Im starting to have second thoughts about a c14

[556ALPHA]

I think you meant 2010.  The 2010 and 2011 are essentially identical.

Maybe I am wrong but I thought the Rotor part numbers changed on the 2011??

See post 29 in this thread:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1587.15

Maybe some clarification in this thread:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1388.msg13973#msg13973

[jjsC6]

If everyone only bought motorcycles (or cars) that don't get multiple complains on forums we'd all be riding horses and complaining about all the **** in the street.

Mine has 23,000 miles on it and it's only been in for a rear tire pressure replacement due to a dead battery.  I have a friend who picked his up at the same time and his has only been in for the exact same thing. 

BTW, people looking into FJR's say the same thing about the concerns brought up on the FJR forum.  I had one with 44,000 miles on it that never had a single thing go wrong. 

[curly]

This bike doesn't require any more maintenance than any other bike. The hang up for most is the cost of maintenance especially if you don't feel confident doing the work yourself. In the South a typical valve inspection/adjust will run $400-$600 because of the time involved. Chicken scratch compared to what the beemer boys will pay but still alot for a Kawasaki.

[GVmerle]

To address heat issues, I have never noticed engine heat on my legs from my 2011 model, it's like riding my Goldwing as far as heat.  Great bike. 

If you really like riding a Yamaha Roadstar, you might not like a Concours.

[Bob]

 The C14 is a great bike and I do recommend it. But in it's present form, no I probably would not buy it again.  You have to buy what you feel comfortable with. If your not comfortable buying another C14, don't! What's right for us pin heads on here may not be what's right for you. But your the one who must make that decision. So is the C14 right for you, not us?

[Mighty]

Honestly, I prefered my 06 FJR1300.  Fit and finish was a little nicer, it was more comfortable, wasn't hot and came stock back then with ABS.

[Bob]

Honestly, I prefered my 06 FJR1300.  Fit and finish was a little nicer, it was more comfortable, wasn't hot and came stock back then with ABS.

Believe me, I totally understand! 

[shreveportSS]

Honestly, I prefered my 06 FJR1300.  Fit and finish was a little nicer, it was more comfortable, wasn't hot and came stock back then with ABS.

Blasphemy!     J/K

Have you taken a ride on a 2010+?
I rode both. the FJR and the Connie. FJR was too small which probably biased my opinion right away, but the Connie just has more umph.

[shreveportSS]

If you go to any bike specific internet forums, you would have a hard time believing motorcycles actually run.  I moderate a Yamaha 2 stroke sight and right now the first two pages are  "problem posts"  In reality, these bikes are as reliable as anvils, but people just dont post about nothing noteworthy.   Posting "my 2006 yz 250 is running well, no problems...etc", will not happen..its boring.

Many casual users of the motorcycle find the forum when a problem surfaces.  Also, problems on the net are never owner related.  Its easier to post, "my ignition quit working" than to post "I used a tire iron to remove my flywheel."

See post.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2716.0

[Awaz]

I would say 2010 is the magic year. 2008 and 2009 seems hit or miss with the heat issue. I know I got some on my 2008, to which I did a ole bubba style fix and it has not troubled me since.
When I was hunting around, I was really after a BMW. But after looking at the price and finding out how I will have to survive on noodles for the better part of my life, I decided to go after, as someone nicely put it, the poor man's BMW. I will buy a connie again if I ever had a need, but a 2010 or after.

[shreveportSS]

I would say 2010 is the magic year. 2008 and 2009 seems hit or miss with the heat issue. I know I got some on my 2008, to which I did a ole bubba style fix and it has not troubled me since.
When I was hunting around, I was really after a BMW. But after looking at the price and finding out how I will have to survive on noodles for the better part of my life, I decided to go after, as someone nicely put it, the poor man's BMW. I will buy a connie again if I ever had a need, but a 2010 or after.

But now there is the BMW K1600GTL. 

[Mighty]

Blasphemy!     J/K

Have you taken a ride on a 2010+?
I rode both. the FJR and the Connie. FJR was too small which probably biased my opinion right away, but the Connie just has more umph.

Yes I have.  Fit and finish still isn't there. I do agree on the size.  I'm 6'3" and the Kaw fits me better.

[ZG]

 

[Jaxter]

Maybe the old poker saying applies...study long, study wrong. Go with your gut feeling, but give the bike fair shot. Yes I would buy the concours all over again, that is to say that it would be number 1 on a list of 1.

[Mighty]

Let me clarify; because of my size I would buy one again.  But I would have gone black instead.

[CrashGordon]

But I would have gone black instead.

Now you're talkin'!

[B.D.F.]

Wow, up to three pages already.

I guess I would buy another one but only if I was going to stay pretty close to home. There is no way I would even consider taking a C-14 a long way from home, nearby service, or into desolated areas..... in the dark..... in the rain. No way.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1441.0

Brian

<snip>

I guess what Im asking is, If you had to do it again,  Would you?    Thanks   Murph

[booger]

Lining my seat in lead as we speak, thanks. 

I thought that stirring in my groin was love of my C-14.  Now I find it was just my testicles roasting?

[ZG]

I would buy one again.  But I would have gone black instead.

Good recovery...   

[NDCUNIONGUY]

Murph,

My three cents:  You must have a visceral or emotional reaction to your next ride.  Otherwise, just get a Vespa and have a nice day.  I say this based on having had a burning desire for the original ninja, then buying a new '86 model, enjoying it (sometimes illegally), realizing it needed to be green and 94 horses weren't really setting the world on fire, getting t-boned by a ford ranger, not buying another ninja, finally trolling craigslist for the damned things and finding an original '84 in super shape for a pitance.  I tried buying practical and economical bikes and found that they bored me to tears and they stayed parked a lot.

My Connie ('08) is definitely the best bike I've had so far and I would buy another if that becomes a necessity.  I originally wanted a K12GT, but after reading up on them and then testing several I discovered that airbox/stumble/crappy running issues were real and I wasn't going to buy into that money pit.  I do like the K12's ergos (bars/grips/mirrors) a little better and the cruise better still, but my Connie has more pop so I can't complain...much.  The K16 does appear intriguing but it weighs how much? 

What has been your favorite bike and why?  Maybe that will help with your deliberations.

The heat and jewel roasting/irradiating issues are minimized if you ride hard quickly.