From cruiser to sport tourer

[Roger55]

Been riding for three years. I bought a used V Star 1100 (poor man's Harley). I have done several group rides out of the local BMW dealer where I bought the bike. Those Beamers started to look pretty nice, but with a pretty nice price tag to match. Recently noticed the FJR and have heard nothing but good things about them. I now have my sights on a low mileage 2005 with ABS. Now I just have to wear down my wife, who won't ride, and sell my V Star. How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Welcome to the group Roger55! Though I have not owned a cruiser, have ridden my buddys Vulcan, the handling difference is nite&day, Welcome to the DAY!! I still have an XS 11, vintage '78, like a cruiser, fun on local back roads, but not the tool for going distance and have looks, handleing, fuel consumption, and most of all technology. V-twins for the most part, lack the nuts and bolts of a smooth and reliable motorcycle.

FWFE

 

[101stpathfinder]

Been riding for three years. I bought a used V Star 1100 (poor man's Harley). I have done several group rides out of the local BMW dealer where I bought the bike. Those Beamers started to look pretty nice, but with a pretty nice price tag to match. Recently noticed the FJR and have heard nothing but good things about them. I now have my sights on a low mileage 2005 with ABS. Now I just have to wear down my wife, who won't ride, and sell my V Star. How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

I came over from a Suzuki 1400 Inruder to the FJR. I intended on keeping both of them, but then my whole "Outlook" was

changed by long distance riding (And my love of it). Been riding for many years... but now I feel I have just started REALLY

Riding. Last weekend I purchased a BMW F650GS Dakar to scratch my other itch of enduro capabilities. The FJR is just the

"Right Fit" for me. I sold the Intruder and don't regret the move one bit.

Right now in central Cal Wendy just put up a friends '05 for 6k. You might want to check this out (If that is not the one you

are already considering) Make the move... You won't be disappointed!

 

[Roy Epperson]

and sell my V Star. How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

I rode a VStar 1100 and then a Roadstar for about 6 years and moved to an '07 FJR in '08. 55,000 miles later and I'm not looking back :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: For me on the Roadstar (and VStar), the best day I could do "comfortably" was 350 to 400 miles at the top without feeling "dead". Mostly from pain in my tailbone and lower back, and some from the vibration and noise :angry2: :angry2:

I've not done an IBA ride yet but have done many 500+ mile days and many back-to-back-to-back 300 to 400 mile days and get off the FJR feeling like I just got on the bike :clapping: . I have put on an Rifle windowsceen, a handlebar riser plate, and two different aftermarket seats - now a Russel Day-long, wish I'd gone that way first.

Before I moved to the FJR, I sat on most all the sport-touring bikes at the bike shows and then just before I bought, a dealer had a VStrom 1100, ST-1300, FJR, and Concours 14 on the floor. I moved from one to the other over the course of 30 minutes. The hands down winner was the FJR. None of the dealers would give demos, soo.... I'd read these and other forums, and jumped on "faith". Would I go back, no way! :yahoo: :yahoo: (except for maybe a 'Wing, but that's not going to happen).

 

[Roger55]

Been riding for three years. I bought a used V Star 1100 (poor man's Harley). I have done several group rides out of the local BMW dealer where I bought the bike. Those Beamers started to look pretty nice, but with a pretty nice price tag to match. Recently noticed the FJR and have heard nothing but good things about them. I now have my sights on a low mileage 2005 with ABS. Now I just have to wear down my wife, who won't ride, and sell my V Star. How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

I came over from a Suzuki 1400 Inruder to the FJR. I intended on keeping both of them, but then my whole "Outlook" was

changed by long distance riding (And my love of it). Been riding for many years... but now I feel I have just started REALLY

Riding. Last weekend I purchased a BMW F650GS Dakar to scratch my other itch of enduro capabilities. The FJR is just the

"Right Fit" for me. I sold the Intruder and don't regret the move one bit.

Right now in central Cal Wendy just put up a friends '05 for 6k. You might want to check this out (If that is not the one you

are already considering) Make the move... You won't be disappointed!

I saw Wendy's post. It is not the one I was looking at but I am going to keep it in mind if the other doesn't work out. Looks like a great deal.

 

[Willie]

Been riding for three years. I bought a used V Star 1100 (poor man's Harley). I have done several group rides out of the local BMW dealer where I bought the bike. Those Beamers started to look pretty nice, but with a pretty nice price tag to match. Recently noticed the FJR and have heard nothing but good things about them. I now have my sights on a low mileage 2005 with ABS. Now I just have to wear down my wife, who won't ride, and sell my V Star. How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

I came from a 2005 Nomad to the Sport Touring bikes. First came a 2006 Concours, then a 2007 FJR, then a 2008 FJR. Still have the Connie and the 2008 FJR. Once you make tthe move you will not look back. My guess it is good thing you got the cruiser first and now will move a ST. Have fun with you new future toy.

Willie

 

[bucky]

What's wrong with having two bikes? I have three, and they are all alot of fun. 08 fjr ae, 07 yamaha vstar 1300 and an 05 suzuki m50. All alot of fun to ride. Probably like the fjr best. Smooth, powerful, better wind protection. Can't beat the power and smoothness of four cylinders. But also enjoy the others also. Wife rides on back on all three as they are all set up for two up. If you can afford both, keep both unless you really dont like the 1100. Just my two cents.

 

[networkguy]

I rode cruisers for the better part of 20 years, my last was a Honda VTX1800. Ive wanted a ST for awhile now, as cruisers were starting to bore me, and was getting sick of the noise and vibration.

Got my FJR last November, and not looking back. The proper seating alignment takes an adjustment (Google "master yoda riding position) but int he end much more comfortable. Go for it!

 

[Cruzin]

Been riding for three years. I bought a used V Star 1100 (poor man's Harley). I have done several group rides out of the local BMW dealer where I bought the bike. Those Beamers started to look pretty nice, but with a pretty nice price tag to match. Recently noticed the FJR and have heard nothing but good things about them. I now have my sights on a low mileage 2005 with ABS. Now I just have to wear down my wife, who won't ride, and sell my V Star. How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

Switched form a 1400 Intruder to the FJR :yahoo:

I still have my Intruder, since I bought the FJR it has had about 6K miles added to the odometer

The FJR which had 7 miles on it when it left the dealer now has almost 49K on it

Much better for the touring I do :lol:

There is one downside if you keep your cruiser you will realize how bad the brakes, acceleration and suspension really is after riding the FJR :blink:

 

[kman09]

Been riding for three years. I bought a used V Star 1100 (poor man's Harley). I have done several group rides out of the local BMW dealer where I bought the bike. Those Beamers started to look pretty nice, but with a pretty nice price tag to match. Recently noticed the FJR and have heard nothing but good things about them. I now have my sights on a low mileage 2005 with ABS. Now I just have to wear down my wife, who won't ride, and sell my V Star. How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

 

[kman09]

Roger Hi,

I went from a Harley Dyna Low Rider to

my 09 FJR1300A.

I like to tell my HD freinds it's like going

from a John Deer Tractor to a freakin Ferrari.

Don't let the wife know,she will think your cheating!

 

[exskibum]

How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

Yep, never to look back. But it was February 1977 and to a '75 Kawasaki Z1 900. Nothing but big inline 4 cyl. Japanese bikes since (except my KLR thumper).

 

[madmike2]

How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

Lots! Even...maybe...so-I've-heard...it's rumored....that one of the admins?!?!?! :blink:

 

[TomInPA]

I bought my 2005 FJR with ABS on December 1, 2010. I still own a Suzuki C90 cruiser customized to tour. I took the Suzuki coast to coast last summer. It is an amazingly comfortable ride with a lot of room to stretch out. While it is a bit more comfortable in some respects than the FJR, it handles like a truck compared to a sports car. You will be happy with the change. So far I have driven the FJR 6000 miles, while the C90 has only 300 miles since December.

I hope to get the FJR out on the road some this summer.

 

[Roger55]

I had my cruiser parked on a busy street with a for sale sign on it. After riding the FJR all day I went to pick up the cruiser. OMG I felt like a river boat captain riding on the cruiser. I had an uncontrollable urge to yell our "Mark Twain". I like the analogy of tractor to Ferrari.

Roger Hi,

I went from a Harley Dyna Low Rider to

my 09 FJR1300A.

I like to tell my HD freinds it's like going

from a John Deer Tractor to a freakin Ferrari.

Don't let the wife know,she will think your cheating!

 

[Quixote]

Tractor is a good word for some of the Harleys I ride with and have ridden. i went from a Venture to the fjr this year. I bought it on an impulse at the bike show and spent a week working out how and what to tell my wife. Just put together a good plan and they always understand. Like someone said if they don't you usually end up with more riding time. Summer is coming so it's not that cold when you are sleeping outside.LOL. You won't look back, the FJR is great, a good balance and a really nice ride. I'm looking forward to seeing how it is on really long hauls but I doubt I will be disapointed. I've already put 3000k on it in the last two months and this is the great white north so the riding season just started.

 

[Blackjaxx]

How many out there have switched over from a cruiser?

I put 22000 miles on my 08 V-Star. I now have a 08 FJR and the V-Star has not left the garage since.

 

[MojaveFJR]

Feej is an awesome bike and you won't regret the swap one bit, she's got beauty, poise, power, speed and, handling, very very nice.

I didn't come over from a cruiser, crotch rocket. Eventually sold it because it sat in the garage, the FJR gave me everything the crotch rocket did with all day comfort.

 

[TheZsdad]

The latest two bikes I had before the FJR were cruisers. A Warrior and a Stratoliner. Both had FI and aluminum frames so probably a little

better handle than the iron frame Vstar. It was a good 4 months after buying the FJR I took the Strat out. I honestly thought there was something wrong

with the bike. I just could not believe there could be that much difference in vibration. The sit up and beg riding position suits me more than the clam shell.

As others mentioned my lower back would kill me on 300 plus mile rides. I feel much more in control of the bike with my feet under me in stead of out

in the wind. To be honest my knees did bother me a lot at first. MCL highway pegs were a life saver but I rely less and less on them the more miles

I get on the FJR. Want to buy a Stratoliner? Good Luck.