Ya know, it's kind of like buying a lawnmower in that regard, isn't it? (asbestos underwear on- this statement for the benefit of Yamaha corporate)
KD, you really hit the nail on the head with this statement. No asbetos underwear needed for my reply, but I might need to join you in the underwear department with what I'm about to add...
As to your assessment, for some of us, the FJR really IS no more than a lawnmower. It's simply a tool to get a job done. For some, who may have been off cycles for years, it's a special purchase that transcends a trip to Sears for a new ratchet. Same for a new rider, or one who's been on crappy bikes for so long they had no idea a motorcycle could be this good and satisfying.
For others, myself included, the FJR is an appliance. A great one, granted, but still, it's not "sliced bread" or "indoor plumbing" in a world-shattering, benchmark-setting scheme of things. For me, it's just what I'm driving now. A couple of years from now, my ass will be firmly planted on something else
Is it the most memorable motorcycle
I've ever owned? Not really. I'd hand that honor to either my '80 Z1R-TC or my '84 GPZ900R. May even consider my old H2 triple in that regard.
All this is NOT to say the FJR ain't a great bike. It is. But my Snapper 21" walk-behind is a great mower and what it all boils down to is if a product, ANY product, meets or exceeds one's expectations. In that I agree with your lawnmower analogy. We, as FJR owners, aren't gonna get any better attention than that JetSki guy in line behind us, and there's no reason we should. His dollar is just as important to the dealer as ours is. Besides, I'd bet they're making a hell of a lot more money annually on their PWC sales than they are on motorcycle sales. We just "think" we deserve more attention.
I guess I'd like to think I'm being a little more realistic about how we're treated as customers, since I don't think motorcycle riders/owners are any more "special" or deserving then lawnmower or JetSki customers.
However, if the dealer sucks in respect to whatever product they're selling, then run like hell and tell ALL your buddies. :clapping: