Cpmparing a Concours to a V Star

[RiderRich]

I know this will sound weird. But has anyone on here ridden the newer V Star motorcycles. I'm wondering how they compare to the concours? Other than the obvious more protection and better handleing.
 When thinking about a Concours14, one of the gents on the Concours14 forum  recommended the FJR for my being less than 6'. He was correct. I felt a little nervous by how tall the Concours14 was. I then went to look at an FJR. I liked it a lot. I may still buy that motorcycle. I was then sidelined at a 1300 V Star tour bike. As luck would have it, I like it. But I wonder if I would get a comfortable feel riding the V twin feel coming from the four cylinder of the Concours? I have to admit that I was very comfortable on the motorcycle. I can touch the ground without trouble. It has bags and a good size shield. But no full fairing. I try not to travel in the cold and rain anyway. And I do not take many trips. So this could be a winner. They have a used motorcycle or 2 that i may be able to test out on. They may not be the same but I will find out.
 I'm certain that the concours would run away from it if I wound it up. But it should make up for that in torque. So anyone have anything good to say about the V Stars? I know that i probably asked the wrong crowd to answer this question. My Concours is getting older and i'm looking for a change. I do still love the concours. But its been around a fairly long time now. I have it sold to a friend if i do this.

[Pfloydgad]

C10 to a C14 = Med Apple to a Big Apple
C10 to a V-Star = Med Apple to a (Pic a fruit, other then an Apple)
If you want to change your riding style, go to a V-Star, any of them.
 But if you like the twities, a stretch of roads that push you and bikes limits, or do you like to putt around under the speed limit, and draggin pegs in corners?
Personal choice, but I'm  not tired of the aggresive cornering just yet.
JMHO, but you did ask.
Ride safe all.
Greg

[Uded2me]

d e a d

[gpzrocker]

I have had some fun on a Vstar, as much fun as on my Connie but in a very different way. And to me, honestly, twins are more fun to ride. A newer bike plus fuel injection, with a low seat height?

And to Greg, I know some very fast twin riders in these Appalachian mountains. Although they cannot hang 100%, I would say 80%, and they are always smiling at the end of the run. Usually sweating too, but smiling all the same.

[zsiska]

I own both a C-10 and a Vstar 1100.  I bought the Star from my father in law for a hell of a deal or I would not have bought it.  It took me a while to get used to the different riding style.  And I am still not used to it and getting ready to sell it after only about 4-5 months.  I can't stand my foot position on the Star (in front rather than tucked underneath).  Riding it for long periods of time is no where near as comfy as my C-10.  Then you have to think about tires.  Different kind of tires that offer different compounds and seeminly not as sticky and less sidewall.  I feel like it is going to slide out from underneath me around each sharp curve.  On the same curves on the C-10 I have worn down some pegs and it looks like I am laying the bike on it's side when going around.  I even tried to find a set of ST tires that would fit it to see if that made a difference.  Couldn't find any.

The Star has plenty of power down low, but once you hit about 70, it gets very sluggish as you try to accelerate.  Don't get me wrong, I love v-twins for their low end streetable power, but if you want to have fun up high or at higher speeds (not talking dangerously) or even want to pass on a highway, the twin sucks in my opinion. 

So for me, there is no question about which I would go for.  I tried the cruiser thing and it just isn't that great to me.  I am going to stick with my C-10 and V-Strom for a while until I get passed my cheap self and get a C-14 or FJR.     
 

[RiderRich]

Thank you for the answers gentlemen. It sounds like I might be better off to go ride one. The opinions differ greatly. So riding it will probably tell me if I would be comfortable riding one.

[Cybercraig]

Rich, I think the 1300 will be too small for you. If you want a big twin then get a BIG twin. The 1300 twin  Honda puts out a whopping 57hp. The Yamaha puts out 65. Look for something in the Mean Streak realm of 1500-1600cc. You'll be just as close to the ground but you'll have a lot more power. As far as the twisties it's all in the rider and how you set the bike up. We got smoked in Lolo Pass by a local kid on an 1100 Shadow Spirit and that includes Steve on his FJR. He passed all of us because he was 10mph faster in the turns and he wasn't loaded up for a cross country trip. I've ridden with just about every kind of bike and people are comfy with what they like and so am I.   

[Daytona_Mike]

The 1300 twin  Honda puts out a whopping 57hp.

I heard about the new Honda fuel injected 1300 is now pretty bad and they geared it down to get some pep back in it.
When the Coggers here in Florida  all  got together and did our Dyno runs I asked my friend to bring his stock Honda VTX 1300 (carbureted  but with open pipes) and his came in at 96hp and 98ft/lbs of torque, so they were no slouch of an engine.

[kzz1king]

Not sure about the latest Meanstreaks but the older models the only thing with a meanstreak in it was the name.

[stevewfl]

V-star will ride like a Hardly-ableson, not a sport-tourer

[RiderRich]

I understand there willl be differances between the motorcycles. But i figure that looking outside the sport tour family can't hurt. If I don't like it, there is still the FJR that I liked a lot. I wonder if they will allow a test ride on it? I will look at the Honda vtx and the meanstreak as well. The mean streak is also a kawasaki . Gents are using parts on the Concous, correct?

[Outback_Jon]

Gents are using parts on the Concous, correct?

Just the rear wheel, as far as I know.

[roadrunner322]

Have you considered the V4 Royal Star.  More power with no vibration.

[Cybercraig]

I heard about the new Honda fuel injected 1300 is now pretty bad and they geared it down to get some pep back in it.
When the Coggers here in Florida  all  got together and did our Dyno runs I asked my friend to bring his stock Honda VTX 1300 (carbureted  but with open pipes) and his came in at 96hp and 98ft/lbs of torque, so they were no slouch of an engine.

That would be a pretty incredible improvement for the stock VTX. I know a couple of guys that got rid of them because not enough "2-up" power.

[RiderRich]

I am going to try to ride a V Star this weekend. I may give the Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki a look also. I tend to like the smaller Star for the price. I would like to avoid paying a lot if I can. But since I was prepared to pay more for the Concours14 and now the FJR. That would not be out of the question. I see the smaller V Star as being a good alternative to the Concours C10, for the cost effective touring and around town ability. A good bike that comes with bags and wind protection is the name of the game for me.  I do understand that the V twin will not handle like the Concours. But if it rides and handels well at a good price. Then i can see the cruiser as a replacement. One that i didn't have in mind at first. If the cruiser doesn't do it for me. Then i will probably buy the FJR. I think it would not be out of the question to look at alternate motorcycles first to make sure. That's how I wound up looking a cruisers in the first place. But the truth be told. That's how i would be happy with my Concours for a while yet,  if need be. I just have an itch.

[soyjim]

Have you considered the V4 Royal Star.  More power with no vibration.

agree on this. that engine should really be something.

[RiderRich]

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I test rode a few cruiser motorcycles. I found them to be very nice rides. But they lacked the sport side which I have grown accustom to with my Concours. So I decided to hold off this year. I'll hold on to my trusty Concours for a while longer. I found that I might not be ready for such a change yet. Maybe next year. It is close to the new model year. Let's see what comes out then. Besides, the money in the bank does make it feel better.

[Lodogg2221]

Well, Ive been eying a Stratoliner...

Had a VTX1800F before the Concours.  Miss the MASSIVE torque.  It would have ourun the  C10 until close to top speed.
The big windscreen took some off the top...only about 120 max on the big X with it on, never tried with it off...hard to hang on!
Big and heavy, but oddly enough, would probably have kept the C10 in sight in the twisties, mostly due to power. 

I like the C10, but its not the keeper for me.  If I had a C14, Id probably sing a different tune.

Things I like about the C10:
Good power, comfortable until the revs get up there...below 70 and its fine.  Above there and it gets buzzy in a hurry.
Big bags.  Good wind/weather protection. 
I especially like that my hands stay mostly dry if Im moving in the rain. 

Things I dont like so much about the C10:
VERY limited tire choices if you like radials.
Buzzy at Interstate speeds. 
Heat.  Tons of it. 
Cant just pop the screen off and go for a nice ride in the breeze like you can with some cruisers.
You either have a big screen or a small one, but if its hot and you get caught in the rain with a small shield, for me at least, its not much fun...


Overall, its a fine bike, but so are cruisers.  You can do whatever you want to most of them.

My VTX left my lower extremities out in the weather, and it got pretty cold, but there are solutions to that if you have crash bars.  That doesnt happen on the Concours, but there also isnt much cooling air flowing around you in 90+ degree heat either...


Maybe I just need two bikes....

[Lodogg2221]

agree on this. that engine should really be something.

Thats not such a great bike...heavy as all get out and the engine cant quite overcome it.
Lots of guys say they are fine bikes, but the bigger V-twins handle better and are just as fast.
FWIW, I looked into getting one some time back, and thats what I came up with after lots of research and talking to guys who owned them. 
Basically good for long straight stretches...not much else.

[Gitbox]

I test rode some new Honda's a couple months ago at a dealer's open house. The VTX1300 was one of them. I also did not like the riding position or lack of power. I really thought it would have more grunt being 1300 cc's, but it felt underpowered to me. I liked the Wing and ST a lot better but they are way too pricey for me. I agree about the Concours' buzziness at highway speeds which is why I got the 7th gear mod. It helps a LOT. I have yet to test ride a C14 or FJR mostly because I don't want the temptation.