Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: ConnerNA on July 12, 2011, 09:37:19 PM
-
So since my last bike had little to no plastic on it, the first thing I noticed was the massive amounts of black plastic on my C14....I bought a cover and wondered if I should start covering it every day to try and keep the sun from killing it ???
In addition I bought some black magic plastic and vinyl treatment, suppose to work against UV rays, etc...just wondering what everyone else is using/doing to keep the black from drying out and becoming oxidized?
-
Nothing! Just ride da **** out of the bike and sell it. Are you keeping it for life? If not, forget bout' it! :o
-
+1
-
If my bike is going to be sitting in the hot sun for more than an hour, I put my nelson rigg uv 2000 cover on it. It's very reflective and keeps the bike cool plus it keeps prying eyes off it as well.
(http://www.motorcyclegear.com/image/path/26493/concours14_a.jpg)
Not my bike but you get the idea.
-
If my bike is going to be sitting in the hot sun for more than an hour, I put my nelson rigg uv 2000 cover on it. It's very reflective and keeps the bike cool plus it keeps prying eyes off it as well.
(http://www.motorcyclegear.com/image/path/26493/concours14_a.jpg)
Not my bike but you get the idea.
Really?
-
Nothing! Just ride da **** out of the bike and sell it. Are you keeping it for life? If not, forget bout' it! :o
LOL yeah I know however I due plan to keep this one....but that is what I said with the last 3 as well :D
-
Really?
Really really.
-
Black '09. Going over 2 years, park it outside at work (Atlanta heat) almost everyday, rain or shine, the plastic looks as good as the day I bought it.
I have never waxed it, or put any car-care products on it, just plain 'ol tap water from a hose and a microfiber cloth about once a month to keep it clean.
-
sounds like I maybe taking it to the extreme however I am just like that :)
Anyone use 303 Protectant? I have heard great things about it.
-
If your extremely lucky it may fade to the fast Neutron Silver color ;) 3 years, 49,000 miles, parked in the eveing under an overhang, washed only at service time, many miles in the rain. I see no signs of fade. Covers tend to bother my mind, wind can kick up outa no where here in the Pacific Northwet and I can just see the cover turning into a sail. Not to mention the time taking it off for the commuter home, every minute lost is many more cars choking the road >:(
-
Yeah I'd be concerned with the cover rubbing on the painted surfaces, and entrapping gasoline fumes so I've been hesitant to use one. Fortunately there are some shaded areas to park at work, but they don't stay shaded all day long so I have to move mid day if I want to stay in the shade.
-
About the only time that I cover my bike is here at work. I have to park in the designated motorcycle parking areas and the two areas that I use are protected from the wind, so that's not a concern for me. As for rubbing and gas fumes building up inside the cover? I ain't worried.
-
About the only time that I cover my bike is here at work. I have to park in the designated motorcycle parking areas and the two areas that I use are protected from the wind, so that's not a concern for me. As for rubbing and gas fumes building up inside the cover? I ain't worried.
Me too on the designated parking (army post). I cover most days and I use one of these when I get home sice I don't have a garage or carport.
-
Me too on the designated parking (army post). I cover most days and I use one of these when I get home sice I don't have a garage or carport.
I'm in the same boat with no car port or garage. So i picked up the Bike Barn (http://thebikebarn.net/)
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad212/Liteshouse/motorcycle_cover_400.jpg)
My Bike
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad212/Liteshouse/WP_000094.jpg)
it's the best investment I've ever made.
-
I'm in the same boat with no car port or garage. So i picked up the Bike Barn (http://thebikebarn.net/)
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad212/Liteshouse/motorcycle_cover_400.jpg)
If she's there waiting to cover it for you every night, I'll have to get one of those. Of course then I'll have a big open space in the garage.
I cover mine at work too, but not for the same reason as everyone else. I found out some idiot co-workers were playing on it, and rather than them ending up in the morgue and me in jail, the $25 cover is much less trouble.
-
About the only time that I cover my bike is here at work. I have to park in the designated motorcycle parking areas and the two areas that I use are protected from the wind, so that's not a concern for me. As for rubbing and gas fumes building up inside the cover? I ain't worried.
I guess what goes on beneath the covers stays there, eh?
-
If your extremely lucky it may fade to the fast Neutron Silver color ;) 3 years, 49,000 miles, parked in the eveing under an overhang, washed only at service time, many miles in the rain. I see no signs of fade. Covers tend to bother my mind, wind can kick up outa no where here in the Pacific Northwet and I can just see the cover turning into a sail. Not to mention the time taking it off for the commuter home, every minute lost is many more cars choking the road >:(
:rotflmao:
The color of class :)
-
I guess what goes on beneath the covers stays there, eh?
Just like Vegas baby!
-
sounds like I maybe taking it to the extreme however I am just like that :)
Anyone use 303 Protectant? I have heard great things about it.
303 comes highly recommended by many sources. I just started using it on my Cycle Shell http://www.cycleshell.com/ (http://www.cycleshell.com/) because they recommended it. Too soon to know anything, but will let you know in 5 years or so :)
-
If she's there waiting to cover it for you every night, I'll have to get one of those. Of course then I'll have a big open space in the garage.
I cover mine at work too, but not for the same reason as everyone else. I found out some idiot co-workers were playing on it, and rather than them ending up in the morgue and me in jail, the $25 cover is much less trouble.
Just curious how does a co-worker "play" on your bike?
Mike
-
sounds like I maybe taking it to the extreme however I am just like that :)
Anyone use 303 Protectant? I have heard great things about it.
Absolutely the best stuff on the planet! My 1993 Mariah boat looks like new. I use it on the fiberglass and upolstry. An independent lab tested it a few years ago and said it was the only stuff on the market that actually protected what you applied it to. Widely used in the RV and boating industry.
-
Just curious how does a co-worker "play" on your bike?
Mike
Apparently like a little kid would : Jumps on it, grabs the handlebars, and goes "Vroom, VRoom. VROOM!!!".
I only found out because someone thought the red blinking light indicated they had set off an alarm, and wondered if it paged me.
-
Wow I have 4 grandkids (steps 2-7.....I am 29) and they always wanna sit on papas bike......I swear I didnt know about "4-ways) till the rats turned em on for me to find later :).
-
Wow I have 4 grandkids (steps 2-7.....I am 29) and they always wanna sit on papas bike......I swear I didnt know about "4-ways) till the rats turned em on for me to find later :).
Say what? Were you like 8 years old when you had your first child or what?
-
303 comes highly recommended by many sources. I just started using it on my Cycle Shell http://www.cycleshell.com/ (http://www.cycleshell.com/) because they recommended it. Too soon to know anything, but will let you know in 5 years or so :)
Which 303 product do you use on the cycle shell?
-
Which 303 product do you use on the cycle shell?
Well, now that IS a discussion. I simply could not get anyone to tell me which. I bought a GALLON of the stuff from Amazon labeled "303 Aerospace Protectant". They sell something else for fabric called "303 High Tech Fabric Guard), but the Cycle Shell is supposed to be vinyl coated fibers or outer, so this seemed like it was the right stuff.
I used a high-volume hand spray bottle. It went on easy, although it did seem to absorb it some. Wiped off the (little) excess per the instructions. It dried pretty quickly, it did not discolor or stain. I tested after and it is still water repelling. I used about 1/2 quart to cover the whole thing. I think the next time, it won't use quite as much.
It says on the instructions "Not for fabrics (canvas)" but this is not really a fabric nor canvas. I hope I am using the correct stuff. Only time well tell now...
-
Well, now that IS a discussion. I simply could not get anyone to tell me which. I bought a GALLON of the stuff from Amazon labeled "303 Aerospace Protectant". They sell something else for fabric called "303 High Tech Fabric Guard), but the Cycle Shell is supposed to be vinyl coated fibers or outer, so this seemed like it was the right stuff.
I used a high-volume hand spray bottle. It went on easy, although it did seem to absorb it some. Wiped off the (little) excess per the instructions. It dried pretty quickly, it did not discolor or stain. I tested after and it is still water repelling. I used about 1/2 quart to cover the whole thing. I think the next time, it won't use quite as much.
It says on the instructions "Not for fabrics (canvas)" but this is not really a fabric nor canvas. I hope I am using the correct stuff. Only time well tell now...
I guess that will help when you launch the bike into outer space... Keep it looking nice. ;)
-
Well, now that IS a discussion. I simply could not get anyone to tell me which. I bought a GALLON of the stuff from Amazon labeled "303 Aerospace Protectant". They sell something else for fabric called "303 High Tech Fabric Guard), but the Cycle Shell is supposed to be vinyl coated fibers or outer, so this seemed like it was the right stuff.
I used a high-volume hand spray bottle. It went on easy, although it did seem to absorb it some. Wiped off the (little) excess per the instructions. It dried pretty quickly, it did not discolor or stain. I tested after and it is still water repelling. I used about 1/2 quart to cover the whole thing. I think the next time, it won't use quite as much.
It says on the instructions "Not for fabrics (canvas)" but this is not really a fabric nor canvas. I hope I am using the correct stuff. Only time well tell now...
Well.................maybe I'll send an email to ol' Mark form cycleshell. I'll let you know what he has to say.
-
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad212/Liteshouse/motorcycle_cover_400.jpg)
Pull back the covers... ;)
:-* :)
-
I think she looks better with heels...wait I mean better tires! :-[
-
Nothing! Just ride da **** out of the bike and sell it. Are you keeping it for life? If not, forget bout' it! :o
+1
-
Also don't be afraid to off-road your bike, even in the extreme desert Tundra. That was AZ. ADV for the win
In Roswell tonight chasing aliens with my C14.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110713-DSC_1832.jpg)
-
So since my last bike had little to no plastic on it, the first thing I noticed was the massive amounts of black plastic on my C14....I bought a cover and wondered if I should start covering it every day to try and keep the sun from killing it ???
In addition I bought some black magic plastic and vinyl treatment, suppose to work against UV rays, etc...just wondering what everyone else is using/doing to keep the black from drying out and becoming oxidized?
I understand your concerns. I had an '85 Honda Magna 3 months in the garden with no caver whatsoever, and the paint afterwards was clearly faded >:(
I never left a bike outside for longer than strictly necessary after that experience. My 1400GTR now has three possibilities:
1. she's in the garage at home,
2. she's in the garage at work (big company with special MC garage, ventilated, surveillance cameras, etc.),
3. she's with me, rolling.
If I do some errands and such, I try parking her on the shadow of the buildings if possible. I don't think she has been more than a few hours really static under the sun since I bought it 30 months ago. And it's not just because I became paranoic :o. The black painted plastic get's HOT, cracks and whatnot, and I'm planning to keep this bike for looooong while.
-
Also don't be afraid to off-road your bike, even in the extreme desert Tundra. That was AZ. ADV for the win
In Roswell tonight chasing aliens with my C14.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110713-DSC_1832.jpg)
Great pic Steve!
-
If my bike is going to be sitting in the hot sun for more than an hour, I put my nelson rigg uv 2000 cover on it. It's very reflective and keeps the bike cool plus it keeps prying eyes off it as well.
(http://www.motorcyclegear.com/image/path/26493/concours14_a.jpg)
Not my bike but you get the idea.
I agree about the cover keeping the bike cool. Remember that some colors fade more than others. Red is especially susceptible to fading. So if you don't cover the fender it will soon be faded and the rest of the bike will not. This may be an issue when you sell the bike.
-
Like I said before, ride the **** out of it and buy a new one! I'm sure the 2014 Kawasaki C17 would be more AWESOME!