Proof positive Harley buyers are morons.
Nope. Proof positive that there are different bikes for different riders and styles. The FJR specifically and Sport-Touriers in general are not for everyone. I hope the guy enjoys and appreciates wherever his search for HIS perfect bike takes him.
As with others, I've made my FJR fit ME, just like with my other bikes. After 4 years and 2 FJRs I still smile when I see mine in the garage. Hopefully every motorcyclist arrives at that same place of satisfaction and enjoyment.
Ahh, finally, someone gets it. MM2 is right! Last weekend I took my long time MX racing buddy for a ride. We took both my Harley and the FJR. I had him ride the FJR first, he had ridden it before. About 80 miles into the 250 mile ride, I swapped him over to the Harley.. fully thinking that my performance minded pal would hate the HD..... To my surprise, he didn't ride the FJR again that day. He absolutely freakin LOVED the FLHTCU. He liked the cadence, the low end torque, the back rest, how the bike handled, etc. (OBTW, before you Feejer pilots start chanting that HD's can't handle as good as your rides, well of course they can't.. but I have ridden with folks from this forum that I know I could keep the pace with if not be well ahead of while riding the HD..
) The long of the short is that each and every one of us enjoys and appreciates certain aspects that certain models of bikes provides. Then there are folks like me who simply have one requirement - that it have an engine and two wheels!
Yet another example - three weeks ago I visited my bud Chris. Now Chris is what I call, well, eclectic. Somewhere he found a freakin Sears and Roebuck 2 stroke 250 from the mid 60's?, got it running and when I saw it, my heart just stopped. "Want to ride it?", Chris jauntily asked. "Damn straight" I replied.. and grinned like a schoolboy on the very first ride of his life when I rode it. It clanked, it was clunky, it smoked like Cheech and Chong, it vibrated, and I will remember that ride forever! Arriving back at Chris' house, he saw the big grin and something to the effect of 'it takes one back, doesn't it?" Chris, like MM2, understands. Later, Chris gave me a ride in his Ural side car - now that's a new experience! Every ridden in a side car? Once again, great big grins.
So.. when someone dumps an FJR because they found they would rather ride a Harley, a twingle imported from Sears and Roebuck, or even a new Ural with sidecar, I actually do understand. Someday, you might too!