Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: scooter on March 28, 2012, 08:26:05 PM
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i know its a touring bike but does anyone ever ride with there bags off? how hard are they to take on and off? can some one post pics of there connie with the bags off thanks
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http://www.perfect-shotz.com/browse.php?event_id=14&group_id=102 (http://www.perfect-shotz.com/browse.php?event_id=14&group_id=102)
With and without bag pics. I usually ride with them off, 'less I'm in tour mode. IMNSHO I would give a strong vote to can the can, the shadow alone without bags has been blamed for global warming and has been proven the most effective method of birth control ever devised by our Japanese brethern, well second only to the new duals on the ZX14 ;D
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I ride without the sidebags more than I do with them...
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00859-20120303-1330.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00860-20120303-1331.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00866-20120303-1332.jpg)
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Is that a GPS carwash locator on the left bar? ;D
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Is that a GPS carwash locator on the left bar? ;D
It's a silverdammit detector, let's me know ahead of time to get in the other lane to pass em... ;)
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The bags are incredibly easy to remove. Just unlock them and pull up on the folded handle. They'll release and lift free of the bike in one smooth motion.
Unless I'm carrying a passenger or going on an extended ride, I usually ride with the bags off. I used to leave them on, but all the sport bike riders in the group feel that our collective street cred is much higher with the bags off 8). I agree that the C14 looks amazing with aftermarket exhaust and sans bags.
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As Metz said, bags come off with a twist of the key and a lift of the handle.
I Never take my bags off and like the way they look on the the bike. The reason I leave them on is I got too much stuff to carry around. Here in CO the weather is way to unpredictable to ride without rain/cold protection. I have left home at 75 degrees and 1 hr. later have been on Trail Ridge Road in snow.
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The bags are incredibly easy to remove. Just unlock them and pull up on the folded handle. They'll release and lift free of the bike in one smooth motion.
Quite true. In fact, they will take themselves off at times....
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It's a silverdammit detector, let's me know ahead of time to get in the other lane to pass em... ;)
:rotflmao:
Dream On bro! Good one though.
I almost never take my bags off. I HAVE to have my tools and Slime kit/compressor with me at all times. One never knows when one will pick up a wood screw in the rear tire. :o
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:rotflmao:
Dream On bro! Good one though.
I almost never take my bags off. I HAVE to have my tools and Slime kit/compressor with me at all times. One never knows when one will pick up a wood screw in the rear tire. :o
too easy
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too easy
I see where your mind is now Gary. :o
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I use my bags and trunk all the time. I carry everything all the time. The only time I remove them is to clean the bike. If I don't clean the bike I don't remove the bags.
I carry my stuff in Cee Bailey bag liners that also fit nicely in my Goldwing.
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I carry my stuff in Cee Bailey bag liners that also fit nicely in my Goldwing.
My Gold Wing bags were way to big for the concours, lost 1/2 the storage space stuffing the bags in.
I ride with the bags on all the time now. When I first got the bike I did take them off on a few rides but the bike is BUTT UGLY with them off, especially with the stock can
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I agree. I think the bike looks better with bags on vs bags off. But i bought it has the ability to have stuff on me all the time. Living in florida u want rain gear all the time!
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If you think that the bike looks bad with the bags off now, you should see it with the bags off and the rear MCE bars installed. :o
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i know its a touring bike but does anyone ever ride with there bags off? how hard are they to take on and off? can some one post pics of there connie with the bags off thanks
No problem to remove the bags --- just go over a bump at speed. :) If you don't know what I'm talking about, look on here for the flying bag threads.
In all fairness, my bags have stayed secure while riding the C14
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I really see no advantage to riding with no bags. I doubt there is increased fuel economy (someone that has noticed a difference chime in) and the bags are not the widest part of the bike - the mirrors are, even when they are folded in. I also use my bags almost every ride.
After two parking lot drops, one with GSG sliders and one without, I can tell you that without the bags on, I suspect the rest of my bike would have been much more heavily damaged that it was.
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When I first got the bike I did take them off on a few rides but the bike is BUTT UGLY with them off, especially with the stock can
You sure it's not just that massive potato launcher that is making it look butt ugly Joe with bags on and off?? :-\
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I seldom use my bags. I only use them when traveling and have to carry more stuff than a small gym bag or a tank bag will hold. At one time there was a lot of talk about the bags falling off the bike so I decided that it was less worrysome to go without until needed, than I bought some clips to help secure the bags. The other thing is without the bags on the bike is a little easier for us shorter inseamed guys to get on and off and the bags are not getting all scuffed up.
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Quite true. In fact, they will take themselves off at times....
:yikes: :stirpot:
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I always ride with the bags on. Not only do I use them, but the bike looks better with them on. And tomorrow, when I put on the rear McE guards, I am sure it will look VERY strange with the bags off.
The only time I remove them is if:
1) I take the bike in for service. It is two less things that could be damaged
2) I am going inside my non-home destination with my stuff
3) I am cleaning the bike really well
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The other thing is without the bags on the bike is a little easier for us shorter inseamed guys to get on and off and the bags are not getting all scuffed up.
Bet my inseam is shorter than yours....
I have never scuffed my bags. Mostly because I am careful. You do have to mount the Concours differently than smaller/bagless bikes. I actually FACE the seat, then lift my right in front of me with bent knee, then extend and over the seat while still mostly facing the seat, THEN I turn my body to face forward. I am sure this is probably what a lot of people learn to do.
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All three bags, all the time. I'm in the camp of the bike looking a bit fugly without the side bags. Really eff'n fugly with just the yop case.
Never really thought I was the top case kinda person untill I put it on. Now I use all three every day (suit, helmet in each bag when parked, and tools, rain gear, etc in top case).
Riding to and from work one bag holds laptop and bag, the other any extra stuff needed at work, sometimes shoes or spare shirt, pasta dish for the office luncheon.
Seem to haul a lot of stuff with me all the time!
Only time the three are off is if I'm doing maintenance.
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/bugnut_bucket/Kawabunga/file-40.jpg)
Mike
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I only run with the bags on once a year - when we take our week long trip. BTW, to those of you who think the bike looks better with bags on, I'm not going to argue that point. But it does add 10 years to your age :stirpot:
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14frtsidew-walkerexh900.jpg)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14siderrw-walkerexhaust900.jpg)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/IMG_1877.jpg)
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I always thought my black '09 looked pretty good with the bags on until I swapped bikes with a buddy for a short ride. I was following him and couldn't get over what a huge black ass it has! I try much more often to leave them at home now. I am thinking a decent tank bag could all but replace them except for long trips. I much prefer the sport bike look sans bags.
Matt
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I don't like to looks of the Concours without the bags and would not have purchased it if did not come with bags. The bags make the bike more functional, allowing me to carry: emergency tools, extra gloves, rain gear, jacket liners, windshield clears, etc.
To each his own.
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Minus the bazooka, I think the C14 looks real good without the bags "especially" ZG's dual set-up!
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Minus the bazooka, I think the C14 looks real good without the bags "especially" ZG's dual set-up!
:grouphug:
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You want to see bazookas? Look at the new zx14. It must be a disease that's spreading.
They should give it a name.
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Bags off for me unless I have a need for them.
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I love the blue rims Redogger!
I have my bags on 99% of the time since it is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. I might take them off for a short ride this evening...............
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I keep my bags on all the time, whether I'm using them or not. Mostly because I almost always wish I had some place to carry stuff the few times I took them off.
As an interesting note, the bike is also more aerodynamically stable at high speeds (read over 130-ish) with the bags on and the windscreen down. Pulls the center of pressure aft like fins on a rocket.
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As an interesting note, the bike is also more aerodynamically stable at high speeds (read over 130-ish) with the bags on and the windscreen down. Pulls the center of pressure aft like fins on a rocket.
I thought that was what the fake mohawk was for on my helmet ;D
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It's a silverdammit detector, let's me know ahead of time to get in the other lane to pass em... ;)
Oh that was sooo good ZG! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :thumbs:
BTW, to those of you who think the bike looks better with bags on, I'm not going to argue that point. But it does add 10 years to your age :stirpot:
That's OK, because just sitting on a Concours14 takes about 20 years off, in my case even maybe another 5 in a helmet. ::)
..and just to stay on topic, 95% of the time I leave my bags on ('cause they're pinned for one reason) and my top case on ('cause it's
got brake lights, and also because it sticks up high so SUV cagers backing up can see it when it's parked).
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... it's so much more embarrassing to a sportbike rider to be spanked by a tourer loaded with bags on than without. ;D
Plus as was mentioned, riding around the Rockies here... you never know what the weather will turn or change to in 10-15 minutes. 8)
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... it's so much more embarrassing to a sportbike rider to be spanked by a tourer loaded with bags on than without. ;D
Lol...I suspect this is one of the reasons the guys on the light bikes encourage me to show up without the bags.
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Hey Fartymarty, how did you "pin" your bags?
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Hey Fartymarty, how did you "pin" your bags?
Nothing original here by me, my palindromic friend. I copied MrFurious' install (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2689.msg30828#msg30828) down to the same type of pin. I think
I bought the pins at the local Lowe's, in the hardware aisle drawer section IIRC. Someone (sorry I can't recall to give credit)
mentioned that temperature changes, G-force, different weights (frame flex?) might put a strain on a pinned bag. They recommended
that after the initial drill through with the pin size drill, that the bag be removed and the hole on the bag mount (the male part still on the bike) be enlarged with the next size larger drill. It made sense to me, so that is what I did.
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Lol...I suspect this is one of the reasons the guys on the light bikes AND BLACK ONES encourage me to show up without the bags.
FIFY
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I never take my bags, or tail pack off, because I carry too damn much stuff in them. ;)
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I agree. I think the bike looks better with bags on vs bags off. But i bought it has the ability to have stuff on me all the time. Living in florida u want rain gear all the time!
+1 - I've even added the Coocase trunk...I like having something to keep my crap in. I have a tankbag in the trunk that I use as an organizer so everything doesn't fly around, and if I need even more storage, I stick the tank bag on the tank where it belongs.
My left bag is usually empty, except for my clear faceshield, the right bag has rain gear and tools (always put raingear on the RIGHT side, so you don't get clipped when you pull over!).
This bike is my primary transportation when I'm not with the family...and yes, I still find time to clean it regularly. too. :)
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In Kalifornia, its nice to share lanes with no bags. While the mirrors are wider, it still makes it easier and less stressful to share with the bags off. Plus the bike looks a lot sportier and yes Razzi is very vain.
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I almost always ride without the bags, but do have a trunk now so I don't need to ride with a tankbag or tank and tailbags.
Takes about 10 seconds each to get the bags on or off.
Oh, and in my mind, if you plan on riding without the bags the majority of the time, you need an aftermarket exhaust. The stock can is just too big!
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In Kalifornia, its nice to share lanes with no bags. While the mirrors are wider, it still makes it easier and less stressful to share with the bags off. Plus the bike looks a lot sportier and yes Razzi is very vain.
I find that the bags give me zero stress compared to the mirrors, particulary given that the turning pivot point on a motorcycle is the rear wheel. The "wiggle factor" causes the mirrors to be wider than they are, and the bags to be no more wide that they are during turning movements.
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I mostly ride with them on as I carry more junk than needed, especially this time of year when it can be cold when you start, then get warm and you want to shed or add layers and change up gloves. I just got a tank bag so some of the things I stored in the saddlebags (eyeglass case for prescription sunglasses, etc) can go in there now, so I'll probably ride more without them now. I think the bike looks good either way, potato launcher and all.
I took an old helmet bag and put my rain gear, some extra gloves and some other stuff like that in there to help keep the saddlebag more organized. I have that and my tire repair kit in that bag, the other one is empty to store my helmet when I stop on the road.
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I find that the bags give me zero stress compared to the mirrors, particulary given that the turning pivot point on a motorcycle is the rear wheel. The "wiggle factor" causes the mirrors to be wider than they are, and the bags to be no more wide that they are during turning movements.
I found out the "hard way" that the mirrors don't stick out as far as the bags...ugh...scratched one already, dammit.
You know why cats have whiskers? So they know that their bodies can fit wherever their heads go...kinda thought the mirrors were to be my guide as well...dammit! :)
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I found out the "hard way" that the mirrors don't stick out as far as the bags...ugh...scratched one already, dammit.
You know why cats have whiskers? So they know that their bodies can fit wherever their heads go...kinda thought the mirrors were to be my guide as well...dammit! :)
Incorrect, measure it. The widest part of your bike is your mirrors, not your bags.
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Incorrect, measure it. The widest part of your bike is your mirrors, not your bags.
Sure looks like it's the bags! I believe you, but it still looks like the bags are wider. Maybe just because of the overall size of them?
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Yes they are intimidating.
Nice avatar by the way. ;D
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Bags are on most of the time. I also pinned them, just because, but that only adds about 5 seconds to the bag removal. I keep jacket liner, rain gear, clear shield, etc. in my left bag. I keep a ball cap (to protect my helmetless head from the elements when I get off) in the right side. I also have a small bag that I pack my essentials in when on a weekend trip. Gives me a place to put "stuff". My sport bike buddies often like to use me for the pack mule for their jacket liners, which I don't mind, and I also end up carrying bottles of wine when we're on our Hill Country runs.
I have an expandable tank bag from Cycle Gear that I used as a tail pack on the few occasions that I decide to pull the side bags. I just need a place to store that ball cap.
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Damn wally, must have a big head if it takes a whole bag to hold your cap. :)
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Damn wally, must have a big head if it takes a whole bag to hold your cap. :)
Pull out the cap, put in the helmet. The right bag carries both of my lids, just not at the same time.