rep2ny
Parking Attendant
Posts: 21
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posted July 25, 2007 10:36 AM
C14 and FJR comparison by owner of both
There is a guy (Fred H.) that posts to a GL 1800 forum that also owns an 06 FJR and now a C-14. I haven't seen him on this forum. I hope to not violate any forum protocols by copying his remarks here. But, I thought he offered good insight. I also have a GL 1800 and expect to pick up my C-14 next week. I debated with myself long and hard about the C-14 vs. FJR and decided to hold out for the Kawasaki. So, I appreciated his comments and maybe some of you will too. Here is what he posted to the GL 1800 forum:
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:59 am Post subject: 08 C14 Concours vs 06 FJR
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Several folks have asked me how the two bikes compare, and I have been keeping some notes on the differences. So instead of writing a long winded review, I think I will just post my notes.
I now have ove 1,000 miles on the C14, so I have a pretty good feel for how it rides and handles. I will probably amend this list as time goes on.
In the final analysis, both are excellent bikes, but I find the C14 is just more fun and pleasant to ride. That is about as plain as I can put it. Not intended to be a jab on the FJR in any way at all, just my own impression.
Here are the notes:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
06 Yamaha FJR / 08 C14 Kawasaki Concours
Immensely better power delivery/throttle control on C14. FJR lurches and is jerky where C14 power is delivered smooth as glass and very predictable, very linear (which is the exact opposite of FJR). This is probably the one of the biggest problems with the FJR, and the C14 is just so much easier to ride at all speeds compared to the FJR due to its smooth power delivery.
Throttle springs on FJR are very stiff, C14 hs much lighter throttle action
Clutch feel is vastly different on two bikes. FJR clutch has shorter engagement range, and engages and disengages closer to the
bar. C14 clutch has a wider engagement zone, and engagement occurs further out in the release. Clutch pull on FJR is markedly stiffer than C14 as well.
Engine/transmission on C14 MUCH smoother. Zero vibration on C14 from engine. FJR engine has some minor buzz around 4Krpm (even
after throttle body sync and foam grips).
Less heat on FJR, engine appears to run cooler in traffic as well. C14 heats up easily at slow speeds. Heat wafts off sides of bike into cockpit, side panels and tank get warm. I wouldn't say the C14 gets hot, but it does give off more heat than the 06 FJR.
C14 handles better in all aspects, more crisp and eager to carve corners, more confident inspiring. FJR feels sluggish by
comparison. C14 turn in better, and less top heavy feel at speed.
C14 much more nimble, light feeling, easier to get turned in, better overall handling. FJR turn in feels slow by comparison
C14 suspension is better sprung (stiffer spring rates)
FJR feels more top heavy, even when moving. This really impacts handling in a negative way on FJR. Battery is mounted up high on FJR as is the gas tank. Battery is in center of bike on C14 (where is should be) and half the gas is under the seat. This results in a lower center of gravity and better mass centralization, and greatly improves overall handling. C14 feels less top heavy at parking lot speed as a result too, especially when the gas tank is full on both bikes.
Balance - This is what I think makes this bike handle like it does. The lower center of gravity really seems to pay off. This is most evident out on the road and when you want to flick the bike from full left lean to full right lean. The FJR by comparison seems slow and hard to get turned in and top heavy.
C14 feels more planted at speed and seems to track better, yet feels more willing to lean over and nimble in corners
C14 does not suffer from coast down headshake wobble with hands off bars. FJR can have a pretty severe wobble during coast down, (45-38mph) which is better/worse depending on tires used. Need to test C14 with different tire brands to see if any wobble appears, but with the OEM Bridgestones, it is solid as a rock with not even a hint of wobble.
Upside down forks on C14 seem to result in less fork flex and more precise steering control and contribute to overall better
handling of c14
ABS and brakes on both bikes are superb and work well. FJR has linked front and rear brakes (which I actually like), C14 does not.
C14 brakes feel just a bit stronger on initial bite. Both bikes use seperate brake pads for each piston on front brakes.
FJR has twin rear spring design with two positions, hard and soft, that lock one of the springs in or out. C14 has single spring with nearly infinite adjustable pre-load settings. Both FJR and C14 have rebound damper adjustments on rear shock. Overall, springs on C14 feel like they are stiffer than on the FJR, both front and rear.
6 speed transmission on C14 is a nice plus, and at 4K rpm in 6th bike is about 81-82 mph (85 indicated on speedo) on C14. 6th gear truly is an overdrive gear on this bike.
Lack of fairing tip over protection on both bikes, they need to take notice of the ST1300 built in protection
FJR is narrower in both seat and overall bike width
FJR is about a half in less reach to the ground than C14
Stock seat on C14 is immensely better than FJR. It has a better shape (slightly cupped) as well as better foam density. FJR seat
is narrow, flat and very hard.
C14 riding position slightly more leaned forward with knees bent just a bit more. FJR has adjustable seat and bars, C14 does not.
Stock wind protection (shield) slightly better on FJR, but both bikes need upgraded Cee Baileys shields on them for any serious
long distance touring riding.
Electric windshield on both works nice. FJR screen/mechanism seems to vibrate a bit more at speed though where the C14 mechanism
doesn't
Range on FJR is about 25-30 miles more, due to larger gas tank by .8 gallons (6.6 on FJR vs 5.8 on C14)
Glove box on FJR is where it belongs and locks automatically when bike shut off (nice touch Yamaha). C14 glove box blocks tank bag
use, and can't lock, and sort of spoils the look of the bike somewhat
Saddlebag latches and bag operation smoother on C14 and easier to use. Saddlebag lids close easier, and latches catch and operate
better.
C14 has a more exposed radiator that looks like it could easily get damaged, needs better front fender. FJR radiator is also pretty exposed, though not as bad in the lower area as the C14.
No compression damping adjustments for forks on C14 that I have found, FJR has them
No perceptible drive line lash on C14 at all, FJR has significant amount of drive line lash that can upset balance in turns from
throttle transitions.
Tetra lever rear drive on C14 eliminates all drive induced suspension problems, and makes bike feel like it has a chain drive
Bags feel just a bit more roomy on C14 but they stick out a bit further making the bike wider. Back of bags on C14 are angled
inward some, so from the rear of the bike, you can actually see part of the sides of the bags. FJR bags are in tighter to the frame making the bike narrower overall.
Rake/Trail on C14 is 26.1 degrees/4.4 inches
Rake/Trail on FJR is 26 degrees/4.3 inches
Mirrors partially blocked on C14 by saddlebags. FJR mirrors give better view. Both have some buzz in them at speed.
No helmet locks provide on either bike
No outside air temp indicator on C14, FJR has one. This is one feature I really do miss
Stock BT021 tire on C14 stick very well, with nice feel
Paint on C14 less susceptible to swirl and scratch marks, FJR paint very soft and easy to scratch
Headlights on both bikes are very good. My initial feeling is they are about equal.
Tail lights on C14 are LED and mounted at less of a downward angle than the FJR's, but FJR tail light has more surface area, and
seems to be a bit brighter
turn signal indicators on dash on C14 are much brighter and easier to see than FJR
Horns on both bikes is way too wimpy and needs to be replaced right away. This is a safety concern in my opinion on both.
Tire pressure system on C14 already saved me once, not offered on FJR
Gear indicators on both bikes, nice touch
LCD display on FJR offers same info but is better laid out, C14 requires scrolling through several screens and I miss the outside
temp display
Speedo error on both bikes is about the same, reads 4-5mph high at 70mph
C14 speedo has larger numbers on it, and is easier to read
C14 goes up on centerstand much easier, but no grab bar is provided like on the FJR. A girl could put the C14 up on it's
centerstand. FJR require much more effort.
For me, the FJR seems to have a better overall look to the bike, but that is highly subjective. The C14 looks more like a sport
bike, which can attract unwanted attention from LEO.
Both bikes are relatively quiet. Huge muffler on C14 may be controversial in looks, but it seems to work well, and its size no
longer bothers me any.
Controls on both bikes nearly identical right down to the flasher and windshield switch. C14 has a high beam flash to pass switch
on the front side of left grip that FJR does not.
Oil/filter change easy to do on both bikes, no plastic to remove
Engine on C14 is much harder to access and will make maintenance harder on this bike.
First valve check on c14 is 24K miles. Not sure yet how much work it entails, but I suspect it will be harder than on the FJR.
C14 comes with NGK Iridium plugs stock (that will last longer), FJR comes with standard copper core NGK's
Both bikes have their fuel pressure regulator mounted in the tank with the fuel pump, which means there is not fuel return line, making tank removal easier
_________________
Fred H.
____________
1983 VF 1100C
1997 535 Virago
2000 FXDWG
2002 GL 1800
2008 C-14
  
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In10city
Novice Class
Posts: 35
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posted July 25, 2007 11:34 AM
Excellent comparison, thanks for posting! I've got an '03 ZZR1200 and an '05 FJR and have toyed with the idea of selling both for the Concourse. This really helps my thought process.
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted July 26, 2007 08:31 AM
I have seriously been considering an new Sport Touring bike. I had my heart set on a goldwing, have for years, just not sure I am ready to admit I am old enough to have a goldwing just yet....This write up gives a nice comparison of the 2 bikes. I would like to see a magazine do a comparison of the ST, the Kawi, the FJR and the BMW. I think that would be a very big factor in what bike I do decide to get...
____________
When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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rep2ny
Parking Attendant
Posts: 21
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posted July 26, 2007 12:22 PM
quote:
I have seriously been considering an new Sport Touring bike. I had my heart set on a goldwing, have for years, just not sure I am ready to admit I am old enough to have a goldwing just yet....This write up gives a nice comparison of the 2 bikes. I would like to see a magazine do a comparison of the ST, the Kawi, the FJR and the BMW. I think that would be a very big factor in what bike I do decide to get...
The same guy (Fred H.) that wrote the comparison was asked if he could have only one bike, would he keep his gold wing, the C-14, or the FJR. His answer was that he would keep the goldwing because he does alot of long distance touring, loaded up with two people. I also have a GL 1800. I would agree with Fred that for long distance, loaded touring, the GL 1800 is hard to beat. But, it isn't a sport bike! And, if you aren't buying it for heavy loaded long distance touring, but you want the sports handling and performance, then get soemthing else (C-14, FJR, BMW, etc..) I will pick up my C-14 next week. But, I will keep the goldwing too. I really don't see them as comparable bikes competing for the same place in my garage. For that matter, I will also keep my 2000 HD Dyna Wide Glide too. Bottom line, I am fortunate enough to be able to have them all. But, if I could only keep one, and my long distance touring was an occasional 1000 mile four day trip, I would probably take the C-14. That's just my opinion and preference. I guess the point I would really make is that I think it very hard to compare a C-14 to a GL 1800.
____________
1983 VF 1100C
1997 535 Virago
2000 FXDWG
2002 GL 1800
2008 C-14
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted July 26, 2007 06:40 PM
Very good write up, I am concerned my bike is vibrating too much. At 3500 you can't feel it run, and when it had less than 500 miles it buzzed above 4k now it is getting smoother,but run it up and it buzzs good. Hmmm It seems to be getting better as I put on the miles, I have 750 now. Also I believe it has helmet hooks, in the form of cables under the seat like the ZX12.
____________
Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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1393kph
Novice Class
Posts: 50
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posted July 30, 2007 05:53 PM
I ride an FJR and take issue with some of Fred's observations about his FJR - I suffer none of the deccel wobble, jerky throttle control and so on that he's been railing about for almost a year now.
Fred does tend to attack his machines with enthusiasm, but I'm not certain that it is all fhe better - and a lot of his observations are subjective.
I'm not knocking the C14, but the styling and creature conforts of the FJR are, in my opinion much better than the C14 - and the extra 8 or so horesepower and 1 foot pond of torque just isn't enough to sway me into trading in my FJR for a new Concours.
I counsel potential buyers to sit (and test ride) all of the candidates in the segment before buying any machine - the ergonomics of each machine differs enough that any one of our personal opinions about the comfort and fit of our own rides is in effect useless to you, the potential buyer.
You need to buy the machine that suits you best. It isn't all about the power. After all, how much time do you spend at redline in top gear?
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reynoldss
Expert Class
Posts: 207
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posted July 30, 2007 06:56 PM
Motorcycle Consumer News dynometer says the FJR has 120.7 HP and 87.6 TQ. Two Brothers just dynoed the C-14 at 142.7 hp and 95.5 Tq. I've drove 2 FJR's and the C-14 feels considerably stouter everywhere. Not trying to start anything just calling it as I see it. And feel it.
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Everybodys tyring to go green, I did years ago.
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1393kph
Novice Class
Posts: 50
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posted July 30, 2007 07:05 PM
 Edited By: 1393kph on 30 Jul 2007 20:06
Yup - apparently two brothers has managed to get more power at the rear wheel than Kawa claims to deliver at the crank, if you can believe the following thread:
http://www.concours.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=32756
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted July 30, 2007 09:05 PM
No, Kawasaki says 156 at the crank.
____________
Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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