posted November 15, 2006 08:47 PM
Sat on the C14 tonight Got a chance to sit on the Concours14 tonight . Impressions:
- very similar seating position to FJR (I have an 05 FJR) - bars (though I have risers) seem maybe a little higher than stock FJR, but very comfortable
- Knee cutouts fine - I'm 6', 34" inseam, knees didn't touch like they do on STs
- windshield top edge a bit lower, apparently follows same arc when raised as FJR - prototype wasn't a fully working example
- K-pass remote seems cool - no place to insert a key into dash, just a knob. There is a key that pops into the back of the remote for seat/saddlebag
- seat maybe narrower but firmer than stock FJR seat. Can't really remember as I have Yamaha seat by Corbin
- removed seat - no underseat storage like FJR, but 2 helmet wires, 1 on each side, to lock helmets to bike - irks me that Yamaha still insists on not providing such a simple solution
- saddlebags - mount/dismount almost exactly like Yamaha - tangs on bags go down in slots like Yamaha, and slide over extension to footpeg mount - again like Yamaha. Biggest difference is the top mounts stick out from the bodywork, as opposed to fitting in the bodywork like FJR
- bags have same 2-handle set-up as FJR, 1 for opening the bags, 1 for removing bags. I did try the mechanisms, and I like the way they work better than the FJR as they are much more positive in action - they almost click up & down. I've never liked the way the FJR handles (for R&R bags, open/close) seem to be pulling back against the lock, like they're not quite shut. The FJR ones function fine, I just liked the action of the C14 bags
- exhaust can as big in real life as photos
- bags may not hold ff helmet - no chance to try it out, but then it has the helmet holders, which I prefer, since if your bags are full, there is no place to put your helmet. And, yes, I have seen the threads on how to attach your helmet to the bags
- I personally like the way the bodywork/tank seals off the engine bay, cutting off the heat escape route - huge ducted fairing side vents + sealed bodywork should = cooler cockpit, not that I ever really had much of an issue with the heat
- glove box on tank top pretty small - won't fit much more that reg & ins, etc
I will probably make the switch because I can, try something new, I'm a big Kawi fan, more hp. I have read the posts about how much power you need, how fast do you need to go, etc, but I don't care, that's what I like. Having said that, when I got home I sat on the FJR (though steering locked), had a good look at it, and thought, what an awesome bike the FJR really is! I figure you can't go wrong either way!
posted November 16, 2006 04:57 AM
Yup...good solid info there. I also had an FJR, (04). Loved the bike except for the that annoying buzz at 4200...even the Throttlemeister's didn't eliminate that, but I really enjoyed it for the 18 months that I had it. Put on about 30k miles and the only issue I had was that stupid valve issue, which ended with Yami changing all the intake and exhaust valves, but it was great ergonomically and tons of low end. I can't wait to test ride the C14; it should be a killer with plenty of low end grunt...and hopefully since it weighs that much more than the ZX14, secondary's are not part of the design either. Throw a good can on it, some mapping and it should be a sweet ride! You know, they're gonna have to have much more power than the FJ... ____________
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posted November 22, 2006 06:20 PM
The more i read about these sport tourers and limited space and comfort just to get speed makes me wonder why not just get a goldwing. The reviews i've read about them when it comes down to seems like an amazing bike for touring. I think that is the route for me keep the 14 for blasting around and when serious trips get a wing.
posted November 23, 2006 08:29 AM
Edited By: ZX11D on 23 Nov 2006 08:29
Thanks for the info Jammer. Looking forward to see it in person at the Long Beach IMS.
quote:The more i read about these sport tourers and limited space and comfort just to get speed makes me wonder why not just get a goldwing. The reviews i've read about them when it comes down to seems like an amazing bike for touring. I think that is the route for me keep the 14 for blasting around and when serious trips get a wing.
Wing's are Touring bikes...they simply don't offer the same performance as a C14 class bike...they are big, heavy and really designed as a 2-up bike...I know of at least 2 friends who are selling their Wing's in favor of the C14. It's closer to a ZX14 in ride and performance than a Wing is...
You can't do on a Wing what you can on a C14...and the C14 is an all day/week riding bike, easily...but to each, their own.
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posted December 04, 2006 05:30 PM
What you can't do on a C14 is go all day with your back seat passenger doing Macrame or something like that. I would say that for rider comfort, it's a wash. For passenger comfort, and total non-involvement in the riding, can't beat a wing.
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82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
posted December 04, 2006 07:29 PM
Thats why you own both a wing and a sport tour such as the FJR or the GTR 1400 or 1400 GTR. I refuse to call it a concours cuz it ain't even close to the new 1400.
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posted April 06, 2007 03:30 PM
Very useful write-up: thanks.
Why not get a GoldWing? Because it's too big, heavy and soft. For me the FJR is also too soft, like a big scooter. My background is on pure sport bikes and I hope the C14 will have firmer, fully adjustable suspension; I'm told it will.
One thing I HATE about the K1200GT is the rubber-mounted flobbledobble handlebars. They couldn't possibly be any different from clip-ons. Are the C14 bars rigid?
Some people have put down the KiPass system. Frankly, I would love not to have to open and close my pocket zipper so many times: I've worn out one zipper and jammed several just fiddling with keys.
I'm glad there's only a single muffler. Who needs the weight of two?
posted April 06, 2007 03:34 PM
Oh, I forgot to add. The FJR I rode had an annoying buzziness, which surprised me because it has rubber pegs.
Also, the brake lever wasn't as firm as I'd like; not even close, actually. Overall, the FJR does not have nearly enough sport in its sport-touring. IMO there's a real need for the C14 to fill the SPORT-touring niche, now empty.
posted April 07, 2007 02:37 PM
I disagree completely; I've owned one for 30K miles...owned Busa's R1's 10R's, ZX14's and many other ss bikes. Either you don't know how to ride a sport bike, or you've never really ridden an FJR for more than 10 seconds, because if you had, you'd know that it's infinitely more able as a sport bike than you are to ride it as one. I've braked it more than once at 79' (measured) on the track from 60-0 with ease and only using the front brake, which was as firm as my 14 or R1. I've dragged knees and scraped plastics on it more than once; there's no ST bike in its class that will outperform it. I've raced it at the track...ya, a 600 will eat it, but we're talking about an ST bike, not an SS bike. ____________
FYYFF!!!
quote:you don't know how to ride a sport bike, or you've never really ridden an FJR for more than 10 seconds, because if you had, you'd know that it's infinitely more able as a sport bike than you are to ride it as one.
Puzzling, irrational attack.
I do know how to ride a sport bike, and have advanced training, although my race licence expired three years ago. Does that render me suddenly unqualified?
I did ride the FJR for more than enough time at a fast pace to evaluate it.
I am definitely capable of riding it as a sport bike, except for the FACT that it is not a sport bike. As I said, it's more of a big scooter.
Did it occur to you that the particular FJR that I rode might have had air in its brakes?
It occurs to me that you are particularly emotionally invested in maintaining a baseless schema concerning superpowers of your FJR.
posted June 25, 2007 10:31 AM
Thanks for the info on the C-14 and the discussion on Goldwings and FJR's. These posts confirm my decision to put money on a C-14, not buy the FJR (though it is a fantastic bike), and keep my Goldwing for 2 up touring. I'll also keep the FXDWG for running aroud town setting off car alarms.
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posted November 15, 2006 08:47 PM
Edited By: 
I would say that for rider comfort, it's a wash. For passenger comfort, and total non-involvement in the riding, can't beat a wing.
posted April 09, 2007 05:52 PM
