Newer than Newb

[Conrad]

Assassin,
I read your post with interest, but more interesting is your signature, me finds. I get your point: you had a C14 and you're sharing your experience (albeit bad) with us, since the OP asked. So far, so good. What I don't get is what are you doing here. Sorry. Have you moved/"upgraded" to another bike?

Heat issue: for the first 2 years of ownership I didn't have a clue what people were talking about. Then, this year, I drove to something akin a desert, with 3 days in 100°F temperatures. I'm all for protection but due to the immediate swet I just couldn't put my riding pants on, so I first drove a few km with shorts  and I suffered. I really did. It burned. Not bad, but extremely uncomfortable. I put my jeans on and problem solved (have you ever seen a MC driver with jacket, gloves, helmet, boots and... short trousers? It ain't pretty). But that was extreme conditions. No reason to sell the bike whatsoever (I can actually think of bigger reasons to do so, like the transient response at low speed in hairpins, for example, but still).

Happy with this bike? Yes sir. So if you think that "The C14 is vastly overrated" then move on. And I mean: move on.

+2

[Assassin 11B3P]

i never said i wore shorts. i either wore riding pants or jeans with boots. even if my leg wasn't on fire i could feel how hot the pants leg was. outside temps also didn't correlate with the problem either.

this ain't my first rodeo, and i know when something isn't right.

the issue for my bike suddenly appeared with no cause or reason. up until then it was fine. kawasaki's redesign is probably the most telling statement that they were very much aware of the problem. notice how this problem isn't there with the newer models?

[blackmopar]

wow - i didnt mean to turn this into as big of a deabte as it has - but I sure appreciate the persepctives!

I dont ride in shorts - and My harley 2>1 pope has burnt every pair of pants own and the inside heel of every shoe/boot I own so I dont imagine Ill find it too unbearbael given the comments here.

Ill report back for sure soon once I get a chance to take one for a spin.

thanks again guys

[roadie]

+3  talkin about my girl like that hurts.

+2

[lt1]

wow - i didnt mean to turn this into as big of a deabte as it has - but I sure appreciate the persepctives!

I dont ride in shorts - and My harley 2>1 pope has burnt every pair of pants own and the inside heel of every shoe/boot I own so I dont imagine Ill find it too unbearbael given the comments here.

Ill report back for sure soon once I get a chance to take one for a spin.

thanks again guys

NP.  Glad you dropped by.  You did not cause the debate, as most of the debates here have gone on for a while.  Your questions were reasonable, the debate is ours.  Although this is a C14 forum, we tend to welcome all riders, and even non-riders, except for those who feel it their duty to trash the bike.  As for ex-owners who hate the bike, "Have a nice day.".  Somewhere else.

There are essentially 4 models available:  08-09 ABS, 08-09 non-ABS, 10+ ABS, 10+ non-ABS.  3 of those models are no longer in production. 

Because I like ABS and don't want the linked brakes as implemented, I think the 08-09 ABS is the best choice, in spite of the other improvements made on the Gen 2 bikes.

Once you ride a C14, you should know pretty quickly whether it will be a good fit for you.  It is a tremendous bike in so many ways, but there are a bunch of really nice bikes out there to choose from.  We think you'll like it.

[blackmopar]

NP.  Glad you dropped by.  You did not cause the debate, as most of the debates here have gone on for a while.  Your questions were reasonable, the debate is ours.  Although this is a C14 forum, we tend to welcome all riders, and even non-riders, except for those who feel it their duty to trash the bike.  As for ex-owners who hate the bike, "Have a nice day.".  Somewhere else.

There are essentially 4 models available:  08-09 ABS, 08-09 non-ABS, 10+ ABS, 10+ non-ABS.  3 of those models are no longer in production. 

Because I like ABS and don't want the linked brakes as implemented, I think the 08-09 ABS is the best choice, in spite of the other improvements made on the Gen 2 bikes.

Once you ride a C14, you should know pretty quickly whether it will be a good fit for you.  It is a tremendous bike in so many ways, but there are a bunch of really nice bikes out there to choose from.  We think you'll like it.

very well put lt1!

i gotta say im sorta leery about anti lock brakes thing - although I guess I dont really enjoy skidding sideways through intersections on my harley as Ive done a few times either, but it sounds pretty wild - You all gotta realize Ive just in the last 3 years accepted Fuel Injection and computers on board my motorcycles! haha

agred there are many bikes out there, and im looking at a few options, but I goota say the Connie seems to have almost everything INCLUDING a really really nice look

theres a guy in the Pic Post thread with an all blacked out scoot that honestly has me seriously man crushin!

[Assassin 11B3P]

wow - i didnt mean to turn this into as big of a deabte as it has - but I sure appreciate the persepctives!

I dont ride in shorts - and My harley 2>1 pope has burnt every pair of pants own and the inside heel of every shoe/boot I own so I dont imagine Ill find it too unbearbael given the comments here.

Ill report back for sure soon once I get a chance to take one for a spin.

thanks again guys

not your fault. the heat issue is VERY REAL on the early bikes. some got it, some did not. if you get one without it, you're good to go. BUT...if your bike has it happen, you will definitely not be happy.

my problem is how there are some in here who don't have the issue and don't believe those of us who do (did). there are also those who put their heads in the sand and pretend nothing's wrong with the bike at all.

i wouldn't have bought the bike if i didn't like it (initially). but after realizing that i spent a lot of money for a short-range and uncomfortable ride that burned my leg, i had enough. i switched seats, added cruise, hid's, gps, intercom, amongst other items, and i was still trying to 'fix' it.

with a few exceptions, i've had only kawasaki's. i've raced in europe at the club level on all sorts of machines, rode bikes big and small, on road and off...i wouldn't call the 14 a POS, but i won't be dishonest about its shorcomings either.

as always, YMMV.

[roadie]

Impressive credentials...here are mine....25cc moped 25 years ago...then graduated to a VSTROM for a couple years, and now this bad ass Connie.  Zippo "problem" with heat.  Do she get hot?  yeah...but never to the point that I get burned or even uncomfortable.  Hell for that matter my VSTROM could gen some fricken heat too.  But damn, that moped...  Sorry your had a crappy experience.  I don't think anyone is saying there ISN"T or IS a heat issue... I don't doubt you...ya got burned...that sucks.

not your fault. the heat issue is VERY REAL on the early bikes. some got it, some did not. if you get one without it, you're good to go. BUT...if your bike has it happen, you will definitely not be happy.

my problem is how there are some in here who don't have the issue and don't believe those of us who do (did). there are also those who put their heads in the sand and pretend nothing's wrong with the bike at all.

i wouldn't have bought the bike if i didn't like it (initially). but after realizing that i spent a lot of money for a short-range and uncomfortable ride that burned my leg, i had enough. i switched seats, added cruise, hid's, gps, intercom, amongst other items, and i was still trying to 'fix' it.

with a few exceptions, i've had only kawasaki's. i've raced in europe at the club level on all sorts of machines, rode bikes big and small, on road and off...i wouldn't call the 14 a POS, but i won't be dishonest about its shorcomings either.

as always, YMMV.