2012 Kawasaki Concours™ 14 ABS
User Reviews
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King of the Road
By (I am an Owner) on Aug 13, 2015I bought this bike in 2015, brand new. Only way I could ever have afforded it! It's the candy Arabian Red.
I was fortunate to have ridden one of these bikes for a couple hours. My initial impression was a slick and sophisticated machine, but kind of sick in the power department. ... I bought one anyway, only to discover that the guy who lent me his bike put it in "economy mode." I am very surprised at the punch this big bike delivers but, even moreso, at the way it is delivered.
As I get moving on an unfamiliar motorcycle my question is always, what am I on, here? The c-14 answered immediately. The small lag in my hearing what she is saying is my fault. She can be described in one word - STARSHIP!
This is not your grandfather's Kawasaki. On no - not at all. The level of refinement displayed by this machine certainly reflects on the many years Kaw has passed, perfecting the inline four motorcycle engine. This bike defines state of the art and that state is as near to perfection as it gets.
There's nothing left to accomplish, save perhaps making something everyone likes which, by definition, is not doable because different people like different things. If, for example, you like your Harley FXD, don't buy one of these bikes.
The only sound this bike makes is the whine of first gear, and just a little of same in second. When at speed, the only sound is the wind. If you listen hard you can still make out that patented Kawasaki whistling wheeze, which is the product of the reeds in the air suction anti-pollution devices atop the valve cover. There is no vibration. The only way to know if the engine dies at a light is to look at the tach.
One word that comes to mind is opulence. The c-14 is like a Lexus, on two wheels. It's all quiet, effortless and so very smooth. And therein lies the danger.
Yes, this is a dangerous bike, because the sophistication can, and will mask the realities of moving on two wheels. You're suddenly going too fast and, for the life in you, you can't remember how that happened...
This is the best motorcycle I have experienced in my 65 years (riding since before I was 10). You'll never regret buying one.
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Above Awesome
By (I am an Owner) on Jan 30, 2013I Bought Mine The 1st Of October 2012. I Don't Even Have 1200 Miles On It Yet. My First Break In Ride Was 400 Miles In One Day! I Think We Were Both Broke In By The End Of The Day! I Love The Bike-Biggest & Baddest I Have Ever Owned!!! On The Down Side: Windshield Too Low. Seat Too High. ... Exhaust Directly Beneath The Tank Could Be Better As Far As Looks Go. The Best Improvement That Kawasaki Could Make Would Be To Make The Handle Bars Adjustable...Forward To Back! There Was Alot Of Pressure On The Palms Of My Hand Because The Handle Bars Were Angled Too Far To The Rear. Notes: I Have Not Even Touched The Potential Of This Bike...I Think That Most Other Riders On The Road Already Know What This Bike Can Do...It Is Nice To Have A Bike That Gets Respect Without Having To Turn The Tires To Liquid Rubber. Traction Control Is Awesome. The Braking System Saved My Butt Within The First 100 Miles (In A Canyon). If You Are Looking For A Damned Good Looking Bike With The Same Damned Good Porformance...Then, This Is The One!!!
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Bad a$$ bike!
By (I am an Owner) on Jul 17, 2012I've had my 2012 Kawasaki Concours for 2 months now and it's one bad ass bike! I had a 2008 Yamaha R6, and this Kawi handles like a crotch rocket but your back isn't killing you after a ride. Power, great looks, functionality, and performance is incredible. The bags are ideal and can carry a lot ... of gear. I'm impressed! BTW, I got mine for 14K! Kawi was offering $2000 cash back and the dealer got me $1000 additional off.
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Wow
By (I am an Owner) on Jun 20, 2012Let me start by saying, I have ridden them all, vfr1200, Harley road king, BMW r1200rt, yamaha fj1200 and honda st1300?, none of them is gave me the thrill, the excitement, the enjoyment I get out of the my 2012 kawasaki concours 14. I by chance went into the Lithia springs motorcycle dealer while ... riding my vfr1200 and immediately saw two concours 14. I had ridden the bike previously and was impressed by the engine, the smoothness of it, the sound was awesome. The salesman quickly said which one do I want, I purchased the new red color and took off for parts unknown. Even though the break in period says keep it under 4000 rpm for first 600 miles, the bike will still push upwards of 80 mph easily. I took off on a 300 mile trip, alpharetta, ga to Columbus, ga and back and the bike rode better than I could have imagined. The gas mileage in the Eco mode was 48.8 mpg, almost scooter mode, the wind protection was great, although a slightly taller windscreen would be better and the seat was solid, again, I will be switching to a new Sargent seat.
The concours 14 has made me truly forget about my car, the saddlebags swallow up everything and the on board computer tells you everything from mpg to tire pressure. Kawasaki did their homework. Yes I love the BMW but the 17k plus price tag compared to the deal I received on the concours 14 has truly made me Give up big red.
Jim Wiley
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