Pat L
TwoWheelExplorer
I've been posting to a family blog about my trip to pick up the bike I just bought from FJRONAMISSION. I'll cross post here also for those who want to follow along.
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Fly n Riding my new 2008 FJR from San Jose to Seattle
- Thread starter Pat L
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Pat L
TwoWheelExplorer
I wrote this to family and friends a couple of days ago:
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Pat L
TwoWheelExplorer
I arrived at SJC and B. picked me up. We had a good intro chat on the drive to his house. Talked about the bike, lots about the rear tire - it's a Darkside bike, meaning it is running a car tire on the rear. I've not ridden a car tire like that, so I'm keeping an open mind. B is a far more aggressive rider than I am and described how the bike performs with that tire; while I lean heavily towards a conventional motorcycle rear tire, there is definitely something good to be said for a rear tire that wears out in 20k-30k miles, rather than 6k-8k.
At the house, I met B's lovely wife and looked over the bike. It is what I expected, which is a good sign and a relief. You just never know, and flying in to buy a bike increases the risk factor a lot. We talked over the bike, accessories, cosmetic dings, the cavernous tank bag. It is a well equipped bike that has not been babied. It has been ridden hard. I don't mind that at all. I got a very good deal on the bike due to its mileage(54k) and expected some normal wear. Balancing that out at a few extra goodies that B didn't advertise the bike as having. It's all good.
As excited as I was to buy the bike, he had a hard time seeing it go. Honestly, I didn't know though this past week if he was just feeding me that line, but it seemed real to me especialy in person. We talked a lot over the bike, and finally as I was about done loading my gear onto it for the ride home he realized I hadn't even heard it run yet. He started it for me, and all was well.
I rode out of the neighborhood, caught surface streets out of South San Jose, then onto 101 north, and 680 north, then arrived at my cousin's home in Danville. It's just an exit away from her parents' home, which I can navigate to easily from anywhere in the Northwest after decades of road tripping here. I spent the evening talking with her husband about the police use of Facebook to monitor targets, drinking a couple of Lagunitas IPAs, and having a tea party with their adorable little daughter M.
One predictable bummer: I parked in their driveway and when I was moving the bike into their garage, I couldn't get it to turnover so just pushed it. Duh.... Kill switch was off ;-). Also had some initial confusion figuring out the displays, setting up trip meters, figuring out the fuel mileage and temp and average fuel mileage displays.
Chatted with my super pregnant cousin when she got home from work (also a police officer), mostly about family stuff and kids stuff.
Tomorrow morning we will hang out a bit, then I'll have breakfast with Steve here in Danville, and I will head north. The plan right now is to ride Mt. Diablo and then just meander northward. If cousins give me suggested roads, and/or the aforementioned Card, things will be more clear.
I hope to be somewhere in Oregon tomorrow night. If timing works out I will stop in to see a high school friend in Redding along the way.
At the house, I met B's lovely wife and looked over the bike. It is what I expected, which is a good sign and a relief. You just never know, and flying in to buy a bike increases the risk factor a lot. We talked over the bike, accessories, cosmetic dings, the cavernous tank bag. It is a well equipped bike that has not been babied. It has been ridden hard. I don't mind that at all. I got a very good deal on the bike due to its mileage(54k) and expected some normal wear. Balancing that out at a few extra goodies that B didn't advertise the bike as having. It's all good.
As excited as I was to buy the bike, he had a hard time seeing it go. Honestly, I didn't know though this past week if he was just feeding me that line, but it seemed real to me especialy in person. We talked a lot over the bike, and finally as I was about done loading my gear onto it for the ride home he realized I hadn't even heard it run yet. He started it for me, and all was well.
I rode out of the neighborhood, caught surface streets out of South San Jose, then onto 101 north, and 680 north, then arrived at my cousin's home in Danville. It's just an exit away from her parents' home, which I can navigate to easily from anywhere in the Northwest after decades of road tripping here. I spent the evening talking with her husband about the police use of Facebook to monitor targets, drinking a couple of Lagunitas IPAs, and having a tea party with their adorable little daughter M.
One predictable bummer: I parked in their driveway and when I was moving the bike into their garage, I couldn't get it to turnover so just pushed it. Duh.... Kill switch was off ;-). Also had some initial confusion figuring out the displays, setting up trip meters, figuring out the fuel mileage and temp and average fuel mileage displays.
Chatted with my super pregnant cousin when she got home from work (also a police officer), mostly about family stuff and kids stuff.
Tomorrow morning we will hang out a bit, then I'll have breakfast with Steve here in Danville, and I will head north. The plan right now is to ride Mt. Diablo and then just meander northward. If cousins give me suggested roads, and/or the aforementioned Card, things will be more clear.
I hope to be somewhere in Oregon tomorrow night. If timing works out I will stop in to see a high school friend in Redding along the way.
FJRONAMISSION
Flying at the speed of smell ;))
Great write up Pat... makes me feel in the loop........ enjoy !! ummmmm kill switch..... :clapping:
ahchiu
FJR Commander
Congrats on your bike and great report, keep an eye out out in the PNW section for our Tech Meet the AuburnFJR has 2x a year Spring and Fall, you will learn more about the FJR than you want to know. 
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FarWestFastEddie
Well-known member
looks like he is riding up the 101, maybe I will go down to the highway and do a FJR Sighting report in a few hours.
FWFE
FWFE
Pat L
TwoWheelExplorer
I am. After mellowly riding Mt Diablo and farting around trying to get the right freeway combo, I finally hit 101. In Coverdale for lunch now, then heading north briskly on the 101 and/or 128/1. I'll be watching for a forumite giving me the Salute.. :blink:
rogdeb
Scouser
And Eddie WILL give you the salute :lol: Enjoy your new FJR
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wheatonFJR
...
Yeah...he'll ride by and blow you off like we did a year ago. :lol: You looked like Sheriff Jackie Gleason in Smoky and the Bandit when we blew by you...
(ooops)
Pat,
First thing you want to do is take off that POS Car Tire when you get home. You'll feel much better about the bike then.
Seriously though, you've got a great bike.
FarWestFastEddie
Well-known member
I may be at the Eel River Brewing company, 101, Kenmar exit, Fortuna in a few hours.
FWFE
FWFE
FarWestFastEddie
Well-known member
The bike has been proven to hold up, Brian has throughly tested its limits!Yeah...he'll ride by and blow you off like we did a year ago. :lol: You looked like Sheriff Jackie Gleason in Smoky and the Bandit when we blew by you...
(ooops)
Pat,
First thing you want to do is take off that POS Car Tire when you get home. You'll feel much better about the bike then.
Seriously though, you've got a great bike.
Eel River Brewing Mark!! hahaha
FWFE
FJRONAMISSION
Flying at the speed of smell ;))
Don't pay any attention to Wheatie..... he suffers from BIG-Tire envy!! Having a Small one is all he knowsYeah...he'll ride by and blow you off like we did a year ago. :lol: You looked like Sheriff Jackie Gleason in Smoky and the Bandit when we blew by you...
(ooops)
Pat,
First thing you want to do is take off that POS Car Tire when you get home. You'll feel much better about the bike then.
Seriously though, you've got a great bike.
:lol: :lol: :lol: Wheatie!, you can have yours surgically inhance I hear...... Damn hahahahahaha
dcarver
Well-known member
Way cool for you, new fjr peep!
Brian, aka low n' slow, starts a new, mellower chapter.. NOT!
Brian, aka low n' slow, starts a new, mellower chapter.. NOT!
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
Safe travels Pat and do get rid of that POS car tire...the roads in the PNW deserve better!!
--G
Marcus speaks the truth, great times at the Tech Meets. Hope to see you there for the fall version.Congrats on your bike and great report, keep an eye out out in the PNW section for our Tech Meet the AuburnFJR has 2x a year Spring and Fall, you will learn more about the FJR than you want to know.
--G
Pat L
TwoWheelExplorer
Got one of the last hotel rooms in Crescent City, just ordered pizza. Today i saw ndicated temps from 108 down to 52, plus fog and rain. I think I glimpsed the ocean for about 7 min today :blink:
Fun time anyway. I rode Mt Diablo, got to practice my lane splitting and took a nap in the Redwoods and took pictures and about ran out of gas and learned the bike and that tire. Jury is still out for me, but it's not as nutty to ride as I expected. Except on heavily grooved pavement, like the entrance to the tunnels on Hwy 24 near Oakland :crazy: . Found out that my Heatroller for the jacket liner is dead; good thing it wasnt a lot colder out.
Tomorrow I think I'll have to slab a decent chunk. Gotta get home in time to give my 9yo daughter and 6 yo son rides,
Fun time anyway. I rode Mt Diablo, got to practice my lane splitting and took a nap in the Redwoods and took pictures and about ran out of gas and learned the bike and that tire. Jury is still out for me, but it's not as nutty to ride as I expected. Except on heavily grooved pavement, like the entrance to the tunnels on Hwy 24 near Oakland :crazy: . Found out that my Heatroller for the jacket liner is dead; good thing it wasnt a lot colder out.
Tomorrow I think I'll have to slab a decent chunk. Gotta get home in time to give my 9yo daughter and 6 yo son rides,
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FJRONAMISSION
Flying at the speed of smell ;))
Pat, there were more rooms...... they just heard you were coming and locked the doors!!!
Pat L
TwoWheelExplorer
There are benefits to riding an all black bike and all black ATGATT. People think you're scarier than you really are. :assassin:Pat, there were more rooms...... they just heard you were coming and locked the doors!!!
Pat L
TwoWheelExplorer
If you search Bing for 'best pie Coos Bay' you go to the Blue Heron Bistro, which today doesnt have pie at all, but is a German themed restaurant. I will make do with seafood chowder and a strudel.
FJRONAMISSION
Flying at the speed of smell ;))
:fans: :dwarf: :matrix: :thumbsupsmileyanim:There are benefits to riding an all black bike and all black ATGATT. People think you're scarier than you really are. :assassin:Pat, there were more rooms...... they just heard you were coming and locked the doors!!!
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