Back from the Atlanta Show

[Fencer]

I spent all day at the show even though it was small in comparison to some other events I have been to. I really expected more venders to be there. I went to really go helmet shopping and my buddy could not even find a new set of gloves that didn't say Harley. The Bike Mfgs were fairly well represented from the larger companies. Yamaha, BMW, Harley, Honda, and Suzuki covered most of the floor with smaller showings by Buell, Aperella, Triumph and Ducati. But you don't want a review of the show.... You want FJR news!

Just to go ahead and get this out of the way The reps standard answer to anything was "I don't know" to every question or "you probably know more about it than I do"

I will post some more pics as soon as they come out of my buddies camera as his takes better pics than mine we used it for most things. I met another waiter there from this forum. Hello Mark.

As I walked up to the FJ my first impression was it was a much darker deeper blue than I was expecting. It really looked nice. The pics don't really show how deep it is.

Anyway, a few pics from the show I'll try not to repeat what Brundog posted from Daytona.

An up the widshield shot so you may see any changes from the prev models.

My Webpage

https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/klgacg/bmwr.jpg

I got to take the Beamer on a test drive on a 17 mile escorted run. It was fun with some smooth acccelleration (klunky shifting though) but I don't think I would want to do over 200 miles in this seat.

Just to water your mouths some of the pics are: Without side bags, seat removed to show adjusters, ADJUSTABLE side fairing to control wind protection, rear shock adjustment, and of course a pic of my fat ass on an 06 :bleh:

 

[Fencer]

I finally get to sit on an 06 :drinks:

AE dash

Rear shock adjust

Front seat

Back seat

Easy oil change

Trunk area Sits lower the prev mods

AE no Bags

AE no bags again

Notice Metzlers

Hope this isn't too many photos for you.

 

[Fencer]

Since the comparison of the BMW GT here ya go:

GT no bag

GT intake

GT dash

 

[Calabash]

Nice pictures! You were patient and waited around for them to find the right keys to open the seat and side bags.

 

[Fencer]

Nice pictures!  You were patient and waited around for them to find the right keys to open the seat and side bags.

I found the Older grey haired customer service rep. Not the I don't know sales people (He didn't know much more but he would at least try).

Some quicky thoughts about the bike:

Throttle roll was stiffer than other bikes ridden (or tested at the show).

I am 6ft 2 about 235 (all muscle of course ) and found the seating position in both upper and lower position comfortable as both feet could touch flat footed in either position. I think I liked the lower position better for the angle of the arms to the bars (didn't really make that much difference).

I found the handle bar positioning comfortable without much lean at all.

I could actually see behind myself in the mirrors without looking through my elbos.

The acceleration and speed and stopping power was unbelievable!!! I must have done a hundred laps at the show and parked the bike back in its spot and no-one ever new it was gone!

The trunk rack sat almost flat on the tail light area were as it has been raised about 2 inches on past models.

I noticed in Brundogs pic from Daytona that it had a radiator cover from the factory. While there is a cover there, I don't believe it is very substantial. It felt like pretty thin plastic and the distance between cross bars is finger width. It may help on a smallish pebble, but a rock big enough to do damage will fly right through IMHO.

 

[BrunDog]

Great photos! Nice ones of under seat, especially. I asked them to remove the seat at Daytona but supposedly they could not find the guy with the key. Two locks now - I guess that is where all the new weight came from!! Also, I wonder how an Audiovox servo will fit in there...

Also nice shots of the GT without bags. Still not as nice as the FJR, especially since its tail seems to go on forever, but not atrocious.

-BD

 

[GOPHER]

Nice pics FJRFencer.

Ahhhh, the Atlanta show. I sure do miss it. I used to look forward to it over the winter when I lived in Dalton, GA. I haven't been to a CW show since I moved to Utah.

A lot of people have been dogging the looks of the new BMW, but I actually really like it. The seats look like bricks though. Don't care for the gauges either.

I'm a waiter........whats in the plastic bag under the FJRs rear seat in the pic?

 

[Scab]

The beemer ain't a bad looking bike, but the huge, blank sides of the front plastic is a little lacking in style vs. the feejer. I guess the style guy was out sick that day.

 

[nusman68]

I'm a waiter........whats in the plastic bag under the FJRs rear seat in the pic?

-you put your weed in there! :lol:

-agree with the styling (or lack thereof) on the Beemer...it probably has a better drag coefficient, but it just doesn''t 'speak to me' ...

 

[NovaFlyer]

Have to add another vote to the "what were the BMW style guys thinkin' " category.

While I'm sure there are a number of functional reasons for it, it just doesn't do it for me.

Thanx Fencer for the pics and review.

 

[Luke]

Fencer, thanks for the report.

I'm still waiting, but it helps(a little) to see more pics.

 

[S76]

The beemer ain't a bad looking bike, but the huge, blank sides of the front plastic is a little lacking in style vs. the feejer. I guess the style guy was out sick that day.

Agreed! I could not own that with those side plastics. It just to.....not good looking enough. I even like the 05 Feejer fairings better than the 06. I'm thinking of adding the 05 FJR decal to my 06 to break it up some.

 

[painman]

FJRFencer,Mar 19 2006, 05:26 PM]The acceleration and speed and stopping power was unbelievable!!! I must have done a hundred laps at the show and parked the bike back in its spot and no-one ever new it was gone!

FJRFencer, did you test ride an 06 or 05? If you were on an 06, you are the first I've heard to be able to ride one. Thanks for the pics, Painman. <><

 

[Fencer]

FJRFencer,Mar 19 2006, 05:26 PM]The acceleration and speed and stopping power was unbelievable!!! I must have done a hundred laps at the show and parked the bike back in its spot and no-one ever new it was gone!

FJRFencer, did you test ride an 06 or 05? If you were on an 06, you are the first I've heard to be able to ride one. Thanks for the pics, Painman. <><

Why it was the faster 06 blue one that is sluggish in France of course!!!

I think the extra speed came from reduced weight in the battery compartment

 

[krashdragon]

The beemer ain't a bad looking bike, but the huge, blank sides of the front plastic is a little lacking in style vs. the feejer. I guess the style guy was out sick that day.

The BMW looks like too much front and too little plastic in the back...kind of off balance...

But tha'ts JMHO....

Of course I'd take one if it was free.

Mary

 

[Marcf]

Fencer - good seeing you at the show. I ended up spending a great deal of time going back and forth between the BMW 1200GT and the FJR just to make sure I am making the right decision by going with the FJR. Only bone I had to pick with the FJR was the lack of cruise control, heated seats and grip heaters as standard/optional features (it seems Yamaha should offer these items as options if they are going to chip away at the BMW market share). At least I can order the grip heaters (according to the guy from Yamaha). I'm accustomed to those features on my BMW K1200LT as they do come in handy for deep winter riding and high mileage multi-day trips.

Either way, I'm now convinced the FJR is the way to go and can't wait to get my '06 in early April from Atlanta Motor World in Roswell. It looked like your friend was pretty excited over the GT. Seems to be a great bike but I just can't justify the additional $7k+...

See you around,

Marc

 

[FJRocket]

Fencer, looks like the area under the seat where the tool tray is on earlier model is even more cramped than before. Does it look like there is room for an Audiovox servo under there?

Did the low seat position on the bike feel lower than the older stock seat position? Was it more ergonomic/comfortable?

Thanks for the pics and the report.

 

[AJ_MN]

Great photos, I can't wait to do my first oil change. Just did one on my ZX9 to get it ready to sell, and this looks much easier!

Seeing all these pics, just stirs the pot and I can't wait but we still have snow on the ground here.

 

[donaldb]

I don't know, that BMW solid fairing thing just doesn't seem to work for me. I guess it could grow on you over time. Kinda looks like a saucer plate or armor shield. Aside from that, I kinda like it.