Bike Week: Concourse, FJR1300, K1200GT, ST1300

[Slo'Poke]

Originally Posted by Gank

[b]

At the heart of the ugliness matter is the hard bags. It took me a while to figure out why they bother me. I was sure I’d seen them on another bike or somewhere before. I spent half a day trying to recall where I’d seen that pattern, and then it came to me. I’d seen it in my kitchen.

If you combined the shape of the Concours hard bags with the inferno heat of the FJR, you would have yourself a pretty good package for cross country barbeque. This is the bike George Forman would ride.

The caboose on this Ugly Train is the exhaust system. The best word I could find to describe the exhaust placement is aggressive. Like the hard bags, the inspiration for the design was found somewhere you might not have expected: the military. In this photo, the machine in the foreground is a Howitzer. The machine in the background is a Concours 14.

I wish I could get around this, but relative to the other bikes in its class, the exhaust setup on the Concours is one gigantic question mark. It’s hard to understand how offensive the exhaust is until you take off the hard bags and see just how terrible it looks. Where the FJR suddenly becomes a sport bike with the bags off, the Concours becomes some kind of horrible thing that makes young children run and cry.

Jeez Louise, you are mean!!! That is not an insult! I love your writing style.

This thread is so informative that I could cry. That is one serious achilles heel about the mileage of the C14. Still, though, it is nice to hear that the seat height is so low as compared to the others you have ridden (I'm 5' 8" at 185 lbs), so that prove to be the equalizer.

While I have some differing opinions about the C-14 (I actually LIKE the styling of the bike), I still appreciate your effort in putting this in type. Takes a lot of effort out of the comparison-shindig ( I'm still going to have to put them thru their paces, though )

[Slo'Poke]

Originally Posted by Gank

I don't know how much you looked into this, but it isn't electric shifting; it's electric clutch. You still have to shift with your foot, but the computer is supposed to "know" what you'd do if you were operating the clutch. It still has a shift lever, just no clutch. After calling a handful of dealers in the area looking for a 2008 FJR for myself, I found that they ALL had the AE (electric clutch) model sitting on the floor, but none of them had a standard clutch model. They cannot even GIVE the electric clutch away, and my research screamed "AVOID AVOID AVOID" when I thought about the electric clutch.

Sorry if my statement made you think I was declaring anything other than 'clutchless-shifting'. Yeah, the FJR, from what I read, will not shift on it's own. Run those RPM's to the rev limiter, and it'll stay there, no matter how much one begs for it to move to the next gear in order. You either have to throw that foot lever, or tap the handbar mounted paddle-switch.

Admittedly, I'm not completely comfortable with moving into this kind of tech; when things get complex, it's that much more easier for it to break (and far pricier to fix). Still, I'm not exactly screaming "AVOID AVOID AVOID" either. My research isn't pulling up any major flags for reliability issues of YCCS, and after my experience of the tour in Europe, the concept of not wearing your hand out in stop-n-go situations is inviting. And as it was noted earlier, it'd be a nice-to-have for the missus should she be successful in getting her endorsement and start sharing the duties on long trips.

[mkelley]

Great wordsmithing. A very enjoyable read. While I lust after a R1200GS (having ridden one for a week) before a C14, I would really like to find a local place to rent a Connie from.

[FBRR]

Looks are subjective. I like the C14, and think the FJR is dated! Yes I own a C14 but I looked at them all. Switch gear on the FJR looks right out of 1960 yamaha. ( My trail 80 ).

As for ride, smooth, fast, comfortable and great handling! Gee that is the main reason I ride!

Windscreens grips and seats are easlily changed to fit the rider. ( I only changed the windscreen to a Cee Bailey mini euro.)

The transmission is the smoothest I've every ridden. ( 40plus years)

And fuel economy!! I regularly get 44 to 48 MPG. At constant 80 MPH on the expressway it will average 44 all day long.

C14's are hard to beat for smooth, fast, and comfortable.

And a change to PR2's ( pilot road 2's when the bridgestones wear out the bike handles even better!)

[FBRR]

From a BMW forum:
"However, my 06 K12S is a different story.

Try TWO tranny replacements in a 12 month period, I've been out of my $21k bike for a total of 17 weeks just for that! Also had the shocks replaced with Ohlins while it was in there, since BMW decided to pick up the whole tranny bill (since the first replacement only lasted 18k miles, just like the 2nd one).

Not counting the final drive at 35K (had that replaced during the 36k service).

No sooner than I got my KS back, I put 500 miles on it and a coil died. I limped it to long beach BMW (thanks, great job!), new coil and plugs, another 400 bucks, 1.5 weeks w/out bike (dealers are busy right now)."

But I bet it LOOKS good Sitting in the dealers repair bay!!!

[Ole Yeller]

Nice review. I did a double take when I first saw the exhaust system too.
It reminds me a little bit of those old Hoover vacuum cleaners, but, hey, for me the whole look works. Maybe it is a synergy thing. The color doesn't do it for me either. A friend of mines theory is that it makes the bike look less aggressive
so the cops will cut you some slack if you are caught doing 140 in a 75 zone.
(Its just a theory so if anyone has any actual experiences in this regard please chime in). All in all I still like the C-14 though at 5-9, I would have to have it lowered. I also have to wonder if the Yamaha that you rode might have handled better with good tires. Have a friend who has one and loves his. Oh, as for the size of the gas tank, I can tell you that as an owner of a ZL900, I feel your pain, 'cause when my trip meter hits 100 miles its time to visit Mr Chevron.
The old joke is that these bikes can pass almost anything on the road 'cept a gas station.

[08Concours14]

Originally Posted by FBRR

Looks are subjective. I like the C14, and think the FJR is dated! Yes I own a C14 but I looked at them all. Switch gear on the FJR looks right out of 1960 yamaha. ( My trail 80 ).

As for ride, smooth, fast, comfortable and great handling! Gee that is the main reason I ride!

Windscreens grips and seats are easlily changed to fit the rider. ( I only changed the windscreen to a Cee Bailey mini euro.)

The transmission is the smoothest I've every ridden. ( 40plus years)

And fuel economy!! I regularly get 44 to 48 MPG. At constant 80 MPH on the expressway it will average 44 all day long.

C14's are hard to beat for smooth, fast, and comfortable.

And a change to PR2's ( pilot road 2's when the bridgestones wear out the bike handles even better!)

Nice honest write up Gank!

^^^^+1^^^^ t FBRR's comments.

The BMW is an overpriced bike that focusses more on pumping up ego's and draining wallets and spends more time in the shop than on the road. I have owned well over 30 motorcycles and my BMW was and is the only motorcycle I have ever regretted purchasing/ owning. It also made me the happiest when I sold it.

Looks are very subjective! I am not saying I like the C14 looks because I own one..........rather, I own one because I like the looks. That was the first draw for me. I don't like the little tank glove box thingy and the bags would have looked better smooth but they have been collecting dust in the corner anyway as I took them off the first day. Handling, power and looks are important to me....in that order.

I get low mid 30's on the mpg when I am hauling a$$ in the twisties but I too regularly get 40-45 mpg on the hwy at 70-80 mph. Alot of folks use 6th gear at speeds under 70 and will get worse mileage as a result. You need to be doing sustained speeds of 75 before plopping the tranny into 6th.........if you want good mileage.

[Ken]

Very enjoyable and entertaining post, Gank! Thanks for taking the time to share your impressions!

[1400pilot]

I did a 400 mile ride yesterday on my C14 and I averaged 44.3 mpg, and the average speed was 65 mph with a few streches at 75 to 80.

I am very close to 10,000 miles on mine and no issues at all, this bike is awesome.

I do have to agree with you about the big ole cannon hanging off the back, that why I went with the two brothers slipon. I love the look of it and the sound!!!

[Gank]

Originally Posted by 1400pilot

I do have to agree with you about the big ole cannon hanging off the back, that why I went with the two brothers slipon. I love the look of it and the sound!!!

Wow, that looks great. I was thinking about the Muzzy dual carbon fiber, but after seeing your 2Bros, I may have to reconsider. That looks awesome, and not as tin-can-ish as the Muzzy.

[1400pilot]

Thats why I went with the 2bros also.........It does sound awesome and looks great too!!!

anamosity...aka Gene has a sound clip of his in the main lobby on Beks C14

here you go

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...und-clips.html

out of all the pipes out there for the C14 this one looks the best

[B2042]

Originally Posted by FBRR

Looks are subjective. I like the C14, and think the FJR is dated! Yes I own a C14 but I looked at them all. Switch gear on the FJR looks right out of 1960 yamaha. ( My trail 80 ).

As for ride, smooth, fast, comfortable and great handling! Gee that is the main reason I ride!

Windscreens grips and seats are easlily changed to fit the rider. ( I only changed the windscreen to a Cee Bailey mini euro.)

The transmission is the smoothest I've every ridden. ( 40plus years)

And fuel economy!! I regularly get 44 to 48 MPG. At constant 80 MPH on the expressway it will average 44 all day long.

C14's are hard to beat for smooth, fast, and comfortable.

And a change to PR2's ( pilot road 2's when the bridgestones wear out the bike handles even better!)

My opinion of course, but I think your being a little harsh on the Yamaha FJR. It is a very nice bike. I'd probably already have one if it had a 6 speed.

[msa1956]

just a word I dont know if I read it on your FJR1300 2006 and beyond they fixed the heat problem with it and I believe you rode a 2004. Just so you have honest fix on what you want, I know I want the C14 in black now waiting for it to arrive at dealership here in NC, if you live in apache Arizona, they suposively have them now.

[FBRR]

"Let’s get it out in the open: this bike is UGLY"
And I'M BEING HARSH by sayng the Fugger is "dated"!!
"My opinion of course, but I think your being a little harsh on the Yamaha FJR"
As I stated LOOKs are subjective. And many folks do not think the C14 is "UGLY"
It is Aggressive with the most modern hardware and many Fugger folks have a problem with the new kid on the block. I for one hope both Honda and Yamaha UDATE their respective sport tourning bikes.
I look forward to the "NEW" VFR V5 if it exsists anywhere except the mind of MCN.

[Flying Kaw]

Gank - Never roade a K1200Gt. But I've rode an FJR and a C14 head to head. You pretty much nailed it. Except one area. While I agree the C14 is "butt ugly" that only applies to the sides and rear view IMHO. From the front I think this bike is the best looking of the bunch.

As in....a peregrine falcon


Versus tweety bird!


However....your review of these bikes were so well written and so poignant so dead on....I'm going to save a copy to my hard drive.

Thanks!

Oh BTW - Regarding fuel economy all is not lost. With a Power Commander 3 and a fuel economy map I'm getting 40 to 44 mpg consistently on road trips averaging 80 to 85 mph.

[barry5k]

Great reviews, as I have my sites on all four. I was hoping for your great review for the Honda ST1300. I hope you're still going to give it a try as I've heard many great things about that bike!!

[pompeiisneaks]

I would have to say one thing about the mileage. In the city I'm getting 32-34, but on the highway I have been seeing more of an average of over 40 mpg, I wonder if there was something wrong w/ that bike you rode? I also, on the other hand, love the looks but then again that's why I bought it. I really do like the writeups you did though, very informative and worth my time. Thanks!

[Zcuda]

hello all,
Gank thanks a lot for this write up. I found it really informative but, a little late for me though. I looked at & sat on the BMW, C14 & ST1300. I felt the most comfortable on the ST1300 with the seat at its lowest setting of course LOL. I am only 5'5" & my feet are not flat on the ground though it is comfortable with one foot down at a stop. I did ride a friends ST100 but, couldn't find any good deals on the ST100s. Thats when I came a across a great deal on my 2003 ST1300. I ended up buying it & I like a lot. It did take some time for me to get use to the engine sound though. Great gas mileage at around 80 mph... Mid 40s.
My previous bike was a Kawasaki ZL 600, older & not a sport touring bike but, the winding kind of noise seems to stick in my head about Kawasakis.
I am curious on what you have to say about the ST1300, mainly because of your attention to details when riding the bikes.
What year will the ST1300 be 2008 or 2009?
This question is for anyone... Where can someone go to ride several different bikes to see if they like them?
I may upgrade next year to the 2009 ST1300 unless I get the chance to ride one of the other bikes & have a change of heart. Thanks in advance everyone, Jason

[RDap98]

Great reviews... thanks for the time and effort.

[Gank]

Originally Posted by barry5k

Great reviews, as I have my sites on all four. I was hoping for your great review for the Honda ST1300. I hope you're still going to give it a try as I've heard many great things about that bike!!

I'm not sure if I can write a solid review of the ST1300. At the time when I rode the other bikes, I did take the ST1300 for a ride. The drawback of that ride was the bike had zero miles on it, and the dealer would only allow me to take it for a test ride if I followed one of their riders, and no more than five miles. I rode it up an onramp, onto 287 southbound, down one exit, and back to the dealer on 287 northbound. Hard to evaluate a sport tourer in less than five miles, but I can tell you a few things that turned me off in the short time I did ride it, though. (This was a 2008 model.)

1. Even at the highest brightness setting, the on-board computer was almost impossible to read. The salesman tried to adjust it for me, but it only adjusted dimmer, and he was a bit shame-faced about how dim it was.

2. The built-in sliders looked and felt weird to me. I'm sure they're practical, but I did not care for them visually.

3. The side plastics are molded around the shape of the hard bags. When you take the hard bags off, there is an outline of the bags that looks absurd. I wish I had a picture to show you. When I mentioned my thoughts on this feature, the salesman said to me, "Why would you ride it without the hard bags?" To which I thought, "I wouldn't, because I'm certain to buy something other than a ST1300."

4. When seated on the bike in a riding posture, the position of the gear shifter causes your left shin to rest against the fairing. I puzzled over this for a while, and asked the salesman to get on and see if he had the same experience, and he did. He could offer no explanation.