FJRTom
Well-known member
This motorcycle was purchased new from Apache Motorsports in Phoenix, Arizona, by me in December of 2007. I have been the sole owner and rider. She is my second FJR, the first being a first-generation 2005 model on which I rode 55,000 miles before upgrading to this second-generation ’08 FJR. Why am I selling? Because my third FJR, a third-generation 2013 model, is now in my garage taking its place!
The ’08 has been a fantastic ride for me. In 2008 I rode this bike on all of the Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA) requirements to be one of eleven “Triple-Crown” winners in that premier year for the award. She has done the SCMA USA Four Corners Tour, the California Parks Adventure, and has completed the ’08, ’09, ’10, and ’12 Three Flags Classic Tour. In 201 I rode her on an 8,000 mile loop from Arizona to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, and included the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Snake, and Tail of the Dragon roads on the return leg. She has seen her share of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado and has never let me down mechanically on all of the miles we’ve covered.
Although I have moved some of the equipment I added from the ’08 to the ’13, she still has the following add-ons and modifications:
As the pictures that follow show, this motorcycle has been a rider, not a showpiece. It is cluttered with lots of the decals showing the travels she has taken. Although she has never gone down when moving, she has hit the pavement three times. The first was at a gas station when my foot slipped on an oily patch . The second was when making a stop in a gravel parking lot, where again my foot found no traction. The third was during a group ride when another bike pulled in too close and too fast beside me, went down, falling into the FJR like a domino, causing the bike and me to again go down. All of the resultant damage has been confined to paint scratches and a nick in a mirror mount and I have chosen not to repair the cosmetics…since it will likely happen again.
I have done the majority of maintenance on the cycle myself, taking it to the dealer for a recall affecting the ignition switch and to a professional shop for valve-adjustments, fork overhauls, triple-tree bearing cleaning, etc. After the break-in (I did the Motoman technique) I have used fully synthetic oil, either Amsoil or Mobil 1, and changed the oil and filter every 5,000 miles.
New Michelin Pilot Road 2 front and rear tires were installed about 8,500 miles ago and probably have 2,000 – 4,000 miles of life remaining. As ridden by me, this bike averages 48 mpg, using the recommended 87-octane gas. Its 6.6 gallon tank thus yields a range of about 300 miles.
Although the Kelly Bluebook value for this bike is $8,890, I am offering it “As Is” for $5,500, due to its cosmetic scratches and its relatively high mileage: about 83,000. (On the FJR Owners internet Forum, a few FJRs owners have passed the 200,000 mile mark and many are well past the 100,000 mark.) I am sure this bike would have continued to provide perfect service for me for many additional years, but the changes made in the 2013 model pushed me to make the move now.
Although I think the new owner would prefer to make cosmetic improvements himself or herself – probably for less money – but for a selling price of $6,500 I will remove all decals and have all scratches removed/repainted. Also, for an additional $500, I will include the optional Yamaha trunk, mounting bracket and hardware – already with a lock matching the other locks on the bike, so all are operated by the same ignition key.
To ask questions and to arrange to see the bike, please call me, Tom Clements, at 602-625-9132 or e-mail at [email protected]
The ’08 has been a fantastic ride for me. In 2008 I rode this bike on all of the Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA) requirements to be one of eleven “Triple-Crown” winners in that premier year for the award. She has done the SCMA USA Four Corners Tour, the California Parks Adventure, and has completed the ’08, ’09, ’10, and ’12 Three Flags Classic Tour. In 201 I rode her on an 8,000 mile loop from Arizona to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, and included the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Snake, and Tail of the Dragon roads on the return leg. She has seen her share of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado and has never let me down mechanically on all of the miles we’ve covered.
Although I have moved some of the equipment I added from the ’08 to the ’13, she still has the following add-ons and modifications:
- Fenda Extenda (piece added to front fender’s back edge to improve gravel protection for the radiator)
- Motolight halogen beams mounted on the front brake calipers
- Laminar Lip added to stock windscreen (this provides a huge bubble of still air for the rider!)
- Suzuki V-Strom knuckle guards to protect the rider’s hands from wind and bugs
- Extended handlebar end weights
- Vista Cruise Throttle Lock
- Throttle Rocker (to allow right hand and wrist to relax)
- Auto-retract feature of the windscreen has been disabled (just like Yamaha finally did for the 2013s! The windscreen still travels through its full up and down range, but only when commanded by the control switch.)
- The accessory (“glove”) box has been modified so that it opens without the requirement to be in neutral with the key on.
- Carbon Fiber Generator Cover
- Frame Sliders (to provide more bodywork protection during tip-overs)
- Powerlet BMW-style plug added near left passenger foot peg. This allows for battery trickle-charging as well as for heating clothing connection.)
- Green Light trigger attached to centerstand
- Brand new 2013 Rider’s saddle (transferred from my new bike since I had modified the ’08 seat to my liking)
As the pictures that follow show, this motorcycle has been a rider, not a showpiece. It is cluttered with lots of the decals showing the travels she has taken. Although she has never gone down when moving, she has hit the pavement three times. The first was at a gas station when my foot slipped on an oily patch . The second was when making a stop in a gravel parking lot, where again my foot found no traction. The third was during a group ride when another bike pulled in too close and too fast beside me, went down, falling into the FJR like a domino, causing the bike and me to again go down. All of the resultant damage has been confined to paint scratches and a nick in a mirror mount and I have chosen not to repair the cosmetics…since it will likely happen again.
I have done the majority of maintenance on the cycle myself, taking it to the dealer for a recall affecting the ignition switch and to a professional shop for valve-adjustments, fork overhauls, triple-tree bearing cleaning, etc. After the break-in (I did the Motoman technique) I have used fully synthetic oil, either Amsoil or Mobil 1, and changed the oil and filter every 5,000 miles.
New Michelin Pilot Road 2 front and rear tires were installed about 8,500 miles ago and probably have 2,000 – 4,000 miles of life remaining. As ridden by me, this bike averages 48 mpg, using the recommended 87-octane gas. Its 6.6 gallon tank thus yields a range of about 300 miles.
Although the Kelly Bluebook value for this bike is $8,890, I am offering it “As Is” for $5,500, due to its cosmetic scratches and its relatively high mileage: about 83,000. (On the FJR Owners internet Forum, a few FJRs owners have passed the 200,000 mile mark and many are well past the 100,000 mark.) I am sure this bike would have continued to provide perfect service for me for many additional years, but the changes made in the 2013 model pushed me to make the move now.
Although I think the new owner would prefer to make cosmetic improvements himself or herself – probably for less money – but for a selling price of $6,500 I will remove all decals and have all scratches removed/repainted. Also, for an additional $500, I will include the optional Yamaha trunk, mounting bracket and hardware – already with a lock matching the other locks on the bike, so all are operated by the same ignition key.
To ask questions and to arrange to see the bike, please call me, Tom Clements, at 602-625-9132 or e-mail at [email protected]
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