One of the best motorcycles ever made. To think this bike was made for 20 years there must have been a reason. To me my 2001 Connie is a more comfortable bike than the newer version. I rode a newer Concours and I liked it but I think it was a little bit over done and it was not even as comfortable as my bike. I think when they put that de-tuned Z-1000 engine in the ZG-1000 Connie it matched the power level that the bike needed perfectly. I was going to upgrade to the newer one but after I rode one all day I found that I really did not need to upgrade. My 2001 model just has 20K on it and is in perfect condition, I have all the bike I need right now. At my age (67) my bike will probably outlast me anyway.
I fully agree. I'm 60 and had 3 GTR/Concours 1000 30 years ago, a GTR1400 6 years ago and now again a GTR1000 from 2000. It's a better GT bike than the GTR/Concours 1400 which is too sport oriented, that's why I sold mine quickly. The panniers have a better capacity and are less fragile. The wind protection is better. The engine is bullet proof. The defaults are: very heavy and tipping over always concludes by broken pilot footpeg and fairing. It definitively neads at least front tip over bars, handlebar risers and lower footpegs. Other than that a fantastic bike. Not modish at all with it's big fairing, but when I see how ugly recent bikes are with no fairing, no protection, no gimbal while horribly expensive, only made to ride short distances in good weather and without passenger, I'm very pleased with this real touring bike. I bought mine here in Europe with 65000km 1900 euros (2200 USD, and that's higher than in the US), which is the price of a basic naked chinese 125cc... it's the best value for money touring bike I've ever seen. Similar qualities than equivalent BMW's from the nineties but much much cheaper. I think I'll keep it like you till the end, with regular maintenance especially carbs, petcock and bearings, it can last for ages.
@@Igloo5555 Be wary of the lower portion of the gas tank where it meets the side panels. Both sides are lower than the fuel petcock and water collects then rusts out the tank, leading to carb trouble and possible engine Hydro lock. Install a good quality inline fuel filter. I had the tank on mine cleaned then sealed with Red-Kote as preventive medicine. If yours has sat for a while with fuel in the tank, you want to be sure the tank is good...or bad shit happens. Cheers.
@@GPz84 that’s some great info, thank you. It looks to be at least from what I can see and haven given it a preliminary cleaning, much of the surface rust seemed to come off. So if I’m lucky, possibly just a baking soda/vinegar soak, perhaps muriatic acid, scope it with an inspection cam down into the corners like you mentioned, and bang it back together. It had an in line filter coming out the petcock, before the carbs, but I don’t have a shop manual to know if that came factory? Thank you for the knowledge
Nice ride, man. I have the same year Concours, with about 40,000 miles on it. I'm a new rider and got this bike 10 months ago. Practicing at an empty parking lot, working Motojitsu drills from RUclips helped me out tons, especially for this being my first bike and me being 5'8" 170lbs. I love riding this bike and have it as my commuter, averaging about 37mpg most of the time. Safe riding. Peace.
Just hearing that unique, sweet sound again was music to my ears. I put 80K miles on my '86. Four times New England to the West Coast and back, Also to Mexico and Alaska, never once had a breakdown. Funny story: (not so funny at the time), In all those miles, the only time I ever laid it down was the last time I rode it. I was delivering it to the guy I had sold it to and had to make a very sharp, hairpin turn into the spot where he wanted it parked. I was going too slow for the turn and the left front footpeg dug into the ground and the bike just stopped and rolled over, fortunately on grass so no harm done except to my pride. Sure hated to say good-by to it.
I have never seen less traffic a city in my life unless it was the first week that covid hit. Smooth ride, I just bought a ‘96, cant wait to fix it up and ride it!
@@GPz84 I am thoroughly stoked, I’ve ridden other bikes and had a ‘93 Suzi GSX-R 750, and started on a ‘81 Honda CM400, also had a ‘87 CBR 600, but I bought this bike because of how mint it was and it fits the bill for being big and reliable enough to go for a proper road trip with, yet quick and nimble enough to still feel like you’re riding a motorcycle hahah. Cheers Concours Chef !
I had a 1990 model for 8 years. A truly fantastic bike. I sold it and bought the later 1400 model which wasn't half the bike.. OK the new bike goes faster and stops quicker but that's really it.....
Bought a 1993 model, a couple of minutes ago.600 euros ,so around 650 USD. 47 K kilometers.Carburetor trouble ,but apparently,not a big deal.I am trading my naked1989 XJ 600 for this workhorse with a great pleasure. Thank you for your vid,rather efficient.
Had one many years ago. Did more then 60k miles on it withouth any issue. Until a car decided to end its life, and mine almost also. Still think it was the best I ever had.
I got an 02... And im 6 2" and 240... And yeaH, i like how the bike fits... Its a bit top heavy tho when goin slow/foot shuffling bk & forth, especially with a full tank... I bought it here in Canada, and then noticed it's a US bike originally... and i can never see the km's, only the mile's...haa
Has anybody owned both a Kawasaki Concours and a Suzuki GS1150EF??? I am curious how the two feel out on the open road and how they compare in handling around corners.
I have an 86 I just got im fixing up. Can’t wait to have it running 😊
One of the best motorcycles ever made. To think this bike was made for 20 years there must have been a reason. To me my 2001 Connie is a more comfortable bike than the newer version. I rode a newer Concours and I liked it but I think it was a little bit over done and it was not even as comfortable as my bike. I think when they put that de-tuned Z-1000 engine in the ZG-1000 Connie it matched the power level that the bike needed perfectly. I was going to upgrade to the newer one but after I rode one all day I found that I really did not need to upgrade. My 2001 model just has 20K on it and is in perfect condition, I have all the bike I need right now. At my age (67) my bike will probably outlast me anyway.
I fully agree. I'm 60 and had 3 GTR/Concours 1000 30 years ago, a GTR1400 6 years ago and now again a GTR1000 from 2000. It's a better GT bike than the GTR/Concours 1400 which is too sport oriented, that's why I sold mine quickly. The panniers have a better capacity and are less fragile. The wind protection is better. The engine is bullet proof. The defaults are: very heavy and tipping over always concludes by broken pilot footpeg and fairing. It definitively neads at least front tip over bars, handlebar risers and lower footpegs. Other than that a fantastic bike. Not modish at all with it's big fairing, but when I see how ugly recent bikes are with no fairing, no protection, no gimbal while horribly expensive, only made to ride short distances in good weather and without passenger, I'm very pleased with this real touring bike. I bought mine here in Europe with 65000km 1900 euros (2200 USD, and that's higher than in the US), which is the price of a basic naked chinese 125cc... it's the best value for money touring bike I've ever seen. Similar qualities than equivalent BMW's from the nineties but much much cheaper. I think I'll keep it like you till the end, with regular maintenance especially carbs, petcock and bearings, it can last for ages.
The ST1100 and these are simply outstanding
People say they are ugly bikes, they are slow, they are heavy, outdated.
Then talk to owners, they all love them, me included.
@Iain Graham i just bought a 1998 model. Currently in for repairs for carbs. I love it
@@rx7fanrx8owner64 did you get yours running? I’m currently soaking my carbs, PO had left the bike sitting with ancient gas inside it and the tank
@@Igloo5555 Be wary of the lower portion of the gas tank where it meets the side panels. Both sides are lower than the fuel petcock and water collects then rusts out the tank, leading to carb trouble and possible engine Hydro lock.
Install a good quality inline fuel filter. I had the tank on mine cleaned then sealed with Red-Kote as preventive medicine. If yours has sat for a while with fuel in the tank, you want to be sure the tank is good...or bad shit happens.
Cheers.
@@GPz84 that’s some great info, thank you. It looks to be at least from what I can see and haven given it a preliminary cleaning, much of the surface rust seemed to come off. So if I’m lucky, possibly just a baking soda/vinegar soak, perhaps muriatic acid, scope it with an inspection cam down into the corners like you mentioned, and bang it back together.
It had an in line filter coming out the petcock, before the carbs, but I don’t have a shop manual to know if that came factory?
Thank you for the knowledge
@@Igloo5555 Filters are cheap. Install one and it can save you $$$.
Nice ride, man.
I have the same year Concours, with about 40,000 miles on it.
I'm a new rider and got this bike 10 months ago.
Practicing at an empty parking lot, working Motojitsu drills from RUclips helped me out tons, especially for this being my first bike and me being 5'8" 170lbs.
I love riding this bike and have it as my commuter, averaging about 37mpg most of the time.
Safe riding.
Peace.
Just hearing that unique, sweet sound again was music to my ears. I put 80K miles on my '86. Four times New England to the West Coast and back, Also to Mexico and Alaska, never once had a breakdown.
Funny story: (not so funny at the time), In all those miles, the only time I ever laid it down was the last time I rode it. I was delivering it to the guy I had sold it to and had to make a very sharp, hairpin turn into the spot where he wanted it parked. I was going too slow for the turn and the left front footpeg dug into the ground and the bike just stopped and rolled over, fortunately on grass so no harm done except to my pride. Sure hated to say good-by to it.
Normally dont like the red bikes, but this one looks sweet! Very clean
I have never seen less traffic a city in my life unless it was the first week that covid hit.
Smooth ride, I just bought a ‘96, cant wait to fix it up and ride it!
Give yourself time to get used to it, then you'll fall in love with it. They don't do anything great, but do everything well.
@@GPz84 I am thoroughly stoked, I’ve ridden other bikes and had a ‘93 Suzi GSX-R 750, and started on a ‘81 Honda CM400, also had a ‘87 CBR 600, but I bought this bike because of how mint it was and it fits the bill for being big and reliable enough to go for a proper road trip with, yet quick and nimble enough to still feel like you’re riding a motorcycle hahah.
Cheers Concours Chef !
I had a 1990 model for 8 years. A truly fantastic bike. I sold it and bought the later 1400 model which wasn't half the bike.. OK the new bike goes faster and stops quicker but that's really it.....
Had same one in silver years ago, its basically a detuned zzr1100 engine. A car pulled out on me , t boned it, wrote the car off, me nearly aswell.
Bought a 1993 model, a couple of minutes ago.600 euros ,so around 650 USD. 47 K kilometers.Carburetor trouble ,but apparently,not a big deal.I am trading my naked1989 XJ 600 for this workhorse with a great pleasure.
Thank you for your vid,rather efficient.
Just got one today with 5 thousand miles on it.. 87 model
Love my 2003!
Push the shifter until it almost shifts, then give a slight, very small pull on the clutch lever. That's how I do the smooth shifts... On my con-coors
finally got mine tuned , stage 2 would probably hav been enough.,,love my kz 1000....
Had one many years ago. Did more then 60k miles on it withouth any issue. Until a car decided to end its life, and mine almost also. Still think it was the best I ever had.
I got an 02... And im 6 2" and 240... And yeaH, i like how the bike fits... Its a bit top heavy tho when goin slow/foot shuffling bk & forth, especially with a full tank... I bought it here in Canada, and then noticed it's a US bike originally... and i can never see the km's, only the mile's...haa
Concours or V Strom 1000, one of these days....!
I have 98 Kawasaki Concours 👍
Are you in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area? Those are some buildings that look familiar. I just bought a 92.
WOW SO BEAUTIFUL 💯❤️
Has anybody owned both a Kawasaki Concours and a Suzuki GS1150EF???
I am curious how the two feel out on the open road and how they compare in handling around corners.
I'm 6.2 and feel cramped as hell on mine.
Do you still have the bike? Are you going to post more videos of it? Thanks for posting this one!😎💯
hello from france. what is the différence betwen, a pan européan st 1100. thank you
Does guy have even slight idea what stop signs and lights are for?
Procirc front discs and SBS pink racing pads mean you can do stoppies on a GTR...😅😅😅
Running all those stop signs though... it’ll kill ya
I feel the need... a need for speed!
The wind noise was awful!