Cool-Motorcycles reviews Kawasaki Concours 14 and Concours 14 ABS
Beauty and brawn balanced for exhilarating travel and comfortable style

With its combination of healthy power, comfortable cockpit and adept handling, the Kawasaki Concours™ 14 and Concours 14 ABS sliced through the sport-touring world like a Ninja’s blade through warm butter. In its first year on the scene, the powerful, supersport tourer racked up a sizeable collection of shootout wins, accolades and several Motorcycle of the Year awards.

Brute strength and finesse are adjectives you don’t often see used together, but the Concours 14 motorcycle doesn’t bow to convention. Its prime motivator – all 1352cc of smooth fury –offers the brute strength. With items like ram air induction, digital ignition, digital fuel injection and sub-throttle valve equipped throttle bodies, this four-cylinder engine’s portfolio reads like a top-end racer. However, this is no high-strung track tool. The Concours 14’s engine delivers strong torque off the line, followed by an impressive mid-range surge that transitions into a top-end rush that any sportbike would be proud to call its own. It achieves this miraculous powerband via variable valve timing (VVT). VVT provides smooth power delivery free of harsh power spikes, by altering the camshaft profile to boost low-end and mid-range torque without sacrificing top-end power.

While the high-tech engine supplies the power, the Concours 14’s aluminum monocoque chassis provides a responsive platform to convert that thrust into comfortable, rapid progress. Combined with a sophisticated inverted fork and smooth, reliable shaft drive system, this agile chassis transfers the potent engine’s torque to the pavement with quiet efficiency. The clean, low maintenance Tetra-Lever shaft drive utilizes a special four-link design to offset the lifting and squatting tendencies of shaft drive when the throttle is opened and closed, in-effect isolating torque from suspension action in a manner that’s remarkably-similar to chain drive. The overall design of the Concours 14’s powertrain has earned critical acclaim for its ability to reliably deliver silky, lash-free thrust.

Massive acceleration capability demands maximum stopping power and the brakes on the Concours 14 are more than up to the task. With radial-mount front calipers operated by a radial-pump master cylinder and petal-type discs on both ends, the brake system gives riders the powerful, reliable braking performance and confidence inspiring control they want. The Concours 14 ABS raises that stopping control level another notch with the reassuring control of an advanced anti-lock brake system (ABS).

The refined chassis, confident brakes and all-conquering power blend together and render the competition as an ever-shrinking dot in the rear view mirrors. An integrated high-speed touring machine with an unquestionable supersport core, the Concours 14 has all the features required for a safe and exciting long-distance ride. Functional touches like Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System (KI-PASS), an electrically adjustable windscreen, locking and detachable side cases and an accessory power outlet make this a grand touring machine line no other.

The electrically adjustable windscreen reflects the Concours 14’s genetic roots. It utilizes a supersport-style design philosophy of aerodynamically curving the wind around the rider – and passenger – to help avoid the buffeting that comes from wind curling around less-advanced windscreens. These genes show again in the slim, integrated design of its hard luggage, which are mounted closer to the machine’s centerline for excellent mass centralization.

The Concours 14’s touring prowess doesn’t stop with its impressive physique. It’s loaded with the high-tech electronic wizardry expected of a modern long-distance machine such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) interface between the gauges. The CAN uses fewer wires than a traditional wiring harness, so a greater volume of information can be exchanged and then displayed on the multi-function LCD digital dash. Included in the easy-to-read instrumentation are a speedometer, tachometer and odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge, estimated fuel mileage, gear position indicator and a clock. Also available to the rider is information from sensors monitoring tire pressure in the front and rear wheels – more peace of mind so the rider can focus on the road.

Summed up, the Concours 14 platform is ready for spirited journeys –short or long –while providing comfort and confidence for maximum rider enjoyment.

FEATURES

1,352cc Four-Cylinder, DOHC Engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT)

• Tuned to provide smooth power across a wide rev range
• Variable valve timing improves the engine’s flexibility and efficiency by altering the camshaft profiles to boost low-end and mid-range torque without sacrificing top-end power
• Compact and narrow engine design
• Chrome composite plated aluminum cylinder bores are lightweight, durable, and quickly carry heat away from the combustion chamber and piston for supreme durability under high loads

Gear-Driven Dual Engine Balancers

• Already in perfect primary balance, dual secondary balancers virtually eliminate unwanted vibrations for extremely smooth engine operation and enhanced rider comfort

Ram Air Induction

• Ram air ducts provide a straighter path to the airbox for maximum intake efficiency
• Supplies cooler, high-pressure air to the engine for maximum power output via the air filter

Digital Fuel Injection

• Digital computer feeds the engine exactly the amount of fuel it needs for cleaner emissions and maximum fuel economy
• 32-bit electronic control unit works with dual throttle valve system to further enhance throttle response and control
• Throttle bodies are fitted with sub-throttle valves that are controlled by the ECU to provide smooth, precise response similar to constant velocity carburetors

Digital Ignition

• Digital Timing Advance enhances low-and mid-range power
• Four individual spark plug-mounted ignition coils fire each spark plug independently to achieve the optimum timing for that cylinder at that instant
• Idle speed control system included in ECU for easier starting and warm-up

Radial Pump Clutch Master Cylinder

• Hydraulic clutch features a radial-pump clutch master cylinder for smooth and precise clutch engagement

Monocoque Aluminum Frame

• Hollow aluminum box sections arch over the engine from the steering head to the swing arm pivot, the frame is narrow, rigid and very light
• Rigidly mounted engine acts as a stressed frame member to increase the frame’s torsional rigidity and saves approximately four pounds
• Engine positioned forward in the frame, wheelbase and front/rear weight balance were carefully designed to achieve high-speed stability and responsive handling
• Massive steering head casting contributes to frame rigidity

Radial-mount Petal-type Front Disc Brakes

• Radial design utilizes integrated mounting points at both the top and bottom of the caliper, with the mounting bolts inserted through the rear of the caliper instead of the side/front. This makes the caliper more rigid, which improves brake feel over a wider range of operation
• Separate brake pads are used for each piston to provide increased cooling efficiency and more consistent brake feel under extreme conditions
• Petal design front and rear brake rotors provide enhanced cooling and better warp resistance
• Radial-pump front brake master cylinder improves brake performance and lever feel

Tetra-Lever Shaft Drive

• Unique four-link design offsets lifting and squatting tendencies of shaft drive when the throttle is opened and closed, significantly reduces driveline lash during sport riding and provides smooth acceleration when exploiting the engine’s incredible power output
• Virtually maintenance free, the Tetra Lever system dramatically reduces routine maintenance requirements

Antilock Brake System (Concours™ 14 ABS)

• ABS brakes boost safety and rider confidence in lowtraction conditions and may enhance evasive maneuvering in an emergency

Bodywork Optimized for Sport Touring

• Fairing design promotes smooth airflow around the rider and passenger with minimal buffeting
• Integrated, locking hard luggage offers plenty of storage, without disrupting the Concours 14’s style or performance
• Electrically adjustable vented windscreen
• Large, comfortable seat offers long-distance comfort for both rider and passenger
• Glove box mounted on the fuel tank cover

Full Instrumentation

• Easy to read speedometer and tachometer
• Multi-function LCD digital display includes an odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and a clock
• Controller Area Network (CAN) interface between the gauges uses fewer wires and allows a greater volume of information to be exchanged than traditional instrument panels
• Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System (KI-PASS)
• Tire pressure sensors

SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine Type : Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four with VVT
• Displacement : 1,352 cc
• Bore and Stroke : 84.0 x 61.0mm
• Maximum Torque : 100.3 LbFt @ 6,200 rpm
• Compression Ratio : 10.7:1
• Fuel Ignition : Digital Fuel Injection
• Ignition : TCBI with Digital Advance
• Transmission : 6-Speed
• Final Drive : Tetra-Lever shaft drive
• Rake/Trail : 26.1 degrees/4.4 in.
• Front Tire Size : 120/70 ZR-17
• Rear Tire Size : 190/50 ZR-17
• Front Suspension / wheel travel : 43mm inverted, telescopic fork with adjustable rebound damping and spring preload / 4.4 in.
• Rear Suspension / wheel travel : Tetra-Lever with stepless rebound damping adjustment and remote spring preload adjuster / 5.4 in.
• Front Brake Type : Dual floating 310mm petal discs with four-piston calipers
• Rear Brake Type : Single 270mm petal disc
• Fuel Tank Capacity : 5.8 gal.
• Seat Height : 32.1″
• Curb Weight : 670.3 lbs. 679.1 lbs. (ABS model)
• Wheelbase : 59.8
• Overal Length : 89.4 in.
• Overall height windscreen min / windscreen max : 50.8/55.3
• Overall width at handlebars / at saddlebags : 30.7 in. / 39.4 in.
• Color : Metallic Diablo Black / Flat Super Black, Candy Diamond Red / Flat Super Black
• Warranty : 36 Months
• Good Times™ Protection Plan : 12, 24 or 36 months

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Cool-Motorcycles reviews Kawasaki Concours 14 and Concours 14 ABS