Last August, I sold the 2012 V-Strom 1000 I'd put 13K on in 18 months, and bought a pristine 2010 FJR. The Vee had started to exhibit what I recognized, in retrospect, as "chudder," which could probably have been addressed with a revised clutch basket. But I'd grown tired or chain lube all over the rear wheel, etc., and lusted for the refinement and turbine-like thrust of the big inline-four.
Perhaps because I'd ridden other FJRs before, and because the 2010 was such an obvious garage queen, I took only an abbreviated test ride before purchasing it.
As I started to put miles on the bike, however, I became dissatisfied with the harsh ride (compared to the V-Strom) and the wonky handling (despite adjustments) in anything but smooth corners. I came to wonder if perhaps a previous owner had installed springs and/or oil that were totally inappropriate for my 155-pound weight. And I came to realize that no matter what I did, the bike would never have the ergonomics I need/want. When it came time to drop $1,000 for an MCCruise (without which I would find LD riding all but impossible) I balked.
Deeply suspicious of the experience promised by a 1200cc parallel twin, I test rode an S-10 in January -- and was hooked. I traded the FJR for an ES model S-10. I may have only 600 miles on the odometer, but it's become clear that the bike will work very well for both solo LD adventures and two-up touring.
I'll miss the FJR's refinement and looks, the wonderful noises it makes accelerating through the gears, and the power, but for me, the S-10's comfort, its plush yet controlled ride and always-composed handling make it the right bike for me, now.
