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Topic: Another new toy question C-14  (Read 1979 times)
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googus
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« on: August 12, 2010, 07:39:03 AM »
I am thinking of getting a new bike and the C-14 pops out at me.
I am very used to VFRs and Blackbirds and my riding is mostly long day rides with 60%twisty and 40 highway. I like the C-14 but am a bit timid because I never owned a Kawi before and the sheer size of the bike. Does anyone have any input I can you in making my mind up.
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« on: August 12, 2010, 07:39:03 AM »
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chornbe

« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2010, 07:54:03 AM »
It sheds weight once in motion, it's easy to ride, it's fast, smooth, powerful. In turns it lets you know it's a big heavy machine, but if you're smooth on the throttle and the suspension is setup, it's never the "oh shit" kind of letting you know. It's a good machine. I like the FJR a little more, personally, but they're so very close in intent and execution, they're almost interchangeable.
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Cablebandit
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« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2010, 08:06:43 AM »
I just recently added a C14 to my garage for two up duty.  The weight is definitely there at parking lot speeds but that's about it.  Once in motion though you don't really notice it unless you are heading into a corner way too fast. (I'm speaking one up here)  I haven't really found too much to complain about in the first month of ownership other than the paint quality.  My Weestrom with almost 40k miles on it has very very few scratches in the plastics.  The Connie scratches if you look at it the wrong way.  With all the fresh tar and chip around here the fairings are taking a bit of a beating from the flying gravel.  Other than that I have no complaints.  

As Chris said the FJR would be a fair comparison.  I just found the higher seat of the Connie more comfortable.
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st2sam
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« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2010, 03:15:33 PM »
Over 20,000mi. in a year and half and it takes a lick'in keeps on tick'en.... I have had zero problems and would recommend this bike highly.
It's a sport-TOURING bike that handles the twisties like a oversized sport bike.   Bags are great, power windshied even greater. Bigsmile
I had a ZX14, I can ride the corners faster on the C14, not sure why because it's almost a 100lbs heavier... Bigok
 It is nowhere near as fast in the straights as a ZX14, BUSA, or Blackbird but it's no slouch either, plus (or a minus for some) it's most comfortable cruising speed is 80-90mph..
You said you ride 60% twisty - 40% highway, IMO perfect for a C14....
Go for it!  Thumbsup
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« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2010, 12:56:33 PM »
Quote from: googus on August 12, 2010, 07:39:03 AM

I am thinking of getting a new bike and the C-14 pops out at me.
I am very used to VFRs ...
VFR rider since '96.  One fourth Gen and two fifth Gens.  I pick up my new '10 C14 in a couple days.  Smile
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Mastros2
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« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2010, 12:59:32 PM »
Greg, what about a XZ14 and throw bags/helibars on that?  
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Mastros2
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« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2010, 01:04:55 PM »
Nice thread on the ZX14 tourers
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,19501.0.html
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« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2010, 01:04:55 PM »

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J-Mac
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« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2010, 01:15:53 PM »
Great choice. Cool

I agree, this thing handles better than my ZX14. I can't explain why though.... Headscratch
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« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2010, 03:38:01 PM »
Great Bike! I've now had mine for a 18 months and Yes I have to agree -
1 she's heavy at slow speeds
2 the paint scratches if you look at it wrong
3 she eats rubber(I'll be putting the fourth set on this weekend)
But all and all I can't complain,
This Bike is a blast to ride,
And I can't stay off of it,
My odometer hit 34,000 this past weekend!
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SuperSlider
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« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2010, 02:08:40 PM »
I also went from a zx14 to the C14 and yes it's heavy when just moving it around but like others said that melts away once you get rolling.  It doesn't have that "shot off the aircraft carrier feeling" but it most certainly isn't slow and it handles surprisingly well for a big bike. The thing I noticed most is that long rides seem much shorter than they did on the zx14.
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« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2010, 11:23:01 AM »
Quote from: J-Mac on August 18, 2010, 01:15:53 PM

Great choice. Cool

I agree, this thing handles better than my ZX14. I can't explain why though.... Headscratch


Tires?  Suspension settings?  I've ridden a brand new C-14 and a brand new ZX-14 back to back and can't see where ya'll are getting that the C-14 handles better than the ZX-14.   I didn't feel that at all during my test rides.  Headscratch
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R Doug
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« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2010, 03:28:51 PM »
I just rode a C-14 for the first time and was very impressed with it.  Though I didn't get to tackle any twisties, I was impressed with how smooth it is, how comfortable it is, how light it felt while in motion, and how powerful it is (no duh, right?).  

Thanks for the test ride Sam!
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« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2010, 04:37:36 PM »
If they lose the kipass and get rid of the bulbis plastic thing on the tank (is it gone yet?) then I will put this bike on my list.
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sslangs
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« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2010, 09:38:24 AM »
question about the concours, what engine does in have in it?  is is the same at the zx-14 ?
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« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2010, 09:38:24 AM »

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marc11
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« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2010, 09:44:08 AM »
Quote from: sslangs on August 31, 2010, 09:38:24 AM

question about the concours, what engine does in have in it?  is is the same at the zx-14 ?


Dude, it probably took you longer to write this question than it would have been to search google or the Kawasaki website for the answer....then again, it took me longer to write this remark then to say yes it is a version of the ZX14 engine, with several tuning modifications.
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googus
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« Reply #15 on: September 01, 2010, 04:34:33 AM »
I am hearing alot of good feedback about the bike and I am putting it on the wish list for a replacement for the Bird
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sslangs
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« Reply #16 on: September 01, 2010, 04:40:58 PM »
MARC 11, sorry I asked that question, didn't realize it would put anyone out to answer it.  I'm new to this sight - thanks for making a new guy feel "welcome".
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st2sam
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« Reply #17 on: September 01, 2010, 05:40:30 PM »
Quote from: Squareman357 on August 27, 2010, 11:23:01 AM



Tires?  Suspension settings?  I've ridden a brand new C-14 and a brand new ZX-14 back to back and can't see where ya'll are getting that the C-14 handles better than the ZX-14.   I didn't feel that at all during my test rides.  Headscratch

You did a test ride. I don't think you can really tell how well, or how much "less effort" it takes to tackle the twisties "faster" than on a ZX14, by a test ride...
I've owned a ZX14 (over 20,000mi.) and currently own a C14 with 22,000mi..
I ride 90% secondary roads at a "brisk" pace, the C14 will corner faster. WHY? Headscratch I'm not an engineer...  It's just IMHO - why would I say it if i didn't believe it?
I'm glad a few others agree with me because I thought I was cracking up! Lol
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« Reply #18 on: September 01, 2010, 05:58:32 PM »
Quote from: st2sam on September 01, 2010, 05:40:30 PM


I ride 90% secondary roads at a "brisk" pace...


That's an understatment.   Razz
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« Reply #19 on: September 05, 2010, 08:09:57 AM »
Quote from: st2sam on September 01, 2010, 05:40:30 PM


You did a test ride. I don't think you can really tell how well, or how much "less effort" it takes to tackle the twisties "faster" than on a ZX14, by a test ride...
I've owned a ZX14 (over 20,000mi.) and currently own a C14 with 22,000mi..
I ride 90% secondary roads at a "brisk" pace, the C14 will corner faster. WHY? Headscratch I'm not an engineer...  It's just IMHO - why would I say it if i didn't believe it?
I'm glad a few others agree with me because I thought I was cracking up! Lol


LOL I still think ya'll all cracking up.  I've got nearly 55K miles across 2 different ZX-14s (40K on my '06, nearly 14K on my '08) and after a 100 mile ride on a buddies Connie 14, on what passes for twisties here in Chicagoland, on roads I've ridden before, set up for a rider nearly my size, I STILL don't think that's possible.  I can hustle the ZX much faster than I can the C-14.   Shrug  Maybe it's just me and I'm just very used to my bike.  I STILL want a C-14 when the body says no to 1000 mile days on the ZX at some point in the future.
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