2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

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2008 Kawasaki Concours 14
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2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

 

– 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

Early Release 2008 model- arriving in dealerships early 2007

2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS™ 14 AND CONCOURS 14 ABS: SPORT TOURING WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Supersport performance with long-distance touring comfort

The new Concours™ 14 and Concours 14 ABS combine breathtaking engine performance, impeccable handling and a comfortable riding position with clean, convenient shaft drive, locking hard luggage, an electrically adjustable windscreen and a host of other features to create the most impressive long-distance, high-speed machine on the market today.

An aluminum monocoque chassis, radial-mount brake calipers, inverted fork, and ram air induction are all features riders expect to find on top-of-the-line supersport machines. However, instead of riding a high-strung racetrack missile, they can enjoy these high-performance features on Kawasaki’s new Concours 14 sport touring motorcycles. They are the first representatives of an entirely new genre of high-performance motorcycle: the Transcontinental Supersport.

Because it’s a Kawasaki, the Concours 14 is naturally designed to do much more than just take a rider from point A to point B. Thanks to its sporting heritage, the new Concours 14 is not only an awe-inspiring road burner, it can also carve up mountain roads like a true supersport bike. For those riders who cross state lines the way others cross town, this machine offers more excitement than anything else in its category.

The Concours 14 may be a physically impressive machine, but as soon as riders flip the side stand up, they’ll be astonished at the bike’s lightweight feel. The confidence-enhancing ABS brake system (Concours™ 14 ABS) features radial-mount front calipers operated by a radial-pump master cylinder, for the superb control and powerful, reliable braking performance that continent-crossing sport riders expect. Belying its tourer-like appearance, the Concours 14’s phenomenally responsive handling characteristics make the other bikes in its category seem like transports by comparison. This provides the Concours 14 rider with a feeling of complete control for spirited, confident journeys.

In addition to an incredible level of sporting performance, the new Concours 14 has the functional touches of a Grand Touring machine. Features include KI-PASS (Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System), the first “smart” key ignition system in its class, and an accessory power outlet located near the cockpit for powering portable electronics, grip heaters and other accessories. There’s also an electrically adjustable windscreen, shaft drive and detachable, locking side cases, so the Concours 14 is always ready for a high-speed ride to the local hangout or that favorite spot… fifteen hundred miles away.

The Concours 14 is much more than a sportbike with tacked-on touring features; it’s an integrated high-speed touring system. Wind protection for rider and passenger is based on a supersport-style design philosophy, aerodynamically curving wind around the riders to reduce buffeting that occurs when wind curls around screens that simply “block” the wind. Additionally, maintenance chores on long-distance trips are minimized thanks to quiet and reliable shaft drive. Featuring a special four-link design, the Tetra-Lever shaft drive system significantly reduces driveline lash during sport riding and helps ensure smooth acceleration when exploiting the engine’s incredible power output. In fact, power delivery to the rear wheel is so smooth and so direct that it gives the same natural ride quality as a chain.

The Concours 14’s touring prowess doesn’t stop there. The included hard luggage features a slim, integrated design which mounts the cases closer to the machine’s centerline for excellent mass centralization. Sensors in the front and rear wheels monitor tire pressure and display this information on the instrument panel, giving riders peace of mind during two-up high-speed riding or when carving up a mountain road.

With all the equipment needed for safe and exciting long-distance riding mated to a decidedly supersport core, the new Concours 14 amplifies all the best riding features that motorcycling has to offer. Motorcyclists carry a driver’s license, but Concours 14 riders should bring their passports, too.

 

FEATURES:

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 Smart key system (KI-PASS)
– Tire pressure sensors

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four with VVT
Displacement: 1,352cc
Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 61.0mm
Maximum torque: TBD
Compression ratio: TBD
Fuel Injection: DFI
Ignition: TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission: Six speed
Final drive: Tetra-Lever shaft drive
Rake / trail: TBD
Front Tire: TBD
Rear Tire: TBD
Front suspension / wheel travel: Inverted, telescopic fork / TBD
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Tetra-Lever / TBD
Brakes, front: Dual floating petal discs with four-piston calipers
Brakes, rear: Single petal disc
Fuel capacity: TBD
Seat height: TBD
Wheelbase: TBD
Overall length: TBD
Overall height: TBD
Overall width: TBD
Dry weight: TBD
Color: Concours 14 ABS: Neutron Silver
Metallic Diablo Black
Concours 14: Neutron Silver
MSRP Concours™ 14 ABS / Concours 14: TBD / TBD
Warranty: 12 Months