Kawasaki Concours 1000

Riding 20 years on many different bikes and types. Have had a ‘99 (purple) now for three years. Have done many day trips and one overnighter. And a lot of in city riding. This old beast is great, really love it. Feel like a sporty cop on it, funny. Tons of comfort. Surprising performance. Good all across the tach but really rips above 6000. You’ll be shocked how leaned over you can get this 700lb baby if you’ve got the road and the guts to do it. Incredible handling for the size amd vintage. Brakes are decent. Rugged as hell. Shaft drive worry free and smooth. Amazing wind protection so I stay dry and I don’t feel the need for heated grips even when it’s really cold if I have a little heavier gloves on. Mirrors might be the best ever put on a bike. Seat is just OK. Incredible fuel economy thanks to tall sixth gear and smaller displacement than St1300, FJR, and newer 1400 model Concours. And huge range thanks to massive tank. You don’t even have to think about stopping for gas before 350kms. The more you ride this thing the more it becomes like an old friend. Sounds corny but its true. It’s old tech as hell, but that helps when you (rarely) do have to maintain it and no electronic BS to go wrong or need reprogramming. Regular gas. Cheap to insure. And pick one up used for $2000. Get one with as many accessories as you can, especially: bar risers, after market windscreen, seat. Rip those OEM Dunlops off soon as they wear and throw on some Avons or others that fit the bikes weird tire spec. They handle even better and I’ve found they won’t track nearly as bad on rain grooves. I’ve got an Avon on front and the OEM on the back right now. Feels good. I also have a fork brace which may help the handling. Again, it’s a great handler out of the crate though. Also nice to get a Givi topcase so you can leave the side cases off except for longer trips. Top case is plenty for your regular life storage and helmet I find. Only thing the modern bikes have that I’d find myself wanting frequently is power windscreen so I can raise it up for highway, down for city and ventilation. The modern sport touring alternatives are objectively better in every way, but they are much more $ even used. And the old Concours has so much character and is surprisingly capable, making for a really authentic ride. Hey it’s your money. I say get one of these old girls and spend your savings on forty nights of hotel rooms as you ride into every corner of North America. Let the good times roll.

Own a GTR1000 for several years. A bit heavy in the city. Handles fine and what an engine for an eighties bike! It will outrun most other sporttouring bikes. Even today! Build quility is good. Maintenance cost also. The prices are rising but you can pick one up for a very reasonable price. I recomend it!

Mirrors are perfect .The extra large fuel tank is great.And the riding comfort is splendid

I traded my Shadow Areo 04 for this 98 Concours and a canoe.Best trade I ever made with no regrets.Wow what a power house,can't compare the cornering and smothness.I am now putting hi-way pegs on for the up coming season.There isn't anything I can think of to say against my connie except there isn't enough exposure in Canada.

The good points are too many to mention. The bike has an instant power boost as you twist the throttle. It handles just great in the turns and responds to your every move. I have gotten as much as 48 mpg on a trip and it runs on regular fuel. It was easy to obtain and install after market equipment, such as windshields & foot peg extensions, along with handle bar extensions. Most people like the idea of my modest investment in the basic bike.

This bike has been much better than I ever expected. The touring range is extremely good. I have traveled thru Canada and other parts of the USA, and have never tired of its ride and pleasure derived from the long days of touring.

The Connie is a bike you can work on. It is a workingman's bike, low cost for what you get, and you can make adjustments as it is not digitized. There are tons of after-market items and helpful Connie riders that will give you help for any possible question you may have with your pre-2008 (Connie14) Connie. This bike is probably not the best bike to use as a learner because of the top heavy nature and raw power combination. I hear that the plastic fairings get damaged pretty badly from a simple tip-over. I have RIVCO engine guards on the front and back $315 for both sets, which is a solid investment because a new fairing is going to set you back quite a bit more. Mine gets 40 mpg on the highway and 35-38 mpg in traffic depending on how much stop-and-go is required. It gets better gas mileage than a smart-car and is a lot more fun to operate... AND IS MUCH CHEAPER. In this day and age, with gas prices what they are, this bike will run 3 seasons and allow you to put some money aside to still sustain life without maxing out credit cards. I am a graduate student with a long commute and I wouldn't be able to make ends meet without this bike. It is the best investment I have made in terms of individual transportation, and has allowed me to travel at low costs. I LOVE MY CONNIE!

Good value for the money. Solid comfortable ride with descent handling and power. Good gas mileage. Relable with very little maintanance required.

I have currently owned 4 Connie's an 86, 87, and 2, 01's. All have been extremely dependable, no problem's other than a leaky water pump on the 87, easy $100 fix. I put about 50,000 miles on the 86 and 87 before selling to close friends. Put 20,000 miles on 2nd and sold to a friend, bought it back about 2 1/2 years later. Still riding it. Was going to buy a new 1400 Concours but they made them too tall. Guess I'll just keep riding old blue as long as possible.

I was able to purchase last of model year bike in 2001. I have put over 20K miles on the bike and am currently looking to replace the tires again. This will be the 2nd replacement set of tires-really good mileage.

I bought a 1994 model in black with the red pinstripe. Cases were very handy. nice little pockets in fairing for tolls etc too. Shaft drive was superb and the engine was lovely. Paid 1k for her and then toured Holland and Belgium. She didn't miss a beat. carried my mate on the back when his norton commando broke down. this made no difference at all to the ride - incredible. she did not miss a beat throughout the tour and when it rained I just sat there and laughed. tremendous big fairing. what a bargain - sold her for 1700 quid 5 months later. Lovey bike.