2015 connie [pre-release speculation]

[Kawi Ken]

Spotted 1:51 silverdammit in the back ground.
Looks like a different tank=

http://youtu.be/jmSPbLdh5P0

[tomp]

Man you have good eyes.  I kinda saw something silver in the background, but the ZX14/ZZR1400 was more noticable. 
Around 300HP for the H2R, that's more than MotoGP bikes have.  Imagine the TC requirements for it. 

I'm sorry but all the angular look to the recent bikes, like the Z1000 and the BMW S1000R, etc, are just too much for me.  I like my bikes like I like my women, with curves.  May not be the best in wind tunnel testing, but my 04 RT looks so much better than the 14 RT, IMO....  Ain't life great?!?

[tomp]

Just checked the Australian Kawi site,  The H2R is there with all the other 15's but the GTR/Concours is still a 14.  Nothing new for us yet. . .

[twowheeladdict]

Maybe they didn't get the new Connie ready in time.  I can't find any news on it anywhere and you would think someone would be reporting on it since they are reporting on the redesigned Versys 650 and 1000.  BTW: the new Versys isn't showing up on Kawasaki.com yet.

[voileauciel]

IIRC, last year, the 2014 model wasn't announced until very late in the year. Seems they don't even start production on the following model year until November or so.

[MrPepsi]

Spotted 1:51 silverdammit in the back ground.
Looks like a different tank=

That's not the tank you see different, I think that's the tail of the ZX14 in the way.

[jwh20]

That's not the tank you see different, I think that's the tail of the ZX14 in the way.

There is a C14 saddlebag visible but I think the view is misleading.  There is another bike that is parked at an angle to it that blocks the view of the front of the C14. 

Besides, if there was a new and different 2015 C14 there at that show, someone would have reported on it by now.

[bacaruda]

kawasaki will do something with the 2015 connie, and it will be more than changing colour....

[VirginiaJim]

An optimist.  I like that!

[B.D.F.]

Not a bad idea in the abstract but let's look at it realistically: given the cost of a new C-14 and what you have mentioned below, I doubt the bike could be brought to market for less than $22K- $25K at a guess (reasonable guess I think). Then there are the insurance considerations: mention the magic words "supercharger" (of any type, mechanical, exhaust driven or Paxton type) and watch the insurance skyrocket. Finally, a touring bike, even a sport tourer, is graded on how well it handles the miles and typically, supercharging is NOT the ticket for lots of miles, low maintenance and low cost of ownership.

Hey, I too like the idea and would absolutely go to the local dealer and have a look at such a machine, no doubt about it. But would enough people actually 'pony up' the actual money to make marketing such a thing profitable? I really doubt it. We live in a world driven by common economics and practical devices regardless of what we think we want. I believe the C-14 is a great bike at any price but I do not delude myself for one instant that price is not important in the actual purchase (as opposed to the imaginary purchase- in that case, I'll take two :-)  ).

Just as food for thought, lots of Americans scream that we want out products made here (the US) no matter what.... then we get in our cars and go to WalMart and buy everything because it is the least expensive place and do not really care where it was made (in almost all instances at that store, China). So we tend to blather with our mouths and really endorse products with our wallets. I am not criticizing you (Rhino) or anyone by saying this as I am as guilty as anyone in doing this. It is merely the reality encroaching on the imaginary and more emotionally desirable.

Brian

Take a mild version of that 300hp H2 motor, maybe 180-200hp, put it in an ST frame with all the other ST features such as electric windshield, full locking hard bags, shaft drive, big comfy seat and add CC this time, but make it < 600 lbs and Kawi would go straight to the head of the class again. My dream for a new bike in 2016.

[B.D.F.]

You are absolutely KILLING ME with that 'Thunder nugget' name for your bike.

 

Brian

kawasaki will do something with the 2015 connie, and it will be more than changing colour....

[olie]

Maybe they didn't get the new Connie ready in time.  I can't find any news on it anywhere and you would think someone would be reporting on it since they are reporting on the redesigned Versys 650 and 1000.  BTW: the new Versys isn't showing up on Kawasaki.com yet.

EICMA, in Milan Italy, is the leading motorcycle show in Europe. The German Intermot is at every other year playing the BMW game.
I expect something new or updated from Kawa other than the production H2... it seems all line up is already announced except... the C14 /1400GTR.

[twowheeladdict]

EICMA, in Milan Italy, is the leading motorcycle show in Europe. The German Intermot is at every other year playing the BMW game.
I expect something new or updated from Kawa other than the production H2... it seems all line up is already announced except... the C14 /1400GTR.

The H2 is on Kawasaki.com, but the new Versys 650 is not, and we still don't know if we will get the Versys 1000.  In fact there is no mention of a KLX250S on their website, 2015 or 2014.

[Kawi Ken]

Just checked the Australian Kawi site,  The H2R is there with all the other 15's but the GTR/Concours is still a 14.  Nothing new for us yet. . .

UNSPOTTED then 

[Rhino]

Not a bad idea in the abstract but let's look at it realistically: given the cost of a new C-14 and what you have mentioned below, I doubt the bike could be brought to market for less than $22K- $25K at a guess (reasonable guess I think). Then there are the insurance considerations: mention the magic words "supercharger" (of any type, mechanical, exhaust driven or Paxton type) and watch the insurance skyrocket. Finally, a touring bike, even a sport tourer, is graded on how well it handles the miles and typically, supercharging is NOT the ticket for lots of miles, low maintenance and low cost of ownership.

Hey, I too like the idea and would absolutely go to the local dealer and have a look at such a machine, no doubt about it. But would enough people actually 'pony up' the actual money to make marketing such a thing profitable? I really doubt it. We live in a world driven by common economics and practical devices regardless of what we think we want. I believe the C-14 is a great bike at any price but I do not delude myself for one instant that price is not important in the actual purchase (as opposed to the imaginary purchase- in that case, I'll take two :-)  ).

Just as food for thought, lots of Americans scream that we want out products made here (the US) no matter what.... then we get in our cars and go to WalMart and buy everything because it is the least expensive place and do not really care where it was made (in almost all instances at that store, China). So we tend to blather with our mouths and really endorse products with our wallets. I am not criticizing you (Rhino) or anyone by saying this as I am as guilty as anyone in doing this. It is merely the reality encroaching on the imaginary and more emotionally desirable.

Brian

I agree with everything you said. And yes a supercharged engine might put it over the top in price. But I do think the market is ready for a full featured but lighter sport tourer with C14/FJR like power. The first mfg that can bring that to market for under 20K will do well IMO. Maybe that's not possible but it seems with all the high power sport bike liter engines around, one of the big 4 Japanese should at least be looking at it. Think an updated C10 with a ZX10R engine. Do you think that could be made to be in the 550 lbs range for $16,000? Would anybody be interested in it? I think the C14 is one of the best trade offs for performance and touring that money can buy. But would love it to be 100 lbs lighter. That would get me back to the show room 

[olie]

The H2 is on Kawasaki.com, but the new Versys 650 is not, and we still don't know if we will get the Versys 1000.  In fact there is no mention of a KLX250S on their website, 2015 or 2014.

this is where it counts...
https://www.kawasaki-cp.khi.co.jp/mcy/street_e.html

[B.D.F.]

Yeah, there no doubt IS a market for such a bike, as long as the buyer is willing to take the limitations such as less power and perhaps not quite as rigid a frame and probably a shorter saddle area (fine for one person riding though).

And I think there are stabs in that direction- the original 800 VFR was exactly what you are talking about I think. Right now, that Kawi 1000 with the hard bags would probably fill the bill too. It is chain driven but an automatic chain oiler, combined with modern chains will bring the lifespan of a chain and sprocket set to well over 30K miles- not bad really and not horrible maintenance.

Then there is the whole 'roll your own' type using something like a Suzuki Bandit and dressing it as needed for touring. Not as tidy or 'slick' as a factory tourer but a very workable rig and reasonable in price.

Another thing that would be a big plus I think in a 3/4 size C-14 / FJR would be significantly reduced saddle height. These big bikes are a real handful (or is that a real crotchfull (Easy Boys!)?) for average or slightly below men and most women who are now a significant part of the motorcycle buying community. I think a 750 - 900 sport tourer might be a great seller but only if the price could be held down in that same 3/4 C-14 / FJR range and I am not confident that can be done. Now spending 90% of the price of a C-14 for 3/4 of the bike just ain't gonna' work IMO.

Brian

I agree with everything you said. And yes a supercharged engine might put it over the top in price. But I do think the market is ready for a full featured but lighter sport tourer with C14/FJR like power. The first mfg that can bring that to market for under 20K will do well IMO. Maybe that's not possible but it seems with all the high power sport bike liter engines around, one of the big 4 Japanese should at least be looking at it. Think an updated C10 with a ZX10R engine. Do you think that could be made to be in the 550 lbs range for $16,000? Would anybody be interested in it? I think the C14 is one of the best trade offs for performance and touring that money can buy. But would love it to be 100 lbs lighter. That would get me back to the show room 

[MAN OF BLUES]

this is where it counts...
https://www.kawasaki-cp.khi.co.jp/mcy/street_e.html

Now if you go and look at the offering, you will see exactly why K has not shown the '15 Conni yet. It is clear they have gone way overboard making wayyy too many Z and Ninja models, in wayyyyy too many color combos,  because the quick sell lower bikes are the niche they are aiming for.. also keep in mind that for 2016, they will clearly produce a 30th anniversary edition of the Concours. No doubt in our minds, K has been very open eared to COG, we have had them bring truckloads of bikes, numerous occaisions, to our national rallies.... there will be a 2015 model, with possible a new color offering, but the big kahuna will be the 2016,
Understand just how much it costs to stockpile all this color matched plastic for all these models, for squid replacments when they get road rash, then add that onto the Conni pricetag...
I figure next improvement will be throttle by wire, a slightly lowered seating height, and some interesting paint. Only, for the 2016... oh, and Badges... we don neeeed no steeeenkeen badges...


As for the H2.... get real, its a bogus hype set of videos, designed to cause people to drool.
The bike s not "real" at this point, meaning not produced for sale. It has no mirrors, lights, or real world parts suggesting it will be available for consumption, and even in the state they show it, would cost a racer well into the $100k range to posess....
Cool looking? Yes
Realistic? In my eyes.... mehhh, just eyecandy, to appease the silly people that can't do their own CGI or photoshop renditions.

[olie]

We will find it out soon...EICMA is just around... http://www.eicma.it/en/

[MAN OF BLUES]

http://youtu.be/ZG3NlOgy0Zo