Looking for two up touring bike

[mike1952]

The concours is one of the bikes that is high on my list of bikes to buy for two up touring.  My wife and I are 59 and 56 respectively and plan to do 200-400 mile day trips and some trips of several days duration.  This looks likes it would be comphy enough.  does it have linked brakes and can they be disabled?  I do not like linked brakes.  Can you lower the pegs about one inch?  Arthritis makes it hard to keep a bend in my knees and one inch can makea big difference.  Thanks you for your input.  I have been riding for about 15 years and have several other bikes that are really not thte best for two up that I plan to keep.

[Computer Guy]

The newest version of the C14 should be fine.  Did you look at the Goldwing or the ST1300?
Personally, I found the C14 to be ugly and if you put a lot of miles on it the maintenance will be expensive.
The Goldwing is huge but very capable and ultra comfortable.  Sit on one and see how nice it is.
I found the ST1300 to just not seem right, maybe a bit heavy feeling.  I also have a shorter inseam and didn't feel real comfortable not having my feet flat on the ground.
Also look at the FJR.
I have an FJR that has been great for long distance 2-up touring.  I regret that I must sell it now due to a back problem.
There is enough online about each bike that if you take your time doing research you will get your answers.
Any of the above bikes are certainly capable.
Good luck.

[NoGear]

I have an FJR that has been great for long distance 2-up touring.  I regret that I must sell it now due to a back problem.

Did I hear "FJR for sale"?   :

[Computer Guy]

Did I hear "FJR for sale"?   :

Yes.  I'm taking it off the road today.  It's in Boston.

[mike1952]

The newest version of the C14 should be fine.  Did you look at the Goldwing or the ST1300?
Personally, I found the C14 to be ugly and if you put a lot of miles on it the maintenance will be expensive.
The Goldwing is huge but very capable and ultra comfortable.  Sit on one and see how nice it is.
I found the ST1300 to just not seem right, maybe a bit heavy feeling.  I also have a shorter inseam and didn't feel real comfortable not having my feet flat on the ground.
Also look at the FJR.
I have an FJR that has been great for long distance 2-up touring.  I regret that I must sell it now due to a back problem.
There is enough online about each bike that if you take your time doing research you will get your answers.
Any of the above bikes are certainly capable.
Good luck.

The Goldwing is just too much I do not listen to music, do not use a cb and my 150 dollar Nuvi works fine.  I know it is supposed to be wonderful on the road but not 23000 dollars worth.   Honda 1300 has heat issues for many.  The FJr or C14 is left unless I look at BMW and BMW expenses.  Why would a C14 be expesive to ride???

[Jim Chamberlin]

I just bought an '08 C14 with 2,000 miles on it, I've put 4,000 miles on it in the past 45 days or so and love it.  Like you I'm 59, and 6'2", 200 lbs.  Mine has  2" bar risers, lowering pegs and a Sargent seat.  300-400 mile days are not an issue.  Brakes on the '08 and '09 are not linked but are on the '11 and maybe the 10.  I do not know if they can be disengaged.  A lot of people warned that '08 and '09 were hot,  I put heat shields in as soon as I bought it and before it got really hot here in S. Georgia.  It is now regularly in the mid to upper 90s and heat is not a problem at all, it is MUCH cooler than my previous bike, 1200 Trophy.  Bottom line is that the '10 and '11 models have some improvements and more standard features, but there are still a lot of new or low mileage 08 and 09s available for thousands in savings.  I got mine for about $6,000.00 less than a new bike and it still has one year of warranty.

[birdrunner]

  The FJr or C14 is left unless I look at BMW and BMW expenses.  Why would a C14 be expesive to ride???

ANY 150 plus horsepower bike can be very expensive to ride.   .

[Uglytruth]

The concours is one of the bikes that is high on my list of bikes to buy for two up touring.  My wife and I are 59 and 56 respectively and plan to do 200-400 mile day trips and some trips of several days duration.  This looks likes it would be comphy enough.  does it have linked brakes and can they be disabled?  I do not like linked brakes.  Can you lower the pegs about one inch?  Arthritis makes it hard to keep a bend in my knees and one inch can makea big difference.  Thanks you for your input.  I have been riding for about 15 years and have several other bikes that are really not thte best for two up that I plan to keep.

I have the 2010 model. For longer trips, I needed bar risers to keep the weight off my wrists, and help keep my head up and looking forward. Keeping your knees comfy will also be a problem. There are lowering kits available. My knees get stiff after 4 or 5 hours, but I'm ready to take a break by then anyway, so I haven't needed the lowering kit.

I'd definitely see how it feels first. For me, I'd put its comfort right between the FJR and the R1200RT. The FJR was like sitting on a log, and the RT was like being poured into a mould of my body that just happened to have an engine. The Concours was a compromise between those two, comfort-wise.

[MKorn]

I picke up a new 2009 C14 ABS this spring and love the bike ... but my daughter doesn't like it so much.
She says that sitting up above me is great for looking around, but her helmet gets a lot of wind turbulance.
and she gets tired from holding on so much.  :-)  i swear, i ride easy with her on back.

For 2 up riding, i would personally go with the Goldwing.

[Chuck 500]

If you are willing to think outside the norm, check out the Honda NT700V.  We have several members on NT Owners.org that ride two up most of the time and report that the NT does very well.  It 120 lb lighter than an ST but still has a 430 ld load capacity.  Gas mileage is great (50+) on regular.

Worth a look.

[mike1952]

If you are willing to think outside the norm, check out the Honda NT700V.  We have several members on NT Owners.org that ride two up most of the time and report that the NT does very well.  It 120 lb lighter than an ST but still has a 430 ld load capacity.  Gas mileage is great (50+) on regular.

Worth a look.

I thought about that bike but it is just about as powerful as my Vstrom only a little more room.

[NoGear]

I just road 784 miles yesterday on my FJR.  I was up riding in the Deal's Gap area for several days and got bored so I decided to head to the beach.  I pointed the bike south and ended up in St Petersburg, FL.   I love my FJR.