Concours C14 comfort?

[ghargrove]

I'm zeroing in on two bikes - an FJR and a Concours.  I usually do 500 mile days on a long trip (4000+ miles).  Just how comfortable is the Kawasaki Concours - REALLY?  Thanks for any input.

[J-Mac]

The seat's not too bad, but long days call for a upgraded one.
The windshield will need replacement to be comfy. Other than that, it's awesome right out of the box. It's more powerful, handles better, and has alot better brakes than the Competion.
It's smoother too.

[Motornoggin]

I added an Alaska Leather sheepskin pad to the stock seat and it's pretty much all day comfy. I think the stock windshield is fine too. I keep it all the way down unless I'm in some weather as I like clean air on my helmet. I can't stand being behind a huge windshield in an overheated, turbulent pocket of air.

Power is good, brakes and handling to match.

[wibornz]

I have loved all 42000 miles on my c-14.  I have done 1000+ mile days on it, and many many 500+ days on it.

[Lord Jim]

 A replacement seat, windshield, and a set of bar risers made my '08 a very nice touring bike.

[tthompsr]

I've replaced the stock seat and installed 2" bar risers to get mine comfortable, I also have been able to do 1k days on my C14.

[7 Aces]

At 6'2" the windshield is a little it of an issue. I generally keep it down unless it's cold or raining. Seat's good for about 2 hrs for me, though I've done longer. There's lots of room to change seating positions which really helps. The grips are not to low for me but I have orangutang arms so I might be an outlier on that one. I did add some Grip Puppies to the grips which really helped.

Great power, smooth delivery and big + for me is the heat management on the 2011 C14. Beats the pants off the FJR IMHO.


 

[exbanditrider]

All I've done to mine as far as comfort is concerned is a sheepskin seat cover and a Projekt D windsheild.

[MrFurious]

I think the "which is more comfortable" question will really depend on what you're coming off of and your build.  

I got my 09 C14 this summer and really wasn't happy with the stock ergo's.  Biggest issue was the handlebars being to low and at a really weird angle that had my wrists/hands screaming after only 15-20 miles.  A set of 2" risers, Murph's 6-degree wedges and some better grips have solved most of that issue (heal of my throttle hand still gets sore after awhile).  The wedges made the biggest difference by far.  I have a Rosta CC to install this winter so that should finally eliminate the sore hand issue completely.

The other big change (for me) was the windshield.  The 08-09 had a shorter windshield and resulted in serious buffeting no matter where I set it (I'm 5'11 btw).  Ended up getting a VStream shield from National Cycle and really like it, but I would like it better if it were an inch or two shorter.  When all the way down the air stream hits me right about mid-visor and causes some turbulence, so  I usually have to keep it up a little which means minimal air-flow when it's hot and muggy out.

One other fitment issue I've had is that after about 3 hours in the saddle my right hip will cramp up.  I attribute this mostly to my long legs (34" inseam), the stock peg location, and a past motorcycle related hip injury.  I will likely get some lowered pegs from Murph's this winter and also plan to add a set of Ronnie's highway pegs to let me change position and hopefully eliminate the cramping.  

As for the seat, I'm usually good for about 200 miles before my butt starts getting the hot spots.  I did get a sheepskin for it, but after 200 miles I'm usually ready to stretch my legs anyway so it's not really an issue.  

[exbanditrider]

Not keen on the peg lowering myself - they can be dragged even in the stock location when pressing on...

[falcofred]

I've have not ridden a 14 for hundreds of miles, but when I did ride a friends I felt very comfortable on it immediately, comfortable enough to ride it quite quickly in the twisties.
For a big big that I was not familiar with I felt quite comfortable riding at an fairly aggressive pace right away.
In contrast I road a loaner Triumph Sprint GT this past weekend while my bike was getting a service bulletin performed and it took a while to get used to the Triumph in the turns.