After much deliberation, I pulled the trigger and bought the new 2006 FJR AE that was at the dealer. I think I got a good deal - the price was under $10K. The intention was that I'd sell the BMW R1150R and keep the old R100 that my son rides most of the time, and that I steal from time to time for a jaunt on the local twisties. I picked up the FJR last night and rode the 60 miles home. FWIW, here's a few first impressions:
Plusses:
Smooth, quiet engine
Ergonomics seem pretty good. I like the fact that I can adjust the seat height and handlebar position (although I haven't figured out how that's done yet).
Lighting is way better than any Beemer I've owned
The FJR is Fast. I may get some tickets.
Good power over all RPM ranges.
The automatic clutch thingy is cool. I was afraid that hate it, but it's nice.
Much better wind protection than my BMWs, but then, they are both almost naked.
Gadgetry is nice (I'm a sucker for things like air temp gauges)
Rock-solid on the interstate
Uses lo-test gas.
Bigger gas tank=fewer gas stops.
I love the electric wind screen. Very sweet.
The brakes are awesome
Service is almost "local" and much more reasonable
minuses:
Not as much "character". I'm not sure what this means, but I know what it feels like. The FJR is mostly smooth, while the BMW Boxers shake and rattle in a kind of visceral way. I guess I've grown to like that.
FJR was kind of hot to ride, but like I said, my BMWs are nekkid. I'm sure that a full-fairing beemer would be hot too.
The FJR handles nice and true, but is not as "flickable". It's just heavier. I lot of that may be just getting used to the different feel of the FJR. But the FJR just didn't feel nearly as nimble as the R1150R.
I can't fit my backpack with laptop in the FJR bag. Working on a comprise now.
Man, the FJR is buzzy at 5500 RPMs and 60-70 mph. I guess I need to avoid that range. n
So the bottom line is that I like both bikes for different reasons, but the FJR is probably the better bike. I'll stick with the original plan and sell the R1150R, but I may wait a month or so before advertising it
.
Plusses:
Smooth, quiet engine
Ergonomics seem pretty good. I like the fact that I can adjust the seat height and handlebar position (although I haven't figured out how that's done yet).
Lighting is way better than any Beemer I've owned
The FJR is Fast. I may get some tickets.
Good power over all RPM ranges.
The automatic clutch thingy is cool. I was afraid that hate it, but it's nice.
Much better wind protection than my BMWs, but then, they are both almost naked.
Gadgetry is nice (I'm a sucker for things like air temp gauges)
Rock-solid on the interstate
Uses lo-test gas.
Bigger gas tank=fewer gas stops.
I love the electric wind screen. Very sweet.
The brakes are awesome
Service is almost "local" and much more reasonable
minuses:
Not as much "character". I'm not sure what this means, but I know what it feels like. The FJR is mostly smooth, while the BMW Boxers shake and rattle in a kind of visceral way. I guess I've grown to like that.
FJR was kind of hot to ride, but like I said, my BMWs are nekkid. I'm sure that a full-fairing beemer would be hot too.
The FJR handles nice and true, but is not as "flickable". It's just heavier. I lot of that may be just getting used to the different feel of the FJR. But the FJR just didn't feel nearly as nimble as the R1150R.
I can't fit my backpack with laptop in the FJR bag. Working on a comprise now.
Man, the FJR is buzzy at 5500 RPMs and 60-70 mph. I guess I need to avoid that range. n
So the bottom line is that I like both bikes for different reasons, but the FJR is probably the better bike. I'll stick with the original plan and sell the R1150R, but I may wait a month or so before advertising it
.
