Service (and break-in) questions

[elp_jc]

Deleted.

[maxtog]

I don't know what you consider 'small', [...]at my paltry 155#,[...]I'm light, but not wimpy. And at 5'10"[...], 31" inseam,

I am 150lbs, 5'7", 27" inseam.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=260.0

[VirginiaJim]

I used to be 150lbs, but that was in a time long long ago...several armor sizes back.  Sword is still the same.

[AlbertaDoug]

Almost any sport-tourer is as heavy (or heavier) as the Connie. I don't know what you consider 'small', but I've never had any trouble with any of them; even at my paltry 155#, can put them all in their center-stands with ease, backing them out of my garage, etc. I'm light, but not wimpy. And at 5'10", not short either (average in the US is 5'9", believe it or not). With my 31" inseam, I can reach the ground perfectly fine on any sport-tourer with the REGULAR seat (will never buy a low seat again; too uncomfortable, and never ride 2-up on these bikes anyway). On some I can almost flatfoot, and on most others I barely do, which is the ideal compromise since the easier you flatfoot, the more bent your knees are while riding. Adventure tourers are a no-no for me due to high seat heights, but don't like them anyway. I don't believe on altering suspension on a bike at all, but guess shorter folks don't have much choice. I also don't like to touch pegs, bars, or do any other change that changes the original design of the bike. And so far, I've NEVER changed anything other than seats. I've obviously sat on a Connie, but never ridden one. And I could handle it just like any other sport-tourer I've owned. In fact, it feels lighter than all my previous BMWs. Maybe because of no fuel . One problem even gorillas could have is backing out of an incline, but I learned that lesson decades ago. I also NEVER stop on a banked road, get off road on graass, or any other such potentially dangerous (for the bike and wallet) situation. I get around all of that. And for the last 2 decades, I haven't been a member of any 'dropped bike club', and hope to keep it that way. With over 2 dozen new bikes, and plenty of research each time, I've never bought the wrong bike (but never the perfect bike... because they don't exist). And this is not going to be the first . I'm down to just one sporty bike now, and I'm excited about the Connie doing that role brilliantly. Don't have high expectations, but hope to be impressed. Will let you know my driving impressions on Friday or Saturday. Take care.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your 1st ride. I know I did. Test rode a used 2012 with a Puig windshield and was impressed with the quiet and comfort.
Canyon cages were a must for me so I could install highway pegs for the extra leg room.
5'8" and 32" inseam 200lbs. Bikes weight wasn't a issue but at slow speeds seam a little top heavy at first. Shifted smooth as butter right from the start, clutch-less.  Once we hit the highway I new this was going to be my next bike.
 

[elp_jc]

Deleted.

[maxtog]

We're similarly short-legged for our height (long torsos). But yes, at 27", no way you can ride a sport-tourer unomdified. But read your link, and seems that you tackled the issue the best possible way. It's either that or you don't ride, so guess the compromised cornering clearance is worth it. And maybe you don't like cornering that hard, in which case your mods would be of no consequence.

I really don't corner all that hard.

when moved forward. And on that note, that reminds me I need to order tech-spec pads (right?), since I'd scratch the hell out of the plastic, no? I have no belly at all, but still.

No plastic there.  The tank is painted metal.  I have one tiny little blemish there and not sure how that happened.  I tend to sit quite forward, but never any danger of belt buckle hitting the tank.

Anyway, I  have to say for people relatively small and/or light like us, you ALWAYS have to watch where you park

Oh yes indeed.  All it took was to be nearly totally trapped a few times and that got me to be very calculating about exactly where and how I park.  I also will not park nor even ride on non-paved surfaces (rocks, grass, sand, dirt).

[just gone]

I've ignored people, but I've never "ignored" them through forum software so perhaps this is a waste of the internet. I just quoted MOB because I thought it was a good helpful post and I wasn't sure if it was seen by those that might have him on their "ignore list". Perhaps I just had too good of a Christmas and I'm too full of Christmas spirit. Ahha..finally something we can all agree on..I'm full of something, that's for sure...and to all a good night.    (does quoting someone bypass the ignore function if the person doing the quoting isn't on the list? {this is where nobody answers me so I'll think that I'm on everyone's ignore list   })

I do apologize about the troll thing, it was a bad choice on my part, and admonitions have and are noted. You are new here, and that is no excuse for my actions, it was poor timing, and judgement by me. With this said, I have been here a long time, seen a lot of similar flameouts, and am a longtime proponent of both the C14, and the C10, and being a past Technical Editor of COG, who bought the C14 out of pocket, for the purpose of being able to assist, and carry on the transfer of technical assistance the group has grown with; just saw the epically long posts as a diatribe so to speak. Again, I'm sorry. If you hang here long enough, and get to know us a bit better, you will know what I am saying.

As for your dealers pricing, and his "deals", he needs to get realistic. He's sitting on old stock, and trying to make a generous profit at the expense of getting in new in new stock. I don't beat up a dealer for trying to recoup costs, but in reality, they should have sold those off a long time ago.. its all on the dealer, if they don't "sell" bikes, they just have a place you can "buy" a bike..  in my opinion, the dealer on old stock, and especially when it has cosmetic damage, needs to write it off, move it out the door, and become a dealer of higher level statute within KHI.
When you mention the salesman going to "the boss" to get a pricing, he's blowing you a line of $#!+ he ain't going to the boss...
You need to go to "the boss" and tell him exactly what you are willing to pay, and stick to it on a 1 or 2 year old showroom bike... most dealers have no idea the way salesmen rip them off... let's see, the word "commission" ever come to mind? The dealership owner doesn't get "commission" but he sure as hell doesn't realize how screwed he gets paying it to apathetic employees...

I'll suggest calling the people we know at Ultimate Cycle, in Richmond Va, and get the bottom line price otd ( out the door means the total, bike, prep, shipping, TAX and Title, the TOTAL figure you'd write a check for) and id be surprised if Pete can't beat everyone across the USA. Hands down.
He wants that old stock off the floor, at all costs. And he will do a breakeven pricing to assure his status, and his supply of NEW stock will be delivered when he requests it.  Kaw is funny, when a dealer with let's just say, 10 bikes of the previous year, and maybe 3 bikes of the prior year, are sitting on your floor...
They are not gonna forward brand new stuff to you without money down, from the dealership, to sit like what was demonstrated by their prior history. On the other hand, a dealer that has maybe 2 prior bikes sitting, and a track history of stock movement, will get their attention, and get the new stock as soon as its available...
Prices came down drastically this year on the new C14. Intended to provoke the outlets to sell off old stock. If those outlets refuse to sell, at a reasonable price (I.e. invoice plus a minimal profit) they will own them, and won't get the new bikes.... and eventually will shut down... because they were greedy, and lethargic in their sales.

I hope this is helpful. I believe the prices you were quoting  from the dealers could be chopped by about  8-9% easily, and they still would profit. Now, would I go to those same  dealerships for service? Mehhhh prolly not, even if it was warranty service, and I surely wouldn't trust them.

When I made mention of riding before buying, it wasn't meant to be an insult. I bought mine 7/7/07 without ever throwing a leg over, luckily this bike fits my stature perfectly, we have been luckily able to coerce big K to come to our National Rally from that point on, and bring mega bikes for members to ride and decide if they fit. It was a wise thing, and provoked by a few of us here, and they keep on doing it, knowing it is important to make sure people actually fit the bike. The C14 is a tall, and heavy bike, and wheeling it around, or moving it can be a challenge, low speed quirky surface maneuvers are even more dangerous, my comment that it ain't for everyone was not unjustified... we have a CDA list that proves this (connie droppers anonymous).

Within the first 5 years of the C14 production, I can say I saw about 15 to 20% of buyers sell off, simply because the bike didn't fit them, and many of those people spent a bunch of money trying to make it fit. When you add up lowering links, seats, bar mods, shocks, tires, etc  it can get to $1k real fast...
And then they sell it, and that money was a waste, because the next person may neer had needed those things...

I say this all, having owned, serviced, tech'd, and ridden this bike for 7-1/2 years.

I do hope you get a good price, and I do hope you're happy with whatever transpires.

Merry Christmas.

[just gone]

No plastic there.  The tank is painted metal.  I have one tiny little blemish there and not sure how that happened.  I tend to sit quite forward, but never any danger of belt buckle hitting the tank.

If it is a small round blotch of missing paint that goes right down to bare metal, then it most likely wasn't your fault. (about the size of the contact patch of a Qtip lightly touched to the tank?) A friend of mine had several show up on his '12 and he had the tank replaced under warranty then one or two showed up on the new tank as well, now I have one that looks like his do on my '10. I think there may be an intermittent QC problem on tank painting at the factory, perhaps just the tanks painted on Monday mornings or something like that.

edit: Link--> http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php/topic,48816.msg333767.html#msg333767

[stevewfl]

If it is a small round blotch of missing paint that goes right down to bare metal, then it most likely wasn't your fault. (about the size of the contact patch of a Qtip lightly touched to the tank?) A friend of mine had several show up on his '12 and he had the tank replaced under warranty then one or two showed up on the new tank as well, now I have one that looks like his do on my '10. I think there may be an intermittent QC problem on tank painting at the factory, perhaps just the tanks painted on Monday mornings or something like that.

rough fit and finish on a kawasaki!?  naw, tell me it ain't so

[maxtog]

If it is a small round blotch of missing paint that goes right down to bare metal, then it most likely wasn't your fault. (about the size of the contact patch of a Qtip lightly touched to the tank?)

Yes, it is a very tiny (maybe 1.5mm) round dot that goes right down to metal!

A friend of mine had several show up on his '12 and he had the tank replaced under warranty then one or two showed up on the new tank as well, now I have one that looks like his do on my '10. I think there may be an intermittent QC problem on tank painting at the factory, perhaps just the tanks painted on Monday mornings or something like that.

I thought it looked more like a rock chip, but couldn't figure out how it could be on the BACK of the tank.  It has never rusted, since I just kept that area (like the rest) sealed with Mother's Synwax.  Has been there probably 2 years (??)  And there is one and only one.  The paint everywhere else (including the plastics) is perfect.

[VirginiaJim]

We haven't seen too many issues with paint and finish on these bikes.  Mine was perfect from the get go.  I will say that you need to keep an eye on the part of the tank under the front portion of the seat as it can trap water and rust a bit.  It has foam pieces that can soak up water.  Not a bad idea to dry it off after a wash (like I wash it that much) or a rain storm.