From cruiser to sport tourer

[painman]

Rode Harleys for years and still do once in a while. I still have the 1988 Softail Custom I bought new, the only street bike I ever had. I had looked at FJR's for two years prior to 2006 and never rode one. And after joining this forum in 05 I pulled the trigger and had to "order" the FJR, yes the dreaded PDP, the pre-delivery program. Yes I had to wait, sight unseen.

And for 6 months all I got was pics on the forum of container ships from Japan sinking, posts that I had made a huge mistake, ect. All in good humor of course. When I finally got the bike, paid cash I might add, I thought on the way home from the dealer I had made a huge mistake. The bike just felt totally foreign, pun intended. But as time passed I came to love and adore my FJR. Now my poor HD doesn't get much attention but is still loved and cared for. And I smile everytime I look out in the garage and see both my "kids" patiently waiting for a little ride. And yes the FJR wanted to go to WFO this year but to no avail.....PM. <>< B)

 

[FJRay]

Rode Harleys for years and still do once in a while. I still have the 1988 Softail Custom I bought new, the only street bike I ever had. I had looked at FJR's for two years prior to 2006 and never rode one. And after joining this forum in 05 I pulled the trigger and had to "order" the FJR, yes the dreaded PDP, the pre-delivery program. Yes I had to wait, sight unseen.

And for 6 months all I got was pics on the forum of container ships from Japan sinking, posts that I had made a huge mistake, ect. All in good humor of course. When I finally got the bike, paid cash I might add, I thought on the way home from the dealer I had made a huge mistake. The bike just felt totally foreign, pun intended. But as time passed I came to love and adore my FJR. Now my poor HD doesn't get much attention but is still loved and cared for. And I smile everytime I look out in the garage and see both my "kids" patiently waiting for a little ride. And yes the FJR wanted to go to WFO this year but to no avail.....PM. <>< B)

One way or another we will have WFO next year and we will see you there Del. You can even ride the Harley if you want.

 

[ScottyUSN]

Since it's damn near impossible to get an FJR off the floor to try out, I found a stealer who had an 05 that was a few clicks under 100K on the odo. 20 miles later I was hooked! That bike was still tight and pulled like a freight train. It handled for ****, but I later found out that was only because it was in dire need of some new shoes.

I can look at and appreciate ANY motorcycle. I'd love to have a Street Glide, but what is it going improve on when compared to my FJR? If you ever do an internet search of places to rent motorcycles what do you find? Crusiers but no ST's .. Where did all those rentable crusiers come from? Cruiser to ST converts

 

[jcrouch]

When I got back into riding after a 25 year hiatus, I thought I was going to be a "weekend warrior" type. This was in 2000 and the Harley dealers were robbing their custmers at the time, because they could. Since I couldn't even get the Harley salesman to give me the time of day, I bought a BMW R1200C "cruiser" and rode it for 7 years and 40,000 miles. I liked it alot at the time, but quickly found out I was much more of a commuter (country rodes plus highway) with some weekend rides (any excuse for running errands would do). What became evident was the lack of maneuverability and quick throttle response was really cramping my style in that kind of traffic. After few scary moments that I knew I should've been better equipped to get out of, I handed over my R1200C for a new '07 FJR (same dealer) and I'll never ever go back. I had no idea what I was missing. Make the move or keep both bikes if you can swing it.

Jay

 

[kmk]

Went from a Honda ACE 750 to the FJR... one word comes to mind... :yahoo:

 

[chivvalry]

Had a Honda vtx... Never looked back.

 

[Scooper]

I came from a mix of Star Motorcycles starting in 1999. First was a Royal Star Venture.Since the first Venture I've had Royal Stars, Road Stars and a Liner in for good measure.

Couple years ago I picked up a used 2004 FJR to keep up with my grown sons that had a FZ1 and a CBR. My riding taste changed and now have a Tenere to go with my Feejer. Wife is still on a 1300 V-Star.

Scooper

 

[guyver60]

About a year and a half ago, I left a VTX behind for the FJR, and don't miss it. I kept the VTX, after buying the FJR, but the VTX sat. After a month of riding the FJR, I took the VTX out for a ride, and it became easy to sell the X.

 

[FJR Bill]

I've owned many bikes but in 1998 I bought a new Guzzi 1100 EV after renting a Harley Road King for a 5 day trip. The RK didn't work for me...slow, sluggish, full of vibes, and ponderous. Test drove the Guzzi and was hooked. Well 120,000 miles later I've only had to replace the clutch. The bike did everything I wanted which was comfort, reliability, performance. Also I camp and it's very easy to load up.

But because it was getting long in the tooth I added a 2009 FJR to the garage with the intention of putting 200,000 miles or so on it while in my retirement.

Here's the differences: I can corner faster with greater ease and confidence on the Guzzi. Power is ample but the FJR is mind boggeling. Comfort/riding position better on the Guzzi but air protection vastly superior on the FJR. Ease of maintenance: I have performed all maintenance on the Guzzi and know it inside and out. FJR, I have to consult the owners manual to find the battery. Brakes/suspension FJR wins hands down especially the ABS. Gas mileage...FJR wins slightly. Both bikes handle well so I'll keep both of them. Because of its age the Guzzi will be my weekend ride of choice and the FJR for long interstate camping trips just as I planned. For me its the best of both worlds.

Bill

 

[Bungie]

Nuff' said?

.. so many wasted year.. so many wasted dollars.

 

[Dark Knight]

I too have come from a cruiser. I purchased a 2000 Honda Magna in '02, almost completely customized it over an eight year period. In '10 a used (3k on the odo) Black Raven FJR was bought for me by my father. He had recently purchased a Honda ST1300 and wanted us to be able to ride together comparibly. Little did he know that the FJR kicks the *^%* out of an ST in the performance area. Either way he and I ride together often and love it. The FJR is like no other bike I have ever ridden. Completely happy!! I think the Magna got about 1000 miles on it in the last 2 years...

Mike

 

[wheatonFJR]

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:

Yeah...I think one of the admins had a pink HD. You can guess which one.

 

[FJR_Mikey]

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?

Been through a host of cruisers. All Yamaha. FJR is my favorite bike to date. I fixed all of them up to be the perfect bike and then sold them to someone else at a loss. I'm getting nervous for my FJR now as I'm a RDL seat away from it being the perfect bike.

 

[Nitro]

Ah Grasshoppa, you have seen the way of truth! Wecome!

 

[64Y80]

Yamaha road star then Harley road king then FJR.

 

[Nitro]

Welcome! I came from the other direction, pure "Sport" bikes to the FJR. Congrats!!

 

[VanHarlan]

Like many I too crossed over from cruisers . . . my last being a 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic . . . I had it aced out and always got compliments on it's looks . . . truth is it was a cumbersome back breaker . . . and when you ramped it up to 80+mph you knew it. For over a years I kept walking by and admiring an FJR at the local show room . . . I'm not sure what it was about the bike, I knew absolutely nothing about it, but it just looked fast and fun . . . I later found out it was a 06 AE model which caused me to re-think 20+ years of "clutching" . . . I then dismissed the whole FJR "thing". A few months later I walked into another dealership and right at the front door sat the 2007 Black Cherry FJR I now ride . . . one look and I knew "that's my bike!".

A lot of bikes have come and gone from my garage . . some I've bought, ridden, and re-sold in a matter of 6 months. I tell everyone . . . "bikes are a dime a dozen . . . but the FJR is the only bike I've ever bought new . . and the only one I would never sell."

However . . . the wife and I did ad a 2007 Yamaha Venture to the stable this summer which works out great for 2-up touring. We found a used, one owner with just 7,000 miles at a price that was impossible to refuse. So we now have 2 bikes at opposite ends of the speed/nimbleness spectrum . . . but two great, comfortable, long distance tourers none the less.

FJR by far is my favorite.

 

[majicmaker]

A lot of bikes have come and gone from my garage . . some I've bought, ridden, and re-sold in a matter of 6 months. I tell everyone . . . "bikes are a dime a dozen . . . but the FJR is the only bike I've ever bought new . . and the only one I would never sell."

FJR by far is my favorite.

This has been my Exact history with bikes until now. My last Cruiser was a Suzuki M50. Fell in Lust, Road it for a while But, got Boring in no time at all.

Before that, had a GXS1000 and had a lot of fun while getting a lot of nasty stares from the local LEO's just hoping they'd catch me over the the limit. Got rid of it too.

I subscibe to "Untimate Motorcycling" Magazine. In '06 when the AE first came out they had a Full Page Photo of it in that Unbelievably Beautiful Photography that they do.

I started to Drool and I could not stop Looking at it. In about a week My car put itself on Auto Pilot and took itself to the Yamaha Dealer and I put a check for $2000 on the table!

They said it would take about 6 months to arrive and I told them I have all the time in the world! 3 weeks later I got a call from them telling me that my FJR was here! :yahoo:

They found one somewhere in Chicago that was available. I've been a Happy Camper Since. :clapping: It's the Last Bike I'll Ever Own. I'll probably pull a ScooterG and keep buying More.

For about a 2 year period, I housed a Suzuki Burman 650 in my garage for a Buddy who a had wife, and I'm being extreemly Polite here, (She was actually a Shrew From Hell on Steroids)

That told him She'd divorce him and rip him a New *** in court if he ever bought a Motorcycle. So he asked me to keep it in my garage and I could ride it anytime I wanted.

I enjoyed the hell out of it especially for grocery shopping. That Cargo space under the seat was Huge. He would sneak in and ride it whenever he had a small window of opportunity away from the wife.

It was actually Funny as Hell to Watch. Poor *******! I guess we All have to do what we have to do to Ride! :lol:

 

[Not a Biker]

I went from Riding A 1972 suzuki T 500 and a 1980 xs 1100 witch i thought it could never geet better than this to a 07 FJR what was i thinking? I tryed riding the V twins put a few 100 miles on them a royal star and a large hog

could not get usto my feet not being under me i have had my FJR for 2 month almost and loged over 1800 miles

we are going to sturges next year i cant wait 19 hour ride from were i live i cant bring my self to ride the xs1100 anymore i wont go back no way :yahoo: :yahoo: