FJR vs Concourse: Which in these areas???

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Dagwood_55

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I've searched and read the vs's threads, and: I'm gonna post this same thread in the Concourse forum....

I'm 5'11" and 200lbs, wife is 5' and 120lbs. Got a dirt bike, got a good Dual Sport bike, looking for a road bike to go on 2-5 day trips on.

In '07-'10 models, FJR vs Concorse, I know both are good bikes and don't feel I can go wrong with either, but in comparing specific points, which bike is:

1) A better 2 up touring bike?? And I dont want a LT or GW or EG.

2) Which is easier to do garage maintance on?? Oil change, valves, plugs, etc??

3) Which bike excells in being easier to farkle with electric stuff?? GPS's, Hand grips, radar det, etc, Or meybe , which will run the most electrics stock??

4) Which bike is easier, or better able to set up the suspension for 2 up with luggage?? For example, I had to spend a lot of money on a Wilber's shock for my GSA to make it a good 2 up machine... Which is easier/cheaper to set up from stock for 2 up??

5) Which bike, or will either be able to pull a small trailer for 2 up camping??? Which is easiest to wire and set up a hitch for??

6) Which gets the better gas milage?? MPG's??

Thanks, I know these ?'s have prolly been asked before, but..... what else do you have to do?? To hot to ride here.

 
Dagwood:

Seriously......MCN (Motorcycle Consumer News) is doing a full review next month on the connie and fjr (and the Honda 1200).

They also did a review of 07-08 models (FJR vs ST1300 vs CONCOURS 1400) back in 2007.

As they are soley subscriber supported, their reviews are honest, unbiased, and very informative. The August issue should be out in probably a week or two.

Check em out. www.mcnews.com

Also, check

https://forum.concours.org/

https://cog-online.org/

Good Luck....Barry

 
The real problem with MCN reviews is that the testers tend to be shorter than 5'9" and they really don;t do a lot of real pack-em-up-and-go touring assessments - they just ride them up the coast, check in to a hotel and ride them back.

The Connie is a tall bike, compared with the FJR, which itself isn't exactly low to the ground. It also weighs a tiny bit more (would you even notice unless you owned both?)

It does have more power, but unless you modify it by removing the secondary butterfly valves, you are revving hard to take advantage of it.

The Concours is smoother (at least the two examples I have ridden) and the transmission is like butter - then again, when you get used to the FJR you can shift just as cleanly.

Mileage? The Connie needs super and gets about the same mileage, but the tank is smaller.

Maintenance? Valves are supposed to be adjusted a lot more often on the Connie and it is apparently harder to do that work. Oil changes are oil changes, I suppose.

Can't commment on the suspension question; I like the factory hardware and have it set up the way I like.

Can you pull a trailer? Yes, in both cases.

Wiring Farkles? Go ahead. It is wire and they all should be connected to the battery in both cases, Canbus or conventional.

The FJR may well come in last because it is the oldest of the lot and the Concours Gen-II is essentially new for 2010. They stole our blue and apparently got rid of the heat (so they say. I felt heat). But I think the FJR handles better than the Concours - obviously the new VFR is an unknown to me.

Last; Connie comes with a longer basic warranty and specifically covers such items as seals - Yamaha; 1 year out of the box and the coverage depends on your dealer.

 
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Although it would be very difficult to pry me off the Gen II FJR, I am curious about the C14, but only 2010 and later. I am hearing they are a bear to do some maintenance items, and the FJR is very accessible. The C14 seems a little overly complicated in its driveline and is taller. It definitely needs a seat. I want to go for a test ride but Kawi isn't offering factory rides this year. As I said, I'm in no hurry to get off an FJR, and want to compare the C14 to it and the ST1300 I had previously!!

Most bikes have inadequate suspensions, so a rear shock is likely in order eventually as you learn its shortcomings. A Russell seat is likely a must buy for two up.

 
To stir the pot a bit more, you might consider the Honda ST1300, too. It's as long in the tooth as the FJR but both are still excellent motorcycles. The ST is bigger, roomier, and comfier, so if two-up touring is the game plan it ought to be in the mix. It is heavier, too, but you won't notice above 5 mph. New STs are up close to BMW R-RT prices but with rumors flying about a new Honda sport-tourer, there might be some price dealing going on pretty soon.

BTW, if you are looking at a Connie, bring your passenger along for a test sit. Those panniers look like they get in the way.

Any way you go, you'll enjoy the new bike!

pete

 
I can help with a couple:

2) Which is easier to do garage maintance on?? Oil change, valves, plugs, etc??

For a GOOD mechanic's review of the 4 hours he spent changing the Connie spark plugs https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...72&hl=spark

I am below-average in wrenching skills but manage throttle body synchs, oil-, spark plugs-, and air filter- changes with ease on the FJR.

4) Which bike is easier, or better able to set up the suspension for 2 up with luggage?? For example, I had to spend a lot of money on a Wilber's shock for my GSA to make it a good 2 up machine... Which is easier/cheaper to set up from stock for 2 up??

From what I've read, Stock Connie suspension CRUSHES the stock FJR suspension. If you get the FJR, you will need to drop $800 or so into an aftermarket shock
 
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One of our European members picked up a wrecked C-14 and repaired it. Stefano wrote a comparison (edit) that I just found: Double Trouble. The link to his spark plug change Linky Thingy speaks volumes.

Other issues like: Fuel requirements & volume, valve adjustment/spark plug replacement (said to be not as necessary as the manual suggests according to the Concours sites), and maintenance have been covered by others.

Whichever bike you buy, most likely the rear shock will need replacing in 10,000 miles so plan on it.

Any seat is a toss up. IF you're going to spend many long days in the saddle, it's another cost one plans on. There are many who do just fine with the OEM seat and tend to deride those who don't. I didn't fall into that category and bought a Russell.

Final thought: Buy the bike that makes your heart sing. I still smile when I look in the garage and see my FJR....then I ride. :D

I'd bet there are C14 owners who feel the same way.

 
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You could also go sit on both of them, preferably side-by-side if possible. That's what sealed the deal for me to get the FJR. This was before I decided to turn my own wrenches, and now I'm even happier with my decision.

 
30-40 cents a gallon more for fuel! C-14 requires premium, FJR runs on regular. Say you got 40 mpg on either bike, and your neighborhood station charges 30 cents more for premium over regular, and you ride 20,000 miles in a year. That 175 bucks of farkle money burned up in the motor every year!

 
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30-40 cents a gallon more for fuel! C-14 requires premium, FJR runs on regular. Say you got 40 mpg on either bike, and your neighborhood station charges 30 cents more for premium over regular, and you ride 20,000 miles in a year. That 175 bucks of farkle money burned up in the motor every year!
Oh, sure...point out the BAD! But think how often, with the smaller tank on the Connie, you get to visit the hot chick at the convenience store you buy gas from!

Something to think about!

 
I've searched and read the vs's threads, and:
I dont want a LT or GW or EG.

Thanks, I know these ?'s have prolly been asked before, but..... what else do you have to do?? To hot to ride here.
Only one problem, what's a LT or GW or EG?

 
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