Kawasaki Concours

[BarBender]

Saw one for the first time today at Mt Eden Motorcycles.
Its looks fantastic.

Its been sold and gets picked up next week. A second one comes in next month with interested party(s) already keen to get their hands on it.

If you're in the big smoke this weekend - the fire is right there.

[MidnightMike]

Its a bird,




its a plane




on wheels.

[Babelfish]

I bet it comes with free cordura kit and incontinence pants

[Hitcher]

Dealer demos! Whoar...

[BarBender]

Review and Bike test

http://www.bikeland.org/misc/articles/c14test.pdf

[Hitcher]

Some bike reviewers just don't seem to get it. That Bikeland review is such an example. A sports tourer like the Concours deserves to get more than a "ride round the block" review. They spent way too much time talking about the "keyless ignition" system and not enough on things that really matter for a bike of this type.

What's it like to ride for six hours at a stretch?

What's its fuel range?

So the screen isn't perfect. What options are there?

What's the capacity of the hard luggage, and what's it like to get on and off the bike (particularly with that silly keyless ignition system), and what are its ergonomics like to pack and unpack in motels, etc?

What does the bike look like with its bags off or, like an ST1300, do the bags have to stay on for cosmetic reasons?

And pillions. What effect on rider comfort and bike handing does the addition of a second person have? What's the comfort like for them? How do they feel after six hours at a stretch?

Service intervals?

So it can wheelie. Fucking big deal. What's it like when spanked really hard through some twisty stuff? What's it like in a really strong cross-wind?

Content warning: Don't misunderstand, this criticism is aimed at the review, not at the bike or the person who posted it. The Concours may be an absolutely fantastic sports tourer. It is, after all, a Kawasaki! (All comments are those of Hitcher the Kiwi Biker, not Hitcher the moderator)

[BarBender]

Content warning: Don't misunderstand, this criticism is aimed at the review, not at the bike or the person who posted it. The Concours may be an absolutely fantastic sports tourer. It is, after all, a Kawasaki! (All comments are those of Hitcher the Kiwi Biker, not Hitcher the moderator)

Only just read the review myself. Just stuck it up there.
Agree with your points regarding irrelevant reviews.

Re: the content warning -
Are you intending on putting this up on all your posts?

C'mon Hitch - get a grip man.
No mE bE4 u JuDgE m3!!!
i Is nOt ThAt uDeRd3v3lOpEd 4 a 2nD G3n3rAtIoN cOcoAnUt!!

[KoroJ]

Yeah, saw one yesterday at Rimutex. One of the Motorad staff was testing it out after receiving it on Saturday.

Looks impressive but I will be watching the ride reports with interest.

[gunnyrob]

saw one in Hamilton. looks purdy!

[rustys]

Here here "Hitcher" good points raised, i would'nt rave over it myself. A mate of mine is getting one in the next shipment, i think next month, so we will see.
Still it will take a lot to beat my 2004 FJR 1300 Hah!

[Hitcher]

I will form a view as to how much FJRs "rock" once I've ridden a Concours.

[Big Dave]

I'm sure it will do what it is meant to do brilliantly. I may even get my mits on the test bike.

Whether what it is meant to do - cover long distances at high speed - is relevant on the NZ roading system is becoming contentious. I went very close to getting pinged on a 54hp, naked, Scrambler on Sunday.

But I bet it's a hoot!

[Hitcher]

But I bet it's a hoot!

If I see you doing a write up based on a test ride of less than 1,000km that doesn't involve an overnight stop and a pillion, I shall prime my musket.

[boomer]

horses for courses.. or concourses. its fekin ugly and reminds me of a concourse.

man i laughed so hard at this

C'mon Hitch - get a grip man.
No mE bE4 u JuDgE m3!!!
i Is nOt ThAt uDeRd3v3lOpEd 4 a 2nD G3n3rAtIoN cOcoAnUt!!

[Big Dave]

If I see you doing a write up based on a test ride of less than 1,000km that doesn't involve an overnight stop and a pillion, I shall prime my musket.

Put your balls away. IF I get it.
Pillon of course, how far depends on how long.
There will be a queue for this thing and The Ed told me I'm doing the CB1300 so it's an IF. I don't know for sure there is a press bike yet.