'Fred W'
"Wow. Interesting observations and
opinions there Alakso. But I feel compelled to add just a little counterpoint to your gushing account of how wonderful the 2009 Concours is."
Not gushing just the truth!
"Not sure if yours was screwed up, but the only "klunking" that happens on a normal FJR is while standing still and shifting from neutral into 1st. In that circumstance, yes they all make a little ker-chunk. However, when underway they should shift nearly effortlessly. If yours did not there was something wrong with it (even after the clutch service). Some 2nd gen owners have had problems where their clutches would not disengage fully if the lever is adjusted too close to the bar. Maybe yours was? "
So a so-called "normal" FJR does klunk, especially when shifting into first! Plus the FJR is very fussy about shifting from 1st to 2nd and also when downshifting. According to Harry at Heli-Modified (remember he's an engineer) the FJR's trans gears are to heavy which makes the shifting problemmatic to say the least. I did have my lever all the way out to get maxium throw on the clutch pushrod. I reverse bled the clutch slave cyl, removed and cleaned the clutches, and set everything up perfect and still no improvement. It's a design flaw!
"I have to ask here, did you ride the Kawi for 200 miles too? The reason I ask is, if one was to ride on any bike for a couple hundred miles and get a sore ass, they could then get onto any
other bike and it would feel much better, at least for a while. This is more because the pressure points of one seat are bound to be different, not necessarily because one is better or worse than the other."
Of course I didn't ride the bike for 200 miles. But like you said my test ride does go to show that the FJR's "pressure points" are worse than the C-14's for MY butt. YMMV
"Of course, if one is really interested in long distance seat comfort, there is not a stock seat in the world that compares remotely with a custom seat from Russell (or Rocky Mayer), so to me the stock seat comfort is of no significant importance. The day a bike comes with something like onbe of the customs will be a breakthrough difference."
I agree that stock seats don't compare to a nice custom seat! But you must admit the stock FJR seat is horrible. Besides my test ride I have talked to many C-14 owners about their seats and the C-14 owners don't complain as much about the stock C-14 seat as the FJR riders do about their stock seat.
"My FJR also shifts like butter, except for the N - 1st thing previously mentioned, and it doesn't need a 6th gear. The top gears are very close in ratio, so the extra gear on a six speed is wedged somewhere in between the others (spaced closer). What this means is you will have to shift more often and end up with the same top gear. So I'm not getting the big advantage here. If having a sixth gear is important to you somehow then I guess you'd like it being on the bike. Just not sure what it does for you on a fairly wide torque engined bike though."
IMO the FJR is low on TQ for a 635 lb. bike. So a 6th gear would help a lot, or a performace upgrade to boost TQ. Oh, that's right there are hardly any hi-po parts for the FJR.
"I find it amusing that someone that wouldn't consider replacing the stock seat would think of doing a full engine hop-up and replace the cams and crankshaft.
To me, I'd rather have the bike that already makes the power that I need and adjust for ergos."
If I was going to keep my FJR I would have added a custom seat for sure! But after riding the C-14 I knew for sure I wasn't going to keep my FJR. If I'd have had the chance to test ride a C-14 before I bought my FJR I would have never ever considered the FJR as an option unless it was $10K which is what it's worth compared to the C-14.
"You are confused. Firing a wasted spark at the end of the exhaust stroke does not effect the engine vibration in the least. The Connie engine may have less vibration, but it certainly isn't due to the ignition or number of coils. That''s just wrong."
Sorry Fred, but your wrong on this point. Look at all the single fire ignitions that are available for older HD's. This is because any ignition that fires on the exhaust stroke will make the engine run a little rougher as unburnt fuel is ignited when this happens. And thanks for agreeing with me that the FJR's engine design leaves something to be desired in the smoothness dept..
"Maybe again related to the seat non-upgrade? Mileage range is a very real advantage for the FJR. especially in areas of limited fuel availability."
Here in Maine we have "limited fuel availability" especially up North in the Boonies where I ride a lot. I just keep my bike topped off when ever I'm going into unpopulated areas or don't know where the next gas stations is when I'm traveling in unknown areas. But I do see your point and for a LDR rider the FJR's fuel range would be an asset.
"Also, not roasting yourself in the summer is, although that is reportedly fixed in 2010 (but not the bike you are talking about). OTOH, my '05 is supposed to be wicked hot, but it doesn't bother me."
My FJR was hot when riding in warm weather and while I don't have any experience with the C-14's supposed heat issues there are easy fixes for both bikes heat issues like richer mappping and in the case of the C-14 a full exhaust without the cats makes a huge difference.
"So in summary, it sounds like the Concourse was a better fit for
you personally. And like any things that are in the least bit subjective, there is no accounting for personal tastes. Likes and dislikes, etc. "
Yes it was a better fit for me in comfort, performance, suspension and brakes, and let's not forget looks! And that's what I've expressed in this thread. I'm just trying to help those who are considering a ST to not make the same mistake I did in buying an FJR instead of the more advanced C-14!
"But I still do not see that bike as having some sort of a clear-cut, undeniable advantage over the other bikes in the class including the FJR. I think the fact that you didn't buy one says as much as anything about your post test ride analysis. I mean, if it had really been that great wouldn't you have bought one?"
I'd have bought the C-14 on the spot if my FJR was worth anything as a trade-in or out right personal sale. But the dealer can't sell FJR's up here so I was stuck with it until I managed to deal it for my Busa. Damn I'm lucky I got out of my FJR!!!!! Hopefully with the truthful and honest evaluation of my experiences from owning and riding my FJR 11.5K miles and with my 28.5 years experience as a M/C Tech other people who will find this thread won't be tempted by the propaganda here to buy the FJR when for the money there is a much better bike, the C-14!
