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Kawasaki instills a host of major improvements to the big Connie
When Kawasaki resurrected the Concours label two years ago with its ZX-14-based (but basically all-new) Concours 14, the factory's original intention was to put more "sport" in the sport-touring category. With the engine and chassis lineage tracing back to the biggest Ninja, the basic platform for pavement-rippling performance was assured. Actually, more like delivered—in our '08 hypersport-tourer comparison "Long-Range Missiles", the Concours 14 bested the competition despite a few niggling issues by virtue of its superb all-around design and performance.
Kawasaki conducts a lot of focus group research with its customers, and they found that while the Concours 14 following was very enthusiastic about their likes on the new model, they were also very adamant on what improvements they felt were needed. Thus Kawasaki wasted no time incorporating those suggestions—plus a few more from factory engineers—into the latest 2010-model of the big Connie that was introduced to the media in Indian Wells, California. 
There were no complaints about the ZX-14-derived engine and chassis, so the beefy 1352cc powerplant and stout monocoque-style frame return basically unchanged (and we're not about to gripe with that decision). But heading the list of wish list/improvements is better engine heat management. Complaints of owners getting baked by rising engine heat on their shins and upper torso while sitting in traffic have been addressed with better ducting and heat shielding in the more aggressively-designed fairing. A taller windscreen with wider upper portion was also installed to answer requests for better wind protection, with a new four-preset programmable position feature added as well.
During our '08 comparison test, we rued the fact that the Kawasaki lacked the heated grips that its competition had installed as options when riding through cold weather. Apparently others felt the same; the new Concours not only has stepless-adjustable heated grips, but it comes equipped with them standard—not as an extra-cost option. Also helping in this area are mirrors positioned 40mm higher, which not only provides a less-obstructed rear view (we complained of this in our test, with the saddlebags intruding on the rear view) but also provide additional wind protection for the rider’s hands.
Biggest news for the 2010 Concours 14, however, is the addition of second-generation K-ACT (Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology) ABS and Kawasaki's first traction control system, dubbed the KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control). The K-ACT ABS is an improved version of the system originally found on the Voyager full-touring model, with a linked front-rear brake setup that now has two modes for rider preference. With the ABS wheel-speed sensors already in place, the KTRC was a natural add-on to the system. Unlike most traction control systems that pull back on ignition timing and fuel delivery however, the KTRC employs a three-way system of igntion, fuel, and throttle opening to reduce power.
There's also a Fuel Economy Assistance Mode that accesses a leaner fuel map that can boost fuel mileage during cruising speeds, according Kawasaki. There's plenty of other detail changes, including a redesigned spare KIPASS key fob, slightly revamped Bridgestone BT-021U tires for "sharper handling and longer tire life," etc. Check out the next issue of Sport Rider for more detailed info on these changes.
So what's the one-day-ride impression/bite-size blog verdict? The 2010 Concours 14 is a definite improvement over the previous edition—one that was already good to begin with. Heat management is vastly improved, and the rider aerodynamics with the taller and wider windscreen are even better than before (although the taller riders in our journalist group weren't as enthused, and we weren't fans of the four-step preset); mirror view is much better, but not quite optimum. The K-ACT ABS and KTRC work as advertised and work well, although we felt there were some minor issues with brake progressivity (check our print test for further details). Handling with the new-design Bridgestone rubber was definitely more neutral, with far less of the quirky steering traits exhibited by our '08 test bike; initial turn-in was a bit slower, however. All-in-all, a solid thumbs-up from SR's El Jefe for the '10 Concours 14. Stay tuned for a full report soon.
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