Coyote Chris
Member
(Uncle Hud suggested I re-post my original post on another part of this forum and he is right so here goes)
Hello, I am Coyote Chris from Spokane. I am 66 years young, have been riding for 50 years and touring for 45, ride about 8,000 miles a year, and currently own a 2010 Honda NT-700v and a 2003 Kawasaki Concours. The Connie is a nice bike but I find in my advanced years, I enjoy the NT (with the big panniers) as a touring bike also as it has great low speed handling, unlike the Connie with a full fuel load and 100 lbs of touring stuff. My old hands can still manage the Connie's clutch although I wouldnt want one much stiffer.....An ST1300 is just too much bike for me, mostly cause it weighs too much.
I have always admired the FJR but I tend to stew about bikes for quite awhile before I purchase them. And I'm not gettting any younger. The left over new 2014's have been speaking to me for a few months now. I really like red bikes. But as you all know by now, the 2016 will have a 6 speed tranny with an "assisted slipper clutch" which is geared taller.
I wish the M/C dealers around the Spokane CDA area had an FJR I could sit on and try the clutch force but everyone is out of them. I would value your opinions on a number of aspects of the bike, especially those of you that have cockpit time in a Kawasaki Concours.
1. Would you say that the FJR feels like it has more low speed stability than the Connie? I get various numbers about how much a wet FJR weighs....mostly around 640-680 lbs. The Connie isnt much more than that but it carries its seven gallons of fuel up high...I have never dumped the Connie in 40,000 miles but like I say, my body isnt getting any younger.
2. How would you charactorize the clutch force of the FJR?
3. If I got an FJR, I would get the canyon cages and the rear bag tip bars and a good soft luggage rack. I am six foot 2 inches and both the Connie and the NT fit me fine...maybe I will need a new wind screen like I have for the NT and the Connie?
4. There is no way I am selling the NT as I love it and as I feel in not too many years, I may need a lighter, smaller bike due old age, so this new bike would help keep the milage off of it....the Connie is a great bike but I would probably let it go as I just wouldnt ride it that much.....and you never know when someone will come up with a sport touring bike I just cant live without....but if anyone has anything to add in favor of the FJR, I would appreciate hearing about it...a number of our seasoned citizens over at the NT forum own and enjoy them....
There are leftover 2014 FJRs still out there but like the 2010 NTs, they will disappear....I probably have some months to make a decision here but not years....thanks to all in advance for your imput!
The old Coyote
Hello, I am Coyote Chris from Spokane. I am 66 years young, have been riding for 50 years and touring for 45, ride about 8,000 miles a year, and currently own a 2010 Honda NT-700v and a 2003 Kawasaki Concours. The Connie is a nice bike but I find in my advanced years, I enjoy the NT (with the big panniers) as a touring bike also as it has great low speed handling, unlike the Connie with a full fuel load and 100 lbs of touring stuff. My old hands can still manage the Connie's clutch although I wouldnt want one much stiffer.....An ST1300 is just too much bike for me, mostly cause it weighs too much.
I have always admired the FJR but I tend to stew about bikes for quite awhile before I purchase them. And I'm not gettting any younger. The left over new 2014's have been speaking to me for a few months now. I really like red bikes. But as you all know by now, the 2016 will have a 6 speed tranny with an "assisted slipper clutch" which is geared taller.
I wish the M/C dealers around the Spokane CDA area had an FJR I could sit on and try the clutch force but everyone is out of them. I would value your opinions on a number of aspects of the bike, especially those of you that have cockpit time in a Kawasaki Concours.
1. Would you say that the FJR feels like it has more low speed stability than the Connie? I get various numbers about how much a wet FJR weighs....mostly around 640-680 lbs. The Connie isnt much more than that but it carries its seven gallons of fuel up high...I have never dumped the Connie in 40,000 miles but like I say, my body isnt getting any younger.
2. How would you charactorize the clutch force of the FJR?
3. If I got an FJR, I would get the canyon cages and the rear bag tip bars and a good soft luggage rack. I am six foot 2 inches and both the Connie and the NT fit me fine...maybe I will need a new wind screen like I have for the NT and the Connie?
4. There is no way I am selling the NT as I love it and as I feel in not too many years, I may need a lighter, smaller bike due old age, so this new bike would help keep the milage off of it....the Connie is a great bike but I would probably let it go as I just wouldnt ride it that much.....and you never know when someone will come up with a sport touring bike I just cant live without....but if anyone has anything to add in favor of the FJR, I would appreciate hearing about it...a number of our seasoned citizens over at the NT forum own and enjoy them....
There are leftover 2014 FJRs still out there but like the 2010 NTs, they will disappear....I probably have some months to make a decision here but not years....thanks to all in advance for your imput!
The old Coyote