It's been a long time since I posted, just been busy riding my 07 FJR and working. The topic here interests me because the local dealer has been trying to get me on several bikes other than the FJR that he sold me 4 years and 24,000 miles ago. I've owned a few bikes over the years, Suzuki X6 Hustler, Honda CB450, Yamaha XS650, BMW 1150R, Honda ST1300 and my present FJR. The problem I presently have is two fold, the FJR is getting "long of tooth" in styling but I can't find a bike that comes close to it in performance for the price.
I've ridden the FJR in the blistering heat of the Arizona Desert, the cold of the Sierra Nevadas and in pouring down monsoon rains here in SE Arizona. The bike just does everything I ask it to do, not perfectly but darn near, has never let me down. Forget to down shift on that hill, not to worry the 1300cc four banger has enough low end torque to cover me. Rev it up and it jumps like a cat, so fast and so smooth I sometimes forget how fast I'm going until I get a glimpse of Johnny Law on the side of the road or scare the crap out of myself. Rolls through corners like it's on rails. I can change my own oil, filter adjust the fuel map, valves and the list goes on. Incredible machine in my opinion.
The bike is one of Yamaha's best kept secrets. When I park it I sometimes get compliments on the (too soft) but beautiful black cherry paint and how it looks "fast" just sitting there. Nice that other people think it's a neat looking bike. Needs a facelift though, as Carlson pointed out; heated grips, intruments maybe a GPS option.
One of my spies at the dealer told me today that he heard Yamaha was coming out with a restyled FJR. I don't know if that's true or just wishful thinking but Yamaha needs to look after this market. Pay more for some of the mentioned items......why not, you only go around once. Cheers! :yahoo: