Touring bikes? (FJR, Sprint GT, Connie)

[mlarivie]

I'm looking to trade up from my Warrior and want something a little more fun. I've been on and off an 06 FJR for a couple months- bone stock with a ZStream and am blown away by the sportbike power, handling and comfort of a K-series. It's a little heavy so I thought the Sprint GT would be a better choice. Anyone ridden all three, or more importantly the Sprint? Sprint's got an impressive 47 mpg. Looks like there's a new ST in the UK with that mint under tail exhaust, but not released in the US yet. My warrior throws 120hp/130tq to the ground I need something faster and quieter! It did just kick some serious ass at the Dragon

[NobodySpecific]

I'm looking to trade up from my Warrior and want something a little more fun. I've been on and off an 06 FJR for a couple months- bone stock with a ZStream and am blown away by the sportbike power, handling and comfort of a K-series. It's a little heavy so I thought the Sprint GT would be a better choice. Anyone ridden all three, or more importantly the Sprint? Sprint's got an impressive 47 mpg. Looks like there's a new ST in the UK with that mint under tail exhaust, but not released in the US yet. My warrior throws 120hp/130tq to the ground I need something faster and quieter! It did just kick some serious ass at the Dragon

I have an '06 Sprint ST, so there are some differences with the GT, but it is close. I absolutely LOVE the engine. If you need more torque, dropping a tooth in the front makes a big difference, but I went back to stock and it is still really fast.

Ergos are decent, though mine has the original clip-ons, whereas the 07+ Sprints got 3" taller clip-ons, which should make a big difference. My legs were a little cramped, but I put on MFW Vario footpegs and it made a huge difference. I don't have the stock seat, but I can tell you the Corbin sucks. The bike isn't a lightweight, but I don't have any issue with it, and I had gotten used to my SV so it was a big change. I think the factory hard bags have been improved for the GT, but the factory ones for the older ST suck (in that they are clamshell and don't hold enough). The ABS is very good, and I highly recommend it. If I'm good I can get 45+ MPG, but for commuting around town it goes as low as 30. But I don't get over 40 mph and there is a lot of heavy handed acceleration, so you control your own destiny there.

Cons: For me the biggest con is the heat, though I believe the GT should be better. Also, the headlights on the ST are not good in the corners, but I know the GT addressed that. This one is weird, but my mirror stems are loose and there is no way for me to tighten them (they have a mechanism inside that allows the whole mirror assembly to rotate out of the way, and this mechanism seems to be lose). Not a huge deal, but I get some vibration in the mirrors.

[Garandman]

If you are a larger rider, have you seen the newish Suzuki GSX1250FA? It's basically a Bandit 1250 with ABS and GSX-R style bodywork.

[Rada]

I can't say much about the others but I can say that the FJR is capable and fast. But if yo have ridden one then you know that already. You mention fuel milage. Generally tooling around town (Rural town) I get about 40. On my recent run to Maine I was able to get a touch over 50 on back roads. I managed to put 250 miles on a single tank.
Things love
Powah, handling, weather protection., storage, powah, adjustable windshield, comfort, and of course the powah. Oh and the brakes are pretty bad ass too.

Things that could be better.
Mirrors could stick out a touch more
Seat could be electrically height adjustable instead of manual
It could stand to lose 50-100 pounds but so could I
Cruise control
Drive line lash could be a little better


There is a bunch more to like but I won't go on.

I think any of the big pigs are great bikes no matter the brand.

Oh and it does pretty decent on the track too.

[mlarivie]

Damn that 1250 looks nice! It's a 6 speed too

I like the heat management on the FJR so you dont really have to layer up pants in the cold. The lash does suck like an always loose chain, but I flushed and filled the vmax gear oil and that made a night and day difference. I was to the point I learned to trail brake to buffer the lash in switchbacks.


How about long term maintenance? I know the FJR just needs a TB sync quite often and shims every 12-16k I hear that 1050 triple is bulletproof and never needs a damn thing?

[Falko]

I'll second pretty much everything that Rada said about the FJR. It is a bit heavy, but not overly hindered by it.
As far as comfort, for upright seating the connie is probably the best, then the FJR, then the GT.

[mlarivie]

The connie being the hardest to turn and heaviest to hold up? FJR in the middle and GT lightest/sportiest?

[Rada]

Iirc the valve interval on the FJR is 26000.

[mlarivie]

Iirc the valve interval on the FJR is 26000.

I heard some were plagued by early TB syncing issues every 6-10k?

[Falko]

The connie being the hardest to turn and heaviest to hold up? FJR in the middle and GT lightest/sportiest?

If you don't need to be really comfy, I'd go for the Sprint. Personally, I picked up an FJR for commuting and long rides. If I want to thrash the back roads, I have a different tool for that.

[bryco13]

What were you looking to get for the Warrior?

[NobodySpecific]

The valves in the Sprint are every 12k, but I checked at ~16k and all were in spec, with most being towards the loose side. I bought a $10 ODBII cable off of ebay and used TuneECU to flash an updated map, change the thermostat temperature, check and if needed sync the throttle bodies, check for any codes, change the idle, etc, all for free using my laptop. It hasn't needed anything except for a brake flush, new pads (I bought it used and did it as a precaution), and oil. I have a lot of confidence in this motor. It also feels like it is on rails. I have more confidence on this bike than I did on my SV, though I know the track would be a different story.

And I just did a 4,400 mile trip on it using the factory hard bags and a Givi topcase, and it handled the job really well.

[AimlessMoto]

Try this:



You can pick up a decent used one for under 7k and still have cash for the hard-bags and handle-bar conversion.

[tonyd]

My brother is selling his Connie14, 2009, with bar risers, corbin, hard bags, under 10k miles, new tires... he was asking $8500 but I think he has come down since. PM me if you want his number.

[gregp]

A recent magazine article compared the Bandit 1250 to the new Ninja 1000. The Ninja had the better overall performance, but the Bandit had the comfort and low-mid range power covered. Being an older guy, I immediately lean towards the Bandit...

[gadget]

Have you tried a Triumph Tiger 1050, yet?

[toocrazy2yoo]

I'm looking to trade up from my Warrior and want something a little more fun. I've been on and off an 06 FJR for a couple months- bone stock with a ZStream and am blown away by the sportbike power, handling and comfort of a K-series. It's a little heavy so I thought the Sprint GT would be a better choice. Anyone ridden all three, or more importantly the Sprint? Sprint's got an impressive 47 mpg. Looks like there's a new ST in the UK with that mint under tail exhaust, but not released in the US yet. My warrior throws 120hp/130tq to the ground I need something faster and quieter! It did just kick some serious ass at the Dragon

Hey! I have a 2009 Concours14 ABS in black for 7500.00 Hell, buy it before I have to re-up my insurance for the year, give it away for 7250.00! Comes with four more years of Kawasaki bumper-to-bumper protection plan and only has around 5,000 miles on it, garage kept winter times, never wrecked, never wheelied, never raced. Got the Givi trunk, radiator guard, Strebble extra-loud horns, upgraded headlamps, etc.and some other stuff, too, huge cover, charger and built in harness, service manual. I just ain't been riding much since I moved up from Washington in 2009, it's a terrible waste of a LOT of bike..

[nhbubba]

Any reason the Honda ST1300 isn't on your hit list? I really like them, can't even say why. Maybe its my strange cop-bike fetish.

Were some decent deals on used ones out there recently.

So Suzuki is actually marketing this thing this way these days (with the hard bags and all)? That's awesome. When I bought my 2nd gen finding hard bags was practically impossible. It was basically a pseudo sport-bike on the cheap. My how things have changed.

[mlarivie]

Well I just got back from a Sprint GT test ride. Power was mild but definitely enough, though I like the train-like torque from the FJR much better, but would trade it for a 6th gear. Too up right and sport-bike like for me. Looking to duck the wind and that bike throws you in it. Does the Concours have a similar shaft drive lash like the FJR? I'm interested in buying it, but I gotta test drive one first. After riding the Sprint, it reminded me how I should have bought the 1150RT I test rode last summer!

[mlarivie]

What is the difference between this and a B-King? I hear lots of tourers saying good things about them.

If you are a larger rider, have you seen the newish Suzuki GSX1250FA? It's basically a Bandit 1250 with ABS and GSX-R style bodywork.

[Tunertype]

I tried the 2011 Conours 14 at kawasaki ticket to ride. It was pretty nice. Easy to handle for a 700lb bike. The power adjustable windshield is nice.. with it all the way up it's like being in a car with the sunroof open, with it down it's like a motorcycle. Loads of power(160hp 0-60 2.5 seconds).

[Garandman]

What is the difference between this and a B-King? I hear lots of tourers saying good things about them.

B-King is a naked bike with the Hayabusa motor.

The naked version of the GSX1250FA is still called a Bandit, and bargain priced - $9,799 with ABS. They're not as quick as a 'busa but can march - 0-60 in 2.9, 1/4 mile in 10+ seconds at around 135mph.

It really depends if you want shaft drive or not. For some it's a requirement, for others, a no-go. Suzuki aims for sporty and low MSRP so they are all chain drive. Some of ther cruisers are shaft drive. Not sure why they don't produce a full bells-and-whistles sports tourer. My preference is simplicity and lighter weight.

[dankatz]

Well I just got back from a Sprint GT test ride. Power was mild but definitely enough, though I like the train-like torque from the FJR much better, but would trade it for a 6th gear. Too up right and sport-bike like for me. Looking to duck the wind and that bike throws you in it. Does the Concours have a similar shaft drive lash like the FJR? I'm interested in buying it, but I gotta test drive one first. After riding the Sprint, it reminded me how I should have bought the 1150RT I test rode last summer!

The Concours received terrific reviews. It is a physically bigger bike than the FJR. Can't comment on the shaft drive lash as I have never ridden one. They are very popular in Europe. I would also consider a K1300GT if you are looking at those bikes, a slightly used one may be reasonably priced since they are less popular than the RT1200