Heat on C14...Will Kawasaki announce if they fix?

[deagle10]

I've leaning towards buying a new bike....and the C14 was the heavy favorite.  Sounds wonderful except for the heat complaints, which are just too many to ignore.

1.  Would Kawasaki wait a whole year before rerouting the heat (like start with 2009 model)?
2.  If/When they DO address it, will they make it public knowledge?  

I want one of these, but not until I KNOW the heat issue is better.

[jschmidt]

1. Probably.
2. No.

[jude]

2.  Marketing would have it read, "New and improved aerodynamics."

[brobers]

2.  Marketing would have it read, "New and improved aerodynamics."

It allows them to charge more for the privilege of comfort.  Gotta pay for those engineers.

[Baz]

Oh you will be waiting a couple of years for a fix. I bet the 2008 bike were probably completed in the fall of 2007.

Look for fixes in the 2010 model, would be my guess.

This why one never buys a 1st gen bike of anykind.

[dalan]

This why one never buys a 1st gen bike of anykind.

Not sure I'd agree with that sweeping statement.

My ZZR1200 is from the first model year (2002).  It has no issues, and nothing other than the forks were ever changed during the the model's run.

My ZX-14 is second-year model (07), but was unchanged from 06 and IMO there is nothing fixworthy on that bike either.

I really don't understand how people can think or expect that a 1400cc, 150+ hp engine sitting between their legs isn't going to feel hot sometimes.

[swimmer]

Not sure I'd agree with that sweeping statement.

My ZZR1200 is from the first model year (2002).  It has no issues, and nothing other than the forks were ever changed during the the model's run.

My ZX-14 is second-year model (07), but was unchanged from 06 and IMO there is nothing fixworthy on that bike either.

I really don't understand how people can think or expect that a 1400cc, 150+ hp engine sitting between their legs isn't going to feel hot sometimes.

+1 on everything especially the last comment

[kevin_stevens]

Oh you will be waiting a couple of years for a fix. I bet the 2008 bike were probably completed in the fall of 2007.

Look for fixes in the 2010 model, would be my guess.

This why one never buys a 1st gen bike of anykind.

That seems backwards to me.  I understand avoiding first YEAR bikes/cars, in case they have a fatal flaw that has to be re-engineered.  But an entire first generation?  So the first bike you consider is a second year of a second gen?  Because in a true second generation design, so much may have changed that you're effectively looking at a whole new bike again.  And a lot of very nice bikes never GET to a second generation.

I bought a first-year ZX-14, but only after they'd been out a full model year and it was known that they didn't have any problems, or updates for the second year.

KeS

[Mookie]

Since when does a high performance big bore fully faired motorcycle not produce uncomfortable heat?  

If you don't want heat don't get a lot of horse power or start investing in thermal tape  

[maddjack]

kawasaki is probley working on a new and improved key fob instead...
In reality my experiance with big green is they will fix,and nobody will  hear a word of it a a recall

[atadaskew]

If you don't want heat don't get a lot of horse power or start investing in thermal tape  

So why does the new Harley 96 motor run so hot?

[UFO]

I really don't understand how people can think or expect that a 1400cc, 150+ hp engine sitting between their legs isn't going to feel hot sometimes.

Yes, a 150+hp engine produces heat.
Yes, some of the recent bike designs have piss poor heat management.

Let me know when you start catching on.

[Ron_NC]

She gets a little hot in stop and go traffic, but I love mine  

[dalan]

Yes, a 150+hp engine produces heat.
Yes, some of the recent bike designs have piss poor heat management.

Let me know when you start catching on.

Meh.  I've got three powerful 1200cc-and-up fully-faired I4 bikes in the garage.... not exactly sure what else I'm supposed to "catch on" to.  

[r2t2]

Not sure I'd agree with that sweeping statement.

My ZZR1200 is from the first model year (2002).  It has no issues, and nothing other than the forks were ever changed during the the model's run.

My ZX-14 is second-year model (07), but was unchanged from 06 and IMO there is nothing fixworthy on that bike either.

I really don't understand how people can think or expect that a 1400cc, 150+ hp engine sitting between their legs isn't going to feel hot sometimes.

Agreed... And just for the original poster's edification, KHI has been making changes to the '08 model. A couple of the initial nits and gripes have been addressed in a mid change. And by wearing proper gear, the 'excessive' heat becomes a non-issue... I guess that old adage is true...

If ya don't like the heat... Stay outta the kitchen!  

[helodoc]

First kawasaki would have to acknowledge that a problem exists.

Remember it's the Trans Continental Super Sport.  

[DJStevieB]

Okay.... I believe it starts at where you live. Up here in the Northwest, heat is a good thing!

I have an '04 FJR that, according to the internet know-it-alls, is supposed to have a "heat problem". Well, it doesn't. It probably would if I lived in someplace with high heat and/or humidity. Bumper to bumper traffic on a Dallas freeway in mid-summer will burn up anybody on a motorcycle, no matter what brand.

Bring on the heat!

Oh, and the general rule of thumb is not to buy a FIRST year whatever... not first Gen. However, in most situations, motorcycles are imported a year or two behind the Europeans, Australians, etc.

[Outrace]

Sorry guys, but the G2 FJR has very good heat control.  The G1's sucked at it.  Yes, I had a G1 and now have a G2.

I also had an 04 R1 which was WAY worse than my G1 FJR, and I've actually gotten blisters from my '00 RC51.  Point is, liter-plus bikes produce lots of heat but the factory can figure out what to do with it.  Yamaha spent way too much time figuring it out.  Honda (supposedly) still hasn't figured it out.  Kawasaki probably can't get it done until '09 (product development cycles).

[DJStevieB]

I just happened to think of something else....

Many riders don't wear complete ATGATT. So the riders who wear jeans with a low boot or shoe will feel the lower eminating heat.

I happen to wear leathers tucked into high-top race boots and I'm nice and comfy, no matter the weather.

It's subjective stuff anyway.

[Outrace]

Actually, it's relative.  Your same leathered-up rider, when comparing different motorcycles, will be feeling them relative to one another, regardless of attire.