I had a 2004 FJR awhile back and loved it. Since then, I have had several bikes of different statures.....street fighter, adventure, sport, etc. Finally coming back to a sport tourer. Just trying to decide between a FJR and Concours. A friend of mine has a new 2010 C14. It is very nice,however, I am not a big Kawi fan. I had have Kawis in the past....in fact, my last ride was a ZRX1200. Trying to stay within a budget....meaning cheaper the better. I'll keep a watch on here and CL for some good deals. Some of the 2005s are going for the same price as the new 2008 C14. Anyways....I'll lurk around a bit.
Thinking of coming back....
- Thread starter ekms377
- Start date
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wfooshee
O, Woe is me!!
My take on the C14 is difficult maintenance. ****'s just hard to get to on that bike. And it's ugly. And the mirrors are useless. On paper, more advanced suspension on the C14. And there aren't any 5 and 6 year old C14s out there to help your budget.
Eric, you've seen THIS GOOD DEAL in this forum's "for sale" section, right?
(And I believe the seller is a good egg...if you like eggs.
)
(And I believe the seller is a good egg...if you like eggs.
)beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
Careful there, Eric; that particular 06 FJR smells like fresh pie.Eric, you've seen THIS GOOD DEAL in this forum's "for sale" section, right?
(And I believe the seller is a good egg...if you like eggs.
Apple, peach, lemon meringue, Key Lime and raspberry pies!
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ahchiu
FJR Commander
+1, but ice cream not included. Eric you can fly out for our tech meet and ride her home in the springCareful there, Eric; that particular 06 FJR smells like fresh pie.Eric, you've seen THIS GOOD DEAL in this forum's "for sale" section, right?
(And I believe the seller is a good egg...if you like eggs.
Apple, peach, lemon meringue, Key Lime and raspberry pies!
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Jim in Phoenix
Well-known member
Eric, I formerly owned a 2000 C-10 (the original Concours) and was very happy with the bike except for he heat. Summers in Phoenix are a *****. Probably in Texas too. So I felt limited to the 2006 and later FJR, or the 2010 C-14. I had ridden both during Arizona bike week where both were available for demo rides. Personally, if money were no object, I would pick the new C-14. But the pocket book rules, and when an 06 FJR showed up at a reasonable price, I did not hesitate - and I'm not sorry either. It is a great bike. And the Great deal mentioned above also looks promising. How you get it from Washington to Texas is another matter.
worldbound4now
Well-known member
This should be a strong consideration of yours if you do the maintenance yourself. The FJR is just so damn easy to work on and needs such little work that it'd take a lot to even get me to look seriously at other bikes.
wfooshee
O, Woe is me!!
It should be a consideration for dealer work, too. Shop time is $$$$.
HeUeR
Well-known member
Thx for all the input.
I do most of the work myself so yes, that is a consideration. I heard just checking the valves on the C14 is a pain.
Only faults I can remember on my '04 FJR was the seat, rear rack and soft suspension. Brakes could have been better too....but all in all.....great bike with little maintenance. That is why I am thinking of coming back.
I do most of the work myself so yes, that is a consideration. I heard just checking the valves on the C14 is a pain.
Only faults I can remember on my '04 FJR was the seat, rear rack and soft suspension. Brakes could have been better too....but all in all.....great bike with little maintenance. That is why I am thinking of coming back.
majicmaker
Well-known member
I guess it's all about fit. I checked out the C14 before buying my FJR and it was just too big for my 5'10" 180# frame. But I still tell people that if I were 2-3" taller and 20-30# heavier I prolly would have gotten the Kawi.
Good luck with your decision, I hope you find what you're looking for. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.
Good luck with your decision, I hope you find what you're looking for. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.
backfill
Active member
That is funny (as in odd) because I am 6'-1" and 220 and I just bought the FJR. Coming off of a VFR, I found the Connie too big for my tastes. When on the centre stand, I had to put my right foot on the seat and kind of hop towards the bike - i found it was too big just to swing a leg over with the bags (which seem to sit very high). I also found that the C14 was top heavy at low speeds. I haven't had these issues with the FJR, so when I found a great price on a very slightly used '07 I jumped for it.
Having said that, I still thought they were both great bikes. The Kawi just didn't do it for me.
iboldguy
Well-known member
I sat on the original C14 when I owned a C10. It felt tall and wide and did not suit me although I could not put my finger on the reason. Later I bought a FJR 2006 and I am happy with it although the SO says the C10 was better for her - less knee bend, I think. At the time the price for the C14 was high vs FJR although in Great White North this is now reversed, who knows why?
I sat on the new C14 at the motorcycle show and I got the same impression as the original - felt big and didn't feel right.
I think both are excellent sport touring bikes get the one that feels right to you.
Top Case
Well-known member
The C14 is tall, but its tank isn't. There is a sharp crease in the tank above the knee indentations. The knee indentations are sized for "normal to short" so that the sharp crease in the tank hits the inside of a tall guys knees. I'm 6'5", with 36-inch inseam, and the crease in the tank made the C14 absolutely unridable. This crease is clearly visible in the picture below; it looks good, but the FJR's higher and more subtle crease is far less intrusive.
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KIPASS is a deal killer for the new Connie (for moi). I do not want any crap like that on my bikes.
I also don't really want the added complexity of (or to have to pay for) Fly by wire or Traction Control.
I also don't really want the added complexity of (or to have to pay for) Fly by wire or Traction Control.
I'm sure many of us used to say the same thing about new-fangled electronical stuff like ABS, fuel injection, cruise controls and self-canceling turn signals
ABS and fuel injection, no. They are both clearly advances in technology that improve the bike.I'm sure many of us used to say the same thing about new-fangled electronical stuff like ABS, fuel injection, cruise controls and self-canceling turn signals
Self canceling turn signals? :blink: Whazzat?
I've had Fly by wire on vehicles before. It has no value except to facilitate the use of traction control. Traction control is OK in some applications like driving in snow and ice or on a race bike with so much horsepower the rear wheel will break loose unintentionally. On a big ST bike I have no problem using my "manual" traction control and so don't cherish the added complexity of either FbW or TC.
na1g
Well-known member
Ditto on the KIPASS, Fred. How is that better? Using a key (the same key that unlocks the saddle bags, BTW) is so engrained in us that it is automatic and not a chore that needed to be removed. I'm all for using technology to make something better or easier, but hate using technology just because it can be done. KIPASS is a gadget. BMW has a few noteable examples of technology making things worse (servo-assisted brakes, CANBUS wiring, even their fancy rear drive)
The Con14 has some nice features as do some BMW tourers, but the FJR has just the right blend of ingredients. :clapping:
pete
The Con14 has some nice features as do some BMW tourers, but the FJR has just the right blend of ingredients. :clapping:
pete
