Comparison of my 06 FJR to my '10 Concours

[jjsC6]

I just finished 6,ooo k on an '07 connie here in NZ. I agree with most of your comments, but for me, 2-up, the connie's suspension was lacking in the twisties...new Avons and it still wouldn't turn like my FJR in the states. However, the biggest thing I missed was the FJR's low end torque making it, for me, a much easier bike to ride. To me it makes no sense to have 1400 cc's on a bike and have to run the rev's up to 6,500 and above to get the kind of performance I regularly get at 2,500 rpms on the FJR. The connie was an honest bike....it didn't do anything particularly well, nor anything particularly bad. I understand that there were a lot of improvements on the '10 model, so perhaps I'd like it? Unless they fixed the low end torque, I doubt it?

I don't ride two-up on that bike (or the FJR) so maybe that makes a difference. I don't feel the Concours lacks in mid range torque, and my friend actually thinks it has more than the FJR (I am not sure if I agree).

One thing that confuses the issue is that the Concours has a six speed transmission and the FJR a five speed. The Concours is turning a lot less RPMs in sixth gear. Even in sixth at freeway speeds I don't feel it's lacking. On the other hand, I think shifting is part of the fun or riding so I have no issue with downshifting when needed.

 

[doctorJ]

nice report and glad you like the new scooter. All the reviews say the '10 Connie is a much improved bike from the last couple of years.
By any chance, Would that friend of yours who has the 1198s Ducati be named Barry S.?

If so, please tell him Mike from Friendswood said Hello.

Yes Mike, that is him. I remember you as well. In fact, wasn't it your house that I met Barry five years ago when I had my ST1300? I'll tell him you said hello.

Sure would like to read subsequent post on maintenance and thoughts on the traction control, which you like already.

All I can comment on now is oil and gear rear gear oil changes - we did that over the weekend and they are very easy on the Concours.

The bitch is going to be the valve lash adjustment - 15,000 miles. From what I've read on the forums, the Concours is more likely to actually need them checked - at least the first time.

Are you gonna do the valve check yourself? If so, even for an FJR forum, it might be cool for you to document the steps you take, the time involved and the degree of difficulty. Congrats on the scoot and thanks for the review.

doctorj

 

[jjsC6]

nice report and glad you like the new scooter. All the reviews say the '10 Connie is a much improved bike from the last couple of years.
By any chance, Would that friend of yours who has the 1198s Ducati be named Barry S.?

If so, please tell him Mike from Friendswood said Hello.

Yes Mike, that is him. I remember you as well. In fact, wasn't it your house that I met Barry five years ago when I had my ST1300? I'll tell him you said hello.

Sure would like to read subsequent post on maintenance and thoughts on the traction control, which you like already.

All I can comment on now is oil and gear rear gear oil changes - we did that over the weekend and they are very easy on the Concours.

The bitch is going to be the valve lash adjustment - 15,000 miles. From what I've read on the forums, the Concours is more likely to actually need them checked - at least the first time.

Are you gonna do the valve check yourself? If so, even for an FJR forum, it might be cool for you to document the steps you take, the time involved and the degree of difficulty. Congrats on the scoot and thanks for the review.

doctorj

I doubt it. There was a day when I did them myself, but it's unlikely I'll want to take the time it takes. I'll take a look at some of the threads that detail how to do it and make a decision. It's about 15 months away so I still have time to change my mind several times :glare:

 

[daytripper]

Great write up. I have also been considering the Connie. I would hope that Yamaha would offer some of the things the Connie and BMW has next year in order to remain competive in the sport touring market. However, I don't believe that they will redesign the bike that much. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that it takes them along time to make changes to the bike other than paint. I am not sure if I want to hold out through this summer.

 

[ScottyUSN]

I was torn between the Connie and the FJR until I read honest reviews like yours from posters who all seemed to give the node to the FJR prior to the 2010 Connie updates. I suspect their will be many who give the Connie a slight advantage now.

Hopefully end result will be a boot in the ass to Yamaha to make some competitive updates.

Nice write up, thanks for taking the time.

 

[jjsC6]

....I could be wrong, but it seems to me that it takes them along time to make changes to the bike other than paint. I am not sure if I want to hold out through this summer.

Exactly the position we were in. Heck, they didn't even change the paint for two years.

I love the FJR. If they would add a sixth gear, a touch more power would be nice, cruise control (they would sway a lot of ST buyers alone), tire pressure monitoring I'd go back to the FJR in the next two years - assuming they don't mess up what I like about it. Heck, I'd be happy if the looks and overall bike is the same as now if they would just make those upgrades.

 

[atl dave]

Nice review. I rode the Connie in Daytona Beach at Biketoberfest 2009. I really like my FJR but I was not disappointed with the Connie. Even though we were on a closed course I did get a pretty good feel of the bike. I felt that the Connie rode a little smoother - shifting was smoother as well. The seat did not do much for me and the windshield was too small to divert the wind. The gages were harder to read than the FJR. I still feel that the my FJR handles better in the curves - it feels tighter to me.

Atlanta Dave

 

[Willie]

....I could be wrong, but it seems to me that it takes them along time to make changes to the bike other than paint. I am not sure if I want to hold out through this summer.

Exactly the position we were in. Heck, they didn't even change the paint for two years.

I love the FJR. If they would add a sixth gear, a touch more power would be nice, cruise control (they would sway a lot of ST buyers alone), tire pressure monitoring I'd go back to the FJR in the next two years - assuming they don't mess up what I like about it. Heck, I'd be happy if the looks and overall bike is the same as now if they would just make those upgrades.

Considering that they made the C10 for 20+ years after a few modifications from the introductory years, I would presume Kawi just might do the same thing with the C14. I own both a FJR and a C10, the FJR being the newest acquisiton, but I do find myself back on the C10 from time to time. If the C14 wasn't to tall for me, it would have made my purchase decision a whole lot harder.

Willie

 

[HaulinAshe]

Great writeup! Excellent information and point of view.

Your comments confirm all my suspicions and assumptions. We're looking at a true Gen-III Concours, while the '10 FJR is remaining a Gen-II bike. Yamaha will be forced to make some real changes in the FJR or fall significantly behind. Yamaha tends to be 1-2 year models behind Kawi and Honda on many bike lines.

Just like comparing Gen-I FJRs to Gen-II, I don't think anyone's experience with prior year Concours models is truly applicable. It's now up to all you '10 owners to report back to the world. We appreciate the feedback. Please keep it coming!

 

[jjsC6]

Great writeup! Excellent information and point of view.
Your comments confirm all my suspicions and assumptions. We're looking at a true Gen-III Concours, while the '10 FJR is remaining a Gen-II bike. Yamaha will be forced to make some real changes in the FJR or fall significantly behind. Yamaha tends to be 1-2 year models behind Kawi and Honda on many bike lines.

Just like comparing Gen-I FJRs to Gen-II, I don't think anyone's experience with prior year Concours models is truly applicable. It's now up to all you '10 owners to report back to the world. We appreciate the feedback. Please keep it coming!

I have a lot of respect for your thoughts - thanks.

I agree with your assessment. In a way, Yamaha is just a bit out of synch. I reallly don't blame them -they are just at a different point in the life cycle of the FJR. Four months ago my friend and I had no interest in the Concours at all, and our only decision was whether to buy a '10 FJR or hold out another year.

Yamaha simply needs to make some upgrades as I mentioned a few posts back. The difference in these bikes is actually pretty minor. If I had to jump on my FJR today and ride it 3,000 miles over the next five or six days, I'd be happy to do so and enjoy it. But the Concours is just a little better.

 

[jjsC6]

For reasons I won't go into here, I won't be posting on this forum again. I do have some updates to this thread, but I'll only be updating on the Concours forum thread. The link is in one of my posts above. Feel free to PM me - I may or may not be getting them, but if I do I'll respond.

 

[Lawrence]

....I could be wrong, but it seems to me that it takes them along time to make changes to the bike other than paint. I am not sure if I want to hold out through this summer.

Exactly the position we were in. Heck, they didn't even change the paint for two years.

I love the FJR. If they would add a sixth gear, a touch more power would be nice, cruise control (they would sway a lot of ST buyers alone), tire pressure monitoring I'd go back to the FJR in the next two years - assuming they don't mess up what I like about it. Heck, I'd be happy if the looks and overall bike is the same as now if they would just make those upgrades.

Considering that they made the C10 for 20+ years after a few modifications from the introductory years, I would presume Kawi just might do the same thing with the C14. I own both a FJR and a C10, the FJR being the newest acquisiton, but I do find myself back on the C10 from time to time. If the C14 wasn't to tall for me, it would have made my purchase decision a whole lot harder.

Willie

There are multiple desires to meet, price being one of them. The Concours ZG1000 went unchanged for a decade (other than color most but not all years). One of its biggest selling points (as it got futher technically from the front-of the pack) was price. Then buyers could choose to ride as is, or spend some of the savings to upgrade the specific area of concern to them.

- Sixth Gear - I disagree, it is about ratios not number of gears. Sometimes I go to shift for sixth, sometimes I find myself cruising on the freeway in 4th as the bike is so much smoother than my '90 Concours was). Would I object to a 6th speed - no. But would I want to spend another $1k (or whatever the amortized cost would be) for that extra gear - no. So, if Yamaha has a 6sp transmission that can handle the torque/hp of the FJR and a shaft-drive, then by all means it woudl be a nice upgrade. Otherwise - it is fine as it is

- More power - again, I disagree. I was fine with my ZG1000 and would have happily stuck to the same power level. But that wasn't an option considering what I was looking for. I enjoy the power on the FJR. But as I ride daily, I'd rather have more mileage than more power. Again, let those who want to power spend the money to get it, but don't raise the price of the bike for everyone for what a few people would actually spend extra on.

- Cruise Control - something I'd like, but as an option would be fine (though more reasonably priced than heated grips are).

especially in this economy, hold the reins on feature creep and keeping the price in line may server Yamaha better than Kawasaki chasing a HP king-of-the-hill aware amongst ST bikes

Then again, I plan to put 100k on my FJR, so I hopefully won't be buying a new bike for a while

 

[McRide]

Kawasaki seems to actually listen to their tribe... the bike is improving with each edition and that's very encouraging. I was out for a ride today on my +50,000 miles 04 and was butt sniffing a Concours for a few miles.... I guess I'm available to at least consider something newer so why not get up close and personal. But then my group of FJR's showed up and I u-turned to join my good riding buddies, like a lost puppy to it's master. No matter what, it's the great friendships that will always transcend the technical engineering between these two fantastic sport tourers.

 

[dcarver]

For reasons I won't go into here, I won't be posting on this forum again. I do have some updates to this thread, but I'll only be updating on the Concours forum thread. The link is in one of my posts above. Feel free to PM me - I may or may not be getting them, but if I do I'll respond.

OK, I'm PM'ing you.. I need to know why.

 

[madmike2]

For reasons I won't go into here, I won't be posting on this forum again. I do have some updates to this thread, but I'll only be updating on the Concours forum thread. The link is in one of my posts above. Feel free to PM me - I may or may not be getting them, but if I do I'll respond.

OK, I'm PM'ing you.. I need to know why.

Because he's selling the FJR?

He's riding and conversing with other C-14 owners?

He's rather ride than post?

OTH, if someone has "driven" him away..... :angry:

 

[RadioHowie]

.....the Concours is just a little better different.

"Better" is such a subjective term. "Different" might be "better" for some, but not for all.

Not disputing your choice of rides, just your choice of words.

 

[bikesniffer]

For reasons I won't go into here, I won't be posting on this forum again. I do have some updates to this thread, but I'll only be updating on the Concours forum thread. The link is in one of my posts above. Feel free to PM me - I may or may not be getting them, but if I do I'll respond.

OK, I'm PM'ing you.. I need to know why.

Yeah really what happened causing the sudden departure?

 

[copron]

I test rode both the FJR and the Connie when I was considering a sport-touring bike. Several things about the Connie I didn't care for. The FJR was near perfection as far as i am concerned................but that's just me.

 

[Attila]

I test rode both the FJR and the Connie when I was considering a sport-touring bike. Several things about the Connie I didn't care for. The FJR was near perfection as far as i am concerned................but that's just me.

I too rode them both including the Beemer and Honda with the Honda being the most comfortable with the best fit and finish but the Beemer was a gadject too far. The C-14 I thought was kinda ugly and had too many doodads and would be a nightmare to work on. The C-14 will whip an FJR on top end but in a drag race they are very close however the FJR felt more nimble to me and it fit's my 6 ft. 3 inch 235 pound frame like we were made for each other and I simply like it's looks and a good looking woman will always win out over an ugly one no matter how many push ups the ugly one can do.

The only thing I wish Yamaha would do to the FJR is give it some more displacement and another 20 horsepower but keep it simple like it is but most people like change and more farkles, tire pressure monitors, keyless ignitions and so forth and so I would doubt that Yamaha will build a 1400 cc FJR for me but I can always hope.

 

[art miller]

I just finished 6,ooo k on an '07 connie here in NZ. I agree with most of your comments, but for me, 2-up, the connie's suspension was lacking in the twisties...new Avons and it still wouldn't turn like my FJR in the states. However, the biggest thing I missed was the FJR's low end torque making it, for me, a much easier bike to ride. To me it makes no sense to have 1400 cc's on a bike and have to run the rev's up to 6,500 and above to get the kind of performance I regularly get at 2,500 rpms on the FJR. The connie was an honest bike....it didn't do anything particularly well, nor anything particularly bad. I understand that there were a lot of improvements on the '10 model, so perhaps I'd like it? Unless they fixed the low end torque, I doubt it?

I don't ride two-up on that bike (or the FJR) so maybe that makes a difference. I don't feel the Concours lacks in mid range torque, and my friend actually thinks it has more than the FJR (I am not sure if I agree).

One thing that confuses the issue is that the Concours has a six speed transmission and the FJR a five speed. The Concours is turning a lot less RPMs in sixth gear. Even in sixth at freeway speeds I don't feel it's lacking. On the other hand, I think shifting is part of the fun or riding so I have no issue with downshifting when needed.

The 6sp is a feature I would like on the FJR. I do a lot of long tours and I think Yamaha should consider a 6sp overdrive in the future. The bike has adequate HP and it would add even more to the good MPG the bike enjoys.