Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: 4cedars on January 08, 2012, 06:15:40 PM

Title: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: 4cedars on January 08, 2012, 06:15:40 PM
I just finished installing my Rostra unit on my 2010 this morning and took it out for a test ride. Works fantastic!!

Thanks to Brian (BDF) for the initial install directions  :chugbeer: and thanks to Fartymarty and Rhino for the install tweaks on the 2010 models  :chugbeer: My install went very smooth with the only issue being getting into diagnostic mode. Called Rostras 800 # and they were extremely helpful. I also shortened the wiring harness considerably eliminating the excess wire.

All connections were made on the front of the bike with my Eastern Beaver fuse block already mounted under the right hand cover for my Powerlet center, it made for a clean install. I then used velcro on the fuse block and mounted it to the face of the actuator unit. That way if there is a problem I can reach under the cover and pull the fuse block out without taking off any plastic. all the wires are wrapped with loom and wire tied. The actuator cable bracket was mounted under the lower bolt holding the coolant reservoir and works very well. I did leave a tab with a hole in it for a brace if I encounter any problems with movement, but I really do not think it will be needed.

No more holding that throttle for 4 hours at a time :)                                       

                                                                                                    John
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: ZG on January 08, 2012, 07:27:24 PM
Congrats John, if you ride all those red states in your avatar this will get alot of use bro!
 
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/sakdjiu.gif)
 
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: jjsC6 on January 08, 2012, 08:35:23 PM
I may be buying one in the next few weeks for my 2010.  I appreciate the positive report on yours. 
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: 4cedars on January 08, 2012, 09:53:05 PM
ZG, Been there, my focus are those gray states  ;D
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: ZG on January 08, 2012, 10:04:16 PM
ZG, Been there, my focus are those gray states  ;D

Oregon is still grey (actually Oregon is almost always grey  ;) ), if you make it here give me a shout, first beer is on me bro!  :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: maxtog on January 09, 2012, 07:42:40 PM
ZG, Been there, my focus are those gray states  ;D

How did you miss SC in all of that???!!
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: Rhino on January 10, 2012, 10:51:05 AM
I like what you did installing an extension to the throttle arm. Moving the attachment point of the cable out further should make for a nice precise hold on the speed. Congrats! You will love it this summer.
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: 4cedars on January 10, 2012, 03:19:30 PM
How did you miss SC in all of that???!!

I was wondering if anybody would call me out on that

Its a funny story.......kinda...........now!

Me dad and I were in Jacksonville,FL heading north from the Keys, when a huge storm hit. Since I use paper maps on a tank bag and a non waterproof gps everything was put away or covered up. I "thought " I knew what road to stay on through Georgia into SC. When it came time for fuel we stopped at a station and I got the map out to see exactly where we were at. I kept looking north on the map and could not find the town we were in, and it wasn't there!!!! So I went to the index and found the town and finally located the town. Not believing I could have done this, I summoned the clerk behind the counter to verify and was given the bad news.  Some where the road split and I took the wrong road putting us about 20 miles from the Alabama line :banghead:

So up through eastern AL on a beautiful 2 lane we went enjoying every mile of it. It all worked out, but the verbal and mental abuse I have to take from my tattooed, Harley riding, fly by the seat of your pants father is more than any human should have to endure :)

                    John
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: topsy_t on January 11, 2012, 06:54:37 AM
I'm surprised there isn't more interest in this mod.  I had one on my C-14, which I sold, and loved it.  I took it off the bike and I've been trying to sell it, with minimal interest, including a couple of listings on ebay.
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: jjsC6 on January 11, 2012, 07:09:11 AM
I'm surprised there isn't more interest in this mod.  I had one on my C-14, which I sold, and loved it.  I took it off the bike and I've been trying to sell it, with minimal interest, including a couple of listings on ebay.

If it were true plug & play for $300 or less they would be flying off the shelves.  Most folks simply are not inclined to install themselves, especially when there is drilling on the bike, splicing wires etc.  And paying a dealer to do this would cost over $1000.
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: Mister Tee on January 11, 2012, 08:33:00 AM
If it were true plug & play for $300 or less they would be flying off the shelves.  Most folks simply are not inclined to install themselves, especially when there is drilling on the bike, splicing wires etc.  And paying a dealer to do this would cost over $1000.

Yes, and I'd actually pay a grand to have one installed professionally.  I just don't have the time to mess with it.
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: topsy_t on January 11, 2012, 08:53:33 AM
I'd install it for $100  ;D
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: Rhino on January 11, 2012, 09:20:52 AM
If you bring your bike and rostra to my house I'll do it for free.
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: 4cedars on January 11, 2012, 09:42:58 AM
I am with Rhino on this. I would help out anyone who brought the Connie and Rostra unit to me. Then to test it out we could go over to a Q joint about 80 miles away. Once you have done it the time would be reduced drastically.       John
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: just gone on January 11, 2012, 09:57:20 AM
I just finished installing my Rostra unit on my 2010 this morning and took it out for a test ride. Works fantastic!!
Thanks to Brian (BDF) for the initial install directions  :chugbeer: and thanks to Fartymarty and Rhino for the install tweaks on the 2010 models  :chugbeer:      John

For what little I had to do with it, you are most welcome.

So John, could you tell us more about all those wires going to the top
cover? Power sockets for heated gear? or ?
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: ZG on January 11, 2012, 10:53:23 AM
If it were true plug & play for $300 or less they would be flying off the shelves.  Most folks simply are not inclined to install themselves, especially when there is drilling on the bike, splicing wires etc.  And paying a dealer to do this would cost over $1000.

 ;D
 
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/027.jpg)
 
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: oldnslo on January 11, 2012, 12:13:20 PM
I've had one on my 09 for over 58k, with no  problems and it works great.Why doesn't kawasaki listen to us and put one on from the factory like BMW.I'd gladly pay more for the option.Until then the rostra seems to be the best and most economical alternative. ;D
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: jjsC6 on January 11, 2012, 12:48:34 PM
I've had one on my 09 for over 58k, with no  problems and it works great.Why doesn't kawasaki listen to us and put one on from the factory like BMW.I'd gladly pay more for the option.Until then the rostra seems to be the best and most economical alternative. ;D

AMEN!
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: 4cedars on January 11, 2012, 01:01:20 PM
Marty, those wires go up to 4 powerlet sockets mpunted on the black cover. I use 1 to power my tank bag 2 for the 2720 Garmins and 1the is a spare. I have the 2720's unswitched so when i stop for fuel they dont shut down. Inside the tank bag I have a charger for the droid and Sena charger if I need to charge on the fly. The spare powerlet socket is fused higher than the others so I am able to run my compressor if needed.       John
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: just gone on January 11, 2012, 06:18:20 PM
Marty, those wires go up to 4 powerlet sockets mpunted on the black cover.      John

Thanks John
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: maxtog on January 11, 2012, 09:05:36 PM
I'm surprised there isn't more interest in this mod.  I had one on my C-14, which I sold, and loved it.  I took it off the bike and I've been trying to sell it, with minimal interest, including a couple of listings on ebay.

I would probably have bought it already if someone offered a decent control panel/switch/control system for it.  For now, I am still thinking about it.  It isn't quite plug-and-play enough, and the controller is far from ideal from both an aesthetic and functional standpoint.
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: Mister Tee on January 12, 2012, 08:51:54 AM
I would probably have bought it already if someone offered a decent control panel/switch/control system for it.  For now, I am still thinking about it.  It isn't quite plug-and-play enough, and the controller is far from ideal from both an aesthetic and functional standpoint.

That's my biggest reservation.  The thumb control on the Beemer was extremely easy to use and didn't require you to look at the controller or feel around for the right buttons to push.  People that have the Rostra on the C14 seem to be happy with them so I guess it works okay.
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: jqram35 on January 27, 2012, 02:29:10 PM
Has anyone done a detailed install tread? I cant find it with the search. Have Cruise on my FJR and with like to install it on my new !4. Thanks.

Jeff
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: jayke on January 27, 2012, 02:40:59 PM
It's not on the forum but over at Murphs:

Rostra:  http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/Rostra%20install.htm (http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/Rostra%20install.htm)

Audiovox (what you probally have on your FJR):
http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/c14cc-install.htm (http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/c14cc-install.htm)
Shameless plug for the Audiovox......I wrote these instructions
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: jqram35 on January 27, 2012, 02:42:42 PM
Thanks I do have to vacuum version on the FJR and woullike the rostra if it is doable...
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: Patrick1 on February 01, 2012, 07:59:55 PM
Hello all,  I'm a new member to this forum and just parked a 2008 Concours in the garage - in show room condition 9100 miles. Since I'm 63 my wife just smiled and fixed dinner!
I read " 4cedars"  thread on his installation of the Rostra cruise unit and he referred to: Brian (BDF) for the initial install directions. Can anyone
lead me to those directions. I have done alot of "stuff" with motorcycles since my first at 17.   Thanks for your help
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: DonB on February 01, 2012, 08:30:12 PM
Patrick
here ya go

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/Rostra%20install.htm (http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/Rostra%20install.htm)
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: ZG on February 01, 2012, 10:24:55 PM
Nice, congrats! What was for dinner Patrick?  :)
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: Kirby on February 03, 2012, 10:11:05 PM
Someone already posted the address of the instructions at Murph's so you should be all set. Just watch the instructions themselves- I know the guy who wrote them and he has his good days..... and not so good days. You should see the kitchen..... he went in to replace a light bulb and now there is no floor, no ceiling and the walls are not long for this world......

Best of luck with your cruise control installation.

Kirby


Hello all,  I'm a new member to this forum and just parked a 2008 Concours in the garage - in show room condition 9100 miles. Since I'm 63 my wife just smiled and fixed dinner!
I read " 4cedars"  thread on his installation of the Rostra cruise unit and he referred to: Brian (BDF) for the initial install directions. Can anyone
lead me to those directions. I have done alot of "stuff" with motorcycles since my first at 17.   Thanks for your help
Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: Patrick1 on February 11, 2012, 09:49:40 PM
ZG: dinner was a frozen hotdog and a burned bun...not really. Her brother in Firenze, Italy rides a new K1600 BMW
so I'm safe.
Thanks for the link to Murph's Kits DonB; after I get it installed my next farkle is the Flyectomy and PCV. Which brings a
question--- everyone refers to PCV and when searched I only find PC III.  5 and 3 don't add up; which is it?? or am
I in need of a link???
3rd ly is the header and muffler change.... 
My middle initial is F  as in farkle!!

Title: Re: Just Installed and Tested Rostra Cruise
Post by: just gone on February 12, 2012, 12:41:14 AM

I in need of a link???
 
My middle initial is F  as in farkle!!
Well that's not what my F stands for...but to each their own.  ;)

http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander/powercommanders.aspx?mk=27&mdl=284&yr=2012&pc=17-022&mk-n=Kawasaki&mdl-n=ZG1400%20Concours&pc-ver=PCV&add-mdlyrid=17-022&add-mdlyrid2=17-022&fullstr=17-022 (http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander/powercommanders.aspx?mk=27&mdl=284&yr=2012&pc=17-022&mk-n=Kawasaki&mdl-n=ZG1400%20Concours&pc-ver=PCV&add-mdlyrid=17-022&add-mdlyrid2=17-022&fullstr=17-022)