration I don't notice it.
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Mine is very smooth up to 4k then it gets a little vibe from 4-5k ... after that i am having to much fun to notice any vibes.
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I too have noticed this vibration. Its not really that bad, but I do know that it shows up more around 5000 and up. Just by curiosity sake...when you guys are shifting how high are you letting the RPMs go before you shift?
I say around 5000 or 5500....dont take it much over that unless Im getting on the high way with a lot of traffic.
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If I wouldn't have come off a cbr1100xx Blackbird I would have thought it was ok. That bike had zero buzz and was the smoothest running engine I have ever experianced on a bike. My 06 FJR was better than the 14 also. At the speeds I cruise (80-85) my hands buzz for the quite awhile after my ride on the 14.
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i shift all over the place ... depending on how spirited i am riding.
2500 to 10,000, but most the time ... around 5500 to 6k
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Mine vibration start as soon as I tap the starter button, and the KAWI (keyword Kawi) sounds as if the cam chain tensioner is going to come out of the engine and whoop my arse.
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Mine vibration start as soon as I tap the starter button, and the KAWI (keyword Kawi) sounds as if the cam chain tensioner is going to come out of the engine and whoop my arse.
+1
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Seems to me that 5000 is the spot where I feel anything at all....but after a few hours at any Rpm my hands are tingling.
Mike
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My 2010 has a lot of buzz at the bars between 3500-5000 rpm, bad enough to cause the tingles. Unfortunately, this is also a section of the powerband that you're in a lot.
Coming off a Honda ST1100 which was glassy smooth, it's the one thing I don't like about the C14.
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My 2011 is very smooth. The very slight "buzz" is consistant through the rpm range after 4k or so.
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My '11 C14 is so smooth that it feels like an electric motor! I think the difference in opinion might be due to variations in engines, specifically throttle synch. If you got enough buzz to bother the hands, you should get a synch.
FWIW, my other bike is '91 katana 1100 that I have had for 13 years. Despite using my morgan carb stix for a perfect synch, gel grips, neoprene grip wraps, finger less gel gloves worn under regular gloves, my hands would still hurt after long rides as would my feet. Doubling up on Celebrex helped, but I knew that my wee age mandated that I get a smoother ride.The C14 hasn't failed.
I still ride the old katana every now and then (like yesterday), but just for maybe 30 minutes or an hour (not 12 hours!)
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"Doubling up on Celebrex helped"
:o :yikes: :rotflmao:
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Just came off a 2800 mile ride on my 2010 C-14 ABS bike has been very smooth since day 1 started to notice buzz/vib in right hand at approx 4k miles (currently have 15k miles)@ 4-5k rpm. On this trip I tried to isolate its origin. It seems to be in the metal guard that protects the throttle side heated grip wire at least I think that is what it is for. This only applies to 10's and 11's I don't think the 8' and 9's have this part. If I put my thump on this part as I notice the buzz it goes away and I never get the buzz if I accel with my thumb on it. Tried tightening it but it was secure and it did not help. Going to try a rubber washer or something like it to fix it. Anyone else notice this?
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My 2010 has a lot of buzz at the bars between 3500-5000 rpm, bad enough to cause the tingles. Unfortunately, this is also a section of the powerband that you're in a lot.
Coming off a Honda ST1100 which was glassy smooth, it's the one thing I don't like about the C14.
Throttlemeister fixed that on my '10, and several have reported the same results on 08-09 models.
Of course a HONDA will be smoother. I bought a rough Kawi because thats the price I pay for going faster. Had i wanted swiss watch quality, i'd have went with HONDA.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/goHonda.gif)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/CIMG0026.jpg)
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Throttlemeister fixed that on my '10, and several have reported the same results on 08-09 models.
Of course a HONDA will be smoother. I bought a rough Kawi because thats the price I pay for going faster. Had i wanted swiss watch quality, i'd have went with HONDA.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/goHonda.gif)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/CIMG0026.jpg)
You HAVE a Honda. A slow red one that you ride while wearing Top Siders.
And I have the ThrottleMeister. No difference.
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I have a throttlemeister on my 2010 it did not stop the buzz but my thumb does so I will pursue the rubber or nylon washer on the mounting hardware for the guard on the grip heater wire.
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Finally fiddled with the heated grip wire protective cover, the buzz on the throttle side at 4-5k RPM was driving me nuts. Took it off one screw, tucked some foam under it. Between it and the throttle housing. Now no more buzzing. Fixed the issue for me on my 2010 ABS C14. Also found its plastic not metal.
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You HAVE a Honda. A slow red one that you ride while wearing Top Siders.
And I have the ThrottleMeister. No difference.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)
heyyyyyyy lmao! slow and honda shouldn't live in the same sentence. for a dual sport its the fastest in its class...and about half the weight of a KLR
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(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)
heyyyyyyy lmao! slow and honda shouldn't live in the same sentence. for a dual sport its the fastest in its class...and about half the weight of a KLR
Doesnt a KLR weigh the same as the C14? ;D
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(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)
heyyyyyyy lmao! slow and honda shouldn't live in the same sentence. for a dual sport its the fastest in its class...and about half the weight of a KLR
If you ever got it in the dirt it would weigh more ;)
Only time my '14 vibrates is when I put in fresh batteries :yikes:
Currently running LSL bars with no bar ends. Smooth as a well oiled sewing machine, all RPMs.
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I have a 2011 with about 900miles on it, I do notice some buzz even with throtlemeisters. I assume she should smooth out with some more rideing. I also have a 2008 ZX14, I know for a fact it has an adjustable ballencer on the right side of the engine which I did adjust @ about 6000 miles, it now runs smooth as silk. I would think the C14 would have the same thing since the engines are similer. Does anyone have a Service manual on the C14. The hardest thing to do is take off the plastic, and you must do it when the engine is hot.
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I came from several Concours 1000s and all I can say is the C14 is like an electric motor compared to the C10.
Does anyone find it weird that people always want smooth-running bikes to be ever more vibration-free and "shaker" bikes (like Harleys) to vibrate more? Why can't everyone just appreciate their bikes for the things they do well and quit obsessing over the things their bikes don't do as well? Cripes, the C14 is nearly a full-on sportbike with luggage -- evaluate it in that context. Does it accelerate like a sportbike? Does it corner like a sportbike? Does it brake like a sportbike? And can it cruise comfortably down the highway with all your gear in tow? Then it is what it was intended to be: A sport-touring motorcycle !!!!!
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+1! :thumbs: :goodpost: :chugbeer:
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I came from several Concours 1000s and all I can say is the C14 is like an electric motor compared to the C10.
Does anyone find it weird that people always want smooth-running bikes to be ever more vibration-free and "shaker" bikes (like Harleys) to vibrate more? Why can't everyone just appreciate their bikes for the things they do well and quit obsessing over the things their bikes don't do as well? Cripes, the C14 is nearly a full-on sportbike with luggage -- evaluate it in that context. Does it accelerate like a sportbike? Does it corner like a sportbike? Does it brake like a sportbike? And can it cruise comfortably down the highway with all your gear in tow? Then it is what it was intended to be: A sport-touring motorcycle !!!!!
As the original poster of this thread, and someone who never meant to imply that this bike suffered from excessive vibration, I agree that this is a great post.
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(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)
heyyyyyyy lmao! slow and honda shouldn't live in the same sentence. for a dual sport its the fastest in its class...and about half the weight of a KLR
Second fastest and kinda heavy. KTM 530 EXC -- WINNER.
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I came from several Concours 1000s and all I can say is the C14 is like an electric motor compared to the C10.
Does anyone find it weird that people always want smooth-running bikes to be ever more vibration-free and "shaker" bikes (like Harleys) to vibrate more? Why can't everyone just appreciate their bikes for the things they do well and quit obsessing over the things their bikes don't do as well? Cripes, the C14 is nearly a full-on sportbike with luggage -- evaluate it in that context. Does it accelerate like a sportbike? Does it corner like a sportbike? Does it brake like a sportbike? And can it cruise comfortably down the highway with all your gear in tow? Then it is what it was intended to be: A sport-touring motorcycle !!!!!
I've been purposely staying out of this thread, because I've been battling the bad vibs from my C14 from the first day I bought it, and don't really have anything positive to contribute. But now, you've sucked me in, thanks.
Some C14's vibrate more than others. My C14 is far worse than my C10 ever was, even when the C10 was at it's worst.
When I first got my C14, I could not ride it above 4K RPM for more than 2 minutes without my hands going completely numb, to the point that I literally could not feel the brake or clutch levers when I grabbed for them. Shortly after that, I could not feel the throttle in my hand, which results in not riding.
Limiting the C14 to only riding it under 4K RPM is not a good answer either. I don't expect the bike to be completely smooth, but there is a point where the vibrations are just too much. Mine was there, but I've made some progress with it, to a point that I could ride at higher RPMs for longer periods, without my hands going totally numb. Recently I made a change that made things worse (a minor setback), but I do believe it can be fixed.
I do have a problem with those who don't experience a problem saying 'there is no problem'. I'm not trying to sling mud here, but for some, there really is a problem with the bike. And as one would expect, due to the potential can of worms it would open, the manufacturer will not even begin to acknowledge there might be, or offer any help in resolving it (believe me, I've tried, and I'm not the only one).
Personally, after spending a lot of time looking into this issue, I'm less inclined to think it's a mechanical balancing issue, and more of a fuel mixture + fuel timing and ignition timing issue. I still have a long ways to go before I'll put this problem behind me, but so far, the things that have made a significant impact were things that affected the intake and exhaust flows. It was an unexpected side effect of the changes, but very real.
And for the record, mine really starts vibrating / buzzing at around 3500 RPM, with the peak at about 5K, and no real decrease from then on.
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I've been purposely staying out of this thread, because I've been battling the bad vibs from my C14 from the first day I bought it, and don't really have anything positive to contribute. But now, you've sucked me in, thanks.
You're quite welcome...
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Some C14's vibrate more than others. My C14 is far worse than my C10 ever was, even when the C10 was at it's worst."
+1 I think different bikes *can* be different. My C14 is very smooth compared to how my ZRX was. World of difference. I don't think I have any problems at all with buzzing or vibration on the Concours. But some people might.
Interesting the other post about "syncing".... I think that was a carburetor-only type thing...
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Mine has always been silky smooth it just developed the buzz in the trottle due to the heated grip wire cover vibrating at 4-5k. But I must say I am glad I got rid of the vib it was getting on my nerves.
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I didn't read all the posts in this thread (I am sure someone else mentioned this) but I started getting vibs at about 3500 rpms at about the 22K mark. While doing some maint. and searching for answers to other issues I finally got around to checking the engine mounts. My lower engine mount was about 3/4 turn from the correct torque. The engine is back to glass.
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Personally, after spending a lot of time looking into this issue, I'm less inclined to think it's a mechanical balancing issue, and more of a fuel mixture + fuel timing and ignition timing issue. I still have a long ways to go before I'll put this problem behind me, but so far, the things that have made a significant impact were things that affected the intake and exhaust flows. It was an unexpected side effect of the changes, but very real.
I also think that fuel mixture & timing can be at least one of the variables that can affect how much the C14 engine vibrates, and at what rpm. I recently had my ECU reflashed by Dynotronics, and one of the bonuses I noticed in addition to the improved performance was smoother running at all rpms. There is more vibration when I am on the gas, running through the gears, but I have found that to be true of all the 4-cyl bikes I have ridden, including my '99 Blackbird, which is probably the smoothest-running bike I have ever owned. With the ECU reflash done, my C14 now feels very similar to my Blackbird, vibration-wise.
That said, I am sure there are lots of other things that can cause the C14 to vibrate more or less, including engine mount bolts, balancer adjustment, bar-end weights, things like the heated grip wire protective cover, and every other thing that folks have mentioned on this thread. You just have to try different ideas until you find the fix or combination of fixes that reduces the vibration to a level you can live with. Don't expect "glass-smooth", just try to get it to the point where you can ignore what vibes there are and enjoy the ride.
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Well, while I was out on a ride with Charlie and Dave on Sunday during the "Ride the Ribbon" event, Dave graciously offered to let me ride his 2010 C14, so I could compare vibrations. It is my opinion that his bike was much smoother, with less vibrations. His is completely stock, as it came out of the crate, except for 2" risers, including the original tires (which should be completely worn out by the time he gets home).
I experimented through the RPM range up to 9500, tried several different gears, and doing some roll on full throttle pulls in the lower gears into the triple digits. On his bike, which has under 8K miles as I recall, I felt no real buzz / vibs in the pegs, the seat, or the gas tank, and very minor amount in his stock grips. There was a noticeable buzz around the top center of the dash, the reservoir covers, the levers, and the outside tips of the mirrors, all around 5K. His vibs came on a little below 4K, and peaked out right around 5K RPMs, then smoothed back out as the RPMs increased above 6K. I'm guessing that's how most guys would describe their bikes that say theirs is smooth?
What was interesting was his comment right after he got off of my bike. He said "Yours is vibrating everywhere except the grips! You can feel it in the tank, the seat, everywhere." As I told him, if I had not done the shim washer trick to the bar weights, the grips would still be buzzing like that too.
Although it just confirms what I already thought I knew, it does provide a little vindication to make me feel like I'm not just imagining it, and chasing a ghost (Thanks Dave!!).
I still need to find the cause and fix it though. Next, I need to find some gauges and do the TB sync, and check the valve adjustment.
Now why did I buy a brand new bike again? Oh yes, so I didn't have to work on my older bikes. Thanks for absolutely no help on this one Mama Kawasaki. >:(
One other interesting bit of information, Dave is getting consistently better fuel mileage then I do with mine, on the order of 5 MPG.
At first I just figured it would have to be due to riding style, but after talking with him, and watching him ride, I think more of it is because his bike is just 'tuned' better.
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(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/lol.gif)
heyyyyyyy lmao! slow and honda shouldn't live in the same sentence. for a dual sport its the fastest in its class...and about half the weight of a KLR
Honda dual class yumm!! did they stay in the market?
Mike