Power & Acceleration of 13/14 Gen.III vs Gen. II

[FJR2011]

I had a 2011Gen II and the ONLY thing that i was sort of disapointed was the Power & Acceleration of the bike, i am now considering getting back and wonder if the 2013's/2014's are different in that regard.......Some friends keep telling me about the Kawasaki Concours 1400 but i am still drawn by the FJR......just curious what your thougts are ???

Thanks for the feedback !

 

[Allen_C]

What was disappointing to you about its power and acceleration? It has more usable hp below 3500 rpms than the c14. The peak hp is only a few less than the c14, but at least the breaks work smoothly to stop the bike on the fjr! One feature to the gen3 is the Sport vs Touring drive modes. Sport gives you crisp throttle response while touring softens the throttle for another acceleration (less helmet slapping with a passenger).

 

[FJR2011]

i felt the bike had little "SNAP"......less than i expected.....i don't necessarily want sport bike performance and understand this is a heavy bike but do want the thrills !!!

I expect that teh S mode on the 2013's + will satisfy me...but before spending that $$$ just wanted your feedback !

 

[HotRodZilla]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha...Go buy a C14.

 

[mcatrophy]

i felt the bike had little "SNAP"......less than i expected.....i don't necessarily want sport bike performance and understand this is a heavy bike but do want the thrills !!!
I expect that teh S mode on the 2013's + will satisfy me...but before spending that $$$ just wanted your feedback !

Get a 2006 or 2007, their throttle cams give you more snap. But not necessarily when you want it .

 

[MCRIDER007]

I did some roll ons in 5th gear starting at 60 mph, using a GPS for consistency, over a fixed distance to measure terminal velocity. My 08 accelerated to 98, the 13 T mode was 102, the 13 S mode was 103, C14 Econ mode was 103, and the C14 Normal mode was 108 (and coming on very strong at the end). This pretty much confirmed my butt dyno impression that the '13 has very similar engine performance to the C14 when the C14 is in Econ mode (which is where I ride mine 99 percent of the time). It should be noted that the C14 has a 4 percent gearing advantage in 5th gear....and has the option for a ECU reflash that will greatly increase low end power.

I prefer the FJR's 5 speed gear ratios, the C14's 6th gear isn't that useful unless you have a tail wind or are riding downhill. The C14 gets better fuel mileage in 5th gear most of the time.

 

[garyahouse]

I see that you're kind of new around here. Welcome aboard. I've read a lot about the Concours/FJR comparison. It's been a recurring theme on this forum for years. Just do a google search: site:fjrforum.com Connie vs. FJR (or maybe Kawasaki 1400 vs. FJR). You'll see what I mean. But just a thought or two. I've got a buddy, Jim, who rides an 09 Connie. His brother David rode a 2010 FJR, and then recently traded it in on a 2013 FJR. Unfortunately, David passed away not long ago, but that's another story. Jim said that often times they used to race just a bit. He said that his Connie could always out accelerate the FJR, but not by much. I have no personal knowledge of that, but that IS what he told me. Jim's an honest man and an experienced rider. I'd be willing to bet he's right on that.

The forum has commented that the FJR is an easier machine to work on... many times. I've also read that it's more reliable, but I can't be sure about that. I'll defer to the forum on that one. Online reports have said that the Connie has a higher center of gravity and that it doesn't feel as light, as low, or as "flickable" as the FJR.

On your 2nd Gen vs 3rd Gen question, if you were disappointed with the power of the Gen 2, it's likely you'll feel the same about the Gen 3. They are VERY similar, though I've read that the Gen 3 is ever so slightly better in both power and throttle response... what we used to call "carburetion." The fueling is better sorted, which stands to reason as mama Yamma has been working on getting it RIGHT. Many testers have said that they have done just that.

My concern for you -- is that you weren't satisfied with FJR acceleration in general. That could be a problem. Though the Connie is a little faster, it's not gonna be something you can feel, according to my buddy Jim, who's ridden all three, the Gen 2, 3, and his own Connie.

This fall, I met up with SkooterG from this forum as he was hosting test rides at the Motorycycle Expo in Orlando. I test rode a new VMax. If you're looking for acceleration, smoothness, and quality construction, that might be a better choice. However, there's no fairing: it is NOT an FJR. But the acceleration is phenomenal. My FJR was the fastest machine I've ever ridden, until I rode that VMax. There is no comparison. It will rip your arms out of their sockets. Kawasaki's ZX14 will do the same thing, but for me, the crotch rocket riding position on the Kawi is a deal breaker. If I had the money, there would be a new VMax in the garage next to my FJR. But since I can only afford one, the FJR is the bike for me... for what I need out of a bike. That VMax gas mileage (something like 28mpg) would be a problem; and though I might enjoy a little more accel. once in a while, truthfully, 95 % of the time I'm on my FJR, I don't use the power that it DOES have.

Hope that helps.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[escapefjrtist]

No meaningful difference between the GEN II and GEN III engines regarding peak power and torque. Look at dyno charts from the magazine tests and you'll see FJRs make 123 - 127 hp. The GEN IIIs FBW throttle gives the impression of more power, especially in sport mode due to quicker butterfly opening. That's it though.

If you're using all of the FJR's capabilities then you won't be any more satisfied with a '13 / '14. Perhaps a C14 will satisfy the [top end rush] need for speed.

Good luck with your search for mo'power!

--G

 

[FJR2011]

Don't get me wrong...i loved my FJR and this is the #1 bike i am looking for again as it corresponds to the type of riding i want to do (long distances, passengers, CC, etc....). I was just curious if the newer models had mo"power !

And regarding a Kawa vs. FJR.....FJR all the way !!!!!!

 

[FJR Bill]

The mechanic I use owns a Connie. He's one of the most aggressive street riders I know. He has said this concerning my 09 FJR and his Connie:

"0-100 the FJR will likely win, after that the Connie takes over"

"Your FJR is so much easier to work on. My Connie is the most difficult bike to wrench on that I've ever owned."

Bill

 

[Allen_C]

I did some roll ons in 5th gear starting at 60 mph, using a GPS for consistency, over a fixed distance to measure terminal velocity. My 08 accelerated to 98, the 13 T mode was 102, the 13 S mode was 103, C14 Econ mode was 103, and the C14 Normal mode was 108 (and coming on very strong at the end). This pretty much confirmed my butt dyno impression that the '13 has very similar engine performance to the C14 when the C14 is in Econ mode (which is where I ride mine 99 percent of the time). It should be noted that the C14 has a 4 percent gearing advantage in 5th gear....and has the option for a ECU reflash that will greatly increase low end power.

I prefer the FJR's 5 speed gear ratios, the C14's 6th gear isn't that useful unless you have a tail wind or are riding downhill. The C14 gets better fuel mileage in 5th gear most of the time.

If you do those rolling tests in top gear on both bikes, the FJR will eat the C14, depending on the distance in your test.

Going back to the OP's question, I am curious what he means by "snap". Most people do not want a twist of the throttle to jerk the bike forward in an almost uncontrollable manner. Instead, twisting the throttle should create a slight jump forward with exponential acceleration until the HP curve flattens.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha...Go buy a C14.

+1, I am with you Zilla,

 

[Bungie]

The bottom end, lower gear acceleration of the Gen 3 is superior to even the Gen 1's. Traction control rocks. No more hazing tires.

 

[jayke]

I just came from a C14, you won't like it either. You need RPM's on either bike for serious acceleration.

 

[900gc]

If you want more "snap" you'll have to own two bikes, like the new breed of mega hooligan bikes. Power to weight ratio and gearing are the primary factors for quickness along with engine tune (torque peak rpm, etc.). OR, you can send the FJR motor out to a race shop and for about 5+ grand you can have an over bore, high compression pistons, ti rods, cams, etc. that will knock about .3 sec off a qtr. mile time.

For free, you can ride around at 7k rpm all the time and snap the throttle wide open as quick as possible every time you accelerate. Should feel quicker then.

How much quicker is a BMW 1600 with that amazing motor? To quote Scotty from Star Trek: "You can't change the laws of physics!" Mass is mass and an FJR is a 650+ lb. bike.

 

[leclairk]

I test rode a C14 when I bought my FJR. One of the reasons I did not buy the C14 was that I felt it was too much power. The C14 was no joke. I LOVE power and I LOVE acceleration but I also don't want to die. The fastest motorcycle I have ridden is a BMW K1300S. That thing is one hell of a machine. If you want something with some snap, that's your machine. My brother owns one and I have ridden it a few times. It's not as ergo friendly as an FJR but it's not bad. You can pick up an 09 or 10 for a couple grand more than a comparable FJR. Of course the maintenance is going to kill you.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Sounds like you're looking for B-King or V-Max or Busa/ZX14 acceleration, but you won't have the comfort of a FJR.

BTW....You "can' make the FJR faster with engine mods.

 

[SkooterG]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha...Go buy a C14.

Words of wisdom right there - from the village ***** no less!

The bottom end, lower gear acceleration of the Gen 3 is superior to even the Gen 1's. Traction control rocks. No more hazing tires.

Nice try troll. Go fishing with your stinky bait somewhere else!

Sounds like you're looking for B-King or V-Max or Busa/ZX14 acceleration, but you won't have the comfort of a FJR.
BTW....You "can' make the FJR faster with engine mods.

Please, do tell of such mods!

 

[RaYzerman19]

Read up on the KTM 1290..... that might scare the bejeezus outta ya..... then come back to your senses and get an FJR.