Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: RIP50AK on March 13, 2015, 02:52:56 PM
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I am planning an extended trip for the first time with my Concours 1400 and have never ridden in major rain. How are the bags for keeping things dry?
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Mine have not leaked.
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Dry as a bone since 7/7/07, and I have thousands of miles in torrential downpours
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Excellent, never a drop inside the bag even in driving downpour.
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Me too. 300 miles last weekend in pretty good rain, and all dry inside. Very happy.
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I am planning an extended trip for the first time with my Concours 1400 and have never ridden in major rain. How are the bags for keeping things dry?
100% dry. Never a single drop of water inside them.
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Yep, have done 100s of miles in the rain, everything dry.
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I was surprised by how well the Connie bags are engineered. They close and seal super well. Only wish they had the double-locking feature BMWs have, but none other bike has that anyway. And not a huge deal. Need to find some knobs and fix that issue like many here have done. Already have the 2 spare keys somewhere. And yes, they work fine ;).
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Since Jan 08 and no problems. And I've hauled a lot of groceries without spilling anything.
I imagine if you over stuff or are somewhat careless then they could leak.
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Pouring ran on the PA turnpike for 2 hours and all i could think about was my laptop in the bottom of my right bag. Got to the hotel, and not a drop got into the bag.
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Thanks all, very reassuring to know that is one thing I don't need to worry about.
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I will join the ranks with all the others; hours of riding the bike is rain so hard that cars were pulling over and never, ever a single drop in either bay. For that matter, even the cheezy Gen. 1 glove box stays dry inside no matter what, including having to wipe slush off the top of the bike.
Brian
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No issues here either, and I've done a lot of miles in the rain...hard rain too.
I did have any issue with the left saddlebag on my 08 C14 though...about a foot of the rubber seal came loose and was being a pain...I had to kind of prop it into place when closing the case. I finally glued it back in, and it was fine. In any case, loose seal or not, the cases never leaked, before or after....and I've ridden in the rain for days on end.
PS: I still haven't forgotten the old days...lol. Getting up in the morning while on a bike trip, and putting all your wet gear back on....what an awful feeling...lol. Then, packing all your stuff into garbage bags and grocery bags...before putting it in the motorcycle "luggage" you tied to the bike, and hope and pray that the rain wouldn't work it's way into the bags somehow before the next stop for the night...lol.
Unless you've done things the hard way, you can never truly appreciate things the good way;).
Rem
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well, figures, mine were the exception. not soaked, but not completely dry. if i recall one of mine would seep, just a bit, but things would get damp.
the fix was easy, just some foam tape on the face where the seal contacts, problem solved.
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It retains bottled liquids quite well.
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The real test would be after a bag self- ejects into the weeds on the side of the highway, and sits there upside down for three weeks until you find it.
;D
Brian
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:rotflmao: I did that with a 6-pack of beer one time (trooper getting ready to pull me). Came back a week later (all intact) and got it, put it on ice, and yes it was still good. It was shaken but not stirred.
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I was surprised by how well the Connie bags are engineered. They close and seal super well. Only wish they had the double-locking feature BMWs have, but none other bike has that anyway. And not a huge deal. Need to find some knobs and fix that issue like many here have done. Already have the 2 spare keys somewhere. And yes, they work fine ;).
Bags always kept my stuff dry, through rain storms, road spray and washings. Knobbed my cases, with the added bonus of using either
bag key to unlock the tank without having to take the gloves off, or search in my pocket (which one today) for the FOB! Ahhh!!
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Been in plenty off rain, had no leaks. However, I always pack my stuff in a large plastic rubbish bag also keeps it tight together so that if you have to open the side to get something out, all your gear doesn't start falling out...... Very easy to do and is xtra insurance if it does leak.
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I always pack my stuff in a large plastic rubbish bag also keeps it tight together so that if you have to open the side to get something out, all your gear doesn't start falling out...... Very easy to do and is xtra insurance if it does leak.
http://www.amazon.com/Bestem-LGKA-CON14-SDL-R-Saddlebag-Kawasaki-Concours/dp/B001OBVAUI (http://www.amazon.com/Bestem-LGKA-CON14-SDL-R-Saddlebag-Kawasaki-Concours/dp/B001OBVAUI)
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Would you believe I have a set of those liners and have not used them!!!!
The only reason is that I can pack more into the panniers if I use a plastic bag and I remove the panniers each night and carry them into our accomodation.
I must use them and see what they are like.
My wife and I always travel together so space and weight is always a concern.
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I have never had rain get in while riding. I did however have some water intrusion while the bike was sitting on the side stand in a torrential downpour. I always pack my stuff in waterproof bags, and clothes go in those large bags that you can squeeze the air out of.
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Nice link, Max. ;)
The price is agreeable and they look like they take advantage of the full capacity of the bags.
I have always used stuffsacs and carried the panniers into the hotel, if that's the sleeping plan.
OP, no water ever in the cases! :)
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Nice link, Max. ;)
The price is agreeable and they look like they take advantage of the full capacity of the bags.
There is some wasted space, which I suppose will happen with any bags. But they are very convenient.
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Maybe the wasted space will leave room for a tripod in one and monopod in the other? 8)
Any experience with that? ;D
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Maybe the wasted space will leave room for a tripod in one and monopod in the other? 8)
Any experience with that? ;D
My tripod doesn't take up much space.
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I have one similar to that. ;)
For other needs I have a Slik "Sprint Pro 3Way" and an Induro carbon fiber monopod.
They are both about 18" long and light-weight, and fit in the panniers, one per side as needed.
When I bought them they met my need and price-point exactly. :)
Still travel with the tripod, 6 years later, and will tote the mono if doing something sporty. :D
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The mad pow-ah of kipass has prevented my bags from coming off and it also kept the contents dry for 96,000 miles, just insure your fob battery is fresh at all times
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I was talking to a couple of cops on C14 police bikes the other day. One of them told me he hit a bump right before slowing down for a light and watched as one of he bags when sliding by. But he also said they have to their bags off and on the bike several times every day so he might have accidentally had it improperly latched. I should have asked him if his FOB had a fresh battery. ;D