Talk to me about the Concours...

[Quigs]

Because the temptation to snag one of these at an offseason price and use it as my summer commuter is pretty high right now.

[ssg]

do want.

was waiting for the Honduh 1200 but for 5k less I can have a sweet connie that is actually a little more built for supertouring IMO.

what are you waiting for?

[Dragginazz]

That thing is pretty nice actually. Haven't read any reviews, never even seen one until now, but if everything checked out, which for a commuter I don't see why they wouldn't, I'd scoff one up for sure. Sharp looking bike! Do it already.

[oVTo]

Cycle World has a review of the 2010 Connie in the February Issue. It starts off, "It already was a fabulous motorcycle. Bullet-train fast and luxury-car smooth, the 2008-2009 Concours 14 offered open road serenity rivaling that of big tourers; yet on the backroads, that 647-pound sport-tourer somehow managed to handle almost as well as many pure sport bikes weighing a couple of hundred pounds less.

For 2010, Kawasaki has refined the big Concours into an even better sport-touring weapon..."

There's a comparo between the 2009 Connie and the BMW K1300GT here.

It's supposed to be a great all-around bike, capable on back roads one day and comfortably going cross country the next. A decent windscreen and heated grips will probably extend your riding season.

But if I was looking for just a commuter, I might look for something a bit lighter and more nimble with higher mpg. Cycle World only got around 37mpg. Better than most cars, but not really 'commuter bike' type mileage.

But it's definitely a world-class do everything bike at a great price. I'd like to get one someday.

[mikeb]

no brainer, go for it. rocket powered sport-tourer. the '10 models do come with some updates you might want to look into.

[Chippertheripper]

There's a guy who tows his dirtbike with a goldwing. I don't see why a connie couldn't... I mean, there'd be no sport in that ride...

I will be purchasing some sort of sport tourer once my cage is paid. And that sure is pretty...

[DucDave]

EVERYTHING I've read about this bike suggests it's a legitimate candidate for the ultimate sport tourer. If I weren't such an elitist dick I would probably own one...!

[whynot]

See also the "Bike Impression" on p. 22 of Feb issue of American Motorcyclist that goes over the changes and improvements for '10, like taller wider windscreen adjustable on the fly, improved venting for heat management at low speeds, new traction control system, anti-lock brakes, tires, and so on. I think I might be talking myself into one of these.

[beet]

I almost got one, I was on the fence.

Because the temptation to snag one of these at an offseason price and use it as my summer commuter is pretty high right now.

[tls25rs]

If you don't mind dealing with what the magazines are refering to as the flaws in the original units you should be able to pick one up relatively cheaply this coming season when the 2010 models show up. I know a couple of guys that have them and love them but they have seen the reviews of the 2010 and are thinking about upgrading, mostly for the traction control option.

Of the flaws they mention on the older models the only things I don't think there is an easy way to fix are the mirror locations and the heat from the engine bay. Here in New England, sometimes the added heat from the engine is nice to have though. The mirrors, maybe the adapter sections from the 2010 will work to relocate the older model mirrors. From the pictures it looks like they just stuffed an adapter into the same upper and mirror, guess that's a wait and see item. The windscreen, Cee Baileys (sp?) will make you anything you want and you may want bigger than the 2010 comes with anyhow. The heated grips, those are an easy add on with aftermarket stuff and you could take care of it while you are adding the plugs/wiring for your heated gear. Now the traction control and ABS, I guess that is something only you can answer if they are important enough.

I have ridden one and they are amazingly capable on the twisties and on the slab when you open them up they make alot of things get smaller in the mirrors very quickly. For the money I dont know if you will find a better sport touring bike. If two of my friends that I ride with didn't already have them and a third thinking about getting the 2010 I might think about buying one. Just can't bring myself to have four of the same bike riding in formation.

Good luck,

Joel

[DesmoTull]

What are the comparisions to the FJR? I always hear people talk more about that one.

[tls25rs]

What are the comparisions to the FJR? I always hear people talk more about that one.

Just my $0.02.

I spent a week on the FJR1300 riding around Nova Scotia with two friends on the Concours. Though both bikes handled the trip with ease, the Kawis got better fuel mileage (probably due to being a 6 speed, Kawi, not a 5 speed, Yamaha) and when the Kawi riders twisted the throttle it was like the FJR was in reverse. The FJR is no slouch in the speed department but when the pace gets quicker the Concours is definitely faster.

That being said, I now have two friends that own the Concours and two friends that own the FJR. What it came down to for them buying what they bought seems to have been along the lines of what I said above, they didn't want to be four guys riding around on the same bike together. Be that as it may all four bikes are great performers in the sport touring category and they are all happy with what they have. A little of you say tomato I say tomahto if you know what I mean. Guess it comes down to what kind of deal you can get on either one.

[zgr]

Owned one for a year now,white brothers pipe,juice box,other small options love it!!
With the variable valve timing it is faster in the 1/4 mile than the ZX14 (with bags) find the video's on you-tube.I put the bags away will use them when a tail bag is not enough.
Had a ZRX 1200 before this and like the way this handles better. 40 degree riding is not a problem and as long as you are moving 90 degree's are a breeze.Trying to manufacture a set of handle bar holders so I can drop the bars about an inch.

[taxonomy]

What are the comparisions to the FJR? I always hear people talk more about that one.

FIFW about half the bikes in this years Iron Butt were FJRs, I don't recall any connies. The FJR is vetted as a long distance mount in the toughest competition in the world.

With all hte connie hype you could likely get a deal on the FJR too. Though I still think it's a huge buyers market. I would pay nowhere near list now.

[Murph]

I rode my buddies in the White mountains this summer ,tons of fun and comfortable as hell.Made for a nice break from my ZX9R,the shaft drive is smooth and he added spacers to the risers for a better bar height.I dont think the Concours is faster than the ZX14 in the 1/4 mile,like the previous poster stated..its a tourer not a rocket.

[zgr]

yes it is a tourer but with the variable valve timing all the power in on the bottom end where the 14's comes on later in the rpm range which is just after the 1/4 mile distance, the damage was done with the bag's still attached. sorry don't know how to find it again.

[Wanderer]

I'm a big fan of the blue-and-white, but honestly I'd probably take a Concours over a K1300GT currently. Features and Price - hard to beat.

[MotoFreak]

A friend of mine has one that he has talked about selling. Great shape, good mileage, and some very tasteful upgrades. If you want to buy private, shoot me a pm.

[tonyd]

Have a friend trying to sell one, think its a 2008, I know it is very low milage and in great shape. Let me know if your interested and I'll get a price out of him.

[whynot]

So, which Kawi dealers do y'all like? If you don't like 'em, pls keep it to a PM, thx.

(I did visit one multi-brand dealer in the fall to look at the Concours 14. The first employee I encountered in the showroom said "Help ya with anything" without looking up from his computer. Kept going and the second guy gave me a nice tour of the 14, spent about 20 minutes with me.)

- Kurt

[scottieducati]

Dude, Souhegan Valley Motorsports!! Riverside is also local if you're near Boston.

What's the MSRP on one 'o these bad boys?

[toocrazy2yoo]

Mine's fer sale. 2009 ABS with minor farkle. 6 year, unlimited mile warranty, radiator guard, higher-rated headlight bulbs, and louder horns, Strebbles, I believe. I'd let it go for $10,500 for someone here. It's black. REAL Black. Blacker than Obama by 5X.. It currently has 3000 miles on it. Bought it in Va. in July 2009, rode it up here, went the route through NY, Canada, etc, etc. Been garaged and mothball-protected. Oh, has the GIVI trunk and mount on it. Anyone interested? I want the 2010 myself.

Did I mention it's fast? The joke is, with the V-Tec, all hell breaks loose at 7500RPM, but at 10K, Hell is in session. I been in Florida the last month and change, you doods prob forgot who the hell I am ('cept Doc. Clear title, ready to go. I'll even store it for ya til the snow's gone.

[tonyd]

Finally talked to my buddy.

2008, under 5k miles, stock, extended warranty, He needs to get $9,000 out of it. PM me if interested I will get you his contact info.