So I rode friends concourse 1400 this weekend

[Vsekvsek]

The way he was describing it the bike was a god bike. Yes. It was smooth, powerful, ergos and brakes where nicer. But frankly I was happy to get back on the fj. The fj has all the same power and honestly handling wasn't that much better(in my opinion anyway). Just a tad nicer. Its mainly ergos and brakes I noticed(which i just bought spacers in hopes to fix ergos a little) and I like the amount I pay monthly on it. Zero.

So yes concourse was a step up but he's got hefty payments and he's always wining about being broke. For the price the fj just cant be beat.

[aviationfred]

I agree with you 100%. Zero payments with full Kookaloo time. 

You friend whines about being broke. Wait until he has to register it next year. If your state is anything like Kansas, it will be a couple of hundred dollars. I registered mine this year for $12.00 and insurance is $109.00 for a year. 

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Bang for the buck or kookaloo vs. monthly payments, it's hard to beat the mighty FJ...

[Goetz]

thanks. I needed a reminder that payments are rarely worth it. I love my FJ. ANd not having a payment. ANd 14$ a month insurance.

[Travis398]

Just a tad nicer. Its mainly ergos and brakes I noticed(which i just bought spacers in hopes to fix ergos a little)

Are you running stock brakes now?

[pdxfj]

I rode ZX-14 a number of years ago and it was quite a nice bike.  Scary quiet and smooth.  Didn't even realize I was going over 100mph until I glanced down and looked at the speedo.  The one thing I do remember about not liking it was how the faring directed the engine heat onto my shins and feet.  Other than that I found it to be a bit more comfy than a Hayabusa.

If I were to get another bike, it would be something lighter and smaller/narrower than the FJ.

[Vsekvsek]

Just a tad nicer. Its mainly ergos and brakes I noticed(which i just bought spacers in hopes to fix ergos a little)

Are you running stock brakes now?

Yes. Other options(i am fairly new owner)?

[Vsekvsek]

I agree with you 100%. Zero payments with full Kookaloo time. 

You friend whines about being broke. Wait until he has to register it next year. If your state is anything like Kansas, it will be a couple of hundred dollars. I registered mine this year for $12.00 and insurance is $109.00 for a year. 

Fred

Hes keeping it registered in his home state of Oaklahoma for that reason. He told me almost 1k to register it here one all fees are added up

[RichBaker]

I like the new FZ9....  I'll be looking for a good used one in a few months.   

[VaughanCustoms]

I don't like shaft drive and that bike is like a little over 650 pounds which isn't to appealing to me to be honest the FJ seems like a perfect ballance between cruise and sport because its got good power and doesn't weigh way to much.

[HARTLESS]

So is it sad that I am technically making payments on my 92?? took a small personal loan to buy it....im pathetic......

[Mike Ramos]

Hello everyone,

Re: the Concourse - no doubt it is a good motorcycle. However it is unlikely it could compete with an FJ during spirited riding (certainly not with the various upgrades, wheels with modern tires & brakes). Principally because of suspension components as developed by the gentleman from RPM exclusively for the FJ's the FJ is certainly able to compete with the Concourse in over the road ride comfort.

Last week I e-mailed Randy inquiring if he had time to go over my FJ prior to my leaving for the Mini Rally in Colorado.  So Thursday morning I will stop by the palatial RPM facilities on my way to Gunnision.

Since the introduction of the new rear shock from RPM I no longer convey my impressions of its' excellent performance to Randy.  However, on my way to the Bay Area last week I had the following experience.  I did include it in my e-mail to Randy, which is noted below.

The point is that the Concourse could not perform as did the Ducati & CBR in the following episode and the Ducati & CBR cannot do what the Concourse can as far as over the road performance (rider accommodation & comfortable ride quality). They are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

HOWEVER, the FJ is able to coalesce both ends of the performance spectrum as few, if any, other motorcycles can.  And principally because of the MODERN suspension that allows the full exploitation of the other upgrades mentioned previously. 

Many thanks to RPM and gentleman who's conception of what a modern motorcycle should be - which is (agreeing with Conlon?! Sure do) "the Mighty FJ''

Now, keep in mind that the notation below is a mere sprint, and perhaps it involved fortunate timing and less strategy, but the FJ was lightly loaded with saddle bags with the same suspension settings that are unchanged from the WCR.   


"After the scales on Hwy 80 I entered Hwy  680. Traffic was heavy but moving at the speed limit.  Two headlights appeared in my mirrors and as they went by just a bit faster (changing lanes but not crazily) it turned out to be a gal on a CBR (size unknown) in custom one piece leathers with cursive writing down the thigh.  The fellow was on a Ducati with custom one piece leathers with 'Ducati' across the back  and a speed hump as well. 

I followed several car lengths behind them.  In my opinion they  were just to close (although not tailgating) to the cars in front of them.  Anyway, as we approached the long narrow bridge near Benicia & just before the sweepers that lead to the Carqeniez Bridge, they began to get agitated & shift around on their bikes as if (sure enough) that were going to travel the sweepers [approaching the bridge] at high speed.  Well, I knew that there is a long 'right hand only' lane that leads to Hwy 780 north.  I decided if that lane was clear I would motor right along up until the last moment & then change to a lane leading to the Carqeniez Bridge itself.

Minding my own business, everything went as perhaps it might and thus I did motor right along; it was about mid bridge when they again caught me (I had slowed upon entering the bridge itself).  Top speed unknown [through the sweepers] as I was busy riding.

So we crossed the Carquniez Bridge, she off to my left one lane over & he behind me in my lane, staggered to one side of the lane;  & low & behold on the far side the slow lanes cleared and again I motored right along, this time I had time to check speed & it was just under triple digits - and oh, they could not follow or decided not to follow...  given the fact that after I slowed they increased their cruise speed into the 80's I think they were not accustomed to the sweepers at that speed.

At any rate, I had the saddle bags & auxiliary tank (empty) and experienced NO wallowing or instability of any kind.  Yes, I know, you are "glad to hear" that your suspension continues to work well."

Ride safe & see you some of you in Colorado,

Midget Mike.

[Vsekvsek]

So is it sad that I am technically making payments on my 92?? took a small personal loan to buy it....im pathetic......

Not at all. Just nice theres a bike out there that can easily compete if not hold its own against all new bikes for a fraction of the price