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