Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: sche202460 on January 09, 2015, 04:44:50 PM

Title: Eco indicator small one
Post by: sche202460 on January 09, 2015, 04:44:50 PM
Just got bike back from shop. Had gear indicator replaced, working fine. Now small ECO symbol stays on while bike moving. Not larger one that mode controlled at handlebar. It rarely came on before. Can not make it go off except at stop. Any thoughts......thanks
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 09, 2015, 08:20:05 PM
Are you talking about the three-ring triangular Eco riding indicator?  That will normally be on all the time when you are riding economically (not gunning it).  It can't be disabled or turned off.

The other indicator you are talking about (also stupidly labeled "ECO" but rectangular) is the FEAM status.  Fuel Economy Assistance Mode.  That can be turned on and off via the handlebar control.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: sche202460 on January 10, 2015, 06:42:39 AM
Yes the small three one. Rarely came on till got back from dealer. Going to call them later to see if they may have done additionl work other than replace indicator switch. Question answered by shop. They added fuel system cleaner, apparently short term deal with sensor and should clear up when add gas.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 10, 2015, 11:34:51 AM
Yes the small three one. Rarely came on till got back from dealer. Going to call them later to see if they may have done additionl work other than replace indicator switch. Question answered by shop. They added fuel system cleaner, apparently short term deal with sensor and should clear up when add gas.

Well, the ECO indicator should not be affected by fuel system cleaner.  It is computer controlled and I believe it is just based on throttle position/RPM/gear.  If your gear indicator was wacky, THAT could possibly cause the ECO indicator to not be on as often as it probably should have been.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: jimmymac on January 10, 2015, 12:03:41 PM
I usually clear that up with a twist of the wrist to the stop. 8)
Take that, tree huggers! ;)
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: connie_rider on January 10, 2015, 12:11:18 PM
New guy on a C-14, so correct me if I err.

If it rarely came on previously, it was not working right.
(Probably because of the gear indicator problem).

If it is currently (on when cruising, and goes off when you do an accell), it is correct.

Ride safe, Ted
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 10, 2015, 12:30:37 PM
It should come on whenever you are cruising, and go off when you do an accell.

If it stays on most of the time and goes off when you accell, it is no correct.

I think your last two lines directly contradict each other (I assume the last "no" = "not").  Generally, most of the time on motorcycles is spent cruising.  So the first line said it IS normal for ECO to be on during cruise and off during acceleration.  The second line says it is NOT normal for ECO to be on during cruise and off during acceleration. 

Could just be that last "no" wasn't meant to be in there at all?
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: EZ on January 10, 2015, 02:11:23 PM
I think the "no" should be now. Then c_r would be correct...
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: connie_rider on January 10, 2015, 02:39:27 PM
Oops, thank you!
I re-worded it.

See if I got it right this time.

Ride safe, Ted
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 12, 2015, 05:58:02 AM
I have split off the non-Eco stuff into another thread/topic.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=18754.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=18754.0)
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: TallyRex on January 12, 2015, 06:58:06 AM
I think that indicator is total useless BS bling.  When you're on the throttle hard it's off and when you're not it shows.  Do we really need  an indicator to let us know when we are using more gas?
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 12, 2015, 07:00:52 AM
No.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: clogan on January 12, 2015, 09:19:21 AM
I think that indicator is total useless BS bling.  When you're on the throttle hard it's off and when you're not it shows.  Do we really need  an indicator to let us know when we are using more gas?

ECO mode indicator: Just one more thing to totally ignore.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 12, 2015, 09:42:04 AM
I think that indicator is total useless BS bling.  When you're on the throttle hard it's off and when you're not it shows.  Do we really need  an indicator to let us know when we are using more gas?
The EPA, etc, believe we do.  Next step will be for the bike to automatically kill the throttle input when the indicator goes OFF, in a government effort to save the planet.  could happen.   Remember K cars and 90HP Chevys and Fords of the 80's, along with 55MPH highway speeds?
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: Rhino on January 12, 2015, 10:23:30 AM
The EPA, etc, believe we do.  Next step will be for the bike to automatically kill the throttle input when the indicator goes OFF, in a government effort to save the planet.  could happen.   Remember K cars and 90HP Chevys and Fords of the 80's, along with 55MPH highway speeds?

That was the 80's. Now it would be a recording GPS (think fed gov version of On-star) with a gas guzzler tax that would charge by the mile and the speed complete with LEO remote shut down.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 12, 2015, 10:34:39 AM
That was the 80's. Now it would be a recording GPS (think fed gov version of On-star) with a gas guzzler tax that would charge by the mile and the speed complete with LEO remote shut down.
  Totally believable, seeing the changes with our country since we started all the hope n change stuff.  Progressive has that plug in thing that monitors one's driving habits, so what's to stop the gubment from mandating something similar on all vehicles. . . ?
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: gPink on January 12, 2015, 11:36:51 AM
You probably have a black box data recorder under the seat of your car.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 12, 2015, 12:00:01 PM
You probably have a black box data recorder under the seat of your car.

It's a Scion XB. Not much need  for anything connected with speeding with this one.. ;D  tp
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 12, 2015, 03:35:52 PM
I think that indicator is total useless BS bling.  When you're on the throttle hard it's off and when you're not it shows.  Do we really need  an indicator to let us know when we are using more gas?

I couldn't agree more.  It is pretty much just a silly concession to the "green" political correctness movement.  I think most everyone knows that if you keep the rpm lower and don't accelerate hard, it is going to use less gas.

At least it isn't in your face, can't "break", doesn't add any cost, and doesn't add any weight.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: martin_14 on January 12, 2015, 04:30:11 PM
At least it isn't in your face, can't "break", doesn't add any cost, and doesn't add any weight.

I admire your optimism.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 12, 2015, 04:32:16 PM
I admire your optimism.

I was choosing to ignore Murpy's Law.  I suppose it COULD break, if somehow the trace on the LCD panel were damaged...
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 12, 2015, 04:49:05 PM
I was choosing to ignore Murpy's Law.

Murphy has followed me where ever I have gone or done, my entire life.  Examples, recently lost my job, and both my computer and dryer quit within a week.  Murphy is a Mofo, for sure. Always optimistic, though.  Borrowed a computer and hang my clothes up to dry.  Still no job, though.  Hopefully by February...   
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: Rhino on January 13, 2015, 01:22:44 PM
Murphy has followed me where ever I have gone or done, my entire life.  Examples, recently lost my job, and both my computer and dryer quit within a week.  Murphy is a Mofo, for sure. Always optimistic, though.  Borrowed a computer and hang my clothes up to dry.  Still no job, though.  Hopefully by February...

Sorry to hear about your job. I can relate. In Nov 2013 after 26 years at the same company I lost my job. I had to move from Colorado Springs to Austin but was able to find a great job at Apple. So my advice is search aggressively, use your contacts, be willing to move and hang in there.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 13, 2015, 01:46:28 PM
Sorry to hear about your job. I can relate. In Nov 2013 after 26 years at the same company I lost my job. I had to move from Colorado Springs to Austin but was able to find a great job at Apple. So my advice is search aggressively, use your contacts, be willing to move and hang in there.

Thanks, man.  I hear ya. Led to believe I had a job in February, guy told me last night it's now just a maybe.  Probably time to start Social Security soon, while there are checks still being sent. 

Back to the eco indicator, my 08 doesn't have it.  I do wish it had the eco mode selector, though.  Hear that mode increases mileage, without changing riding habits.  tp
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 13, 2015, 03:30:02 PM
Back to the eco indicator, my 08 doesn't have it.  I do wish it had the eco mode selector, though.  Hear that mode increases mileage, without changing riding habits.  tp

It is FEAM (Fuel Economy Assistance Mode) or "FEA" mode selector, technically (not that it matters, everyone just says "eco mode").  It does improve economy slightly- by about 10% or so based on past general feedback from the members.  To me, it is not enough to really care one way or the other about but I suppose on really long trips it might help with overall expense a little.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 13, 2015, 03:44:41 PM
It is FEAM (Fuel Economy Assistance Mode) or "FEA" mode selector, technically (not that it matters, everyone just says "eco mode").  It does improve economy slightly- by about 10% or so based on past general feedback from the members.  To me, it is not enough to really care one way or the other about but I suppose on really long trips it might help with overall expense a little.
Thanks.  Even with a 5 MPG improvement, it adds almost 30 miles to a tank.  After a while it's like a free fill up.  On my 08, riding sanely, I get around 42MPG.  Against the wind at 80+, down to around 37.  Still better than my XB, that's for sure.  Around 25-40%. . .tp
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: jimmymac on January 13, 2015, 05:22:57 PM
I have a PCV that leans it out just about everywhere across the board, so I don't bother with the second map for fear of running too lean. I never noticed much difference in mileage when using it on trips before mapping it. I've never seen my mileage average above 35 MPG. Usually 32.something.
I've burned a tank of fuel in an hour in the Texas Hill Country. She was pinned most of the time, with my Wife on the back. ;D
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: maxtog on January 13, 2015, 05:58:52 PM
I've never seen my mileage average above 35 MPG. Usually 32.something.

Wow- my typical is the same as Tomp's, around 42MPG.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 13, 2015, 06:05:00 PM
I have a PCV that leans it out just about everywhere across the board, so I don't bother with the second map for fear of running too lean. I never noticed much difference in mileage when using it on trips before mapping it. I've never seen my mileage average above 35 MPG. Usually 32.something.
I've burned a tank of fuel in an hour in the Texas Hill Country. She was pinned most of the time, with my Wife on the back. ;D

You one bad azz on that 14.  Worst I've ever gotten is 36.8MPG.  Not a lot of fill up spots out there, especially on the Sisters.  Last time there, was on a loaded Road Glide.  Dam near scraped the floor boards off the bike, keeping up with my friend on his RT.  Don't  kid yourself, an RT will kick butt on a C14 in the twisties.  I know, have had three, and still have one. 
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: elp_jc on January 13, 2015, 06:32:39 PM
It does improve economy slightly- by about 10% or so
I bet it's a lot less than that. Vehicles already run borderline lean due to emissions regulations; basically negligible, as several owners have stated. Plus it's overridden above 30% throttle, 4K rpm, and forgot which other parameters, so on a trip, it'd rarely kick in anyway.

Hey Tomp, so the RT has better cornering clearance than the C14? I had a 2014 RT that gave back to BMW due to the recall. Took it to the twisties once, and could take them as fast as on the sportier K1300S, with both almost dragging pegs the way I like to ride on the streets. I remember my 2007 FJR touching way earlier, but with the new Gen3, that supposedly got better. Hope the C14 is more like the RT and less than the FJR... although on most comparos I've seen, the C14 is slammed as the worst handler (and heavy-steerer) of them all, and the Gen3 FJR as the best. Who knows. Let me know your more detailed impressions:). Thanks.
Title: Re: Eco indicator small one
Post by: tomp on January 13, 2015, 07:38:54 PM
I bet it's a lot less than that. Vehicles already run borderline lean due to emissions regulations; basically negligible, as several owners have stated. Plus it's overridden above 30% throttle, 4K rpm, and forgot which other parameters, so on a trip, it'd rarely kick in anyway.

Hey Tomp, so the RT has better cornering clearance than the C14? I had a 2014 RT that gave back to BMW due to the recall. Took it to the twisties once, and could take them as fast as on the sportier K1300S, with both almost dragging pegs the way I like to ride on the streets. I remember my 2007 FJR touching way earlier, but with the new Gen3, that supposedly got better. Hope the C14 is more like the RT and less than the FJR... although on most comparos I've seen, the C14 is slammed as the worst handler (and heavy-steerer) of them all, and the Gen3 FJR as the best. Who knows. Let me know your more detailed impressions:). Thanks.
Had an 03RT, a 12RT, and now an 04RT, in fact, the one I could not keep up with on the Sisters. Traded my 12 and its payments for the 04. RT's are much easier to take through the twisties than the 14.  May be the tire size and profile differences, but the 04 is such a neutral handler at speed, any top end loss is made up in the turns.  I still like riding the 14 more, but we don't have really twisty roads in my locale.  Heard the FJR is still a little buzzy, and limited with a 5 speed, but I would like to ride one a while to see. 

The '14 Buy Back, was not BM's fault, but the shock mfgr's.  They recalled 8800 bikes and took back most, because of the problem.  Something hardly any other company, bike or car company would do.  Many took the new shock, and all has been good for them since then.  Never got to ride a 15, but customers raved about them.  tp