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2008 Kawasaki Concours 14

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Concours 14 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

25 reports with mileage · 2 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Structure complaints

4 reports
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21,000 miles · Jun 18, 2010
EquipmentStructure

I NOTICED THAT THE ORIGINAL LUGGAGE RACK ON MY 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 HAD CRACKED AND THE TOP CASE WHICH ATTACHES TO IT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE ON THE FREEWAY. THIS LUGGAGE RACK HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED BY KAWASAKI BEFORE I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE BIKE IN JUNE 2008. HOWEVER, THE NEW DESIGN, WHICH IS PART NUMBER 53029-007…

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I NOTICED THAT THE ORIGINAL LUGGAGE RACK ON MY 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 HAD CRACKED AND THE TOP CASE WHICH ATTACHES TO IT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE ON THE FREEWAY. THIS LUGGAGE RACK HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED BY KAWASAKI BEFORE I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE BIKE IN JUNE 2008. HOWEVER, THE NEW DESIGN, WHICH IS PART NUMBER 53029-0076, IS WHAT WAS ON MY BIKE, AND IT FAILED AFTER ONE AND A HALF YEAR OF USE. THE REAR CASE WHICH ATTACHES TO THIS RACK IS THE KAWASAKI OEM EQUIPMENT, AND IT'S LOAD HAS ALWAYS BEEN BETWEEN 5 AND 10 POUNDS, BELOW THE KAWASAKI MAXIMUM RATING OF 15 POUNDS. THE CONSEQUENCES HAD I NOT NOTICED IT WHILE I STOPPED TO GET COFFEE, COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. THE REAR CASE WOULD HAVE BROKE LOOSE WHILE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, POTENTIALLY HITTING ANY VEHICLE BEHIND ME, OR CAUSING SUCH VEHICLE TO CRASH WHILE TRYING TO AVOID IT. THE BROKEN PART IS CURRENTLY AT THE KAWASAKI DEALERSHIP FOR A WARRANTY CLAIM. HOWEVER, A REPLACEMENT IS NOT ENOUGH. THE CURRENT DESIGN IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE, AND A REINFORCED RACK SHOULD BE THE SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339028

500 miles · Nov 7, 2007
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. WHILE RIDING 60 MPH, THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE HARD BAG ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DETACHED AND FELL ON THE ROAD. THE PLASTIC HOOK USED FOR THE VEHICLE HAS TWO WEAK PINS MOLDED INTO THE HOOKS. THE PINS FAILED AND MADE THE LOCK HOOKS USELESS. THE MANUFACTURER MA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. WHILE RIDING 60 MPH, THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE HARD BAG ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DETACHED AND FELL ON THE ROAD. THE PLASTIC HOOK USED FOR THE VEHICLE HAS TWO WEAK PINS MOLDED INTO THE HOOKS. THE PINS FAILED AND MADE THE LOCK HOOKS USELESS. THE MANUFACTURER MADE A REPLACEMENT, BUT WITH THE SAME BAG. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE BAG WILL FALL OFF AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA ODI #10208181

7,496 miles · Nov 6, 2007
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

HARD SADDLE BAGS LOOSE ON MOTORCYCLE. LATCH MECHANISM BINDS WHEN RETRACTING SADDLEBAG SECURING HOOK. UPON INSPECTION OF LATCH, ONE OF THE PINS WITHIN THE LATCH WAS FOUND TO BE SHEARED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208040

5 miles · Aug 31, 2007
EquipmentStructureInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. WHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME AND GAVE THE CONTACT A FIRST DEGREE BURN ON HIS RIGHT CALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPOSITIONED THE INSULATION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. WHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME AND GAVE THE CONTACT A FIRST DEGREE BURN ON HIS RIGHT CALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPOSITIONED THE INSULATION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT RODE THE VEHICLE AND ONCE AGAIN SUSTAINED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO HIS RIGHT AND LEFT CALVES AND BOTH INNER THIGHS. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE MECHANIC RE-INSTALLED THE HEAT SHIELDS CORRECTLY. THE CONTROL KNOBS FOR THE HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE HEADLIGHTS. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201612

Official recalls

1

12V343000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Structure:frame And Members

Jul 20, 2012

Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Concours 14 (ZG1400 A/B/C/D) motorcycles. Due to a gap between the brake pedal and guard, small stone or debris can become trapped, creating a brake drag. This can cause the rear brake to overheat, leading to rear brake damage and lock-up or failure of the rear brakes. The front brakes may also be affected on ZG1400C models.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the brakes lock up or fail, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear master cylinder rod end and remove the brake guard (if installed), free of charge. The safety recall began on July 37, 2012. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:frame And Members

Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Concours 14 (ZG1400 A/B/C/D) motorcycles. Due to a gap between the brake pedal and guard, small stone or debris can become trapped, creating a brake drag. This can cause the rear brake to overheat, leading to rear brake damage and lock-up or failure of the rear brakes. The front brakes may also be affected on ZG1400C models.

Consequence: If the brakes lock up or fail, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear master cylinder rod end and remove the brake guard (if installed), free of charge. The safety recall began on July 37, 2012. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Concours 14 (ZG1400 A/B/C/D) motorcycles. Due to a gap between the brake pedal and guard, small stone or debris can become trapped, creating a brake drag. This can cause the rear brake to overheat, leading to rear brake damage and lock-up or failure of the rear brakes. The front brakes may also be affected on ZG1400C models.

Consequence: If the brakes lock up or fail, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear master cylinder rod end and remove the brake guard (if installed), free of charge. The safety recall began on July 37, 2012. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.