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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2015 KAWASAKI CONCOURS®14 ABS:

• 1,352cc supersport engine derived from Ninja ZX-14R but tuned for long journeys
• NEW First gear ratio for easier starts from a standstill and low-speed maneuvering
• NEW Steering stem seal provides lighter steering at low speeds
• NEW Stiffer rear suspension settings for enhanced control and carrying ability
• NEW Sculpted seat for improved comfort (optional Touring Seat available)
• NEW Electrically adjustable windshield with three-position vent
• NEW Exhaust heat shield improves rider comfort when stationary
• NEW Revised ABS settings to reduce the linked braking effect
• NEW Silver bezels on instrumentation

The 2015 Kawasaki Concours14 ABS is about more than just power. The four-cylinder engine boasts Variable Valve Timing (VVT) for economy and fluid responses, providing the kind of torque that makes relaxed, sixth-gear overtaking maneuvers par for the course.

Kawasaki’s supersport expertise means the Concours14 ABS motorcycle also has a suite of technology from the latest K-ACT ABS brakes to KTRC traction control and a Fuel Economy Assistance Mode to help the rider optimize his extended time in the saddle. For convenience it also has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) as well as KIPASS keyless starting technology.

For 2015, the Kawasaki Concours14 ABS has been further enhanced with a series of key refinements. Kawasaki kept all of the standout performance, comfort and convenience items that already make the Concours14 ABS so popular, and have added some strategic upgrades. These include a revised first gear ratio to make it easier to pull away from a standstill. It also has revised catalysers for even cleaner emissions, as well as ECU updates to suit the changes to the transmission and cats. There is also a new seat that is narrower at the front to help the rider reach the ground more easily. The seat is sculpted at the front for improved comfort, while at the rear, the seat is flatter and longer for the passenger. The adjustable rear suspension was stiffened on the initial preload setting to maintain the motorcycle’s legendary stability when carrying a passenger and full luggage.

Other updates to the 2015 Kawasaki Concours14 ABS include refinements to the ABS system, which reduces the linked effect on the front brake when the rear brake is applied. There is also a new steering stem seal, which helps to reduce steering effort at slower speeds. And once speeds climb, the new windshield reduces the aerodynamic load on the rider with its integrated, adjustable vent.

ALL-DAY COMFORT
The 2015 Kawasaki Concours14 ABS starts with a highly capable platform and adds several key enhancements, such as the new seat that has rounded edges to make it easier for riders to reach the ground. The seat is also sculpted to offer greater support but is wider and longer towards the rear to give the passenger a better experience. Other seat upgrades include a slip-resistant cover and double-stitched detailing to increase its visual appeal.

Owners who wish to use the 2015 Kawasaki Concours14 ABS for long distance touring will be pleased to hear that Kawasaki Genuine Accessories also offers an optional touring seat, which will provide enhanced comfort for extended journeys and is more resistant to heat accumulation when exposed to the sun – this is the material’s first application in the motorcycle industry and should make the seat cooler after the bike has been sitting in the sun.

The handlebar is more upright and closer to the rider than the Ninja ZX-14R. This reinforces its touring comfort yet is still more sporty than traditional sports touring motorcycles.

Additional new comfort features include a two-position adjustable vent on the electrically raised windshield. This windshield improves the airflow around the rider and reduces the buffeting effect, since the vent removes the low-pressure zone in the cockpit.

The passenger will appreciate the new rubber-padded footpegs that are designed to reduce vibrations. Additionally, a new heat shield has been designed to deflect engine heat away from the rider when he comes to a stop, helping to maintain comfort.

Finally, the stiffer rear suspension on the 2015 Kawasaki Concours14 ABS helps it remain one of the most compliant sports-oriented touring bikes available. The stiffer setting enhances the ride while carrying a passenger and full saddlebags. What’s more, the rear suspension has a remote preload adjuster that allows the rider to tune the handling to their individual preference, without using any tools. It can also be adjusted to compensate for the addition of a passenger and full saddlebags.

POWERTRAIN
The heart of the Concours14 ABS supersport touring package is its amazing and sophisticated 1,352cc DOHC inline-four powerplant. Although it is based on the same engine as the world-class Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, in this application it has been tuned for excellent low- and mid-range power. In addition to the exhilarating low-end torque, it delivers a top-end rush that will have riders nipping at the heels of sportbike riders when the need arises.

A key element of its tremendous power band is the Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which alters the camshaft valve timing according to parameters such as RPM and engine load. The result is the enhanced low- and mid-range power without sacrificing that top-end shove.

Advanced fuel injection, ram-air induction and decades of experience building the world’s most potent supersport engines has created a simply astonishing powerplant, one that makes the 2015 Concours14 ABS a force to be reckoned with in the sport-touring segment. And yet its advanced electronics mean the rider can use the Fuel Economy Assistance Mode to prioritize fuel savings, offering a significant increase in fuel economy and allowing the rider to travel farther on each tank of fuel.