Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Madcow on June 28, 2013, 10:38:07 PM
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I decided to test my C-14's cooling system today. On my ride home from work I rode through town to see how the C-14 would handle sitting at a stoplight in 118 degree weather, bike never overheated & the temp gauge didn't go any higher than normal.
I don't plan on doing that again.
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I decided to test my C-14's cooling system today. On my ride home from work I rode through town to see how the C-14 would handle sitting at a stoplight in 118 degree weather, bike never overheated & the temp gauge didn't go any higher than normal.
(I don't plan on doing that again.)
I bet! Wow! Glad You didn't burst into flames!
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I decided to test my C-14's cooling system today. On my ride home from work I rode through town to see how the C-14 would handle sitting at a stoplight in 118 degree weather, bike never overheated & the temp gauge didn't go any higher than normal.
I don't plan on doing that again.
Full gear, some gear?
It got to a little over 90 today in NW Oregon and I was burning up in my mesh gear. I absolutely love it ;D.
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The C14 has a very robust cooling system.
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Be careful in that kind of heat. I was riding a funeral escort in Dallas when it was about 110 degrees. Traffic on the highway came to a stop and there was not a wisper of a breeze. The heat from the bumper to bumper cars made it worse. The bike was running a little hot, and even though I had a belly full of water and gatoraid I was getting overheated. Ended up puking and unable to finish the escort. That kind of heat can be very dangerous, even if the bike can take it, don't push yourself.
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Full gear, some gear?
Atgatt. Mesh jacket, pants, gloves, boots & fullface helmet.
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Be careful in that kind of heat. I was riding a funeral escort in Dallas when it was about 110 degrees. Traffic on the highway came to a stop and there was not a wisper of a breeze. The heat from the bumper to bumper cars made it worse. The bike was running a little hot, and even though I had a belly full of water and gatoraid I was getting overheated. Ended up puking and unable to finish the escort. That kind of heat can be very dangerous, even if the bike can take it, don't push yourself.
I had a similar experience, although it wasn't 110, it was 98 or so with absolutely no breeze (which is unusual here) and in full sun with dark pavement and cars all around. I was stuck, stopped, and getting sick and dizzy. I finally decided to ride on the shoulder as the lesser of two evils. I just hoped there were no cops (there weren't) and if so, they would understand.
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The C14 has a very robust cooling system.
It has a better cooling system than me.
This is what it felt like riding home yesterday.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img43/3762/i9iv.jpg)
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(http://imageshack.us/a/img43/3762/i9iv.jpg)
But at least it is a dry heat :)
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Was stuck in backed up traffic from a wreck going into Dallas , 105F in ATGATT, no shade no exit.
Bike fan kicked on, otherwise business as usual.
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No such problem in California.
Lane Splitting. Don't have to stop in traffic jams, just motor along at a reasonable rate of speed.
All states should adopt Lane Sharing.
Brent
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Meh...it was still probably 60 or so degrees cooler than the bike internals
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No such problem in California.
Lane Splitting. Don't have to stop in traffic jams, just motor along at a reasonable rate of speed.
All states should adopt Lane Sharing.
Brent
Not everyone likes this rule in California but NOONE in NJ would agree with it. If they adopted that policy here I'd have to learn how to drive through car doors and bumpers. The cages would be pulling in front of me to stop my progress.
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It would be suicide for the first couple of years...and that goes for anywhere else that doesn't allow it now.
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Not everyone likes this rule in California but NOONE in NJ would agree with it. If they adopted that policy here I'd have to learn how to drive through car doors and bumpers. The cages would be pulling in front of me to stop my progress.
Yep, would happen in VA too... probably most places. Would take many years for most people to understand and accept it, if ever.
The two traffic law changes I would want for motorcycles would be:
1) Allowing motorcycles to drive on the left or right shoulders at maybe max 25 MPH or something when traffic is stopped. Especially when it is hot. Although it is also a problem when it is very cold and the driver is dressed for the non-existent wind chill during "events" and quickly overheats.
2) No tolls for motorcycles anywhere, ever. Using cash on a motorcycle is very difficult when properly dressed. Using electronics is intrusive, difficult to mount, and easy to steal. And a no-cash system is usually extremely unfair for casual users..... motorcycles are unfairly / disproportionally affected. Since motorcycles put almost no wear on roads it shouldn't matter much anyway.
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1) Assuming it's ok to do so in the future, that's where all the debris falls. I've actually seen a trooper get a flat on 95 for doing just that. Not me, I only got two wheels.
2) Get a Smart Tag...and yeah I hear you on the toll fee but it's worth it to me to not have to stop. I just go right through when I'm using the transponder. I don't stop on the Coleman bridge and they give discounts for bikes ($2 vs .80 cents I think).
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Don't pay the toll on your bike. See what happens. It's never been an issue for me. Maybe my top box shields my license plate from the camera given that the box hangs out over the back of the bike and the camera is snapping pictures from such a high angle. Or maybe the enforcement is just really weak around here.
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1) Assuming it's ok to do so in the future, that's where all the debris falls. I've actually seen a trooper get a flat on 95 for doing just that. Not me, I only got two wheels.
That is true, and the major negative with riding on a shoulder, especially on a bike.
2) Get a Smart Tag...and yeah I hear you on the toll fee but it's worth it to me to not have to stop. I just go right through when I'm using the transponder. I don't stop on the Coleman bridge and they give discounts for bikes ($2 vs .80 cents I think).
That is not a solution for many people, including me. I rarely have need to go where there are tolls, so it is completely unfair I should have to pay for some device to try and mount somewhere on a bike, where it will look bad and could also be stolen. I also don't like the tracking component of it (of course the number of cameras are making that almost moot now).
Oh, and here is a quote from VDOT you might not have seen:
"we do not currently have a transponder that is designed for use with motorcycles. The transponder is designed to function best at an angle, similar to the one created by the windshield of a passenger vehicle. A transponder mounted on a motorcycle is at the customer's "own risk and liability."
Do you find that acceptable? I don't.
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Don't pay the toll on your bike. See what happens.
With my luck?? A ticket in the mail for 10 times the amount
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Oh, and here is a quote from VDOT you might not have seen:
"we do not currently have a transponder that is designed for use with motorcycles. The transponder is designed to function best at an angle, similar to the one created by the windshield of a passenger vehicle. A transponder mounted on a motorcycle is at the customer's "own risk and liability."
Do you find that acceptable? I don't.
I have a ram mount specifically designed for the standard transponder. Never had an issue with any toll with it, Max. I never paid anything for it to begin with and it replenishes by taking out $35 on the CC when it hits the minimum balance. Try it, you'll like it, especially if you take a bunch of toll roads. Oh, and you don't have to buy it from VA. I think there may be a rental charge on buying new units now, however if anything happens to mine and I have to get another one (rental charge) there are states you can get them from that don't charge anything for them and they're good in any state that accepts them (quite a few on the east coast). BTW, all my vehicles are registered with VDOT so if there is an issue with it reading, it's taken care of internally in the system based on the plate (you can register multiple vehicles).
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And I thought 104 was HOT.....yikes!
100 here in Ohio can be downright miserable, cuz of the f'n humidity... :-\
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Triple digit heat is too much for me, I'm cranky if it gets above 90. 8)
Don't know how folks can live in AZ, TX or FL where it's hot like this for a good part of the year. :o
I remember when I would visit my folks in FL, and the cold water faucet never got cold.
I'm a true New Englander, and I like winter.
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I live in Naples Fl. and it's 80 outside now 12:36 PM I Never remember it going over 96 in the last 28 years. :popcorn:
Cold water ... you need ICE.
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2) No tolls for motorcycles anywhere, ever. Using cash on a motorcycle is very difficult when properly dressed. Using electronics is intrusive, difficult to mount, and easy to steal. And a no-cash system is usually extremely unfair for casual users..... motorcycles are unfairly / disproportionally affected. Since motorcycles put almost no wear on roads it shouldn't matter much anyway.
Forgetting the tolls for a moment, though I agree somewhat with your idea.... Here in NJ they raised the registration fees a few years ago from (I believe) 28.00 up to 65.00, this is almost double what I pay for my cars! If I could fight it I would, NJ decides for me what is a luxury and what is not....NJ is the BS state.
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A few days back the wife and I got caught in bumper to bumper traffic on I-20 in Tuscaloosa, AL in about 94 degree heat. We went about half a mile in 15 minutes. We had on mesh but hardly ever got going fast enough to do us any good. I was dehydrated and starting to feel my coordination deteriorating. I eased over to the left lane and then the shoulder and putted along at about 20 MPH. Was feeling good until I went by a State Trooper. He lit me up and pulled behind and I shut the C14 down and took of my helmet. The young heavy set trooper barked for my license which I already had in my hand. He said "Mr. you can't be passing on the shoulder like that". I apologised and explained that I was feeling dehydrated. The sweat was pouring from HIS face as he said " you better get off at the next exit then and get some water but stay off of the shoulder". I said "YES SIR and thanked him.
State Troopers are not all a$$holes. (Just the ones in Louisiana ;))
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In 2001 Jim escorted Ramin and myself north from San Fran up into the Napa Valley on our way to Klamath Falls.
The descent from the hills on CA20 down to Williams saw the temperatures climb from mid 70s to 102 in 20 miles.
This for a fat Limey (me!) in full leathers on a fully faired bike. On the final approach to I5 I was getting dizzy and disorientated.
We stopped at the Gas station on 20 near I5 and I spent 30 mins cooling off, drinking and filling my Camelback with Ice & Gatorade.
Also put on the CoolVest that I'd bought in Virginia the year before.
The next stop was near Redding and I guess I'd over hydrated a little as when I went for a pee it wouldn't stop,... for nearly 5 minutes.
If ya don't have a CoolVest or similar, just wet yer T-shirt and leave the jacket open a little.
Keep the t-shirt wet and keep moving and ya should be OK.
I can't remember being more relieved as we passed Shasta Lake and started to climb.
The record high in the UK is 101F.
Riding in 118 is unthinkable to me!
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When you stop at the gas station (slash convenience store) to fill up, toss your riding jacket into that cooler out front that they sell the bags of ice out of. Pump your gas, take a leak, get yourself something to drink. Then, throw your jacket back on and take off. That's how I deal with the Texas heat.
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When you stop at the gas station (slash convenience store) to fill up, toss your riding jacket into that cooler out front that they sell the bags of ice out of. Pump your gas, take a leak, get yourself something to drink. Then, throw your jacket back on and take off. That's how I deal with the Texas heat.
That's a good tip! I also ride with a large Camelbak in the heat. I keep it full of ice water, it also provides a slight cooling effect on my back. When I stop for gas, I've found that they usually let me refill with ice and water from the fountain drink machine so I have plenty of cold water to drink while riding.
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What is considered "normal" for the Concours temperature gauge? I rode my Concours 14 out to lunch and back (about 6-7 miles) and I noticed my gauge was about 1 square over the middle by the time I got to the restaurant, and after lunch when I started the bike again the gauge was all the way at the top (somewhat expected, as it was sitting, hot). The cooling fan came on, but by the time I got back to work it was still 1 square over the middle. It's 94 degrees, today.
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Sounds normal. Mine seems to run a little hotter. It has never over heated.
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Mine runs about 1 line above the middle most of the time too. If I have to sit at a stop light for any length of time it will climb a little and kick on the fan until I get moving again. I just got back from a lunch meeting with a buddy of mine here in the Phoenix area. It's a cool 105F here today (although my thermometer at the house registered 120.2F on Saturday)! :o
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In 2001 Jim escorted Ramin and myself north from San Fran up into the Napa Valley[...]
Also put on the CoolVest that I'd bought in Virginia the year before.
You are an Aussie and have been to CA and VA? You really get around!
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I don't think that Boomer is an Aussie... If you look under his avatar you may find the Union Jack.
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I don't think that Boomer is an Aussie... If you look under his avatar you may find the Union Jack.
Oops, you are correct. I must not have have been paying full attention. He still gets around, though...
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That he does, Max. That he does...
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Triple digit heat is too much for me, I'm cranky if it gets above 90. 8)
Don't know how folks can live in AZ, TX or FL where it's hot like this for a good part of the year. :o
I remember when I would visit my folks in FL, and the cold water faucet never got cold.
I'm a true New Englander, and I like winter.
The 6-8 months of Central Texas summer is why we moved to Colorado a year and a half ago, just got tired of after 9 years in Austin, I grew up and spent 37 years in Oklahoma City which can get hot as well. The summer of 2011 we had 90 days over 100 with many of those in the 105-110 range and then you wake up in the morning with near 90 temps and humidity while in the middle of a drought.
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That he does, Max. That he does...
<LOL>
Last summer I was in SoCal. Spent 2 days riding with Jim P and Linda B (was S) on Linda's old C10.
Got to ride the hills and valleys south of Paso Robles on the Saturday and the PCH from Carmel to Cambria.
To use the local catchphrase,.... "Awesome" ::)
The company I work for are based out of Bakersfield so was there for training.
I used to work for a company based out of Tallahassee so was in Florida in '97, '98, & '99 and have been to Daytona Bike Week.
I was born in Germany, have lived all over Europe, speak 5 languages and am an insufferable know it all. ;)
But I am not an Aussie, which most Aussies are quite relieved about. ;D
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Hey, I'm in Phoenix as well and rode to work that day as well.... The only thing that saved me was a cool vest soaked in ice water and the fact that I only had 10 miles to go. That and I only had to stop once for traffic light after that it was all freeway. Madcow - where in Phoenix area do you commute? I'm out in Chandler/Tempe area....
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I live on the west side of Phoenix about a mile from Grand Canyon University.