Help me choose please

[floridalawdog]

I have been lusting over an FJR for some time now. I currently ride a Buell Ulysses, which is a very fun bike. It has never left me stranded, but I question its reliability, and don't go very far from home.(as in long trips that the FJR is perfect for.

So, here is my issue that I need opinions from the experts. I plan on buying when my tax return is back. I am looking at 2 FJRs. #1 is a 2010. It has 12000 miles, which I realize is nothing for this bike. It has all the upgrades I would have done. Saddlemen seat, Leo Vince exhaust, throttlemeister, heli bar risers and a calsci windscreen. Its beautiful and mint. They are asking 9700.

#2 is a 2013, 2100 miles, with a top case, and a windshield. It has the electronic cruise control, but what really gets me is the digital display. I really love that digital dash. They are asking 12,900.

Now, I am not wealthy, but I can pay all my bills. My plans are to start travelling on the bike, for trips to anyplace from the keys, to Tennessee, etc. I can retire in 6.5 years, and then I plan on riding all over the country. So, I am trying to decide, if the sweet dash and electric cruise control is worth the extra 3K. Part of me says yes, because I plan on keeping the bike for a long time, but the sensible part of me says the 2010 has great mods, and the 3K is better in my bank account. So, am I missing any other pros about the 2013?

One other question? Are FJRs expensive to insure? My Buell is 210 a year.

Thanks in advance for any helpful insight you can give.

 

[Geezer]

I can tell you what I would do, but I can't tell you which you prefer. Both are very good machines. There are a few changes made by Yamaha in 2013, including the cruise control, and only you can determine what they are worth to you.

How much are the farkles to the 2010 really worth to you? Is that seat the one you would buy if it wasn't already on the bike? How important to you is a few thousand dollars difference in price. Are the prices of each of them equally competitive in your market?

The bottom line is that you will be happy with either one.

 

[101stpathfinder]

It sounds like your heart has already made its choice.

In a years time you will probably not miss the extra coin but regret my last longer. OR

… Keep shopping and find the best of both worlds.

BTW- The only way to know what farkles you really want/need is to ride and farkle as the need arises.

 

[LKLD]

I own a '13, so I don't feel I could be impartial. I really think it comes down to money. How much you are willing to spend for what YOU want. The '10 comes ready with the things you would like to have, and the '13 has the wiz-bang dash and cruise. The difference in price is the determining factor between the two. Cruise is friggin' fantastic to have, and could always add it to the '10 with the extra savings.

I'm sure others will chime in with better info and arguments for either. No matter what you choose, I'm positive you'll be happy with it.

Best of luck, Rob

 

[graler]

You have answered your own question. If you do not get the digital display, every time you look down will be a reminder of what you could have had.

As far as cruise control, you could get a McCruise (the most expensive option) and still have a couple grand left. So the cruise isn't the deal. Nothing is replacing that dash.

Insurance is insurance. The bike costs more so the insurance will cost more. My experience. $385 for a year.

 

[RaYzerman19]

I'd go for the '13 which you should be able to find for less than that, and for $1000 more, you can get a '14 if colour is an issue........ the throttle by wire (better response/driveability) and electronics are worth it (for me).

The 2010's seat may not be what you want (try one first), who cares about the exhaust 'cuz stock is good enough, I'm not a fan of Calsci, you will likely want the risers on either bike ($50-100).

That's my biased opinion if money's not an issue.

 

[Chiefblueman]

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/155938-fs-2013-fjr-299-miles-in-new-england/

I'd check this out if I were in your position.

 

[blrfjr]

mine is insured threw state farm - full coverage, 220 a year

 

[maggot]

I'll add another couple ways to look at it. The 2010 is basically the same as an 07. You could likely save another 2500-3k for a farkled 07, and have even more money to ride.

For the 13 price I'd get a new 14. If you're making payments on the thing, it'll only be an extra few bucks a month.

So 7k for a mildly farkled 07 or a 14 for 14k.

 

[floridalawdog]

Thanks. Those are lots of great points. I think I will go for the digital dash. Maybe. Anyways, either way, It will be a blast.

 

[JamesW]

Check dealers for leftover 2013, I know of one that sold for 12900.

 

[floridalawdog]

Check dealers for leftover 2013, I know of one that sold for 12900.

That would be great because I could get a good interest rate.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Check dealers for leftover 2013, I know of one that sold for 12900.

That would be great because I could get a good interest rate.

Those would be my thoughts exactly.

Also, before you get excited over a bike that has been customized by someone else you might benefit more from doing your own customizing. Use the tremendous amount of resources available to you on this wonderful forum to study seats, bar risers, exhausts, top boxes, and anything else you can think of.

The best advice I can give:

Do a Google Search. Get a Russell.

 

[Road_Runner]

As a footnote, the 2013 also has factory heated grips. Without question I would pop on the 2013 for a bit more coin. Less mileage and factory cruise are the sellers for me. The $12,900 is only the asking price, right?

 

[garyahouse]

If you consider an older bike, FWIW, I ride an 05 with 38k on it. It's been bullet proof reliable thus far. Age on these things is all about money. Older is cheaper. I paid 6500 for mine because it was 5 years OLD (when I bought it). But it only had 3800 miles on it. It ran perfectly then, as it still does today. But here's the deal: it's still worth very close to what I paid for it. Depreciation is not much of a factor once a bike reaches a certain age. Buying something a little older is always a better deal for me. Sure everybody WANTS the newest and the best. But you are the guy who has to make those payments. I could have two FJR's for the cost of that 13 you're thinking about.

By the way: you're in Florida. Check out one of our Florida get togethers recently here: CLICKY

Gary

darksider #44

 

[RossKean]

Buy what you want but...

If you consider the incremental cost of ownership over, for example, 5 years of ownership and 100,000 miles, the per mile extra cost of the '13 vs a slightly older bike is very small. Do some calculations on total costs on a 5 year timeframe and you might be surprised about a few things.

1) An additional $3000 cost pales into insignificance when you look at the total cost of ownership.

2) You will start out with a full warranty and can even spend a few hundred to buy an extended warranty. The initial warranty, in my opinion, covers surprise issues/problems you could encounter with (any) new bike. FJR is among the most reliable motorcycles out there but you never know.

3) If you do the calculation, you might be a little surprised (shocked) at the total cost. I did this awhile ago to determine the real cost per mile and based it upon 5 years and $100,000 miles although I have every intention of running the bike further than that and for more than 5 years.

Calculations should include initial purchase cost, necessary farkels, fuel, tires (2 sets/year), oil changes, regular maintenance, insurance and possible residual value after you trade it for the next bike. I guess you could also include borrowing costs if that applies. Divide the final by the number of miles (or weeks) and you won't see that much difference.

Personally, I would go for the newer technology and avoid the post-purchase regrets of not getting what I really wanted.

Don't include the inevitable costs associated with motorcycle touring or you may decide not to buy a bike at all! Road food, ralleys, tolls, hotels etc. add up!

 

[leclairk]

I love these posts because I love looking at bikes and I get a little bike shopping by proxy. Go with the 2013 and farkle along the way with the things you really want. When I bought my 06' I had all kinds of ideas about what I wanted to do to it. Surprisingly I have not done that much because the bike is so awesome just the way it is. When I bought my bike I was in a similar position as you. Buy a 2010 for 3K more or buy the 06 and put the 3K in the bank. 6 months later the 3K is gone anyways to kids, bills, trips, etc. BTW, my insurance went up $100 for the year when I went from the V-strom 1000 to the FJR. Enjoy the bike!

 

[Ron13Feejer]

If you're one to fly to another state and ride back (weather may not be conducive at the moment) then D&H Cycles will be your best bet for Service/Price. I don't know if they have any leftover '13's but you may want to shop around and see if a local dealer is willing to come close.

 

[CA G-Man]

You have answered your own question. If you do not get the digital display, every time you look down will be a reminder of what you could have had.

What he said!

FWIW, I can't imagine a world in which an after-market exhaust could be considered a requirement (if you like it, fine, but I certainly wouldn't factor it into a buying decision). With the '13 you won't need the throttlemeister unless you're one of those wild Texans cruising over 80mph. It has been widely reported that the stock windshield on the Gen III is much improved over earlier FJRs, so you might not even want the CalSci. I ride on the stock seat with no complaints (although I seem to be in the minority) and I have seen no need for bar risers.

Whatever you get, enjoy!