I read this review as part of my research before buying a 2010 FJR 1300 in 2011. I have found the accolades for handling and comfort to be well earned. The performance of the bike is frankly better than I expected. The acceleration for a bike this size and the comfort at speed have exceeded my expectations. I'm planning to ride the bike to the East Coast (about 1,000 miles) to meet with friends. I have no doubt that I have chosen the right bike for the trip.

Good review! I am a Ninja to FJR guy - 2007 model. I am closer to 50 years old than 40 and I spent a lot of time debating the move to such a heavy machine as I am not really a touring guy. My occasional bike commute to work is 45 miles and the ninja was getting uncomfortable. I was close to a Sprint ST or a Tiger and nearly jumped to a Victory Hammer, but in the end I went with the FJR. I was a Kawi guy but the c-14 was just a little to wide across the beam to use as an errand runner in town, and let's face it the FJR and the c-14 are just too close to call for regular riders. I could not be more happy with the FJR. It is no Ninja in it's handling response speed but it is nearly as easy to turn in and out....it's just slower in and out. But you DO NOT have to muscle it. It's not as much fun as the ninja but I can ride it for hours, and the electric wind screen and air management extend your season in PA. I hope this helps an aging sport bike rider with the same questions.

My 2008 FJR has electronic auto shift,Wow what a bike ,had it to 273 km /hr.I really cant believe it is legal and just love getting on it .Was going to buy a Harley sure glad i didnt.I tour alot and this bike is so comfy,plus love going by the fat ,bald Harley boys!!! like their standing still!!

I am currently cross shopping the FJR and C14, and having a really hard time finding online comparison reviews of current MY products. Even though the subject of this article is the 2010 FJR, the author made this comment "...when swapping between the 2009 Kawasaki Concours 14 and BMW K 1300 GT, it (the FJR) is indisputably the king of the twisties"
Why would a 2009 model C14 be used to compare handling when the 2010 C14 was revised and available long before the publication date? A 2010 C14 review was published January 5th on this very website!
The critical question is-did Kawasaki do anything to the 2010 C14 to change this dynamic? The rest of this review seems well researched but for those of us in the market, falls short of giving the kind of perspective we need to make an informed decision given the difficulty we have getting to test ride the Japanese bikes ourselves.
I would have preferred a current product be used for any comparison comments bike to bike since product changes have been made.

Yes I agree 100% with the comments toward the FJR1300, I have 2008 model, I enjoy everytime I pull out the drive way, cruising on the fjr is theraphy feels good, rides good, turns on a dime, and the speed, HA HA no problem catching up, I just put on my second set of tires at 6,000 miles. I will always have a fjr1300, planning to add a trailor to it. OK time to ride, might see ya on the road.