Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: ugocon on June 24, 2012, 07:54:53 AM
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Yes, I wanted to try her naked ;D
I removed the saddlebags and the topcase: it's hot and sunny now in Rome, so I don't need my rain gear that's in the top case... ;)
As soon as I moved the bike pushing it in the garage, I noticed a great improvement in handling and less risk to drop it.
Perhaps it was just immagination, how can around 20 kg of rigid plastic make such a change?
So I went out for a quick ride...
That was amazing! :o
I seemed to drive a light scoot, something like a ER 6-F or similar.
The bike is very reactive, the handling is much more "safe" at low speed, I come to a complete stop without esitations due to the weight.
I think I'm going to keep this configuration unless I need the bags for a longer trip.
I'm having a new fun with the Connie!
:D
(but still can't understand how few kilos less can make such a change... ??? )
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I ride without the bags on the day rides, and I put them on the bike for longer trips. I have a small gym bag that I carry smaller items that I bungee to the luggage rack. The good part of this is the bags don't get scuffed up and no fear of losing them on the bumps-lol.
Fred
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I removed the saddlebags and the topcase: As soon as I moved the bike pushing it in the garage, I noticed a great improvement in handling and less risk to drop it.
Perhaps it was just immagination, how can around 20 kg of rigid plastic make such a change?
(but still can't understand how few kilos less can make such a change... ??? )
I think it is more about removing your top box, not the side bags. The side ones are not very heavy, are close to the bike, are probably much more aerodynamic than the top one, and are relatively low on the bike.
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I also ride without the bags except for long trips. Another advantage (gen 1) mirrors have no visual hindrance.
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The bag removal does make a huge difference. Honestly, I prefer to run the top box without bags, whenever I can. Looks be damned.
The box is nto great at high speed, though.
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I never put the side bags on unless going on a multi-day trip. Just like I don't own a tank bag. I just don't want to be mistaken for a "creepy old motorcycle guy", not that there is anything wrong with that.
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Removing the bags does make a difference, bike is more balanced and does feel lighter/more flickable to me.
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its all in yer heads
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Mine are removed only upon entering the hotels, and thats usually only one side
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its all in yer heads
Hardly........
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With bags - 145 mph with not-funny vibration near the top end
Without bags - 155 mph and no not-funny vibration
I run bags only when i absolutely have to.
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Wait until you remove the 30 lb potato launcher!
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Hardly........
::)
With bags - 145 mph with not-funny vibration near the top end
Without bags - 155 mph and no not-funny vibration
I run bags only when i absolutely have to.
Number of times I have ever been 145 mph..... zero. Number of times I expect to ever even go over 100.... zero.
Yes, at extremely high speeds, the side bags will noticeably affect aerodynamics and drag... but so will your helmet, body size and position, windshield position, etc. I really think it is a non-issue at "normal" [legal, legal +10] type speeds.
But yeah, I guess if you are going on the track, take the bags off.
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I only put the cases on for multi-day trips. I think it makes the bike easier to get on and off (and the boot scuffs that occur if you are not hyper careful make me crazy).
I like the way the bike looks way better without the bags.
I have a Phil's rack set up to take a small expandable tail bag (for solo day trips) or a larger tail trunk that gives me plenty of storage (along with the bags) for long trips with the SO.
And even though I know I will never drag the bags, when I am hitting the twistys hard and notice the bags in the mirror, it still disturbs my concentration.
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::)
Number of times I have ever been 145 mph..... zero. Number of times I expect to ever even go over 100.... zero.
Yes, at extremely high speeds, the side bags will noticeably affect aerodynamics and drag... but so will your helmet, body size and position, windshield position, etc. I really think it is a non-issue at "normal" [legal, legal +10] type speeds.
But yeah, I guess if you are going on the track, take the bags off.
Coming from somebody that has a massive potato launcher, and who rides with their bags allot? Go ride a road like the Dragon with bags, then take them off and report back. It does make a difference, plus the bike isn't very wide either.
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I've ridden the dragon two up and all three bags fully loaded, no issues. 145, three bags, no issues. If I had issues I might try taking the bags off but so far, no issues.
Only issue was the peg feelers scraping and so...I took them off ;D
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I've ridden the dragon two up and all three bags fully loaded, no issues. 145, three bags, no issues. If I had issues I might try taking the bags off but so far, no issues.
Only issue was the peg feelers scraping and so...I took them off ;D
Me too. My pegs were dragging the whole way but so were the knee pucks of my gixxer friend i was using as pace bike heh
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/ashevillesummer10/lean2.jpg)
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I always find myself in a position to need to put something in the bags. I use the bike to go to the grocery store, and on beer runs. I often find myself at the hardware store. So basically they're trunks for my bike. So i never take them off.
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I've ridden the dragon two up and all three bags fully loaded, no issues. 145, three bags, no issues. If I had issues I might try taking the bags off but so far, no issues.
Only issue was the peg feelers scraping and so...I took them off ;D
I find no issues as well with all three bags up and riding on a winding road.
That's the purpose of this kind of bike... :)
But running WITHOUT bags is just.... better! ;)
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Coming from somebody that has a massive potato launcher, and who rides with their bags allot? Go ride a road like the Dragon with bags, then take them off and report back. It does make a difference, plus the bike isn't very wide either.
The bags are 36" edge to edge (I measured them.) The mirrors are 39" wide. Removing the bags has zero effect on your ability to get around obstacles, and/or lane split.
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The bags are 36" edge to edge (I measured them.) The mirrors are 39" wide. Removing the bags has zero effect on your ability to get around obstacles, and/or lane split.
But it is like going from a 38 waistline to a 34. You can fit through the door either way but with a 34 you just feel better about it. ;D
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I always find myself in a position to need to put something in the bags. I use the bike to go to the grocery store, and on beer runs. I often find myself at the hardware store. So basically they're trunks for my bike. So i never take them off.
Me too. Plus bungee cords, gloves, rain gear just in case, etc. That's part of the reason I bought the bike!
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The bags are 36" edge to edge (I measured them.) The mirrors are 39" wide. Removing the bags has zero effect on your ability to get around obstacles, and/or lane split.
Never said they did, but the bike is much narrower in the rear without them. Ride with them or ride without them, I like riding either way but "prefer" without them. And with the HUGE exhaust gone, the C14 looks pretty good going bagless too. ;)
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Me too. Plus bungee cords, gloves, rain gear just in case, etc. That's part of the reason I bought the bike!
Ditto. I take them off probably once a month because most of my trips I have something in them, and I hate using a tank bag if I don't have to. I don't know how so many people run no bags?!
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The bags are 36" edge to edge (I measured them.) The mirrors are 39" wide. Removing the bags has zero effect on your ability to get around obstacles, and/or lane split.
I'd instead say that it has a great effect on this! ;)
I experience it every day in my garage.
There are columns all around and WITH the bags I must pay attention to not scratch them once passed with the mirrors.
WITHOUT the bags, once passed the column with the mirrors... I don't care and can tighten the curve as I like, way more smoothly. 8)
And this can be applied to any obsatcle
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Saddle bags are like mustaches. When you are younger you want one because they make you look older. But when you get older and shave them off it makes you look younger. I'm approaching 60 years old and I like the fact that I look and feel younger without saddlebags ;)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14frtsidew-walkerexh900.jpg)
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Saddle bags are like mustaches. When you are younger you want one because they make you look older. But when you get older and shave them off it makes you look younger. I'm approaching 60 years old and I like the fact that I look and feel younger without saddlebags ;)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14frtsidew-walkerexh900.jpg)
Man that crazy nice back seat rig stands out with those bags off
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Saddle bags are like mustaches. When you are younger you want one because they make you look older. But when you get older and shave them off it makes you look younger. I'm approaching 60 years old and I like the fact that I look and feel younger without saddlebags ;)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14frtsidew-walkerexh900.jpg)
What IS up with that rear seat? Do you have a Kawabusa?
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What IS up with that rear seat? Do you have a Kawabusa?
That is a standard Sargent seat with Pod storage instead of rear seat. I have one on my bike and it is very nice. The seat is modular.
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That is a standard Sargent seat with Pod storage instead of rear seat. I have one on my bike and it is very nice. The seat is modular.
:goodpost:
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14sidew-walkerexh900.jpg)
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::)
Number of times I have ever been 145 mph..... zero. Number of times I expect to ever even go over 100.... zero.
Maybe you should trade your Connie in for a Honda Rebel 250 and a minivan Max... ;) ;D
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I'm with you, I don't know how you can own this bike and not at least accidentally go 100 a few times.
I know I "accidentally" do all the time.
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I'm with you, I don't know how you can own this bike and not at least accidentally go 100 a few times.I know I "accidentally" do all the time.
Yep, even on my C10, weekly excursions past the "ton" were commonplace. ::)
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I find riding with the bags on gives the bike "a presence" on the road that cagers see, and LEO doesn't see as a squid on a crotch rocket.
Like a stealth bomber? 8)
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I find riding with the bags on gives the bike "a presence" on the road that cagers see, and LEO doesn't see as a squid on a crotch rocket.
Like a stealth bomber? 8)
+1
Nothing better than smoking a young squidder with the bags on. When they catch up and we talk they can't believe how fast it is for a "grandpa" bike. ;D
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+1
Nothing better than smoking a young squidder with the bags on. When they catch up and we talk they can't believe how fast it is for a "grandpa" bike. ;D
:rotflmao: :chugbeer: i am a bag guy, always on, thought about a top box, or a tail bag instead, but it just works like this. I do a ride a week of say 400's miles and always have stuff in the cases. i just try to keep them balanced from side to side. Now on the track, they are off. my thought is its one less part to replace if i skip it in the fence. ;D
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Maybe you should trade your Connie in for a Honda Rebel 250 and a minivan Max... ;) ;D
I could care less about top speed.
Now, try to keep up behind me and see how fast I *get* to the speed limit + 10, and WITH my bags on (that never come off) :)
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I like the bags and trunk for the stealth factor as well as for the practicality. It was almost like getting a new bike when I switched from the OEM tall w/s to the OEM short that I cut 4". Maybe if I pull the bags and trunk, the transformation will be compete.
OTOH, that would kill much of the practicality and strealth, but I may try it for a bit just for fun.
As for speed, there is just too much traffic and enforcement anywhere close to home. Even short bursts can attract a lot of unwanted attention for the first hour or two in most directions.
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2 weeks after I got my Connie came acroos a large accident on back county road. Every cop around was there. Hmm, what to do when I found a nice long strech. Gotta see how she feels 60 to 115 in the blink of an eye. Stable and no wabble. Ok back down to normal speeds sheed limit +10 or 15. Just had to find out. BTW that was with bags loaded.
Now ride w/o bags and have large Givi top box. Love my Connie
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I'm with you, I don't know how you can own this bike and not at least accidentally go 100 a few times.
I know I "accidentally" do all the time.
OK, it might be possible I have accidentally gone over 100 a few times. But it is pretty damn rare.
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OK, it might be possible I have accidentally gone over 100 a few times. But it is pretty rare.
If I had ever gone over 100, and I'm not confessing, it would have been extremely rare that it was accidental. ;D
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Heck I've allegedly been known to "accidentally" go over 120.
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Well, IMHO, there is a huge difference between accidentally and "accidentally". QCTM
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Well, last weekend, bags off, I touched 140 ::)
I was quietly going at speed limit over Rome beltway, around 80 mph.
I've been passed fast by a BMW 330 (car ;) ) black with a young guy and his chick.
I know I'm wrong, but I had to do something! :shoot:
Thus I pushed, quickly reached him (he was going at around 120) and passed him on the right :o waving at him with the left arm!
He tried to react but traffic conditions forced him to slow down.
I know I shouldn't do it (moreover at that speed every little bump makes my back hurt) ... but I couldn't resist!
Ah, for your info, I touched again that speed some weeks ago on a highway with bags and top case on... ;)
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Allegedly of course.
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That's normal driving in Italy..
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Whats all this talk about removing bags? I added a bag to mine and its ready to roll Northbound :D
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Can_Maine4Lob/SRW_5045.jpg)
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That exhaust hurts my eyes Steve. :P
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That exhaust hurts my eyes Steve. :P
Mine too, fortunately I don't have to see it when I ride it!
This bike serves no bling purpose to me ....eats miles but thats all it good for. First bike i've owned in my whole life that didn't have a full system on within a week of purchase :D
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That exhaust hurts my eyes Steve. :P
Doesn't bother me in the least :)
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I have never seen a "pretty" exhaust (they are all horrid), but the factory one is obnoxious.
My old yamaha..... the manufacturer tried to clean it by hiding most of it. That combined with the full TITANIUM and carbon graves system I put on it cleaned it up about better than most bikes i've seen.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/DSCN1049.jpg)
Marge and others were upset when I sold that bike.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/marg_bike.jpg)
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Ronnie liked it too
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/ronnieR1-1.jpg)
Its bikes like these in my life that pose a challenge for me in regards to farkling a bagger bike =)
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Ronnie! :thumbs:
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::)
Number of times I have ever been 145 mph..... zero. Number of times I expect to ever even go over 100.... zero.
Geez maxtog, you could be riding a Vespa ;)
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Ronnie liked it too
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/ronnieR1-1.jpg)
Its bikes like these in my life that pose a challenge for me in regards to farkling a bagger bike =)
Wow - If I knew the R1 came with that awesome farkle... :)