2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

Tour master motorcycle

If the ZX-14 sportbike is the rebellious teenager in Kawasaki's lineup, then the new Concours 14 tourer is its older, wiser sibling who still wants to have fun. They share the same potent powertrain, but the Concours isn't some ZX-14 with saddlebags. Underneath the faceted body panels are high-tech engine mods that smooth out the ZX's barnstorming personality. On the sperpentine roads it ws tested on, the motorcycle's sharp reflexes edged it towards the "sport" side of touring. Neat features include a KI-PASS wireless transponder that automatically starts your motorcycle and electronic tyre-pressure sensors that alert you to problems of a rubber nature. More important, the Concours 14 is the most powerfull motorcycle in its class. Dyno performance fanatics will respect the motorcycle's 156 HP inline four. Even if this motorcycle is the most powerfull in its class, it comes with the lowest price tag, its price being just 12,899 $. For a powerfull tourer like this one...it's a bargain.

The full feature map :

Key Features:
- Most powerful production sport tourer
- Next generation monocoque aluminum frame
- Comfortable long distance riding position
- Low-maintenance shaft drive

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 suit different rpm ranges
- Carefully planned engine design keeps it compact and narrow
- 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 produce a straighter path to the airbox for maximum intake efficiency
- This system takes cooler, high-pressure air, guides it through the air filter and into the engine for maximum power output

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

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
- ECU includes an idle speed control system 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
- The frame is a hollow aluminum box that arches over the engine from the steering head to the swing arm pivot; it is narrow, strong, rigid and very light
- Engine is rigidly mounted to increase the monocoque’s torsional rigidity. Plus using the engine as a stressed frame member decreases the frame’s weight by 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 mounted four-piston front brake calipers. Instead of mounting the calipers with threaded tabs cast near the top of the caliper, the 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
- A separate brake pad is used for each piston. One large pad can deform with the heat generated by hard braking, resulting in a loss of brake feel at the lever. Individual pads provide increased cooling efficiency and can absorb more heat without deforming so they maintain 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 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 low-traction 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
- A CAN (Controller Area Network) interface between the gauges uses fewer wires while allowing a greater volume of information, such as estimated fuel mileage, to be exchanged
- Kawasaki Electronic Authorization system (KI-PASS)
- Tire pressure sensors

With all these being said, it has more features than some full-option road cars. This cool motorcycle is really something!

The technical specifications look like this:

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 : Inverted, telescopic fork / 4.4 in.

Rear Suspension / wheel travel : Tetra-Lever / 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"

Dry Weight : 606 lbs. 615 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. / 39.3 in.

Very cool touring motorcycle...and the price is really fit for it. Whoever likes touring motorcycles, get a motorcycle loan or just buy it. It is worth it!

Dry roads, riders!