My Concours & FJR testdrive.

[RCOregon]

I've been looking for a new bike this year. My 92 ST1100 has done it's job and I am now ready to pass it on to someone getting back into the sport. Last weekend I decided to test ride an 09 Concours 14ABS. The next day I test drove a 07 FRJ1300A. For what its worth, here's my first impressions.

This was the 4th Kawi I have test drove this year. Ergonomics of the bike are great. Loved the upright position. My 6', 50 yr old frame fit perfectly on the grips, seat and pegs. Console is well laid out. The locking hard cases are easy to open and take off. Much easier than my ST. I set the mirrors, noticed a huge blind spot. Test drove the bike in the dealer's parking lot. The brakes seemed soft, very similar to my 16yr old non ABS Honda, the salesman told me it was the ABS. Off I went. Fantastic power. Very smooth shifting. Neutral easy to find. At a stop light I noticed the Kawi (dishwasher) engine noise. Once the wheels got turning the noise disappeared. I rode a couple of miles to an expressway. The mirrors had drifted down to the hard luggage. With the mirrors re-set, I accelerated to 75.

At cruising speed I started adjusting the wind screen up and down and was impressed with the slip stream over the cockpit, but not in a positive way. With the wind screen all the way up the wind noise was amazing. Adjusting the windscreen down and the noise goes away! In the lower position the slip stream was a nice gentle force on my helmet and chest. But I ride in the Pacific NW. In the winter it's cold, foggy, rainy and windy. With the screen in this position I'd be a popsicle by the time I ride 15 miles down I-5. Again my ST has much better wind protection and less noise. Wow. I pulled into the dealership and looked at the mirrors; more luggage. Maybe there was something wrong with the mirrors. The KI-PASS key fob system was great. Worked flawlessly the 3 times I used it.

The next day I test drove a 07 FJR. Again, nice upright position. Great bar position. Better console than the St1300. Great motor, no dishwasher noise. But clunky gear shifting, the bike wanted to de-accelerate when I shifted up. I kinda got use to it after a few minutes. Other than this I was throughly impressed with the bike. Fantastic power, smooth riding. Loved the mirrors! Drove down I-5 and tested out the windscreen. No comparison over the Kawi. Big Grin on my face. Bought an 08. Thats my story and I'm stickin to it.

 

[JRO]

Good for you.

The gears smooth out, as it breaks in.

 

[motorcycle-ed]

Alright...another convert! :clapping: I had a 96 ST11 prior to buying my FJR (and four STs prior to that one) and I have never looked back. The ST is a great bike, probably the best all -around touring bike until the ST13 and the FJR came out. I did not like the ST13 at all, but LOVE THE FJR. You are going to enjoy yours, but consider strongly the addiiton of the PCIII. I put it off for a long time, not thinking it would make that much difference. Trust me it makes a huge difference in local driving and in any kind of spirited riding. You wont notice it if you just run up and down the interstate.

Welcome. Ed

 

[E1Allen]

Welcome to the forum. Probably good that you took the time to ride both bikes to determine which one you liked more. I have issues with wind noise but 2" between our height does make a difference. I just can't bring myself to get a huge shield. Have fun riding.

Eric

 

[RCOregon]

Hi Ed, Hope I am doing this right, this is my second post on the FJR forum.

I am actually picking up my bike Thursday morning. What is a PCIII?

 

[bikesniffer]

I've been looking for a new bike this year. My 92 ST1100 has done it's job and I am now ready to pass it on to someone getting back into the sport. Last weekend I decided to test ride an 09 Concours 14ABS. The next day I test drove a 07 FRJ1300A. For what its worth, here's my first impressions.
This was the 4th Kawi I have test drove this year. Ergonomics of the bike are great. Loved the upright position. My 6', 50 yr old frame fit perfectly on the grips, seat and pegs. Console is well laid out. The locking hard cases are easy to open and take off. Much easier than my ST. I set the mirrors, noticed a huge blind spot. Test drove the bike in the dealer's parking lot. The brakes seemed soft, very similar to my 16yr old non ABS Honda, the salesman told me it was the ABS. Off I went. Fantastic power. Very smooth shifting. Neutral easy to find. At a stop light I noticed the Kawi (dishwasher) engine noise. Once the wheels got turning the noise disappeared. I rode a couple of miles to an expressway. The mirrors had drifted down to the hard luggage. With the mirrors re-set, I accelerated to 75.

At cruising speed I started adjusting the wind screen up and down and was impressed with the slip stream over the cockpit, but not in a positive way. With the wind screen all the way up the wind noise was amazing. Adjusting the windscreen down and the noise goes away! In the lower position the slip stream was a nice gentle force on my helmet and chest. But I ride in the Pacific NW. In the winter it's cold, foggy, rainy and windy. With the screen in this position I'd be a popsicle by the time I ride 15 miles down I-5. Again my ST has much better wind protection and less noise. Wow. I pulled into the dealership and looked at the mirrors; more luggage. Maybe there was something wrong with the mirrors. The KI-PASS key fob system was great. Worked flawlessly the 3 times I used it.

The next day I test drove a 07 FJR. Again, nice upright position. Great bar position. Better console than the St1300. Great motor, no dishwasher noise. But clunky gear shifting, the bike wanted to de-accelerate when I shifted up. I kinda got use to it after a few minutes. Other than this I was throughly impressed with the bike. Fantastic power, smooth riding. Loved the mirrors! Drove down I-5 and tested out the windscreen. No comparison over the Kawi. Big Grin on my face. Bought an 08. Thats my story and I'm stickin to it.

Congrats to your new ride!

Gear clunk gone on mine after 4000 or so miles...buttersmooth now.

 

[El Toro]

Hi Ed, Hope I am doing this right, this is my second post on the FJR forum. I am actually picking up my bike Thursday morning. What is a PCIII?

Its a Power Commander product that is installed to fool the bike's engine control module into different fuel maps compared to stock. There are several companies making similar products.

An electronic engine control module figures out what the pulse width for the fuel injectors should be (how long they should squirt), when they should open, and it also tells the ignition system when to fire the spark plugs for each cylinder.

The stock fuel and timing maps are set up by the engineers who designed and manufactured the bike. The stock maps are designed to meet power, fuel consumption, emissions, and drivability issues in a way that the manufacturer believes will be best.

Many people don't like the stock maps for a variety of reasons, and they recommend that you get the PCIII or one of the other related similar plug in boxes. The PCIII is the most popular one on this forum.

I used to think that since I could ride the bike without the PCIII, that anyone else could too. I've since decided that's not the case. There are a heck of a lot of folks who want the modification, and they've even done at least one group buy to get PCIII's at a discount, albeit a modest discount.

The guys who swear by the modifications are sincere.

I am equally sincere that I neither want nor need one... and there are a few others brave enough to say the same, but most just stay out of these threads.

FWIW, an aftermarket plug in modification that fools the ecm could be set up to give more power, or it could be set up to give better fuel consumption, or it could be set up to give better "drivability." There are various maps that folks seem to like. One that focuses on smoothness is often touted here.

Nobody likes to hear it, but the aftermarket plug in is an engine modification and if Yamaha honors the warranty after its been done, its because they are generous, not because they have to... Of course some folks will point out that there is a US law that requires them to prove that the modification led to whatever failure is being considered for warranty correction, but most of us would rather not get into a battle over a warranty issue. It is also unpopular to point out that the modification of the ecm directly impacts emissions performance, and is hence specifically prohibited by US law for bikes that will be used on the street. That does not seem to matter to most folks. In California there have been specific judgements against the Power Commander folks, and it lead to a settlement and changes in their business practices in that state.

Have fun with your new bike. I've been enjoying my left over 06 FJR AE since June. Its stock except for the Sargent seat that I added after a month or two. I love it. I ride a mix of twisties, interstates, and urban roads, and I have not felt the need to make modifications to the engine control programs. Obviously your mileage may vary.

I'll wait now for the beating to begin.

 

[RCOregon]

Thanks for your responses.

I picked up my new FJR "Black Beauty" this morning from the dealer. Rode it home @60 miles. Fantastic bike.

My only complaint is my 50 yr old butt was getting a little sore on the hard seat. Big deal. Love this bike.

I guess I can now throw all my old Cycle Trader Mags away.

 

[big ears]

Don't let off the throttle very much when you shift and it will be smoother and almost seemless. Shell rotella 15-40 will work wonder in the shifting. My 08 is silky smooth when I shift correctly. Has been since about 3500 miles.

 

[Wicked Webby]

Welcome RC,

You will enjoy your new bike and the forum!!

Ride safe,

WW

 

[happyPuppy]

My bike is under 2k an '08 too and still clunks as it is not fully worn in. It is just a great bike ,I am very happy I picked it. Just waiting for the rains to really get to farkling. From what I understand about the PCIII ( note 2 versions EX and the racing, the EX is for CA) the fuel mixture gets very lean under throttle and this evens it out.