narrowed it down, which one would u get

Since that you have no plans for doing any serious touring or long distance riding, why handicap yourself to these behemoths?

But if it were me, I'd pick none of the above and would go with the Kawasaki Concour 14.

Roadking...well, it's a Harley and there ain't much good about it.

BMW K1200GT - electronics issues and suck ass ABS system.

Honda ST1300 - crap for brakes and heavy as hell not to mention the hot engine heat is vented into your legs and just generally doesn't have enough ventilation for the engine unless you haul ass on the highway.

Yamaha FJR - boring as hell but probably the most troublefree of all of them.

I'd still take the Concour 14 over any of them.

My experience with BMWs is either you like them or you don't. I don't, but it's because I think the ergomonics are all wrong. Beware the poor mileage and limited range of a K1200. 100,000 miles is no problem, 200,000 is not unusual, they'll last forever.

ST1300s are a bit piggy, I would sooner get an ST1100. Honda comfort and reliablity without the bulk of a Goldwing.

The FJR is one nice bike, they'll match an R6 in a stoplight drag race and will still be comfortable at the end of a 500 mile day. A lot sportier than the ST, a lot better looking, fast, smooth and comfortable.

Don't know much about the Concours.

All of the above are touring bikes, is that what you want? ducati mentioned the Suzuki V-Strom. Dollar for dollar they might be the best bike on the market today, and I don't think that's an exaggeration. Brand new they're something like $7200 for the 650. Excellent commuter bike, very competent touring bike, put on some knobbies and you're good to go on the fire roads. Rod the crap out of it and get 50 mpg.

You said "commute on post and running around time," To me that says "650 V-Strom." Take a look at one before you write the check.

FJR. It's most nearly flawless of all those choices.

On paper the new Concours 14 looks to best the FJR with newer technology. Then you start reading about KIPASS system failures that strand riders on the side of the road, and the same heat issues the FJR had until the Gen II was released in 2006, and don't forget about front rotors warping every 4k-5k miles (some guys are on their 4th-5th sets of rotors up front).

I hear that the heat issue will be solved with the 2010 C-14, which is supposed to get some minor revisions. I have not heard, however, that the rotor issue has been addressed. That's enough to keep me from buying one, honestly... and I'm cash-in hand, ready to buy now, before I have to re-register my V Star at the end of October (and pay the insurance on it again).

The C-14 gets the same rotors as the ZX14. That bike has no issues. It may be the added weight, nobody knows, but look on the C14 forum and a poll shows about 40% of owners reporting warped/replaced front rotors. That really concerns me.

The K-series is not reliable. The ST1300 is boring, but I've read rumors that it's getting replaced for 2010 with a new model (and the VFR800 is getting replaced too).

Personally I think my stable will include a 2010 FJR (new ones are silver, otherwise I gotta buy black and I hate black) and a 2010 Raider by this time next year.

I arguably live in the motorcycling capitol of the United States (SoCal). We have more riders, year round, and more dealerships than anyone.

Nobody has FJR's. I don't care how much money you've got, you will not buy a new FJR. Sure, if you want the gee-whiz electric auto tranny, you can find a leftover (nobody wanted those). You want a standard 5-speed? Good luck with that.

I found one dealer on Cycle Trader who claimed to have a leftover black '08 FJR, and of course I drove all the way there (about a 30 minute drive) to find out they don't really have one.

You can take your pick of a billion Harleys or a billion crotch rockets in all colors with all options. You want a sport touring bike? You won't find any FJR's, ST1300's are hard to find, I hear the K1300GT isn't exactly plentiful at dealers... most large dealers have 1-2 Concours 14's in the showroom and that's it.

I saw an FJR in the showroom about a year ago, and I go to dealers fairly often if I'm bored just to check things out. I have not seen a single one since then.

The Concours 14 is a nice bike but the plastics and other little things just don't have the quality feel of a Yamaha or a Honda IMO. That little storage bin on the top of the tank is a neat idea but the latch belongs on a $3.00 Rubber Maid container from Wal-Mart, not a motorcycle.

My buddy had an '05 FJR and he said back then they were impossible to find, too. He got lucky and found a dealer than had one but said it took a long time.

I want something with storage, comfort, and speed. I'm hoping that dealers get the new 2010 Yamahas soon and I can find one with a new FJR.... but if they pull the "new model year so we don't deal" BS, I'm not paying the new inflated ($500) MSRP when the bike hasn't been changed since 2006.

SVTNate said:

The Concours 14 is a nice bike but the plastics and other little things just don't have the quality feel of a Yamaha or a Honda IMO. That little storage bin on the top of the tank is a neat idea but the latch belongs on a $3.00 Rubber Maid container from Wal-Mart, not a motorcycle.

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Hey Nate......There isn't a Yam or Honda touring bike that will keep up with the C-14. Rather than tinker with the plastic and other little things I would rather be in the saddle with a BIG 'ol smile on my face. The storeage bin on top of the tank is handy and trouble free. The plastic is trouble free as well. One thing the C-14 has over most all the other bikes is it is so SMOOTH with plenty of power. Passing cars is a new sport.

Yeah, it can be a little hot in shorts and t-shirt but so is the FJR. Kipass is one of those deals where you like it or hate it. I like it and have had no problems with mine. Just don't loose your fob....just ask "no fob Bob". The front rotors do worry me a little but mama Kaw has replaced problem rotors and I expect a fix down the road coming. The front brake is still very powerful and will haul the thing down quickly. I just don't think the builders added in the extra weight of touring the ZX won't have.

What ever you do don't test ride a C-14. You'll have to own one.