Kawasaki Concours reviews

I've come to appreciate her finer details; handling and acceleration. She is a fine piece of work. I was at my dealer to replace the front tire (Florida roads take a toll on the rubber) and I am happy to report not one service-related issue. My Connie has run, stopped and zipped on command. It is truly a masterpiece of technology. I have her stock except for the taller windshield from Cee Jay. I use her for a daily commute of 100 miles roundtrip. I average 38 mpg. Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I roar... on my Connie ride, the lousy drivers I dodge and I've missed all the speedtraps too... so far.
I know, keep my day job! Drive safe out there. Show less

This is the best all around bike I have owned since 1964, the year of my first bike. 700 mile days are no problem; wind and rain are no problem; and MPG is good for a bike like this. The magazines talked about engine heat but there is very little. With boots on it is not felt. I feel sorry for my dealer as he will not be able to sell me a new bike for a very long time. Show less

This bike is so smooth if you want to just lay back and do 45 to 55 on a two lane or if you want to do interstate riding or need to pass someone. It is unbelievable how powerful and smooth this bike is. I've had several BMWs, a st1100, and a 1997 Concours. This 2008 Concours gives you the best of sport touring as far as smoothness, comfort, power , handling, and the best warranty available at a very reasonable price and the dealers do discount that price. I'm 58 years old and do a lot of day rides that are between 200 and 300 miles. I owned 4 motorcycles during this last year and rode a total of 13000 miles (7500 of the miles were on the Concours 14). If you want a sport touring bike that performs excellent in all areas , is super smooth at all speeds, has unbelievable power and acceleration at all speeds, and is super comfortable buy one, you won't be disappointed. And with the money you saved by not buying the other brand, you can spend it on important stuff like all that good home cooking the small town restaurants have. Show less

I grew up riding dual purpose and standard motorcycles before taking a break from bikes for about 10 years. Finally got back on them two years ago (sorry I waited so long) by getting a '98 Honda Shadow ACE 1100. While it's a nice bike, I was not really sold on the cruiser riding position. About a year later, I decided to get something a bit bigger, a '04 Honda VTX 1800C. Another nice bike, but very heavy with the same marginal riding position. I had to get rid of it because it was hurting my knee when I had to move it around. I looked around and found a 2005 Concours with 1600 miles on it - practically new! Took it out for a 250 mile ride the next weekend, and fell in love with riding again. I love the riding position, the touring capability, the power, and the handling. I won't ever go back to a cruiser. Show less

I purchased the first 1986 Concours to come to our area (then I lived in Rochester, NY) at its introduction. The Concours will always be one of my favorites. From weekday commutes to 200 mile after work jaunts to 500 mile a day travel, this bike never let my wife and me down. A Targa windscreen improved the helmet buffeting. A Corbin seat, comparable to the current model stock seat, made the bike more comfortable. Johar superbike grips eliminated the minor buzz at high revs. Progressive suspension fork springs firmed the front end and improved ride quality and handling. Large fuel capacity paired with good fuel economy means you'll travel a long time before needing to stop for fuel, and the bike is more than comfortable enough to accommodate that. It is also more than capable in the twisties with a comfortable riding position. This is one great all around motorcycle! Show less

This is my third Kawasaki motorcycle. Previously I have owned a 1974 H2 750 and a 1977 KZ1000. Yep, I rode that KZ1000 for about 30 years. I am probably not the greatest reviewer since I have not been riding newer bikes and the technology leap was HUGE. Let's start out with the negatives: My front wheel pressure sensor has never worked. Oh well... They have a new one at the service dept. waiting for me. that's it. The positives: (I have done a little experimenting)
1. FAST... 1st gear at 10,000 RPM is about 70 mph. Yes, it will definitely pull the front wheel off the ground accelerating in first gear. I have had it to about 125 mph with the front window up, very smooth. It put a BIG smile on my face. The 1400 ninja must be the true death machine!
2. FAST... ABS brakes are a beautiful thing! I was on a nice straight away with nobody around. I was doing about 100 mph and grabbed a handful of front and back brake. This bike stops fast. No skidding, and it goes straight as an arrow. The hardest thing about stopping is holding on.
3. Handling - Very nice. This is a 619-pound bike that handles like a smaller bike. The suspension on this bike is huge and is easily adjusted (no tools-easy to reach dampening). I ride it soft since I live about 1.5 miles off the pavement. My dirt road has potholes, loose gravel, hills, ruts, off-camber etc. I feel like a dirt bike rider standing on the pegs on some parts of the road. The tires on this bike are low profile and do NOT like the obstacles. But... this is a touring/sport street bike and was not meant for this. I only mention it because it's how I use it. This bike is a true joy and eats up the road. I am looking forward to putting some long rides in. This is what this bike is all about. I never thought that I would buy a touring bike but this is the best of both worlds! T.C. 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

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