Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: JBnAZ on February 03, 2014, 05:04:02 PM

Title: Parting Thoughts
Post by: JBnAZ on February 03, 2014, 05:04:02 PM
Hi all,

Thanks for all the good info you provide on this forum. I've sold my C14 and went back to the slower side and purchased a Honda Gold Wing F6B, their new bagger entry. If anyone local is looking for a Corbin saddle for the C14 let me know.

Ride safe, have fun and avoid those speeding tickets.

Josh
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: gPink on February 03, 2014, 05:09:57 PM
JB, good luck with the new ride. Pics and a ride report would be cool if you get around to it.
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: Rhino on February 03, 2014, 07:41:16 PM
Would love to hear how you like the F6B. I've got a friend eyeing one of those.
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: PH14 on February 03, 2014, 08:02:00 PM
Enjoy the F6B! Post pics.  :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: JBnAZ on February 03, 2014, 09:05:44 PM
Thanks for the well wishes and I will post pics soon. I've put 300 miles on the F6B and so far it's a hoot. Prior to the C14 I owned a 2008 Street Glide and I use that as my comparison for the Honda.

Pros:
Great handling for a large bike
Very comfortable stock seat for both rider and passenger
Tons of torque
Fantastic frame and predictability in corners
Good riding position (I am 5'11'' 32 inch inseam)
Supports both cruising and a bit of hooligan style riding
Great side mirrors
Analog gauges
Bullet proof power plant and drive train
Out performs many other baggers
Decent OTD price
No Kipass!

Cons:
Stock backrest is too low
Neutral can be a tad elusive at times
No cruise control
Grips are too small in diameter for my likes
Need a key to open saddle bags
LCD display is outdated
Dosn't like cold engine operation (hesitation when motor is cold)
They left too much chrome accent on black bike - went 95% of the way
Mileage is a tad low
6th gear would be nice

The wife's initial impression was very positive. She did have concerns with the speed the C14 was capable of and I reached most every ride ( thou shall not go 120 today).

I have ordered a few farkles including hiway pegs, grip puppies, go cruise cruise control, and a back rest riser. I will ponder an aftermarket windscreen and slip ons.

Suggested break in and service interval is impressive. 4 K till first oil change and every 8 K after that. Sorry, couldn't help starting and oil change debate :).

Lastly, I enjoy the perplexed looks I get from many onlookers.......

Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: stevewfl on February 03, 2014, 10:16:14 PM
Congrats can't wait to see pics of the new Honda!
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: Rhino on February 04, 2014, 09:26:40 AM
Dosn't like cold engine operation (hesitation when motor is cold)

Thanks for the review. I've owned 4 Honda's, 2 bikes and 2 quads and every one of them is cold blooded. All 4 of them are/were carbureted. I wouldn't expect that on a high dollar FI bike.
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: Son of Pappy on February 04, 2014, 02:35:28 PM

Pros:
Great handling for a large bike
Very comfortable stock seat for both rider and passenger
Tons of torque
Fantastic frame and predictability in corners
Good riding position (I am 5'11'' 32 inch inseam)
Supports both cruising and a bit of hooligan style riding
Great side mirrors
Analog gauges
Bullet proof power plant and drive train
Out performs many other baggers
Decent OTD price

Cons:
No Kipass!

FIFY ;)
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: JBnAZ on February 04, 2014, 05:25:54 PM
SOP - you busted me! Now you all know the real reason I sold my C14, that dern key wouldn't fit in my pants pocket  :o
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: Conrad on February 05, 2014, 04:52:14 AM
SOP - you busted me! Now you all know the real reason I sold my C14, that dern key wouldn't fit in my pants pocket  :o

You couldn't just buy some new pants?    ;)
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: tweeter55 on February 05, 2014, 04:56:41 AM
Let's not make this parting thoughts, just thoughts from a different point of view.
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: JBnAZ on February 05, 2014, 06:26:13 PM
I agree - no parting, I did achieve a different point of view. I'm sure I'll miss the C14 when I get the urge to blow away 99% of the cars on the road.

Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: stevewfl on February 05, 2014, 07:50:42 PM
I agree - no parting, I did achieve a different point of view. I'm sure I'll miss the C14 when I get the urge to blow away 99% of the cars on the road.

The HONDA will have no problem with it either.
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: maxtog on February 05, 2014, 09:10:58 PM
The HONDA will have no problem with it either.

True... just more of a problem than the C14 :)
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: Son of Pappy on February 05, 2014, 10:12:12 PM
SOP - you busted me! Now you all know the real reason I sold my C14, that dern key wouldn't fit in my pants pocket  :o
FWIW, KIPASS is one of the things (Many actually) that I miss.  I was headed out this early AM to slaughter a couple pigs and no one was home.  As I locked the door I realized the GS still had it's key in.  19 out, and it was frozen in place!!!
Title: Re: Parting Thoughts
Post by: twowheeladdict on February 06, 2014, 05:57:26 AM
I really liked my test ride on the FB6.  But, I don't ride local very much and that is what the bike is designed for.  All of your Cons is why I passed on it.  I already have two bikes for local riding and of course they are my lowest mileage bikes.  The other three are ready to cross the country at a moments notice.

I did ask the dealer if the FB6 seat would fit on a wing and he just stared at me like I was crazy.  I even test rode his personal Wing for comparison and quickly remembered why I don't like the wing.  The ergonomics just don't work for me.