ZX-14, FJR1300 and new Concourse

[Phytrax]

Anyone have much experience with these bikes? Ok the concourse isn't out yet but I have a GSXR1000 right now and I want to replace it with something a little more comfortable and preferably with matching hard bags.

I've found out a lot of info on the ZX-14 and FJR1300 but I can't find much about the passenger comfort on the ZX-14. The FJR seems like it would be comfortable for the passenger. Problem is my wife hates the seating position on the GSXR1000 and I really don't like all the weight on my arms.

Corbin makes some amazing hard bags for the ZX-14 but they're $1599 and I don't know how much they will affect access to the passenger pegs. I'd like them to hold a helmet also, so I'm contacting Corbin about both of these issues.

The new FJR looks amazing but is a bit pricey and the 10.8 sec quarter mile is a hair slower than I'd like. More than that the handling seems to be somewhat lacking do to the additional weight and poor weight distribution. 40 mpg on the FJR sounds nice compared to 35mpg or so on the ZX-14 but that's not critical.

The new Concourse seems really nice but will be tuned down a little from the ZX-14. Very little info is available on the Concourse still, specifically horsepower, quarter mile time, and gas mileage.

If someone knows anything about passenger comfort on the ZX-14, the Corbin hard bags, or performace on the Concourse please let me know.

I've researched most other aspects of these bikes if anyone else needs info.

[jason70360]

I know a guy in Houma who runs a motorcycle shop and races drag bikes, Paul Miller. He has had many bikes in the past and now owns a FJR. He has had it for about 2 years and LOVES it. His wife says it is completely comfortable riding 2 up and that is with the stock rear seat. He put on a Sargent front seat and an electronic cruise control and XM radio but other then that it is stock. He is about 6'6" close to 300 pounds and hasn't one complaint.

If I didn't want to do some offroad I would buy ne in a heartbeat but I am looking at a 1200GS or V-Strom do hit some dirt.

[Phytrax]

The FJR sounds like what I want except for the handling. Still I may wind up on one. I gotta know how the ZX-14 does 2 up though. The pegs are clearly lower than a GSXR. I figure the only way I'm going to stay out of speeding tickes is to ride a rocket ship, 150 mph on the FJR is going to be just enough to land me in jail. I love my KLR650 for when I want to go offroad, but it's not as comfortable on the interstate as I had hoped.

[Save-the-Manatee]

I bought my 14 back in August. It is a awesome machine that I will never part with. They definitely designed her with long distance travel in the back of there minds. I wish I could help but i can't Even get the wife to sleep in the same bed with me must less get on the back of my bikes.

[Rocky]

She is still pissed about that striper Paraphernalia that she found on your face over the summer? Some people just need to let things go.


I bought my 14 back in August. It is a awesome machine that I will never part with. They definitely designed her with long distance travel in the back of there minds. I wish I could help but i can't Even get the wife to sleep in the same bed with me must less get on the back of my bikes.

[Phytrax]

Well I took the plunge and got the ZX-14.

First of all I have to say it seems a bit sluggish compared to the slightly tuned GSX-R1000 I've been riding. The low end power is just not there and responds a bit slower when it is there. Once you get the RPM's up this thing is a rocket though. It's not nearly as easy to wheelie as the 1000 but that is probably part of the reason it runs a 9.2 1/4 mile.

On the BIG PLUS side, the wife likes riding it much better than the KLR or the 1000. She has a lot more leg room and we both sit more upright. The Smoother power delivery makes her feel more secure on the back also. She also likes the softer suspension and quieter exhaust, which I don't mind either. I'm going to order the Heli steering riser and I think it will be wonder for long rides after that. Oh, I'm also going to have to get the Corbin beetle bags. $1599 is insane but the bags are gorgeous and I absolutely must have a bit of storage space on my bike.

Maybe it's just my perception but this thing feels glued to the road in moderate speed turns. Something just feels a lot more solid, maybe it's the softer suspension.

I thought I was going to lose it on a turn in Baton Rouge on Day 2 yesterday. I'm sure most of you know the nice curve on I-10 going west. It felt great until I slipped on a couple of the steel joints in the road causing me to wobble some. I don't know how close I really was to losing it, but it sure made my ass pucker up.

[Phytrax]

I took the ZX-14 to the track. First time I've ever run at a real track. I had a couple of decent runs, well decent for me with zero experience. I was able to run 10.68 but that was with a .85 sec reaction time so you can figure a 9.9 or so. I also never did get off the line with enough rpm, and once your rpm's drop on the ZX-14 the hp drops off severely. I did manage 135 mph in the 1/4 mile and 108 mph in the 1/8 mile. I'm not comfortable enough to launch at full throttle like the Busa guys supposedly do.

My point is that even though I thought the bike felt really sluggish, it can seriously run if driven properly.