The bike Kawasaki should have built to replace the XII

[David (N. Alabama)]

Seat height is adjustable.

It has a huge trunk that can be added and it has a 12 volt accessory plug inside to charge your electronics.


It is lighter then the Concours and is about the same size, but has a much larger fairing and shield for better wind protection. Also comes with Bluetooth equipped stereo system.





Comes with electronically adjustable suspension, traction control, ABS, Cruise Control, etc.

Runs on 87 octane fuel, gets 50 mpg, and has an extra gallon of fuel over the Concours.

[the2knights]

That is a fun bike to ride, the problem for me would be passenger ergonomics. A 500 mile day would not work for the wife on that.

[jre258 in SoDak]

What does it have for a final drive? Shaft? Belt? Chain?

[Highway Rider]

I was close to by buying one but with having to but the top trunk and having to buy the heated grips, seats and a few other items that are not stock on it . It was pushing the 20 grand. I suppose that the blue tooth would be something I could get use to, but I sure love the hard wire intercom and music, when for me I may put on 7 to 9 hundred miles a day. You never have to worried about batteries. But that is the way I will ride at times. It is a wounderful bike for solo, but not for passenger when 2 up.they tend to get buffeted buy wind:

[Highway Rider]

It is shaft driven

[David (N. Alabama)]

What does it have for a final drive? Shaft? Belt? Chain?

Shaft.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I was close to by buying one but with having to but the top trunk and having to buy the heated grips, seats and a few other items that are not stock on it . It was pushing the 20 grand. I suppose that the blue tooth would be something I could get use to, but I sure love the hard wire intercom and music, when for me I may put on 7 to 9 hundred miles a day. You never have to worried about batteries. But that is the way I will ride at times. It is a wounderful bike for solo, but not for passenger when 2 up.they tend to get buffeted buy wind:

My sena Bluetooth headset is good for all day, and you can charge it while using it if you feel the need to be connected.

Triumph threw in the trunk and heated grips. Got $3800 off MSRP, and gave me what I would expect to sell the Concours for myself since it had 30,000 miles.

If the Goldwing wasn't such a pig with way too much passenger accommodation verses rider accommodation it might have replaced the Voyager and the Concours. I would have had to spend over $2500 to get the seat and suspension sorted on a bike that already pushed the mid $20k - $30k.

If my wife can do 90 mile rides on the Trophy, the Voyager may be on the chopping block.

[David (N. Alabama)]

That is a fun bike to ride, the problem for me would be passenger ergonomics. A 500 mile day would not work for the wife on that.

Nothing a Russell Day Long couldn't fix. I am not trying to sell anyone on the bike, just saying that Kawasaki is behind the Times with the Concours.

[David (N. Alabama)]

That is a fun bike to ride, the problem for me would be passenger ergonomics. A 500 mile day would not work for the wife on that.

It is hard to do 500 miles on scenic 2 lane no matter what bike you are on. 10 hours or more if you can average 50 mph is going make any but a little sore and fatigue the rider.

I have taken 12 hours to travel 400 miles on the roads less traveled.

[Highway Rider]

Oh I have to agree that a Russell day long would do the trick, but that would be another $700:00 or there abouts, but no matter what brand a different seat would be in order. A Connie is not that bad of a bike either but with no cruise control makes me wonder what the thinking behind that was. I would speculate that thre are not going to be any changes in the near or distant future, as that is what they seam to do. For instance look at the KLR 650 a great bike but with an up grade to some vary inexpensive parts it would be even better, and it's been out for how long now. On don't get me wrong the Triumph Trophy is in the top of its class of Sport Tours like the Concourse, and (BMW) K1600 to name a few. So if the Concourse had cruise I could see having sone for all the solo riding I do.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Congrats on the new Trophy. They are really nice rides and set up to do many 1000 mile days.


KB

IPVMC

[David (N. Alabama)]

Congrats on the new Trophy. They are really nice rides and set up to do many 1000 mile days.


KB

IPVMC

Thanks Kevin. Not into 1000 miles days myself. I like to stop by 4:00 PM so I can set up camp, or check into a hotel and have a relaxing dinner.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Understood David , I am starting to get into this mode of riding myself. Just enjoying the ride and taking my time.


KB

In Southern Illinois

IPVMC

[Tonyvdb]

One of the 9 guys that went on our long 3700mi trip down to Denver a few weeks ago had one of these and says he wants to sell it and get something "better" he did not like the riding posture as you still lean slightly forward on it. Hard on his back and he said the seat is hard for long rides unlike my Voyager XII

[David (N. Alabama)]

One of the 9 guys that went on our long 3700mi trip down to Denver a few weeks ago had one of these and says he wants to sell it and get something "better" he did not like the riding posture as you still lean slightly forward on it. Hard on his back and he said the seat is hard for long rides unlike my Voyager XII

For many of us, slightly leaning forward is the most comfortable position. Allows the body to absorb shocks better than sitting straight up. I have a bad back and sitting straight up will jar my back if I catch a bump unaware. If I know it is coming I lean forward.

I will agree that the seat is hard because the US bikes get the low seat for some reason. I guess to appeal to the cruiser riders? Right now I use my sheepskin on it and will decide if that is good enough after my fall tour. I leaned more forward on the Concours than this bike which was good for day after day riding so hopefully I don't feel like I am too upright on the Trophy.

I will say that this bike is more comfortable than I was on the stock XII. I had to put a taller Hartco seat with backrest on the XII because it was too cramped for me.

I even lean slightly forward when riding the Voyager 1700 for any length of time.

I guess we all need to find what we are comfortable with which is why they make so many different riding position bikes.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Disagree with the thread title, but cool bike none the less. A guy I know with a Wing that I've worked on, and posted pics of it in my garage before, needed help getting it in his garage the other day. He fell and hurt his hip 3 or 4 weeks ago. The bike may be up for sale next year and I'd be lying if I wasn't intrigued with the thought of owning it.

Hard to give up the Voyager 12 though.

[David (N. Alabama)]

Disagree with the thread title, but cool bike none the less. A guy I know with a Wing that I've worked on, and posted pics of it in my garage before, needed help getting it in his garage the other day. He fell and hurt his hip 3 or 4 weeks ago. The bike may be up for sale next year and I'd be lying if I wasn't intrigued with the thought of owning it.

Hard to give up the Voyager 12 though.

The title was a little tongue in cheek Chris
They couldn't build a full touring bike based on the Concours engine without bad fuel economy. They ended up with a super heavy V-twin touring bike, and a very sporty sport tour bike. The Trophy is somewhere in the middle with it's 3 cylinder, upright sitting, cruise, etc'.

The wing is another interstate bike, and the handling doesn't compare to the Trophy, or my modified suspension Voyager XII. I like the F6B, and now that they offer cruise, I might get a used one one day. The wing just didn't sit right for me or Jana.

[duckman]

HI guys, I know this is a late post but enjoyed reading and adding my $.02
I've read on the Trophy forum and the Concours forums. Found a former C14 owner that put over 70K in 2 years on his 2013 Trophy. Needless to say he likes it a lot. He traded his C14 specifically because it does not have Cruise. He has no interest in an old or new voyager or even a wing. I've read many that want the updated electronics. This specific person now also has a BMW GS model for more rough terrain that trophy and wings and K1600 don't have clearance for.

I have an 05 C10 (commute) and an 03 XII (vacation). I've been itching for a C14 but found a lot of guys still like the C10 better but I have collected info on C14 and Trophy. I've not read any comparisons with our voyager vs any others because its older. Obtained an old article from Motorcycle consumer news and the voyager held its own back in its prime. As others, amazed Kawa did not upgrade.

I'd love to get a Trophy for commuting but local dealer never has one to test ride, (not sure he would let me anyway). Seems like a great all around model to own if you ride mostly one up and cannot afford a GW or a BMW K1600. It has the electronics and supposedly handles better than C14 and is much lighter than K or GL models. Agree it does not go at mach speed but most troopers don't approve. Also the seating position (with no risers) is another big reason folks choose it. If I could only have one it might be it. Until then, I'll keep what I got.

[Lucasind]

...Hello Duckman ! ...and welcome to the group ! ....enjoyed reading your thoughts , and you mentioned "riding position"....That rates about top of my list as I get older,as the decades go by.....Don't like to lean forward at all any more....but still own those kind of bikes ....but they don't leave the shop much !......The F/I connie 14 has INSANE pulling power thru the gears
My 08' has the "Heli bars kit" and is a blast to ride !............................Tony