Author Topic: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow  (Read 3116 times)

Offline Ndulucky13

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New member from Cedar Rapids Iowa I own and operate a small motorcycle repair business and up until now I've had a 94 GL 1500 that I'm looking at trading out for a 2012 c14 police version 34000 miles. I was hoping to get some input on whether the police version is a good buy or not. 

Offline Ndulucky13

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2018, 01:14:20 PM »
Some pictures

Offline just gone

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2018, 01:36:11 PM »
I'm afraid I'm not much help as to whether it's a good deal or not...however my main concern with a police version would be how it was driven. That is would the clutch in a police scenario at 34,000 miles more resemble a touring scenario at say 175000 miles? I dunno...but maybe some actual police officers or ex officers can shed some light?

Offline connie_rider

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2018, 04:46:37 PM »
Your moving too fast.Before you buy!!  Check the COG Forum, Craigs List, etc to compare prices.

I know the police versions have some differences than the regular Connie's.
I am not sure what those are.
If they have differences, it may be good or it might be bad as parts could be harder to find.

But, the most difficult thing in answering your question is; we don't know the price you would have to pay for this bike?


Currently the motorcycle market is down. It is VERY easy to find a good price Connie.
  Also (because of the market) it is EZ to find a good price on a Connie that has lots of Farkles already added.
     ie; Seat/windshield/improved power programming, etc etc..
          I'm almost certain that a stock bike {with a Flash} would offer more torque/power than the police bikes.
             {Because the Police are adding these Flashes to their bikes to improve their power}..

Bottom line; Because of all I said; Unless this bike is an "extremely" good deal, I would opt to buy a stock Connie.

Ride safe, Ted





Offline gPink

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2018, 05:18:00 PM »
"Bottom line; Because of all I said; Unless this bike is an "extremely" good deal, I would opt to buy a stock Connie."

^^^^^^What Ted said.

Unless you have service/maintenance records, you are probably going to start off doing a valve lash check/adjustment.
There is also a good chance the wiring harness has been molested adding cop stuff which you may or may not have to remove.

Let us know which way you go.

Offline Ndulucky13

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2018, 05:31:05 PM »
If I buy it tomorrow I'll be paying $4,650 for it and it comes with a new clutch kit from Kawasaki police crash bars new tires front and rear a whole bunch of other new goodies it already has a Corbin seat on it and bar risers and a different windshield looks like from the pictures

Offline gPink

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2018, 07:05:35 PM »
Buy it if you want it. If it rides out ok you can't get hurt at that price.

Offline MAN OF BLUES

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #7 on: June 18, 2018, 07:42:24 PM »
best to do some research on the departments "outfitter", meaning what company originally outfitted that bike, for all the additions and electrical loading placed on it during service.
there wer a couple specific outfitters, that installed stuff, willy nilly, and ran a ton of extra wire, and the end results were the downfall that caused many departments to "blacklist" the C14 as a service machine. It was a fine machine, the issue were the add ons, and manner they were installed, and rendered enough of them into a "dangerously non functioning" machine, by the manner they were modified.
It's really a shame some departments made poor decisions, and chose outfitters that made extremely poor decisions, which caused a big black eye on the C14, with regard to a police bike.

46 YEARS OF KAW.....  47 years of DEVO..

Offline Ndulucky13

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #8 on: June 18, 2018, 08:51:20 PM »
Here's what the title says
I appreciate all the help guys I read all the threads about the cop versions I could find

Offline Rhino

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #9 on: June 19, 2018, 08:33:08 AM »
Clutch would be my greatest concern. My understanding is that police in the city, slow maneuvering live in the friction zone of the clutch.

Offline Rubber_Snake

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #10 on: June 19, 2018, 10:12:49 AM »
best to do some research on the departments "outfitter", meaning what company originally outfitted that bike, for all the additions and electrical loading placed on it during service.
there wer a couple specific outfitters, that installed stuff, willy nilly, and ran a ton of extra wire, and the end results were the downfall that caused many departments to "blacklist" the C14 as a service machine. It was a fine machine, the issue were the add ons, and manner they were installed, and rendered enough of them into a "dangerously non functioning" machine, by the manner they were modified.
It's really a shame some departments made poor decisions, and chose outfitters that made extremely poor decisions, which caused a big black eye on the C14, with regard to a police bike.
:goodpost: Excellent advice!  Another thing to consider is the whether the police department is a municipality or highway patrol type of enforcement.  34,000 miles on a city police enforcement bike is HARD on the drivetrain, suspension and motor.  Even in the highway patrol, we rode our bikes hard almost all of the time.  You’re chasing speeds, accelerating hard off the shoulder and occasionally doing some off road riding.  Considering that it’s a 2012, I suspect it was a city bike.  Unless you have some insider info regarding the upkeep of the bike, I would stay clear of it.  There could be problems down the road. 
2009 GTR 1400 ABS, 48k miles, AMSOIL synthetic 10W-40 (since new), AMSOIL synthetic 75W-90 final drive (since new). Helibar Horizons, Oxford heated grips, V-Stream windscreen, Mountain Runner Flash, Brian’s low fuel eliminator farkle, ST2 smart brake module and smart turn system, Two Brothers Black Series M5 w/P1X decibel killer.

Offline jimmymac

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2018, 01:36:09 PM »
Here's what the title says
I appreciate all the help guys I read all the threads about the cop versions I could find
Seymour HWY?
Are you serious?
Go see more HWY with that thing!!!
The grass isn't always greener.

Offline Tree

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #12 on: June 19, 2018, 02:01:49 PM »
You mentioned that you own/operate a small motorcycle repair business yes?  Get the bike and take it in the back and tear it down.  Remove all of the police wiring and put it back together.  IMHO, and based upon what I've read, the electrical problems created by the installation of police gear are why most municipalities bailed on the Connie.  Remove that potential problem and see how she does.  Easier said than done, I know.

Offline Ndulucky13

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #13 on: June 20, 2018, 06:35:55 AM »
Alright guys I went and bought the motorcycle last night after getting the advice from you guys to check out the city mechanics reputation I called down to the shop that sold the bike originally in Texas the shop owner knew the city mechanic said he had been a motorcycle mechanic for about 25 years and was very good on keeping up with scheduled maintenance.  So at that point I felt a bit better about it and decided to pull the trigger I left Cedar Rapids around 3 p.m. and returned around 2:30 a.m. quite a long night last night but worth it. The bike seems very nice took it on a 20-minute test ride with the owner included with the sale I got OEM Kawasaki clutch plates steel and fiber enough to do two clutches brand new Kawasaki rotors both front and rear brand new brake pads all around police crash bars for the front and a brand new rear tire. All of this for 4650 I feel like I got a decent deal.  Thank you guys again for all the advice
« Last Edit: June 20, 2018, 07:34:11 AM by Ndulucky13 »

Offline Rhino

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #14 on: June 20, 2018, 08:06:27 AM »
Alright guys I went and bought the motorcycle last night after getting the advice from you guys to check out the city mechanics reputation I called down to the shop that sold the bike originally in Texas the shop owner knew the city mechanic said he had been a motorcycle mechanic for about 25 years and was very good on keeping up with scheduled maintenance.  So at that point I felt a bit better about it and decided to pull the trigger I left Cedar Rapids around 3 p.m. and returned around 2:30 a.m. quite a long night last night but worth it. The bike seems very nice took it on a 20-minute test ride with the owner included with the sale I got OEM Kawasaki clutch plates steel and fiber enough to do two clutches brand new Kawasaki rotors both front and rear brand new brake pads all around police crash bars for the front and a brand new rear tire. All of this for 4650 I feel like I got a decent deal.  Thank you guys again for all the advice

Congrats! Enjoy the new bike!

Offline jimmymac

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #15 on: June 20, 2018, 10:22:08 AM »
Sweet!
No matter how hard they rode it, they couldn't hurt it.  8)
The grass isn't always greener.

Offline Daytona_Mike

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #16 on: June 20, 2018, 08:46:12 PM »
You got a great deal!!  Congrats and enjoy. Hang out and read up- for that matter Join Up.  We would love to see your bike!!
If you still have fuel in the tank, you are not lost yet
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle

Offline Ndulucky13

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #17 on: June 21, 2018, 10:50:41 PM »
I definitely think I'll stick around I do have a question for you guys though with the purchase of the bike and all the other goodies I got I got some front crash bars which appeared to be Police Issue because one of them has the ability to hold a shotgun I'll post pictures of them installed on a bike is anybody running these?

Offline gPink

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #18 on: June 22, 2018, 05:57:35 AM »
The bars are probably from MC Enterprises. http://www.mcenterprisesusa.com/home.html The front bars are affectionately known as 'bathroom bars'. Many folks are using the Canyon Cages on the front with the same rear bag protectors you've got.

Offline connie_rider

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Re: New member need help possibly buying a police version c14 tomorrow
« Reply #19 on: June 22, 2018, 07:20:37 AM »
Here is another discussion from a person that bought a police version.
Maybe you two can compare notes...

Ride safe, Ted

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=23511.0;topicseen