Say Hello To Connie, my new girl

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ceemes · #1 Unread post by **ceemes** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 12:36 pm

....and say a sad farewell to Sabre.....

My poor old Sabre was on its last legs and today we went for our last ride together to check out candidates for her replacement. I had hoped to pick up the Triumph Trophy I test rode a few weeks back, but someone else beat me to the punch and snagged it.

After checking out a few bikes including an '02 Triumph Sprint RS, I settled on a near mint '87 Kawasaki Concours. Apart from the price being right, what sealed the deal is that Kawasaki introduced the Concours back in '86, refined it in '87 and for 20 years made very few changes on the bike. Basically most parts off an '07 Concours can be fitted onto the '87.

The Concours runs what is basically a detuned Ninja 1000 engine that delivers more mid range torque and is shaft driven. This is my first venture into the Sport Touring class having been a Sport Standard man for decades. If I like it, I will look to getting a Triumph Spint ST down the road.

Here are a few photos of Connie.

Left Side View:

Front View:

Rights Side View: (a little cosmetic damage here with a broken reflector, easily fixed)

Rear View:

BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 1:31 pm

Looks like it's been well taken care of, Ceemes. And with a nice butt cradle to boot.

I think you'll enjoy the world of big sport tourers. Right up until the first time you have to pick it up in the parking lot. So don't do that, if you can help it.

#3 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 5:27 pm

Congratulations man! That's a nice bike, now you and CoffeeBrake can be siblings!

jstark47 · #4 Unread post by **jstark47** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 5:47 pm

BuzZz wrote:I think you'll enjoy the world of big sport tourers. Right up until the first time you have to pick it up in the parking lot.

They are reportedly as top-heavy as Trophys, if not more so. 7 gallon tank IIRC. So take care at low speed if you're not used to this kind of bike. They excel at long distances at high speeds in comfort. Congrats on your acquistion.

ceemes · #5 Unread post by **ceemes** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 6:46 pm

jstark47 wrote:
BuzZz wrote:I think you'll enjoy the world of big sport tourers. Right up until the first time you have to pick it up in the parking lot.
They are reportedly as top-heavy as Trophys, if not more so. 7 gallon tank IIRC. So take care at low speed if you're not used to this kind of bike. They excel at long distances at high speeds in comfort. Congrats on your acquistion.

yeah I did some research on them. 7.5 US gallons in the tank. Funny thing is, I find it no more top heavy then the Sabre and just as nimble. One thing I am going to have to replace asap is the grips...too tiny by half and I can feel that Connie Buzz coming thru them.

Gummiente · Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:26 am

Congrats! You and Connie will put a lot of happy miles on together.

XB08 · #7 Unread post by **XB08** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 1:46 am

I had one , I had trouble with cooling on it, watch for that.

ceemes · #8 Unread post by **ceemes** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:34 am

XB08 wrote:I had one , I had trouble with cooling on it, watch for that.

Yeah, they are a hot running engine, especially compared to my old Sabre. The seller gave me the run down, at normal idle temperature the gauge reads at the halfway mark, highway speed and the gauge is between the 1/4 and 1/2 mark. Anything over the 3/4 mark and you have to watch it.

Johnj · #9 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 5:53 am

Yea you can remove the reflectors and replace them with LED marker lights. Wire them up with the hot wire for the front markers and the hot for the turn signal. That way they will be on while the turn signals off, and off while the turn signal on.

High_Side · Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:38 am

Congrats on the new bike.

You can't go wrong with any old Kawi as they are virtually bulletproof. Is that the stock shield as I don't remember them being anywhere near that tall?