Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: dxr on June 24, 2019, 08:46:30 PM
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i just picked up a 2014 Concours 14, and i've got a couple real basic questions about it.
1) there is a screw hole in the bottom of the glovebox, but when i pulled the fairing piece w/ the box, there was just an open hole under it, is there supposed to be a grommet or something there?
2) Im missing 2 or 3 of the rubber grommet pieces that the innerfairing screws go into on the upper fairing, wheres a cheap place to source them?
3) the Previous owner wired in a garmin mount, and it appears to be hardwired into a wire cluster in the left side of the fairing in front of the glove box. whats the best way to remove this? cut the wires and cap them? it appears to be hooked to some stock circuit? (photos attached)
4) i have this odd round disc bolted around the gas cap, no idea what its for, any ideas? (see photos)
5) Whats the best option for fairing protection? (crash bars/sliders/etc?)
6) Are there any options for raising the seat slightly or lowering the pegs about an inch?
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Welcome!
I can help with some of those.
1) It looks like the brass thread has come out of the wellnut. That will be a larger one than the fairing screws.
2) Ebay. Buy a box of them and only screw them up gently. Genuine ones are pricey.
3) They are the factory accessory wires. It is safe to just unplug them.
4) That's a tank bag fitting.
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5) Whats the best option for fairing protection? (crash bars/sliders/etc?)
https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/ (https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/)
I just got these installed on my 16 model.
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5) Whats the best option for fairing protection? (crash bars/sliders/etc?)
https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/ (https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/)
I just got these installed on my 16 model.
[rg-racing AB0002BK]
Interesting. Haven't seen those before. Too bad it looks like they are only front/side and no rear option. I have the MC Enterprises Canyon Cages front and rear, which I think look better (and protect bags too). Unfortunately, they have closed down production, so it is nice to see alternatives for other and new owners.
Looks like Revzilla did or will carry them https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rg-racing-adventure-bars-kawasaki-concours-2010-2015 (https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rg-racing-adventure-bars-kawasaki-concours-2010-2015) Same with Twisted Throttle: https://www.twistedthrottle.com/r-g-adventure-bars-kawasaki-gtr1400-concours-12 (https://www.twistedthrottle.com/r-g-adventure-bars-kawasaki-gtr1400-concours-12)
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Welcome!
I can help with some of those.
1) It looks like the brass thread has come out of the wellnut. That will be a larger one than the fairing screws.
2) Ebay. Buy a box of them and only screw them up gently. Genuine ones are pricey.
3) They are the factory accessory wires. It is safe to just unplug them.
4) That's a tank bag fitting.
That's what I need to know. How important is that glovebox wellnut? My bike doesn't have anything under there, just a frame piece with a hole which I'm guessing was supposed to house it.
Are the wellnuts/ rubber grommet nuts a fairly standard size?
Also, i want to get a slightly louder exhaust, nothing too obscene, but more than stock. Is delkevic a decent brand for that?
Finally, is there any consensus on what's the best LED headlights? I had upgraded my old Harley to LEDs, and after having that for years, normal halogens just don't cut it for me anymore
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The bottom corner of your 3rd pic shows a wellnut in the bracket. Our 2010 is a salvage and the glovebox was already undone, so I can only guess that it screws in there. The small hole forward of that is threaded and I thought it went in there. I won't know for sure until our new fairing piece arrives and we put it back together. I do know that it will rattle if the screw is missing.
My bike has ZX14 headers and a pair of oval stainless Delkevics. I would have preferred something a bit throatier, but I like them and the price was good.
I have a pair of these LEDs. They need loctite to make sure the adjustment stays put. Aside from that they are reasonable as a headlight at night - but during the day nobody can say they didn't see you. Best DRL I ever saw.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-H4-9003-HB2-160W-16000LM-LED-Headlight-Kit-Hi-Lo-Power-Bulbs-6500K-Light/113187344183?epid=6005902335&hash=item1a5a7dcf37:g:~CAAAOSwxHJbaVOe (https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-H4-9003-HB2-160W-16000LM-LED-Headlight-Kit-Hi-Lo-Power-Bulbs-6500K-Light/113187344183?epid=6005902335&hash=item1a5a7dcf37:g:~CAAAOSwxHJbaVOe)
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I got a big bag of those plastic rivets from cycle gear for around $5.
I bought my bike new and it also had that hole in the glove box with nothing in it.
While installing my mccruise ( all the fairing crap was removed ) I sourced a screw and I think one of those thread clips and assembled as such. The difference is that that piece of plastic trim ( that big black thing that holds the glove box) fit closer/ better to the upper fairing.
I’ve never seen that gas tank ring, I guess its sort of a gas tank bib?
If they garmin thing isn’t hard wired , just replace with your phone charger cord.
Buy a Bluetooth helmet for around $200 from Cycle gear and you’ll love it.
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The Delkevic's are a great deal vs the other brands. Others are far more expensive and performance seems to be about the same.
To keep it quiet get the 18" long slip-on. Delk. has recently came out with a full system if your more adventuresome. Less that 1/2 the cost of other systems. {approx; $400 -$500 dependent on which muffler you choose}
Ride safe, Ted
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6) Are there any options for raising the seat slightly or lowering the pegs about an inch?
You can get lower pegs from Murph. There are other options, someone may chime in, but these are available and are good quality.
https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?cPath=130_133&products_id=401&osCsid=800pHkVGH5mIDCWWOlmF2 (https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?cPath=130_133&products_id=401&osCsid=800pHkVGH5mIDCWWOlmF2)
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5) Whats the best option for fairing protection? (crash bars/sliders/etc?)
https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/ (https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/)
I just got these installed on my 16 model.
I like the looks and it's too late to get new Canyon Cages. Do you have to remove the bars to take the fairing off? Thanks.
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dxr, I realized that you said; you just picked up the bike.
I highly suggest; Before you change anything, {particularly seat/footpegs/handlebar location} ride the bike and get used to it.
Ride safe, Ted
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I like the looks and it's too late to get new Canyon Cages. Do you have to remove the bars to take the fairing off? Thanks.
With the Canyon Cages, it is possible to cut on the tabs that holds the "fins" together and with some effort, get that part of the fairing on and off without removal of the bars. Looking at the R&B bars, they are going through the same area. But I can't tell if that cut would allow manipulation enough because the R&B has a VERY different shape and is much further back in the fins. Curious what Z0rr0n's thoughts are on it, but I would guess the answer is "no- bars have to be removed".
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dxr, I realized that you said; you just picked up the bike.
I highly suggest; Before you change anything, {particularly seat/footpegs/handlebar location} ride the bike and get used to it.
Ride safe, Ted
Im not planning to change anything major until August, i just like to obsessively research my options for weeks in advance
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For a louder exhaust then consider an Akrapovic which is excellent although pricey, alternatively a Two Brother system will work but you will need to fit their exhaust tip/sound moderator else it will be LOUD ;)
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Welcome!
I can help with some of those.
3) They are the factory accessory wires. It is safe to just unplug them.
Do i plug them together, or cap em off once I've removed the gps?
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Here's another link for footpegs, driver and highway types...
http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Products/Motorcycle/Kawasaki/Concours-14/Kawasaki-Concours14-Menu.html (http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Products/Motorcycle/Kawasaki/Concours-14/Kawasaki-Concours14-Menu.html)
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Do i plug them together, or cap em off once I've removed the gps?
no, no, no.....
that is a silly question, but NO...
just unplug the 2 connections, and leave them lay, or wrap them in tape if you wish... think about it... you have 2 12v wires there, one is Pos+ one is Neg-.... pluging them together is like connecting a wire between both posts on a battery.. you will burn the bike down.
I really hope you read this before you even do what you were thinking, .. and, I can't fathom thinking that at all anyways.. but... people with out .... do .. odd things....
And, if you did connect them together, and nothing "happened"... and thought, "ok, cool"...(which with the bike Off, would be normal) and then, turn the bike on, and hit the start switch, energizing that circuit.... "Puffff"" and the "magic smoke" is released from the wire...
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Gas tank ring is for a Givi tanklock bag. I have one on my other bikes and just installed it on my C14. My C14 is fairly new to me and I have not had it long. Just installed R&G bars. My bike was ex-police and already had the MC enterprises bars on the rear but the front ones had been removed.
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no, no, no.....
that is a silly question, but NO...
just unplug the 2 connections, and leave them lay, or wrap them in tape if you wish... think about it... you have 2 12v wires there, one is Pos+ one is Neg-.... pluging them together is like connecting a wire between both posts on a battery.. you will burn the bike down.
I really hope you read this before you even do what you were thinking, .. and, I can't fathom thinking that at all anyways.. but... people with out .... do .. odd things....
And, if you did connect them together, and nothing "happened"... and thought, "ok, cool"...(which with the bike Off, would be normal) and then, turn the bike on, and hit the start switch, energizing that circuit.... "Puffff"" and the "magic smoke" is released from the wire...
Every machine is a smoke machine if you operate it wrong enough!
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The positive wire is the one with the plastic shroud over it - so it can't touch anything and the bare one is an earth. It comes from the factory with them dangling like that, just hidden inside the big rubber boot.
There is also another pair just like them under the rear seat, near the ECU.
Its OK MOB. He says he is only researching at this stage. He won't do anything silly until August. ;)
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He won't do anything silly until August. ;)
But, OH MY! The farkle silliness that can ensue at that point...
Nope! I'm not guilty at all..... :o ;D
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5) Whats the best option for fairing protection? (crash bars/sliders/etc?)
https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/ (https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/Kawasaki/GTR1400_Concours/2016/AB0002BK/)
I just got these installed on my 16 model.
How well do the full bars/cages work vs frame sliders?
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How well do the full bars/cages work vs frame sliders?
Much better, from my understanding. Sliders don't offer the coverage, have little ability to absorb energy, and can't spread the load because all the impact goes to single point. Of course, they are also less obstructive, far less expensive, easier to install, and don't interfere with maintenance.
I have yet to see any evidence that, on the Concours, any type/brand/model of sliders will prevent fall-over damage. Yet, there is plenty for the Canyon Cages (both video and testimonials, plus my own experience). But I have also not seen any evidence for any OTHER brand of cages/bars, other than a little on the Top Blocks.
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Remove the black plastic trim that has the glove box, remove and replace the air filter . It’s not much bigger than the one in my lawn mower and there’s a good chance it’s full of crud.
After that, replace the missing screw that goes at the bottom of glove box as your reinstall that trim piece.
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Next questions:
LED headlight bulbs-is there any consensus for what kit is best?
Backup keys, what's the easiest way to make a spare key for opening saddlebags? Can blanks be easily acquired somewhere?
Brakes:. The linked Brake system seems to have a slight jerk to it as it kicks in, is this normal?
Windscreen: with it all the way up, 3/4s of my head is still right in the wind. I have to slouch down n duck my head almost 6"to get out of the turbulence... What's a better solution, a clip on windshield extension vs a replacement aftermarket screen?
Battery: i suspect my battery is getting old, cold cranking sometimes takes more than a second or 2 to kick over. Is there a preference around here for replacement?
Throttle:. I'm still learning the feel of it, but it feels real on/off in the lower rev range, where barely and input at the wrist results in quick acceleration.(look I used to have a Harley I'm not used to having actually power, lol). Some posts indicated getting the ECU flashed can change how it responds, where's a good start to researching this?
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I covered LED previously. I think you should just buy one and try it. Not everyone likes them, but they are all very similar. Apart from colour temperature. Personally, I don't see real good in the blue end of the spectrum, so I try to use ones 6000k or less.
Backup keys can be done at most key cutting places if they have the blank. They come in left and right handed blades and it depends whether your particular machine has an A or B key. My spare is cut from a Yamaha blank.
I can't tell you whether the linked brakes are normal because my bike only recently got them and I'm not sure if I like it or not.
Batteries are another personal preference thing. I just stick with the one in the book.
Ah, the old on/off throttle trick! When I first got mine I thought it was just the way I rode it. A Shoodaben flash fixed that. I think the series 2 bike is a bit more civilised with the throttle, but if you're looking to fix it then Steve Sefsick is your man. You could research it, but unless you're looking for a cheap hack you will find yourself at Shoodaben Engineering.
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Next questions: LED headlight bulbs-is there any consensus for what kit is best?
Too many to know, and they change constantly.... so any recommendation would be meaningless.
Backup keys, what's the easiest way to make a spare key for opening saddlebags? Can blanks be easily acquired somewhere?
Lots of threads on that
Brakes:. The linked Brake system seems to have a slight jerk to it as it kicks in, is this normal?
No. The linking is variable and smooth. You are noticing something else. What, I don't know- unless you are braking very hard and you might be noticing ABS.
Windscreen: with it all the way up, 3/4s of my head is still right in the wind. I have to slouch down n duck my head almost 6"to get out of the turbulence... What's a better solution, a clip on windshield extension vs a replacement aftermarket screen?
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16222.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16222.0)
Battery: i suspect my battery is getting old, cold cranking sometimes takes more than a second or 2 to kick over. Is there a preference around here for replacement?
There are a zillion threads on batteries, some from just the last month.
Throttle:. I'm still learning the feel of it, but it feels real on/off in the lower rev range, where barely and input at the wrist results in quick acceleration.(look I used to have a Harley I'm not used to having actually power, lol). Some posts indicated getting the ECU flashed can change how it responds, where's a good start to researching this?
Lots of threads. Look at Shoodaben Mountain Runner. And if you then don't think that flashing is enough (which you really HAVE to do if you want the bike to be what it needs to be) then Throttle Tamer.
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Adjusting any slack out of the throttle can also improve things.
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Adjusting any slack out of the throttle can also improve things.
+1. Seems to need adjustment within the first year then, for me, about once every 2 to 3 years.
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I did mine the same day I brought it home.. have'nt touched it since, i could tell in the first 5 minutes of riding the beast, it needed it..
Now... must shut of computer... and get my lazy azzzz 10 feet, and install my "Mountain Runner Premium" flashed ECU...
man, I'm getting sooooo lazy. :'(
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After having taken a few day drips, i do believe priority 1 and 2 might be upgrading the seat and windshield. My legs and butt get sore as hell after about 3 hours on the road. Can't find a good balance with the windshield either. All the way down keeps my head in clean air, but blows alot on my chest, anything above 1/3 up gives me lots of noise and turbulence. With it all the way up, the wind hits right at my forehead. Think I'll wait until after a few winter rides to decide how much more protection I'll need though.
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Can't find a good balance with the windshield either. All the way down keeps my head in clean air, but blows alot on my chest, anything above 1/3 up gives me lots of noise and turbulence. With it all the way up, the wind hits right at my forehead. Think I'll wait until after a few winter rides to decide how much more protection I'll need though.
Not a bad idea. Also look at this:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16222.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16222.0)