Kawasaki Concours 2014

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When you have a product that is fundamentally sound, refinement typically beats re-design. The manufacturer can focus intently on improving specific areas of the existing design.

After waiting two decades to introduce an all-new Concours 14 in 2008, Kawasaki quickly responded to owner comments and made some changes for the 2010 model year. MD has been impressed by the 2008 model, as well as the 2010 changes, and Kawasaki is introducing even more refinements for the 2015 model year.

Kawasaki invited MD, along with other journalists, to test the 2015 model in Southern California earlier this week. Uncharacteristically, California had just received a heavy rain storm, providing a mixture of road conditions that actually underscored the characteristics of the Concours 14 for our test rider.

The fundamentals of the Concours 14 have remained unchanged since 2008, and are centered around a supremely powerful sport touring engine: a massive 1352 cc inline four-cylinder engine augmented by variable valve-timing. A stiff chassis with adjustable suspension (both preload and rebound damping adjustments, front and rear), stout linked-brakes (with four-piston calipers in front and ABS), and shaft drive together with the comfort and conveniences associated with touring, such as electrically adjustable windscreen and ample luggage capacity from the well-integrated saddlebags, round out the package.

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Kawasaki has summarized the changes for the 2015 model year as follows:

NEW First gear ratio for easier starts from a standstill and low-speed maneuvering
NEW Steering stem seal provides lighter steering at low speeds
NEW Stiffer rear suspension settings for enhanced control and carrying ability
NEW Sculpted seat for improved comfort (optional Touring Seat available)
NEW Electrically adjustable windshield with three-position vent
NEW Exhaust heat shield improves rider comfort when stationary
NEW Revised ABS settings to reduce the linked braking effect
NEW Silver bezels on instrumentation

During our test, we were reminded of the effortless thrust provided by the Concours 14 powerplant. Power delivery is seemless, allowing the journalists to keep a good pace through somewhat dicey traction following the rain storm. Throttle response is very predictable, and this allowed us to exit corners aggressively and confidently (together with the standard traction control) despite the less-than-ideal conditions.

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Testing on twisty roads also allowed us to assess Kawasaki's efforts to improve the linked brakes. When this feature was introduced in 2010, it exaggerated front suspension dive when entering corners aggressively, and even, at times, at low speeds. Kawasaki made changes for 2015 to "reduce the linked braking effect." We found the brakes much improved and more natural feeling, in general, essentially transparent in their effect at most speeds. Experienced, aggressive riders may still prefer independent brake control, of course, but we think Kawasaki achieved their goal.

The changes to the brakes involved more than just software tweaks. Kawasaki changed the master cylinder and the ABS module in the process. For riders who like to drag the rear brake entering corners, as well as riders who generally like to use the rear brake alone at lower speeds, the overall effect is a significant improvement, as the primary change is a reduction in the amount of front brake applied when the rear brake lever is pressed.

The other significant change involves the windshield, which now includes an adjustable vent intended to improve the air flow around the rider and reduce buffeting by removing the low-pressure zone in front of the rider. Many large windscreens on bikes actually suck the rider forward by creating a pronounced low-pressure zone. Kawasaki sought to improve comfort by reducing this effect with the new vent system.

We put a lot of effort into assessing the impact of the new vent system on the windscreen. Raising and lowering it repeatedly at higher speeds, both with the vent open and closed, it appears Kawasaki has created a comfortable environment for average sized riders with the ability (in the top position … we preferred the vent fully open) to create a quiet, serene bubble of still air around the rider's upper chest and head. For reference, our rider is roughly 5'11", who sits tall in the saddle with a longer than average torso.

By changing the steering stem seal, Kawasaki also claims lighter steering at low speeds for the 2015 Concours 14. It was difficult to assess the impact of this change without riding the new model back-to-back with the 2014 bike. We can say that the new model steers easier than its claimed curb weight (690 pounds with 5.8 gallons of fuel) suggests. More about that below.

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The new, lower first gear allows the 2015 Concours to pull away from a stop easily, without having to slip the clutch unnecessarily. The big engine torque plays into this, as well. We appreciated the fact that the new silver bezels surrounding the instrumentation had a brushed, non-reflective finish. A nice touch. We don't like chromed bezels that bounce sunlight back into our eyes.

We were really impressed by the suspension performance, and feedback from the tire contact patches during our test. This is a big bike, but it really does combine a high level of sporting capability with long-distance comfort. Handling was neutral, aided in part by the stiffer rear suspension settings for 2015, which places more weight over the front wheel. In the past, I would have added shock preload (an easy thing to do with the remote adjuster) to achieve the same balance.

The 2015 Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS offers a high level of performance in every category required of a sport tourer. The engine is powerful and flexible without transmitting too much vibration to the rider, the suspension is stiff enough to allow aggressive sport riding while still absorbing smaller chop and stutter bumps to provide a compliant ride, while the ergonomics, adjustable windshield, new seat and large saddle bags provide the other elements necessary for long distance touring. We expect to perform further testing when we get the 2015 Concours 14 into MD's garage a bit later, but for now it appears Kawasaki has made a very capable sport tourer even better for 2015.

The 2015 Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS has a U.S. MSRP of $15,499. Color choices include Candy Lime Green and Metallic Spark Black (both pictured in this article). For additional details and specifications, visit Kawasaki's web site.

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