FJR vs Concours--Follow UP...

[Dagwood_55]

Finally made it out today and looked at both bikes. Each shop was just down the road from the other.

The C14 was a brand new left over 09, black non ABS. They just lowered the price from $9999 down to 9399, which form what I've found is a heck of a bargin.

The FJR is a 08, black, not a scratch with 3100 miles. They were also asking 9999 but immediatly priced it at 9500.

I still hav'nt ridden either bike, but I think I like the FJR a little better. Seamed not as big, heavy, massive, etc. The FJR also seamed to have a little better fit and finish. I almost when back to the FJR shop and offered them 8500, but was afraid they would take it. But I'm a little slow to move and have to sleep on it a nite or two.

Also, let my wife sit behind me on both bikes and there seamed to be plenty of room on both, tho I liked the seat better on the c14.

Anyways, still thinking/looking. Sorry to ramble, thanks for listening.........

 

[SacramentoMike]

See, THIS is why I often post in the intro threads: "please add your location, Mr. Newbie." That way, the forum can offer advice about group rides, or nearby riders can reach out to you. And if you ask about motorcycle laws, it can be specific advice. That kind of thing.

But here's Dagwood talking about a C-14 AND an FJR, both new, both under $10K, in his neighborhood. So Dagwood, where the hell IS this magical land where bikes are so amazingly cheap? I admit, it's a '10, but my local dealer has a pretty silver one on the floor and the tag reads over 16 freaking thousand dollars! You better buy one of them puppies. And if it's the FJR, for Pete's sake, update your profile with your dang location!

 

[phroenips]

I liked the seat better on the c14.

If you plan on doing any distance riding, you'll probably be getting an aftermarket seat anyway (hint: Russell Day Long)

 

[highcountry]

The Concours sounds like a helluva good deal but my impression was the same as yours - - big, heavy, and massive.

There are several good aftermarket seats available that will have your wife smiling. I have a Sargent on my FJR.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Anyways, still thinking/looking.

Ramble,

Know how you feel.... something to consider while you're thinking:

1-FJR has a 6.6 Gallon Fuel tank (more range) plus requires Only 87 Octane Gas

[SIZE=12pt]and[/SIZE]

2- You have this Forum (the Best) to help you out when needed! (deal maker for me)

Good Luck with your decision...

 

[escapefjrtist]

Dag -- either bike is a killer deal at those prices. No ABS on the C-14 would be a deal breaker for me...but OTOH it is brand new with a 3 year warranty. Tough choice!

Good luck, with either one you won't be disappointed.

--G

 

[FJRBluesman]

We're a little biased.

Flip a coin.

 

[SVTNate]

C-14 felt big/heavy in comparison to me as well. I looked at the '09 C14 right before the '10 revision came out, knowing that it would be revised for 2010 and I do not regret my decision. I also think that the FJR looks much better than the C14, but that's personal opinion.

 

[BlackStar]

Compare the maintenance requirements for both bikes.

 

[SnowAviation]

Anyways, still thinking/looking. Sorry to ramble, thanks for listening.........

If you think/look too long, the one you want - will be gone.

 

[Dagwood_55]

Well, after sleeping on it, I think I'm gonna pass on the 09, new c14.

If anyone wants the info on a killer deal: The bike is at Duncan Outdoors in Conway AR @ (501) 329-3400 $9399,

I like to do most of my own wrenching, so I'm gonna do the FJR. I once had a high maintance, hard to work on bike (KTM 990) and it was no fun.

 

[Roadstar]

C-14 felt big/heavy in comparison to me as well. I looked at the '09 C14 right before the '10 revision came out, knowing that it would be revised for 2010 and I do not regret my decision. I also think that the FJR looks much better than the C14, but that's personal opinion.

You guys should try & keep up with Russell Fleming (MD COG) when he rides his heavy pig C14 in group rides. Even though i own an 07 FJR the Connie always makes me wounder.

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

From what I understand, both bikes are very comparable, and you'll find riders that are great on the FJR, and riders that are great on the Concourse. For me, personally, I just found the FJR cheaper, and it does everything the Concourse does. Some other pluses are it takes regular octane gas getting about the same gas mileage, one less gear (some people think that's a "bad" thing not to have a lower gear for the highway, but I say it's less shifting I have to do), and FJR (as far as I can tell), and if you look at the last few Iron Butt Rallies, you'll see the FJR popping up QUITE a bit on those lists. Which screams some serious reliability (otherwise people wouldn't CONTINUE using it), under some seriously stressful conditions. So imagine the reliability when you're NOT riding a thousand miles a day.

FJR is a good bike. Check on the kawasaki forums to see what they think of the concourse, but I KNOW the FJR is a good bike, and, for me, has some real-world advantages (less gears, regular gas, longer valve check intervals, stuff like that)

Alexi

 

[Dblhelix]

Both good bikes with some pros/cons. IMHO the FJR has the edge in a variety of areas. Follow your gut, but I say reward yourself this Holiday weekend and GET THE FJR!!

 

[ScottyUSN]

Which bike is most attractive to your eye? That is the biggest factor. Not having ABS to me would be second.

Don't let the seat bother you too much. Any stock seat is only "OK" when compared to a custom like a Russell or many others.

In other words again, not a deal breaker like and reasonably unchangeable antilock stopping system.

Premium or Regular... Not a factor to me at 6 gallons a fill up (About $1 a tank difference). Then again I drive a car that requires premium.

6th gear... Not an issue to me. I love the FJR gearbox. I'm never looking for a 6th gear on the FJR, the way I did on my VStrom.

 

[RaYzerman19]

The '09 C14's will be hard to sell with the '10 revisions out now, so I'm not surprised at a low price. I would like to ride one myself, however, it's going to really take something to pry me off my FJR. With a Russell and a couple of suspension improvements, it's arguably the best out there IMHO.

 

[doctorJ]

The '09 C14's will be hard to sell with the '10 revisions out now, so I'm not surprised at a low price. I would like to ride one myself, however, it's going to really take something to pry me off my FJR. With a Russell and a couple of suspension improvements, it's arguably the best out there IMHO.

I'm with you on this. If I was going to get a connie one of these days, it would have to be a 2010 ABS due to the multiple changes made that just make it a more appealing bike to me. I love the black 09 like my 08 FJR, but the dark blue in the '10 C14 is not too bad at all. I know they can be had for around $13,400 or so but dont' need another bike now.

doctorj

 

[norcal1]

I too had my choices down the a 2010 Connie and the 2010 FJR. The pre-2010 Connies had serious heat from the engine on the rider which around here(going to get to 97 today)would be a killer. The 2010 supposedly addressed that problem. The prices were about the same.

The FJR seemed a more finished bike. That's why I went with it. And I haven't regretted it one single minute. :yahoo:

 

[200cs]

When I was looking at both, my wife preferred the FJR by far. She said about the Concourse "Thats the ugliest thing I have seen, and the rearend is too wide" (Still cant figure out if it was me or the bike she was talking about) Anyway, she said I should buy an FJR cuz it was "pretty" Rest is history.

Good luck. They are both good bikes in my opinion.