Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: feelergaugephil on October 30, 2013, 02:27:13 AM

Title: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: feelergaugephil on October 30, 2013, 02:27:13 AM
This has probably been asked a dozen times, so forgivness needed if so..........

Bought the 08 (new) loved it, rode it for 3 years, (K/N air filter, 2 Brothers slip on) 32K perfect miles. (ABS)
Sold the 08 and bought an 09 at a steal, Im only at under 8k miles now, again....K/N and 2 Bros and HID lights, this model is ABS and fave color....Black....
So........... thinking of getting a newer model maybe 12 or newer (NOT NEW,,, lose too much $$$)

So what do I gain/lose?????   heated grips!!! I live in Louisiana.....stupid hot most of the time....lol
Is there a power decrease?????  (my riding style tends to be close to red line in OD....... now and then)
Any input would be very appriciated... Phil. 8)
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: martin_14 on October 30, 2013, 03:20:11 AM
So what do I gain/lose?????   heated grips!!! I live in Louisiana.....stupid hot most of the time....lol
Is there a power decrease?????  (my riding style tends to be close to red line in OD....... now and then)
Any input would be very appriciated... Phil. 8)

Of course there's gonna be a power decrease if you go from a black bike to some other color! Basic knowledge  ;D
"close to red line in OD"? This bike does 60 mph at 3000 rpm in OD. So, 10500 (red line) would be 210 mph. The air you've got in Louisiana must pose no aerodynamic resistance, and still provide that 21% oxygen for the combustion.
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: Conniesaki on October 30, 2013, 09:56:57 AM
08, 09 ... 10!
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: Gumby on October 30, 2013, 10:14:30 AM
Find a smokin deal on a newer BLACK one and buy it. Then ride it like ya stole it.  ;D

I bet a few people are going probably going to tell you the linked brakes on the newer ones suck. I love mine. I guess it is probably how you ride.
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: seagiant on October 30, 2013, 10:45:33 AM
Hi,
     I paid $12,100 a few weeks ago and saw it as a deal as it had two years of warranty and I bought three more so good to 2018! I'm glad that I got the 2nd Generation. Nothing wrong with the 1st (you should know!) but I only had 1900 miles on my 2012 so it was really LNIB and still had the warning stickers on it! It was in my favorite color too!
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: Son of Pappy on October 30, 2013, 08:46:45 PM
I rode a black bike all last week.  Nothing fast about it...
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: ZG on October 30, 2013, 08:47:51 PM
I rode a black bike all last week.  Nothing fast about it...


cause it had chrome all over it...  ::)     ;D
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: seagiant on October 30, 2013, 10:01:49 PM
Hi,
     Did it go ..put..put...put!
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: gPink on October 31, 2013, 04:04:05 AM
That's a nice looking....bobber.
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: Rhino on October 31, 2013, 02:31:29 PM
That's a nice looking....bobber.

+1  :P
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: Boomer on November 01, 2013, 03:36:55 AM
Why? You have the bike how ya like it, why replace it with another one?
If you need something to work on buy a project bike.
Is there anything specific about the 09 that would be fixed in a 10-13?
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: VirginiaJim on November 01, 2013, 03:59:04 AM
Cons - color choices and they're slower
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: mike on November 01, 2013, 04:04:37 AM
I had a 09 & have a 12 now. Unless the engine heat is too much for you or you really just like the looks of the gen2 14. I'd keep the 09. You won't gain that much by getting the newer one. Ktrac is nice but the linked brakes are meh.... It's one of the things I would change if I could. The seat / tank area is cooler on the newer bike & it does have heated grips (but you can add those). For the money you'd spend on buying the newer bike you could add heated grips & buy a lot of tires & gas. Just my $.02.
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: maxtog on November 01, 2013, 06:07:15 AM
  • Heat management
  • Heated grips
  • Traction control
  • Locking glove box
  • I'm sure there's others
I will help you

Better looking fairings
Better heat managing fairings
Closed areas behind fairings (instead of open)
Locking side glovebox
Heated grips with variable control
Better mirror placement
Larger windshield
Windshield position memory
Computer control from handlebar
Much better dashboard white backlighting
More computer options
Heat shield on midpipe
Single-tone seat
Linked brakes (which are good or bad or neutral)
ABS and traction control standard (not optional)
ECO fuel mode
Passive spare fob
Improved oil pan drain position
Slightly changed muffler
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: VirginiaJim on November 01, 2013, 06:12:27 AM
Thanks, Max!  :finger_fing11:
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: gPink on November 01, 2013, 06:31:37 AM
I will help you

Better looking fairings----NO
Better heat managing fairings----Maybe(subjective)
Closed areas behind fairings (instead of open)---?
Locking side glovebox----When it works
Heated grips with variable control---No ability to change to a more comfortable grip
Better mirror placement----Yes
Larger windshield----Yes
Windshield position memory----08/09 stays where you put it
Computer control from handlebar----unneeded IMHO
Much better dashboard white backlighting----- No problem with 08
More computer options----To do what?
Heat shield on midpipe-----Mid pipe poorly located
Single-tone seat-----Still uncomfortable but looks better
Linked brakes (which are good or bad or neutral)----Poorly executed
ABS and traction control standard (not optional)----Need operator control
ECO fuel mode---yes
Passive spare fob----Two active FOBs
Improved oil pan drain position---Yes
Slightly changed muffler--- Still a potato launcher
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: maxtog on November 01, 2013, 07:14:11 AM
gPink, you can rationalize any way that makes you feel better :)

I won't argue the points (because believe me, I can!)
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: gPink on November 01, 2013, 07:18:41 AM
   ra·tion·al·ize
    ˈraSHənlˌīz,ˈraSHnəˌlīz/
    verb
    verb: rationalize; 3rd person present: rationalizes; past tense: rationalized; past participle: rationalized; gerund or present participle: rationalizing; verb: rationalise; 3rd person present: rationalises; past tense: rationalised; past participle: rationalised; gerund or present participle: rationalising
        1.
        attempt to explain or justify (one's own or another's behavior or attitude) with logical, plausible reasons, even if these are not true or appropriate.



 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: ZG on November 01, 2013, 09:30:26 AM
I had a 09 & have a 12 now. Unless the engine heat is too much for you or you really just like the looks of the gen2 14. I'd keep the 09. You won't gain that much by getting the newer one. Ktrac is nice but the linked brakes are meh.... It's one of the things I would change if I could. The seat / tank area is cooler on the newer bike & it does have heated grips (but you can add those). For the money you'd spend on buying the newer bike you could add heated grips & buy a lot of tires & gas. Just my $.02.


 :goodpost:
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: feelergaugephil on November 06, 2013, 01:08:03 AM
THX Max, your post/reply was very informative, exactly what I asked for.
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: martin_14 on November 06, 2013, 06:59:52 AM
THX Max, your post/reply was very informative, exactly what I asked for.

oh, no...  :yikes:
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: maxtog on November 06, 2013, 04:37:48 PM
oh, no...  :yikes:

:P
Title: Re: 08,then 09, what now?
Post by: feelergaugephil on November 13, 2013, 09:00:15 PM
Of course there's gonna be a power decrease if you go from a black bike to some other color! Basic knowledge  ;D
"close to red line in OD"? This bike does 60 mph at 3000 rpm in OD. So, 10500 (red line) would be 210 mph. The air you've got in Louisiana must pose no aerodynamic resistance, and still provide that 21% oxygen for the combustion.

172 is 10,000