Nnomad 16 to Concours 14

[jasonc32amg]

Hey Folks,

I sold my Nomad 1600 and ZX10 and traded in my klr 650 on a new 09 Concours 14. The Nomad was causing me some neck pain otherwise I really love the bike. I think it is one of the best looking cruisers out there.

I picked up the Connie last week and got a great deal on it. I have about 1,000 miles on it now and I can tell you it's probably the best motorcycle I've ever owned. Smooth, refined, comfortable, fast, and damn good looking in red http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

After a few more miles I'll starting playing with it and put on an exaust, pull the flies, and put on a pcv.

The knock against the 08-09 seems to be heat which I don't find to be a problem. It gets a little toasty but nothing to put me off. Another "knock" against the 08-09 is the windshield height. There is a little bit of buffeting and I have the Kawi tall shield on order.

Mileage is in the mid 30's with triple digit cruising.

If anybody is looking at these I think the leftover 09's are a smoking deal, especially with the standard 3 yr warranty and another 3 for @ 400.

[recumbentbob]

That's a great looking bike. Enjoy............ http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[cactusjack]

Nice bike. Not my style, but it sure looks good.

[jasonc32amg]

Thanks, it's kind of a merger of the best of my zx10 and nomad.

[pirate]

Looks great! I really like the color!

[ringadingh]

I sat on one at the dealer last season, they are a nice bike. I love the color.

[schoeney]

It is a good looking bike and is my style! Be safe

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Great looking bike. I just don't think I would be comfortable riding one though. My Nomad is very comfortable for me to ride so don't need to trade.

Congratulations on the new ride. Glad you are happy with it.

[joe3407nomad]

Good Luck!

[Griz]

That is one nice bike, enjoy and ride safe!

[Loafer]

They are awesome to ride. And I too like the red. Safe highways ahead for you. ;)

[Chili]

That would likely be what I was shopping for if the Wife didn't like to ride 2-up. Great looking bike, enjoy it!

[skiman]

Man when I look at that I remember how fun riding can be. If the 2012 is in that color I might be tempted or maybe I should let glory days be glory days and not push my luck. The 800lb slumber bike handles about as fast as my brain works these days. But I do remember fondly scraping a set of footpegs off each season and the chrome scraped off the exhaust was a badge of honor,,lol

[ponch]

I went to a sport tourer too. A world of difference in many ways. The 2010 and up has a couple other things too. If you replace the windscreen, my advice is to get the Calsci. http://www.calsci.com/ . The guy knows his science when it comes to air flow. If the C14 was roomier, I would have bought it. It's just a little too cramped for me.

[mobandy78]

Nice looking bike! I'm going to have to be the one that disses your color though. ;) It's hard for me to buy anything that is in the shade spectrum of red. :)

I bet it's a blast to ride! Eventually, I'll have a second bike to use as a play toy. Congrats on the new ride!

[jasonc32amg]

I went to a sport tourer too. A world of difference in many ways. The 2010 and up has a couple other things too. If you replace the windscreen, my advice is to get the Calsci. http://www.calsci.com/ . The guy knows his science when it comes to air flow. If the C14 was roomier, I would have bought it. It's just a little too cramped for me.

Great link, thanks!

[Jared]

I love the Concours 14! Great great bike for sure!

[blowndodge]

Nice bike. Not my style, but it sure looks good.


Oh come now Scott.... They make that bike in "Barney Purple". http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[jmax5105]

You will definitely want to head over to www.cog-online.org (http://www.cog-online.org) and check out their site and become a member. They're almost as good of a bunch of guys as we have here with KawaNOW. I'm jealous.... love my Nomad, but at times, miss my '95 Connie. I did ride one of the new ones and WOW! Anyway, over at cog-online.org, they have a great forum and are a real neat bunch of guys. Have fun with the new toy!

[ponch]

You will definitely want to head over to www.cog-online.org (http://www.cog-online.org) and check out their site and become a member. They're almost as good of a bunch of guys as we have here with KawaNOW. I'm jealous.... love my Nomad, but at times, miss my '95 Connie. I did ride one of the new ones and WOW! Anyway, over at cog-online.org, they have a great forum and are a real neat bunch of guys. Have fun with the new toy!

They might be, but so far, KawaNOW has been the best for me.

[wiz]

Yep, COG is a priceless resource for the Concours rider. My '94 Connie was a great ride and COG will give you the inside scoop on making the most out of your ride - pretty much like KawaNOW is THE place for Nomad info. The C14 is a tremendous ride and really puts the sport in sport tourer. I'm just slowing down in my middle/old age and the Nomad works better for bringing the wife and her stuff along on long trips, like Key West next month.
http://173.201.118.99/connie.jpg

[dogdoc]

Good Luck with your new bike. Good looking for sure in red. Had my eye on them for a while but little too sporty for an aged man.

[ponch]

Good Luck with your new bike. Good looking for sure in red. Had my eye on them for a while but little too sporty for an aged man.

How are you doing Doc? Long time no read. I hope you are doing well.

[Bdog]

Congrats on the new bike. I was sitting on one in the show room a few weeks ago. I have a zx1100 and won't part with it but am seriously considering the new connie also. I will keep the Nomad too. I can make these choices because I don't have a wife! The girlfriend has a heritage softail, so she understands my way of thinking..oh lucky me....Bdog

[armypac]

Good day,

This bike was reviewed earlier in the year against like bikes including BMW and was the unanimous winner.
Great color. Did you get the ABS?
I'm curious, i have really looked at this bike in particular and would suspect leaning forward and putting more pressure on hands/wrists vs sitting more upright on the nomad. I have an 09 black and red nomad.
Tell me how your seating position is different.
thanks,
great color and bike and still Kawasaki:)
anthony

[billmac]

I havent rode one but it has done very well when tested and compared. Look forward to your reviews, especially on the seat and riding position. It is a nice looking bike. Congrats.

[jasonc32amg]

Good day,

This bike was reviewed earlier in the year against like bikes including BMW and was the unanimous winner.
Great color. Did you get the ABS?
I'm curious, i have really looked at this bike in particular and would suspect leaning forward and putting more pressure on hands/wrists vs sitting more upright on the nomad. I have an 09 black and red nomad.
Tell me how your seating position is different.
thanks,
great color and bike and still Kawasaki:)
anthony


I've only got about 1300 miles in so far, it is a pure pleasure with no aches/pains. My typical commute is about 120 miles with 95% interstate/turnpike. This is probably the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. The Nomad was killing my neck and upper back. My chiropractor commented that the forward style is much better for me and it rings true because none of my crotchrockets have ever given me any pain (other than a sore butt due to the slim seats).

BTW I did get the ABS.

[ponch]

Good day,

This bike was reviewed earlier in the year against like bikes including BMW and was the unanimous winner.
Great color. Did you get the ABS?
I'm curious, i have really looked at this bike in particular and would suspect leaning forward and putting more pressure on hands/wrists vs sitting more upright on the nomad. I have an 09 black and red nomad.
Tell me how your seating position is different.
thanks,
great color and bike and still Kawasaki:)
anthony


I've only got about 1300 miles in so far, it is a pure pleasure with no aches/pains. My typical commute is about 120 miles with 95% interstate/turnpike. This is probably the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. The Nomad was killing my neck and upper back. My chiropractor commented that the forward style is much better for me and it rings true because none of my crotchrockets have ever given me any pain (other than a sore butt due to the slim seats).

BTW I did get the ABS.

Handlebar risers and foot peg lowering kit can be added.

The deal with the Nomad and cruisers in general is that all your weight is on you ass. If the seat isn't up to the job, it will be painful in short order. I would also say most cruisers don't have much suspension travel and what they do have is not very sophisticated. I can't imagine taking a Roadglide Custom or Streetglide across the country and liking it. 2" of read suspension travel seems irrational. So, I would say it's more than the forward tilt, but that your legs support your body more and that you aren't getting pounded on bumps. When I got my RT, I went over a bump that used to jar me pretty good on the Nomad and I barely noticed it. The C14 is just a much more sophisticated machine than the Nomad.

[Loafer]

Is the RT better than the C14? Or had you tested a C-14?

[ponch]

Is the RT better than the C14? Or had you tested a C-14?

Different bikes in terms of performance delivery. The RT is a twin, the C14 a 4 cylinder. The K1300GT would be a fairer comparison. That said, the C14 is more cramped. It's bent over more and there is less room between the pegs and seat. Enough that it wouldn't work for me. Even stock, the RT could use another 1-2" lower on the pegs for me. The knees don't like to bend like they used to. I will say I had more knee pain on the Nomad though, but that is due to some bad cartilage that I had taken care of last year. The wear I had was right when the knee is bent about 90˚.

Comparing sport tourers and cruisers really isn't fair in that they are so different, BUT, some of the tech should trickle down.

[Loafer]

One of my sons has a friend with a C14. Two years he has spent with the bike, and it is for sale. He says when he isn't travelling long distances at speed it is no fun. To each his own I guess.