Kawasaki Concours 14 reviews

This bike is well thought out and designed. It's reasonably comfortable, handling inspires confidence and it is very smooth (70 mph;3500rpm). Below 4000 rpm it has been neutered but that is easily fixed with a power commander, a tre, and sub throttle plates removed. Show less

Like many other riders out there I had my eyes on her when she come out the first time in 86, after the first test ride it was love at first sight. Like many other riders at the time I was raising a family and working hard as a steelworker.....my hours where dedicated to work and support the best way possible my family but never for one moment I felt less for her. As the time went by I discovered that the bike was still there in production and after so many years I wondered into a Kawasaki dealer to only find out that 2006 was the last year of this bike being made. Something inside of me went funny and then I wrote a letter to my kids explainning that I see no reason why I should not buy her. Made my last will and went to buy it, sometimes I wonder if it will be my last bike (I have owned a few in my life time). I have not been this happy in a long time, it has calmed my soul just to know that she is near by (garage) and she is always ready to ride with out any notice or prep, yet the carry on power is excellent (I have the extra bag in the tail). I believe this bike is down to earth in more ways than you can mention and also hope to take the journey of my life in a not too long future. So far this bike has excelled all my desires and expectations, the power is there and as well is the looks. I took my grand kid for a ride in the country side and she was as natural on the bike that it made me think of her as part of the family. Show less

Found this bike by accident. wasn't really looking for a sport tourer. First ride felt top heavy, and sluggish, coming off high winding Hondas. But each day ridden, this big old babe worked on me. Soon I found that perfect balance round the tight bend by my house. Never wind it past 4000 and you have the smooth old mans bike your gramps rode. Comfortable, smell the daisies loping ride as the Ninja mill rumbles and whines like a small jet. Coming home from work one evening, some teenager passed me on a double line, in some econobox. Just for fun, I cranked the grip to the stop, no gear chage, and the Kwakerbird rocketed, surging through 100 mph, smmothly passing the startled kid, I let it wind to redline, and by now 120 easy. Wow. I let Mr. Hyde out of his box! Rock solid handling with the new Dunlops, even in the wet, and one of the best fairings in the business with a near buffetless Rifle screen. A Washington downpour had me hardly wet behind the sleek screen. Learn slow speed handling, dropped her twice. No complaints about instant starting, or slick gearshifs. Or any mechanicals at all. The motor has a great sound you will start it just to hear it run. Do the carb balance and the balance shaft, and then forget about what you read, there is no buzz. don't look for BMW fit and finish, not at this price. Who cares? 45 mpg, huge bags that swallow a full face helmet, shopping, and even stuff from the hardware store. don't bother taking off the bags for canyon strafing. Flies great with them. You don't see yourself coming and going. Not a ton of them out there even after 20 years. Harleys are smoked anytime you want. Squids on sportbikes can't believe you are still on their tail. Do the carb top mods, (a cheap gain of 10 hp,) the stainless brake lines, and the bigger handle for centerstand lifting. Join the Connie owners club. Dr Jekyl will treat you as gently as you please, but Mr. Hyde will scare the living daylights out of you if you let him out. The stealth bomber for the bike world! Show less

I ride my bike on average about 300-400 miles a week as a commuter! It has plenty of power and I really haven't noticed much in the buzz department. Only complaint I have is the paint at the side fairing seams are beginning to bubble. The dealer had not seen this before... I had to replace the coolant overflow tubing. It was touching the headers and leaked 2 qts of antifreeze out one day. NAPA had the tubing and in less then an hour and some antifreeze, I was back on the road. I wish it had self adjusting valves though! Saw the new Concours 14 and the first thing I thought was who designed that HUGE muffler!!! I plan on keeping this thing for many years to come... Show less

Amazingly smooth power delivery, very easy power delivery and silky smooth ride make it the easiest bike to ride I've ever been on (THAT covers nearly every sport bike out there, old or new). Until you get past 6 grand, that is. WOW does it pull hard (a bit faster than the 'Busa and 06 GSXR 1000) but it does it SMOOTHLY!! The best part is its handling. My friends 636 Ninja could only barely out corner me on slow speed corners, not a chance on high speed ones. Brakes are awe inspiring, I see why they are rated best ever by most magazines. Awesome bike, but it gets really hot in traffic. It's normal, but needs to be fixed with second fan. But wow is it smooth all around! Never get rid of it. Show less

I bought my ZX-14 for one purpose, TO EAT HUYABUSAS! I rode nothing but Kaw's my whole life. I love the fact that I can easily intimidate 99% of anything I pull up next to. Acceleration is neck-snapping and handling is silky smooth. I can't express enough how I love to pull up to any GSX-R and eat it for lunch. 4 times already I've tried to get a Busa to run me but they just either give the hi-5 thumb, nod, or just wave me off. When they see that ZX-14 enblem, any GSX-R owner is totally intimidated. So if you are the type to want to totally run any crotch rocket pack you run with, get a ZX-14. Kawasaki put a lot of thought into this bike. It shows as soon as you see a 5 mile patch of straight real estate. Just twist throttle and hang on for dear life as everything flies by you as fast as the millenium falcon in hyper-space. But like I said I'm pro Kawasaki. I'll never have anything bad to say about their bikes - EVER! Show less

The original shield was too short for me so I replaced it with a Cee Bailey's vented shield and raised the bars and lowered the pegs. The riding position was vastly improved. The oem rear tire lasted me 2 years and I replaced it with the same brand/type. Ride and mechanicals were great. I took 2 long trips and it rode and handled well. This bike is an excellent blend between sport and touring and was as much at home in town or on the twistys as it was on the highway. Anyway, for someone looking for a commuter that's also a lot of fun on the weekends and can definitely keep up with the big boys, this bike is an excellent choice. All of the rider modifications to change the rider position have been done. Show less

What a deal! This proven 20+ year bike is everything I hoped it would be. At first I thought it was a dog compared to my FZ6. But this old girl has some amazing power. It's loaded with extras and being the last model year, I'm all smiles. My wife is very happy for the comfort too. We plan on having some great trips this fall into the New England states for the beautiful fall colors. Show less

I've had a few motorcycles about 25 years ago. A KZ500, CB750F and KZ750. I have not ridden since then. I owned a 2005 Chevy Colorado 4X4 Crew and was really throwing a lot of money away on it. After reading about the ZX14 MONSTER, I decided that I wanted one NOW! I went to the dealership on 07/20/2007 and checked one out. 2 Hours later I rode a blue one off the lot. All I can say is GOOD LORD! This machine is a true piece of artwork and a true precise machine. I only have 250 miles on it now, but even keeping it below the 4,000 RPM level, it is a beast waiting to be unleashed. I love it and the power is awesome! GREAT MACHINE. Show less

WOW. I am a former Gold Wing owner. I recently decided to move to the sport bike industry, and test drove a ZX-14 that belonged to a friend of mine. After 1 mile, I wanted one, and HAD one three days later! A great price for an 07 special edition I couldn't pass up. I must say, that I was totally caught off guard by the sheer, raw, power that this monster has. The first time that I unleased the ZX-14 on the open highway, I had not clue that I was easing along at 145mph until I looked down. Now, being a police officer, this was very cool but very unbecoming! I pulled over to the side of the road and just sat there, saying wow. This animal is a true marvel of technology, and a total blast to own. The low end RPM's allow for easy city driving, but once you get past the 6,000rpm range, you better be strapped in. You should definitely own one...Six Flags cannot compare! Show less