[GEARHEAD9969]

Hey all!

I'm pretty new to kawi ownership and just thought I'd say hi! I've enjoyed every minute so far with my KX! I do a lot of off road / trail / track riding and never really considered kawi until I sat on the "07" the day I was actually going to lay out about $2k more for a new KTM. I thought I was gambling with the choice. If it was a gamble I sure came out the winner. I'm currently waiting ( impatiantly ) for delivery on a new C-14 non ABS that I'll pick up in March once the snow starts melting. I've been into sport bikes for the street use since the late 80's and it's time to add some different flavor to the garage. I can't wait to get it broke in and set up so I can modd it up a bit and wear out some tires!

 

[NCDave]

Welcome to the Jungle!

That C-14 is just a piece of crap. I'm sure you'll hate it! LMAO!!!!!

 

[A2rider]

Welcome to the Jungle!

That C-14 is just a piece of crap. I'm sure you'll hate it! LMAO!!!!!

Hey! I spent several hours the other day trying to come up with negative reviews. I found them on the Popular mechanics site. :biggrin:

Welcome to our site, can't wait to see pics of your new Connie.

 

[NCDave]

That's interesting. I'd rather have the FJR. C14 has a bad seating position for me and the screen is not tall enough. I guess no one cares about my opinion though!

 

[A2rider]

That's interesting. I'd rather have the FJR. C14 has a bad seating position for me and the screen is not tall enough. I guess no one cares about my opinion though!

There's a wonderful fight going on on the "new connie" thread. Join it!

 

[Tod]

Welcome Gearhead, there's several C-14 owners here, and all of them have practically nothing but good things to say about them.

Some nitpicky things are bound to rear their heads on any new model, but overall I hear it's a superb machine.

 

[GEARHEAD9969]

Welcome Gearhead, there's several C-14 owners here, and all of them have practically nothing but good things to say about them.

Some nitpicky things are bound to rear their heads on any new model, but overall I hear it's a superb machine.

Thanks TOD and A2. I've read and heard plenty especially from the beamer guys I ride with... If I can survive 600+ miles in a day on my aprilia, the C-14 should be alright. It kinda makes me laugh at what the gripes are. Like winshields for instance, I ride off road and sport bikes so I guess wind and elements really don't bother me in the least. Cruise control, I've never had it and I won't miss it. Heated grips might be nice but so is a good pair of gloves. The only real detail about the C-14 that is unsettling is the kipass, not a deal breaker but I can't say I think it has any real value.

 

[HellBent]

Welcome Gearhead. Don't dismiss the KIPASS out of hand. While I agree that it is one of those things that we don't need, it is also pretty cool. Put the fob in your pocket and forget about it the rest of the day. You will grin when one of your riding buddies gets all suited up, mounts his bike, reaches for the ignition and you see him mutter, dismount, unzip and fishes in his jeans for his key. That would be MOTORCYCLE KEY for all you perverts with your minds in the gutter*L*

 

[NCDave]

Thanks TOD and A2. I've read and heard plenty especially from the beamer guys I ride with... If I can survive 600+ miles in a day on my aprilia, the C-14 should be alright. It kinda makes me laugh at what the gripes are. Like winshields for instance, I ride off road and sport bikes so I guess wind and elements really don't bother me in the least. Cruise control, I've never had it and I won't miss it. Heated grips might be nice but so is a good pair of gloves. The only real detail about the C-14 that is unsettling is the kipass, not a deal breaker but I can't say I think it has any real value.

Hey!!! What about me??? :icon_frow

I'm only teasing with you. I do like the C14 and Kawi's price point is the best. If/when I buy mine, I'll install risers and put a taller aftermarket screen on it. I'm just frustrated with Kawi right now that they built a bike to replace the old Connie and missed "my" mark.

From what I hear you'll love it though!

 

[GEARHEAD9969]

Sorry NC. The thing that really got me thinking about the C-14 is the review a friend of mine gave me last fall. He's a long time CRA guy that know his way around bikes and road racing tracks. He was out riding one saturday morning and just happened by a kawi dealer, they where slow and let him take a C-14 for a short rip. Needless to say he liked the bike so much he returned the following Wednesday and bought it. He hasn't moved his other bikes since..lol It for sure will not be the only bike in my garage, just the most frequantly used.

 

[Sabrehawk]

Welcome Gearhead, I spent a good bit of time on Kawi dirt bikes in my misspent youth. I now am the proud owner of a Connie14 and for the wifes sake a Goldwing, I am off @ midnight to test the legs on my third Iron Butt.I anticipate a great experience and will post on it Friday. You shouldn't have to do much to burn up tires on the Connie. Ride Safe, Hawk

 

[A2rider]

Good luck on your Iron Butt. Let us know how the Connie performs.

 

[08Concours14]

Welcome. I hope you enjoy your C14 as much as I enjoy mine!

 

[08LndSrk]

Not the pirate here...

Hey gearhead 9969,
I'm a daily commuter on my new 08 Connie, and I can find no beef after my first 2,500 miles. It's only about a 70 mile a day jaunt, but I do spend a good bit of it on the interstate and in pretty thick traffic. So I do love that extra poke when you twist that grip on the right The windscreen thing is a thing of the past (got the new one), and I don't usually ride with the hard bags attached. Quick note: When it started getting cooler here, I popped the extra lips off the side farings, and to my suprise found that Kawasaki had included the extra, shorter ($2.56) 6mm fastener stuck in the foam spacer attached to the lip! I give them high marks for that cool extra touch

Best of rides to ya, 08LndSrk
-------o_
_____O>"O

 

[rbentnail]

That's interesting. I'd rather have the FJR. C14 has a bad seating position for me and the screen is not tall enough. I guess no one cares about my opinion though!

I have no issue with the windscreen but I agree with the seat position. I don't care for it at all.

 

[08Concours14]

I thnk I would agree on the seat. The ZX14 seat is far more comfortable. In fact I occasionally swap them out. You just have to unbolt the mounting brackets from both seats and swap them. The ZX14 seat looks better and is more comfortable.

 

[08LndSrk]

The seat thing...

Hey rbentnail,
I forgot to mention the new seat deal... my 94 Connie had a Corbin on it, but I liked the firm foam of the stock one. Trouble is that the "Tour Master" (my tandem teammate) wanted to be a bit more comfortable on those long cross country rides. The Corbins (a 2 seat set) actually look pretty darn good on the 08 LndSrk

And 08Concours14 did you put a solo cowl on the back of that seat too?

Later Gators, 08LndSrk
-----o_
___O>"O

 

[rbentnail]

Hey rbentnail,
I forgot to mention the new seat deal... my 94 Connie had a Corbin on it, but I liked the firm foam of the stock one. Trouble is that the "Tour Master" (my tandem teammate) wanted to be a bit more comfortable on those long cross country rides. The Corbins (a 2 seat set) actually look pretty darn good on the 08 LndSrk

And 08Concours14 did you put a solo cowl on the back of that seat too?

Later Gators, 08LndSrk
-----o_
___O>"O

My issue with the stock seat is that it slopes down in the front forcing you to lean forward. The reason I was looking at sport tourers was for a more upright seating position.

 

[08LndSrk]

Seat seating... LOL

Hey rbentnail,
That is true that the foot peg/bar position does send ya a bit forward on the 08 Connie. I find myself constantly shifting my weight back in the seat even with the new Corbin. And because that seat has a two step teir effect it makes it's own great but stop! LOL But I came from a sportbike past, so I'm humping the tank on a regular basis. I know that sounds like TMI but I kinda wish the risers were a bit shorter. I'm 6'-3" and slim, so I've got a lot of limb and leg to tuck in and conceal from the wind at speed

Ride Safe, 08LndSrk
-----o_
___O>"O

 

[rbentnail]

Hey rbentnail,
That is true that the foot peg/bar position does send ya a bit forward on the 08 Connie. I find myself constantly shifting my weight back in the seat even with the new Corbin. And because that seat has a two step teir effect it makes it's own great but stop! LOL But I came from a sportbike past, so I'm humping the tank on a regular basis. I know that sounds like TMI but I kinda wish the risers were a bit shorter. I'm 6'-3" and slim, so I've got a lot of limb and leg to tuck in and conceal from the wind at speed

Ride Safe, 08LndSrk
-----o_
___O>"O

When I sat on a new C14 the other day the first thing I thought was that this bike is made for someone about 3" taller and 60 lbs. heavier than me. At 5'10"/180 I found the seating uncomfortable at best.