Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: Caffeinated on October 10, 2013, 05:28:30 PM
-
I loved my 11 C14 and had planned on keeping it forever. The WVA gravel and ditch took her from me :(, and now I'm left with a big blank spot in the garage and left driving the cage in DC traffic >:(. Help me figure out what to get next and why.
Here's my criteria:
- I commute year round on the bike so I need full fairing for weather protection
- Take one maybe two weekend trips in the mountains per year
- Ride two up maybe once a year and sometime less than that
- Comfort is key since my commute is 50 miles and at least an hour one way (I had Heli Horizons, peg lowerers, seat modified) for a more upright ride.
- Gas mileage
- Weight of the bike. I'd like something at least 100lbs lighter than the Concours.
- Price will be a factor. After the ins. pays off the small note left, I will have around $9,500... unless I buy my old one back.
What do you recommend....besides the C14.
-
(http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr1/RussJackson/093013middle2_zps39478382.jpg)
not a full fairing but this thing looks like it would keep me excited about going to work every day and getting done so I could get back on.
-
Pick up a used BMW R1100RT or R1150RT; I don't think you'll find a better machine to meet your needs, and you'll easily find one in your price range.
I don't want to offend anybody, and I love my C10 to the tune of 30,000 miles in two years, but it is top-heavy, and that is a problem to me arriving at home at 1 AM after a six hour drive. I have a '99 R1100RT waiting for me for a mere $3500, and it breaks my heart that I just don't have the money for it.
I originally wrote that you won't get the 100 benefit benefit, but actually you can get much of it - I was thinking about my C10. The C14 is about 688 lbs and the R1150 is 614 with a full tank.
-
:yikes:
-
ST1300A?
-
:yikes:
That has got to be ugliest facsimile of a muffler that I've ever seen....
-
There are some possibilities, but weight will probably a sticking point.
Honda NT700v: ~540#, full fairing, hard bags, options can be retrofit, low mileage models are inexpensive, and not too hard to find, upright riding position and 45-50 mpg. After the Connie, it's gong to be woefully underpowered.
Suzuki GSX1250FA: if you can find one, ~570#, upright riding position, AFAIK brackets and hard cases are available, chain drive probably not the first choice for a daily commuter.
BMWR1200RT-comfortable, full fairing, shaft drive, heavier than many seem to think. It's often listed at ~500-510# - that's what BMW calls "unladen" weight, sans fluids and bags. Actual wt. is probably closer to 600#. Industrial engine sound. (I can say that, I drive a car with a boxer engine)
Yamaha FX6r: a wild card, but the only one of these I've actually ridden (sat on the rest). With risers, I think the riding position would be OK even for my old bones. Listed at 470# tossable fun to ride, more shifting than I'm used to, but I actually enjoyed it. Lots of aftermarket- brackets, hard cases, taller/wider windshields, etc. Smaller fairing than the others, chain drive.
-
I am digging the New Strom.
http://www.suzuki-vstrom.com/en/index.html (http://www.suzuki-vstrom.com/en/index.html)
-
I am digging the New Strom.
http://www.suzuki-vstrom.com/en/index.html (http://www.suzuki-vstrom.com/en/index.html)
That's sweet! I've always like the Strom, but the lack of ABS on the 1000 was always a deal breaker. This may be my next bike in a few years.
-
That's sweet! I've always like the Strom, but the lack of ABS on the 1000 was always a deal breaker. This may be my next bike in a few years.
I cant wait to actually see one. And the Price. I have been fighting getting a Super Tenere for some time. This is lighter and Sleeker. And I am a small small dude. Traction Control ABS and Fairly Light. By 2012 standards it will be 3K$ cheaper than the yamaha... But who knows. Maybe I will go back to a Connie?
-
That VStrom is a good looking bike. :-\
-
That VStrom is a good looking bike. :-\
+1... :doublepuke:
-
+1... :doublepuke:
What are you smoking this AM. I am getting conflicting messages here. ???
-
What are you smoking this AM. I am getting conflicting messages here. ???
Oh you were being serious?? :o
-
Oh you were being serious?? :o
Yep, I would ride one. Then I may not have to go 80 miles out of the way to avoid the gravel road so I could get to the lake in Idaho I wanted to go to.
Don't want to get my beautiful black bike dusty and dirty. ;D
The reason I put the undecided face is because I don't know if I would give up my Connie for one, cause I can travel 80 miles in no :censored: time.
-
I'm personally interested in the Versys 1000. Seems like a good general purpose machine (not off-road, of course, not that it's marketed as such, but it would be happy on the occasional gravel county road) Any opinions, gentlemen?
-
A friend of mine has a 2009 R1200RT (for sale in Peoria IL, btw, he has a 2014 on order). I have ridden it. 570 lbs, heated grips and SEAT, a real e-cruise, electrical windscreen like the C14, very nice bike. It just doesn't have the mad powah of my C14. Which I remind him of viscerally at every opportunity.
It's a very nice bike, put a top trunk on it and go everywhere, VERY comfortable and lots of features, except power.
-
Rode a Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 today.....WOW, that thing is awesome. Gobs of torque makes it blast to ride. The thing has everything including cruise control. I only wish It was not premium priced $17K+....$21K as outfitted.
Also rode the Tiger 800....not nearly as fun! Has a decel pop that sounds like marbles in the exhaust, less wind protection, and chain drive....
Really like the ergo's on the 1200. very comfortable seating position, and I like the wide bars.
I'll have to wait for a used one to pop up.
-
I am digging the New Strom.
http://www.suzuki-vstrom.com/en/index.html (http://www.suzuki-vstrom.com/en/index.html)
Sure looks an awful lot like an F800GS!!!
-
Rode a Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 today.....WOW, that thing is awesome. Gobs of torque makes it blast to ride. The thing has everything including cruise control. I only wish It was not premium priced $17K+....$21K as outfitted.
Also rode the Tiger 800....not nearly as fun! Has a decel pop that sounds like marbles in the exhaust, less wind protection, and chain drive....
Really like the ergo's on the 1200. very comfortable seating position, and I like the wide bars.
I'll have to wait for a used one to pop up.
I hear the build quality is so so, looks purty though.