New member possibly going from K1600GT to C14

[maxtog]

Here is what I have put together for some "must haves" to get me where I want to be or have grown accustomed to.

1. Heli Bar Risers + Wedges - This will get the bars up to an angle fairly comperable to my K16 $approx 300.00
2. Vstream windshield. approx $179.00
3. Rosta cruise control - Electronic cruise a must for me. approx $240.00
4. Aftermarket seat - approx $500.00
5. Possibly a peg lowering kit.


Now, I had planned on a larger windshield and aftermarket seat for my K16, so essentially I will be spending $500.00 or so on farkles that I would have otherwise not spent (maybe). Regardless, this seems like a pretty choice and plan, and I have no doubts that with these modifications, the C14 would be a much more capable touring bike.

Anyone disagree?

I personally don't think replacing the windshield is a "must have".  You should try the stock first... it is pretty good.  Add to your list: air horn and additional brake lights- safety "musts".

[shreveportSS]

Here is what I have put together for some "must haves" to get me where I want to be or have grown accustomed to.

1. Heli Bar Risers + Wedges - This will get the bars up to an angle fairly comperable to my K16 $approx 300.00
2. Vstream windshield. approx $179.00
3. Rosta cruise control - Electronic cruise a must for me. approx $240.00
4. Aftermarket seat - approx $500.00
5. Possibly a peg lowering kit.


Now, I had planned on a larger windshield and aftermarket seat for my K16, so essentially I will be spending $500.00 or so on farkles that I would have otherwise not spent (maybe). Regardless, this seems like a pretty choice and plan, and I have no doubts that with these modifications, the C14 would be a much more capable touring bike.

Anyone disagree?

One thing you may want to reconsider is the lowering pegs. I am 6' 2" with a 34 inch inseam and when I tried them I didn't like losing the ground clearance, draging my toes, or foot position. What I did was have Corbin build me a seat 1" higher than stock and it is soooo much better. It actually is about 1 1/2" higher and I don't slide up on the tank anymore.

[capt chaos]

Ditto, don't lower pegs as they will drag on ground especially when laden, it's a SPORTS tourer remember  IMHO bars are fine also, highest bars I've ever had 

[Jeremy Mitchell]

I didn't care for the lowered pegs either.

[B.D.F.]

Reduced cornering clearance only applies if you lower the stock pegs with a peg lowering kit. If you change the pegs outright, the height can be lowered and clearance can be increased at the same time. This thread compares three pegs available for use on a C-14:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=589.msg5346#msg5346

Brian

One thing you may want to reconsider is the lowering pegs. I am 6' 2" with a 34 inch inseam and when I tried them I didn't like losing the ground clearance, draging my toes, or foot position.

<snip>

[W14]

eng943 - suggest you put some mileage on the bike before too much farkling, some of the things you think you might need you might find you don't need.  Regarding the windshield, I have used the stock (09 version, later models have taller windshields), Cee Bailey Euro Tour and VStream. The VStream has worked better for me but be forewarned that it vibrates when in the wake of a car or truck or in heavy winds

[Z71]

Divorces are expenses but the one thing is always true: "there worth it".

Rash

Isn't it sometimes "cheaper to keep her"?

[martin_14]

3. Rosta cruise control - Electronic cruise a must for me. approx $240.00

how can you get a Rostra CC for that money?! I'd love to get one, I just don't find it at that price. 

[Flathead]

how can you get a Rostra CC for that money?! I'd love to get one, I just don't find it at that price. 

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=369

[maxtog]

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=369

LOL!  Maybe me meant in his country?

[Flathead]

LOL!  Maybe me meant in his country?

The internet is a wonderful thing.....
Murph does ship internationally but the purchaser, of course, would be responsible for the shipping and any duties/import taxes....
:Shipping

All prices include shipping in the lower 48 states, continental USA. Shipping may be via US mail, or UPS. The majority of items will ship Priority US Mail. We reserve the right to ship by the method we choose. Some items allow the selection of shipping method, in this case the purchaser has the option of shipping.For international orders, US Mail express shipping is the recommended method; the purchaser will have to pay additional shipping charges. WE DO NOT DEVALUE any exported orders, all customs forms will show the true amounts paid. If you need to have an expedited order, there is an additional $5 for any overnight order. Plus the true cost of the UPS shipping. Special shipping requests may generate additional charges that will be addressed on an individual basis. "

[wildnphx]

A buddy and me both rode the K1600GT at the rather persistent insistence of a hot little sales girl.  We both brought them back and were happy to have our C14's.  It was hard to turn down the hottie but we told her "Sorry but it's just not what I'm looking for." I went one step further and said what I feel "If it weren't for the C14, I'd have stopped riding street bikes altogether."  She was noticeably disappointed/puzzled but the "I wonder" look she couldn't hide while glancing at our Candy Diamond Red machines glistening in the sun spoke volumes.  Too bad I'm happily married.

Moral of the story, ride one and then report.

Similar experience minus the hottie ....   The ride made me glad to get back on my Concours...  Yes the electronic suspension and other stuff was nice but the Concours performance was years ahead plus the price of the BMW, insurance and maintenance would kill me.

[free2ride]

You may well be right Martin, and thanks for your honest opinion.

I can be a bit sensitive regarding the C-14 because it seems that it draws an unwarranted amount of complaints, criticism and overall negative responses. The direct competitors to this bike (we know which ones they are so I will not mention them) have far more significant and common problems as well as outright recalls but they do not seem to draw as much negative commentary as the C-14. It almost seems like the C-14 is the 'whipping boy' of the sport touring community.

Brian,

I just got my Connie today and came from a K1200GT.  I would say that they are both great bikes and quite equal overall except when it comes to price and cost of ownership.  Pursue the K Bike forums and you will find plenty of conversation concerning the faults and problems the bikes have.  I did some research before I switched but came to the Connie as BMW priced me out of the market.  Also, I have several friends with C14s and they are all well pleased.

[rosser]

You made the right choice eng943. The last five bikes I had before I bought my 2011 Concours were:
1. 1995 R100RT (great, classic motorcycle)
2. 2005 R1200RT (first model year, junk)
3. 2002 BMW K1200RS (excellent all-around motorcycle)
4. 2009 BMW K1200S (flakey but light - well, relatively)
5. 2010 BMW K1300GT (overpriced piece of Deutsch junk)

Of the three K models, the K12RS was by far the best bike (rode it out west and back twice) - just wasted my money on the other two. The transmissions and fueling were pathetic, seats horrible. The K13GT had all kinds of switchgear and software problems and they never completed solved the well-known "mystery shutoff" at idle syndrome. I sold it back to a dealer outside Baltimore after owning it for 6 months for more than I paid for my Concours.

Naturally, after I got my Connie I stopped by that dealer last summer and took a test ride on a K1600GTL - you know, just to make sure I hadn't made a mistake. Nope, same old crap - seating position horrible, couldn't see over the windshield, transmission only moderately improved over the 4 cylinder models. Ergo, BMW has gotten the last of my money.

The Concours is only lacking maybe 2 Bells and 1 Whistle from the big touring BMWs, and of those the only one I would really like to have is a cruise control. However, I got a Throttlemeister and it works fine for the kind of riding I do - like going down to to Tennessee to ride the Dragon with my Bolivian girlfriend, Tatiana. Here below is a link to my personal "Deal's Gap" page plus one pic attached below. There are photos of my Dragon riding from several different excursions (2011 on the Concours, 2010 on the K1300GT).

http://rosser.rsf3.com/dealsgap.htm

Enjoy that Concours; It is by far the best motorcycle I have ever owned for the money, or otherwise!

 

[Tremainiac]

Nice legs.
I wish she had some gear to keep them that way. 
Nice pics though.

[maxtog]

Nice legs.  I wish she had some gear to keep them that way. 
Nice pics though.

T-shirts are no protection either...

Is a nice pic

[danl]

Here is what I have put together for some "must haves" to get me where I want to be or have grown accustomed to.

1. Heli Bar Risers + Wedges - This will get the bars up to an angle fairly comperable to my K16 $approx 300.00
2. Vstream windshield. approx $179.00
3. Rosta cruise control - Electronic cruise a must for me. approx $240.00
4. Aftermarket seat - approx $500.00
5. Possibly a peg lowering kit.


Now, I had planned on a larger windshield and aftermarket seat for my K16, so essentially I will be spending $500.00 or so on farkles that I would have otherwise not spent (maybe). Regardless, this seems like a pretty choice and plan, and I have no doubts that with these modifications, the C14 would be a much more capable touring bike.

Anyone disagree?

Look for risers and wedges in the for sale sections here and on the COG forum. I got both for 80 bucks. People try them, decide they want something different or that they don't need them after all, and sell them cheap.

Check around, I got the VStream for $135 with free shipping. It's a nice shield.

You can do the same for the seat- look for used ones.

Maxtog- the shield is the 1st thing I changed. Even on an '11 with the taller stock screen, it didn't offer enough protection. At the highest point the wind was directed right at the top of my helmet, the noise was too much and it beat the crap out of me at highway speeds.

[maxtog]

Maxtog- the shield is the 1st thing I changed. Even on an '11 with the taller stock screen, it didn't offer enough protection. At the highest point the wind was directed right at the top of my helmet, the noise was too much and it beat the crap out of me at highway speeds.

Yeah, I get what you mean.  Even at the highest, for me, the air hits the top 3 inches of my helmet at highway speed.  I don't take really long rides, but if I did, especially in non-ideal weather, I would probably consider something taller than the stock 2010+ screen.