Kawasaki Concours reviews

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.

I bought this motorcycle to commute 180 miles a day. At first I thought I would have to upgrade the windshield and raise the handle bars, but after three hours a day for three weeks, I love the way this bike is set up. Yesterday we had some crazy storms where there were 50mph wind gusts and rain the whole way to work and back. The Concours was so well behaved. The heated grips are amazing. I love the tire pressure monitors. The wind protection is perfect. For most rain, you dont even have to wear rain pants. The fairing provides protection for your feet and legs even through large puddles. The fuel mileage is great, albeit, the tank should have more fuel capacity. I have to watch the throttle hand to make the trip all in one tank. Also, for a not so utilitarian comment, the bike is fast. I mean legitimately fast. The bike does a great job in helping you go fast under control. The linked brakes are great and work well with the ABS as I found out hard braking from 90mph to 30mph on I95. After spending some 40 hours on the bike so far, I'd like to remove the power reductions in the high RPM's and low RPM's. The throttle is a little jerky from on to off as well. It took some time to learn how to shift smoothly. From what I hear, all this can be remedied by an ECU flash. Over all, a beautiful, fast, comfortable, capable bike.

I bought this 2003 Concours for my first bike at the urging of several people. The bike was a little top heavy and challenging in low speed turns but I quickly overcame that. I used it for commuting to/from work which was 110 miles round trip. It's a nice comfortable ride with adequate power on tap. I averaged 40 mpg. at 80 mph. The only real problem I had was even with the fuel valve in reserve mode, the bike would occasionally die after riding 170 to 200 miles. I finally attributed this to fuel starvation after visiting several forums and eliminating all other causes. I put a fuel pump in line with the carbs and tank and the problem went away.

This is my second Concours, first one was a 1991, red. I now have a 2000 repainted in blazing flame blue, (Ford F150 colour). I have enjoyed both bikes. It has a great touring range. I have gotten between 500 and 600 km. per tank. I would recommend this bike to anyone over 5' 10. It is a tall bike and top heavy.

I have had two street bikes so far a 1983 Honda 650 Nighthawk and a 2001 Kawasaki Concourse. I put 172k on the Honda when I bought the Kawasaki. It now has 86,335 miles on it and have loved every mile. I put bar risers on it and F1 exhaust pipes. I have even run it down the drag strip/eight miles only. It ran 7.80's and beat a few 600's. I have taken it cross country 600 plus miles a day. Other than a few oil leaks and the clutch slave leaking and the cams wearing out all under warranty, it's a great bike.

I bought my 99 in 2001 w/2614 miles on it. Have ridden nearly 53k miles over the last 8 years. Mostly trouble free, extremely reliable & cheap bike to own. I ride all year round & the fairing offers exceptional protection from the wind & elements, though there is a lot of helmet buffeting w/stock shield. My only complaint is that routine maintenance is a pain w/all the plastic to disassemble. Easily the best of the 6 bikes owned over the past 25 years (84 Kawi 440, Maxim, 88 Yam Virago, 89 Yamaha Venture Royal, 94 Magna & wife's 05 Vstar 650)

I bought this thing last year and I am impressed with it. There's a reason why this bike has been around so long. Loads of power and a comfortable ride.

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!

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.

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!