Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: freebird6 on August 01, 2012, 02:03:21 PM

Title: zx14 tourer
Post by: freebird6 on August 01, 2012, 02:03:21 PM
stopped at a  Waffle House and got a look at this zx. This fellow had been thousands of miles on this from AZ to Deals Gap. Mid 50's with our typical "American" physique. Looks like fun but watching him roll out up US 33 I thought I kind of like my position on the Connie a bit more than I might on this one for thousands of miles. NIce look and he certainly had modded it up with a bunch of stuff ranging from Clear Alternatives rears and Two Brothers stuff to the aftermarket touring bags. I really liked the bike and admired his zeal for long extended trips on this beast.  Looks to me like he better take a minute and start looking for some new rubber in the not so distant future

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/311641_10150985487865098_2136388779_n.jpg)
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: jjsC6 on August 01, 2012, 02:35:25 PM
That's amazing.  When I first looked at it I thought is was a Concours with some ZX14 parts bolted on.  After looking closer, it resembles a ZX14 with some Concours stuff bolted on.  That is one slick looking ride.  Thanks for posting.

Jim - you should have left this in the other section for a couple of days - more folks will see it and think it's a modded Concours at first look.
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: sherob on August 01, 2012, 02:39:31 PM
I had a friend who converted his Busa into a tourer... Corbin bags... expensive!
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on August 01, 2012, 02:50:58 PM
I have a buddy that has a ZX-14 with Givi saddlebags and the quick release brackets.  He can haul everything he needs then throw the whole kit in his hotel room and go haul ass. 
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: VirginiaJim on August 01, 2012, 02:52:33 PM
Jim - you should have left this in the other section for a couple of days - more folks will see it and think it's a modded Concours at first look.

Nah, it belongs here....
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: freebird6 on August 01, 2012, 03:30:09 PM
I had a friend who converted his Busa into a tourer... Corbin bags... expensive!

He said these were Corbin made also . Interesting in my eyes as my 35 inch inseam loves the connie. His 30 incher looked right at home here. Wonder what kind of gas mileage he gets?

Sorry Jim about the placement.
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: Rasmith on August 01, 2012, 03:36:31 PM
Guy did a great job on it..I had to do a double take myself
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: maxtog on August 01, 2012, 03:37:26 PM
To me, there is more to having a Sport Touring bike than just slapping on a few hard bags and some simple farkles like grip warmers.

The Concours already *is* a ZX14 tourer.... with proper touring body positioning, shaft drive, and tons of modifications that go along with being a touring machine (which I need not list).
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: freebird6 on August 01, 2012, 04:00:40 PM
To me, there is more to having a Sport Touring bike than just slapping on a few hard bags and some simple farkles like grip warmers.

The Concours already *is* a ZX14 tourer.... with proper touring body positioning, shaft drive, and tons of modifications that go along with being a touring machine (which I need not list).

YOu are correct *I * was the one who called it a tourer. I think he just needed the bags to get from twisty road to twisty road. I am not sure of an alternative title I could have used though. Suggestions? zx14 bagger?
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: sherob on August 01, 2012, 04:07:35 PM
The term I see used for these, Hyper Tourer.  8)
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: Scaffolder on August 01, 2012, 07:43:32 PM
I like it. It needs shaft drive. I like top loading hard bags.
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: Pokey on August 01, 2012, 07:58:15 PM
Looks cool! :thumbs:
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: Kazairl on August 01, 2012, 10:15:19 PM
The Corbins are the best looking but man are they pricey. And the last road trip I took on my ZX14 was about 4k miles and I think I averaged anywhere from  36-38 MPG. The one day I think I spent mostly on the Interstate I did at least 40. That is my fault though as it is hard to let all 170 HP sleep without poking it. Having gone from the C14 to the ZX14 I can say there a quite a few differences. Some good some bad. I'm happy I made the switch though.
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: JeffM on August 03, 2012, 01:05:03 AM
That's a really nice looking bike. He did a great job.
Title: Re: zx14 tourer
Post by: stevewfl on August 03, 2012, 07:44:25 AM
I had a ZX14 and would rather use a sport-tourer for trips.

chain.

horrid gas mileage.

low clip-ons (vs, our handle bars) causing a huge bent over lean angle. even the after market risers I've seen for the Zx14 still cause a long reach.

legs bent too aggressively, rear sets too hi.

lack of wind protection.

won't hon't hold enough fuel for the gas mileage/very frequent stops required.