Is this good for me?

[PapaGeno21]

Alright heres the deal guys. Im 21, and interested in an FJR1300. I owned a 2005 Honda VTX 1300R for about a year and 1/2, but wasnt all that crazy with it being basically a slower tank, and it didnt handle good. Rode my buddys Ducati Monster 900 the other day and fell in love with it. Looking for a good compromise between handeling and crusing as I enjoy going out for hundreds of miles at a clip.

So here is what I found, and im possibly going to get approved for a loan, but not sure if this is a good bike. Havent sat on it or seen it run yet, so I dont know if she ticks but the guy who is selling it works at the dealership, so its there but its a private sale through there if that makes any sence at all lol.

Here is the bike.

https://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/1760544154.html

Now is that..

1. A good deal?

2. A Good bike for what im looking for?

I see that these things create a lot of heat until 2006, does that mean this bike will succumb to that as well? Also, is 35K a lot of miles on it, meaning will she start to tick?

I dont want a bike thats going to be a lot of problems down the road, I just striaght out cant afford it. Between building up a Mustang, and other things I just want a bike that I can just start up, and enjoy it. Trying to find a good bike for highway use, back windy roads use, and comfort. The heat thing REALLY has me worried, as I HATE heat with a flaming passion. (Pun intended)

Thanks for any help that is offered, it is greatly appreciated.

Oh, and the other bike im looking at is the Yamaha FZ6, anyone know if that is comparable to this on any level?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Papa,

If you don't go the FJR route, you may want to consider the venerable FZ1. Does not need to Rev alot to get going like the FZ6... do Check Your Insurance Rates for the FZ6 MAY be higher due to the HP/Weight ration since your are unter 25... this may make a big difference for you.

Good Luck on your hunt...

 

[PapaGeno21]

Yeah I have done insurance quotes on EVERYTHING lol. The Fz1 is pretty expensive insurance wise, the FZ6 isnt as bad. The FJR is 66 a month for full coverage for me which is extremely managable...

I can still go used and get an FZ1 from a private sale, im just really curious on this FJR... Didnt really even consider it even though I kept walking by it at the dealership and this morning I looked at it online from their site and was like.. Hmmmmm

 

[pjm204]

I just picked up an 03 FJR. My brother has an 05 FZ6. They really aren't very comparable. They are both fast enough, handle well enough, and are both pretty comfortable. The FJR will handle a passenger better, handle the highway better, and comes with luggage. They are pretty different bikes so choose the one you like more. As for that specific FJR, Seems like the price is kind of high for the mileage. I think there are better deals out there.

 

[PapaGeno21]

Ok, well I still have time to talk him down if he will move on it.

I still dont know how I feel, im not the biggest fan of the color. Im liking the fact it makes a ton of power, and seems like it would be great for 2 up riding.

The FZ6 on the other hand seems like it would suck on the highway, and forget having a passenger.

My main concerns are the heat, and the ticking, and its reliability...

Do you think those problems would have already come out if its got 35K on the clock?

 

[pjm204]

I'm a little embarassed to admit that I did have to ride on the back of my bro's FZ6 once to pick up my old bike at the shop. It wasn't too bad, the bike has enough power but at 6'2", I was a little cramped. Both are great bikes, just do things differently.

BTW, there are 26 FJR's on ebay right now, try www.searchtempest.com to search all the craigslist ads too.

 

[PapaGeno21]

Yeah, I have been using searchtempest for a while, what an amazing site.

I havent even looked at other ones yet, I just saw it and was like ok lets see if I can even get the loan for it through them. If not, my dads friend will lend me the money but at 10% which kind of sucks. So if I dont get approved for whatever reason, Ill keep looking around. Nothing is even close to set in stone, I gotta go tomrorow and check this bike out in person and sit on it etc. But I do like bigger bikes, coming from the VTX. My buddys Monster felt kinda like a toy.

 

[jwmead72]

Total Opinion here but take it for what it's worth. Sport touring bikes will not show their colors until you put a few days together of 300+ mile rides, In other words tour them on regular occasion. The FJR and a couple BMWs have been the standard for sport tourers for a while. Quite frankly if you are doing across town runs to work and back or only get to put a 100 miles a month on it, you are not really experiencing what the FJR is able to do for you. If you want a sport bike, get a true sports bike they are their own animal and are very good at what they were intended for, but be expecting to piss blood if you go too long in a day. Cruisers are your around town choice for enjoyment really. If interstate riding is your cup of tea, Gold Wing and so on and so forth. Bottom line is that if you buy a bike suited to what you are intending to do, you will probably get more enjoyment out of it. Lets face it though, we all dont always buy a bike for what it was intended, just because you like certain aspects about it like looks or coolness factor, but are you getting everything out of it that you can?

That being said - There are a couple bikes that I wish I still had becuase I would be riding them like I stole them on a regular basis, and not necessarily because that is what they were designed for either...

 

[Khunajawdge]

Total Opinion here but take it for what it's worth. Sport touring bikes will not show their colors until you put a few days together of 300+ mile rides, In other words tour them on regular occasion. The FJR and a couple BMWs have been the standard for sport tourers for a while. Quite frankly if you are doing across town runs to work and back or only get to put a 100 miles a month on it, you are not really experiencing what the FJR is able to do for you. If you want a sport bike, get a true sports bike they are their own animal and are very good at what they were intended for, but be expecting to piss blood if you go too long in a day. Cruisers are your around town choice for enjoyment really. If interstate riding is your cup of tea, Gold Wing and so on and so forth. Bottom line is that if you buy a bike suited to what you are intending to do, you will probably get more enjoyment out of it. Lets face it though, we all dont always buy a bike for what it was intended, just because you like certain aspects about it like looks or coolness factor, but are you getting everything out of it that you can?
That being said - There are a couple bikes that I wish I still had becuase I would be riding them like I stole them on a regular basis, and not necessarily because that is what they were designed for either...

I got your 6:00, jwmead72.

The FJR is perfect for me. I'm Big at 6'2" and weigh out at 250# & have long legs (36"inseam). Torso compared to my leg length makes me look like a popsickle with 2 sticks as legs. I put a Russell Day Long on mine (a Gen I), and pulled the bars back with a set of Motocyclelarry's bar extensions. A few more mods, and I am one "good to go".

Keep the shiney side up and ride like the wind!

 

[nik.hisham]

I have to say, I totally agree with jwmead72.

I originally bought the FJR because, primarily, I liked its looks. Beyond that, it was because I was gonna do some touring with a a bunch of friends on a regular basis. I've put on close to 6000 miles in less than 5 months. And after touring for a few days on a friend's CBR900RR, I've come to appreciate jwmead72's message.

The CBR900RR just killed me, even on the first day. After about the first 2 hours on that bike, I was needing to stop, take a break, massage the neck and shoulders, straighten the back, stretch the legs. Heck, I was taking the opportunity to let go the handlebars and sit up straight as I coasted to a stop at traffic lights every chance I got just to get some relief in the neck and shoulders. With the FJR, I'm asking the guys, "why are we stopping?" when they're all grimacing and needing a break.

Downside of the FJR is that is so big its not as easy to filter and park. But I do get a lot of admiring looks. At one time, a had two ladies (with husbands in tow) wanting a picture with me and the bike.

So yes, look at what you want to do and choose the right bike.

All the best with your purchase!

Nik.

 

[wfooshee]

35,000 is not a lot of miles. Look here, at least 50 members with over 50,000 miles, and that's just the ones who bothered to respond.

If it was a ticker, it would have ticked by now with those miles, it won't develop it later. Bike has a lot of 'spensive extras, which really means nothing to the folks at the bank writing your loan, but if it's stuff you want, it does have value. Stainless steel brake lines are a very nice addition, as are heated grips, which I assume you would have use for if your looking at a Rhode Island Craig's list.

Personally, I just don't think you're old enough to qualify. 21. Yeah, whatever. Probably weigh 158 pounds, too, ya little &$*%#^!!

If 2-up is a consideration, if carrying capacity is a consideration, or if doing more than 30 miles a week is a consideration, then the FJR is the bike.

Heat is relative, some people can't stand it, some people don't notice it. I started wearing overpants a few months after I got the bike and I didn't have any heat issues after that. In street pants my legs got pretty warm. Sitting at lights in traffic in Florida July sucks, though !!! :glare:

For comparison, I gave just a little bit less than that for an '03 almost 3 years ago, had more miles back then than yours does now, and was not as well farkled.

 

[pmspaul]

I found another one in RI from a member here:

Classifieds

Same year, less money, less miles, nicely farkled...

Also says free local delivery!

 

[PapaGeno21]

Ok great points in this thread guys, thanks a lot.

I would be putting about 1500 miles a month on it, the weekends most likely 100-200 each day. I will take it to work, and basically use it as a car whenever it doesent rain outside.

Here is where I see a problem, im 5'7"... Is that too short for this bike?

I dont want a true sport bike, riding the Ducati Monster for 10 miles made my wrists hurt, and the true rockets cant be any better. I need an upright, with lots or power, good stability/handeling and good looks. This bike seems to have all of that. Just want to make sure its reliable.

Can someone please explain the heat issue? Will this thing fry my balls or not?

 

[UHOH]

well Papa, I've the same '04 bike with 53,000 (never been asked to report the miles, BTW) ... must be non-ABS just like mine. Mine's never ticked; always started, ran; I use

regular non-synthetic Shell diesel truck oil 15W-40. If you might overnight ride, the std hard bags are great. I'm only slightly taller than you at 5'8"+

It's my do everything/go anywhere bike, sun or rain, fairing provides good leg protection. I live in an isolated hot/dry part of PNW, summer highs are commonly 95F and above for 2 months.

On heat, well I don't ride in stop and go traffic where I live/ride, but I bet that's where it would be most noticeable.

That and riding 2-up: did do that 2-up once in 103F bright sun and boy did that heat come back. Something about 2-up changes the angles and

air flow out of the radiator and it does come up at you... So, you're sensitive to heat, try not to ride 2-up during extreme heat waves.

whatever you choose, let us know...

 

[PapaGeno21]

I sent the dude from that classified a PM. Hopefully he gets back to me, its a really nice bike. Just would remove the trunk and the bags lol. We shall see, its really the only bike thats got my interest really peaked right now.

 

[TestPilot]

Here's our stable, and my comments:

'01FJR (yes, we got them that long ago in Australia) - great bike, check that you are comfortable 'height/leg length' wise as it does seem heavy in parking situations. My wife loves it a s a pillion and we have done many 500-mile days. Great power, looks as good with the bags off, and if I had to have only 1 bike this would be it. A bike with that age is unlikely to 'become' a ticker - it would have ticked by now or not.

FZ1 - the fun bike, and if we never toured this would probably be my bike.

FZ6 - my wifes bike, although she has also ridden the FZ1 (if I let her do it again she'll probably claim it as hers). The FZ6 is a great all-rounder, but if you are going to pillion regularly it is limited. It does need to be worked harder than either of the other 2, but to give an idea: 2 months ago we did a 3,500 mile tour in 8 days - average over 400 miles a day. Zea was on her FZ6 in amongst 6 to 10 FJR's (people joined and left the ride along the way). She never felt underpowered, and was happy tagging along at 80 to 90 mph. Although she has been riding less than 18 months she was outriding the 'bottom third'. Not because anyone was racing anyone else, but because people were riding their own rides at their comfort/safety levels. So a FZ6 can do a lot.

Hope this helps in some small way.

 

[RenoJohn]

I would be putting about 1500 miles a month on it, the weekends most likely 100-200 each day. I will take it to work, and basically use it as a car whenever it doesent rain outside.

As noted above, the FJR is for old guys who like to log long miles. 1500miles a month is zero, that is a short weekend for many folks on here.

You're young, and from what you say you're not spending much time in the saddle ....

Go with the FZ1, it's more fun, easier to maneuver, faster in real world riding. You've got a lot of years to get fat and appreciate the FJR like all the old farts on here. No need to grow up too fast. Some of us will even still be here when you reach that age .....

 

[PapaGeno21]

Are the FZ1's reliable. Like lets say a 2003-2005? I know they are fast as hell, ive been watching videos. And TBH thats the bike I really truly want and just rip off the front fairing and put the euro kit so it looks like a street fighter..

But the FJR Has my interest as well.

 

[nik.hisham]

Papa,

On your question of height. I'm your height. 5'7". I think my inseam is 30" if I recall correctly. And am quite comfortable with the bike. The seat height is adjustable and I've got it set to the lowest position. When on the bike, I am able to have both feet on the ground, but not my heels. But I wouldn't say I'm on my tippy toes either.

Best part about being this height is that when you are riding at highway speeds and have the windscreen all the way up (or even just 1 inch short of being fully extended), you get complete coverage from buffeting. I sometimes even ride this way with my visor partly open to enjoy the fresh air and listen to the sound of the engine and talk to my wife riding pillion.

Nik