Thinking of buying a new 2012 Kawasaki Concourse

[mbishara]

Hi two years ago I was new and worried about the type of bike that I should buy. Too many people advised me against the Ninja 1000 and I followed the good advice.

I purchased a GSX 650F. Great bike. Loved it. But when I take my wife on ride the bike is a little bit harder to handle and I can just imagine a trip from Montreal to NYC doubled up and fully loaded. The bike may strain a little bit. I'm sure that it can handle it but I also like my comfort as well as my wife's comfort or else she'll never agree to go on a long ride again .

That being said I am totally comfortable riding a motorcycle now and I'm not a speedster. I like the leisurely rides more than the knee dragging.

I absolutely love the looks and specs of the new Concourse. It's got a lot of the amenities such as the keyless system, electric adjustable windshield, heavier so good for touring, the bag set that just works better than buying bits and pieces from the after market, heated grips and general look and feel of the bike.

I'm sure that it would make for a good stable tourer. But we do have three children so touring cannot happen every weekend. Maybe only a couple of times a year.

My question is this. Is this too much bike for the city? I live in a suburb of Montreal, Canada so I'm not talking inner city Montreal (but still go there often enough).

I want a good tourer that can also be used as a daily bike and I hope that this is the one.

Any advice out there?

[Stripes]

The C-14 is nice. Have you checked ot the Triumph Sprint GT?

[mbishara]

Interesting. It's a smaller bike. How does it compare while touring? I assume that it's more manageable in the city. But does this mean that the Concourse is too much bike for the city?

[Cablebandit]

Concours. I sold my vstrom about a year after buying the Concours. I think I rode it 3 times in that year.

The C14 is heavy around town, but you get used to it.

[Mastros2]

What about another recommendation, upgrade your suspension.

Spend $1500 and your bike will handle 2up just fine. Your 650's engine will have enough umph to move you to two but stock suspensions are really weak out of the factory. It is one of the areas manufacturers skimp on to keep bike prices low. Find an independent suspension shop and they will transform your bike.

If you are past that and looking for a new to you bike, the c14 is really popular here and there is a reason for that.

[mbishara]

That's a great idea. But so far my suspensions do not seem to be taxed. I mean I roll over the potholes well and there's no bumping or weaving or swinging.

What would a suspension upgrade do?

I was thinking of a more powerful bigger machine mainly for comfort. The GSX 650F can do the job but I assume that the Concourse 14 can do the job better right?

But if it's too big for the city then that defeats the purpose because I do a lot of that as well....

If a suspension upgrade will give me a smoother ride then this is a great idea....

[Max Wedge]

Want something a little lighter and still good 2-up? Look at a BMW R1200RT. It also has heated seats and cruise control. If you find one without the radio package and with dealers getting in the 2013's, the price can be pretty close.

[mcrider007]

I have C14 and a FJR and while the C14 gets ridden 3X the miles as the FJR, the FJR is my choice when riding two up or in town.  It carries its weight lower, has a lower and longer seat, and is much easier for a passenger to get on and off.  The 2013 FJR is being called a GEN 3 model which is driving down the value of the GEN 2 models.  If you want a new one, pay the premium for the 2013 model over the leftover 2012s which are selling for big discounts; if you want to save money and buy used, look for a 2008 or newer model.  Overall condition and extras are more important than mileage.

[PatM]

The Concours 14 is a fine bike for two up touring. If comfort is your primary criteria, get a custom saddle. Your SO will appreciate.
For around town, well, it's a big, top heavy bike. You just need to get used to it.

[mbishara]

I must be crazy. I went to my friend who has a dealership and I couldn't resist it. Talk about impulse buying. Now I have to break the news to my wife since my new year's resolution was "no impulse buying for 2013".

Honestly speaking though many people come on the forum attempting to justify their choices. I am one of those guys. As long as the choice is a safe one (then I guess that's ok).

I Liked it so much that I just couldn't help it. The main lacking item was the lack of cruise control but I still wanted it. Sometimes a machine just talks to someone while you're sitting in it. He has a big warehouse garage and I tested it at slow speeds and it just felt right.

I know I may have gone too quickly and I may regret it later in but at 44 yrs old I might as well make the mistakes while I can still enjoy it .

I got it fully loaded including the side bags for under $15K CAD which is a pretty good price. Not a steal but fair enough. That's the thing with impulse buying. You never get the steal of the century.

I think that this is a good enough bike for me for a while (I hope). Maneuverable enough for the city and good enough for the open road. Just not as good as other bikes dedicated exclusively for those individual functions.

[Cablebandit]

Now I have to break the news to my wife since my new year's resolution was "no impulse buying for 2013".

Good thing it's still 2012.  


You're going to love it.

[cornercarver]

I think you are going to be very happy with your purchase. Wether two up or solo it is a great bike. 

[Kazairl]

Not bad. I personally would have gone for the green one next to it.    


   The C14 is top heavy no doubt about it. However, as long as you are doing everything you're supposed to then it shouldn't be a problem.  Just remember that the C14 will demand a much stricter adherence to proper form than the smaller lighter bike will let you get away with.

[DkKnight]

Very nice bike - love the color!!
Have fun - I enjoy mine, best bike I've had.

DK

[ssbraun]

Congratulations!  I bought the same bike in August...same colour too  
I've done quite a bit of "around town" riding, and a trip about 2500 miles.  It's sooo sweet...not as fast as my old '07 Gixxer 1000, but still plenty fast and nice handling as well.  Merry Christmas to you!  My matching 47L trunk with backrest arrived at my house today...Merry Christmas to me lol!!

Cheers!  

[2RR2NV]

Not bad. I personally would have gone for the green one next to it.    

i tend to agree

[mbishara]

Yeah the green one was a nice bike as well . But I was looking for something that Incan double my wife or son for longer than a couple of hours at a time on a highway.

Their comfort is essential to them wanting to ride with me in the future.

[Thunderbox]

So quit thinking and do it.  Who really gives a rats behind what anyone else thinks about the bike.

[Cablebandit]

So quit thinking and do it.  Who really gives a rats behind what anyone else thinks about the bike.

Um, you do realize he already bought it?  

[bluedogok]

Congrats, I bought one in the same color in May, it replaced my 2000 Triumph Sprint ST. I added the topcase off the Sprint (Krauser K5) and need to order a Sargent seat, the wife liked the one that I had on the Sprint. I haven't found much else that it needs as of yet.