2012 C14 touring capabilities.

[wroman]

  Thanks all for the many reply's.  Hey Spanky I live near Gettysburg.  If I get the C14 I will drop you a PM.  Where did you buy your bike?
Are they good guys?
Walt

[Pokey]

Not an "ideal" 2 up bike IMHO, and a Goldwing is the most stable touring bike available while sitting still or moving.

[ugocon]

After having ridden a Victory Vision for the last 3 1/2 years I may be ready for something easier to handle. 

My first reaction is that when fully equipped with top case and bags the Connie is NOT easier to handle at very low speed or, even worse, when pushing it for parking.
I come from a HD Dyna Street Bob, same weight but much more friendly because of a lower center of gravity.

But that's the ONLY thing that could be argued with the C14.

All other features are dramatically better for touring.
No worries about scratching the pegs when curving.
Ouststanding stability when curving at high speed.
Great protection fro air (better for the driver than for the passenger, though...)
Great comfort on long distance trips for both.
The loading capability is impressive: I suggest to buy the internal soft bags so you can very easily carry your luggage around.
I also suggest to change the top case plate if you plan to really "load" your top case because...metal is better than plastic!
I don't speak about performances because there's no comparison on the market! 

What's still missing at the Connie?
Perhaps a cruise control, but it's more like a gadget IMO.

Go for it, you won't regret it! 

[Spanky]

  Thanks all for the many reply's.  Hey Spanky I live near Gettysburg.  If I get the C14 I will drop you a PM.  Where did you buy your bike?
Are they good guys?
Walt

I live in York, so not far from you at all. I bought mine at Hermy's BMW. It was used and they gave me a great deal at the time.

[Just Krusen]

Not an "ideal" 2 up bike IMHO, and a Goldwing is the most stable touring bike available while sitting still or moving.

I agree.  That is why I still have my Wing.  It is the best 2 up bike you will find.  It is also very easy to handle at low speeds with a little practice.  I love it's low center of gravity which makes the bike feel much lighter than it really is.

[sycamoredave]

C14 will handle two up with no problem.  It really depends on your riding style, and what your wife likes.  It sounds like you have had several bikes, and understand the differences.  My '08 has 24K on it, and I use the Givi Maxia 52.  On the positive side, I love the smooth power, electric windscreen, and stability.  On the negative side, I have had to spend a lot of money on better tires, better brakes, risers, peg lowering, seats, and windscreens to make it a more than 100 mile bike.  I also don't like the limited choices on highway pegs.  At this point it is pretty workable for me, and in our most recent 3700 mile tour I did several 600 mile days with no problem.  I'm 6'3", and about 230, so you might not have the challenges I did.  Overall, the bike in its current form is pretty much a keeper.

I hope this helps. 

Ride safe ...
Dave

'08 C14
'09 KLR 650

[devilboy]

I own a Vision 08  and a 12  Concours.. re saddlebags: they are approx same capacity  BUT the Concours has more useable space.
You can't fit a full face helmet in a Vision Saddlebag.  I find the Concours more stable at low speeds(under 5 mph)  than the Vision
and comparable at highway speeds.Vision always wanted  to fall over (they do have built in tipovers) at low speeds and backing up your legs tend to hit rear tipovers. I have ridden  the Vision 2 up loaded to the max and with extra psi in rear airshock never had a problem. Vision has overall more comfortable seating postions(more upright) long floor boards etc. but Connie can be adjusted to your needs.... I have already placed handlebar risers on bike and will be redoing seat  or buying new one  not sure yet.
Windshield is about 2 inches low for me (5'11- 33 in inseam) but if seat is reshaped and moved back  might be fine..
I am happy so far with my first week on connie  but still own Vision awaiting what to do with it...
Good luck  either  way

[wroman]

  I am a 2012 C14 OWNER.

[twowheeladdict]

  I am a 2012 C14 OWNER.

Congrats.  One thing I didn't see answered from your original question was about the kawasaki top trunk.  It is a monolock and is rated for 3Kg.  The GIVI monokey is rated for 10Kg

Phil's rack is larger than the plastic rack and works well with a monokey trunk.

I saw a guy demonstrate tight police style maneuvers on a Victory Vision and it was quite impressive. 

[devilboy]

  I am a 2012 C14 OWNER.

Congrats  Hope you enjoy Concours. Make it your own!

[packers]

Nice - congratulations!  For anyone else that reads this later, I just got back from my first overnighter on the C14.  My wife and I went to north Georgia, deals gap, etc. last weekend.  I am 265, my wife is 140.   The bike had fully loaded side bags and Givi 55, and a stuffed tank bag.  I wouldn't want to ride the dragon with all that, but getting to our resort (Fontana) was on some challenging roads in the rain.  I didn't have any problem at all with this load.

After that trip though, I'll be looking for a different seat and maybe some highway pegs for comfort.  The drive there and back was painful enough to not want to do it again.

Here is our dragon picture:
Dragon Picture

[twowheeladdict]

Nice - congratulations!  For anyone else that reads this later, I just got back from my first overnighter on the C14.  My wife and I went to north Georgia, deals gap, etc. last weekend.  I am 265, my wife is 140.   The bike had fully loaded side bags and Givi 55, and a stuffed tank bag.  I wouldn't want to ride the dragon with all that, but getting to our resort (Fontana) was on some challenging roads in the rain.  I didn't have any problem at all with this load.

After that trip though, I'll be looking for a different seat and maybe some highway pegs for comfort.  The drive there and back was painful enough to not want to do it again.

Here is our dragon picture:
Dragon Picture

Clicked on the link and saw a yellow goldwing.  Freudian slip? 

[ZG]

Clicked on the link and saw a yellow goldwing.  Freudian slip? 

+1... I saw the same. 

[ljcorby]

+2, me too.

[RBX QB]

Clicked on the link and saw a yellow goldwing.  Freudian slip? 

Well, he said he wouldn't want to ride the Dragon the way he was loaded... but he said that was a picture at the Dragon (even tho it says it was the Gap)... so I assume it was from the last time he rode it, on his Wing? I'm confused now, too. But hey, it's a rider enjoying a ride, so not all bad.

Someday I need to get down to that part of the country to ride these roads you all talk about.

[Just Krusen]

Try pics 105-113.

[Pokey]

Put a bead-rider on that yellow wing's seat, and it might just pass as a taxi.

[twowheeladdict]

Put a bead-rider on that yellow wing's seat, and it might just pass as a taxi.

LOL!  Now I want to get one and put a black and white checkerboard stripe on it. 

[eng943]

I think as far as touring capabilities go, much depends on how long your days are going to be, where you live, etc. Out of the box, there are better bikes than the C14 for touring. The new Trophy, BMW RT/K16GT, are a few that come to mind before even mentioning the Goldwing. Even the ST13 might arguable be the better touring bike.

Where the Connie may come up short on some touring expectations is the smaller range on a tank of fuel, and perhaps more importantly the lesser amounts of wind protection. How much an aftermarket shield/wings help remains to be seen for me, but a search on the subject reveals that most are happier with the added protection from wind and weather. Also, when I think of long days on the bike, I like to have cruise control. Kawasaki should offer this as an option, however, there are aftermarket kits that I will eventually look into. 

If I lived in a colder climate, I think I would lean more toward a bike that had more fairing, etc.     

[wroman]

  Well let me give a one week report. First off I was planning on do some miles today but on the verge of rain all day so only have a little over 300 miles.
  *  Bike seems stiff.  Told it takes awhile for suspension to 'work loose'.
  *  I am starting to break in to riding position.  Other than year and half riding a '84 R100RS BMW I have been on full blown upright toung bikes...H-D, Victory, BMW K1300LT, Gl1800.  I have been riding since 1976 and my first H-D Tour Glide was 1980.
  * My go to bike of my youth was a BMW S model with that lovely cafe' fairing,  riding tonight I left the grocery store in light rain and I did not put the windshield up.  I was running two lane back roads on the way home and left the shield down and something happened.  With the shield down and the bike loosening up a little I thought that something felt a little familar, this feels good, wind hitting my chest and helmet much like that 1978 Beemer.  I never realized how much I missed that wind.
  *I have been of the notion that to be comfortable and enjoy riding, someone of 'my age' should be on a two wheel car.  I think this bike may just blow that assumption out of the water.
  *  This bike handles better than any bike I have ridden.  It's steering is stable and deliberate.  I understand the press says this bike requires a little more effort to ride fast than some others in it's class,  but to me that is a very big plus, I hate a bike that falls into corners with little or no effort.  Those bikes feel twitchy to me.
  *Did some hwy miles yesterday and seems I can chew up some road, ECO and at 80 mph and below mpg readings are encouraging.

  That's all for now.
  Walt