Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS Anyone ever own one?

[Spy Hunter]

I owned a 2014 Connie for about a year before moving into my F6B. I researched the heck out of it for about a year against the FJR. It was a fast bike, dangerously so. Stoplight to stoplight was pretty addicting. The forward riding position was not comfortable past about a half hour, which made it not so good on long trips. Also the handlebar buzz would numb up my hands after about 20 minutes - it is a well known topic with these bikes, but not everyone has this problem. I have a 32" inseam, and was always on my toes while stopped. If you like raw power and being able to dominate most every other rider around you and don't mind staying ever alert as you ride, it is a great bike. If you like to relax when you ride, go long distances, and still have plenty of reserve power for the occasional speed burst, stay with the F6B. I got a good deal on the Connie, but never seemed to be able to make it a comfortable tourer through aftermarket parts. I think overall it is a younger man's bike who doesn't mind wrestling with it.

For my 50th birthday, I bought myself a KTM 1290 Super Adventure for long distance touring and off-road. 160 HP like the Connie, but with state of the art safety features and electronics. It is a much more livable alternative to the Connle. But I still kept my F6B-it is just too good of a bike to sell at the low price they are going for these days, and nothing can compare to it if you have the occasional passenger..

[valkmc]

I owned a 2014 Connie for about a year before moving into my F6B. I researched the heck out of it for about a year against the FJR. It was a fast bike, dangerously so. Stoplight to stoplight was pretty addicting. The forward riding position was not comfortable past about a half hour, which made it not so good on long trips. Also the handlebar buzz would numb up my hands after about 20 minutes - it is a well known topic with these bikes, but not everyone has this problem. I have a 32" inseam, and was always on my toes while stopped. If you like raw power and being able to dominate most every other rider around you and don't mind staying ever alert as you ride, it is a great bike. If you like to relax when you ride, go long distances, and still have plenty of reserve power for the occasional speed burst, stay with the F6B. I got a good deal on the Connie, but never seemed to be able to make it a comfortable tourer through aftermarket parts. I think overall it is a younger man's bike who doesn't mind wrestling with it.

For my 50th birthday, I bought myself a KTM 1290 Super Adventure for long distance touring and off-road. 160 HP like the Connie, but with state of the art safety features and electronics. It is a much more livable alternative to the Connle. But I still kept my F6B-it is just too good of a bike to sell at the low price they are going for these days, and nothing can compare to it if you have the occasional passenger..

As I said in a prior post I loved the bike for some of the same reason you stated, gobs of power, great handling and fun to ride. I because of my job ride long distance every summer and I was very comfortable on the Connie. I rode it to Alaska at the age of 54 w/o a problem. I have always hated the feet forward, all weight on my Azz position. Even on the 6 when I start to get restless I place my feet on the passenger pegs as an option to using highway pegs. It gives me two options for riding positions. The windshield, bags removal, and tpms made it a great traveling bike. I guess riding position is different for everyone. I would prob still have the Connie if my wife didn't ride with me or she had kept her own bike. I don't want or need two bikes so the 6 is a much better fit for me and the wife and everyone knows it's better when the wife is happy!

[lloydmoore1]

As I said in a prior post I loved the bike for some of the same reason you stated, gobs of power, great handling and fun to ride. I because of my job ride long distance every summer and I was very comfortable on the Connie. I rode it to Alaska at the age of 54 w/o a problem. I have always hated the feet forward, all weight on my Azz position. Even on the 6 when I start to get restless I place my feet on the passenger pegs as an option to using highway pegs. It gives me two options for riding positions. The windshield, bags removal, and tpms made it a great traveling bike. I guess riding position is different for everyone. I would prob still have the Connie if my wife didn't ride with me or she had kept her own bike. I don't want or need two bikes so the 6 is a much better fit for me and the wife and everyone knows it's better when the wife is happy!

I do the same on mine. Thanks for the info, it looks like I will be very comfortable on it. I was going to get another 2019 full Wing but actually didn't like the ride enough to pull the trigger on it. Also my wife doesn't ride with me so I figure the Connie will be a good 2nd choice and a whole lot cheaper!

[1951vbs]

I sold my second F6B and bought a 2012 Concours 14. Just always wanted one. No heat issues, way fast and comfortable. Mine had lowered pegs, Russell Day Long seat and adjustable handlebars when I bought it. It is as comfortable as my F6B was but you sit on the bike not in the bike. Totally different seat positioning and tall. It is the most comfortable sport touring bike I have had: Aprilla Futura, Honda ST1300, BMW K1200S, K1200GT, Triumph Sprint GT. But I never has a FJR.

[F6Joe]

Yesterday I put my 2015 F6B Deluxe, up for sale, wanting to get a FJR which I have wanted one for a very long time, today standing in the garage looking at that pretty blue B sitting there I'm thinking I can't sell it. Guess I'll put a Laam seat on it, change out the rivco highway pegs for Kury IIIs add some clearwater lights and call it good.

[Verismo]

Yesterday I put my 2015 F6B Deluxe, up for sale, wanting to get a FJR which I have wanted one for a very long time, today standing in the garage looking at that pretty blue B sitting there I'm thinking I can't sell it. Guess I'll put a Laam seat on it, change out the rivco highway pegs for Kury IIIs add some clearwater lights and call it good.

I've read and heard very good things about the Laam seat. Also, if you haven't looked into Mic-O pegs, they are worth taking a look at for some different positions than the Kury's, though the Kury's are nice, too. Good luck with it all!

Jason

[JGF6B]

I do the same on mine. Thanks for the info, it looks like I will be very comfortable on it. I was going to get another 2019 full Wing but actually didn't like the ride enough to pull the trigger on it. Also my wife doesn't ride with me so I figure the Connie will be a good 2nd choice and a whole lot cheaper!

If you've never tried a BMW R1200RT, do yourself a favor and try it before you settle on the Connie.
I test rode the 2019 r1200rt a few weeks back and loved everything except the two cylinder noise and feel. A week later I test rode a 2016 which is now in my garage.
I've spent the last 5 years with 2 bikes in the garage (f6b plus another). I loved the fb6 but wanted something sportier and lighter. Went through FJR (considered Connie), F6C, then Ninja1000. Ninja was closest so I thought about selling the B and keeping only the Ninja until I did a 420 mile 14 hour day on the backroads. My knees were sore for 2 days.
I went looking for a used K1600gt and ended up on the r1200rt. The r1200rt is comfortable, quick, 200 lbs lighter, manages wind very well and has lots of storage. The r1200rt also has a lower center of gravity than the inline 4s (FJR/Connie). It has only been a week but I've done 2 350+ backroad days and I don't miss the B one bit. The 2 cylinder engine may be noisy and ugly but the torque is fantastic everywhere.
I wanted something great on the highway and great on the back roads in the mountains. So far I believe I've found it.