Cycle World picks the Connie

[SouthernCruizer]

I test rode a C14 last November at the Houston International Motorcycle Show...it's a nice machine, felt a lot like the FJR. The tranny was a little slicker, and the engine slightly smoother. Overall, I'd say they are damn near the same in the riding position. Of course, there are differences when it comes to looks, maintenance, etc. I still believe that the bike picks the rider, not vice versa. I think that riders that pick a bike based on price, or looks, or some other objective criteria never really fully appreciate it. But when a rider takes that test ride and the bike "talks" to him/her, then ya got a true match and the love affair starts!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it ^_^

 

[Warchild]

Perhaps the CW editors should have been forced to change the C-14's spark plugs before voting for their favorite sport-tourer...

 

[Jeff Q]

LMAO, those articles (long term reports) are the ones that have decent info some times. Different strokes for different folks...

 

[dcarver]

Considering this, owning and loving the 3rd or even the 100th best bike isn't so bad, there is no need for a paper bag over our heads.

Exactly, now where was the beach again? I need some sand... :lol:

 

[bikesniffer]

Hey, maybe we don't have to be so defensive? The fjr is great but it does lack a 6th gear, has a (IMHO) a clunky shifter, and is a design released in 2001 and just dabbed at since. I haven't ridden either of these two 'better' bikes, maybe they are? Motorcyclist did a major comparison test last year of the C14, FJR, RT and ST and put the FJR in 2nd place behind the C14, but gave the FJr its due, saying it had the best heat management system, was the 2nd fastest and lightests, was most like a sportbike, had the most compact chassis, cornered better and that it was the best looking of the lot. Mitch Boehm (then editor) picked it as his favorite.
Point is, these are motorcycles we are talking about, not soul less machines (with the exception of the Honda 750 nighthawk I had that truely was a soul less appliance, but it was such a damn good one I forgave it). I have a personal relationship with my bike, and have had one with every bike I've ever owned. This relationship transends the general level of greatness of the bike. This is why riders can be in love with ancient Guzzi's, Choppers incapable of turning, bikes that require an hour of maintainance for every hour ridden, and even motorized barstools.

Considering this, owning and loving the 3rd or even the 100th best bike isn't so bad, there is no need for a paper bag over our heads.

My '08 is by no means a clunky shifter...it's smooth as butter and the 6th gear maybe great for slabbing but most important reducing the damn vibes between 4000-5000 rpm

Wonder what the vibration pattern is on the C14 and the K1200GT?

Alfred

 

[Mcgyver74]

As someone who had a 10 year love affair with a C-10 Connie, I strongly considered the C-14 when shopping for my new steed, but after doing the research and comparison, I have an 09 FJR in my stable now.

Why you ask?

1) FJR Runs on 87 Octane gas, C-14 needs Premium

2) FJR was 1000 cheaper when I bought

3) Not a fan of Kipass (a friend of mine with a C-14 hates the Kipass,,,,loves the bike tho)

5) Saw the video of the spark plug change and Valve adjust for the Connie... = Extremely time consuming or extremely expensive...

6) Farkles seemed to be more expensive for the C-14

7) Smaller tank on C-14

8) While I like the TPS system they have, the batteries on the sensors are not replaceable...so every few years your shelling out 200 bucks for new sensors.

Do I think the C-14 has more power and handles awesome, yes

Do I think the C-14 is an amazing bike YES

Do I feel it's worth the extra hassle/expense ......Well, I now have an FJR, nuff said

 

[WRichStrom]

Perhaps the CW editors should have been forced to change the C-14's spark plugs before voting for their favorite sport-tourer...

Very good words of wisdom.

 

[CRMH Eagle]

Thats what Yamaha gets for sitting on thier ass and doing nothing. Not even a color change. I still like the FJR, better looking and better riding, maybe not faster on a long straight road, but I don't run long straight roads much, I like the twisties in the mountians more! :clapping:

+1

 

[MCRIDER007]

I have been wondering if BMW had raised the "bar" with the new K1300GT and it appears they did...but only in price. I don't care if they used the C14 as a benchmark, if they had used a FJR1300A the results would have been the same. It should be noted that when CW picked the K1200GT over the FJR in 2006 and 2007, they were comparing the BMW to their long term test bike, which was a FJR1300AE (which has never scored as high as the 1300A model in any comparison).

 

[Old Michael]

These big, fast BMW's are amazing bikes, but $22 to $25K? And you don't even get a bunch of chrome for that $, like you would with an HD.

And the "new" Connie, well, they gotta lose those Pontiac strake things.

But you can't argue with the incredible performance and comfort of either. I'm sure Yamaha is paying attention and will answer.

Or.....Suzuki?

 

[Rolavine]

Hey, maybe we don't have to be so defensive? The fjr is great but it does lack a 6th gear, has a (IMHO) a clunky shifter, and is a design released in 2001 and just dabbed at since. I haven't ridden either of these two 'better' bikes, maybe they are? Motorcyclist did a major comparison test last year of the C14, FJR, RT and ST and put the FJR in 2nd place behind the C14, but gave the FJr its due, saying it had the best heat management system, was the 2nd fastest and lightests, was most like a sportbike, had the most compact chassis, cornered better and that it was the best looking of the lot. Mitch Boehm (then editor) picked it as his favorite.
Point is, these are motorcycles we are talking about, not soul less machines (with the exception of the Honda 750 nighthawk I had that truely was a soul less appliance, but it was such a damn good one I forgave it). I have a personal relationship with my bike, and have had one with every bike I've ever owned. This relationship transends the general level of greatness of the bike. This is why riders can be in love with ancient Guzzi's, Choppers incapable of turning, bikes that require an hour of maintainance for every hour ridden, and even motorized barstools.

Considering this, owning and loving the 3rd or even the 100th best bike isn't so bad, there is no need for a paper bag over our heads.

My '08 is by no means a clunky shifter...it's smooth as butter and the 6th gear maybe great for slabbing but most important reducing the damn vibes between 4000-5000 rpm

Wonder what the vibration pattern is on the C14 and the K1200GT?

Alfred

I'm glad if the shifter is just endemic to my particular FJR. My bike will shift flawlessly if I do it very fast or if I do it very slow, but Mr. inbetween just seems to make some noises that while not 'oh my god its going to blow' are more like 'hum that wasn't right was it?'. So, I don't shift it the middle way. With my normal earplugs in I can't hear these tiny protests at all. The last bike I had was a Suzuki Bandit 1200 and it had about the same shifting limitations, but the two Honda's I had, CBR1000 and Nighthawk 750, shifted better than my FJR.

The FJR could pull a 6th gear no problem, dropping about 500 rpm, and I think it should have one, though I've learned to stop looking for it. The C14 has one but I don't know if this provides an overdrive. I honestly think Yamaha might have left it off in an effort to keep us alive long enough to finish making all our payments.

 

[SkooterG]

7th. The FJR needs a 7th gear. No need for a sixth, just a seventh.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Every year I've been paying attention, threads about these rag opinions come out and people get their panties in a wad.

I'm in love with my FJR with it's rashes and dings and recalls. It's like ya love a woman over the years. The new models look good but I'll always come back to the old girl...

Unlike most women though I can move a second one into the garage.... :clapping:

Do what I did, Get rid of some of the subscriptions and buy some farkles and gas with the savings... AND RIDE.

 

[MCRIDER007]

The FJR could pull a 6th gear no problem, dropping about 500 rpm, and I think it should have one, though I've learned to stop looking for it. The C14 has one but I don't know if this provides an overdrive. I honestly think Yamaha might have left it off in an effort to keep us alive long enough to finish making all our payments.

The C14's gearing in the first 5 gears is very similar to a 03-05 FJR, sixth gear is very tall and I think of it as an overdrive. A lot of riders think that tall gearing automatically means better gas mileage, not so for the C14, 5th gear gas mileage is usually as good if not better than sixth, it really depends on conditions. The best mileage I have ever gotten on the C14 was 51 mpg, it was a hot day, on a heavily patrolled road with lots of traffic (very little passing), and my average speed was about 60-62 mph. My riding partner on a 06 FJR got 57 mpg.

 

[lnewlf]

Old Eagles song-just the new kids in town..ho hum. Power wise, the FJR could easily run with these two with shorter gearing and then CWorld would complain like they did about the BMW. Meeself-I like 3000rpm at 60.

 

[v65]

Radiohowie and Bustanut ride FJR's, bet they didn't mention that in their comparison did they?

 

[doctorJ]

Perhaps the CW editors should have been forced to change the C-14's spark plugs before voting for their favorite sport-tourer...

I agree with this statement, but I would also imagine that a huge percentage of peeps who buy any motorcycle don't ever consider maintenance issues or even do any maintenance themselves. Those of us that do that are likely in a minority--but just a guess.

doctorj

 

[wheatonFJR]

Perhaps the CW editors should have been forced to change the C-14's spark plugs before voting for their favorite sport-tourer...

I agree with this statement, but I would also imagine that a huge percentage of peeps who buy any motorcycle don't ever consider maintenance issues or even do any maintenance themselves. Those of us that do that are likely in a minority--but just a guess.

doctorj

I would agree if you said sportsbike...but for sportstourers, I bet there is a higher percentage of people who do their own maintenance...especially with the FJR sites showing people how to do it...for dummies like me.

 

[Wicked Webby]

Perhaps the CW editors should have been forced to change the C-14's spark plugs before voting for their favorite sport-tourer...

I agree with this statement, but I would also imagine that a huge percentage of peeps who buy any motorcycle don't ever consider maintenance issues or even do any maintenance themselves. Those of us that do that are likely in a minority--but just a guess.

doctorj

Warchild and doctorj,

I couldn't agree more. We all know how a lot of bike magazines can lean toward certain manufactors.

Nothing new or different about that. I too like seeing the bar raised in the sport touring market.

Don't you know that motorcycles are like computers these days. A year or so later, your ***** outta date!

No matter how good it is (was).

WW

 

[mr.paul]

What are they whining about?

I was always happy when the FJR won a comparo, but choose to laugh at the articles when it doesn't win. OK, I admit I am very biased! I can see it as I want.

I have been fortunate to have a 2005 Honda ST1300 in the stable the whole time I have had my 2006 FJR. They used to say the Honda was "dated" and recently, I don't see it mentioned much. So what. It rides fantastic and the smoothness/lack of feedback will have me in a speeding ticket more often than the Feej.

Both my FJR and the wife's Honda are great bikes that run with the best of them for what we do. As has been stated many times, the Honda leans slightly towards the touring side, the FJR slightly towards the sport side. They are both comfortable and fast. If all I wanted was smooth, I would prefer the Honda, but I prefer the Feej. Cooler, sportier feel, slightly faster. But I like them both! And the Honda is the color I wish my FJR was! Love that deep candy red!

I sat on the new Connie when it first came out. Interesting bike. I am sure it is a blast too. But I can't/won't own one. Besides being forever in love with my FJR (it will be my last bike, unless I wear it out) I could never be comnfortable on the C14. The tank flares too soon and I have to spread my knees a bit and let my knee sit against the edge of the tank flare. I will not ride that way. Inspite of the other problems mentioned. So there Kawasaki!

As usual, just my humble op.

paul from Minnesota