Decisions Decisions

[lumens]

Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets!

In the black corner, weighing in with 15,000 miles, a 2008 going for $9,000. Secret weapon: under warranty until the middle of next year.

In the blue corner, weighing in with 25,000 miles, a 2005 going for $6,500. Secret weapon: ABS and a top case included.

I'm leaning toward the 2008. Has a warranty, less miles, and I don't have to worry about valve tick. The price of the 2005 would be appreciated, however, but I would prefer a bike that doesn't have as many miles (I know, I know, these things are tanks and don't really get broken in until the second hundred thousand miles).

What say you?

 

[HotRodZilla]

With the 2005, you don't have to worry about valve tick anyway, but I'd go for the '08.

 

[phroenips]

The biggest problem with this question is that you're comparing a first gen against a second gen. Now you're going to have all the (compensating) first gen owners say to go with that one and the second gens are crap.

You must learn to ignore them!

Seriously though, you can't go wrong with either one. Being in Texas, the first gen will probably be a little hotter, but I hear there are some pretty easy fixes to make it better (and just to make sure you know, all 06+ models have ABS)

 

[lumens]

I'm aware that everything 06+ has ABS, which is nice. I definitely want ABS (at least I think I do). I kinda hate the brakes on my V-Strom.

You don't have to worry about tick on the 05? Is that because 05's aren't affected, or because Yamaha is covering the issue?

 

[escapefjrtist]

Both are great bikes and you can't go wrong with either, but they are too much money.

Go for the '08 with an under $8k price and you'll get a great bike. Look to the classifieds for bikes that move, and you'll get some price comparisons.

Good luck!

--G

 

[graler]

Both are great bikes and you can't go wrong with either, but they are too much money.

Go for the '08 with an under $8k price and you'll get a great bike. Look to the classifieds for bikes that move, and you'll get some price comparisons.

Good luck!

--G

What he said. Price on 08 too high.

Joe

 

[graler]

Lumens,

Talk to this person in Oklahoma.

https://tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/2991118850.html

That is a helluva deal - no details though.

 

[SkooterG]

Price on both is too high. Yes, the 05 can be a ticker, but at 25k miles, if it ain't one yet it ain't going to be. Also, on the 05, a valve check is due is 2,000 miles. that can be a pricey maintenance procedure to have properly done at a dealer.

While a warranty can be desirable, only having a year of warranty left on an 08 with only 15k miles isn't much. The odds of anything going wrong in the next year on a low mile FJR are slim to none. Different story for a higher mileage FJR or one that has lots of warranty left and will be ridden LOTs. And can help re-sale value.

 

[SkooterG]

Lumens,

Talk to this person in Oklahoma.

https://tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/2991118850.html

That is a helluva deal - no details though.

My God! Assuming the FJR is in great shape (as it should be with only 3800 miles), that is a completely SMOKING deal!

 

[HotRodZilla]

Price on both is too high. Yes, the 05 can be a ticker, but at 25k miles, if it ain't one yet it ain't going to be. Also, on the 05, a valve check is due is 2,000 miles. that can be a pricey maintenance procedure to have properly done at a dealer.

While a warranty can be desirable, only having a year of warranty left on an 08 with only 15k miles isn't much. The odds of anything going wrong in the next year on a low mile FJR are slim to none. Different story for a higher mileage FJR or one that has lots of warranty left and will be ridden LOTs. And can help re-sale value.

Maybe off topic a hair, maybe not, but I thought nothing after '04 ticked. I guess I'm wrong?

 

[graler]

Lumens,

Talk to this person in Oklahoma.

https://tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/2991118850.html

That is a helluva deal - no details though.

My God! Assuming the FJR is in great shape (as it should be with only 3800 miles), that is a completely SMOKING deal!

Skooter - right I am almost tempted to pull the trigger on this 09 myself - I really like the blacked out look. My Nighthawk was an 86 also blacked out. Temptation.....

 

[RsvlFeej]

Price on both is too high. Yes, the 05 can be a ticker, but at 25k miles, if it ain't one yet it ain't going to be. Also, on the 05, a valve check is due is 2,000 miles. that can be a pricey maintenance procedure to have properly done at a dealer.

While a warranty can be desirable, only having a year of warranty left on an 08 with only 15k miles isn't much. The odds of anything going wrong in the next year on a low mile FJR are slim to none. Different story for a higher mileage FJR or one that has lots of warranty left and will be ridden LOTs. And can help re-sale value.

Maybe off topic a hair, maybe not, but I thought nothing after '04 ticked. I guess I'm wrong?

'04 and'05 are identical except for paint color, so yes, there were some '05 tickers.

 

[Ignacio]

Maybe off topic a hair, maybe not, but I thought nothing after '04 ticked. I guess I'm wrong?

There is speculation that some '05's (perhaps the 2005 1/2s) may have had benefit of the revised valve guide seals and/or computer modification. Anecdotally, there seemed to be less '05 tickers even though there were more sold in those two years.

Back on topic--worrying about tickers is only slightly less pointless than oil--especially at 25K miles if it doesn't tick. Concur that there are better prices out there for both specimens.

 

[Greb]

If the Tulsa craiglist ad is legit you'd better jump on that deal quick because it won't last.

 

[150Fuelie]

08, but work on the price. I picked mine up a couple weeks ago for $8,500. 4,700 miles, new rear tire (seller caught a nail just before listing it) and has 2 years of warranty left. Absolutely pristine.

 

[captaincautious]

08 with less miles and better resale later.

 

[lumens]

If I had the cash on hand that bike in Tulsa would be mine right now. Unfortunately, I'm having to finance this purchase, so the seller has to be close to my bank.

I'm trying to be patient here, but I'm itchy for a bike with....well.......more. It's really boiling down to either an FJR or an ST1300, and I think the FJR is winning out.

My daily commute is about 80 miles round trip of highway. The V-Strom is comfortable, but I ride it like a sport tourer, so I figure why not actually ride a sport tourer rather than making the Vee try to be something it's not.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Lumens,

Talk to this person in Oklahoma.

https://tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/2991118850.html

That is a helluva deal - no details though.

My God! Assuming the FJR is in great shape (as it should be with only 3800 miles), that is a completely SMOKING deal!

Double damn...might have to spring for a replacement [garage queen] at that price!!

--G

 

[150Fuelie]

so the seller has to be close to my bank.

Why does that matter? Get all the info on the bike as well as seller info and head over there with a cashiers check from your bank. If the bike isn't as described, hold on to the check and go back home. My credit union has something called a ready loan check. You determine how much you want to finance and the check will be limited to that amount but can be written for a lower amount. It is good for 90 days giving you time to find the right deal.