Saddletramp
Well-known member
During my 1,800+ miles ride last weekend I been thinking about a conversation I had with a gentleman one night in Ogden, UT. I was unpacking my FJR at my lucky-to-find motel room when I was pestered by a guy about my FJR. I say pestered because when you've been on the road all day in the heat & finally find a room at 10:30 pm you pretty much have but one thing on your mind....sleep.
This guy comes up & starts by saying " why would a guy your age buy a bike like this?" I retort with "because I like it" this does not pacify him. He saw my Washington state plates & said "wouldn't you be more comfortable on a cruiser?" I say "no, I have a Honda Valkyrie back in my garage, if I wanted to ride a cruiser this far, that's what I would have brought." He says " Guys that ride these BMW style bikes are not very friendly, why is that?. I explain that my perceived lack of friendliness is just my need for rest. I then give him a 20 minute dissertation on why I like the FJR so much & how great it is to ride. Twenty minutes later I'm dead asleep. I doubt my inquirer will ever buy an FJR. He seemed like one who would dream about it but never take the step. FJR ownership requires one to step outside the norm.
Since owning the FJR I am surprised by how little FJR owners post on boards such as this one & on how uninterested others owners are in group rides. On the V-Star & Valkyrie boards that I used to frequent there was constant chatter. Hundreds of posts per day. They were always organizing get together rides. Actually, they bs'ed more than they rode! Then it hit me.
In general, people that buy FJR's are interesting in riding, not talking about it! Sport touring owners are a free thinking, independent lot who want to see & experience the world. Definitely not sheep mentality.
So, if your guys aren't posting I'll assume like me, you're out slicing through the bugs & air molecules on your magical two wheeled personal transporter!
See ya out there! B)
This guy comes up & starts by saying " why would a guy your age buy a bike like this?" I retort with "because I like it" this does not pacify him. He saw my Washington state plates & said "wouldn't you be more comfortable on a cruiser?" I say "no, I have a Honda Valkyrie back in my garage, if I wanted to ride a cruiser this far, that's what I would have brought." He says " Guys that ride these BMW style bikes are not very friendly, why is that?. I explain that my perceived lack of friendliness is just my need for rest. I then give him a 20 minute dissertation on why I like the FJR so much & how great it is to ride. Twenty minutes later I'm dead asleep. I doubt my inquirer will ever buy an FJR. He seemed like one who would dream about it but never take the step. FJR ownership requires one to step outside the norm.
Since owning the FJR I am surprised by how little FJR owners post on boards such as this one & on how uninterested others owners are in group rides. On the V-Star & Valkyrie boards that I used to frequent there was constant chatter. Hundreds of posts per day. They were always organizing get together rides. Actually, they bs'ed more than they rode! Then it hit me.
In general, people that buy FJR's are interesting in riding, not talking about it! Sport touring owners are a free thinking, independent lot who want to see & experience the world. Definitely not sheep mentality.
So, if your guys aren't posting I'll assume like me, you're out slicing through the bugs & air molecules on your magical two wheeled personal transporter!
See ya out there! B)
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