K9 got his 06!!!!

[InsaneK9]

Ok, I'm at work and have to keep this short - and I'll appologize for not having any pics. I'll post pics as soon as possible, my digital camera is not working ATM. (11 year old+Camera+CocaCola=AFU... don't ask)

I swear, I'm following in KD's wake! His post was awesome!

I picked up my 06 from Southbay in San Deigo. It was a 200+ mi trip from Lancaster. I don't know exactly how long it took but it seemed like forever. We pulled into the Yamaha dealership and I made a bee-line to see Ted. Introductions, paperwork, etc took less than 30min. The bike was ready for delivery shortly afterward.

Wow! What a beatifull blue! I wasn't sure with some of the early photos of the bike, but after seeing it in real life I'm quite happy.

This bike replaces my 1981 Suzuki GS850... what can I say, I rode the GS til the tires fell off... put them back on... and rode it some more. After spending more time repairing the GS than riding it, I started looking for a new bike. The FJR is so amazing, I think I was crazy for not doing this sooner.

The 200mi ride home in typical LA freeway traffic was interesting. My wife chasing behind me, while for the first time in my life I had to wait in the traffic like a cage. I promised my wife that I would do my best to keep her behind me. (Otherwise she told me to take the train!) Stop and go traffic through Orange County and LA. Overturned truck on the 5-14 split... just a typical day in So. Cal.

The FRJ - Holy cow... what a machine! "In thrust we trust" echoed in my mind as I was flying up the 5. What a monster in the power department! I love it. I respect it. I actually took it pretty easy, never letting the RPM get too high. My wife, kept me from getting too far ahead with a flash of her lights.

I'll post pics as soon as I get my digi-cam working. My son and I went for some local riding over the weekend. He's addicted. After each ride, he goes in the house and then says... "Lets go again!".

I agree... lets go again!

(forgive the line... "let the good times roll" - I think that was kawi's tag line years ago... rofl)

 

[War Machine]

To InsaneK9,

Nice story. May you have many, many safe miles of traveling!

That is a big step from a Suzuki GS850 to the mighty FJR!

Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

 

[TheAxeman]

Good luck with the new ride. I should know exactly what you are talking about very, very soon.....Your wife didn't follow you and your son around flashing her lights when you went riding together did she?? You may have started something you can't stop...maybe the train didn't look so bad after all!

 

[InsaneK9]

Good luck with the new ride.  I should know exactly what you are talking about very, very soon.....Your wife didn't follow you and your son around flashing her lights when you went riding together did she??  You may have started something you can't stop...maybe the train didn't look so bad after all!

lol - no she only flashed a few times. Usually when someone cut her off and then slowed down. It was more of a way to indicate that she was "trying to catch up". I actually did end up losing her about 40m from our home. I pulled over, called her cell phone and met back up with her a few miles up the road. (Yes, I pulled off the freeway... and parked... shut off the bike... took off my gear (helmet/gloves) BEFORE making the call) -- I had to say that, because a few weeks ago I saw someone crusing down the road on his Harley with a cell phone to his ear. I took a second look in disbelief. :blink:

 

[fjrbob]

Good luck with the new ride.  I should know exactly what you are talking about very, very soon.....Your wife didn't follow you and your son around flashing her lights when you went riding together did she??  You may have started something you can't stop...maybe the train didn't look so bad after all!

lol - no she only flashed a few times. Usually when someone cut her off and then slowed down. It was more of a way to indicate that she was "trying to catch up". I actually did end up losing her about 40m from our home. I pulled over, called her cell phone and met back up with her a few miles up the road. (Yes, I pulled off the freeway... and parked... shut off the bike... took off my gear (helmet/gloves) BEFORE making the call) -- I had to say that, because a few weeks ago I saw someone crusing down the road on his Harley with a cell phone to his ear. I took a second look in disbelief. :blink:

Congratulations K9!!! Post pictures and a detailed report when you get a chance to keep us remaining waiters entertained.

A Hardley poser with a cell phone to his ear??? What an *****!

 

[S76]

This bike replaces my 1981 Suzuki GS850...

My 06 (when it comes) will be replacing an 82 GS850. I cannot wait for your ride impressions. This has got to feel like a space ship or something compared to the GS.

The GS is a good old bike though.

 

[fjrchik]

Hey K-9,

Ride safe and keep both wheels on the ground. Your choice on how fast though!

 

[madmike2]

Congratulations on taking ownership of your new bike!

K-9 and all new believers (owners): You simply must be more effusive in your praise of the new FJR. If needed, use a Thesaurus to find more adjectives. As part of this unique brother/sisterhood you have the responsibility to leave the waiters panting, drooling and demanding more descriptions of your ride. You must explain how you are a better rider than you have ever been, all because of the FJR....... :lol:

A truism: Waiting really, really, really, really, really, really sucks. THEN you get your FJR and on the ride home, the memory of waiting begins to fade replaced by the sound of the FJR exhaust and engine whine, the thrum of horsepower and the feel of the torque, the amazing response to the slightest input from your right wrist, a squeeze on the front brake lever or a simple heretofore unnoticed steering input. Wow, whatta bike! Then you become aware that your face hurts. Your cheeks ache because of the size and strength of the smile you are wearing in your helmet. Suddenly you will reach the conclusion we've been telling you all along: It was worth the wait!

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Sweet! Congrats on your FJR!

 

[kaitsdad]

K9, what time did you pick yours up? We must have just missed each other !!

I left SBay just after 2:00 PM.

And Congrats !!!!!

 

[kjc625]

Congrats to both KD and K9. I am #3 at Southbay Motorsports according to Ted. How did you guys get notified for your bikes? Via email or Tel call? Will Ted ship the bags to you or have to drive down to San Diego again?

We should get together to have 06 ride day. I am Santa Clarita area.

Thanks lot.

Jim

 

[DocDanDC]

Congrats to all the New '06'ers! Dont forget to check out the Ride planning sections. I would like to finally see one of the 06 Beasts!

B)

 

[designeraccd]

Yukk...going thru LaLa /Orange Cty traffic on a new FJR...oh what fun. Now 40 years ago on my '65 Honda CB77 Super Hawk it actually was, but then there were still lots of "open", unbuilt areas.

Well, at least on the hi desert you should be able to get some good rides in including up, IIRC 138(?) to get onto Angeles Crest the "back way". Rode many many times up 395, 14 (2 lane) etc on my '57 Triumph 6T, and each trip was an adventure: what will fall off or break this time? Unlike the FJRs something almost always did! Snapped a primary drive chain (first time) doing 95 on 395 @ 30 miles south of 4 Corners. Might still be there but a flatbed 18 wheeler with a long wheelbase tractor that had a small flatbed and ramp locked them up. Hauled the bike and me to 4 Corners from where I hitched up to Ridgecrest. Returned on Sat with a '66 Pontiac Bonneville, loaded (as much as I could) bike in the trunk and back down to Skip Fordyce in Riverside....the neat store they had in downtown Riverside. That Triumph kept them in bizness and kept a young Marine POOR!

Yup...FJRs are light years better! Enjoy! DFO

 

[InsaneK9]

K9, what time did you pick yours up? We must have just missed each other !!
I left SBay just after 2:00 PM.

And Congrats !!!!!

Yeah, you must have just left when I got there... come to think of it, I think I DID see a blue streak - like the tail of a comet heading northbound! Was that you?!

Oh, and my digi-cam isn't looking good. I think I'll have to buy a new one... grrr

Weather is looking rainy also... last night I spent the evening putting about 15 coats of wax on "my precious". She's very sparkly now

 

[InsaneK9]

Congrats to both KD and K9. I am #3 at Southbay Motorsports according to Ted. How did you guys get notified for your bikes? Via email or Tel call? Will Ted ship the bags to you or have to drive down to San Diego again?We should get together to have 06 ride day. I am Santa Clarita area.

Thanks lot.

Jim

Don't wait for either....

I called Ted often while waiting... as the day got closer, my calls became more frequent. Ted's a great guy to buy a bike from, but ya gotta keep bugging him... he's always busy so don't wait for him to bug you.

On the bags, I don't know when they are coming in... will have to give Ted a call today. He said that they would ship them to me. I even offered to pay the fedex...

Installation? KD mentioned that he's heading back to SD to have his installed... I'm curious how much work is involved in the installation. There are 3 locks in a bag in the under-seat-compartment. They keep these with the bike so that one key fits all. I'm heading to work soon... a co-worker has an 05 that he's riding in today (he lives only 15m from work... vs my 60m). I'm going to see how the mounting is and see if its something that I can do myself or not. I heard that the mounting has changed in 06, but unclear if this will make the installtion easier or harder.

BTW I work in SCV and will soon be commuting via the Angeles National Forest on "my precious" as often as I can. Just need this storm to pass!

 

[kaitsdad]

Congrats to both KD and K9. I am #3 at Southbay Motorsports according to Ted. How did you guys get notified for your bikes? Via email or Tel call? Will Ted ship the bags to you or have to drive down to San Diego again?We should get together to have 06 ride day. I am Santa Clarita area.

Thanks lot.

Jim

Don't wait for either....

I called Ted often while waiting... as the day got closer, my calls became more frequent. Ted's a great guy to buy a bike from, but ya gotta keep bugging him... he's always busy so don't wait for him to bug you.

On the bags, I don't know when they are coming in... will have to give Ted a call today. He said that they would ship them to me. I even offered to pay the fedex...

Installation? KD mentioned that he's heading back to SD to have his installed... I'm curious how much work is involved in the installation. There are 3 locks in a bag in the under-seat-compartment. They keep these with the bike so that one key fits all. I'm heading to work soon... a co-worker has an 05 that he's riding in today (he lives only 15m from work... vs my 60m). I'm going to see how the mounting is and see if its something that I can do myself or not. I heard that the mounting has changed in 06, but unclear if this will make the installtion easier or harder.

BTW I work in SCV and will soon be commuting via the Angeles National Forest on "my precious" as often as I can. Just need this storm to pass!

+1

Ted is a very busy man - but what I found amazing is that he ALWAYS picked up the phone when he was paged. My whole experience with Ted and SBMotorsports was very positive - I was always treated very professionally.

As to the bag installation, K9, I may very well have them shipped here - cause this Friday is supposed to be thunderstorms - and 100 miles down the 5 in a thunderstorm just doesn't excite me right now. I've got Friday off, so I'd be able to install them myself, assuming that I have them. (LOCTITE!!!!)

I was told that the bags would/should arrive on Tuesday (today) - if they turn them around via FedEx overnight, that should work.

Jim, I found out from Ted about 48 hours in advance that they SHOULD be on his delivery truck - and he confirmed it with a phone call to me as he was looking at the bike Saturday morning. So be ready to go !!

And you are just gonna absolutely love it !!

 

[StexFJR]

K9 installation of the bags is easy. I enjoyed your report thoroughly, reminded me of my own FJR experience.

 

[InsaneK9]

Update 11APR06

Shock. That's what it is... I'm still in SHOCK. It hasn't totally set in that the waiting is over, the FJR is *REALLY* sitting in my garage. As I left work, I had to peek in at "my precious"... a sort of reality check to make sure this isn't all a dream. I did this one other time, when my son was born. He was my 1st precious, now he rides with me on this wonderfull machine. Life is good. The sunny California weather is not cooperating though. Grey skies, thunderstorms, etc. Rather than increase my risk on the road, I decided that the FJR needs another coat or two of wax.

Thinking back to the ride home, it was as if I was in a dream... a momentary twist of my wrist sending me into warp drive. 100MPH? I better slow down! Telling myself to be calm, focus on traffic, watching the cage mirrors... laughing inside at the rocket I am sitting on... I yell as if possessed by a demon "Whoooo hoooo I finally got IT!!!". Another twist of the wrist >>>> better slow down again!

I adjust the windscreen to full up.... yeah that helps! The wind noise drowns out most of the engine hum. Slight vibrations at 75mph... NOTHING like the GS though, my hands would have been numb by now.

Earplugs? Nah... maybe later, but not now.... I love the sound of this FJR. Smooth ride. Insane power both in acceleration and braking. My GS doesn't compare in anyway really... it was a shafty... it was as heavy... Hmmm... it was originally blue also. That's about the only similarities.

The FJR is an engineering marval! Motorcycle technology sure has come along way. I imagine that prop plane pilots felt the same way when the jet age arrived.

I had to make room for the FJR in my garage.... I wheeled my GS into the backyard. I felt sad in a way, the GS and I spent lots of time together. It was like putting an old dog down. The only comfort was when I walked back to the FJR, a smile came back and the sad feelings went away.

The waiting is over. Well... not really... I'm waiting for the rain to stop. Waiting for the bags to arrive... waiting for a new digi-cam to arrive from newegg... waiting to twist that throttle again. I can't wait!

 

[zzkenoman]

Congrads, welcome to our world of sleepless nights, thinking about your FJR. Thinking about your bike all day & night, watching the weather channel. Yep, if we can only get rid of our blood shot eyes staring at the next ride posted in our area..lol Have fun, hope to ride with you soon. How about saturday? See california rides sir!