Early C-14 owner reports "gutless" bottom end

[Constant Mesh]

Your chart has some errors for the FJR and Concours.

Noted errors for FJR:

The final gear ratio is 2.698 rather than 2.550.

rpm @ 75 mph = 4000

Noted errors for Concours:

Primary gear ratio = 1.556

1st = 3.333

2nd = 2.412

3rd = 1.900

4th = 1.545

5th = 1.292

6th = 1.074

Final ratio = 2.036

Overall ratio (6th gear) = 3.402

rpm @ 75 mph = 3470

 

[05fjrBluedevil]

Hmm, 292 gas range????

I'm at 70mph at 4000

 

[Constant Mesh]

The '06 FJR is geared a little different from the earlier models. The calculated rpm's are based on a standard rear tire circumference not what the speedo shows.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Hmm, 292 gas range????
I'm at 70mph at 4000

*******************************

I find that gas range a little optimisic also....292 mile range on 6.6 gal minus .5 gal reserve = 47.87 mpg. While possible, not the norm. I find that I get about 43-45 mpg while cruising at 70-75 mph. That makes my range around 265 miles. I do quite often re-fuel around 250 miles, and always take less than 6 gallons.

Jay

'04 FJR 1300

 

[SkooterG]

From a new Connie owner on a local list................

Valve check interval is 16,000 miles.

Not as bad as initially feared, but obviously not as good as the FJR. I wouldn't say that it is prohibitive to LD riding, but 16k can come quick. (In only 2 months for my last 16k)

A write up of his initial impressions:

Here are some first impressions:

When you get in the saddle, it feels a bit bigger than the FJR, and the saddle is about 1/2" taller, which puts me on tiptoes even with my high heel redwing boots. It comes off the sidestand easily, and at rest feels a little heavier than the FJR. As soon as it is moving, all the weight seems to melt away and it feels 150 lbs lighter. The saddle is much more comfy than the FJR, with a wider seat which probably contributes to the perceived height. From rest, the clutch action is terrific, with a light pull and plenty of feel, and the low speed metering of the fuel injection is spot on, much better than the FJR's. Shift action is terrific, again way better than the FJR's, which could be a little notchy. Half of the view in the rear view mirrors are the saddlebags, but the other half gives a good view of the sides and the back of the bike. The wind coming off the shield is very smooth at the lowest setting but there is a light back prerssure when you raise it, if you are sitting up straight, but it is easy to duck under the shield and then it reminds me of my 2001 Hayabusa, as everything goes completely silent and the aerodynamic work they did on the bike shows.I did the high load break in on Sunday with pulls from 20- 65 in 2nd 3rd and 4th gears and engine braking back down. Even though I never got over 5000 rpm, the bike did wheelies during the second gear pulls!

The gee whiz gizmos work as advertised, with the K pass unlocking the bike when you get close to it, and the bags come off The gauge info is interesting, with tire pressure and average mileagel and mileage remaining being useful, but the digital info washes out in bright sunlight. The speedo and tach are analog gauges with no such problem.

The brakes are ferocious , and there is very little play in them. It is really a good thing this bike has ABS, because it would be no problem to lock the front otherwise. The rear is set to apply very gently, and you would have to stomp on it very hard to do something unwanted, but this might change with the weight transfer if you grabbed a big handful of front brake

I think that the FJR is a prettier bike, as I am not a fan of the side strakes on the bags, and the bike has the squat look reminiscent of the ZX-11 and ZX-14, which makes sense because the monocoque chassis is based on the ZX-14's

The valve service interval is 16K

After I change the oil I will do some high speed work.

Direct link: Clicky HERE

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

This morning I rode 46.5 miles to a dealer who has a Concours 14, non ABS.

My friend is considering buying one. So, my friend sits on the bike and right away notices it's warm! The bike already had 25 miles on it. So, we were able to talk the salesman into our own test rides.

Here are my opinions: The C-14 feels faster than the FJR. But, if you want to take it easy it'll do that too, smoother than the FJR. In 6th gear, the ride is very relaxed. I wouldn't be surprised if the C-14 ends up having the same range as the FJR. The seat felt comfortable. The foam does a good job of supporting. It seemed to be a more neutral position. The mirrors are low and large. No view of the elbows, just a clear view of what's behind.

Downside? Heat. Lots of heat on the lower legs.

It's a good platform and there will be lots of happy owners. For now I'm content to have 93 more miles on my bike and no new Connie in the garage.

 

[Cdogman]

Your chart has some errors for the FJR and Concours.
Noted errors for FJR:

The final gear ratio is 2.698 rather than 2.550.

rpm @ 75 mph = 4000

Noted errors for Concours:

Primary gear ratio = 1.556

1st = 3.333

2nd = 2.412

3rd = 1.900

4th = 1.545

5th = 1.292

6th = 1.074

Final ratio = 2.036

Overall ratio (6th gear) = 3.402

rpm @ 75 mph = 3470

Is it really that simple?? Or do you need to take tire size (Circumference) into account?

I am not a machine head Mr Mesh but I doubt that FlyGuy typed thos states hisself. Where do you get your information?? Just askin

 

[Bounce]

https://tinyurl.com/32ul2g for more reading

things mentioned:

doesn't wake up until about 5k rpm

180 mile range on a tank (looking for gas at 140 miles)

"The panniers are well integrated into the GTR visually, but someone left them off when the mirrors were being designed as they fill a quarter of the rear view when fitted"

"throttle response at low rpm is a little too sudden, and combined with some transmission backlash it makes low-speed riding jerky"

"The gearchange can be a touch too heavy, the ride quality is fussy and bouncy and the steering tucks in very slightly at low speeds, demanding constant pressure on the bars in tight turns".

We don't like: Lack of low-rev torque, poor range, choppy ride

...

nothing to thumb a nose at and tell Kaw "I told you so", but something to consider when reading all those who were in such a hurry to trash the FJR based on the very earliest reports.

once again it simply proves that no bike is perfect. and we've yet to know about any long-term ownership issues on this year-one model.

 

[SkooterG]

Correction to my post above.............

Valve check interval is 15,000 miles, not 16,000 as initially reported. First report was from a service manager, the current info from the owner's manual.

 

[06INDIXIE]

For those that want to keep the pot stirred go to GTR1400.com and read the reviews, seems that depending on what day your particular bike was built it's a great machine that will put a dent in the sales of the ST and the FJR to the other extreme of no big deal just another Kawasaki Concours. Just go ride one and form your own opinion then all this needless bantering will be a mute point. Seems to me we should be out riding and not worried about this new kid invading our territory. We as a group are making it look like we are not very secure in our FJRhood. h34r:

 

[Shinden]

We as a group are making it look like we are not very secure in our FJRhood. h34r:

Not I.

You mean there's other bikes besides the FJR?

Haven't seen anything out there that makes me want to switch.

 

[Constant Mesh]

Cdogman --

The Concours info came from the Kawasaki website.

The circumferences of the Concours' rear tire and the FJR's rear tire are almost identical.