crankshaft
Well-known member
After a lot of help from the board on my concern of the FJR being a little tall for me and how I could make it work. I pulled the trigger.
I had a neighbor drop me off for my trip to Milwaukee early Saturday morning. I took this picture while waiting for my flight.
Landed in Milwaukee safe and sound. Kinda of weird I landed in Milwaukee just about exactly the time I took off from Dayton, Ohio. Anyways, I was picked up from the airport and taken to my final destination (Port Washington) in style, a company van. I met with the owner and we chatted for a little while about the weather and the area. Then he had me sign a few papers so I could get going on my basically brand new '07 Yamaha FJR 1300 (only 700 miles).
Yes I'm straddling the dark side. I still have my VTX 1300 and have no plans to part with her. But I needed something else. Something to help me satisfy the squid inside when I'm hitting the twisties. So I'm not scraping hard parts in every turn. The bike was originally purchased in March of this year. The guy traded it in on a cruiser in May, and from what I understand he's already traded in the cruiser for a Goldwing.
After an ever so brief explanation of the bike. I hopped on and headed for home. The weather was awesome. But rain was forecasted from Milwaukee to Dayton. I was prepared with my rain jacket aboard. But when I started out the weather was perfect to get to know my new ride. I was making great time on the way home. Did I mention this thing is fast and smooth?!! Then I hit Chicago and was held up at least 45 minutes getting through. Then I hit a detour about 20 minutes out of my way. But the day was beautiful and I was riding. Still making good time. Somehow with the Chicago traffic and detour I was still on schedule to make it home earlier than I though I would. The rest of the trip was pretty unevetful until I hit Indianapolis. On the the north west side I notice a nice big rain storm comeing and caught the edge of it. No need for the rain suiit as I quickly got through the shower and dried off just as quick. I made through Indy and was on the last leg of my journey about 2 hours from home. Still making excellent time until I get on the east side just outside of Indy. CONSTRUCTION!!!! As I'm basically duck walking the bike I keep eyeing the storm that's coming. Thinking if we just get moving a little I can stay on the edge of this storm. Well no such luck!!!! I waited as long as I could then cut over to the shoulder and road it to the nearest over past to take shelter. Already drenched I put on my rain gear and waited.
Needing gas I made the decision to go for it. The next exit was 4 miles down the road. Made it there safe. Got gas and waited for the storm to pass. In all I would say I waited almost an hour. The storm had past where I was waiting but not where I was going. But I decided to head out for home and take it easy. Not very far down the road I hit the rain again. The bike handles nicely in driving rain.
On the way home there was the most beautiful rainbow I'd ever seen. It seemed as if I could see where it touched down on both sides. The rainbows shot out of the mist from tires of the cars a head of me. I wish I could have taken a picture. I don't know if a picture could have captured what I was seeing but it's something I won't soon forget.
Somewhere along the line it stopped raining and the temp was cooling off and I started to get a little chilled but I was close to home and a warm shower so I traveled on. I made it home just as dark settled in (9:30). Even with all the delays I made the seven hour trip in almost 9 hours. I did mention this thing was fast and smooth. right?! Angie snapped a few pics of me with the new ride. Wet, cold and tired but I still had a big smile.
Nothing like a fly in and ride home
From the trip home I've realized I made a great purchase. I need to modify a few things. I need some risers to bring the bars back to me just a bit. And I will need a seat that will lower me 1/2 - 1 inch. I'd feel a little more comfortable handling the bike at stops and such. Hi-way pegs would be a nice addition for long trips. Guess I'll need to start doing some more research.
I had a neighbor drop me off for my trip to Milwaukee early Saturday morning. I took this picture while waiting for my flight.
Landed in Milwaukee safe and sound. Kinda of weird I landed in Milwaukee just about exactly the time I took off from Dayton, Ohio. Anyways, I was picked up from the airport and taken to my final destination (Port Washington) in style, a company van. I met with the owner and we chatted for a little while about the weather and the area. Then he had me sign a few papers so I could get going on my basically brand new '07 Yamaha FJR 1300 (only 700 miles).
Yes I'm straddling the dark side. I still have my VTX 1300 and have no plans to part with her. But I needed something else. Something to help me satisfy the squid inside when I'm hitting the twisties. So I'm not scraping hard parts in every turn. The bike was originally purchased in March of this year. The guy traded it in on a cruiser in May, and from what I understand he's already traded in the cruiser for a Goldwing.
After an ever so brief explanation of the bike. I hopped on and headed for home. The weather was awesome. But rain was forecasted from Milwaukee to Dayton. I was prepared with my rain jacket aboard. But when I started out the weather was perfect to get to know my new ride. I was making great time on the way home. Did I mention this thing is fast and smooth?!! Then I hit Chicago and was held up at least 45 minutes getting through. Then I hit a detour about 20 minutes out of my way. But the day was beautiful and I was riding. Still making good time. Somehow with the Chicago traffic and detour I was still on schedule to make it home earlier than I though I would. The rest of the trip was pretty unevetful until I hit Indianapolis. On the the north west side I notice a nice big rain storm comeing and caught the edge of it. No need for the rain suiit as I quickly got through the shower and dried off just as quick. I made through Indy and was on the last leg of my journey about 2 hours from home. Still making excellent time until I get on the east side just outside of Indy. CONSTRUCTION!!!! As I'm basically duck walking the bike I keep eyeing the storm that's coming. Thinking if we just get moving a little I can stay on the edge of this storm. Well no such luck!!!! I waited as long as I could then cut over to the shoulder and road it to the nearest over past to take shelter. Already drenched I put on my rain gear and waited.
Needing gas I made the decision to go for it. The next exit was 4 miles down the road. Made it there safe. Got gas and waited for the storm to pass. In all I would say I waited almost an hour. The storm had past where I was waiting but not where I was going. But I decided to head out for home and take it easy. Not very far down the road I hit the rain again. The bike handles nicely in driving rain.
On the way home there was the most beautiful rainbow I'd ever seen. It seemed as if I could see where it touched down on both sides. The rainbows shot out of the mist from tires of the cars a head of me. I wish I could have taken a picture. I don't know if a picture could have captured what I was seeing but it's something I won't soon forget.Somewhere along the line it stopped raining and the temp was cooling off and I started to get a little chilled but I was close to home and a warm shower so I traveled on. I made it home just as dark settled in (9:30). Even with all the delays I made the seven hour trip in almost 9 hours. I did mention this thing was fast and smooth. right?! Angie snapped a few pics of me with the new ride. Wet, cold and tired but I still had a big smile.
Nothing like a fly in and ride home
From the trip home I've realized I made a great purchase. I need to modify a few things. I need some risers to bring the bars back to me just a bit. And I will need a seat that will lower me 1/2 - 1 inch. I'd feel a little more comfortable handling the bike at stops and such. Hi-way pegs would be a nice addition for long trips. Guess I'll need to start doing some more research.
