Kawasaki Concours 14
KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14
IGNITION
FIRST RIDE
Kevin Wing
Not much new, but that’s not necessarily bad
Paul Dean
Kawasaki's Concours 14 motors into 2015 with only a few minor upgrades. It's very much the same machine it was when launched in 2008. While competing brands crank out ever more sophisticated sport-tourers, the Concours has pretty much remained status quo, not even offering cruise control.
A fair criticism, says Kawasaki. But let’s remember that the Concours is the least-expensive big sport-tourer. And the 2015 version, at $15,499, is priced $700 less than last year’s model. This is a big, fast, and capable sport-
tourer that costs thousands less than many of its competitors.
Improvements for 2015 begin with a 6-percent lower first gear, which is intended to make deadstop getaways easier, particularly on steep uphills with a passenger aboard. In addition, the rear suspension has been marginally stiffened to better cope with two-up, full-saddlebag loads, and the linked braking system uses a new ABS module that reduces the amount of front-brake bite when the rear brake is applied. What’s more, a reshaped seat
is covered with an anti-slip material, and the bike now has a manually adjustable vent in the windshield to reduce buffeting.
On a recent ride in the rain, I learned the vent works as advertised. With the electrically adjustable windscreen in its highest setting and the vent open, turbulence around my helmet was reduced. The lower first gear was an improvement, even though I never carried a passenger, which meant I couldn’t experience the intended effect of the recalibrated rear suspension.
I did sense that normal rear-brake use with the new linked braking system resulted in less front-caliper application, but the wet roads would not permit even remotely aggressive braking before ABS kicked in.
In overall performance, expect no surprises. This is the same variable-valvetiming-equipped, i,352cc, 133hp, sneaky-fast engine that has been around since 2008. Although this latest “Connie” might not have all the bells and whistles, it offers a lot of performance for not a lot of money.
SPECS
2015 KAWASAKI
CONCOURS 14
PRICE: $15,499
ENGINE: Liquid-cooled, DOHC,
inline-four
DISPLACEMENT: 1352cc SEAT HEIGHT: 32.1 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: 5.8 gal. CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: 690 lb
