Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: beemer on September 09, 2011, 05:37:42 PM
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I'm looking at a used 2009 C14 abs. This will be my first C14.
Does the 2009 have more engine heat issues than the 2010, 2011?
In other words, do the 2010/2011 bikes manage engine heat better. I'm thinking that the heat issues were resolved by 2009, but correct me if I'm wrong.
What extra do you get with the 2010 or 2011?
Thanks.
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Some say there is heat some say no. The 2010 models onward are less toasty so they say..
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Additionally you get heated grips, "economy mode" for fuel savings/better range, handlebar switchable dash display mode button (on the 2008 and 2009 models you have to switch modes on the dash via a pushbutton on the dash) and in most cases ABS & traction control.
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any thing about mid 90s or higher is not fun on my 09 . Its a big engine and yes its going to throw off heat .
They claim the 2010 keeps the heat trapped inside somehow but Im not so sure thats possible.
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any thing about mid 90s or higher is not fun on my 09 . Its a big engine and yes its going to throw off heat .
They claim the 2010 keeps the heat trapped inside somehow but Im not so sure thats possible.
On any bike in mid 90's it's hot... ::)
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Apparently the 2009 puts out an uncomfortable amount of heat in 90+ temps. Based on my review of changes for 2010, the 2010/2011 are cooler running bikes. There were some body work changes in 2010 to isolate heat from the rider and based on reviews it works.
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The 08 and 09 were/are very similar if not identical. I felt like my 08 threw a lot of heat on my feet and shins. The 45.00 heat shields solve the problem all the way up to 105 degrees. I'll probably remove them as the temps drop here in Utah and at 40 degrees the engine heat will help a lot.
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I rode my 2010 this summer in Idaho Hells Canyon 100 plus, did not feel any heat from the bike. Good luck
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Hi. Welcome to the forum. A better subject line would have been "Heat question on 2009".
This has been discussed many times. Many of us do not believe the 08/09's have a heat problem, but they do put out some heat. Properly adjusting the foam insulating panels corrects most of the problem some have reported. If you can, ride the bike first, then decide.
Personally, I don't like the reports on the linked brakes of the gen 2 C14's so I would stick with an 08/09 if I were to be buying another.
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My 08 is only somewhat hot to ride above 90 degrees, and I will rarely ride in those temps anyways.
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I've got the 2009, and have rode her hard for last 10 months after i got her. It gets hotter than my VSTROM. But not really uncomfortable. In the winter I like the extra heat at the vents and quickly heat my left hand up a bit during early morning commutes :-D. I've rode her in 110+ temps this summer in DC and can't say the heat dissipation was terrible. I wear leather pants and 14" boots though also... Probably get a damn good price on the 2009 over the 2010-11.
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Got a 2009 I bought in Dec of 2010 and have about 14,000 miles on it. I also live in Florida, temps below 90 dont happen often May through October. I wear jeans and good work boots or riding boots and the heat does not bother me much. The only thing on the 2010 I would like to give a try is the traction control, but I got my 2009 ABS for a great price and did not think the traction control would be worth another4k. I dont want or need grip warmers and my 2009 was alread a MPG improvement over my last bike, a Valkyrie. So I went with the 2009.
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Well, I think I just proved this theory... We're in a bit of a heat wave right now in the PNW, it's 94 degrees out today, I just got back from riding my 09 and you know what you're totally right it did feel hot, like mid-90's hot! ;) ;D
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..... it's 94 degrees out today, ........ it did feel hot, like mid-90's hot! ;) ;D
Funny how that works!
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It's too subjective an issue to find a black and white answer here. The original owner of my 08 says on this forum, that the heat is not an issue. I say nay nay, my right leg and sometimes crotch too are on fire when outside temps are over 85. If the wind is right and you keep moving and you have leather pants on, much less effect. But it is still there, the heat exits the radiator and comes out the huge openings on each side as designed. It just wasn't supposed to curl around and hit your leg.
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I've removed the added on looking deflectors from the side fairings, and the airflow works out better for me. No problems even in 105+ temps, and the bike looks much cleaner without them.
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I have been under the assumption over the years that the heat blocker panels on the 08-09 may have been mis-aligned or not put in correctly for it to have any heat issues. I have a Black '09 non-abs and had it in Atlanta for 2 summers and then Myrtle Beach for a summer and never had any problems with engine heat other than under the tank scorching your thighs. There is a fix with putting heat reflective material under the tank, but It has not been bad enough for me to do it.
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I'm looking at a used 2009 C14 abs. This will be my first C14.
Does the 2009 have more engine heat issues than the 2010, 2011?
In other words, do the 2010/2011 bikes manage engine heat better. I'm thinking that the heat issues were resolved by 2009, but correct me if I'm wrong.
What extra do you get with the 2010 or 2011?
Thanks.
If you choose the 09 and need to reduce leg heat, these work well.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=287.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=287.0)
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I have those heat shields form Zteve and am very happy with them on my 09. Without them, it was like a blast furnace on my right shin.
Tom
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My black '09 starts getting uncomfortable when it's over 104 and I've been in it for a couple of hours.
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My black '09 starts getting uncomfortable when it's over 104 and I've been in it for a couple of hours.
I didn't think there was enough room under the plastic for a person to fit....
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Maybe he has that big corbin trunk.
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I didn't think there was enough room under the plastic for a person to fit....
IN THE HEAT dammit! lol ;D
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Sometimes while riding my 09 in temps from the mid 90's and up I have to wonder what the flash point for my Kevlar riding jeans is! Maybe I'll order some heat guards before next summer. I'm kinda tired of it feeling like hotdog soup in my undies!
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I have those heat shields form Zteve and am very happy with them on my 09. Without them, it was like a blast furnace on my right shin.
Tom
+1 here too
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Even on my 05 BMW LT which many say is cool in the heat/warm in winter- it got sucky in the 90's especially in traffic. My 08 connie is worse for sure,but a far better ride.
I do miss the BMW "goodies" though :( :(
Mike
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I went a step further with my 08 and insulated the gas tank. Lowes sells some insulation that looks like tin foil coated bubble wrap. The roll was 10.00 or so and I used almost none of it. A square section fits under the tank, no adhesive necessary, and the tank feels cooler so far. I say so far since I have not had hours to test it, but so far it looks promising. Solved at a time when the heat would be a nice thing in Utah....oh well.