2015 Concourse 14 Colors

[Brakelate]

Hmmm, haven't been in here a while, but apparently XJRGuy's is a 2010. Can't tell, it may even be the pretty Blue. But he posted some pics of the 2010 model in another nearby thread.

This is the 2010

[Brakelate]

Another 2010 or '11 similar to the one I test rode. Note the nice, heated Corbin saddle. I also would like to figure out how to adapt over the crash bars, chrome or in stealthy satin black, to save it from a tip over. If they could figure out the mounting. Typically the rear "hoops" attach where the passenger pegs go. It would be ideal to modify them to have both the capacity, and protection of the bags, etc.

[Brakelate]

And then the 2015. They also really did just enough tweaks to really improve the quality and impression of the machine by upgrading the dashboard. Much like the 14R. Worlds better, but still not quite as nice as my favorite view... that of the 2008+ Hayabusa Dash.

[Brakelate]

And then the Black vs Green. I guess the Green isn't Soooo bad as I recall. Seems to help to have the blacked out wheels, exhaust can and matte black plastic lowers on the new machine, rather than the Satin Silver wheels on previous models.

[Brakelate]

Then again, I think just because I can still recall the impact "on the scene" at the time, when the first "Ninja" (Gpz900) rolled out in '84, and how impressive it looked, while chasing the very first one I ever saw on the street up and down Turnbull Cyn Rd on my "Old" '82 Gpz1100, I really like the look of the Limited Edition 14R

They claim only 30 are being produced, but I think they are neat. Not sure anyone will want to pay the premium for one, unless like me, it is some nostalgia thing worth a few hundred bucks, plus bullshit "dealer adjustment". I also think they would look better in natural daylight with the gold trim, brake bits, badging, etc.

[Brakelate]

Then again, still a great bike, and possibly available for a deal as "left over previous model year machines", AND if color wasn't a big issue for you, I imagine there are people very eager to move some of these Hayabusa's off their floors. The Red & White is So-So "ok" with me, the Yellow is horrible, but a dealer with a Yellow one sitting around collecting dust might just really work you a deal on one. And from the saddle, who cares what color it is! Now, sitting in the garage looking at it might be a whole 'nuther story!

Hmmm, on second thought, perhaps the Yellow isn't ALL bad, in the "real world" photos.

[Brakelate]

I guess even the "plastic Blob Bike", in the "Arrest Me!" Red / White could almost be called "Pretty". But, I believe both Tetge and I had the best, with the Metallic Grey and Gold graphics of both generations. His, being more "fancy", with aftermarket Yosh duals, as usual.

[SonicVenum]

You're right about the Councours almost looking "normal" with the bags off, and an aftermarket pipe fitted. That looks like a might comfy bike. As to the Kawi Green... The least they could do is cut some of the green with another color, like black. The ZRX was tolerable because of the Eddie Lawson color scheme to dissipate some of the green. Black or Special Edition are definitely the way to go there.

I've always thought the 'Busas were kinda ugly, but they've always looked comfy. I think I sat on Pat's once, and it seemed to fit me pretty well. It was similar to the ZX-11.

[xjrguy]

Hmmm, haven't been in here a while, but apparently XJRGuy's is a 2010. Can't tell, it may even be the pretty Blue. But he posted some pics of the 2010 model in another nearby thread.

This is the 2010

Hi,

Yes mine is a 2010 and a dark blue. I love that color. Had a 2005 FJR1300 before it which was a little lighter blue.

Love this bike.

[Brakelate]

HEY! There you are!

So, does your 2010 give the incredibly annoying "kick back" and then "go to glass" sensation when transitioning down from "road speeds" to about 10-12 mph? Like when entering a parking lot?

The one I rode (and dammnit if I didn't forget the exact model year) would do that, right when you wanted to transition from hard front or combination braking, down to a primary rear application, like entering a gas station, on to polished concrete while passing through a gutter full of water or whatever; The rear pedal would "kick back" and then go hard, with the ABS obviously both applying too much front braking force, while at the same time, barely allowing any rear brake application, even on such a balanced, long wheelbase machine. I mean you could STAND on the rear brake pedal and it would roll along as though you had faded your brakes in the worst possible fashion. Complete glass. God, that drove me insane. Particularly after just dismounting the Honda ST1300. A bike with clearly the best ABS / Linked Braking system of any bike I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with. Simply perfect, IMHO. Now, undoubtedly, the systems available now, like the current generation of "Race / ABS" systems on the BMW's, ZX10R, and perhaps even the new DL1000 VStrom with it's traction control, must have advanced. Pushing the transparency and effectiveness even further. The "lean angle" sensing ABS / TC on the new big KTM 1290 Adventure as an example. That must really be interesting to experience.

Back on topic regarding the Concourse;

Again, the only other annoyance was it's over active traction control that just slapped me in the face when lofting the front wheel deliberately. Now granted, not something one does on a machine such as this every day. Perhaps never for most folks. But, instead of preventing an frightening or dangerous situation, it seemed to create one. When I want WOT, I WANT IT NOW! Goddamnit! I do not want to have it governed and the throttle "auto-chopped" near shut just because I approached the magical "balance point" or a certain height with the front wheel. Hmmm, now that I think about it, what actually was happening, was it NOT sensing the nose-high angle of the machine, but actually it picked up on the difference in wheel speed as the front tire slowed, hanging in the air, and thus gave it the illusion that the rear wheel was spinning under power, or over something slippery, thus activating the traction control to save a spill. Hmmmmmm. Interesting how odd inputs in reality can "fool" even the most modern electronics. Yup. I bet that was it. It had NOTHING to do with the wheelie per se, but the fact that the front was hanging long enough to slow in comparison to the still accelerating rear wheel, and thus the throwing of the internal wheel spin "Red Flag". How else could it detect rear wheel slip otherwise? It has to be comparing wheel speeds front to rear, and the only way to obtain a sample from the same surface is through the leading wheel. Interesting.

OK. Well, I could perhaps live with that.

And, they claim to have "tweaked" the front to rear bias of the "linked ABS" system to reduce or prevent that rear pedal "Glitch" that I hated. That, and some more little tweaks like the anti-flutter air port in the front windscreen, and increased and redirected, larger side panel openings to allow the escape of engine heat without cooking the rider, etc.

If all true, we may just have a winner here.