New Concours riding impressions, and a few questions.

[Son of Pappy]

Fusion paint inside.  Tape the edges carefully.  Easiest farkle but it will slow down an '08 by about %15

[billyzoom]

I figure I'll keep the stock windshield for warmer months and the larger one for the cooler months.  I like that dark look, but the last time I tried painting my windshield was on my Ducati.  I painted the inside and it looked okay, but wasn't quite good enough for me.  I just bought a tinted shield and was happy.  If I need a smaller shield than stock, I may do that for the Kawi as well. 

I do plan to ride with the new shield before doing anything else with pegs or a new saddle.  We'll feel it out. 

Thanks for all the tips.

[stevewfl]

Riding the C14 is sweet indeed, but wait till you realize the mad pow-ah of KiPass

[The Pope]

Here's a windshield thread that may interest you.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=914.0

[Conrad]

Did you paint your shield Conrad, could ya share exactly what you did to get that dark?

Well, I started off trying to tint that shield using VHT Nightshades.   

I was VERY meticulous in my prep and I did tape the edges as Chet suggested. As I was spraying the inside of the shield the damn spray can started to sputter (yes, I did test it first on some scrap and it was fine then) and f'ed up my nice smooth coat. I got pissed and ended up blacking out the shield with multiple coats. 

[booger]

Torque and power is disappointing so far.  It does NOT feel like a 1400 to me.

Yep, the C-14 is not a speedster.  I bought it as kind of a middle of the road performance tourer.  Faster than my Road Kings, but slower that my 'Busa and ZX-10R.  But it is underpowered for a 1400cc.

[maxtog]

Yep, the C-14 is not a speedster.  I bought it as kind of a middle of the road performance tourer. 

Middle of the road tourer compared to WHAT "tourer"?

Faster than my Road Kings, but slower that my 'Busa and ZX-10R.  But it is underpowered for a 1400cc.

I think that is more illusion than reality.  It is quiet, smooth, and aerodynamic with great protection.  It is faster than it appears.  It is not as "peaky" as a Busa, and is not as light as a ZX-10.  The C-14's power band is flatter/broader (which is nicer for touring) and it also feels stifled due to the secondary butterflies.  One you jump over the 4K RPM hump (flies/correctable) and account for the weight, the C-14 performs very well.

If you don't want comfort, quiet, storage, reliability, and amenities then get a ZX-14 which is a sports bike.

[Cuda]

A reflash changes everything down low
I even SEE MaxDog having it done
Group BUY Group BUY

[ljcorby]

Group BUY Group BUY

+100, 

[CADMAN97]

But I've only had it to 5000 briefly, and typically under 4.

Hurry up & get thru the break in period, Connie just starts to wake up at 5k...& with the mods you plan on doing I think you'll notice a huge improvement.

Congrats & welcome!

[Jimmy Patriot]

I agree with Pokey. Some of us have even cut our stock windsheilds down for more airflow during the warmer months. 

Yeah the prior owner did a great job cutting down the stock shield......I surely would have butchered it.   An absolute necessity for Summer!

[lemosley01]

Middle of the road tourer compared to WHAT "tourer"?

I think that is more illusion than reality.  It is quiet, smooth, and aerodynamic with great protection.  It is faster than it appears.  It is not as "peaky" as a Busa, and is not as light as a ZX-10.  The C-14's power band is flatter/broader (which is nicer for touring) and it also feels stifled due to the secondary butterflies.  One you jump over the 4K RPM hump (flies/correctable) and account for the weight, the C-14 performs very well.

If you don't want comfort, quiet, storage, reliability, and amenities then get a ZX-14 which is a sports bike.

Since I own a BKing, which is Hayabusa-powered, I will concur that the C14 does not feel like a 1400 should; this is mostly due to the secondaries. My ZX14 felt the same way, until I pulled the secondaries, which made it feel Ike it should have from the factory. 

[pistole]

- past 6,000 rpms , the bike seems to get plenty fast , right quick.

.

[lemosley01]

- past 6,000 rpms , the bike seems to get plenty fast , right quick.

.

The secondaries are open and aren't reducing power.  The bike should feel like that everywhere. Instead, it has a feel that is kind of similar to a turbo spinning up.

[Madcow]

Instead, it has a feel that is kind of similar to a turbo spinning up.

I thought it felt more like a 2 stroke lol.

[Scaffolder]

Congrats and welcome.
I like the Ducati, but I like to bring stuff with me.

[Rhino]

The secondaries are open and aren't reducing power.  The bike should feel like that everywhere. Instead, it has a feel that is kind of similar to a turbo spinning up.

This will help with that: http://guhlmotors.com/guts.html

[lemosley01]

Yes, I've just been too cheap to get it done, but it shouldn't even be necessary. I have no idea what Kawasaki was trying to accomplish with the secondaries. They make even less sense on a ZX14.

[Rhino]

Yes, I've just been too cheap to get it done, but it shouldn't even be necessary. I have no idea what Kawasaki was trying to accomplish with the secondaries. They make even less sense on a ZX14.

Just a guess but I would think it is to help meet pollution and import requirements. Seems like all the FI I4 bikes have them, not just Kawasaki.

[Rhino]

This is from a DL1000 forum:

"To answer your question, the secondary throttle system helps manage and smooth throttle response in part-throttle situations by keeping the velocity of the air/fuel in the intakes high. It's also used to partially restrict engine output in 5th and 6th gear, but this is not its primary function."