I need counseling

[DynaSport]

I am new to this board, but I am hoping I can get some unbiased, helpful advice (ok, I know unbiased may be asking a bit on a bike specific forum).

Here is the background. I own a 2000 HD FXDX (as sport oriented cruiser as HD made and a very uncommon Harley, I almost never see another one). I have owned it since 2003 and I ride it a fair bit, even more in the last year or two. I have set it up to be as comfortable as it can be for me and my wife. Most of my riding is local or short trips, but I have started taking a few longer trips and have even ridden an SS1000 on it and have a BB1500 in the planning stages. I am actually pretty happy with my bike, but I am discovering that for the longer rides I would like something a bit more comfortable. I would also like greater range, as I can only go about 140 miles to reserve on a tankful. I rented a big HD Electra Glide a few weeks ago and took my wife on a 500 mile ride one day. We both found the big tourer to be VERY comfortable. She especially liked the accomodations on the back. I liked the stereo too. The truth is that I didn't find the bike that exciting to ride, though. It is just a big, heavy, but very comfortable ride. I think it would be great for eating up interstate miles. For other riding, I am not sure I would be thrilled with it. Maybe I would, but I just don't think so.

That got me thinking about sport tourers. I have been looking at Honda ST1300s and BMW R1200RTs. I haven't seen a new FJR at a dealership, but I did sit on the new Kawasaki Concours 14 last week. The FJR does sound very interesting from what I have read about it, though. And while it is completely different, I am also looking at the Buell Ulysses (I really like different things, I don't want to have what everyone else does).

So, with all that background, my first question is how comfortable do you find the FJR (or the other bikes mentioned) for 2-up riding? I would hate to buy one to find that my wife is no more or even less comfortable than she is on my FXDX with my huge seat. I know I would definitely have to have either a backrest or a trunk with a pad on it for her.

I also will admit that I believe my bike makes a statement about me. I like the way my HD looks and sounds. But I am not into much of the other HD lifestyle stuff. I don't ride to bars or that kind of thing (actually, I don't even drink). Did many of you come from cruisers? If you did, did you miss the look and sound etc of your cruiser?

Finally, I am assuming everyone here would reccommend the FJR over the other bikes in question, but I would really appreciate hearing why you think it is better than the other options. I know enough to know that no bike is perfect. They all have their plusses and minuses. But what made the decision for you?

Well, I think I have taken up enough of your time. Sorry for the long post. Any experience or opinions you care to share would be much appreciated.

Dan

 

[Silver Penguin]

You want an unbiased opinion? Does anyone here have one of those?

Before my FJR, I had a VStar 1100 which is a great bike. I put almost 20K miles on it in 18months but felt I was missing something on the twisty roads. The FJR cured that. It's handling is superb. While it's not quite a sport bike, it is a 'sporty' bike that you can ride all day, then ride again tomorrow.

Most people here will agree that one of the first farkles is to lose the stock seat. I got a made-to-measure Mayer seat and find it very comfortable.

As for riding two up, I've only sat on the back of my bike a few times, when taking DH's bike in for service etc. The FJR is the best bike in our garage for a passenger, but we don't have a Wing or big cruiser to compare to. Several of the guys here have made substantial modifications to make their passengers very comfy.

Jill

 

[Low Level FJR Pilot]

The FJR is a great bike for two up. I did change out the saddle on mine because the stocker was not comfortable on long distance rides. Prior to this bike, I couldn't get my wife to ride with me. She just didn't like the feel. She has been on this one about 4 times even recommended we ride the Feej to go out to dinner for our anniversary. I would recommend this bike to anyone that is seriously considering coming off of a cruiser to a sport touring bike.

 

[Graham Downunder]

How often will your wife ride on the back 10% or 50% that will help people advise you

If your wife rides a lot with you why not hire a goldwing and try it ?

The Kawasaki 1400 looks a good bike , with one major exception excess HEAT, they will have solve it now people have the internet and can find out problems at a click of a button.

The BMW 1200RT is great touring bike and in Australia it is only about 20% dearer than a Yamaha or Kawasaki , but I believe it is much more in the USA.It dose not have near the grunt of the Japanese bikes ,you have to go to the BMW 1200GT for that .

The Yamaha seams to be a proven product with most of the bugs gone and would make an excellent sports touring bike with a few modification like better seat,sheepskin seat cover , cruise controll ,better screen, bar risers etc . These are all up to you but you would do similar things to any bike for yourself and wife .

In the end it comes down to how "sporty" you want and how "touring" you need

Just as a side note

I do not take my wife on the back like we did 25-30 years ago .People asked me at the soccer why I wouldn't and I said if we have an accident we have no one to look after our 2 boys ( aged 7 & 9 ). Two weeks latter at soccer we found out another couple had an accident on their Harley both had to have hip replacements as part of their recovery ,lucky they had family to look after their children . I mention this as most people do not think about what would happen to their family .

 

[Bob Hughes]

I have had a couple of GL1800 Goldwings and put almost 60K miles on them two up and for that you can not beat the bike, it has no equall. However the fun factor on a bike that large is pretty low. So low that when my wife got a VFR to ride herself I bought a Honda ST1300 which I kept for a year and finding it still too big I bought my FJR recently and it is just right. But that is for one up riding short distance or long distance. One thing to note is that my wife and I are big people so your results may vary, I am 6'3" and 226 (240 5 weeks ago - South Beach Diet - heading for 200) and my wife is medium build so our results may be different, but nothing touches a Wing for two up comfort. We did most of the country on one 5 to 10 K miles per trip with no complaints and that is hard to say on any bike for even a days ride.

 

[dhalen32]

DynaSport:

I owned an 2004 FXDLI and sold it after 3 years because it was not sporty enough nor comfortable enough for longer rides. At the same time I owned a 2003 ST1300. The Harley was more reliable and cooler in our hot/humid summers.

I have replaced both bikes with a 2006 FJR and a 2006 Ulysses. The FJR is not as hot (temperature) to ride and sportier than the ST ever was. I use it for my longer rides. The Ulysses is used for shorter trips and around town. I believe that either will suit your need for a sportier 2 up machine. The Ulysses comes with a backrest of sorts but you will probably want a top trunk with backrest for either bike to amke your passenger more secure. The Ulysses does not have the weather protection of the FJR but is probaly as good as your Harley.

Dave

 

[kansas transit]

I have had a couple of GL1800 Goldwings and put almost 60K miles on them two up and for that you can not beat the bike, it has no equall. However the fun factor on a bike that large is pretty low. So low that when my wife got a VFR to ride herself I bought a Honda ST1300 which I kept for a year and finding it still too big I bought my FJR recently and it is just right. But that is for one up riding short distance or long distance. One thing to note is that my wife and I are big people so your results may vary, I am 6'3" and 226 (240 5 weeks ago - South Beach Diet - heading for 200) and my wife is medium build so our results may be different, but nothing touches a Wing for two up comfort. We did most of the country on one 5 to 10 K miles per trip with no complaints and that is hard to say on any bike for even a days ride.

I think BOB hit the nail on the head. How big a couple are the two of you, I think that would be the factor of the greatest importance. My wife goes with me about 50% of the time I,m 6'2" 270 she is 5'4" 120 she claims she has plenty of room but the seat does wear her out. But as far as a st bike I think you would be hard pressed to beat the fjr JMO Stan

 

[DynaSport]

Thanks for the info so far everyone. Sorry about leaving out important facts. Right now my wife probably rides with me only about 10% of the time. I am hoping that could increase and I have been trying to figure out what would make her want to ride more. From our discussions the best I can figure out is the biggest problem is our schedule. She is very busy and very involved with her career right now. No bike will fix that problem. I do know that comfort is an issue with how far she is willing to ride when she does go with me. Right now, on my FXDX she really doesn't want to do more than about 2 hours. I think on an Electra Glide or a Wing, she would be more willing to ride long distances. What I don't know is how the comfort of a bike like the FJR compares to the comfort of my FXDX. I have the Mustang Touring seat with a wide backrest on my bike. One complaint she has for longer rides is the angle of her knee. She has a knee problem and the bend of her knee makes it become painful and stiff after a while. The Electra Glide had more room and she could stretch her knee out better which made it more comfortable for her.

As to size, I am only 5'10, but I weigh 220. I lift weights and eat too much. My wife is only about 5'3 or so and has a medium/small build, so she is not big at all.

I KNOW a big touring bike is the most comfortable way to go for the two of us. I guess part of my fear is that I would buy an Electra Glide for the comfort, and she still wouldn't ride with me more than she does now for other reasons. Then I would have a nice comfortble bike, but one that is not very exciting. And for some reason, even though I have never ridden one, I just can't picture myself on a Wing. Unfair of me I know, but that is the way it is.

Thanks again.

Dan

 

[Bob Hughes]

Thanks for the info so far everyone. Sorry about leaving out important facts. Right now my wife probably rides with me only about 10% of the time. I am hoping that could increase and I have been trying to figure out what would make her want to ride more. From our discussions the best I can figure out is the biggest problem is our schedule. She is very busy and very involved with her career right now. No bike will fix that problem. I do know that comfort is an issue with how far she is willing to ride when she does go with me. Right now, on my FXDX she really doesn't want to do more than about 2 hours. I think on an Electra Glide or a Wing, she would be more willing to ride long distances. What I don't know is how the comfort of a bike like the FJR compares to the comfort of my FXDX. I have the Mustang Touring seat with a wide backrest on my bike. One complaint she has for longer rides is the angle of her knee. She has a knee problem and the bend of her knee makes it become painful and stiff after a while. The Electra Glide had more room and she could stretch her knee out better which made it more comfortable for her.
As to size, I am only 5'10, but I weigh 220. I lift weights and eat too much. My wife is only about 5'3 or so and has a medium/small build, so she is not big at all.

I KNOW a big touring bike is the most comfortable way to go for the two of us. I guess part of my fear is that I would buy an Electra Glide for the comfort, and she still wouldn't ride with me more than she does now for other reasons. Then I would have a nice comfortble bike, but one that is not very exciting. And for some reason, even though I have never ridden one, I just can't picture myself on a Wing. Unfair of me I know, but that is the way it is.

Thanks again.

Dan

If your wife is 5'3" and a small build you could do an FJR but I would get her on one just to see how she feels up there. And at 5' 10" the FJR is made for you, this bike has a fun factor of 8 or 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 the Goldwing being about a 4, the ST1300 about a 6 and the Busa of course being a perfect 10 (if your back can ride it. Hey I am going to make a "fun factor thread".

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

Did many of you come from cruisers? If you did, did you miss the look and sound etc of your cruiser?

I came from a cruiser (Honda Magna) and yes, I did miss the look and sound of my cruiser......for about 10 minutes (seriously).

Finally, I am assuming everyone here would reccommend the FJR over the other bikes in question, but I would really appreciate hearing why you think it is better than the other options. I know enough to know that no bike is perfect. They all have their plusses and minuses. But what made the decision for you?

IMHO, the ST1300 is too heavy, WAY too ugly without the bags (it's not all that great WITH them, either) and is far more touring than sport. The R1200RT is WAY too damn expensive, is not at all maintenance friendly and the dealer network is, at best, sparse (I'll bet the nearest dealer to you is at least 50 miles away). The Kawasaki is being rushed to market, complete with bugs to be worked out. I would not think about one of those until it's been out a year or two and refined.

My unbiased advice: go ride all three (or four) and take your wife. The decision will become very obvious to you. And which ever one you like, THAT'S the best choice for YOU. I'm guessing when your wife sees how excited you are with the new bike, she'll be more inclined to ride with you. Any bike can be made more comfortable with aftermarket seats, backrests, peg extenders, etc. If whatever you choose is not comfortable enough for her, alter it.

By the way, my counseling fee is $50, which I'll waive this time. However, I would recommend you return once you've made a decision!

Good luck.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Dan, Grab the wife an head up this way, I'll loan ya mine for a day

Seems I'm the only guy here thats done this before. Maybe I'm to trusting?

Seriously, anybody down that way willin' ta help sell a bike?

:jester:

 

[0Face]

Dan, Grab the wife an head up this way, I'll loan ya mine for a day

Dammit Busta! :angry:

Now I have to retract the slam I gave ya on the cheap lights thread.

Anybody willing to let somebody try out their FJR can't be all that bad.

Don't try and hug me though... I know you're still a prick.

 

[El Gordo]

Unbiased?? .....get one of each.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Don't try and hug me though... I know you're still a prick.

Awww, another budding romance eradicated by the herbicide of my Dickedleness :lol:

I've actually loaned it out to two people, One bought a beemer and the other????

:jester:

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Dan, Grab the wife an head up this way, I'll loan ya mine for a day
Seems I'm the only guy here thats done this before. Maybe I'm to trusting?

Seriously, anybody down that way willin' ta help sell a bike?

:jester:

Down where? I missed where Dyna is from. Where are ya Dyna? I was going to recommend he take a test ride one someone's bike.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Dan, Grab the wife an head up this way, I'll loan ya mine for a day
Seems I'm the only guy here thats done this before. Maybe I'm to trusting?

Seriously, anybody down that way willin' ta help sell a bike?

:jester:

Where is Dyna anyway?

 

[Bustanut joker]

Florida way 'Ovale. I went back to his first post (in the new members section) to find it.

:jester:

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Florida way 'Ovale. I went back to his first post (in the new members section) to find it.
:jester:

Well, it'd be a long ride on his Dyna, but I'd let him try my FJR too

 

[0Face]

Well, it'd be a long ride on his Dyna, but I'd let him try my FJR too

Alright, Knock it off! All this niceness is making me uncomfortable...

Somebody better make a comment about riding somebody's sister soon.

(and not mine, hang on second... "hey Moped you got a phone call...")