Decisions, Decisions............

[frito1]

Spent most of the day doing free grattis work testing EMT candidates at the local community college. When I left I did a little round about of local bike shops. First was the used Harley poser warehouse. Talked to the front man for a while, he asked why I was in the mood for a new bike, replied that the current ride was getting a little long in the tooth. He asked how many miles it had, I replied 65-66, he says hundred? You don't need a new bike. I said thousands and you're right I don't need a new bike I just want one. On to the Honda/Suzuki dealer, nothing of interest there. Backtrailed to the Yamaha/Kawasaki dealer. I spot a Connie in the corner. It's a new '08, no ABS, $9600. Nice, then I spot a FJR with no bags. It's a new '08 AE, the bags are still in a box somewhere. I chat a bit and he offers it up for $11K and says he has another FJR in the back, still in the box. The bike in a box is a new '09 A and he was asking $11.5K for it. I came home with a couple of brochures and a bad case of "wanna new bike itis". The wife isn't being helpfull at all. She just asked which one I was gonna buy. I asked what to do with the current ride, the HD bagger, she says sell it or keep it. What should I do???

I'm not interested in an AE and am leaning towards making a cash offer for the '09 A. Don't have anything in particular against the Kaw, but the keyless thing bothers me. The $11.5K seems like a not too bad price. Input?

 

[Bigbeavk]

Sounds like they need to put the 09A together so you can test drive it. If you have not been on one I'm thinking you will fall in luv with it and bring it home. I took my Wide Glide for a ride up in PA a while back and we stopped at a HD dealer that also carried Yamaha. So we stop for a break and I go over to the Yamaha side and there she was. A black cherry 07A sitting in the corner. The sales lady come over and I told her I was looking for one to test ride. She said no problem I'll have her outside in 5 minutes. So I took a ride came back and she offered me an even trade. 05 Wide Glide with 40k miles and bald tire for a brand new FJR. The rest is history. Just save up for a Russell Seat and you will be all set and mama will be amazed and happy.

 

[highcountry]

Test ride an "A" and make your decision. I believe that you will soon be the owner of a new FJR.

 

[wfooshee]

Do it!!!

Do it!!!!

:assassin:

 

[rushes]

Sell it....

 

[Auburn]

Go for it. You'll have to adjust your riding a little. You won''t have to slow down as much for the corners due to the added ground clearance you will gain.

 

[escapefjrtist]

You won't be disappointed! B)

--G

 

[madjackdog]

I came home with a couple of brochures and a bad case of "wanna new bike itis". The wife isn't being helpfull at all. She just asked which one I was gonna buy. I asked what to do with the current ride, the HD bagger, she says sell it or keep it. What should I do???

That's your complaint? "She just asked which one I was going to buy"? Grounds for divorce, I say.

 

[72Duster340]

Last year I went through the same decision process, road tested a '09 Concours 14 ABS and a '09 FJR A (did not ride an AE model) and bought the Yamaha. Like you I was unsure of the "keyless" ignition, which still has a key to turn, and I just didn't like the single large muffler. Good luck with your search hopefully we will hear from you soon about your new bike.

 

[Aasland]

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably go for the Connie, but not without test riding it and the 09 FJR first.

Back in '07 I was bike shopping. I found a new 08 Honda ST1300 for $13k and an 06 FJR that looked brand new, for $10k. $3k is a lot, and I wanted a sportier ride than the ST1300, so I got the FJR.

Between the touchy throttle, heat and quality issues (ign switch, ECU, CCT) the FJR is far from perfect and looking at alternatives is warranted. BTW if go for the FJR, get the extended warranty - it ain't no Honda.

Come to think of it .. if I were in your shoes, I think I'd go try on a Multistrada DS1200s.

 

[Fred W]

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably go for the Connie, but not without test riding it and the 09 FJR first.
Back in '07 I was bike shopping. I found a new 08 Honda ST1300 for $13k and an 06 FJR that looked brand new, for $10k. $3k is a lot, and I wanted a sportier ride than the ST1300, so I got the FJR.

Between the touchy throttle, heat and quality issues (ign switch, ECU, CCT) the FJR is far from perfect and looking at alternatives is warranted. BTW if go for the FJR, get the extended warranty - it ain't no Honda.

Come to think of it .. if I were in your shoes, I think I'd go try on a Multistrada DS1200s.

Huh? :blink:

Touchy throttle, ECU altitude fix and ignition switch fix would all already be installed and fixed on a new '09.

Yours was the 1st year of a new model bike (2nd gen). The '09 would have all the fixed stuff they learned about on your bike.

And you think the heat on a 2nd gen FJR is bad? Compared to a 1st gen C14? No. :nono: The FJR runs cooler than an '08 C14 by a lot.

The only unresolved known "issue" on a new '09 FJR would be the burning spiders issue, which can be pretty easily mitigated.

Also, if the KiPass on the C14 is scary to the OP, how scary is all the electronic gee-gaw on the new multistrada?

I think the price they quoted of $11.5k is quite reasonable. Ask for them to throw in the YES or else match the price you can buy it from DH for ($350).

 

[BanjoBoy]

Go fer the '09, @ $11.5 OTD. That'd be a good deal. :thumbsupsmileyanim:

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Come to think of it .. if I were in your shoes, I think I'd go try on a Multistrada DS1200s.

Ditto. I really like my FJR, but that Ducati is one bad-*** looking bike! B)

The $11.5K price tag of the FJR beats the heck out of the $20K price tag of the Ducati.

 

[07fjrTom]

Having trouble? Too many choices? The wife says buy whichever one you want? Riding a Harley already?

Doesn't sound to me like much of a problem! Kinda like being too good looking or too rich......

 

[chivvalry]

I'd do the 09 just because I like the manual clutch better than the AE... but you should ride both and checking out a connie isnt a bad idea as well. I like the looks of the feejer over the connie hands down but the connie's are good bikes as well. The Honda ST1300 just doesnt trip my trigger and the beemer is too damned expensive.

 

[Aasland]

Touchy throttle, ECU altitude fix and ignition switch fix would all already be installed and fixed on a new '09.Yours was the 1st year of a new model bike (2nd gen). The '09 would have all the fixed stuff they learned about on your bike.

Why didn't Yamaha figure this out before? They've been making ignition switches and ECU's and motorcycle electrical systems for years. If I didn't learn from past mistakes I'd be out of a job. I don't know how Kawasaki stacks up in terms of reliability, but it's not a slam-dunk in favor of Yamaha.

And you think the heat on a 2nd gen FJR is bad? Compared to a 1st gen C14? No. :nono: The FJR runs cooler than an '08 C14 by a lot.

Good point - that might be the decision-maker.

The only unresolved known "issue" on a new '09 FJR would be the burning spiders issue, which can be pretty easily mitigated.

Forgot about that, add it to the list.

Also, if the KiPass on the C14 is scary to the OP, how scary is all the electronic gee-gaw on the new multistrada?

If I were in his shoes I wouldn't be afraid of [properly tested] electronic gee-gaws.

I'm just saying that if he is seriously considering both bikes enough to get on this board and post his question, he should ride both. There might be something about how either bike rides (clunky FJR tranny? C14's soft low-end torque?) which has a significant impact on his choice. Combine that with the feedback he's getting here, and all that will contribute to his decision.

 

[Aasland]

Come to think of it .. if I were in your shoes, I think I'd go try on a Multistrada DS1200s.

Ditto. I really like my FJR, but that Ducati is one bad-*** looking bike! B)

The $11.5K price tag of the FJR beats the heck out of the $20K price tag of the Ducati.

It does, but to be fair, add $2k in suspension mods to the FJR or compare to the non-Ohlin's $15k Ducati. I will readily admit that at $11.5k the FJR presents a tremendous value.

I'd rather have a paid for FJR with all it's issues, than a shiny new DS1200s and debt. Oh wait I do.

 

[Fred W]

I'm just saying that if he is seriously considering both bikes enough to get on this board and post his question, he should ride both. There might be something about how either bike rides (clunky FJR tranny? C14's soft low-end torque?) which has a significant impact on his choice. Combine that with the feedback he's getting here, and all that will contribute to his decision.

+1 -

I was just trying to point out that some of the problems that you mentioned would already be fixed in a new '09.

I wouldn't buy it because it's black. And that just ain't me on the Fung shui scale...

 

[krashdragon]

Let her ride the harley and you get one of the Yammies..... simple!

so you question is? :blink:

have fun!

mary