[kckfz]

Hello all - new to forum but past Star owner (Warrior) and current FZ1 and Concours 14 owwner. Wife and I are tiring of the C14 with the need to always ride quickly when sometimes you just want a relaxing ride. It is hard to "cruise" on a C14; she wants and surely can romp. Plus fully loaded with wife, bags and top case she is a big machine.
So looking at a huge change in two-up ridng with a 2009 Star 950 touring or a 2007 Star 1300 standard, both new. Read good about both but some issues with the 1300 - valve adj., noisy clutch, etc. typical internet complaints. Read only good on the 950 and she sure is a looker. More so than the 1300 in my opinion, a fresher more modern look. But big enough for two-up, about 300 lbs total. Really need to make the right move here - the 950T is ready to go touring wise whereas I would need to fit all the touring gear to the 1300. Air vs. LC doesn't matter to me but power is a concern coming from 150HP to nearly a third of that. That silver 950T IS a looker, no doubt. Whats a long time high speed sport tourer to do? Don't forget I can still rip 'em up on the FZ1!
Can also get a great deal on a like new 2002 Warrior but that certainly limits the touring part of the equation.
Thanks

 

[Happy-Hunter]

I would recommend the 1300, I have one and have been very pleased. If your only going around town, then the smaller one will be fine, but if your going to do any distsance, go with the 1300. I LOVE mine, great for long trips, very comfortable

 

[ybr1960]

Im an Aussie in Sydney Australia have had the 1300 for about a year, yeah clunky gear change but have learnt to limit that with an appropriate small rev while changing gear. I love it can't get enough time on it if its touring you want to do, go the 1300.

 

[martymcfly]

My Yamaha dealer doesn't even keep 1300 in stock. He says that if you are going for the 1300, you might as well do the 1700. The price difference isn't that much. He says that the 950 is a mid size bike and the 1300 rides like a large bike. If you want a large bike, go with the 1700.

 

[Silverado6x6]

I bought a 2009 1300 Tourer, if you get one you will probably need to get a pair of RSTD handlebars, the 2010 is supposed to have more pullback, many riders have complained that the 1300 bars were too wide and too far forward, I agree.

I would have bought bigger but the 1300 was both fuel injected and water cooled, being a mechanic for over three decades I prefer a water cooled engine, less stress on the oiling system.

 

[rjdnsc13]

950t

I have had the 950T since April 2009 and I would not trade it for any other bike. I have searched, rode and reviewed tons of bikes and I made teh right decision with the 950T. I tested the 1300 also and while the 1300 has more power the 950T handles the roads and interstates just as well. My wife and I (total 320 lbs.) have no issues with power while on teh interstate or back roads. The only negative to teh 950T is the scraping floorboards during sharp turns. I have added several mods myself to inhance the look and sound of my 950T.I added:

Cobra Speedster Longs Exhaust w/ PowerPort
Cobra FI2000R O2 Digital Fuel Processor
Kuryakyn ISO Grips w/ Chrome Accent Rings
Kuryakyn ISO Throttle Boss
Lindby Multibar
Show Chrome Free Spirit Air Cleaner Cover
Show Chrome Master Cylinder Cover
Show Chrome Vantage Horn Cover
K & N High-Flow Air Filter

 

[linerdave]

Floor boards

Don't worry about the scraping floor boards. They are made to hit once and a while. My 1100 did that fairly easy takes some getting used to. The boards are on a pivot and have a replaceable button on the bottom.

Besides its bragging rights to say you scraped the boards. If you could wear those little bumpers off that would be really bragging material.

Dave