Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: KawaC14 on September 27, 2016, 05:47:12 PM
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Reading the post's on this forum it seems there are some full on master Kawasaki Tech's and a lot of folks with a lot of mechanical expertise. I have owned a few other bikes and ridden a lot more. None seem to have as high of a center of gravity as the C14. What about the design of this bike makes it so "tippy"? The design dosent look like it should be. It doesnt have a huge capacity fuel tank. It doesnt look like it would be. In fact, it looks low, lean and mean. Is it the size of the engine vs. a short wheel base? I dont get it. What do you think, or, what do you know about the design that cause's this? Thanks. :o
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Never had an issue with it.
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Boy that was helpful!
Yes, part of the gas tank is under the seat, so that's not it. The engine is really tall in the overall stance and it is a heckuva lump. Look at the naked shot of the bike and you will understand. It's just a heavy bike, but I wouldn't call it tippy.
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Somewhere, sometime, (yeah, that's the one Daddyflip posted) I saw a C-14 with all the body work off. The engine was HUGE and the tank sort of wraps over it and together are probably the problem. Top heavy is also a little subjective and it might be what your mentally comparing it to. I started on a C-10 and that does have a 7.5 gal tank, but weighs less. A Gold wing is quite a bit heavier I think but carries it lower. Otherwise, I don't know, just don't tip it. :D
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The 'Adventure' bikes that I have owned (BMW GSA & Yam Super Ten) are the definition of top heavy....so for me its about how a bike feels when I'm riding it and the GTR (C14) feels to have a relatively low CoG ;)
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Like others said- the C14 has a huge engine. 16 valve head, variable valve hardware, larger cooling system, etc. As a sports tourer, it has more dash, all the windscreen hardware/track/motor, larger (but not huge) gas tank, rack stuff on the rear, larger mirrors, hydraulic clutch master, taller/thicker handlebars. It has a lot of stuff above the "midline", which makes it top-heavy. When I moved from the ZRX to the C14, it was very obvious how much more top heavy the new bike was. And just heavier and bigger all over.
It is only a "problem" when moving very slowly, like parking maneuvers (and more problematic for smaller people like me, with short legs). But once you get moving, that feeling instantly disappears.
And like was also said- "adventure" class bikes are often even worse because they are so far off the ground to make additional clearance. "Cruisers" are much lower to the ground.
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Boy that was helpful!
Yes, part of the gas tank is under the seat, so that's not it. The engine is really tall in the overall stance and it is a heckuva lump. Look at the naked shot of the bike and you will understand. It's just a heavy bike, but I wouldn't call it tippy.
You're welcome.
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The engine is also a structural member. Aka... it's part of the frame, so it has to be able to perform that task as well as being the motor.
So.... what have you got against "Top Heavy"? That's how I like for my Ladies to be! 8)
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The engine is also a structural member. Aka... it's part of the frame, so it has to be able to perform that task as well as being the motor.
Serves 2x purposes.... :thumbs:
So.... what have you got against "Top Heavy"? That's how I like for my Ladies to be! 8)
O hell YES!!!! :rotflmao:
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as the picture from DaddyFlip shows, the frame goes over the engine, not around. That helps to give it a higher cg, but also reduces with, which this bike needs. As everybody pointed out, it's the huge engine what constraints the possibilities to throw beams from steering head to the hardpoints for the rear tetralever. However, as you may have noticed, all that "tippiness" disappears as soon as it gets going. Parking is a bit tricky, though. However, whenever I switch from a BMW K1600 to this Kawasaki, it feels like a liter bike for a while until my senses re-adjust.
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The ZX14 has the same engine, and it feels nothing like the Connie. I'm not blaming the engine.
I own both bikes. I just threw that in there to make people hella jelly. The only time it's been an issue is with a passenger in a parking lot. ;)
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I think it's top heavy. When my foot slipped in the garage on a wet spot, it went over quickly and I was fighting carpal tunnel syndrome at the time and the pain kicked in hard and it was all over. It's an absolute joy when rolling though.
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The ZX14 has the same engine, and it feels nothing like the Connie. I'm not blaming the engine.
I own both bikes.
That is why I gave examples of things that are not just engine in my post. The ZX14 is certainly more top-heavy than smaller engine bikes, that is for sure. But the C14 will be even more so because it has even more stuff above the midline.
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All bikes are top heavy. It's just that some tops are higher and heavier than others.
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All bikes are top heavy. It's just that some tops are higher and heavier than others.
Hi,
Yep!
I love my "Beast"!!! :hail: :hail: :hail:
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You're welcome.
And the chorus sings,"It's top heavy cuz it's not a Harley. not a Harley, not a Harley......" :rotflmao:
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OH MY!!!! Nice pic.
Yeah with all the plastic off I can see why now.....looks like a jet engine with a seat attached!
But she do cruise good. Thanks for the input. :thumbs:
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OH MY!!!! Nice pic.
Yep, I have always loved that stripped C14 photo... the Tetra shaft drive system is awesome looking.
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Yep, I have always loved that stripped C14 photo... the Tetra shaft drive system is awesome looking.
I've always wanted to put a seat pan and forward controls on the nekkid Connie and ride it like a chopper. Can you see it?
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No.
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Yep, I have always loved that stripped C14 photo... the Tetra shaft drive system is awesome looking.
Hi,
I'll stick my neck out and say the Japanese, LIKE to copy the Germans......
And think the Kawi Tetra drive is a "copy" of the BMW.......but BETTER!!! :thumbs:
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No.
always so ambiguous, Jim.
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;D