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Author Topic: Why so "top heavy"  (Read 5834 times)

Offline KawaC14

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Why so "top heavy"
« on: September 27, 2016, 05:47:12 PM »
Reading the post's on this forum it seems there are some full on master Kawasaki Tech's and a lot of folks with a lot of mechanical expertise. I have owned a few other bikes and ridden a lot more. None seem to have as high of a center of gravity as the C14. What about the design of this bike makes it so "tippy"? The design dosent look like it should be. It doesnt have a huge capacity fuel tank. It doesnt look like it would be. In fact, it looks low, lean and mean. Is it the size of the engine vs. a short wheel base? I dont get it. What do you think, or, what do you know about the design that cause's  this? Thanks. :o
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2016, 07:15:41 PM »
Never had an issue with it.
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Offline DaddyFlip

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2016, 07:42:16 PM »
Boy that was helpful!

Yes, part of the gas tank is under the seat, so that's not it. The engine is really tall in the overall stance and it is a heckuva lump. Look at the naked shot of the bike and you will understand. It's just a heavy bike, but I wouldn't call it tippy.

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Offline Ron Dawg

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2016, 07:44:39 PM »
Somewhere, sometime,  (yeah, that's the one Daddyflip posted) I saw a C-14 with all the body work off. The engine was HUGE and the tank sort of wraps over it and together are probably the problem. Top heavy is also a little subjective and it might be what your mentally comparing it to. I started on a C-10 and that does have a 7.5 gal tank, but weighs less. A Gold wing is quite a bit heavier I think but carries it lower. Otherwise, I don't know, just don't tip it.   :D
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Offline O.C.

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2016, 02:52:17 AM »
The 'Adventure' bikes that I have owned (BMW GSA & Yam Super Ten) are the definition of top heavy....so for me its about how a bike feels when I'm riding it and the GTR (C14) feels to have a relatively low CoG  ;)   
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2016, 03:19:56 AM »
Like others said- the C14 has a huge engine.  16 valve head, variable valve hardware, larger cooling system, etc.  As a sports tourer, it has more dash, all the windscreen hardware/track/motor, larger (but not huge) gas tank, rack stuff on the rear, larger mirrors, hydraulic clutch master, taller/thicker handlebars.  It has a lot of stuff above the "midline", which makes it top-heavy.  When I moved from the ZRX to the C14, it was very obvious how much more top heavy the new bike was.  And just heavier and bigger all over.

It is only a "problem" when moving very slowly, like parking maneuvers (and more problematic for smaller people like me, with short legs).  But once you get moving, that feeling instantly disappears.

And like was also said- "adventure" class bikes are often even worse because they are so far off the ground to make additional clearance.  "Cruisers" are much lower to the ground.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2016, 04:19:07 AM »
Quote from: DaddyFlip on September 27, 2016, 07:42:16 PM
Boy that was helpful!

Yes, part of the gas tank is under the seat, so that's not it. The engine is really tall in the overall stance and it is a heckuva lump. Look at the naked shot of the bike and you will understand. It's just a heavy bike, but I wouldn't call it tippy.

You're welcome.
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Offline The Pope

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2016, 04:32:24 AM »
The engine is also a structural member. Aka... it's part of the frame, so it has to be able to perform that task as well as being the motor.

So.... what have you got against "Top Heavy"? That's how I like for my Ladies to be!  8)
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Offline Hooligan

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2016, 05:00:52 AM »
Quote from: The Pope on September 28, 2016, 04:32:24 AM
The engine is also a structural member. Aka... it's part of the frame, so it has to be able to perform that task as well as being the motor.

Serves 2x purposes.... :thumbs:


Quote from: The Pope on September 28, 2016, 04:32:24 AM
So.... what have you got against "Top Heavy"? That's how I like for my Ladies to be!  8)

O hell YES!!!!   :rotflmao:
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Offline martin_14

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2016, 10:12:29 AM »
as the picture from DaddyFlip shows, the frame goes over the engine, not around. That helps to give it a higher cg, but also reduces with, which this bike needs. As everybody pointed out, it's the huge engine what constraints the possibilities to throw beams from steering head to the hardpoints for the rear tetralever. However, as you may have noticed, all that "tippiness" disappears as soon as it gets going. Parking is a bit tricky, though. However, whenever I switch from a BMW K1600 to this Kawasaki, it feels like a liter bike for a while until my senses re-adjust.
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2016, 06:11:35 PM »
The ZX14 has the same engine, and it feels nothing like the Connie. I'm not blaming the engine.
I own both bikes. I just threw that in there to make people hella jelly. The only time it's been an issue is with a passenger in a parking lot. ;)
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Offline PlaynInPeoria

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2016, 09:09:48 PM »
I think it's top heavy.  When my foot slipped in the garage on a wet spot, it went over quickly and I was fighting carpal tunnel syndrome at the time and the pain kicked in hard and it was all over. It's an absolute joy when rolling though.
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2016, 10:49:10 PM »
Quote from: jimmymac on September 28, 2016, 06:11:35 PM
The ZX14 has the same engine, and it feels nothing like the Connie. I'm not blaming the engine.
I own both bikes.

That is why I gave examples of things that are not just engine in my post.  The ZX14 is certainly more top-heavy than smaller engine bikes, that is for sure.  But the C14 will be even more so because it has even more stuff above the midline.
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Offline DaddyFlip

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2016, 05:24:55 AM »
All bikes are top heavy. It's just that some tops are higher and heavier than others.
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Offline seagiant

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #14 on: September 29, 2016, 10:10:27 AM »
Quote from: DaddyFlip on September 29, 2016, 05:24:55 AM
All bikes are top heavy. It's just that some tops are higher and heavier than others.

Hi,
        Yep!

I love my "Beast"!!!  :hail: :hail: :hail:
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Offline sanmo

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #15 on: September 29, 2016, 10:25:21 AM »
Quote from: VirginiaJim on September 28, 2016, 04:19:07 AM
You're welcome.

And the chorus sings,"It's top heavy cuz it's not a Harley. not a Harley, not a Harley......" :rotflmao:
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Offline KawaC14

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #16 on: September 29, 2016, 05:04:24 PM »
OH MY!!!! Nice pic.
Yeah with all the plastic off I can see why now.....looks like a jet engine with a seat attached!
But she do cruise good. Thanks for the input. :thumbs:
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #17 on: September 29, 2016, 05:54:16 PM »
Quote from: KawaC14 on September 29, 2016, 05:04:24 PM
OH MY!!!! Nice pic.

Yep, I have always loved that stripped C14 photo... the Tetra shaft drive system is awesome looking.
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Offline DaddyFlip

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2016, 06:21:50 PM »
Quote from: maxtog on September 29, 2016, 05:54:16 PM
Yep, I have always loved that stripped C14 photo... the Tetra shaft drive system is awesome looking.

I've always wanted to put a seat pan and forward controls on the nekkid Connie and ride it like a chopper. Can you see it?
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Why so "top heavy"
« Reply #19 on: September 29, 2016, 06:22:37 PM »
No.
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