New Concours Web Survey from Kawasaki

[Mister Tee]

Good luck with that.

Don't get me wrong, I just aksed out of curiosity.  I have no plans to ditch my trusty C14!

[VirginiaJim]

Excellent!

[AZBob]

I am thinking a 3rd gen C14 is probably in the works for 2014.

I would be surprised if it made it into the pipeline for 2014 as the product cycle for vehicles is usually at least a couple of years long and market research is step 1.

Granted, it sounds like they're talking about all incremental upgrades, but based on the time it takes to research, test, refine, test some more, re-tool, communicate, and manufacture, my guess would be that consumers wouldn't see any of these changes until 2015MY at the earliest since, IMO, they'd have to be well into the testing phase by now to get any of these changes out by next model year. Perhaps some of the changes are already in-progress and they're just trying to determine which ones they want to go with/people really want/will pay for.

[AZBob]

I thought the BMW was a "Bus" too until I bought mine.  Don't underestimate it.  On the road it does not ride like a bus at all.

You left out your picture from the front where the size difference is most obvious. :-) (Yes, I lurk on the K1600 forum, too. Sorry, to rat you out ;-) ).

[wildnphx]

The survey is available online for all owners.....

http://www.kawasaki-research.com/NOOS/

[Conrad]

You left out your picture from the front where the size difference is most obvious. :-) (Yes, I lurk on the K1600 forum, too. Sorry, to rat you out ;-) ).

      

[maxtog]

The last thing us grown ups need is a shorter bike. I don't mind adjustable, but definitely not shorter.

I will attempt to ignore the insult part.

I seriously doubt them redesigning the frame slightly to enable the option of a lower seat is going to hurt any "grown ups", regardless of their leg lengths.  Choice is good.  And even if the seat were lower, standard, then it is no big deal to get a taller seat.  Getting a LOWER seat *is* a big deal, because you can only go so low before there is simply no padding left.  That said, I think an adjustable seat, that can also go at least 2" lower than what the C14 comes now and can go at least 1" higher than what the C14 now comes with, would be a great thing.

[maxtog]

Hi! Max, is it possible to send me a copy of the survey, via e-mail? I'm very interested to this subject. Thanks.

Well, it looks like they did not customize the URL for each person, it is just a web site.  So it is quite possible that ANYONE can fill it out.

Here is the link:  http://www.kawasaki-research.com/Concours14/opening.php

[Caffeinated]

says it's a sweepstakes with $500 gift card if filled out...i'm in.

[jjsC6]

You left out your picture from the front where the size difference is most obvious. :-) (Yes, I lurk on the K1600 forum, too. Sorry, to rat you out ;-) ).

Pretty funny response - my hat is off to you, but now the Concours forum knows that you are sneaking a peak at the other side too!

At least give me credit, I admitted it looks like a bus to me too.

[ZG]

I will attempt to ignore the insult part.

Kick him in the shins Max! 

[AZBob]

At least give me credit, I admitted it looks like a bus to me too.

Yes, you did do that. :-)

IMO, there is negligible difference in slow-speed maneuvering and normal riding. Can't say anything about high-speed as I haven't had a chance to do that on either of them. To me, the difference is just a visual one.

[jjsC6]

Yes, you did do that. :-)

IMO, there is negligible difference in slow-speed maneuvering and normal riding. Can't say anything about high-speed as I haven't had a chance to do that on either of them. To me, the difference is just a visual one.

Yes, and because of what my impression of the BMW was before I bought the bike I figured I would probably keep both bikes.  I probably will sell the C14 this winter, but honestly I'm in no real hurry as I still have fun riding the Concours, and as I said in the other thread it still feels sportier than the BMW.

[reesedp]

They did a fantastic job on the look/style of the C14, even after all these years, it still looks just as vigorous, modern, and impressive as ever.  Personally, I think they need to retain as much of the same look as possible when adding stuff additional "stuff".

Five years later and I still fall in love every time I take the cover off!

[VirginiaJim]

Guys...I don't want to start deleting posts but keep the off topic stuff in another board/thread.  You can talk about other bikes to your heart's content there.  I don't care.  Heck, you can even talk scooters.  The next off topic post will be nuked without warning.

[VirginiaJim]

The survey is a crock.  They don't have the 08 bikes (the fastest).  What a bunch of morons.

[Pokey]

You are off topic Jim, please nuke this thread.

[VirginiaJim]

Take some more meds and fill out the survey.  I did.   

[shreveportSS]

I will attempt to ignore the insult part.

I seriously doubt them redesigning the frame slightly to enable the option of a lower seat is going to hurt any "grown ups", regardless of their leg lengths.  Choice is good.  And even if the seat were lower, standard, then it is no big deal to get a taller seat.  Getting a LOWER seat *is* a big deal, because you can only go so low before there is simply no padding left.  That said, I think an adjustable seat, that can also go at least 2" lower than what the C14 comes now and can go at least 1" higher than what the C14 now comes with, would be a great thing.

Boo hoo, 
 There are quite a few bikes that are lower. I chose the Connie for the seat height and added more.

[maxtog]

Boo hoo, 

 

There are quite a few bikes that are lower. I chose the Connie for the seat height and added more.

Name one current sport touring bike with a significantly lower seat than the C14...  Then try to name one current model of ANY non-cruiser, 4 cyl bike with a significantly lower seat.