2008 Concours.....ABS or nonABS? and some other little questions

[eSONG]

Hope you guys can give me some advice on this.  I'm looking to purchase the '08 Concours.  My main concern now is whether I should get the ABS or nonABS model.  Is the ABS worth it?  For those who have experience with ABS, when/how has it been most useful to you?

I've been riding about 6-7 years now; 2-3 years on a CBR600 and then moved up to the R1.  I've been using the r1 for trackdays for 2 years (about 5-7 trackdays per year).

I read some people having issues with their luggage racks, water getting into the light controls, a few complaints about the bike running hot, and the dash melting   while bike was out in the sun sitting a long time.  Are there any other issues with the bike new buyers should know about?

Or should I wait for the 09 Concours so Kawi can sort out some of these minor issues?  I'm not overly worried about these things since it has a 3 year unlimited mile warranty on the 08 Concours.  I wonder if they'll do the same for the 09 model.

Too bad it doesn't come in any other color choices.  I wouldn't want it in Kawi green...but maybe 1 or 2 choices would be nice.  

[atypical1]

Moving to Kawasaki in 3...2...1...

[SLK50]

Are there any other issues with the bike new buyers should know about?

Yeah, I lot of them have been purchased by older riders that have enough free time and money to complain about everything. ( Ever stand in line at Wal-Mart on a Tuesday afternoon?   )I happen to know an entusiastic rider or two who don't complain about anything on the C-14. Buy it. Ride it. Love it.  

[hjarmitage]

"Is the ABS worth it? "
IMHO a very big YES!  My first hang on and pray happened with a car turning left (no tail lights, brake lights or turn signals) and a bus at a stop.   The car passed me and I checked left to pass the bus. I suddenly realized the car was stopping to turn with no warning. All my other cycles would have been in the trunk with me airborne. My 06 FJR  just squatted and slowed real quick. I ended up going inbetween the car and bus at about 10 MPH. I love ABS

[eSONG]

"Is the ABS worth it? "
IMHO a very big YES!  My first hang on and pray happened with a car turning left (no tail lights, brake lights or turn signals) and a bus at a stop.   The car passed me and I checked left to pass the bus. I suddenly realized the car was stopping to turn with no warning. All my other cycles would have been in the trunk with me airborne. My 06 FJR  just squatted and slowed real quick. I ended up going inbetween the car and bus at about 10 MPH. I love ABS

Does ABS activate with just the front...or front and rear brakes?

[hjarmitage]

"Does ABS activate with just the front...or front and rear brakes?"

Not sure. I'll have to check the manual and get back to you. I was grabbing and stomping at the time. All I care is they work

[timmybob4]

I vote for ABS. It can really come into play in panic situations and unseen slick spots. Nice to have in the rain as well. If it keeps you from dropping the bike just once it will pay for itself just in the plastic you would have to replace (not to mention your riding gear and most importantly preventing injury to yourself).

I have an '06 ST1300 with ABS. It has not kicked in yet (that I know of), but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.

[GTS_Rider]

I voted yes on ABS. It's front and rear, independently controlled.

You can be an excellent rider and still have abs save your hide one day. You can practice maximum threshold braking and be a master at it. You cannot practice 'panic braking' (or at least I wouldn't recommend it). They are two different animals imho.

[traveler]

Don't have one, never rode one, but if I was contemplating the purchase of such a heavy bike (near 700#), there's no doubt that I'd be wanting ABS.

[eSONG]

i'll probably go with ABS.  i'd like to find out some more on ABS, reviews and how they work.

[Hardware]

I'd ridden but never before owned ABS equipped bikes.  I never longed for it and when considering any model with optional ABS, would always lean towards the non-ABS version in order to keep the sticker lower.

Then I bought my RT.  The dealer here only brings in RTs with all the bells & whistles (except radios).  So I got the whole shebang.  I picked it up at the dealership on a cold day with near torrential rain.  The ABS saved the day about 2 mins and 1 km from the dealer's lot when I had to emergency brake at an intersection because of a retard.

I still don't think it's the be-all and end-all, don't think of it as a substitute for skill and caution.  But as an added safety buffer, especially on a heavier bike, it's  

[wibornz]

As 40 year old owner of a C-14, all I can say is it rocks.  Bought it the day after Christmas and just hit the 600 mile mark with it.  Most of my riding has been 2up and in the cold, between zero degrees and forty degrees.  I bought it because I wanted a more sport than tour.  With that said, I still will do a couple iron butt rides this summer.  

I have put a back rest on it for the wife.  The bike is very smooth at speeds.  115 2up its just like glass.  At 60 or so it is just off idle spinning about 2600 rpms.

The bike has plenty of power, and I am sure that with some of the normal mods it could really be woke up.  After all it is the zx-14 motor.  The bike will pull the front tire off the ground even when 2up.....so a conservative wrist is needed to keep out of trouble with the wife. hehehe.

I do not have any complaints about the bike.  Every thing has worked just as I have expected it to.  It is proving to be a grin maker.  

[4krysia]

get the abs.
i have it on a 92 BMW K100rs.  i test it at the beginning of every ride, and like knowing that its there and working.

[Outrace]

Get the ABS.  My R1 had terrific brakes but they required some attention in town because they were so terrific.  My FJR still allows me to modulate my brakes at the limit, but if I screw up or cross a manhole cover/painted arrow/whatever while braking for some Volvo-wagon-driving real estate agent, I don't have to think.

I can't say for sure that the ABS on the C14 is seperate for each wheel, but I know the FJR is (with the exception of the minor integration between the front and rear brakes).

[GTS_Rider]

...I can't say for sure that the ABS on the C14 is seperate for each wheel, but I know the FJR is (with the exception of the minor integration between the front and rear brakes).

I can say....they are, and there's zero front/rear integration.

The brakes on the C14 are massively powerful. In fact, I think MCN rated them last or next to last against other bikes in the category, saying they were *too* powerful. Ha, I thought that was kinda funny, rating the bike with the best stopping distance down near last place in the category. It's pretty easy to develop a bit of finesse on the levers. Though first time out, be sure, it's easy to break you balls against the tank without even getting real close to the point the abs would chime in.

The only downside to having abs on the C14 is the added weight of the system. If you think throwing a deck-chair off the Titanic will increase it's speed and mobility, then by all means, don't get the abs. Otherwise, I only see upsides...  

[Charles R]

yep, the ABS is separate for front and rear. With the price of bodypanels these days, I'd always opt for the ABS. All it takes is one single save to cover the cost. (or two deductables   ) I've triggered mine a few times on paint stripes and what-not over this last winter. It's not very noticable and pretty non-eventful though.

The other things you mentioned are correct too. Bag latches and luggage rack are recall items. The melty dash bits are a minor annoyance, but they don't stop the bike from running. We'll see how much shouting goes on about that as spring and summer comes up.
I really enjoy mine. I sold my car when I bought it, and am bike only now. After 19K miles, I have no regrets.

[eSONG]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

To those with the C14 - has anyone installed frame sliders?

[av24me]

So far have enjoyed my non-ABS C-14, the only reason I chose not to go with ABS is cost, my dealer made me a really good deal on this one and on my next bike I might give ABS a try. My ridding buddy has a C14 with ABS and can tell very little difference between them ridding them back to back.

[Little Johnson]

 My ridding buddy has a C14 with ABS and can tell very little difference between them ridding them back to back.

You didn't mention the terminal slide with wheels locked.

[r2t2]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

To those with the C14 - has anyone installed frame sliders?

Nope... Not much out there. I do know of one vendor that is working on something, but it's not really a slider more of a tipover protector. Sliders are for race bikes.   If you find yourself needing them, it's too late for your saddlebags. The bags are gonna sustain the most damage first.

Oh, and I love the ABS!!!