Sport Touring Indecision
April 17, 2012 7:36 AM Subscribe
Motorcyclists: FJR vs ST1300 vs Concours 14. Which do you like best?
My 2003 V-Strom 1000 has served me well, but it's built as a dual-sport bike, and I've done what I can to adapt it to be a sport touring bike. I think what I really want is one of the three bikes above, but I'm on the fence on each of them.
As of right now, I would probably buy whichever I got the best deal on. I haven't ridden any of these bikes yet. I like integrated luggage, ample power, shaft drives, and comfortable riding positions.
I've considered the VFR1200F, but it has a tiny fuel tank (under 5 gallons), and the luggage comes separately (but looks great on the bike). Also, the one time I sat on the bike, I felt like it was way more SPORT-touring and not nearly as sport-TOURING as the other bikes mentioned.
I like the BMW K1200GT and R1200RT, but those are a bit expensive. I'll be buying used, so I know I'll need replacement parts sooner rather than later, and I don't want repairs to be prohibitively expensive.
Durability and reliability are very important to me. I use this bike to ride 80 miles a day to get to class.
I usually ride a bicycle in town, but every now and then I'll use this motorcycle to make a quick trip for groceries or whatever. Lane splitting isn't necessary, but I don't want something that's a pig in city traffic.
Every now and then I'll take long (6-8 hours of riding per day) tours, but most of the riding is commuting.
So......any other factors I should consider? Are any of these bikes particularly difficult to repair? Any quirks I should know about? Anything I'm missing?
From what I gleam from forums, the Honda ST1300 is an older design, very reliable, has an enormous tank, and a very smooth engine (all of which I like). The Kawasaki Concours 14 has tons of power and lots of bells and whistles (that I'm afraid will break, like that KiPass system, but who knows). The Yamaha FJR seems to split the difference in power between the two and looks the best (aesthetically) to me.
My 2003 V-Strom 1000 has served me well, but it's built as a dual-sport bike, and I've done what I can to adapt it to be a sport touring bike. I think what I really want is one of the three bikes above, but I'm on the fence on each of them.
As of right now, I would probably buy whichever I got the best deal on. I haven't ridden any of these bikes yet. I like integrated luggage, ample power, shaft drives, and comfortable riding positions.
I've considered the VFR1200F, but it has a tiny fuel tank (under 5 gallons), and the luggage comes separately (but looks great on the bike). Also, the one time I sat on the bike, I felt like it was way more SPORT-touring and not nearly as sport-TOURING as the other bikes mentioned.
I like the BMW K1200GT and R1200RT, but those are a bit expensive. I'll be buying used, so I know I'll need replacement parts sooner rather than later, and I don't want repairs to be prohibitively expensive.
Durability and reliability are very important to me. I use this bike to ride 80 miles a day to get to class.
I usually ride a bicycle in town, but every now and then I'll use this motorcycle to make a quick trip for groceries or whatever. Lane splitting isn't necessary, but I don't want something that's a pig in city traffic.
Every now and then I'll take long (6-8 hours of riding per day) tours, but most of the riding is commuting.
So......any other factors I should consider? Are any of these bikes particularly difficult to repair? Any quirks I should know about? Anything I'm missing?
From what I gleam from forums, the Honda ST1300 is an older design, very reliable, has an enormous tank, and a very smooth engine (all of which I like). The Kawasaki Concours 14 has tons of power and lots of bells and whistles (that I'm afraid will break, like that KiPass system, but who knows). The Yamaha FJR seems to split the difference in power between the two and looks the best (aesthetically) to me.
I don't have a definitive opinion because all the bikes you've mentioned are great. So, I suggest a few things to look at:
I'm partial to BMWs but, like I said, all the bikes you're thinking about are good.
posted by workerant at 8:30 AM on April 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
- Look at true wet weights. I don't remember the number offhand, but the wet weight of the ST1300 was jaw-dropping to me.
- Consider the TCO (total cost of ownership) of all the finalists; my husband replaced a VFR800 (VTEC) with an R1200GS. He figured out that all of the maintenance for 80,000 miles on the BMW would cost less than the first valve adjustment on the Honda.
- Get on the owner forums and see what people are bitching about. I know the FJR has historically had heat management problems (it was nicknamed the Family Jewels Roaster.) I don't know if that's been conclusively solved.
- The exhaust had to be removed to change a rear tire on an ST1100 (DAMHIK) and probably some of the newer bikes too. Would that be an issue for you? Also, check for oddball tire sizes. Anything other than a 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear might lead to an unpleasant surprise if you need a tire in a hurry.
- Get the specs on the bike's charging system. If you're commuting, you might want to run heated clothing, driving lights, etc and a stator that puts out less than 600 watts ain't gonna do that.
I'm partial to BMWs but, like I said, all the bikes you're thinking about are good.
posted by workerant at 8:30 AM on April 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
Darn it! Knew I'd forget something. Have your insurance agent run quotes for the finalists. You may be surprised by the results.
posted by workerant at 8:40 AM on April 17, 2012
posted by workerant at 8:40 AM on April 17, 2012
A buddy just got the FJR. After one ride, I covet it shamelessly. Awesome bike.
posted by broadway bill at 9:43 AM on April 17, 2012
posted by broadway bill at 9:43 AM on April 17, 2012
I've ridden the FJR and the Connie 14, and while both are a little heavy for me I would take the C14 in a moment. I found the FJR saddle to footpeg distance to be too tight for my 34 inch inseam and while the power is definitely there, the C14 is orders of magnitude more powerful everywhere. Also, while the Connie is right there in weight with the FJR, it rides lighter and can handle tight, twisty roads with much more composure than the FJR can on the same situation. I also found the ergonomics generally better on the Connie than the FJR, but that's a personal thing. I think I would rather have an RT than both, but I say that knowing full well that if something goes wrong mechanically the BMW will be absurdly expensive to repair, whereas the FJR and Connie not so much. The ST1300 is bulletproof, with the exception of some regulator/rectifier issues on the earlier models. I know of more than a few people with upwards of 200K miles on their bike, with no serious issues. Definitely more suited to the slab than the twisties when compared to the other bikes that you're thinking of. I think of the STs as being like the old C10. It's the motorcycle equivalent of a Taurus or Camry.
As for what Workerant said about charging systems less than 600 watts not being able to handle heated gear, I have to politely disagree. I use the 55K miles put on my '84 FJ1100 over the past 3.5 years running heated grips, Gerbings heated jacket, gloves and socks with charging room to spare (365 watt charging system) and zero electrical issues. Now, don't try that on a Wee Strom, or a gen 4 or 5 VFR without the required regulator/rectifier upgrades, but on the three bikes the OP is talking about there's no worries.
Look on ADV Forums, which has had this very question of which bike is the right one come up more than a few times over the years. Its an awesome site with a lot of good folks on there. Good luck!
posted by chosemerveilleux at 9:52 AM on April 17, 2012
As for what Workerant said about charging systems less than 600 watts not being able to handle heated gear, I have to politely disagree. I use the 55K miles put on my '84 FJ1100 over the past 3.5 years running heated grips, Gerbings heated jacket, gloves and socks with charging room to spare (365 watt charging system) and zero electrical issues. Now, don't try that on a Wee Strom, or a gen 4 or 5 VFR without the required regulator/rectifier upgrades, but on the three bikes the OP is talking about there's no worries.
Look on ADV Forums, which has had this very question of which bike is the right one come up more than a few times over the years. Its an awesome site with a lot of good folks on there. Good luck!
posted by chosemerveilleux at 9:52 AM on April 17, 2012
Pardon, but I said heated gear, driving lights and a commute (which means stop & go traffic, usually). I stand by my statement.
posted by workerant at 10:01 AM on April 17, 2012
posted by workerant at 10:01 AM on April 17, 2012
Oh yeah, if I'm not mistaken early FJRs (Pre '06 or 07) had a tendency to cook legs, but Yamaha sorted it out after these years. Frankly, they're all uncomfortably warm on a hot day in traffic (I've ridden an '09 FJR and a '10 C14), which I guess is the best excuse to take the backway to your destination.
posted by chosemerveilleux at 10:05 AM on April 17, 2012
posted by chosemerveilleux at 10:05 AM on April 17, 2012
No need to pardon, but heated gear and stop and go commutes have been around longer than 800 watt charging systems on motorcycles.
The folks at Powerlet have a good chart that can help all of those poor souls such as myself who don't ride a GS make it through the winter months without the help of a flatbed. I would link to it, but my phone has other things on it's mind apparently.
posted by chosemerveilleux at 10:15 AM on April 17, 2012
The folks at Powerlet have a good chart that can help all of those poor souls such as myself who don't ride a GS make it through the winter months without the help of a flatbed. I would link to it, but my phone has other things on it's mind apparently.
posted by chosemerveilleux at 10:15 AM on April 17, 2012
Response by poster: I run Gerbings gloves on my Vee. Charging system for all these bikes is adequate for what I'll be doing. Carry on.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:33 AM on April 17, 2012
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:33 AM on April 17, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
I think that you need to go ride these bikes.
posted by bdc34 at 8:01 AM on April 17, 2012