Passenger comfort....

[texrider]

Interesting to note that the Yamaha went to throttle by wire, that additionally allows several performance level settings.

[speed545]

Thanks again speed for the invitation and for all the additional info we didn't know about the bike. You guys were really helpfull.

it was really nice meeting you guys. I guess you have all the infos  to make the good choice about your next bike

you know how to reach me so you re very welcome

[maxtog]

Interesting to note that the Yamaha went to throttle by wire, that additionally allows several performance level settings.

That is the norm for current vehicle designs.  When the Concours is updated again, I am sure it will also have throttle by wire.  At that point they can drop the "secondary butterflies" which is just an intermediate step.  It also makes cruise control and traction control essentially included (few or no additional components, no additional weight, no additional cost).

Drive-by-wire is a little scary in some ways, but it has a lot of promise for better control and customization.  The main issue being that although manufacturers might give a little bit of control to the driver, it will still be very limited (by design).

[eng943]

It'll come down to the one we can make more pillion friendly. I'm just surprised that a flagship tourer bike needs so many farkles to achieve that.

Why are you surprised? Both t huh e c14 and fjr are SPORT/ tourers. You need a sport/ TOURER.

[texrider]

Right. The beemer and triumph are more of an approach to the gold wing market, and offer those kinds of comfort levels. Just have to be willing to spend the dinero and accept that it's a frikken huge machine!

[andreaF]

I ride as a passenger and we have found that a CalSci (Tall) windshield with an MRA windscreen extension on top of that, gets rid of ALL the buffering for me and most for Brian (who's 6'2").  We also have a Corbin seat, since it has the exact placement that you're looking for....keeps me straight and a bit higher....BUT because it's like sitting on cement...we both use Airhawks on top of the seat. IT's worked out PERFECTLY for us....of the 90k miles on our Connie, I've probably got 70k of that with this set up.  Takes a little while to learn how much air to put in the airhawks, but after that you'll be good to go! 

Andrea

[PH14]

I ride as a passenger and we have found that a CalSci (Tall) windshield with an MRA windscreen extension on top of that, gets rid of ALL the buffering for me and most for Brian (who's 6'2").  We also have a Corbin seat, since it has the exact placement that you're looking for....keeps me straight and a bit higher....BUT because it's like sitting on cement...we both use Airhawks on top of the seat. IT's worked out PERFECTLY for us....of the 90k miles on our Connie, I've probably got 70k of that with this set up.  Takes a little while to learn how much air to put in the airhawks, but after that you'll be good to go! 

Andrea

I will add that I am 5'11" and I have the medium CaSci. I didn't include my height in my first post. No extension.  Aslo keep in mind I tend to prefer a shield I can look over easily at the highest position.

[ultra]

Very usefull info guys especially from the pillion's perspective, thanks again. I'm 5.11 too and prefer to look over the shield at least in the lowered position. Although it's something I'd give up gladly if we can eliminate the turbulence issue. I have 2 testrides scheduled on the FJR until then more research on the concours.

[eng943]

Right. The beemer and triumph are more of an approach to the gold wing market, and offer those kinds of comfort levels. Just have to be willing to spend the dinero and accept that it's a frikken huge machine!

Dimensions are larger than the C14 I would assume, but the Trophy is comparable in weight to the C14, and the RT is lighter. More $$ for both to be sure, but if I were him I don't know that I would by a bike on the hopes I could make it agreeable for the SO when there are other possibilities.

So many variables for comfort, I'd hate to see him make a mistake.     

[ultra]

Dimensions are larger than the C14 I would assume, but the Trophy is comparable in weight to the C14, and the RT is lighter. More $$ for both to be sure, but if I were him I don't know that I would by a bike on the hopes I could make it agreeable for the SO when there are other possibilities.

So many variables for comfort, I'd hate to see him make a mistake.     

Thanks for your concern and we're firm on either of these 2 bikes. We're definitely not going down the BMW route and if we were, I'd rather own a 1200GS ( tested the new liquid cooled, electronic suspension bike its superb) or a Triumph Explorer . We like the Connie and FJR for reliability and the sportier aspect of touring. I do understand that it's a compromise in comfort but we're not planning to do the iron butt either. What we're looking for is relative comfort and wind protection and power when it comes to highways.

[PH14]

Very usefull info guys especially from the pillion's perspective, thanks again. I'm 5.11 too and prefer to look over the shield at least in the lowered position. Although it's something I'd give up gladly if we can eliminate the turbulence issue. I have 2 testrides scheduled on the FJR until then more research on the concours.

I look over the shield in the full up position. Medium CalSci.

[wroman]

   I did not make this point clearly the first post but Yamaha does not recommend  a trunk along with a passenger at the same time.  The only bike within the load carrying range as the Connie is the BMW, I have not checked the Trophy.   When I test rode the C-14 I like the deliberate way in which it handled. I have had many big touring bikes (GL1800, K1300LT) that respond quicker to steering input. After awhile they feel twitchy to me and rob confidence.  I know this is personal but its my bike. The C-14 is also very stable on the HWY in windy conditions, especially passing trucks in windy conditions.  H-D tourers are good with this also. I ride with an Aeroflow shield and with the right suspension setting I find very little difference between 60 MPH or 100 MPH.  I can crack my face shield open and it stays there.  I would also be interested in check out the Kawasaki side fairings for high speed highway riding they came over from the European riders.  Fot those that say we need to buy alot of stuff just to make the C-14 work for us have never been to a Gold Wing Rally. 
   I have a Lamm seat and choose to not alter the stock handlebars at this time, my wrists like Murph's handlebar wedges though.  I may be in the minority here but I love highway riding and this bike will gobble some road, it has one quality that I have not experienced with all my bikes  and that is the more miles I ride this thing the better I like it.

[Rocket Therapy]

Seth Lamm seat is the way to go

[ultra]

   I did not make this point clearly the first post but Yamaha does not recommend  a trunk along with a passenger at the same time.  The only bike within the load carrying range as the Connie is the BMW, I have not checked the Trophy.   When I test rode the C-14 I like the deliberate way in which it handled. I have had many big touring bikes (GL1800, K1300LT) that respond quicker to steering input. After awhile they feel twitchy to me and rob confidence.  I know this is personal but its my bike. The C-14 is also very stable on the HWY in windy conditions, especially passing trucks in windy conditions.  H-D tourers are good with this also. I ride with an Aeroflow shield and with the right suspension setting I find very little difference between 60 MPH or 100 MPH.  I can crack my face shield open and it stays there.  I would also be interested in check out the Kawasaki side fairings for high speed highway riding they came over from the European riders.  Fot those that say we need to buy alot of stuff just to make the C-14 work for us have never been to a Gold Wing Rally. 
   I have a Lamm seat and choose to not alter the stock handlebars at this time, my wrists like Murph's handlebar wedges though.  I may be in the minority here but I love highway riding and this bike will gobble some road, it has one quality that I have not experienced with all my bikes  and that is the more miles I ride this thing the better I like it.

Thanks, yes I'm aware of the FJR trunk situation, yet they offer an OEM top box that bolts right on. Plus seeing all those bikes with 3 cases on the road its not really a concern. I really liked  how the connie felt overall and solo riding no complaints. Now that I'm learning and reading more I can see that there are options and if we're choosing this bike I'll try to find the right ones for us. We sat on a Baldwin seat( not the bucket) Concours combo and wife liked it. I'd also like to check out the Corbin. The Lamm doesn't look high enough in the back , so unless theres custom options it won't work for us. Would be nice if these seat companies carried non slip materials opposed to  vinyl & leather . If I had the bike today I'd probably get a Corbin, Calsci large or Cee Bailey Dome. Anyone has experience with the Kawi gel seat?

[Awaz]

I bought mine in 2010 (its a 2008 model though) and I am still using stock seat. Longest we rode was a 1100 miles round trip with one night stop over. The stock seat did not fare too bad. It was much more comfortable to my wife, but was causing problem for me towards the end of the journey. I run the stock windshield, which is shorter than the 2010 up windshield, during the summer months. Full down, no buffeting, but you get a good blast of wind (most welcomed) on your torso. Full up, it is quieter, but get some helmet buffeting. For the other months, I have a cee baily euro that serves me good - very quite and no buffeting. Just a bit too warm in the cockpit during summer.

Any bike you get, you have to do some adjustments based on your riding style, your comfort, etc - especially one that you will be touring on. For me, the windshield and a pair of handlebar raisers did the trick. Seat will be nice, but so far, the stock seat is not that much of a problem - not enough to plunk $500 for a custom seat. For some, the foot pegs had to be lowered.

Regarding the buffeting problem your wife experienced, was there was cross wind or something that day? I will have to ask my wife if she experiences buffeting all the time - she never complained to me once, but who knows !

The only thing I like about the FJR is the cruise control - but C14 any day any time.

[stevewfl]

Teressa rides on the bqck of mine with stock seat for 700-800 miles days. She doesn't biatch at all, but I do

[gPink]

Awaz, don't ask. If she has never complained don't give her reason to start. 

[ultra]

Nah the stock seat is not working for us thats a fact. She hated sitting low, it's forward slope, material slippery, we need to switch that. I don't recall crosswinds and such on that particular day.As soon as I hit the highway the turbulence started so I was adjusting the screen on the go but didn't seem to make any difference. For me it worked , in its highest position it completely cut all wind. I'm 5.11 and for my height its spot on. We'll have to see how the FJR stacks up now , july 26th our testride. How hard is it in the US to schedule tesrides? I know that Kawi had their demo events but how about other manufacturers? Thanks everyone for chiming in.

[MGvaleri]

Ogni sella la si può modificare a piacere,è in gomma piuma ,facile da modellare con ruzzole a cartavetro,in campana raga...

MG valerio.




Each saddle can be changed at will, is in foam, easy to shape with a paper tumbles glass, bell ragas ...

MG Valerio.