I seriously need to get rid of all computer internet technolgy at work and at home. I think surfing the Net is turning me into a real Fanatic. Seems like everytime I buy something I have to buy the best possible thing then 6 months to a year later I find myself wanting to try something different. Lately I have been spending alot (To Much) time over on the ADVRider forum. Well looking at these pictures of guys riding to Alaska, Baja Mexico etc has me itching to buy me a ADV bike. Looking at some of the photo's they post on the Ride forums are incredible. I must admit I have loved every mile on my FJR. I have spent close to $5k if not more on Farkles for my 07AE and it's a joy to ride but sometimes while I am Flyin down the Freeway I see this Dirt road or trail just calling my name wanting to be ridden. I think I have a serious problem here. Maybe it's the "I want what I don't have SYNDROME." Anyone else get this or is it just me? Wish I could afford both bikes. Decisions, Decisions.
Well.....Yes
Over the years I 'suffered' from that syndrome.
My most recent delving in the different was in 2002 (started a series of different). I was riding a 1997 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe (big, heavy, relative slow gas gobbler, but pretty) and was interested in the FJR over in Europe. Rumors that it would become available here in U.S.A. got me all excited, so I plunked down the 500 bucks and waited. The day finally came in July 31. 2002 and it arrived. What a nice bike. RSTD became a garage orphan. Kept the RSTD for 8 months, just sitting there and sold it to a deputy sherrif, who took his new bride up to Alaska on it. Was a bit nervous, but he later said the big bike did just fine on the trip up there.
Then in 2005 I made the mistake of sitting on a Goldwing GL1800 at the International Motorcycle show here in Denver. Wow! Look at all those buttons and switches! Couple of months later I had a shiny, new 2006 sitting in the garage, next to the FJR. I rode them both, but the Wing was the long distance mile muncher for me.
Then last year I got the bright idea to ride up to Alaska. Which bike to take - FJR or the Wing? FJR hard on tires, Wing too much tupperware to screw up if I fell down plus some pretty rough roads to shake it up. So what to do? I decided to look into a V-Strom. Found a nice 2003 'garage queen' with only 4k miles and a great price. Farkled it up for the ride. BUT, I now had a lack of space in the garage, so had to make room. A lucky fella here in Denver got a highly farkled FJR for a good price, and the V-Strom was a real hoot on the trip up to the Great White North. It is a heck of a bike, fast, handles like a champ, even in the twisties, and one can cruise in comfort all day long.
The one thing that these last 3 bikes have in common, they are all relatively high performance machines (the Goldwing would surprise you). The V-Strom 1000 kicks butt, just does it in a different way.
So many bikes, so little time (and money these days). If I were to get the itch, and the coins, maybe one of those new BMW850GS would be a kewl ride. Of course a generation III FJR would not be out of the running, whenever they might come out.
