Different years - any years strongly preferred?

[Homeslice]

I really want to get a Connie.  What are the most preferable years, if there are any?  I understand 2015 was the last major update.  Is it strongly preferred to get a 2015+?  Or no big deal?  Any particular good or bad years?

Thanks!!!

[Boomer]

08/09 Optional ABS but no Linked Brakes. In really hot weather the fairing design cooks your legs. Has a "glove box" on the tank. Has TPMS sensors that you can change the batteries in.
10-15 ABS, Linked Brakes and Traction Control. Fairing redesign to reduce heat on legs. Glove box on left inner fairing + factory heated grips. Added ECO-Mode for better fuel economy if you stay below 6000rpm. Can change batteries in TPMS sensors on 10-12 models but somewhere in 13/14 they switched to the potted sensors.
15-22 Windshield with vent, shorter 1st gear , better Linked Brakes, several other minor changes.

I've ridden all 3 "generations" and prefer my 08 simply because I find the Linked Brakes too intrusive in how I ride. I do have ABS and it has saved me on a couple of occasions.
However, mine has been extensively modified over the years, so the comparisons may be unfair.
Also, where I live (UK) heat is rarely an issue. 

All are pretty reliable with hundreds of 100K+milers out there as well as 20 or so 200k+ and 2 (that I know of) 300K+milers.
Yes, things do break and wear out, but better than most bikes.

[Big Red]

2010 was the last year ABS and traction control were optional. As someone who lives where "hot" is the normal temp, a first gen was out of the question. They're all pretty solid, though.

[PH14]

I think the heat issue is overblown. I have a 2009 and the heat has not bothered me. I bought it new in 2010 over the 2010 they had in stock. I got the 2009 because I didn't want linked brakes, and the 2009 I bought didn't have ABS. I have done plenty of 700+ mile days in over 90F days. The heat has been a non-issue.

I guess if you wear thin pants and tennis shoes or the like, it might be an issue. I wear riding boots and usually riding pants. I can't feel the heat.

[BruceR]

A good ecu flash takes care of the heat issue.  My '08 without flash has never bothered me as far as heating my leg'
Also, the '08 is the fastest Connie (box stock).  Later years the rev limiter or top end were lowered.  Can't remember which, and too lazy to Google it. ;p

[PH14]

A good ecu flash takes care of the heat issue.  My '08 without flash has never bothered me as far as heating my leg'
Also, the '08 is the fastest Connie (box stock).  Later years the rev limiter or top end were lowered.  Can't remember which, and too lazy to Google it. ;p

Yep, the 2008 and 2009 didn't have the speed limiter.

[maxtog]

My preference would be any year that is not 2008/2009.  2nd gen added a lot of nice changes, many quite significant:

* White dash illumination instead of yucky red (what were they thinking?)
* Raised mirrors
* Nicer looking body work
* Better heat control venting in dash and bodywork
* Windscreen position memory and auto-lowering
* Midpipe heat shield
* FEAM
* Handlebar control for computer
* Ambient temperature display
* Auto-locking glovebox
* Better position of drain plug to prevent damage
* Brake linking (and with high/low setting)
* Standard and improved ABS and traction control

The only negative was 1 active 1 passive FOB instead of 2 active.  And linked brakes, if you hate that (but it isn't that bad if you have it set to "low linking" instead of "high" and it remembers that).

In 2015 the only notable changes were: added O2 sensor, lengthened the midpipe heat sheild, lessened the linked breaks, shortened first gear, and tweaked the steering stem seal and rear suspension.

[Homeslice]

Thank you so much guys!  I thought I read that starting in 2015 the bikes had better rear breaks, and a lower first gear?  Am I remembering that wrong?

I'm looking at a 2013 now to become part of the fam, sounds like a 2015 plus over a 2013 is no big deal at all.  I don't think I'd care about a lower first gear at all, in my experience bikes have too low a first to begin with, and I wonder if the braking difference is just the linked brakes yall are mentioning.

Thanks so much!!!

[connie14boy]

I think the heat issue is overblown. I have a 2009 and the heat has not bothered me. I bought it new in 2010 over the 2010 they had in stock. I got the 2009 because I didn't want linked brakes, and the 2009 I bought didn't have ABS. I have done plenty of 700+ mile days in over 90F days. The heat has been a non-issue.

I guess if you wear thin pants and tennis shoes or the like, it might be an issue. I wear riding boots and usually riding pants. I can't feel the heat.

I have a bullet proof 2009 ABS that now has 145,000 smilin' miles, only needs tires,brake pads, oil changes every 5k, and light bulbs. Starting my 3rd cross country trip 7/8 and if you wear tall boots, the heat is no issue. My best bike in 50 years by far.

[Freddy]

Thank you so much guys!  I thought I read that starting in 2015 the bikes had better rear breaks, and a lower first gear?  Am I remembering that wrong?

I'm looking at a 2013 now to become part of the fam, sounds like a 2015 plus over a 2013 is no big deal at all.  I don't think I'd care about a lower first gear at all, in my experience bikes have too low a first to begin with, and I wonder if the braking difference is just the linked brakes yall are mentioning.

Thanks so much!!!

No-one ever complained about 1st gear but lots did about the over-active rear-to-front linked brakes.  That's why it was remedied by Kawasaki.  Quite a few owners de-linked the rear-to-front circuit to make the bike predictable when using the rear brakes mid-corner.

I have an 09 ABS and love it. No heat issue if dressed appropriately.  Brake system must be bled/flushed every 2 years as per spec to safeguard the ABS unit as the rear m/cyl accumulates crud and passes it into the ABS unit eventually.

[maxtog]

Thank you so much guys!  I thought I read that starting in 2015 the bikes had [...] a lower first gear?  Am I remembering that wrong?

Sorry about that, I thought I had included the 1st gear tweak.  Of course, I have no idea why they felt the need to do that.  Like Freddy pointed out, below, I never saw anyone complain about first gear.  Supposedly the change "revised first gear ratio that is shorter to take advantage of the massive torque for smoother starts."  Probably a meaningless change to most people.  Anyway, I edited my post to include it now.

better rear breaks

No.  The rear brakes are the same.  Again, as Freddy pointed out, and also as I mentioned in my post as "lessened the linked breaks" they simply lowered the amount of linking the front and rear brakes (and I was never able to determine by how much or if it was just the high, low, or both settings).

[Freddy]

.........as I mentioned in my post as "lessened the linked breaks" they simply lowered the amount of linking the front and rear brakes (and I was never able to determine by how much or if it was just the high, low, or both settings).

The gen 3 ABS unit is completely different and not interchangeable with gen 2.

[maxtog]

The gen 3 ABS unit is completely different and not interchangeable with gen 2.

That is true (just like the gen 1 ABS is completely different and not interchangeable with gen 2), but doesn't contradict anything I said.  I believe the general operation is the same, at least from the user standpoint.  For example, it still has only two linked settings, high and low.  Why didn't they add an off?  Or more levels?  (off/low/medium/high) Interestingly, I have never seen any info or post that dives into the exact differences.

[Freddy]

Max, my comments were not a criticism, just a point of clarification.   

[maxtog]

Max, my comments were not a criticism, just a point of clarification.   

No prob, just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything or wrote something wrong.

[hank]

Find one for a smoking deal and dont worry to much about the year, all of them are fantastic

[Bagger John]

My $.02:

I have an '08 ABS and a '12.

The '08 was bought specifically for the reason the magazines hated it: Hot running, It's my cold weather platform. I farkled it appropriately (riser blocks, peg lowering kit, fender extender) then put a Phil's rack atop a custom tail rack mount. This has dual arms for radio antennas. A V46L sits atop the rack. A Kawasaki Touring Saddle keeps my butt happy. Electronics wise, there's a JMCB-2003 and a dual band ham radio transceiver with the ability to connect another sort of handheld to the headset integrator. Built in Heat-Troller for my Gerbing stuff and a set of Clearwater Glendas on the front fender mounts round out the electronics, though a set of heated grips and a different set of mounting plates for the radio control switches are going on at next teardown/valve inspection.  As will a MotoChello MC-200.

The '12 got the full Police Motor conversion. It also has a set of Kawi accessory fairing winglets and the top box houses all of my ham radio gear. Control heads are bar mounted and all radio functions can be performed with hands on the handlebars. I reverse-engineered Kawi's (failed) auxiliary wiring harness and designed my own setup for the top box, including auxiliary battery which can power the radios if the bike is shut off. Top box lights are set up as extra brake/turn (rear) and marker (sides) because every idiot cager these days is blind or looking at their cell phones. This C14 is my cool/wet weather mount, used for traveling to the various radio and motorcycle meets I like to attend. It has the heated Corbin saddle, which I find very comfortable.

I'm looking for another (Gen 3) in black, 2015-2019. It's going to get the black V46L which used to sit atop the '12's rear section and I think I'll go with a Corbin rider/passenger saddle arrangement so the front can travel between both bikes. Likewise, another MotoChello and full complement of radio gear plus lights. Figure it'll make a good 2-up platform for days when I don't want to get the Valkyres dirty or wet. The vented windshield and other niceties are definitely pluses on the touring side of things.

[Boomer]

Coming back from Austria last week I got to ride in 100F weather for the first time on my 08 model C14.
The heat on my shins was intense enough that I had to move my feet outwards to get airflow onto my shins.
If I had to ride in that kind of heat at all regularly I would probably remove the factory deflectors and see if that improved matters.
I would also make some foam blocks to seal up the rear of the fairing to keep that heat off my legs.
The cooling system coped fine though I did see the 5th bar for the first time ever.
I think I lost around 10lbs in sweat alone!!

[maxtog]

When it is over 98F or so (depending on humidity), I just don't ride.  Same thing with under 35F.  I ride for enjoyment.... at certain points it just isn't enjoyable anymore

[Freddy]

I have a red 09.  Summer in my neck of the woods see temps in excess of 100F for days on end. l always wear ATGATH and don't have an issue with heat on my shins and  I don't have the aftermarket side heat shields.