Author Topic: Honestly, how 'sporty' is the C14? (Read 3117 times)

Charliedog · « **on:** August 18, 2018, 06:27:49 pm »

I'm serious here. I've never ridden a C14, but I have put over 100k on my C10. The C10 will handle the mountain roads around here, but it is work. The road tests and comparisons say the C14 is the 'sportiest' of the sport-tourers, and while it is no GSX-R, how would it compare to a naked sport bike such as Bandit 1200 or an FZ1-I've owned a big Bandit and both generations of FZ1.

I know the C14 is heavier than a C10, but is the add'l weight noticeable-or does a lower center of mass hide the pounds?

I'll always be a sport biker rider at heart, but my 70 year old knees won't allow it.

TIA

Paul B · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2018, 07:41:49 pm »

My 69 year body just got back on a 2018 Connie with no regrets. You asked about comparing naked bikes to her and well there just is not a fair comparison here as it is apples and oranges. For shear fun in the twisties, the Connie can't compare to the likes of the 1290 Super Duke R because of the lack of weight and all the nanny assistance allowing you to rip around corners like a youngster again. She might be heavier but that is one of the attributes that contributes to such a smooth ride on those long trips and not a bad girl for playing when you get to the mountains, but she will be work.

gpd323 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2018, 09:30:27 pm »

I can flick the C14 into corners with ease. My friends cannot believe how far over I plant it. Its not a ZX10R or a Z900RS in handling. I have never ridden a C10, last guy I met with a C10 all he wanted to see is the windscreen go up and down!

Go to about 2 minutes in as I enter the Hoppa curves in CA on hwy 96.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDYZHC3IoI

PS: I am this close to 62 years of age.

gpd323 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2018, 10:41:59 pm »

Its a top heavy bike, get it off center and you can really feel the weight, especially with a full tank of fuel and loaded for trips. keep it upright and no issues. Getting it up on the center stand is easy!

Fully loaded getting it off the kick stand can be a chore if on a slight incline where its tipped towards the left.

Syxxphive · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2018, 12:08:55 am »

Just today we were ripping through canyons at 65-85 no problem. Posted limit was 30. They are much sportier than many expect. With a good rider, they can keep up with most sportbikes.

ConcoursKZ · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2018, 12:31:29 am »

If you trust it it will exceed any expectation. But don't blink.

RoadKillHeaven · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2018, 12:52:13 am »

Quote from: Syxxphive on August 19, 2018, 12:08:55 am

Just today we were ripping through canyons at 65-85 no problem. Posted limit was 30. They are much sportier than many expect. With a good rider, they can keep up with most sportbikes.

https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending-now/police-arrest-hellcat-driver-caught-on-facebook-driving-nearly-200-mph/815239029
Be careful whatcha post!

RoadKillHeaven · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2018, 01:02:58 am »

You've seen sport bike yobos dragging the knee going around roundabout at or above warning speeds, haven't ya?
Well, riding C14 you can do it twice as fast without showboating.
C14 ain't Zx10 it won't do tricks you teach sport bikes to do. I compare c14 to a Golden Retriever (softmouth) which will bring your bird to you in one pieces, unlike yobish brethren of sport bikes that will shred it to bits.
If I ever consider sport(ish) bike, it would be H2 SX.

Cheers...

gsun · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2018, 01:45:21 am »

If you want to see how it can handle, have a look at the latest Concourier cover. I can't find the picture to post it. Maybe somebody?

Charliedog · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2018, 02:53:54 pm »

Thanks for all the info/insight. If/when I sell my C10 I think I'll be gettin' a C14.

bowtie39 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2018, 04:39:40 pm »

Quote from: Charliedog on August 19, 2018, 02:53:54 pm

Thanks for all the info/insight. If/when I sell my C10 I think I'll be gettin' a C14.

Do you really expect different from the folks here?

Charliedog · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2018, 09:20:04 pm »

Touche.

MAN OF BLUES · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2018, 09:24:15 pm »

Quote from: gsun on August 19, 2018, 01:45:21 am

If you want to see how it can handle, have a look at the latest Concourier cover. I can't find the picture to post it. Maybe somebody?

mr t · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2018, 09:53:17 pm »

Mike- You're famous. Seriously, it's the kind of shot you'd take of someone else. See you at RWTW.

Tom Taylor COG#7173

who me? · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2018, 01:00:53 am »

Quote from: RoadKillHeaven on August 19, 2018, 12:52:13 am

Quote from: Syxxphive on August 19, 2018, 12:08:55 am
Just today we were ripping through canyons at 65-85 no problem. Posted limit was 30. They are much sportier than many expect. With a good rider, they can keep up with most sportbikes.
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending-now/police-arrest-hellcat-driver-caught-on-facebook-driving-nearly-200-mph/815239029
Be careful whatcha post!

Gotta be watch out for that helmet hair

Egodriver71 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2018, 10:23:48 am »

C14 is no naked bike in the twisties.

C14 and C10 weigh pretty close. The C14 does carry the weight a little lower than the C10.

Turn in is amazing with the C14 compared to the C10. The suspension is miles ahead of the C10 also.

Unless you ride the BRP daily and/or like to do track days every weekend, you'll never worry about the agility of the C14.

Now if you really do flick something right to left and left to right a lot, you need a lighter bike. But with the once a year track day and living in FL commuting, I wouldn't have any other bike.

Old Man on a Connie · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2018, 01:53:50 am »

Would you leave home without your leatherman multitool? It doesn't do one thing great, But it does do everything well.

Gumby · « **Reply #17 on:** August 21, 2018, 02:27:12 am »

I came up behind a Ducati something-ruther fast yesterday on my way home from the Lava Run, dude decked out in full race leathers. He saw me come up on him and rolled it on down a twisty down hill run, I sat on his back tire until I saw my chance to pass him going into a corner. The guy followed me all the way home to see what bagger just whooped his a**. The C14 works for my weekend adrenaline rush needs.

RoadKillHeaven · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2018, 10:43:05 am »

Recently I've seen a 1299 with at least half an inch of chicken strips wrpapping the rear tire. In contrast, mine has virtually none...

Cheers..

4Bikes · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2018, 10:27:28 pm »

Quote from: Gumby on August 21, 2018, 02:27:12 am

I came up behind a Ducati something-ruther fast yesterday on my way home from the Lava Run, dude decked out in full race leathers. He saw me come up on him and rolled it on down a twisty down hill run, I sat on his back tire until I saw my chance to pass him going into a corner. The guy followed me all the way home to see what bagger just whooped his a**. The C14 works for my weekend adrenaline rush needs.

And if you doubt any of this, click on Gumby’s link in his signature.. My favorite is Railin’ with the Doctor.

smooth_operator · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2018, 01:02:55 am »

Kind of hard to throw into the corners, but can be done with some effort. As far as speed goes, expect sub 11 seconds at the strip....

Jorge · « **Reply #21 on:** August 25, 2018, 10:47:45 am »

I'll echo Egodriver's comments, and add some.
I took a demo ride on the C14 at the 2014 National, and as soon as we got into curves, I noticed how much more responsive it is than a C10; tightening up a turn is almost effortless compared to the C10.
Brakes, suspension, ENGINE, etc are all what you'd expect for a design that's 22 years younger, and almost 1.5x the displacement, but more... and no shaft-jacking effect, so it stays planted better.
Th eonly think you give up slightly is the fairing wind protection; especially the hands.
As for the weight, the C10 is "rated" 590 Lbs dry, the C14 at 670 wet. Do the math for all the liquids, and the two are pretty close.
Also as Tom said, the C14 has a lower center of gravity, so actually feels lighter at low speeds.
Add to all that that my average MPG is just a hair above 44 MPG

Cali Cruiser · « **Reply #22 on:** August 26, 2018, 04:24:57 pm »

It’s sporting enough that I did 10.8 @ 125 mph yesterday in poor weather conditions using a 200 series rear tire at Auto Club Speedway. Only mods are Ivans flash and Delkevic slip on.

Red Fox · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2018, 06:25:43 pm »

Quote from: Charliedog on August 18, 2018, 06:27:49 pm

The C10 will handle the mountain roads around here, but it is work.

... how would C14 compare to a naked sport bike such as Bandit 1200 or an FZ1-I've owned a big Bandit and both generations of FZ1.

I'll always be a sport biker rider at heart...

Well, I like the C14, reliable and kinda comfy built for a mixture of curves, adverse weather and distance.

But if you found the C10 to be 'work' on your mtn roads, the C14 you'll find similar.

The FZ1 is more sporty handling than the C14.

You might look at a VFR1200 as a compromise to consider ...

Lee Ving · « **Reply #24 on:** September 13, 2018, 04:33:29 am »

The C14 is sporty fun, but just about any sport or naked bike will leave it for dead. It is real tall, real heavy, and the chassis gets a bit twisty when things get serious. However, I think there is nothing quite like it for covering distance in a hurry. It scratches the sport itch for me and is a missile on an open road.