wgnorman
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted July 22, 2007 01:40 AM
C14 - 1st 1000 Miles
I'm about 30 miles away from completing the first 1000 miles. My wife and I rode about 350 miles yesterday - 280 all two lane twisties. My fist impressions have been the C14 handling is excellent. It is predictable in the turns, the chassis settles firmly , yet the suspension handles bumps in the pavement without a hitch.
I've had several motorcycles, and still do have two other bikes - a 2007 GSXR1000 and a 2006 FZ1. Getting the C14, I traded a 2006 V-Strom DL1000 and sold my 2003 ZX12R; getting the GSXR1000, I traded my 2006 VFR; So I have a lot to compare with .
Compared to the ZX12R - in the low end, the C14 obviously makes less power - in fact, throughout the entire power band, there is no keeping up with the ZX12R engine. That said, there still is plenty of usable power - especially above 3K.
Since 90% of my riding is two-lane twisty roads, however, the C14, IMHO, has a much more stable and better feel in the turns than the ZX12 did for me. Even though the ZX was comparatively lighter, it always felt heavy to me cranked over in the turns. It also was never going to have the cargo and passenger accommodations of the C14 - yet, the ZX12R engine was superb, and I did enjoy the instant power in any gear at anytime.
The C14 has good power too, but like my FZ1, you have to know where it is. You cannot be lazy and just crank the throttle anywhere and have it like the ZX12 (or the Busa for that matter).
The C14, IMHO, has a very cushy but definitely no mushy suspension. I traded with a friend of mine last week who was riding a 2003 Goldwing and was surprised how similar the straight suspension response was to the Wing. Yet crank the C14 over in a turn and you are instantly back to sport bike world.
That said, no, the C14 could not in any way outperform my new GSXR1000. But, that said, the GSXR could never carry my wife and two full bags of stuff on a 350 mile day trip. Nor was it meant to.
Looking at the bikes I had and traded, I've been moving to more specialized machines - the do it all bikes I had were all great, but can not compete with the specialized machines. As said earlier, the C14 was my attempt to have a good sport, two-up machine.
That said, I find the C14 two-up definitely has better ride and suspension feel, and also better handling than the 2006 VFR or 2006 V-Strom. Yet, my wife, the passenger, feels the V-Strom has more comfort and room, and even feels the VFR stock seat was better. She did not really care for the C14 rear seat. Again, it was a long ride for her (she hadn't ridden a 350 mile day for almost a year) and she would be happier on the back of a Wing going down the interstate than constant turns of the twisty back road two-lanes. In any case, I'm putting the Aerostich sheepskin pad on the seat for her to see if that helps. Also, she greatly prefers having a backrest, so I see a trunk and pad in the future that may help.
Seating comfort for me? I feel the seat is actually a little soft ( I've grown use to the harder seats on the FZ1 and GSXR). That said, I had no problem riding all day on it. There is good room between my wife and I.
Some other 1st 1K observations:
Brakes - are great (at least the front - hardly use the rear)
Acceleration - good at 4K; much better at 6K; have not tried much near 8K (still in break-in)
Handling - does not feel like a 600 plus pound bike! Yippee!
Wind protection - windshield all the way down feels best to me - wind in the chest - other settings create more noise and buffeting - however, you can put windscreen all the way up and tuck down below -
Hard bags - very good - much better, IMHO, than Honda or Suzuki stock setups I had - Honda VFR bags could deceptively fall off if not locked right; Suzuki bags were too small; (Incidentally, my Honda VFR bag liners fit perfectly inside the C14 bags); I have Givi bags on the FZ1 with Keyless entry - I would still rate the Givi as probably overall best - most room and easy access
For some pictures of my C14, my website has a few. http://wgnorman.com
Grant
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Grant
   
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