Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: jjsC6 on November 18, 2011, 03:12:46 PM

Title: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: jjsC6 on November 18, 2011, 03:12:46 PM
I'm sorry in that I'm sure I'll offend someone - but it's not personal.  The "red" 2012 is one fugly bike.  The color is way too dark and appears brown (the dealer swears it has more red in it when you take it outside).  That along with the black wheels just doesn't look right. 

I just had to look it up, I see that they do still offer black, but why would they offer two colors and make them both so dark?  I can honestly say that the bike is so bad with the dark colors and black wheels that if I were in the market for a bike right now, I'd either buy something else or wait til next year.  BTW, black wheels look okay to me on some bikes, but the Concours is just too big and has too much body work in the dark color as well to make it work.

I'm not posting this to be a dick btw, I'm posting it because Kawasaki seems to listen.  I suggest a lighter/brighter color as the second color at the very least.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: MrPepsi on November 18, 2011, 03:22:33 PM
No offense taken, I love it.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: So Cal Joe on November 18, 2011, 03:31:55 PM
I agree with you, they are UGLY!!
I don't like dark color bikes, they are harder to see on the road. I never had a problem being seen on my bright orange 02 Gold Wing ;D
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8df20b3127ccec35697f7b92b00000010O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: jjsC6 on November 21, 2011, 02:55:52 PM
I had this fear that my negative post about the 2012 Concours is what brought the forum down for three days.   I'm REALLY sorry!
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: MrPepsi on November 21, 2011, 03:01:17 PM
I knew there was a splanation.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: jaclaw on November 21, 2011, 05:05:52 PM
I thought there was a silver option for '12.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: jjsC6 on November 21, 2011, 05:41:15 PM
I thought there was a silver option for '12.

That must have been the '11s only.  Look at the Kawasaki website and it only shows the black and.....well, that "other" color.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: Z71 on November 21, 2011, 06:26:14 PM
I agree with you, they are UGLY!!
I don't like dark color bikes, they are harder to see on the road. I never had a problem being seen on my bright orange 02 Gold Wing ;D
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8df20b3127ccec35697f7b92b00000010O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)

That's a great looking Wing!  I did not realize they offered them in that color.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: ZG on November 21, 2011, 07:07:58 PM

BTW, black wheels look okay to me on some bikes, but the Concours is just too big and has too much body work in the dark color as well to make it work.


 :yikes:
 
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/Bitchslap6.gif)
 
 
 
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: jjsC6 on November 21, 2011, 08:31:57 PM

 :yikes:
 
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/Bitchslap6.gif)

Yeah, I knew that would be coming from you!  Nothing personal, and I give you lot's of credit for putting your heart and soul into your motorcycle.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: ZG on November 21, 2011, 09:10:12 PM
Yeah, I knew that would be coming from you!  Nothing personal, and I give you lot's of credit for putting your heart and soul into your motorcycle.

No worries JJ, all good bro, but you are now off the Christmas card list...  ;D 
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: Tim on November 21, 2011, 10:14:51 PM
jjsC6, It's OK man, I like the looks of my red C-14 better anyways.   :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: cltsig on November 23, 2011, 06:59:58 AM
I'm debating 2011 vs 2012 in black.  Maybe I'm unaware but the only difference I know of would be the rim color.  Any preference?  My wife says the 2012 looks "Batman-ish".  Silver is running 3rd.  Also, online I'm seeing 2011's for $1500 less than 2012 so that's a chunk o'change.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: Scaffolder on November 23, 2011, 07:10:06 AM
I like the black wheel look better on the black bike, but I would go for the Bright Silver for more time in the sadle and less time with a water hose cleaning it. I have a blue 2010 and want the 2011 silver.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on November 23, 2011, 07:20:31 AM
The blue is a really nice color but I also like the silver better..........since it is so much better at  hiding dust.   ;D

Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: Frank ZZR on November 23, 2011, 08:07:32 AM
I own a blue C 14 and a silver ZZR. For me it would be a no brainer. Silver. Looks better and much, much easier to care for.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: cltsig on November 23, 2011, 08:25:58 AM
Ok, maybe I need to revisit the silver at #3.  At first glance the way the fins around the fairing really stick out but not so much on black.  However, the care factor is definitely to be considered and the contrast of silver and black plastic bits does look kiinda cool. Ok, rethinking...
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: maxtog on November 23, 2011, 04:53:08 PM
I'm debating 2011 vs 2012 in black.  Maybe I'm unaware but the only difference I know of would be the rim color.

Rim and grab bars are black on the 2012.  That is the only known difference between the 2011 and 2012 bikes.

Quote
Any preference?  My wife says the 2012 looks "Batman-ish".  Silver is running 3rd.  Also, online I'm seeing 2011's for $1500 less than 2012 so that's a chunk o'change.

Me, yes.  I prefer silver and wouldn't have bought the C14 if I couldn't have it.  I think it is far, far easier to keep clean, will hide defects better, and is more visible.  But everyone has their own preference.  I just lucked out that the year I decided to trade in the old ZRX, silver was available... although I did have to ORDER it, since the dealer only had a black one.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: Jack Daniels on November 27, 2011, 07:05:27 AM
I haven't seen a blue one in person yet.  The new dark red looks pretty good to me.   8)
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: LSGiant on November 27, 2011, 07:36:13 AM
I'm debating 2011 vs 2012 in black.  Maybe I'm unaware but the only difference I know of would be the rim color.  Any preference?  My wife says the 2012 looks "Batman-ish".  Silver is running 3rd.  Also, online I'm seeing 2011's for $1500 less than 2012 so that's a chunk o'change.

First comment when my wife saw the 2011 C14 at the motorcycle show was that looks like a "bat bike"

I have the black 11. I really liked the red 09 but I wanted the new body style. When I grew up when you washed and waxed a painted surface the quality control test was how deep was the shine. You just can't get a deep reflective shine from silver.  I was really hoping for a bright RED but alas I needed a bike and it wasn't available. I am kind of glad they didn't have a bright red in 2012 I am hoping they hold off on bright red for at least another four years. I should be ready for a new Connie by then.
Title: Re: Saw a 2012 today
Post by: jjsC6 on November 27, 2011, 09:16:49 AM
On a semi-related note, I saw a 2012 ZX-14 at a dealer yesterday.  The one I saw had the best looking factory wheels I've ever seen - BY FAR.  It was a Lime Green bike, I don't know if all the colors have the same wheels or not.  They are high polished rims with black on the spokes.  I'd just about buy a new Concours if they came with these wheels!!!

This link has some pics, but trust me - they don't do the wheels justice. 

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/630/11256/Motorcycle-Article/2012-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-14R-First-Look.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/630/11256/Motorcycle-Article/2012-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-14R-First-Look.aspx)