Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: leisyman on May 08, 2012, 09:51:47 AM
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Am purchasing my dream house in the mountains here near Peyton, Colorado. Trouble is, there is about a 5-7 mile trip on gravel/dirt road, which I will have to commute every day to work, in addition to the 18 miles on pavement. Has anyone ever put tires on the C-14 which are more suited for 10% off road riding? Most of the tires I've looked at will not come in widths like the Connie is using, but a few will, i.e. Pirelli Scorpion Trail Dual Sport makes a 190/55 rear; however, most of the 'dual sport' sizes are in the 150-160 width range for the rear. does anyone have suggestions and/or comments on this subject? my Avon Storms are a bit slippery on the fire roads.
thanks
Ron
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I've never seen them but would sure be interested in a photo if you find some. :D
The small amount of off road driving (gravel) I've done on my Connie was enough to convince me NEVER to put myself in that situation again.
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can't comment too much on the tire choice, but given the details of the route you plan to habitate, I HIGHLY suggest investing in Murph's front fenda extenda, along with the radiator guard, and also insure you have had the rear brake lever recall installed......gravel ain't fun on C14, and it can reallllllly cause some costly problems.
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some tip-over protection would be a smart investment as well.
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AFAIK, the only other choice w/b Avon Distancias, but that would be front only. Looks like Pirelli is the only game in town.
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The small amount of off road driving (gravel) I've done on my Connie was enough to convince me NEVER to put myself in that situation again.
+1... Logging roads suck on this bike, but it did illustrate to me that K-TRAC was working properly. Don't think I would have fared as well without it.
I'm sure you can find tires to mount up, but you'll either take a hit on road performance or tire size... neither of which seem like great options.
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Sell it IMHO......
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I just run the %$#^ out of my PRIIIs. They deal with steep gravel driveways (thank you K-trac) when i spend summers in the mountains and they also handle the dessert silt/sand ok too (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconhammer.gif)
Moab gravel roads
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110708-DSC_1451.jpg)
AZ desert
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110713-DSC_1832.jpg)
OK pastures
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110704-DSC_1285.jpg)
Places we shouldn't go but have to...
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110711-DSC_1694.jpg)
....because the rugged scenery at the end is fun
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110711-DSC_1687.jpg)
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Gravel isn't the best on the C14, but slow and easy is the best. Packed dirt and clay isn't a hassle. +1 on the fender extender and a radiator guard.
If you dump the C14, look at the new Triumph Explorer 1200... sweet ride!
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Gravel isn't the best on the C14, but slow and easy is the best. Packed dirt and clay isn't a hassle. +1 on the fender extender and a radiator guard.
If you dump the C14, look at the new Triumph Explorer 1200... sweet ride!
I read the review of that bike and if I was in the market for a new bike that would be it! Heck, I might get one anyways!
Triumph Explorer 1200 first ride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRBctHefwWQ#ws)
Come with stock cruise control! Did you hear that Kawasaki?
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Already have the fender extender and a radiator guard.
I will not consider selling my Connie, as it is the best all around bike I have ever had in 30+ years of riding.
just looking for ideas, so I can ride her without sacrificing too much on the the paved roads.
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The new Tiger Explorer will very likely be my next bike.
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I just run the %$#^ out of my PRIIIs. They deal with steep gravel driveways (thank you K-trac) when i spend summers in the mountains and they also handle the dessert silt/sand ok too (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconhammer.gif)
Moab gravel roads
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110708-DSC_1451.jpg)
AZ desert
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110713-DSC_1832.jpg)
OK pastures
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110704-DSC_1285.jpg)
Places we shouldn't go but have to...
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110711-DSC_1694.jpg)
....because the rugged scenery at the end is fun
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110711-DSC_1687.jpg)
Duuuuude you're INSANE! :yikes:
I used to take my dual sport out into remote trails like that in AZ but taking Connie would be my worst nightmare!
(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk59/mcclaskeyj/Facebook/Arizona%20TDY/13966_1262976819205_1373263914_758492_7248273_n.jpg)
(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk59/mcclaskeyj/Facebook/Arizona%20TDY/9927_1236586919474_1373263914_685404_7295095_n.jpg)
(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk59/mcclaskeyj/Facebook/Arizona%20TDY/5488_1185308517546_1373263914_515450_1509262_n.jpg)
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Check out the Dunlop D616's. That's what I run.
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Ron
It looks we are neighbors
stop by sometime
Don
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Am purchasing my dream house in the mountains here near Peyton, Colorado. Trouble is, there is about a 5-7 mile trip on gravel/dirt road, which I will have to commute every day to work, in addition to the 18 miles on pavement. Has anyone ever put tires on the C-14 which are more suited for 10% off road riding? Most of the tires I've looked at will not come in widths like the Connie is using, but a few will, i.e. Pirelli Scorpion Trail Dual Sport makes a 190/55 rear; however, most of the 'dual sport' sizes are in the 150-160 width range for the rear. does anyone have suggestions and/or comments on this subject? my Avon Storms are a bit slippery on the fire roads.
thanks
Ron
I am going for the 190/55-17 scorpions too shortly - regular roads not good in Wyo too - that good old sign here "Pavement ends"
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I am going for the 190/55-17 scorpions too shortly - regular roads not good in Wyo too - that good old sign here "Pavement ends"
I'm familiar with that. A few years ago I'm riding north out of Craig CO and come across Highway 4 that runs along the CO WY border to the west. A few miles into it the pavement ends and I ride about 30 miles of dirt and mud. All the way I was wondering how much further and should I turn back. Not fun on the C14 but made it ok. If I had a 7 mile gravel/dirt road that I had to commute each way on every day I would use my dual sport Suzuki DR650. Maybe consider getting a used KLR or DR type bike and keep the C14 for long rides.
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wow, someone resurrected this post after over a year?
I found our dreamhouse already built and paved all but a couple hundred feet, so I am blessed with a smooth ride to my house:)
still, a dual purpose would be a nice addition to my current girlfriend;)
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I just run the %$#^ out of my PRIIIs. They deal with steep gravel driveways (thank you K-trac) when i spend summers in the mountains and they also handle the dessert silt/sand ok too (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconhammer.gif)
Moab gravel roads
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110708-DSC_1451.jpg)
AZ desert
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110713-DSC_1832.jpg)
OK pastures
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110704-DSC_1285.jpg)
Places we shouldn't go but have to...
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110711-DSC_1694.jpg)
....because the rugged scenery at the end is fun
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/X%20country%20trippin/20110711-DSC_1687.jpg)
^^^^forgot to mention my C14 has NO fender extenders, no radiator guards, and all the other stuff people on the 'net said I have to have ;D
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I don't have those on my bike either Steve. I run roads/trails like that from time to time and so far so good. I do on occasion crave an adventure bike, but overall I'm still hooked on the C14 and I know I'd miss it, so it has to hit the gravel and trails from time to time. Great pics!
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Dirt roading is not too bad on a connie. My best run yet was up the Old Fall River Road, which is the un-paved dozen or so miles of old route through the Rocky Mountain National Park, starting at the Estes Park end and goes up to the overlook area. 8)
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wow, someone resurrected this post after over a year?
I found our dreamhouse already built and paved all but a couple hundred feet, so I am blessed with a smooth ride to my house:)
still, a dual purpose would be a nice addition to my current girlfriend;)
Funny, I just responded to the recent post and never looked at when this thread was started.
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Funny, I just responded to the recent post and never looked at when this thread was started.
I didn't either. Now I really want the OP to let us know if he ever got the tires and how they worked.
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I didn't either. Now I really want the OP to let us know if he ever got the tires and how they worked.
wow, someone resurrected this post after over a year?
I found our dreamhouse already built and paved all but a couple hundred feet, so I am blessed with a smooth ride to my house:)
still, a dual purpose would be a nice addition to my current girlfriend;)
I'm guessing no, he didn't get the tires (as he didn't need them after all). But I'm wrong a lot when I guess.
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Michelin has a new tire called "Anakee 3". I may try a set next on the Connie, but not on the KLR it runs more aggressive true dual sport tires
(http://images2.revzilla.com/product_images/0047/4231/michelin_anakee3_tires_zoom.jpg)
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I'm guessing no, he didn't get the tires (as he didn't need them after all). But I'm wrong a lot when I guess.
nope, didn't need them, and the Anakee is not available in a size to fit my connie
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I've done 20 miles of fire road (gravel/dirt) on both the C10 and C14. Even ran the C10 through a couple of streams on the way back down. The roads were much easier on the C14 with traction control, but I won't take the C14 through the streams
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I've done 20 miles of fire road (gravel/dirt) on both the C10 and C14. Even ran the C10 through a couple of streams on the way back down. The roads were much easier on the C14 with traction control, but I won't take the C14 through the streams
Mine has been through a couple of feet of water. replaced the rear bearing for the h*** of it at 80k miles, will do fronts next time wheel is off for a tire change
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I've done 20 miles of fire road (gravel/dirt) on both the C10 and C14. Even ran the C10 through a couple of streams on the way back down. The roads were much easier on the C14 with traction control, but I won't take the C14 through the streams
Nice. That looks like some of the fire roads around here.
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I do a lot of gravel on Shinko Raven 009s on the Versys. I think they make the size the Connie needs.
I think they make a great gravel tire, but I wouldn't go off road with them, well not a lot anyway.
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I would keep proper tires on the C14 and learn to ride it in gravel. It is not that bad once you develop the skill to do so comfortably.