Any past Concour riders?

[SingleTrackMind]

Thinking of adding a concours, will keep the tenere but wondering if there's anybody that has had a concours that can give me their opinion.
My brother has a 1290 super adventure that keeps handing my a55 to me when we ride. Need something with a bit more power (ok a lot more) that will take that grin off his face. I'm fairly tall and the concours is about the only bike that fits.

 

[fred-houston]

I have a C-10, but I am sure you are looking for opinions on the C-14.

Here is a YouTube video of a C-14 test ride I happened across and posted on the COG Forum. The test rider really liked it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptJA8v1X0_I

 

[Topcop45]

C-14 is awesome. I had a 2011 and sold it to get my Tenere. I wish I had found a way to keep both bikes....and my WR 450...and my KTM 525!

 

[rushfan]

I had an 09 C14 & a 12 C14. Great bikes. Sometimes I miss the hp, but overall the ST fit my needs a little better.

 

[Bryn]

I swapped my 2009 GTR1400 for a 2010 1200 GS .... then got the Super Tenere.

The GTR 1400 is a nice bike, a bit old fashioned electronics wise, good as a long legged tourer, but I found myself using the power with she who must be obeyed on the pillion... and it didn't go down too well )

 

[Topcop45]

If they would update that bike, I may consider another one

 

[SingleTrackMind]

Thanks for info. I'm hoping that the 17's come with at least cruise control. Truly is hard to believe the Tenere Es has more electronic extras than the Concours....

 

[Spork]

Thanks for info. I'm hoping that the 17's come with at least cruise control. Truly is hard to believe the Tenere Es has more electronic extras than the Concours....

Lest we forget that the FJR finally got cruise in 2013 and 6 gears in (i think ) 2016. I was looking at the C14 when I got my FJR, my understanding is that it is more "sport" then "touring" biased and a good ride overall. The negatives I heard was that maintenance is a bit more costly (particularly the valves) if you farm it out to a mechanic, and that it still doesn't have cruise control which is pretty standard on any bike that has "touring" attached to it.

 

[racer1735]

I had the old Concours 1000, the first year it came out (1986). Loved the hot-rod factor of that bike, but that's not what you are asking about. I was service manager at an OEM dealership when the C14 made its appearance. What a bike! Loved riding them and at times wish I'd gotten one (but at the time I had an ST1300). The Super Tenere is a better 'all-around' bike. It will take you just as far (but maybe not as rapidly), but will take you places the C14 may not feel as comfortable (like when the pavement ends). Both bikes re great....its just a matter of what you are after? Sounds like you have the need for speed...go with the C14.

 

[billyp]

I've had 3 fjrs and would also lookatr them.My riding buddy has a 09 concours and loves it.It feel bigger to me than the fjr,a hair faster.Both go very well.I want the new fz 10.

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

I had a Connie 1400 C14 for a while. Mostly short Bay Area California rides. Nothing over 300 miles as I was working a new job.

Summary

Great bike, Fast Smooth, Great wind protection, Handles well. Looks great. Easy to work on. Many friendly people in news groups. If you want to travel two up at interstate speeds and never care about mountain passes or trucks ... you have the power to do it all in comfort

Issues for me
- no cruise control
- turning radius too large due to triple clamp stops forks too soon for low speed tight turns. Rodeo and Parking.

 

[tenny80]

The concours 14 is a fantastic bike to ride! the power is unreal. I had to raise the handlebars and lower the foot pegs but it can be done fairly cheap. The footpegs from a Buell work great!

The con on that bike and the reason why I only had it a few months is maintenance! all kinds of issues, the valves... yikes You need about 20 different parts and probably 15 hours of your time to do the valves: http://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?cPath=130_136&products_id=525

It has a lot of other issues as well, for example the header bolts loosen constantly. it takes about 3 hours to tighten them because you have to remove so much to get at them.. I did it twice in 3 months! You can buy locking nuts which would solve the problem.. but I just tightened them and got rid of the bike, I was annoyed!

Want to check the air filter? hope you have about 4 hours lol

 

[Defekticon]

A buddy of mine owns a 2012, he loves it. And I have to say it is a nice looking bike. I'm pretty sure he's joking when he says "I dunno if I can keep up with your S10" .... He's really not a sport bike guy. He also owns a Goldwing and a KLR, ::013:: but he does love his connie and commutes on it quite often.

 

[tankertruck]

I had a 2010 C14 (black), and my wife and I really enjoyed the bike after a bunch of modifications. My father described it as a 'fat sportbike', which isn't really far off in my mind. It's very comfortable to ride long distance, and 2-up isn't an issue at all. Once you change the stock tires, it handles well. For power, I personally loved it, I never found it "unreal" or "incredible" (coming from a turbo 'busa and then a supercharged B-King), but it was fun for a touring bike after a PC5, and removing the 2nd butterflies, and then getting a custom dyno tune, and dual exhaust and headers from the z1400. I forgot the numbers but it was nice power with a huge top-end rush. It was very civilized below 5000 RPMS.

However, it is falling behind in the 'technology' department at this point, and I am a bit sensitive to vibrations in my right wrist after a few hours, so I need cruise control as I like to get where I am going, and for some reason it seems Kawasaki isn't stepping up in that department. It was also a bit heavy at slow speeds, and could be a bit of a fight when you're tired from riding all day and struggling through Boston traffic.

I'm curious to see if the new FJR can keep up with the C14.

I can't comment on the C14 vs the 1290. I haven't ridden the 1290 because I don't want to buy one...