My new ride

[Bigfoot]

At low RPM it does engage the clutch. I don't see why you couldn't drag the brake just fine. As you start giving it throttle it starts slipping the clutch, just as you would be. My only complaint is it can be just a bit jumpy on and off throttle. This can make low speed around a parking lot interesting. It can't quite feather the clutch like you can. It's not bad, it just takes a little getting used to. Other that that, I love the electric clutch so far.

It has a little paddle shifter by the horn on the left handle. With the flick of a finger, you can switch gears. Somewhat quicker than if you had the standard clutch handle and using your foot. It still has the foot shifter as well if you are so inclined.

Oh, one of the biggest things to get used to. The shift pattern is N-1-2-3-4-5. So neutral is all the way at the bottom. Different when you are used to 1 down - 4 up. But...... no more hitting neutral instead of second (or that damn false neutral between 4-5) when trying to race. That was downright embarrassing at times.

Ian MacDonald and I had a go a couple times between our 79's and i think both of us hit neutral a few times. Was almost comical .... but a whole lot of fun.

[IanDMacDonald]

I look forward to it Ian. Do we need another trip north or you gonna make one of the other rallys this year? Bring it to XSSE or the Colorado rally.

I'm not sure about any rallies yet. I thought about the XS East rally, as-well as the SouthEast rally, but it may not look good this year. I will soon be tearing the XS down to fix a base gasket leak, new rings, and steering head bearings and new tires. So, that may not be on the road any time soon.

[Bigfoot]

Bring that Daytona.

[MindWebs]

Sweet!!

Very nice ride Harry!

I've been drooling on a 2003 myself.
(Standard tranny)

They are some nice looking machines, with great performance to boot.

But... These guys have a valid point, they lack caricture and that old school class.

Well... That is till I get my hands on one and "mad Max" it.

You know me, it ain't broke till I fix it.

[Brent]

Shiney!

2008 FJR1300AE

Congratulations Harry.
Hope all is well with you & yours.
Ride when you can.

[Bigfoot]

Very nice ride Harry!

I've been drooling on a 2003 myself.
(Standard tranny)

They are some nice looking machines, with great performance to boot.

But... These guys have a valid point, they lack caricture and that old school class.

Well... That is till I get my hands on one and "mad Max" it.

You know me, it ain't broke till I fix it.

LOL, thanks. You are right, a few times I have sort of missed the character and quirks of riding a 38 year old bike ..... then i twist the throttle and this rocket takes off. My 79 was pretty quick for an XS but this is a completely different class. The improved handling and brakes make for a whole new experience as well. I can't wait to get this somewhere that has a few twisty roads. After owning this for 2 months and putting about 3000 miles on it around town, I can honestly say I am still completely impressed.

[Bigfoot]

Congratulations Harry.
Hope all is well with you & yours.
Ride when you can.

Thanks Brent, I hope all is well with you also. I look forward to riding with you again. I am assuming XSSE?

[Bonz]

I have been fortunate enough to ride each of the Sport Tourers from the "Big 3". Suzuki not-with-standing because they don't have one.

The ST 1300 is the one I would characterize as lacking character. I did own one for about a year. Someone in a magazine described it best... Sounds like a cross between an outboard motor from hades when wide open on the throttle, and George Jetson's space car putt-putting along at anything but wide-open throttle. You have to ride one and will know precisely what I mean. Absolutely a stellar and competent bike for its designed purpose, but not much personality.

The FJR1300 felt smallish/tighter in riding position compared to the ST 1300 and C14 Concours. But as would be expected from 125-130 rear wheel horsepower and 90 foot pounds of torque, it was like strapping a JATO rocket it to your butt. It even has the mighty C14 covered below 3500 RPM or so.

The C14 is the one that appealed to me most. The 2010 model I rode didn't have "much" below 3,000 rpm, from what I understand in a stock bike that is due to the variable valve timing and secondary butterflies. Over 3000-3500 rpm it was as stronger than any of them and I really like the 6th gear that was a real overdrive. Yamaha has since added a 6th gear in the last year or two, and Honda doesn't offer the ST1300 anymore.

However what all of them offer over our older bikes is fantastic response and smoothness of fuel injection.

In any case, I will happily trade a ride of the ZRX at the rally for a twist of the throttle on an FJR or C14! Harry, Ray you guys listening?

[BA80]

Power is nice but comfort rules and both are what the out dated XS offers. Hardleys are underpowered recliners and Goldwings have both but both of those are wayyyy too expensive for someone who just wants to enjoy an inexpensive hobby. Not to mention maintenance costs.

As for the FJR, I know it's powerful and handles great but along with the drawbacks I've already mentioned there is that monkey having intercourse with a football riding position. It would kill me on LD rides to be humped over like that and looking up with my head tilted back all the time would/does kill my neck.

Just sayin'.

[Bonz]

Ok, forgive the tangents in advance... For the big Sport Tourers, there are a plethora of aftermarket accessories to turn the riding position into an upright and comfortable experience. My ST1300 had a peg lowering kit and a seat riser kit from MCL (MotorCycle Larry) that had me upright and comfortable even at my height. Larry passed away 5 years ago however I believe his kids keep it going strong.

For sure, the used bike market is what keeps this hobby affordable, at least for me. I have finished "re-habbing" a 1982 Vision 550. Picked it up for $375 this winter and for a set of tires and a few other parts, should be able to turn it around now and make a few bucks. (Hey Joe how did you score that Venturer for $400?!?!) Bikes are relatively easy to get back to running shape if you know what to look for when buying the bikes. Then the fun and satisfaction of the time spent is easy to do by making something run reliably again.

For grins, did a $$ comparison from 1980 when the 1980 XS1100SG cost $3,879. The equivalent $$ today would be $12,210. If that comparison is accurate I could find a heckuva nice 2-3 year old bike, that even could be covered by an extended warranty.

The reality is maintenance is just that, maintenance. No carbs to deal with, most inspection/maintenance intervals are three or four times longer than when the XS was new. FJR valve inspection interval is 26,600 miles! Oil change interval is 6,000 miles. Kawasaki C14 oil change interval is 7,500 miles. Granted, shift quality may be done for, however oil analysis absolutely shows no increase in relative wear amounts with oil that has sheared down a grade or even two in these bikes when the oil is changed as recommended.

The XS1100 is a different beast with the old school air cooled lump. However, if 2,500 miles is recommended by Yamaha for the XS and we follow it, then longer intervals as specified by Yamaha or other manufacturers with a newer bike can't be frowned upon.

[Bigfoot]

Power is nice but comfort rules and both are what the out dated XS offers. Hardleys are underpowered recliners and Goldwings have both but both of those are wayyyy too expensive for someone who just wants to enjoy an inexpensive hobby. Not to mention maintenance costs.

As for the FJR, I know it's powerful and handles great but along with the drawbacks I've already mentioned there is that monkey having intercourse with a football riding position. It would kill me on LD rides to be humped over like that and looking up with my head tilted back all the time would/does kill my neck.

Just sayin'.

Actually Greg, i have to completely disagree about the comfort of the riding position. It shocked me how comfortable it actually was.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Howard,
In stock form, 2 deficiencies of the C14- (1)- the 50 series rear tire hurts it's handling. The 55 series solves it... world of difference.
(2) Flashing the ecu solves the sub-3000rpm lull.
This EVO flash Steve Sefsick did for me turns it into a linear rocket from idle to redline.
Smooooottthhh, too. Kawasaki really left a lot of tuning on the table.

Greg,
You mentioned the riding position.
While I will say you have your 11's riding position setup "cruiser style", stock form sport tourers are different, and more of a tuck position.
Great for handling twisties, but I found it to cause me too much pressure on my wrists and forearms.
Changed seats, and handlebar positions, added some forward pegs... Best of both worlds, allows more of a straight up position, takes the weight off my arms...
Add in cruise control, heated grips, electrically adjustable windscreen, abs, traction control, fuel injection (50 mpg...) w/ a 6 gallon tank... Oh...and 150 RWHP +100 ft. lbs. torque, quick release large hardbags... it makes for a nice trip.
As long as your 11 gets you there and back dependably, and you like it...that's all that matters.

Now... believe it or not, I do know a few guys who own ZX14R's, added hardbags, and tour across the country on 'em like we do! I have no idea how they stand it, but they do. Looks like torture on the back and arms to me, but they don't complain. I guess, to each their own.

I only know, the first trip I took out to Zion when mine was brand new and in stock form wasn't all that comfortable. But it is now!
Bob

[XJOK2PLAY]

Actually Greg, i have to completely disagree about the comfort of the riding position. It shocked me how comfortable it actually was.

Harry,
Is your seat stock or aftermarket?

My stock seat was pretty soft. It was ok for a couple hours, then the hurt would set in. Good seat changed all that. Now I can ride all day.

[Bonz]

Bob, now the ECU flash and the guy's name that does it has "clicked" for me. I had a good conversation with Steve a few weeks back when I was looking at his website for C10 stuff. Always thought that would be a great poor-mans Sport Tourer with all the mods available and good to really good bikes out there for $2000-$3000.

He offers "torque" cams for the C10 and I was inquiring how he did that and if he could/would be able to copy ZZR1200 cams for use in the ZRX1200. Turns out he just turns down the stock C10 cams for a "gruntier" profile (actually another company does the grinding for him) so he can keep the cost down to $335 a pair vs welding up the lobes and grinding them down to the new profile. No dice for the ZZR cam idea since he would need to have cores welded up then grind them down. He responded to my email in mere minutes and was really nice.

[jetmechmarty]

http://cycle-ergo.com/

Put yourself on it and see how it fits. FJR and XS1100 share the same miserable knee bend for me.