2009 Sport Touring Motorcycle Comparison Review

[clydetown1]

aye cunt wheres the pan yiu dumpling 

[Daniel1205Boyd]

Nice infromative clip.

the narrator was naff! I'll be watching that again before bed.

[gillywibble]

The ST is supremely comfortable once you get used to it.

[PatrioteduQuebec77]

I'm planning buying either a Yamaha fjr, a kawazaki concours or a honda st1300. Anybody knows if those models have major mechanical problems and also I do long distance ryde,so witch one is the most confortable ?

[AshtonPhoto]

@PatrioteduQuebec77

All are rated very highly but the best for reliability is the ST.

Comfort? That is quite subjective, but the Honda is likely the best too, and it has a range of about 300 miles.

Pity they left it out of this test.

[photoimely]

I like the lightness of the r1150 but I don't have any problems with the Concours in the twisties either, I live in FL but get up the Deals Gap 2 or 3 times in a year, I had a Ducati Hypermotard 1100 too but can't keep 2 bikes, so far the C14 is the keeper especially with 2 up.

[505197]

Nice bikes, and I'd like to own any of them, save maybe the Triumph. But are any of them the kind of bike you see yourself falling in love with and riding for 20 years? And after riding that same bike for 20 years and having put well over 100K on it, would still prefer to ride it then a damn near new BMW sittin and never being ridden? In my opinion the best damn bike ever built, was the air head BMW GS. I'm lucky enough to own one of the few and brother, it's a hell of a bike.

[payless4yourmusic]

If you are going to REVIEW a motorcycle, perhaps you should learn to actual PRONOUNCE the name of the bike correctly? D'oh!

The Concours 14 is pronounced "Con-Core", NOT "con-corse". Idiot.

[MadSmokerBBQ]

who gave the reader a sleeping pill?

[guinnestic]

the Pan is NOT a sports tourer...nor is the bmw R1200 rt ..there touring bikes.. not sports tourers.. hope this helps :)

[guinnestic]

the Pan is NOT a sports tourer...nor is the bmw R1200 rt ..there touring bikes.. not sports toureres.. hope this helps :)

[AshtonPhoto]

@guinnestic

Better tell Honda, they have the ST1300 listed on their site under Sports Touring.

[naim8988]

where is honda st1300?? 

[soudronic300]

@naim8988 honda ya no existe man ya se quedo en el tiempo ya nadie piensa en honda

[TechMaven]

Yamaha is the best.

[hatenewbz]

@TechMaven Yamahas are great. But since my friend got a bmw f650gs... FUCK. I nearly hate my ta.

[ironmaidenguitar]

I quite like the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 :)

[lucabrasi1337]

I agree, the FJR is the best.

[40318003]

Hey ace go fuck yourself I built my Connie to tear up any one of those shitboxes. Even stock it was faster

[photoimely]

I sold my BMW R1150R and got a 2008 Concours. This is my 6th bike and nothing compares to it so far. I test driven other ST bikes but I'm sticking to the Concours C14. Highway, City traffic or Twisties, it's All pleasure ride. My passanger enjoys so far this bike the most. Last year I did the Skyline Drive, BR Parkway , the Tail of the Dragon and back, 350 miles of twisties per day without complains, just FUN. Awesome handling !!!

[R1150RBMWRider]

@photoimely Hey saw you switched to the concours from the r1150. I can't deny you now have more touring comfort but you have sacrificed so much in the twisties. Or maybe your not peg sraping agressive and the added comfort was worth it. I've tried all the power winshield sport toureres but they are so big and heavy I can't yet bring myself to give up the ability of the boxer in the tight stuff. Do you miss the r1150r sometimes?

[40318003]

I have an 09 concours this is bullshit. The Connie is a powerhouse.

[AceLockCo]

@40318003 - Your listening skills are bullshit. They basically said the Concours has arm ripping power, but is not as powerful as the BMW.

[SuperSonicPsykic]

I love the way these bikes look but i dont go on road trips. Are these bikes good for a urban area or the city rather than just the country?

[MrScienceandReason]

I would have liked to know at what point in the rev range max. torque was achieved (since they were dynoed). Also the warranties, how much a service is; do any have a centerstand (for ease of roadside tire repairs), and what the lighting on each is like at night. Also I would like to know what the cost is likely to be with a fall onto the road re- repairs estimate. Otherwise this was not too bad a review.

[dockjekyll]

Im on my second FJR (2007) and absolutely love it. However, it may be in trouble with the new 2011 BMW 1600GTL. That is one beautiful bike!!

[riderpoet]

The ST1300 is a very nice motorcycle. I'm not dissing it. But to be included in this group, it would have to lose 100 lbs and gain 30 hp.

[Linebreaker0312]

I have owned both the FJR and the BMW. The BMW comes out top for me. The power, the handling (especially at low speed), the comfort, the gadgets. I was going to renew my FJR cos I really loved it - and there aint nothing wrong with it but the price of new shot up 2 grand in a year and was the same basic model I already had! I got the new Beemer full spec for same price! So glad I did! The Kawa has a cramped pillion compared to the other 2 so if you carry its worth testing it out.

[sitikyoko]

nice, I owned a well kept 1985 Honda CBX 750P. Runs great and handles well. It is always a nice feeling to drive a bike that is old as you. Seems like you were born together.

[awaketoliberty]

I agree with you guys that wonder why the Honda ST1300 wasnt included in this shootout..it should have been. It would also have been cool if the Moto Guzzi Norge 1200 was included. Though its a v-twin compared to these parallel cylinder bikes, it most likely would stack up well against them.

I have a 2001 Suzuki 1200 Bandit and enjoy it, but am seriously considering a newer and bigger sport tourer.

[Reclaim68]

Good report.I'm currently a Sprint ST owner thinking of changing and the Yamaha FJR is top of my list right now.I was considering the Kawak but like it says the tank range ain't great and the BMW is way outside my price range.Looks like it might be the Yam..

[viggoM35]

Will the narrator please drink some coffee. Geez, some of these guys put me to sleep.

[proudpapa2004]

The Kawasaki Concours is pronounced "Kon-Cour" (without the "s" and the "e" is silent. Get your s**t together, boys. You look like absolute wankers when you goof like this. It is (or should be) your BUSINESS to know these things...

[jibiuro]

@proudpapa2004 They are just wannabe test riders. This whole review was so subjective. Biggest disappointment is handling for C14? What are you smoking? Take a look the apex they use on turns. Sloppy cornering and false observations.

[killertctma]

what about a honda VFR 800?

[philthyco]

the bmw is ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RTiger18]

Forget motorcycle usa. I saw a video where this guy was tossing the c14 around like it was 1000cc machine. Put somebody with real skills on the bikes.

They should do a drag race with them also. I bet the BMW wouldn't win.

[texascycle]

Concours sluggish handling??? They must have had something wrong with their bike. I have ridden plenty of sport bikes on Hwy 1 ... this bike handles very nimble and very precise. It feels like a feather underway ... I have no idea what he is talking about.

[benoitcaron]

@texascycle

Compared to the ST1050, it is sluggish. But in an of itself, it is not. Like you say, it handles well, just not as crisp (not even close) as the ST 1050. But then again, the ST 1050 feels like a tank vs. my gixxer. Doesn't mean the ST 1050 handles poorly. These tests are highly subjective.

[RusWolff]

I wish 2009 VFR800 would be in that review as well..

[MrJrMcLovin]

Yamaha FJR 4 the W1n !!!

[novaphoenix70]

The BMW won. Color me surprised. For $21k it should have been perfect. But alas, it is not. Have fun finding a dealer when the final drive flies apart in bumfuck, Idaho or the EWS ring prevents it from starting. Meanwhile, the FJR will motor on trouble free and with a minimum of fuss.

[belladellahotdog]

i love my concours 14

[eddieochocinco]

i luv to buy one of these great looking sport touring motorcycles. unfortunately i can't reach the ground i am only about 5'4" tall person. i wish one of these motorcycle makers, redesign their driver seat so that it can accomodate short legged riders. i wish they design a ADJUSTABLE or REMOVEABLE PADDED seat, so d padded seat will have 2 measurements from (25" to 32") in hght. otherwise these companies sales will only be limited to Medium to Tall riders buyers. useless to short legged ppl :.(

[weaponsgradedelirium]

check out the honda st1300... should be a good match... it has a very adjustable seat.

[poloxtn]

@eddieochocinco I am 5'10" and I can't reach the ground either or I buy one today. They have a lowering kit that drops it 1" but experts would tell you not to mess with the bike's suspension. Also from what I have read the handling is great and the 2010 model is just gorgeous with a very rich blue color. I have never seen so much hi-tech on a bike.

[SR71BBFLYER]

@eddieochocinco Hey don't be disheartened...I'am only two inches taller than you and I've ridden the Connie 14 with no prob. And believe it or not I knew a woman once about your height that rode a 1500cc wing.(she was a MSF instructor) Just put one foot down at the stops instead of two. And once your're rolling, it doesn't matter.

[ggblueam]

@eddieochocinco I'm 5'6", but I can't find a sport-touring bike that can be adjusted more than 2" for my height, except the BMW RT 1200. However, in my area those BMWs start at $18K. Guess I'll have to stick with my Honda Shadow cruiser until the MC companies cater to short-medium height men & women.

[TMH23]

@ggblueam

Check out a CBR1100xx Blackbird. I'm 5'7", 190lbs- it feels like the bike was custom built for riders my size.

[ggblueam]

@TMH23 Okay, I'll check it out. Thank you very much!

[viggoM35]

@ggblueam They do make aftermarket seats for shorter riders. ;)

[mabutoo]

Guess, Honda did not make the cut.

[atahandemir]

c14 disappoints on handling? whoever says that i doubt his/her steering.. what a bullshit! ?

totally biased comparison..

[Nickthepunk22]

Kawi Ninjas are the shit...

[morpheus1976]

And still.....The one that will replace my ZX12R in time will be the concours.

[clevername333]

KTM 990 SMT! :-p

[ElitePower]

Agreed, KTM 990 SMT... FTW

[aarikc17]

21k!!!!!! Damn. Not worth that much esp. with Kaws new contours this year

[BigJoeRup]

What do ya know... the BMW wins!!!

[SOAMC33]

Its all about the riding, the life on the road and the fun. Ladies are just a luxury. And yes, they love bikes!

[daedalx]

Of all the rich-boy toys these are the most boring. All these features yet none of the fun of lesser bikes.

[madhatter5353]

Well said daedalx. Nuff said.

[ShamanWS6]

I loved my Sprint. It was truly fast and truly usable.

[jeff2all]

Buy nice or end up buying twice!

FJR or used BMW for me

[JimNtexas]

Very helpful, I'm in the last stages of picking one of these bikes!

[lynette1953]

i dont understand these types of bikes.

its like a fat lady with a pair of running shoes on !!!!!

[fotokitdirect]

You'll understand after 100 miles on a Fireblade or similar!

[lynette1953]

lol, yeah but im 24 and i have to look cool all the time:)

guess i got somethin' to prove:)

looks like a good bike for an older dude though.

[fotokitdirect]

Possibly! I'm 37 and love my Fireblade but because I occasionally want to travel longer distances and at the same time keep my backside looking good for the ladies I use the Triumph Tiger 1050.

[StonedLaughter]

You guys ride for the looks of the ladies? That's pretty sad dude, I ride because i love bikes, And what girl perves on a guy in leather and wearing a helmet anyway? hahaha. I've srsly never picked up just because i ride, :(

[fotokitdirect]

You misunderstand StonedLaughter. I didn't say I ride to show off to the ladies! I said I just want to keep my ass looking good because if it was on my race bike all day long it would be destroyed, hence the Tiger 1050.

[atahandemir]

you will never understand.. unfortunately..

[lynette1953]

go away achmed

[atahandemir]

wannabe sawyer trash... wrong call though..

next time you infant brain

[atahandemir]

don't shoot me dick head..please

[lynette1953]

?.........

[wreckerpecker]

I want to see a report on the new VFR1200.

If you can, compare it to the older model VFR's

[buzzender]

my uncle owns a 09 fjr 1300, damn that thing is fast but is so comfortable!