Info on 2004 Kawasaki ZG1000 concours

[ddragon63]

Hey fellas,

as some of you know I've been shopping sport touring bikes. I think its time to give up the crotch rockets and get onto something a little more comfy that still carves pretty good.

I've had a 2004 Kawi Concours placed in front of me. 18k miles. dealer maintained, cherry 1 owner type bike. after market quick removable luggage.... etc.

What do we know about these bikes? Only think I know is it looks like a bloated version of my old Kawi zx-6e mid weight I use to thrash the hell out of.

input greatly appreciated

[motoman]

The sport touring class they are good scoots, but in my sig. you can see my preference being otherwise. Always called the Conny 'a poor mans ST'. Not true with the newer Conny14.

[ddragon63]

thanks Moto....

[madmax-im]

thanks Moto....

Hi Don...dunno much abt the Concours model you are referring to...I do know its an excellent platform for touring just not sure how much sport is in the equation...Like Brant says though the current Concours is much more of everything...Coming back to the Honda's they are well balanced and do everything well but do not stand out in any one particular category..like best sporty handling or best in class HP...The Honda's are generalists...that being said they are a most excellent ride be it an ST1100 or the newer iteration ST1300...you should seriously check them out.

[ddragon63]

I really want a Yamaha FJR 1300. but for one down in low miles people want a good chuck of change for it. The Guy with the Concours wants my R1 and wants to give me cash on top of it. He is already speaking my language

[motoman]

I really want a Yamaha FJR 1300. but for one down in low miles people want a good chuck of change for it. The Guy with the Concours wants my R1 and wants to give me cash on top of it. He is already speaking my language

In that case, I'd be all over that Conny. Way more varieties of riding styles to enjoy on that over the R1, plus all the riding farkles to make it fit YOU!......bar risers, road pegs,Russell Day Long seat, to name a few...

[ddragon63]

guy sent me pictures of 1 side of the Conny only. I found out why after I made him email me pictures of the left side... "his Buddy" dropped it in the parking lot. the mirror is on order, he replaced the side bag already. But my ANAL self would want to replace the whole left cowl piece. I told him I might be willing to make a deal but it would take more cash on his part. He has now quit texting me

Oh well. I'm not in a hurry

[Jerry]

I run an '06 Connie. Bought it in '09. Good bike, but be prepared to customize it for personal comfort. I did a lot of research prior to buying so knew what I was getting into.

Most common upgrades are:
handlebar risers
higher windshield
foot peg lowering kit
highway pegs

The Connie carries 7.5 gallons of gas up high, so is on the top-heavy side. Steering angle is different, "quicker" than my XJ.

The Connie is about as close to an upgraded XS/XJ as you get. In-line 4 cylinder, 4 carbs, shaft drive, 6-speed, twin odometers, clock. Oil cooler is standard, engine is liquid cooled. Tends to vibrate more than the XJ but has an adjustable harmonic balancer. Stock seat is OK but not great. I replaced mine with a Russell Day-Long last year and that made a world of difference. Other adds, in addition to the ones listed above, include SS brake lines, Givi luggage rack, throttle lock, and a trailer hitch.

Only real change to the bike over its production run was a change to the instrument panel, larger forks, and a few minor changes in '03 or so. Lots of after-market parts and pieces, though the new Connie came out in '07 so new products for the older bikes has slowed down.

Its a good bike. Plan on doing the upgrades so take those costs into consideration. It rides well, handles well, good fuel economy, parts/pieces/accessories available, generally lower price than an ST or comparable bike. Comes full-fairing and with lockable/removable saddlebags, so you need to comfortable with a touring package.

Send a PM if you have any more questions.

[ddragon63]

I run an '06 Connie. Bought it in '09. Good bike, but be prepared to customize it for personal comfort. I did a lot of research prior to buying so knew what I was getting into.

Most common upgrades are:
handlebar risers
higher windshield
foot peg lowering kit
highway pegs

The Connie carries 7.5 gallons of gas up high, so is on the top-heavy side. Steering angle is different, "quicker" than my XJ.

The Connie is about as close to an upgraded XS/XJ as you get. In-line 4 cylinder, 4 carbs, shaft drive, 6-speed, twin odometers, clock. Oil cooler is standard, engine is liquid cooled. Tends to vibrate more than the XJ but has an adjustable harmonic balancer. Stock seat is OK but not great. I replaced mine with a Russell Day-Long last year and that made a world of difference. Other adds, in addition to the ones listed above, include SS brake lines, Givi luggage rack, throttle lock, and a trailer hitch.

Only real change to the bike over its production run was a change to the instrument panel, larger forks, and a few minor changes in '03 or so. Lots of after-market parts and pieces, though the new Connie came out in '07 so new products for the older bikes has slowed down.

Its a good bike. Plan on doing the upgrades so take those costs into consideration. It rides well, handles well, good fuel economy, parts/pieces/accessories available, generally lower price than an ST or comparable bike. Comes full-fairing and with lockable/removable saddlebags, so you need to comfortable with a touring package.

Send a PM if you have any more questions.

Well the deal got killed yesterday when he finally sent me a picture of the damage his "buddy" did. I told him he better come up with more cash than what he offered to go with his bike for my R1. He got pretty pissy with me on the phone.

I'm pretty Anal, and couldn't see removing a bike from my stable that is damn near flawless for a bike I would have to put a mirror and left cowl on. Apparently my counter offer was unreasonable I told him I worry about how well maintained the bike is if he lets his "buddy" drop it in a parking lot and his "buddy" and him couldn't come up with a replacement mirror and left cowl in the last 8 months. Or at least a plan to make it right before trying to sell it.

He went into a rant about how its not that noticeable (except the mirror) and when I stopped him mid sentence and said "pal I can see the crack and missing piece in the cowl in your Shi^^y cell phone picture!" He promptly told me to "go F myself" and hung up.

[crazy steve]

...He went into a rant about how its not that noticeable (except the mirror) and when I stopped him mid sentence and said "pal I can see the crack and missing piece in the cowl in your Shi^^y cell phone picture!" He promptly told me to "go F myself" and hung up.

Just another moron who thought he could put something over on somebody else.... you see them all the time.

[ddragon63]

Just another moron who thought he could put something over on somebody else.... you see them all the time.

He contacted me about my bike offering his and cash. Then acted like he was doing me a favor and he would be taking it in the shorts. I'm not giving up my $4500 to $5000 R1 for his $2500 broken conny and $500 cash. I'll ride my bike into the river before I'll give it away. Good old craigslist....

I just had a guy text me trying to low ball me cash wise. He used my favorite line... 100 dollar bills. Told him I don't give a shet if its in 1's ya best go find a grand more of them!

[crazy steve]

I've never liked 'trade' deals because that always seems to attract guys who are trying to get rid of something not really worth what it should be, i.e. 'all it needs is....' type things. Hey, if it's worth that much sell it and bring the cash, then we'll talk...

[ddragon63]

Exactly!!!!

[WSL91]

I've never liked 'trade' deals because that always seems to attract guys who are trying to get rid of something not really worth what it should be, i.e. 'all it needs is....' type things. Hey, if it's worth that much sell it and bring the cash, then we'll talk...

Doing trades is a problem waiting to happen. Selling outright means negotiating on the price of 1 item, on a trade you are negotiating on 2. No thanks

[ddragon63]

I've never liked 'trade' deals because that always seems to attract guys who are trying to get rid of something not really worth what it should be, i.e. 'all it needs is....' type things. Hey, if it's worth that much sell it and bring the cash, then we'll talk...

Doing trades is a problem waiting to happen. Selling outright means negotiating on the price of 1 item, on a trade you are negotiating on 2. No thanks

Apparently you 2 are trading in the wrong pool... I've horse swapped lots of things and always end up on the better end....

You do know you can say NO to any offer right?!

anyways.... I made out pretty good offing the R1. and gained another riding buddy. That guy follows us everywhere on that bike.