| Author | Message | ||
     Valiant_duke |
Here is the story that leads me to my dilemma... I moved to Florida, where there literally isn’t a curved road for 2 hours... I get super “playful” when on the Buell, and find myself hitting the local freeway interchange, just so I can feel a corner. I am looking for a bike that I can take on journeys, or enjoy the long straights. I want something that I would still love to ride in the corners if I came upon some, but also be kind on the back and shoulders. On top of that the lady wants to be able to travel with me and take extended rides. So, through my research, I narrowed it down the FJR1300A and the Concours 14. Problem: I cannot find an FJR anywhere, I have been to my local dealer 3 times and they cannot get one. I did find a Concours (2009) and thought I would get opinions from those that have been in the same dilemma I am in. I AM NOT parting with my Buell, Just need something to suit the type of riding the Florida has poorly offered. LIKES, DISLIKES, MAINTAINCE, MPG, anything would be helpful Thanks | ||
| Dynasport |
You might want to check www.fjrforum.com and http://forum.cog-online.org/ My personal knowledge is pretty limited. I have ridden the C14 and liked it a lot. I have not ridden the FJR. The following is information I picked up when considering them myself before I bought my XT. I understand maintenance on the C14 is more difficult/expensive if that matters. The early C14s were cookers. I think they fixed that in 2010. I might avoid the 09 for that reason. The FJR was updated in 06. Earlier models had heat issues as well. The C14 has a more upright riding position and more hp. The FJR has a bit more leaned over riding position and weighs less. It also gets better mileage. Good luck. | ||
| Dynasport |
I don't know where you are in Florida, but quite a few dealers in Florida have the FJRs advertised on Cycle Trader. This one looked pretty good to me. http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2008-YAMAH A-FJR1300--97695886 | ||
| Barker |
IIRC FJRs are special order bikes, not part of normal dealer allotment. That might explain the scarcity at dealers. | ||
| Aeholton |
PM Bugnut here on badweb. He has a connie. | ||
| Babired |
Kawasaki Ticket to ride demo fleet is touring the states right now check out the web site. I rode a Concours last Sunday very nice bike, but a little too heavy for me and I'm not used to the drive shaft shift either. The Versys I fell in love with. The little Ninja 250 I made it scream  kept the RPMs up anywhere form 6 grand to 12 to keep up with the rest of the ride! | ||
| Fast1075 |
I ride with Bugnut...he can make that thing SNORT... | ||
| Slowride |
Valiant, I went through a similar work up on Sport Touring bikes... My search (FJR.ST1300,C14)... I road all three for an extended period. I am 5'11" (270lbs+) w/30" inseam and I was completely comfortable on all three bikes. FJR - Light, nimble, quick and low. It buzzed in the bars at Texas highway speeds 80mph. It shifted good and was a solid ride. The wife was a little cramped (she is 5'9' all legs) and I found myself adjusting the seat height and then moving around quiet a bit on the bike on some long rides. Good solid performer with a great top end. I could never quiet get comfortable though and the lack of wind protection made me continue looking. ST1300 - Heavy (781lbs), but nimble at anything over 10mph. Quick off the line with great torque. The bike will accelerate like running on a rheostat from 0-150 and then it hits a brick wall never touching the limiter. The seat height is adjustable 3 ways and I found my self setting once and never touching it. It has GREAT real-estate in the seating department and the wife and I had no issues running long distance. No buzz in the bars, just a funny 'Jetsons" themed serenade as you ride down the road. C14- Heavy (top heavy), nimble at anything over 10mph. You sit slightly forward but more upright than the FJR or ST, but the kicker comes in when the wife gets on board as she will start to fatigue and slide forward into my back and before you know it, I am keeping her weight on my wrist and torso muscles. This became apparent fairly quickly and started to bug me. She also complained of being cramped in the leg room department. The seat kind of cups you the rider and you tend to get into a specific stance and then before you know it you find yourself adjusting fairly often. this bike had no buzz in the bars, it had great on highway cruising gears (a 6th) something neither of the other two bikes had. It was Fast, damn fast and the acceleration was ridiculous, so much so that my wife came unhinged on me after I hit warp drive merging onto a local highway... The Achilles Heal of each of the bikes in my opinion FJR - Seat (Lack of adjustment and size), Lack of a sizable touring fairing and the buzzy ride (lack of a 6th gear). ST1300 - Weight and the lack of a 6th gear C14 - Keypass and ABS (it will trigger on any heavy braking) To sum it up, the FJR is great for strafing traffic and mid range touring, but you need to modify it to get the most out of it. It stops good with or without ABS. The ST1300 is a touring sport bike right off the factory floor. Two up is fantastic and this thing stops fantastically with or with out ABS. It is great for touring, but keep the strafing runs to a minimum unless you like handling an 800 pound gorilla. The C14 is a warp drive king of the road with good fairing protection. It tours very well and is great one up unless you have a shorter spouse. The ABS will kick in constantly due to how heavy handed its programming is and in my opinion the weight of the bike. You can strafe with the best of them, but anticipate the quick stop when you're doing it. Lastly, I purchased my Sport Touring bike new... I wouldn't recommend doing this. Buy used and you will get every bit of the bike your looking for out half the prices. Both the FJR and ST1300 have been around for a while so you will find good deals on these. The C14, well in my honest opinion, I wouldn't own one unless it was a 2010 or newer. I rode an 08 and then a 10 and you can definitely feel the difference in heat protection, ABS and suspension adjustments. Hope that helped... | ||
| Dynasport |
The demo fleet was where I got to ride the C14. They wouldn't let me ride the other bikes, though, as they said each person only got to sign up to ride one bike so everyone could get a chance. I really wanted to ride the Ninja 1000 as well. They told me I could sit and wait and possibly ride something toward the end of the day if they had openings. I didn't wait around, I went for a ride on my Buell instead. | ||
| Danger_dave |
 C14 is the best of its kind. FJR is a very close second overall, and would be better - more stretched out/less agressive riding position, for long straight roads. Neither would be my first choice for that task though. (Message edited by danger_dave on May 23, 2011) | ||
| Reepicheep |
I know a several people that got the FJR because they loved it, but sold it a year or so later because they didn't anymore. FWIW. A buddy has the ST1300 and loves it. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Like with the Buell - I didn't have any heat issues with the C14. It depends how tall you are it seems - or inseams. Never found it top heavy either. Just all round sick really. Do Agree FJR has better low speed maneuverability and flickability though. | ||
| Danger_dave |
It's why you have to ride them yourself. My girl is 5'10" and loved the back of the FJR. | ||
| Etennuly |
DD, was the front wheel and suspension a expensive option on that bike in the picture?  | ||
| Danger_dave |
I had it nicely crossed up coming back the other way but the phone camera didn't get it :-( | ||
| Macbuell |
I would take a long look at the Triumph Sprint GT. The character of the Triumph makes a huge difference. You get that nice Triumph triple engine with tons of character and plenty of torque and HP and the bikes are comfortable for longer distances. | ||
| Saxon59 |
I had a Triumph Sprint ST for several years,put over 40K miles on it with no problems,also did many 500+ mile days on it.From what I read the new GT is even better,more comfortable,more power.I would agree with Macbuell,look at the Triumph before you decide. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Personally I'd get an XB12X, then maybe a V-Strom, either are as good to tour on (as the Sports Tourers) corner well and they don't have to turn around when the road gets real interesting. | ||
| Dynasport |
Yeah, I considered the FJR and the C14, but I bought the XB12XT. No regrets. There are times I'd like the power of the C14. I also like its electrically adjustable windscreen. I don't take my XT off road. Dirt roads are about as dual sport as I get, but I do like the lightness of the XT and with the Palmer brackets I get good clean wind with pretty good protection. Truly, I like motorcycles. I like some better than others, but I generally just like motorcycles. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Motus! R | ||
| Dynasport |
Sat on one. Would love to get to ride one. I hope these guys make a success of it. | ||
| Ohsoslow |
my good friend has an 08 c14 that i have ridden from time to time. like most others have said they are wicked fast for what it is. my buddy was running 10.90's on his bone stock with the side bags on. the handling is good, it is a heavy beast of a bike at slow speeds but seems to "free up" at speed. things i like about it electronically adjustable windscreen SMOOTH! engine and suspension gobs of power lots of storage space great rain protection, admittedly i have never rode another "sport tourer" in the rain, i did ride the c14 through a medium hard rain and didnt get nearly as wet as i would have expected. being that i had no rain gear on. dislikes kipass is a pain in the ass, dont let the battery in your transponder die if/when the batteries in the tire pressure monitors go dead you lose the ability to use your display, ie fuel econ, it just flashes the tire pressure of "0" the seat need improvement, it pushes you forward against the tank. | ||
| Crusty |
I bought a Moto Guzzi Norge. 21,000 miles, so far, and the more I ride it, the more I like it. | ||
| Pammy |
I've had my FJR for about 5 years now. I have heard about the "buzzing" in the bars, but have never noticed it. I think it's a great bike. One of the best I have owned and/or ridden. Very versatile and an all around great bike. The C is a bit wide in the hips and will warm you up in a hurry. Probably a great open road bike, but bulky. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Neither would be my first choice for that task though. Mine neither (I think they all weigh FAR too much)... but I'm curious what your first choice is? Sometimes I'd love something a little more 'modern' than my S3T, but I can't think of anything out there that fills the role that bike does... | ||
| Badlionsfan |
http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/13491_13521.aspx never rode one, but I was at the dealer today and looked one over real good and sat on it for a few while they reflashed my ecm for the aftermarket exhaust. Sure seems like it'd fit the bill for your needs. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>but I'm curious what your first choice is? << A large dual sport type bike. | ||
| Dbird29 |
I'm 1300 miles into my current trip on my new to me 2010 C14. I am really liking it! 40MPG at 75 to 80 MPH speeds 200 miles before the low fuel light comes on Sargent seat and a sheepskin = tank to tank butt duration Great in the curves and doesn't feel overly large.  | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Dbird, if I make a front fender bag for that thing will you buy it? | ||
| Danger_dave |
You can get a rack for the top box too. |
