2008 Kawasaki CONCOURS 14 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
7,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 27 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 44.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Equipment | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Equipment: 3; Structure: 3; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10241182 · 2008-09-06 (September 6, 2008)
I PURCHASED A NEW ROKETA 250CC SCOOTER IN JULY OF 2008. THERE HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS MECHANICAL FAILURES ON THIS BIKE. IF NOT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IN EACH INCIDENT. FIRST INCIDENT INVOLVES THE CYCLE STALLING OUT WHEN GOING PAST 50 MPH. THE BIKE IS ADVERTISED TO GO 70MPH. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 7 TO 10 TIMES. ONCE IT HAPPENED ON A BUSY 2 LANE RD. AND THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. THE DEALER TRACED THAT PROBLEM TO A VERY CHEAP FUEL PUMP. THAT PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED BY INSTALLING A BETTER GRADE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242517 · 2008-09-16 (September 16, 2008)
I OWN A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE TWICE REPORTED A MALFUNCTION OF THE FRONT BRAKES TO THE DEALER, AND HAVE CALLED KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP IN IRVINE, CA TO NO AVAIL. I REPORTED AT THE 8 THOUSAND MILE SERVICE THAT WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE IS APPLIED THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATES AND SHUDDERS. THE DEALER DECLARED THIS "NORMAL" DUE TO THE "RATCHETING" OF THE FLOATING CALIPER/ROTOR ASSEMBLY. I AGAIN REPORTED THE CONDITION AT THE 12 THOUSAND MILE SERVICE, ONLY NOW THE CONDITION HAS WORSENED FROM VIBRATION TO THE FRONT BRAKE "GRABBING" AT …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260068 · 2009-02-26 (February 26, 2009)
I HAVE A 2009 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 WITH 3000 MILES ON THE OD. WHILE RIDING AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE STEERING STOPPED AT ABOUT 1/3 THE NORMAL RANGE OF MOTION AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FARTHER. I NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH BECAUSE I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPROX 20 MPH AND HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO MANEUVER AND REGAIN CONTROL. I PARKED THE BIKE AND INSPECTED THE AREA AROUND THE STEERING STEM. I DISCOVERED THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE COWLING BRACKET (KAW PART # 92153-1877 ) HAD MOVED OUT OF PLACE TO THE LEFT DUE TO THE CAP NUT ( KAW PAR # 92210-032…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,978 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491597 · 2013-01-06 (January 6, 2013)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491597 at NHTSA ↗