I drove both bikes and liked the FJR in one or two aspects (engine sound and looks, for instance) very much, but the C14 was clearly the winner, for the reasons already mentioned, plus wind protection for the passenger is better (so I've been told by my better half).
I'm not sure I understand what you imply:
a) that the FJR Gen I needs valve check at 7500 miles ---> wow!
b) that the C14 needs valve check at 7500 miles ---> incorrect: 26000 miles
I keep the bike, and the bells and whistles have not changed one bit so far, braking down or otherwise.
All that said, I wouldn't hesitate jumping on a FJR for a good price if I was shopping around. Yes, 6th gear is neat, but not a deal braker. We are buying bikes, not wash machines, and taste or "clicking" with this or that model plays a huge roll.
That's not what I posted, please re-read...
The FJR does NOT require valve check/adjustments until 25,000 miles.
I've driven two stock Concours and found with the stock windshield, protection is great up to my chest,
non existant above that. My stock winshield on my 04 FJR provides considerably much more protection.
As for the gen I's (03-05) some of them had bad exhaust valve guides that causing the dreaded tick... So far mine has not... BTW, Yamaha to this date, even thou my bike is way out of warranty, will
STILL REPAIR the guides should they fail... As for another gear, it would be nice, but the bike has enough torque and doesn't need it. For me, the bike sits lower than the Concours however the Concours is a little quicker, shifts smoother however it is 6 years newer with newer technology. I keep my bikes so I personally don't want all the extra goodies that may eventually need fixing/repair. My brakes are not linked nor did I order it with ABS. KISS. Much easier to flush brakes, maintain, etc. I am the only one to wrench on my bikes (not counting a local Honda dealer who screwed up my last, 04 Goldwing). I will not own another Honda after dealing with Honda corp as they tried to get out repairing a new oil leak (among other things) caused by the dealership. A lawsuit threat finally got things fixed at another dealership...
I currently own two Yamaha's (04 FJR and an 07 FZ6) and have also owned several Kawasaki's to include a black/gold 2000 ZRX 1100 and several KLR's that I have gotten over 100,000 miles between the ZRX, 2 KLR 250's and a KLR 650, so I consider myself fairly knowledgable in both. Both KLR's have been torn down for engine repairs, The 1989 250, every 32,000 miles would have the left crank roller bearing fail-a compleat engine tear down at 32,000 and again at 64,000 miles. My last 2005 250, with 28,000 miles had the same bearing start to fail. I loved the bike but I'm done rebuilding the engine every 32,000 miles....
I have worked on several Concours as well as "MIST's" two FJR's and another friends FJR.
For me, I prefer the FJR, for others the Concours is a great bike, just not my style...
BTW, there are numerous FJR's that gone well over 100,000 miles without any major repairs, a pretty good track record. I'd be curious how well the Concours does once its 8 years old...