kpm
Member
My FJR got rear ended last Sept. After many months of this and that the bike was finally "repaired" in Feb.of this year. Bike still had a major rattle in it. Insurance said they would pay for repair if the shop could find something "broken" otherwise I would have to pay for the labor. Shop gave it go but could not find the issue. Did not charge me for the work but all they did was some tightening of the fairing panels. My thought was the fairing would have to taken apart piece by piece to find the problem. Looked to me at that point I had a potential black hole as far as money goes. If the shop took the fairing apart and found nothing "broken" I would be stuck. By this point I was faced with earplugs for the life of the bike and I was beginning to sour on the FJR. My wife who rear ended me (long story) got a nice bonus at work and said she would pay for a new one (what a woman) Thought about a new FJR but I got the been there done that feeling so I bought a 2011 Concours 14. Here are my impressions regarding the two bikes.
Ergos, etc.- The bikes are similar but the C14 pegs are a bit more forward so the knees are not as bent as with the FJR. I am 5'10". C14 is a bit taller (.5") but this is not an issue. Fairing offers a little more wind protection and I love the heated grips. C14 has all the gadgets (traction control, two different ABS modes, tire pressure sensors, battery voltage and a fuel economy mode)The traction control is definitively a nice feature otherwise unless you love gadgets the rest is window dressing. The rack on the C14 is actually usable. Seat is OK. Slight plus for the C14
Engine- The FJR appears to have more low end grunt. The C14 actually has more torque but does not seem so. The C14 is much smoother. Almost no vibration up to 4K. I am not sure above that as I am still in the breakin phase. I did not think the FJR vibrated enough to complain. FJR has better MPG. No winner here for me.
Brakes- The FJR has one hell of a set of brakes. As with the FJR the C14 has linked brakes but they are not as good as the FJR. Plus for the FJR.
Tranny- I always thought the FJR's tranny was a bit clunky but once you got used to it it was OK and the five speeds were fine. The C14 has 5 speeds and an overdrive gear. Shifting the C14 requires no effort and is as some have described "buttery smooth" Plus for the C14.
Handling- I actually think the C14 handles better than the FJR. I know the mags have complained about the C14's handling but I am fine with it. I am not a super aggressive rider so maybe I don't push enough to notice a difference. Plus for the C14.
Styling- I like the FJR look better. Muffler on the C14 looks like a cannon with the bags removed. C14 bags are lighter and easier to put on and remove. Beauty is the eye of the beholder so no advantage here for me.
Overall I think I am going to favor the C14. Not just because I bought one but the enhanced ergos and smoother tranny are really nice. I also think the traction control is a great feature.
In the ST market the C14 is the best seller followed by the FJR and then the BMW. I wish Yamaha would upgrade the bike a bit. They are super reliable bikes (not sure about the C14 since it is relatively new)
Ergos, etc.- The bikes are similar but the C14 pegs are a bit more forward so the knees are not as bent as with the FJR. I am 5'10". C14 is a bit taller (.5") but this is not an issue. Fairing offers a little more wind protection and I love the heated grips. C14 has all the gadgets (traction control, two different ABS modes, tire pressure sensors, battery voltage and a fuel economy mode)The traction control is definitively a nice feature otherwise unless you love gadgets the rest is window dressing. The rack on the C14 is actually usable. Seat is OK. Slight plus for the C14
Engine- The FJR appears to have more low end grunt. The C14 actually has more torque but does not seem so. The C14 is much smoother. Almost no vibration up to 4K. I am not sure above that as I am still in the breakin phase. I did not think the FJR vibrated enough to complain. FJR has better MPG. No winner here for me.
Brakes- The FJR has one hell of a set of brakes. As with the FJR the C14 has linked brakes but they are not as good as the FJR. Plus for the FJR.
Tranny- I always thought the FJR's tranny was a bit clunky but once you got used to it it was OK and the five speeds were fine. The C14 has 5 speeds and an overdrive gear. Shifting the C14 requires no effort and is as some have described "buttery smooth" Plus for the C14.
Handling- I actually think the C14 handles better than the FJR. I know the mags have complained about the C14's handling but I am fine with it. I am not a super aggressive rider so maybe I don't push enough to notice a difference. Plus for the C14.
Styling- I like the FJR look better. Muffler on the C14 looks like a cannon with the bags removed. C14 bags are lighter and easier to put on and remove. Beauty is the eye of the beholder so no advantage here for me.
Overall I think I am going to favor the C14. Not just because I bought one but the enhanced ergos and smoother tranny are really nice. I also think the traction control is a great feature.
In the ST market the C14 is the best seller followed by the FJR and then the BMW. I wish Yamaha would upgrade the bike a bit. They are super reliable bikes (not sure about the C14 since it is relatively new)
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