BUYER'S REMORSE ...

[FLOWBACK]

I have seen on a few threads here people concerned with the "high" horsepower on the FJR and some mentioning of some people being skeerd of the bike. For anyone with these fealings do not fear. If you ride the FJR like a sane person it is tame as a kitten. Very nimble at slow speed parking lot manuvering,and by "short shifting" going through the gears it's as smooth as the hand rail at a Nevada whore house.

New riders don't be skeerd of the FJR.

 

[rcan08]

this is a differant type bike for me, i have a gl1800, and a DL1000 v-strom. i wanted a solo long distance bike, and boy does this fjr look like it will fill the bill. it is a little more forward posistion then my hands like, but as soon as i can get risers and my Russel seat, that should solve the problem.

only other mild complaint was a bit of wind noise. tried a laminar lip. presto...no more wind noise.

overall its more than i expected!!!what a greeat ride!!

 

[bramfrank]

Buyer's remorse? I can't say yet.

I picked up my '06 yesterday and it replaces a Concours that I crashed last fall. After all of the hype, the one thing I was worried about wasd that it might be too much bike. I like to ride fast, but friends who ride 'busas, K1200s models and one who now has his ZX14 were warning me that the bike was 'gut wrenching' and wild with power all the way up from 2K RPMs.

Well, as I posted at the COG web site, I was relieved. Relieved that the bike was nowhere near as fast as I'd been lead to believe and was very easygoing from the perspective of handling. Then again, it was disappointing to learn that it was so mild mannered - sort of 'is that all there is'?

However handling, braking and everything except weather protection (I have to get the tall windscreen) and the small mirrors is just great. I even found out where to get more power (it seems it's hiding above 5000 RPM).

Up here in Canada, the ST1300 is less expensive and has a better warranty. That was vying for my check. In the end I decided that I was better off with the first year of a revised bike than the last year of an older design and that the lighter machine would likely handle better. Lighter IS better - and remember to set that rear shock setting on 'firm'!

But the price!!! Why is it that the '06 is going for a reported <$12K in the US (which translates to about $13.5K) and up here you are lucky to get it much below C$17K (I managed)? Then there's the extended waranty. Even with the new bike 'at delivery' discount and the $100 rebate the 3 year extension cost ~C$750 where I see that the 4 year extension in the US can be had for $400 (and no tax if you buy it from out of state!!!!). In the end, my bank account was drained by about C$20K (US$17800) after taxes.

 

[radman]

Socialist nirvana comes at a price, in this case about 5 g's (C$7).

 

[flyinlow]

I've been seeing lots of people talking about replacing the windshield on the 06 because there's not enough protection. Let me give you my perspective. I have been on sport bikes all my life. I'm 6'2" and wear a size 54 jacket. I ride with the windshield in the normal position or maybe an inch up almost all the time except if its really cold, then I jack it all the way up to keep the cold air off me. Other than that, I WANT the air hitting my helmet because thats the quietest, when the air can slip around the helmet. You start raising the windshield and you start getting the buffeting and noise. I wear a very good helmet (Arai RX7 Corsair). This is the most comfortable bike I've ever owned and meets my expectations and exceeds them. Its not as fast as a sport bike, but its fast enough. Some of you guys want full protection from the wind and thats your choice. Just remember that full protection also costs you when its hot out, you don't get decent air flow through your jacket.

Speaking of helmets, they do make a difference. I bought the Arai this year and have always had HJC AC-11 helmets. What a huge difference. At about 80-90mph I would start to get buffeting on the HJC, just figured it was the speed and the airflow off the windscreen. Then I bought the Arai, and on the same bike at those speeds the helmet was rock steady. Plus the airflow inside the helmet with the vents open was amazing compared to the HJC.

 

[fjrjonesing]

The first thing I noticed (and really, the only thing I didn't like) about the FJR was the pressure on my wrists. Even with risers, I was uncomfortable with the lean. Rick Mayer made a seat for me that was lowered an inch and that made a big difference.

But the farkle that made the biggest difference was Wild Bill's highway pegs. They allowed me to sit back more, rotate my weight further back onto my buns, and take the pressure off my wrists. I'm a 100% happy camper now, and I don't see any other bike in my immediate future.

Well, unless Yamaha redesigns the VMax

Jim

 

[Fred H.]

Well, as I posted at the COG web site, I was relieved. Relieved that the bike was nowhere near as fast as I'd been lead to believe and was very easygoing from the perspective of handling. Then again, it was disappointing to learn that it was so mild mannered - sort of 'is that all there is'?

Yea, that was my initial reaction too. I think the speed thing was a bit overplayed. I think the deception is that the bike is pretty smooth, even at higher speeds, so you don't get the normal speed ques you do on other bikes. I actually think that my GL1800 has better roll on acceleration at certain speeds and RPMs due to the huge amount of torque that the big six in it has, but it doesn't have the HP on the upper end of the RPM range like the FJR does. The FJR seems to just like to go fast, and is a bit more work to keep under 70 as it runs so smooth at 90.

I also notice a general "feeling" that I am not as protected on the FJR as I am on the Wing, though I can't really put a finger on it. The bike somehow just makes me feel more vulnerable, mainly from a visibility standpoint. That big Orange GL1800 sure sticks out in traffic, and I know that has saved me a couple times. I wish the FJR was a lighter/brighter color (maybe yellow?).

I go back and forth. Part of me really likes the bike and doesn't want to give it up, but another part thinks it is silly for me to have two motorcycles and have to buy insurance and gas and tires and accessories for them. I'm not sure I can afford to keep two bikes, and I can tell you for sure I won't be getting rid of the wing, even though it has 92K miles on it. It is my vacation machine for my wife and I, and I love to take it on long trips to California and Canada etc.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Is it perfect? No! There are no perfect bikes out there. I bought mine second day of the PDP in 2002. Only saw an article in a UK magazine and that it would not be brought to the US market place. But that changed and when I saw the PDP that came up on my FZ1 site I went down and put up the $500. There are shortcomings but there are shortcomings on all bike, cars, products etc. Thats why we farkle. Farkling is almost as much fun as riding.

 

[flyinlow]

I see from your reply you have a Gold Wing. Not sure what year it is, but if its the new generation, thats a good handling bike for its size. I ride with a guy who has one and he has no issues keeping up.

Yes, moving to any other bike other than a BMW LT will leave you feeling less protected. For me, going to a Gold Wing would ruin motorcycling for me for the same reason, too isolated from the wind, air, etc. Myself, if I had the Gold Wing, I would not have bought the FJR, I would have bought some type of sport bike for doing the twisties, little day trips, etc. but thats me. Your FJR will definitely handle better than the Gold Wing.

 

[Toecutter]

Farkling is almost as much fun as riding.

I would offer that it is as much fun as riding, at least for me. Doin' it just right, then taking that first ride with your new cruise control, HID lights, whatever....

"Jesus built my car. It's a love affair. Mainly Jesus, and my hot rod." - Ministry

 

[Scab]

Regrets? We don't need no stinkin' regrets!

Really, I don't have any. The bike was different, as I came from a Wing, but that is not really a negative. Once acclimated, I was very happy with the bike and still am. I have only had her for about 6 months and we're pushing about 10,500 miles now. No problems, no worries.

Coming from the Wing, I too worried about my new visibility signature. But really, I think it's all in my head. This bike is not noticed any more or less than my wing was. Some people watch for bikes, some don't. I do think the acceleration has gotten me out of the way a couple of times, though.

As for the power, I think this bike is deceiving. It IS that fast, it just doesn't feel like it. Check the numbers for acceleration, roll-on, quarter mile, etc. and there is just not a huge number of bikes in this ole world that will walk off and leave her. I think people may saddle up for the first time thinking this bike is going to be a handfull of raw, balls-to-the-wall power. The power is there, it just delivers it in a very refined and smooth manner. And then, accelleration acclimation comes quickly. You get used to this real fast.

But, would I change anything? Sure. I never owned a bike that I didn't change something on.

I would enjoy those handlebars being just a tad closer to me and I would like more places to put more stuff. (that's a nasty habit from owning a goldwing)

So, I added risers right off the bat and this past weekend I installed a hitch and added a trailer. Cool. Fast with stuff.

REGRETS? Only one.

I regret that I was not born rich. Then, I could have paid cash and also brought home her friends.

 

[DrBunsen]

I have seen on a few threads here people concerned with the "high" horsepower on the FJR and some mentioning of some people being skeerd of the bike. For anyone with these fealings do not fear. If you ride the FJR like a sane person it is tame as a kitten. Very nimble at slow speed parking lot manuvering,and by "short shifting" going through the gears it's as smooth as the hand rail at a Nevada whore house.
New riders don't be skeerd of the FJR.

I can vouch for that. Compared to 99% of you guys I'm a rank beginner. I rode some decades ago but recently found myself in need of a bike. I didn't start out with a "beginner's bike", I started out on the FJR.

And, of course, to some of you that signals "squid who doesn't know what he's getting into".

Nope, I disagree. Here's the secret to torque and horsepower - that little twisty thing on the right side? Don't twist it so much. Little short movements is all you need. I'm a full-fledged adult who's been using his right wrist for all sorts of uses from sports to "tension relief", and I'm quite capable of keeping that wrist under my brain's control.

And I LOVE this bike!

I've got hundreds of miles on it since I picked it up on Saturday. I haven't dropped it. I haven't had it "get away on me". No worries at all in take offs, corners, or low speed manuevering, though I'm still needing to "dog paddle" in low speed very tight turns or (Note: I've been spending over an hour a day doing those sorts of things, over and over and over and over and over and over again).

I'm not saying I'm perfect on this bike - I never will be, but I am saying that I think I made the absolutely perfect choice for me. Would I recommend it for the average beginning or returning rider? Probably not. But for some beginners who have the maturity and basic physical ability to keep themselves under control (and who have at least taken the MSF course so they have SOME experience), they can translate that to this bike and keep it under rational control. If they can do that then the main worry (other than the usual basic motorcycling skills) is keeping the weight of the bike under control.

But most of it starts and ends with that right wrist. If you can't control that then stay away from this bike. Oh... and most other bikes as well.

Bunsen

 

[racer]

The only problem I had, other than the heat on my 04, was sliding forward on the seat into the tank. Fixed that with an Allyn Air Cushion seat installed backwards.

As for the FJR..........Every motorcycle I ever owned, was the best motorcycle I ever owned, when I owned it!

 

[panthercity]

...Every motorcycle I ever owned, was the best motorcycle I ever owned, when I owned it!

With one exception, an HD 350 Sprint, I am in total agreement!

 

[FLOWBACK]

Guess I should feel good about picking up my 05 dealer demo with 3000 miles for 10,000 dollars here in the u.s.

 

[zzkenoman]

Fred, I have to agree you do feel more vulnerable on the FJR, and the more my wife rides, the more protection you want. The longer the ride, the more you want to pack. Over the years as she declined to ride, I wondered why I needed all the extra bags, luggage and possibility of a trailer. What I wanted was, to enjoy the ride and not think of all the gear I have to carry. I could get a Gold Wing, but my SLK320 Benz convertible has the same sensation, so I choose to keep the bike that caters to the sportiness of touring bikes. If my wife wants to go with me, I tell her pack her things in that glove box sized, saddlebag liner, and get on the bike when the garage door closes.

 

[Scythian]

Last July I got off of a 1983 CB1000C that I spent 52,000 miles on and swung my leg over the FJR.

You can scarcely imagine the difference....

 

[parnellIII]

Okay, here's my nickels worth.

In 97 bought a 750 nighthawk, rode it for 34,000, not alot of miles.

In 04 I was leaning toward the FJR for the fall but decided on a connie. In 5 months I managed to put 7,000 miles on her before being totaled by mean driver in a car. I'd probly still be on the connie if that had not happened. Once I was able to work a clutch I put deposit on FJR in Jan. 05. Finished my rehab in march, picked up the FJR in April, 14,000 miles later still happy as all get out!

The only change I made was to put a corbin seat on it, then added some farkle stuff like magnetic tank bra, carbon fiber look levers, headlight cover, couple of dragoon stickers and licence plate frame that says deal's gap-318 turns in 11 miles.

I recently added second bike to stable, BMW r1100s boxer cup replika To good of a deal to pass on. But, I've already hurt my beemer riding friends fellings by stating if I had to choose one bike, I'd keep the FJR. It is the all around bike for my style of riding. I've even took it out on a track day. :bleh: I feel like the bike fit's my body frame perfect, 5'8" 170 lbs. Enjoyed reading everyones views on the FJR. Mark

 

[parnellIII]

oh yea, put deposit down without test riding

 

[sparky3008]

My regret, Having a broken collar bone, a back that is killing me and I can't ride my FJR.