Who thinks Kawasaki will upgrade the C-14 engine to the ZX14r in the future?

[Ninjawarrior]

In order to sell more units with this economy, I think Kawasaki will upgrade the Concours in the future to the advanced ZX14r engine because of the power, torque, and reliability it is proving itself to be.  It is a drop in fit, so no major mods will be required for fitting.

They will detune it as it is about 195 HP stock on the 14r as they have on current models.  1441 CC will be more fun  to drive in the twisties and when it gets a high performance exhaust system.....it will be an even better beast.

Ninja

[Cablebandit]

No

[2RR2NV]

didn't know that Kawi was having problems selling C14s. personally, until Yamaha comes out with a better FJR, Honda builds a better ST, and Suzuki actually builds a comparable ST, i don't think Kawi has anything to worry about. Sure, putting the new engine would definitely make the C14 even better, but why spend the money for changes to an already successful model. it's actually on my list of possible next bikes when we get back to SD so my Honey can be comfy while touring.

[sammyseaman]

I have no opinion on this. I just like your avatar  

[esqualey]

I have no opinion on this. I just like your avatar  

This ^^^  

[Mortech]

I spent 30 minutes riding a C14 during Kawasaki Demo day event on the 9th . Lack of power or engine responsiveness  is NOT an issue with this bike , I see no reason for the so called upgrade . Also wouldn't this cut into the bike gas mileage ?? As it is my older C10 has nearly a 100 mile longer cruising range than a C14 . Also here in WA state the dealers are selling the C14 for $2k over MSRP and they are flying out the doors ..

[Cablebandit]

 Also here in WA state the dealers are selling the C14 for $2k over MSRP and they are flying out the doors ..

GADZOOKS!  I guess people are afraid to travel a little to save thousands over there on the left coast.  I think mine was about 3500 below sticker when I bought it.


But yeah, it doesn't need more power.  It could use more range as it is and less weight.  Other than that the only thing people seem to be clammoring for from the factory is cruise control, but that can be added with a kit fairly easily.

[PatM]

I doubt they will. It recently went through a redesign already.
The ZX has to compete with the the Busa for the king of the road title.
The C14 has no such competition, even if you compare it to a BMW K1600 GT.
IMO it would be a big expense for not much more sales.

[Ninjawarrior]

The ZX14r engine bike has 3 adjustable power modes you can select from from hi performance to a fuel economy mode.  So if you want to get high mileage all you do is push a button to get it.....no big deal..to have all that extra power is worth it.

If everyone thinks it is adequate...why does everyone install a high performance exhaust, PC, and Hi perf filter.......??

If it is fine, why is everyone spending an extra 1500.00 to give it more power?

Ninja

[PatM]

The ZX14r engine bike has 3 adjustable power modes you can select from from hi performance to a fuel economy mode.  So if you want to get high mileage all you do is push a button to get it.....no big deal..to have all that extra power is worth it.

If everyone thinks it is adequate...why does everyone install a high performance exhaust, PC, and Hi perf filter.......??

If it is fine, why is everyone spending an extra 1500.00 to give it more power?

Ninja

Owners may want more power, mostly down low. Nothing wrong there.
Not sure if MamaKaw has the incentive to do so. That's all I'm sayin'.

[Roadhound]

Probably not,  36month unlimited mileage warranty on the C-14, only 12 months on the more highly stressed ZX14R engine.

[Cablebandit]

Probably not,  36month unlimited mileage warranty on the C-14, only 12 months on the more highly stressed ZX14R engine.

And you can keep adding 36 months.

[jfusaro]

Its a sports tourer why would they want to its a rocket ship as it is

[Ninjawarrior]

Because it sells more motorcycles!  It is a no brainer......you provide a product that is cutting edge that no one else has, and they are gonna line up for it....everyone is piping, PC, airfilter etc to make it stronger....why not buy it that way off the showroom floor?

Then after you get it home and you want the space shuttle...then pipe it, PC it and HP air filter...etc.......bigger is always better....

Kawasaki can't leave this bike in current configuration other than changing paint every year.  They must do something dynamic to get the attention of the public who ride motorcycles...must have a better, badder, faster, safer motorcycle to stay in business and sell more units.  Everyone knows all bikers like horsepower....the more the merrier, and if you have great suspension, reliable engine and transmission, comfortable seating, ABS linked brake that are powerful.....other than cruise control coming from the factory...these are the things we look for to go  visit the bike shops and figure out how we would look driving that shuttle!

If you go into combat do you want a 44 magnum or a .38 Special?

You don't always need it...but it sure is nice to know it is right there....

Do you want a racehorse.....or a shetland pony??

"A man has to know his limitations."  Clint Eastwood....1977!  For those who don't want more power.......

Ninja

[Cablebandit]

 

[coucours grad]

Lets look at the history of Kawasaki Sport Touring.


   In 1986 the C-10 Concours was released....it wasnt the fastest or the prettiest but until the competition put out sport toureres of their own it was in a class of its own.


   So, ignoring all of the owners, they did nothing about the buzzy motor,marginal brakes and  left the suspension as is....In fact, they changed NOTHING on the bike till the 1994 model when they gave it different marginal front braking, changed the front wheel bearings/fork that noone was having any trouble with (I put 141k on my 92.....I loved that bike), changed the marginal front brakes with marginal front brakes and let it RIDE unchanged again till the 2007 year when They skipped a model year and released the C-14 for 2008.


    They flirted with the ZZR12 (I regret not buying one)...NEVER updated the ZG1200 and let it die a long overdue death.....Then replaced it with a VTWIN????


    I dont think you'll see any major changes to the C14 till sometime around the 2021 or 2022 model year if history is any indication.....


    JMHO YMMV

[Kneescrubber]

In 1986 the C-10 Concours was released....it wasnt the fastest or the prettiest but until the competition put out sport toureres of their own it was in a class of its own.

Are you forgetting that BMW had introduced the K100 four years prior to this?

[kwb377]

Kawasaki can't leave this bike in current configuration other than changing paint every year.

Not familiar with the C10, are you?  

 

+1

[ConPilot1]

I think we have a troll here folks.

[Ninjawarrior]

The C-10 is ancient history like the Mercury space capsule in the 1960s,.........then the C-14 came out.....the Space Shuttle on Steroids.....that is the bike and model we are talking here about.....

Performance, safety, engineering, better brakes, more comfort alway improving the breed.

If they institute it ...it will be detuned, milder cam, maybe lower compression.....so they can still offer the 3 year warranty.

Brock has tuned the 14r engine stock now to 227 HP on the dyno, without Ram Air!

If and when Kawasaki goes to 1441 CC's, then they will have the ultimate Sport Tourer, and keep it Number 1!

No major manufacturer can afford to sit back and wait for things to happen or watch things happen.....they need to MAKE things happen!

You snooze.....you lose, simple as that.

Kawasaki will also provide an economy setting and a performance setting like they do now.....milder cam and compression....so it will still be capable of decent mileage.  My 14r in economy mode gets 52.2 mpg at 70 mph now and has 212 HP at the wheel, my Goldwing does not get that kind of mileage on regular gas, but it only has 5 speed tranny, and 6 cylinder engine.

Having both power and economy modes really sets this bike apart from the competition, so if they increase the stoke/power it makes an even great machine....better!!


NJW

[Roadhound]

If they institute it ...it will be detuned, milder cam, maybe lower compression.....so they can still offer the 3 year warranty.

and if they do all that, you HP geeks will be pissing and moaning about it being detuned.

I'd like to see big K do something about the styling, that thing is one ugly sumbeach.

[Cablebandit]

 

[kwb377]

My point about the C10 is that Kawasaki tends to get their investment back on tooling costs, especially on a model that still sells OK (in the case of the C10) or is still selling well (C14).
But OK, you win...they need to add 50 HP to make it a decent bike. Happy now?  

[Ninjawarrior]

That was a tough sell job.

[coucours grad]

Are you forgetting that BMW had introduced the K100 four years prior to this?

Yes, And there is no ill will nor is there any cslight intended.... In fact, now that I think about it the K100 started all of this.... Another Great old bike!

[coucours grad]

The C-10 is ancient history like the Mercury space capsule in the 1960s,.........then the C-14 came out.....the Space Shuttle on Steroids.....that is the bike and model we are talking here about.....

Performance, safety, engineering, better brakes, more comfort alway improving the breed.

If they institute it ...it will be detuned, milder cam, maybe lower compression.....so they can still offer the 3 year warranty.

Brock has tuned the 14r engine stock now to 227 HP on the dyno, without Ram Air!

If and when Kawasaki goes to 1441 CC's, then they will have the ultimate Sport Tourer, and keep it Number 1!

No major manufacturer can afford to sit back and wait for things to happen or watch things happen.....they need to MAKE things happen!

You snooze.....you lose, simple as that.

Kawasaki will also provide an economy setting and a performance setting like they do now.....milder cam and compression....so it will still be capable of decent mileage.  My 14r in economy mode gets 52.2 mpg at 70 mph now and has 212 HP at the wheel, my Goldwing does not get that kind of mileage on regular gas, but it only has 5 speed tranny, and 6 cylinder engine.

Having both power and economy modes really sets this bike apart from the competition, so if they increase the stoke/power it makes an even great machine....better!!


NJW

Its not about biggest bestest fastest its about sales numbers.....Profit margins and stock dividends.....



    And I mingt be wrong.....2019 is about right.

[Kneescrubber]

Yes, And there is no ill will nor is there any cslight intended.... In fact, now that I think about it the K100 started all of this.... Another Great old bike!

To be fair, this is what started all this.



Still one of the best designed fairings ever.  

[cruisin]

To be fair, this is what started all this.



Still one of the best designed fairings ever.  

AH yes, the R100RS THE father of sport touring.    well done Kneescrubber!!

A friend of mine used to own this one:

[Joey Stalin]

The C-10 is ancient history like the Mercury space capsule in the 1960s,.........then the C-14 came out.....the Space Shuttle on Steroids.....that is the bike and model we are talking here about.....

Performance, safety, engineering, better brakes, more comfort alway improving the breed.

If they institute it ...it will be detuned, milder cam, maybe lower compression.....so they can still offer the 3 year warranty.

Brock has tuned the 14r engine stock now to 227 HP on the dyno, without Ram Air!

If and when Kawasaki goes to 1441 CC's, then they will have the ultimate Sport Tourer, and keep it Number 1!

No major manufacturer can afford to sit back and wait for things to happen or watch things happen.....they need to MAKE things happen!

You snooze.....you lose, simple as that.

Kawasaki will also provide an economy setting and a performance setting like they do now.....milder cam and compression....so it will still be capable of decent mileage.  My 14r in economy mode gets 52.2 mpg at 70 mph now and has 212 HP at the wheel, my Goldwing does not get that kind of mileage on regular gas, but it only has 5 speed tranny, and 6 cylinder engine.

Having both power and economy modes really sets this bike apart from the competition, so if they increase the stoke/power it makes an even great machine....better!!


NJW

Since the C14 is already better than the FJR and ST1300, why aren't you over in the Honda and Yammy forums clamoring on and on about how those guys need to get off their ass and do something? ST1300 came out in what, 2002? Same for FJR? If and when those guys update their bikes, then Kawi can do what you suggest.

[Ninjawarrior]

The ST1300 is a heavy heavy sport tourer.  Predicated on comfort, not performance.

Yamaha sits on their butts wondering what the hell is happening?

Kawasaki is taking point and showing the world what they can do and are doing it with a 3 year factory warranty standard, 6 speeds, and electronic speed controls for more fuel economy.

So some people are happy with status quo.....some people want to achieve greatness and not sit back on previous successes.  When you snooze in the motorcycle industry.....you lose...

I have two C-14's and a new ZX14r...why....because next to the Goldwing...which I also have, these are the two very best bikes that keep a smile on my face when I roll on the throttle!

NJW

[ConPilot1]

I have two C-14's and a new ZX14r...why....because next to the Goldwing...which I also have, these are the two very best bikes that keep a smile on my face when I roll on the throttle!

NJW

Well, 2 C14's a ZX14, and a Wing. The C14 sucks so bad you went and bought another one.

With 4 killer bikes and the blonde in your avatar you've obviously got some scratch to play with.

 I feel badly for you that can't find anything else to do besides sitting here bitching about bikes and nitpicking on what's universally accepted as one of the prime ST bikes on the market.

[Cablebandit]

Kawasaki makes a great product ... paint is flawless,

This invalidates the rest of your statement.  Mine has the worst paint I've seen on a bike.  Look at it wrong and it scratches/chips.  It's really one of my gripes about the bike.  I've flipped my Vstrom upside down off road and the paint was pristine when I sold it.  The C14 had many scratches from the 3 hour ride home from the dealership.

[Joey Stalin]

The ST1300 is a heavy heavy sport tourer.  Predicated on comfort, not performance.

Yamaha sits on their butts wondering what the hell is happening?

Kawasaki is taking point and showing the world what they can do and are doing it with a 3 year factory warranty standard, 6 speeds, and electronic speed controls for more fuel economy.

So some people are happy with status quo.....some people want to achieve greatness and not sit back on previous successes.  When you snooze in the motorcycle industry.....you lose...

I have two C-14's and a new ZX14r...why....because next to the Goldwing...which I also have, these are the two very best bikes that keep a smile on my face when I roll on the throttle!

NJW

Ok now I'm convinced you're either trolling or just stupid. Because now you are agreeing with us that the C14 is superior to the Yammy and Honda, therefore doesn't need to be upgraded. And also because you own two C-14's.  

[coucours grad]

" Goldwing performs better then the St1300"????



   Now I know your full of shit.



   

[2RR2NV]

" Goldwing performs better then the St1300"????



   Now I know your full of shit.



    

well, since he didn't specify WHAT aspect of a GW performs better than an ST1300, i figured he must be talking about storage.....   right?

 

[coucours grad]

well, since he didn't specify WHAT aspect of a GW performs better than an ST1300, i figured he much be talking about storage.....   right?

 

I'll give him that!!!

[2RR2NV]

anything that needs electric reverse doesn't sound like an advantage... sounds like a fat pig.  

had a chance to ride a GW, sat on it and thought...  umm...  i don't have a big enough garage.

[Cablebandit]

Well that explains why a member here had to lighten his load when he flew out west and rented a Goldwing.  It didn't have as much storage as the Concours.

[kwb377]

Like I said, a man has to know his limitations.

What the hell does that have to with whether or not KHI should stuff the 14R engine in the Connie?

What's with all the out of context "catch phrases" in all your posts?

And you sing the praises of how superior the Connie is compared to the competition (I agree), yet continue with the fanatical insistence that Kawasaki must overhaul the bike to keep it competitive...ever thought that maybe the engineers that devolped it know the torque limitations of the shaft drive in order to keep it reliable? And it's so woefully underpowered that you bought two? I can understand having two different bikes for different moods/uses, but two of the same bike?

[kwb377]

You single-handedly sold 138 C14's in 2008? That's gotta be some kind of record.

And then personally bought one just to demo to customers?  

This truly makes my head hurt...I'm out of this one.  

[2RR2NV]

What's with all the out of context "catch phrases" in all your posts?

some people don't have much imagination..... using other well known phrases makes it easier....  

"good, ...  bad, ...  I'm the guy with the gun."

[alsride]

I have a 2011 C14 and use it for touring, the bike is awesome. I had a 2006 Wing, it was a great ride but I wanted to get a bike that was had better handling and a weighed a whole lot less. The C-14 fits my needs and I don't need more power, what I need is cruise control and maybe a heated seat for the cool mornings on the west coast.

[Kraz]

I can see the OP's point.  I'd for the ZX motor.  Fuel economy would come with maps and a retune (I hate the word detune - you're not losing power - your shift it to make it more useable).  Tooling costs might be a wash as they are already set up to make the motors for the ZX's... just different cams and new maps on the ZX's ECU.

I don't know all the ins and outs, but seems like a easy choice.

That being said, I don't care that much either way - I still want one.