They up the game now with Electronic Suspension...

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelhome/689/0/home.aspx

Deal killers

Transmission   5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Warranty           1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

Deal killers

Transmission   5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Warranty           1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

That and the red color.... Man I hate red!

I just don't really care for the looks, right on down to the reflectors on the bags.

Red, small tank, small bags, red, cost, warranty, red, too much chrome…. No thanks! I'll keep my C10! 

I just hope this will prod Kawasaki to add some new features to the C14. Cruise would be nice, ES is problematic since it probably costs $$$ to get fixed. Ask a BMW owner 

Deal killers

Transmission   5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Warranty           1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

Agreed, cars are ok with 5 speeds, bikes should have 6.

I'm going to have to go test ride on of these for the fun of it. 

I'll keep my C14 though. 

Yeah cause that think looks so much different than a 2004 FJR.
So glad their keeping things fresh.

Yeah cause that think looks so much different than a 2004 FJR.
So glad their keeping things fresh.

2004 FJR



2014 FJR/ES



Looks totally different to me... sorry. 

Looks totally different to me... sorry. 

Ummm, ok...
You did notice one is red and other is silver right?

Look at the body work... front fairing has been reworked for better heat management, and air intake is totally different... mirrors are totally different... seat is totally different... rims are black now... front fender, different... I can keep going, but it's different besides the fact it's red.

You're taking me too seriously.
But in my opionion this is more like a refresh than a real change.
Imagine a motorcycle company making essentially the same model for 20 years, who could do such a thing?

You're taking me too seriously.
But in my opionion this is more like a refresh than a real change.
Imagine a motorcycle company making essentially the same model for 20 years, who could do such a thing?

LOL!!!  Um... uh... let me think... um...

Red, small tank, small bags, red, cost, warranty, red, too much chrome…. No thanks! I'll keep my C10! 

The FJR's tank is actually larger than the 2008+ C14's 

The FJR's tank is actually larger than the 2008+ C14's 

True but it is still smaller than my C10 tank. This is a prime reason I wouldn't buy a C14 either. On this point though it is easier to add an aux tank to the FJ because of the split seat, see the link. I would still have to pony up for a paint job thought because I really don't like red on bikes or actually anything.

http://www.fjr1300.info/misc/tanji.html

So......I bought an
03 FJR this spring. If you have not ridden one, please try it before you put it down. The 5 speed tranny is not a negative. Final gear ratios are pretty close to most 6 speeds. The ratio is far more important than the gear number. I can pass pretty much anything in top gear, and still pull down 38-43 ish running around 85 mph. I've only been up to about 140, but there is plenty left. Don't get me wrong, I am a major Kaw fan, but the FJR is the new Connie. Huge performance for low low prices. Look around at a rally and see how many FJR's you see. Then check out the number of them in the Ironbutt rally. I can go 250 miles easy before looking for gas. A recent cross country with a couple of C14's proved that they can not make the same distance.

I still have my 86 Connie which I love and will probably never sell.

So......I bought an
03 FJR this spring. If you have not ridden one, please try it before you put it down. The 5 speed tranny is not a negative. Final gear ratios are pretty close to most 6 speeds. The ratio is far more important than the gear number. I can pass pretty much anything in top gear, and still pull down 38-43 ish running around 85 mph. I've only been up to about 140, but there is plenty left. Don't get me wrong, I am a major Kaw fan, but the FJR is the new Connie. Huge performance for low low prices. Look around at a rally and see how many FJR's you see. Then check out the number of them in the Ironbutt rally. I can go 250 miles easy before looking for gas. A recent cross country with a couple of C14's proved that they can not make the same distance.

I still have my 86 Connie which I love and will probably never sell.

I am a pretty big fan of Yamaha in general.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AlfR4TQEGTU

Nice, short video showing the options.  I have had 5, and 2 C14's.  I love the FJR gearing, would never want it changed.  At least from the 2006 2nd gen and on.  The first gen was a little low...

I have had two FJRs and the manual transmission version was great, and the auto-clutch version was horrible.  I do believe the shocks and adjustability of my 2012 C-14 outshines the FJR.  The fueling of the C-14 is better, the 2007 FJR I had was slightly "twitchy".  Both are great long day riding motorcycles.  The range of the FJR over the C-14 is nice.

I would still be a Yamaha guy but I had a condescending dealer owner to deal with on my auto-clutch purchase that just wasn't going to work with me who had been a long-time loyal customer at his store.  The Kawi dealer was willing to work with me right out of the blue who hadn't spent thousands at his dealership previously.  So now I'm a very happy Kawi C-14 owner!

Both the FJR and C-14 motorcycles are great.  I don't believe the 5-speed is an issue.  Look at the final gear ratio of the FJR 5th to the Kawi 6th and you will find they are nearly identical.  As far as cruise control I will take my C-14 and its throttle lock any day.