MCRIDER007
Well-known member
Last November I bought a C14 to compliment my 05 FJR (05) and in May bought an 08 FJR (08) when my local dealer made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I mostly rode the C14 until early July and then switched to the new FJR for NAFO and have been riding it since then. Both of the new bikes now have 6000 miles and have been ridden on trips and in excess of 600 miles in a single day (which is a lot for me since I seem to have a 400 mile butt). I also did a lot of local comparisons riding them back to back in varying temperatures and conditions. I also noted that the bike that felt the "best" to me was the one that I had ridden the most during the previous month which leads me to the conclusion that test rides can be misleading for purchase decisions, the bike that feels the most like the one you have been riding will be your favorite even it is not the best bike. Could that be why some riders are so reluctant to change brands?
The 05 has 31K miles with a Wilbers shock, GP Suspension fork rebuild, and a Rich's Custom seat. The engine and exhaust are stock. I couldn't stand looking at the cannon the C14 had for a muffler and replaced it with an AreaP exhaust, PCIII with a custom map, and a GiPro TRE to compensate for the dreaded secondary butterflies that gut the C14's low end power. The power gains were dramatic but it didn't make the C14 a better sports-tourer, just more fun to ride. The seat and suspension are stock although I would like to upgrade the shock since it seems to have too much compression damping. The 08's seat, suspension, and engine are totally stock. While the best comparison would be stock to stock, I don't think the upgrades had much of an impact on my evaluations which are summarized as follows:
The 05 is probably the best bike (to date) I have ever owned, easily the lowest maintenance, but even with the suspension and seat upgrades, it comes in 3rd in this comparison. While the upgraded suspension gives it a slight advantage on rough roads with uneven pavement, the majority of the time it feels a bit dated compared to the 08 models -- and the engine is not as smooth. It isn't the "cooker" that some first Gen FJR's were but I can definitely feel the heat when the temperatures get above 90.
The C14 is defined by its very smooth and powerful motor, overdrive 6 speed transmission, and powerful front brakes. Yes, it does have heat issues, like the 05, and when I compared them in high temperatures I felt that the C14 had a bit less heat than the 05 on the left leg but more heat on the right leg, which is easily explained by the 4 into 1 exhaust that runs under the right side. The C14's faring is also much wider than the FJR's giving better leg protection from rain and cold but not allowing much airflow in hot weather. The C14's mirrors are very good when the saddlebags are off, not so good when they are on. The seat is pretty good for a stock seat but a bit soft for long rides. The suspension is firm and seems to work better at high speeds where the C14 is really in its element. The C14 has more ground clearance than a FJR but carries its weight a little higher. I think the C14 has more potential in the twisties than an FJR but it requires a higher skilled rider to take advantage of it. The C14 is a hot rod sports-tourer, especially the way I have mine set up and puts a grin on my face every time I ride it.
There isn't much I can say about the 08 that hasn't already been said on this forum except that I think Yamaha has actually downplayed the improvements they made over the first GEN models. It is very refined with a smooth engine (but not as smooth as the C14), great brakes, and a suspension that gives it the best ride of any motorcycle I have ever owned. It has great heat management in hot weather and gets at least 10 percent better gas mileage than the C14. The seat initially was too firm but it got softer with use and works for me. While the engine doesn't have the top end rush of the C14, it has very good torque to 5000 rpms and all the power that any sane person needs on the street. When you factor in the low maintenance costs, the 08 is a real bargain compared to any sports-tourer. Black is a hard color to keep clean but when it is clean the FJR is also best looking bike I have ever owned, I wish I could store it in my living room during the winter.
Which of the 08 models is the best? It depends on what is important to you and how you are going to use it. I think I am very fortunate to be able to have both in my garage because they are different enough that they compliment each other. I think of the C14 as my cool weather bike with enough sporting capabilities that I can use it to ride sweep with my sport rider friends on day trips. The 08 is a great touring bike that I can also use as a commuter in hot weather. However, if my garage were to burn down and I could only replace one, and considering that I get slower every year and am more of a touring than a sport rider, I think I would be shopping for an FJR due to its great ride, better fuel mileage, longer range, lower maintenance costs, and impressive heat management. If I lived in a cooler climate or somewhere that I could better utilize the C14's relaxed high speed cruising capabilities, the answer might be different.
The 05 has 31K miles with a Wilbers shock, GP Suspension fork rebuild, and a Rich's Custom seat. The engine and exhaust are stock. I couldn't stand looking at the cannon the C14 had for a muffler and replaced it with an AreaP exhaust, PCIII with a custom map, and a GiPro TRE to compensate for the dreaded secondary butterflies that gut the C14's low end power. The power gains were dramatic but it didn't make the C14 a better sports-tourer, just more fun to ride. The seat and suspension are stock although I would like to upgrade the shock since it seems to have too much compression damping. The 08's seat, suspension, and engine are totally stock. While the best comparison would be stock to stock, I don't think the upgrades had much of an impact on my evaluations which are summarized as follows:
The 05 is probably the best bike (to date) I have ever owned, easily the lowest maintenance, but even with the suspension and seat upgrades, it comes in 3rd in this comparison. While the upgraded suspension gives it a slight advantage on rough roads with uneven pavement, the majority of the time it feels a bit dated compared to the 08 models -- and the engine is not as smooth. It isn't the "cooker" that some first Gen FJR's were but I can definitely feel the heat when the temperatures get above 90.
The C14 is defined by its very smooth and powerful motor, overdrive 6 speed transmission, and powerful front brakes. Yes, it does have heat issues, like the 05, and when I compared them in high temperatures I felt that the C14 had a bit less heat than the 05 on the left leg but more heat on the right leg, which is easily explained by the 4 into 1 exhaust that runs under the right side. The C14's faring is also much wider than the FJR's giving better leg protection from rain and cold but not allowing much airflow in hot weather. The C14's mirrors are very good when the saddlebags are off, not so good when they are on. The seat is pretty good for a stock seat but a bit soft for long rides. The suspension is firm and seems to work better at high speeds where the C14 is really in its element. The C14 has more ground clearance than a FJR but carries its weight a little higher. I think the C14 has more potential in the twisties than an FJR but it requires a higher skilled rider to take advantage of it. The C14 is a hot rod sports-tourer, especially the way I have mine set up and puts a grin on my face every time I ride it.
There isn't much I can say about the 08 that hasn't already been said on this forum except that I think Yamaha has actually downplayed the improvements they made over the first GEN models. It is very refined with a smooth engine (but not as smooth as the C14), great brakes, and a suspension that gives it the best ride of any motorcycle I have ever owned. It has great heat management in hot weather and gets at least 10 percent better gas mileage than the C14. The seat initially was too firm but it got softer with use and works for me. While the engine doesn't have the top end rush of the C14, it has very good torque to 5000 rpms and all the power that any sane person needs on the street. When you factor in the low maintenance costs, the 08 is a real bargain compared to any sports-tourer. Black is a hard color to keep clean but when it is clean the FJR is also best looking bike I have ever owned, I wish I could store it in my living room during the winter.
Which of the 08 models is the best? It depends on what is important to you and how you are going to use it. I think I am very fortunate to be able to have both in my garage because they are different enough that they compliment each other. I think of the C14 as my cool weather bike with enough sporting capabilities that I can use it to ride sweep with my sport rider friends on day trips. The 08 is a great touring bike that I can also use as a commuter in hot weather. However, if my garage were to burn down and I could only replace one, and considering that I get slower every year and am more of a touring than a sport rider, I think I would be shopping for an FJR due to its great ride, better fuel mileage, longer range, lower maintenance costs, and impressive heat management. If I lived in a cooler climate or somewhere that I could better utilize the C14's relaxed high speed cruising capabilities, the answer might be different.
