FINALLY some HONEST CONCOURS14 Dyno Results....

[MCRIDER007]

[ I agree with you on the C14 needing a diet before it will walk a FJR. Did those magazines post any performance numbers regarding the C14 and FJR yet?WW

No, but if you compare Cycle Worlds performance numbers on the 03 FJR (July 2002 issue) with this months numbers on the C14, they are almost the same. FJR quarter mile was [email protected], 6.5 seconds 0-100. The C14 was [email protected], 6.4 seconds 0-100. The FJR was significantly faster in high gear roll ons but that is misleading because you are comparing a 5 speed to a 6 speed that has very tall gearing in 6th gear.

I would guess that for riding in the real world, they are about the same, except that the C14 has a very tall high gear for those that like to down shift whenever they need to make a quick pass. I doubt the overdrive will result in any additional fuel economy, just lower rpms when cruising.

 

[Fencer]

Face it guys, the motor out performs the FJR's and the C14 is a serious contender for the sport-bike crown. There will be comparison tests coming soon, but that won't end the debate.

Let's assume you are right. My question is, who gives a ****???

I can't remember the last time I ever took a bike I owned remotely close to the bike's limit, thus, the advantage of the C14's motor that may outperform my FJR's motor would be totally wasted. In addition, I sat on a C14, it wasn't as inviting as my FJR.

My point originally, and reiterated now is, no matter much better a C14 may or may not be doesn't change how happy I am with my FJR. But this isn't new. We've had similar discussions when comparing first gen to second gen FJRs.

Last year it was the BMW GT. Where is that bike now?

 

[snap1945]

I, and several others have had our Feejers on the track and by ALL reports every one of us had a BLAST. Now, of course the Feej aint gonna come close to being a serious track machine and it is the same scoot you see posts on this forum of cross continental rides, twisties included, and 700 mile days on the SAME SCOOTER my 06 included. What do I compare it to? It does all I ask of it and I have blast. AAAAH wait I get it now... if I had a Goldwing and a Gixxer I would have a better bike than the FJR but then I would always have to know where I am going and besides that would take a lot of fun out of riding. Now is that knit one, pearl two.....

 

[MKO]

Face it guys, the motor out performs the FJR's and the C14 is a serious contender for the sport-bike crown. There will be comparison tests coming soon, but that won't end the debate.

Let's assume you are right. My question is, who gives a ****???

I can't remember the last time I ever took a bike I owned remotely close to the bike's limit, thus, the advantage of the C14's motor that may outperform my FJR's motor would be totally wasted

Most of us don't take a bike to it's limits often. It's usually our limits that we reach first, but some of us are never content with the current limits. Again this morning I was showering sparks in some tight corners on the FJR. I couldn't help but remember the Cycle World comment that the C14 had more ground clearance than the FJR and that the GT had more than both.

When my buddy ran his Ducati 916 through the gears last month on a straight, I was happy for every one of the 125 ponies or so that make their way to the back wheel at 9k on the FJR so I could keep up with my fat *** aboard. But it sure would have been nice to pass him.

Most of us buy the FJR because it is a great compromise bike. It does everthing well. If I wanted to only go faster, I'd have bought a ZX14. If I just wanted to get through the twisties quicker, I would have bought a Ducati 1098. If I only wanted to ride in luxuary all day, I'd be on a Wing.

The perfect bike, IMHO, is the one that comes closest to delivering on all three. But I agree, I only give a **** when I'm at one of the limits.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

I got to ride my buddy's new C14 yesterday for about 70 miles with him on my '04 FJR. The C14 is a very nice bike, but it didn't make me want to throw rocks at my bike or anything like that. I could still feel warm and fuzzy when I got back on mine. Motor-wise, I didn't feel like the C14 really had anything on mine (all stock motor), but then again, his only had about 500 miles on it and it still felt very tight, so that could easily change with more miles. 1st gear is a little tall on the C14. There are a number of things I like better on my bike, but the absolute biggest advantage I felt on the Connie is that it's SO MUCH LESS TOP-HEAVY than the FJR! Even though I'm on tip-toes on both bikes, the Connie feels MUCH less intimidating at stoplights and during parking lot manuevers. I actually stalled the Connie once (due to the tall 1st gear). That could have been DISASTROUS on my FJR, but was a relative non-event on the Connie because of the lower CG. It's also very evident during quick left/right transitions. The Connie is much more flickable, and his supension is literally exactly as the bike was delivered, where mine is set up with Penske shock and Traxxion forks. Makes me wish I could shift about 30 lbs of my bike to somewhere lower. Relocating the battery would be a helluva start. The Connie motor was also VERY smooth. Where my bike has me constantly wanting for another upshift, I'd look at the tach/speedo/gear indicator on the Connie and realize I had many gears left to go and probably oughta be using them. Very smooth. Everything else is just nit-picky personal preference stuff. Some things the Connie won, some things were much better on the Feej. It's funny, the bikes are virtually identical in width, but the large and slightly convex mirrors on the Connie make you feel like you need the whole lane to yourself. Those mirrors are plum full of saddlebag! But there's still a very good view to the rear, and the bags (and tail) are REALLY high on the Connie. Overall a very nice bike, but I'm not rushing to trade in either.

 

[Wicked Webby]

MCRIDER007,

Thanks for the info...

WW