2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (5) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (4) · Latches/Locks/Linkages (4)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
25 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Structure:frame And Members 2012-07-20 · campaign 12V343000 · 13,289 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the brakes lock up or fail, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 bulletins (1)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2008-05-30 · MC 08-10 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
kawasaki: repair only as required on headlight aiming knob for 2008 concours 14/14abs (zg1400a8f/l, b8f/l). *pe
What owners report
2018-09-20 · Service Brakes · 43,680 mi“on or about june 20, 2016 i noticed that my rear brake pedal was beginning to get harder to push to apply brake to the rear abs braking system. on december 20, 2017 i took my concours to my dealer and had 2 tires r&r and also requested the dealer to check the braking system on the rear. there was no notice from the abs system that alerted me to any…”
2016-03-25 · Service Brakes · 29,500 mi“the rear brake on my motorcycle will intermittently get stuck in the up position. in order for me to get it to work again, i have press down on the pedal with more than normal operating pressure. the vehicle is in motion when this happens. i believe this is a safety issue because i am never sure if the brake is going to function as designed due …”
2015-06-19 · Tires · 21,922 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki concours 14 equipped with pirelli angel gt tires (na), size 120/70zr/17 (na). when the contact depressed the brake pedal after driving 35 mph, the front tire became distorted and resulted in a loss of stability. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing where it was confirmed that the tire did not…”
2014-09-30 · Service Brakes · 35,471 mi“rear brake ceased to function. pedal travel to full deflection but no rear brake. dropped bike at naples kawasaki dealership, and a week later they said it was fixed under the recall mc12-05 (brake rod end). i picked up the bike only to find there was still no brake. this recall did not address the brake failure but pertained to previous issues. i …”
2014-09-23 · Engine · 7,800 mi“oil leaking from the cam position sensor o-ring(s). fluid leaks onto hot cylinder block and exhaust. i have not had a fire yet, but the potential is there if enough fluid escapes onto the exhaust. the motorcycle is currently in for the same repair for a third time (as of 22 september 2014). the second time was the 14th of may 2014. conversatio…”
2013-08-30 · Service Brakes · 5,000 mi“brake rotors have been warping under normal riding conditions. presents unsafe, less than optimal breaking ability. front end lunges at low speeds and vibrates at high speeds, under breaking. kawasaki replaced warped rotors twice and i am now in need of my third pair.…”
2013-07-03 · Power Train · 57,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki concours 14 motorcycle. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, he heard a loud bang. the contact lost control of the vehicle as the rear wheel suddenly seized. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. the technician stated that all the driver gear cases would have to be replaced. t…”
2013-01-06 · Service Brakes · 18,500 mi“front brake rotors have warped under normal use, causing very noticeable steering vibrations. which may lead to a loss of control and a possible crash. i feel this matter to be a safety concern to the operators of this motorcycle. *tr…”
2012-06-25 · Suspension:rear · 40,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki concours 14. the contact stated that while riding the bike 40 mph, he heard a loud noise near the rear of the bike became unstable. the contact pulled over and noticed that the rear wheel bolt hole was melted. the motorcycle was towed to a dealer for an inspection and they stated that the wheel bearing was damag…”
2011-05-11 · Suspension · 1,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki concours 14. the contact stated the front end of the vehicle would violently shake when the front brake was engaged while driving approximately 60 mph. the failure recurred whenever the front brakes were engaged while driving at highway speeds. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was i…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.