FJR vs Connie Head to Head in RoadRUNNER

[crumpadump]

And I should say that the one bike that continues to show up in the pages of that magazine just happens to be a 2005 "BassBoteBlue" FJR that they continue to customize and use in just the way that warms every heart on this forum.
The purpose of the magazine is very close to what I want, a big emphasis on touring. My dislikes center on their format, or the presentation of the story. I have never read anything anywhere set up like that and I don't enjoy reading it that way. They do have some excellent maps at the end of every story and Pop and I read and re-read the stories that cover someplace we are interested in going. In fact, it was a story in that mag on The Santa Fe Trail that led us Out West last year.

Now that I think about that, maybe I should make sure my subscription is current...

I for one love the magazine and have been bugging my wife everyday lately asking if it's come in the mail yet. I hate that it comes out only 6 times a year.

Redfish I read your RR of your trip out west (which inspired me) what date was Santa Fe article printed? I'd like to read that too.

 

[FJRMGM]

All you need to know is on the cover. KTM BABY!!!!!!

Correction - all you need to know is dual sport riding in Big Bend - the KTM is just fluff.

 

[SFCJCA]

I think the magazine is a good read. If you're an AMA member, you can get a discount on a subscription.

Regarding the comparison article, they basically say each bike has some strengths and weaknesses. But there's no clear winner.

 

[Fred W]

Regarding the comparison article, they basically say each bike has some strengths and weaknesses. But there's no clear winner.

Did anyone really need a magazine to tell them that?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Regarding the comparison article, they basically say each bike has some strengths and weaknesses. But there's no clear winner.

Did anyone really need a magazine to tell them that?

Well, at least they didn't fall to the, "Oh the Kawi has 1400ccs and 6 speeds, so it must be better" camp. Hell, in real life, they are close comparison from the seat. I think other things give the FJR an advantage, but I'm sure the C1400 guys think they have it. I think a magazine that finishes a comparison close to what real life shows is at least trying to a good job. I wonder if the pictures are any good. Lol...

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

I think the magazine is a good read. If you're an AMA member, you can get a discount on a subscription.
Regarding the comparison article, they basically say each bike has some strengths and weaknesses. But there's no clear winner.

I'd say the FJR is the winner.

Other than top end, which the Connie has the advantage...the FJR is lighter, handles better...much easier to do the valves, and longer intervals, better suspension, No K-PASS (plus there) No horrible looking Torpedo exhaust without the bags "look" I could go on but that's enough!

 

[palerider]

Why would they test a 2013 FJR ?????






Canadian FJR

+1

Talk about an anti-climax. Silly of them to have run this. Much better and more useful to have waited and compared the Connie to the 2014 FJR.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Good magazine, They did leave off the NM from the mag title though.

 

[20valves]

I don't think any inmates here will learn one thing from this "comparo."

RR is a good mag but not for the tests, I like it for trip ideas and planning, it's very good for that.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

I've had a subscription for a few years, and as others have said, I like the touring articles. Read the comparison, and it told me pretty much what I already know:

- FJR is (a bit) lighter and fits better if you're short-assed like me

- adjustable seat height on the FJR (helps if you're short, see above)

- FJR has nicer throttle response, the throttle by wire is very well done and is smooth

- FJR has cruise control which is nice on a longer ride

- Connie feels more aggressive and "sporty" (this surprised me although I think you need "track times" with the same rider to really know...)

- Connie has a bit better wind protection, both have too much for when it gets hot

- longer warranty on the Connie

- bigger gas tank on the FJR; bit better mileage on the Connie, but with the smaller tank probably a wash

They do say that the FJR lacks "personality" - I've heard that from others as well. Heard same thing regarding the Super Tenere. The thing is, that "lack of personality" actually makes then much easier bikes to live with long term, and that rarely shows up in the press reports since they tend to focus on only a few days of riding - advantage to the bikes with "personality" (whatever that means).

FWIW, they seem to conclude that the FJR is a better touring bike, the Connie is a better "hooligan" bike. I think the reality is they are both pretty good. My son likes the Connie better - he's a shade under 6 foot and finds my FJR cramped. I prefer the FJR, since I'm short and it "fits". Both seem to perform equally well in the real world.

Nice pictures too

Griff

 

[WRThumper]

Well, at least they didn't fall to the, "Oh the Kawi has 1400ccs and 6 speeds, so it must be better" camp.

True, but the FJR was dinged for "no sixth gear" in the summary. I still don't get the big deal with the number of gears. Its pretty obvious to me, listening to owners' comments, that the Feej doesn't need a six speed. My FZ1 has six, but it needs them!

 

[Fred W]

The mag writers just don't know how to express what it is they really want. It's not that there's a 6th gear that makes them swoon, it's really that they want the rpms to be more relaxed up at highway cruising or above, as we like to call them, FJR nominal speeds.

This is probably because these same writers have all recently come off of Cruiser bikes where elevated rpm mean "bad things" in general. The reality of it on a modern bike is, if you aren't bumping off of the conservatively designed rev limiter, you are pretty much "good to go". As wide as the engine's torque curve is on the FJR, and as smooth as these engines tend to be (with good tune and maintenance) there is absolutely no need to stuff a 6th gear in.

6 (or more!) gears is only really needed if the engine has been optimized for power in a relatively narrow range of engine RPMs. That clearly does not describe the engine attributes of the bike that we here are all gathered to discuss. The FJR is nothing if not widely tuned on a spectacular scale. We all (should) know that 1300cc of displacement can make far more horsepower if the engine is tuned for higher rpms, but that is not the case here. The engine has been tuned for tractable, real-world utility (useful power) over maximum high rpm horsepower only useful on the track.

In case you have not yet noticed, this bike is not a 400lb liter (or less) sport bike, striving to squeak every last ounce of HP from the lightest possible engine configuration. So, why saddle it with a 6-speed transmission that would ultimately compromise the gearbox integrity?

The executive version should be: IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!

 

[Sno Cat]

For me, it was an easy decision to choose the FJ over the Connie. Way back when I bought my 1st one, an '05, the same mantra back then still applies today: The FJ offers better handling, better fit-n-finish & they're easier to work on ie., the FJ's engineered better than the Connie. My excellent luck w/Yamaha snowmobiles factored in as well. Glad I picked what I did, the FJ's awesomeness is iconic.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Well, at least they didn't fall to the, "Oh the Kawi has 1400ccs and 6 speeds, so it must be better" camp.

True, but the FJR was dinged for "no sixth gear" in the summary. I still don't get the big deal with the number of gears. Its pretty obvious to me, listening to owners' comments, that the Feej doesn't need a six speed. My FZ1 has six, but it needs them!

They want a 6th gear because other touring bikes have a 6th gear.

You'd think that a motorcycle magazine that writes all about motorcycles would KNOW that the FJR's 5th is like an overdrive gear already and at 80MPH I'm at only 4,000RPM's....there's no need for a 6th gear!

Why shift more than you have too? I really like that the FJR has only 5 gears!

 

[RaYzerman19]

The Feej's 5 speed is the best spacing of gears I've ever ridden. No need for 6. Power is spread over a decent rpm range, and 'personality' aka sportier bikes have less ooomph at lower speeds and it's all or nothing at the top..... Feej is a good balance and has lots of juice at the top if you need it....... the new throttle by wire is the schizzle. I've heard you can't keep back tires on a C14.......

If it ain't broke, don't fix it..........yep.

 

[FJR Bill]

Agree with the last posts. The 5 gear thing is NOT an issue for me and think Yami got it right. Actually for normal acceleration, not trying to impress anyone. I typically skip 2nd gear and 4th gear. Bike accelerates like a dream. I see no need for 6th. The bike is oh so happy at 4000 RPM at 80 MPH...still feals fine at 5000 RPM at 100 MPH. I don't spend much time over that but even at 130 the engine is smooth as glass and not complaining.

Bill

 

[Fred W]

Not sure how (or why) you skip gears except by double up shifting on a single clutch pull. Now I'll admit right up front that I've never tried it, but don't really get why you'd want to do that. Maybe I'm missing out on something really cool?

Just as an FYI to all you poor 2nd gen or later owners, the superior 1st gen runs at 4k rpm at 70 mph in 5th gear, and it still isn't wanting for another gear. It's plenty smooth at 80 or 90 or... (use your imagination). Never have heard that a 2+ gen can pull higher top speed than a 1st.

There are a a whole bunch'a useful rpms above 4000 on these bikes. Use 'em!

 

[Allen_C]

Agree with the last posts. The 5 gear thing is NOT an issue for me and think Yami got it right. I don't spend much time over that but even at 130 the engine is smooth as glass and not complaining.

I fully agree! I was actually very surprised how smooth it was at 130, vibration-free, and still pulling strong.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Per FJR owners... 5 is better than 6.

<gavel>

Done.

 

[Fred W]

So let it be written. So let it be done.