new bike in the garage

[don_vanecek]

Well gang, I couldn't turn this puppy down, a 2000 Concours, only 16000 miles on it. rode it about 50 miles today, some parts of it very nice, handling, power, windshield, brakes, mirrors, some aspects I need to get used to, you can't change your riding position much, the body work restricts you foot movements, I think it's sort of buzzy.  Unlike the Vetter Bullet on my Vision, the windshield does not move with the bars, you need to keep your eyes up or it bothers you (well me anyway) when you turn. I noticed the left fork leaks oil, I think it still may have the original tires on it, need to change them before next summer, ouch!  Changed the oil this morning, hard to know how long the oil has been in it, did find some maintenance his up to 2007 and at 11000 miles, far as I know that could have been the last change.  I can see that anything you do on the this bike well have he added work of having to screw off all the body panels, had to take the bottom one off for the oil change, sure added time the job.

Still have the Vision, it still runs fine but gosh it is getting sounds that are not good, disappointing as I thought I had it all sorted out this spring, do we ever have trouble perhaps with the cam chain tensioners, that was the first thought of the flipper I bought the Kaw from when I ran the V for him a minute was cam chain noise. Really frustrating, I just put a rear tire on it and a new stator, but now I wonder if it's going to blow up me.

Here's a picture       

[Rikugun]

Don, Congratulations on the new bike!  :D That Connie looks to be in nice shape so I'm guessing the PO took good care of her. Getting used to a new bike takes time but you'll get there. Change the oil put fork seals and tires on and you'll be ready to go.  ;) I see it's set up for hard bags too which makes touring easier. I think you'll find the new bike even more enjoyable on long trips than the V. Think of it as going from sport touring lite to full fledged Sport Touring!  ;)

I'm sorry to hear the Vision is making ugly sounds again. I think you've done right by her and she's served you well but it is probably time to move on. Bitter sweet yes but a good decision for the long haul.  :)

[George R. Young]

I likewise moved from Vision to Concours in 2003, and it has worked out pretty well. Main use is touring.

It's comfortable and has shaft drive but is a bit heavier than the Vision. Generally more reliable particularly the generator stuff.

[don_vanecek]

Thanks George, so far in the whole 150 miles I have put on the "Connie"  yes, it sure is heavier, a bear to put on the center stand.  Before I get much more of an opinion on it I need to give it a few more miles. 

[George R. Young]

Putting it on the centre stand in the garage was straining tendons in my right arm.

Now I park it with the rear wheel on a piece of 1/2" wood, makes a world of difference.

BTW, there's a Concours forum you might want a peek at:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php

And my own Concours website:
http://web.ncf.ca/ag136/frameindex.htm

[don_vanecek]

Oh george, I have a zillion questions about the Connie, I will see how many your site answers, perhaps PM you.  I have sent due into the COG site, join it soon. 

[Walt_M.]

Good looking bike. Quick fix for a leaking fork seal is a strip of photo film or other thin, stiff plastic. Slide it around the inside of the seal and see what comes out. It worked on the RZ350 I got recently.

[don_vanecek]

Hey Walt, used a plastic from "D" battery package and put it in tube, just bouncing it in the garage it may have worked, will see next time I ride it however.   Thanks.

[don_vanecek]

So, rode the Vision to work today, first time after putting about 250 miles on the Connie.  How are they different, well the Connie is rather "top" heavy and your seating postion is a bit more restricted. Gosh, the V felt light and skinny this morning after having been on the Connie. The Connie is actually rather compact and the stepped seat and fairing, lowers especially, sort off restrict your movements.  Brakes, wow, its like going from a car with wonderful power brakes to manual drum brakes, even with the steel brake line I really have to Squeeze the Vision brakes.  Power, well of course the Connie can really get up and go, BUT , you kind of loose the fun of wrapping it up like you can do an the V, you can enjoy red lining the the V though first and 2nd and part of 3rd without getting going too fast-about 70 or so, you can't really wrap that Connie out, as you get going 80-90 easy, uhhh, tickets here they come-or there is just not enough clear roadway for those speeds!  I think they ride very similar but interestingly, I feel abit more confident in curves on the Connie then I do the V.  Wind protecting on the Connie is of course much better then my V but you also get a bit hotter if it is real warm.  Connie has a abit of buzz, not real bad but different.  ON BOTH bikes, even with the Connie's 6 speed, you find yourself wanting to shift again.  I think they get very similar MPG, but dam, love the 7 gallon tank.    Ah, would love to have em both but one or the other would probably gum up their carbs from not being driven enough. 

[Rikugun]

Thanks for the report Don. Some interesting observations. Regarding the heat issue, are you getting hotter because of less "wind" is getting to you or more heated air is getting to you from a larger radiator? Either way, I suppose the trade off is more comfort in cooler weather.  :)

You mentioned the two bikes having similar mileage. Do you have a number for the Connie yet or not enough tanks of fuel gone through yet to get a good impression?

[don_vanecek]

With that wonderful (although I'm sure it contributes to the top heaviness at low speeds) 7+ gallon gas tank I've only filled up once, it appeared I got about 40 or so,but so nice to be able to go 196 miles and still should have had over two gallons left (put in 4.6 but I think it could have held a few tenths more-you know after having a Vision with the famous Vision burp I was leery to fill it all the way up).

On the heat, well, haven't had 90+ temps that I have ridden it in yet -so heat on the body has not been an issue, what i have really noticed though is the heat in my helmet, thank goodness you can often ride with the face shield up-and at moderate speeds, 55-65 and a not too windy day,  you can ride with your shield up.  NOW, this has me wondering, I think on my V I have the wind on my body and helmet just right so that I get a bit of support from the wind and my neck doesn't hurt me, after my longest ride on the Connie I could feel my neck start to hurt, hummmm...we will see-but most likely not till next year, the Connie needs tires before it goes on a long, out of the area, trip.   Hey  George, did you see the PM I sent you last week????