Concourse versus the Honda ST1300?

[barry5k]

The other day I was looking at bikes and there was a Concourse right next to an ST1300. They both felt great (though would have to be lowered even for my 5'10" height).
Does anyone have any unbiased observations on the two? They both were exciting bikes and it looks like it would be a tough decision. Of course I haven't ridden them yet, so that could make a difference.

Comments? Observations? Should I stay with a cruiser?

[msa1956]

There is a thread on here that someone wrote on all three sport touring, the ST1300, FJR and the Concourse. read the thread below.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...gt-st1300.html

[Ericthejet]

I like the looks of the Kawasaki and it's performance.

[NCDave]

my opinion:
c-14 is the sportier one. ST1300 is the more "tour" one, and the FJR is in between.

My riding buddy just bought a used FJR (04). He needed the risers (Heli bars) in order to be comfortable and not leaned forward. Definitely the same with the c14. maybe not on the ST. I sat all three but don't remember the ST. From a style perspective, I like the c-14 then the FJR and the honda last. But from a fit perspective, I put the FJR ahead of the c-14 because of the ergonomics of my old body!

I had a chance to ride my buddy's FJR over the weekend. it was very smooth and a nice position with the risers. You'll possibly need a larger aftermarket shield for better wind protection.

[Sabrehawk]

I rode a used ST before buying the Connie. I was not impressed, however that does not mean they aren't great bikes the tank is what I wish the Connie had, 7 gal. cap. thats a lot of non-stop touring. I'm 5' 10 and the Connie fit me better. Hawk

[Ken]

Barry - I agree with Dave's assessment. The ST13 is sport TOUR and the C14 is SPORT tour. I rode an ST13 for a couple of seasons and it's a great mile muncher, very comfortable, and totally bulletproof. But I grew bored with it. It's bland in way I can't describe very well. After spending a day on a C14 last month, I'd prefer the C14 if it came to a choice between the two.

[pompeiisneaks]

I've had one slightly long ride on my c14, about 2 hrs and the only thing I noticed was my legs were starting to go to sleep because the ride was so comfortable I wasn't moving them. The return trip of 2 hrs the next day, I made sure I wiggled them a lot and was fine. It rides so smooth its awesome, especially after a trip from Utah to California on my Honda Shadow Spirit 750 wow talk about my butt hurt!

[Still lost]

We're a Honda/Kawi family. I ride a Concours 14 and an 04 Nomad (my 3rd Nomad) and my wife rides a VTX1300 and an ST 1300. This is her 2nd VTX1300. The VTX is a great ride. She's 5'7 and it's sized beautifully. The seat is dished and her feet are solid on the gound. The bike is fast and responsive. It kicks my Nomad's ***. Overall though it's choice. The inline 4's or 4's as in her ST1300 or my Connie are as different as night and day when compared to the Vtwins of the VTX and the Nomad. We're lucky enough to be able to have both because it depends on the kind of ride we want. Overall, the Vtwin's read VTX) are fun and great for cruising, am\nd comfort. The tourer (read Concours) is edgier and has the range expected in the tourers although her 1300 has better range than the C14 although that doesn't matter because although the tourers will go for hours, my *** stlll has the 2 hour range of the cruser so even if the bike can keep going, I have to stop.

It depends on what a person wants. We took an 8000 km trip earlier this year and rode the VTX/Nomad because of the comfort of the saddle seats and the better packing for long days on the road. It's what you like. Another thing to consider is the social thing. There are groups we ride with but they're more geared to cruising so we fit in better on the Vtwins. We get noticed more on the tourers but there aren't that many groups to fit in with so we generally ride alone when we take off on them,

Your hind end will likely be partial to the VTX but the power and fear factor may like the Concours.

[Still lost]

Ignore my previous post. It's an age thing. My eyes read VTX 1300 not ST 1300. Then again, she likes her 1300 and she's 5'7. The ST was the only one she could plant her feet on the ground on. She can't ride the C14. The adjustable seat on the ST1300 was the deciding factor for her. I don't care for the whistling sound of the engine although it's cool at speed because it sounds like a turbine if you aren't hung up on traditional engine sounds. The passenger on the C14 sits higher and gets more wind buffet than on the ST1300 and I love the Honda windshield. I'm over 6 foot and have the biggest windshield that's available for the Concours but still have to use a full face helmet where her ST1300 has this huge mother of a windshield that I can't even fully raise because it's too high for me to see over when it is. I like the Connie for power and for looks but the ST1300 beats it for comfort and range. I have the choice though because my feet touch the ground on either where she rides the ST1300 because she's built too close to the ground for the C14. It isn't a great choice for the vertically challenged.

[aKorn]

Originally Posted by Still lost

I ride a Concours 14 and an 04 Nomad

So I'm trying to plan my next bike. Have a V900 right now and I'm considering a C14 or a nomad. Which would you rather ride cross country? I love my 900 but I would like to be able to ride o Montana or even Alaska and I need something bigger for that. The new bike will be in addition to the 900.

[NCDave]

boy...that's a tough one to answer. For comfort, my vulcan is great and it would definitely make it across. The c14, with proper adjustment to windshield, risers, and lowered pegs, would be smooth to ride that far. the c-14 in stock form would NOT be my choice though. not for that particular distance.

[aKorn]

I'm going to throw this out to the crowd

[Still lost]

If you're keepping the 900 then go with the C14. So far my cross country has been on the Nomad. Easier to sit in the saddle for long periods. Unfortunately the range doesn't cut it in some of the isolated areas that a person can find themselves and the C14's tourer range makes a difference there. That's why we've kept both. Same with my wife who's a Honda person. Her VTX is a comfort long haul cruising ride while her ST1300 is the gitRdone ride with long range capability. The longest rides to date on the C14 have been in the 7 hour range and while the bike gave me a 450 km range, my *** only gave me a 250 km range. Gas stps weren't needed as often but many coffee stops.

This answer would change though if you're not planning on keeping the 900. The C14 range and performance are far better for distance riding even if it isn't as comfortable.

[aKorn]

thanks -

I'm also considering the ST1300A. How does your wife like it. Which do you find more comfortable?

[Still lost]

I hesitate to say this on a Kawasaki forum. I've ridden both and prefer my own but that's as much familiarity as anything. The C14 is too tall for my wife so she's only ridden her 1300. The adjustable seat is definately a plus. I've ridden both and I would really like the C14 to have the range of her 1300A Even if my nether regions protest mightely when abused by pushing even the C14's range so I shudder tho think about riding out the 1300's tank. The longest day I've had on it was 6 hours to date. She's been a passnger on both though and prefers her own for that. The angle of the seat is flatter and the passenger sits more behind the driiver rather than stepped higher and sitting more up in the wind. Then again, the 1300 windsreen beats even my optional big winshield by far.

[aKorn]

Originally Posted by Still lost

I hesitate to say this on a Kawasaki forum.

Pssstt.... I won't tell anyone.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably buy a used bike w/ under 10k miles. On cycletrader.com they have many more 1300s than C14s to choose from. My Neighbor has a 1300 and I'll probably stop over and check it out next week. I think either bike would make for a nice x-country ride.

Did you wife add any accessories / upgrades to the 1300? I like the idea of a rear trunk/passenger backrest. As long as it doesn't look too funky.

[Still lost]

Thanks.

Not yet although the trunk is coming but she hasn't decided on the size. She doesn't like the lines on my Concourse with the 46 liter Givi. There's no way to make it look pretty though. It's a lump stuck on top of a cool looking bike. I generally have mine off too because it does nothing for the looks except let me carry stuff that I need. She's inclined to go smaller but none of them look good. All that you can do is go practical. I put a Givi trunk on mine. The rack has to be converted but the trunk has a quick release mount that lets you take it off with the push of a button. The size I put on holds a helmet, leather overpants, rain gear, gloves and assorted other odds and ends. The back rest mounts to it easilly and looks good and I put a top rail on it for tie ons although when I carry a tent I tie it on the seat below the box because I don't like the way the PVC can wobble if it's too heavily loaded and that's all it is. A big expensive PVC box. Shad makes one too but I liked the Givi size better and they have cooler stuff.

[Roadie1951]

My first "non-cruiser" is a C14. I've owned Hondas, Kawas and Yammies previously. I did a lot of research prior to deciding on the C14. Here's what sold me on the Connie:

Look - I had never owned a bike that wasn't black. I like the look of silver. Doesn't show dirt half as much as a dark color.

Price - Compare the price of the ST to the price of a C14. The Concours is a couple of thousand less.

Sure, I wish I had a 7 gallon tank, but to be honest how often are you not ready for a break after a couple of hours?

Overall, I love my Silver Bullet!!

[aKorn]

Originally Posted by Roadie1951

Price - Compare the price of the ST to the price of a C14. The Concours is a couple of thousand less.

Yea, but I won't buy new. There ara a lot of ST1300s available w/ low mileage. I'm having a harder time finding C14s used.

[geepster]

I'd like to weigh in with a slightly different perspective. If you are planning on slabbing it for hours in a straight line, probably the ST would be the best choice. However, if you like to hit the back roads and carve some corners once in a while, the C14 would be your best bet. It wins hands down in the sport/touring category as far as performance goes. I've also been told by a C14 owner that it tends to eat back tires so keep that in mind as well. That could have something to do with your riding habits though. Good luck with your decision.