Keep it??

[Bulldog9]

Well, I don't know........... I love my FJR, but something is missing. My wife said it best last year, the FJR is so good, so smooth so capable, you have to ride it at insane speeds to really enjoy the ride. I have to agree, I regularly find myself bored, while riding at very excessive speeds. The bike is so powerful so capable, smooth, that I just don't enjoy it. Why do I say this? I just bought my wife an old XS750, restored it, and have been riding it the last few weeks, and it feels so much better. I don't know if it is the full wind in the face, the more connected feel, the old school attitude it brings about, but it has been something I have thought about off an on since I repurchased my FJR 2 years ago. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my FJR.... My quandary is I cant get rid of a bike I have owned for nearly 30 years, but I cant ride it every day either. I also cant get a 3rd (for me) bike and let the FJR sit. If I was still able to do long trips, needed the all weather protection, etc, I would keep it. Chief is that my wife has decided she doesn't like to ride more than around town or day trips, so I am asking myself why do I have the FJR??? It does every thing WELL, better than almost any bike out here, power, comfort, reliability, looks, ease of servicing, I could go on and on......

But......I've also always loved my 79XS11 for the open unfaired hot rod feel, and the old school nature. Now it seems I appreciate it more, and I am seriously considering selling the FJR. Do I need full weather coverage? 99% of the time NO, Do I need Hard Saddle Bags? - yes and no wonderful convenient. I think Ive just changed..... and my ride needs to as well.... Is there a modern XS1100???

I am looking for a Standard or sport standard bike, with NO fairing, 1 liter or greater in displacement, Shaft or belt drive, Two up for short day trips, around town, good handling/braking dynamics, strong aftermarket support.

So what to do?? What should I consider (other than a lobotomy) ? Here are my thoughts

- Cant make a 31 year old bike my daily ride, not reliable enough.

- Will NEVER buy a cruiser, even the Yamaha Warrior...

- The Triumph Rocket is too big

- Triumph Thunderbird is nice but...

- I've owned an FZ1, and is a possibility, but I think I am in the same boat as the FJR.... Probably more so in performance and ability

- I really don't like Suzuki's

- Cant see owning a Honda

- Would love a Ducati, but do I want the maintenance?

- No way to Harley or any V-Twin

I've done all the figuring and IF I make this move, am leaning towards the Prior Generation VMAX............ Anyone have any other ideas? Would really appreciate your collective wisdom or experience. What else is out there that fits the bill? Sorry for the ramble, and forgive the sacrilege...

 

[Tree Doc]

New V-Max

or

Kawasaki ZRX1200

or

try and import the 2011 CB1100, a classic, old school design, still air cooled but with Fuel Injection. I love that machine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRXe8kas2Sc

 

[Patriot]

You really need to take a long trip on the fjr...multi days or

plan and go out to do a SS1000 IBA ride

I am this Thur

 

[Fred W]

Before you go selling off your FJR, try it with a cut down stock windshield. Get the wind back to your chest (and face) and stop hiding behind lexan. Then drop the side bags and trunk. You may be surprised how much more "out there" you'll feel.

Of course you'll still want to ride it fast...

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Kawi Z1000 is another possibility.

 

[Pepperell]

The old XS series were marvelous machines. Durable, easy to handle, quick, and reliable. I had a Windjammer and hardbags on my 750F and an after market tractor seat plus hiway pegs. It was REALLY comfortable. It also would scrape stuff big time if it was ridden at anything more than sedately. I sold it to get an FJR due to reliability of a 25 year old machine, and zero parts availability.

The FJR will be sold off the minute parts are no longer available for it.

I agree with the above; rip the fairing off & make it a nekkid. Add lower pegs or a lowering kit so they scrape sooner; that'll slow you down some.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've done all the figuring and IF I make this move, am leaning towards the Prior Generation VMAX............ Anyone have any other ideas? Would really appreciate your collective wisdom or experience. What else is out there that fits the bill? Sorry for the ramble, and forgive the sacrilege...

Guzzi Guzzi Guzzi

Like Ducati, Guzzi quality rose massively some years back now and the new ones are charms. The resale value on Guzzis is kinda strange. The original owners take a pounding on initial resale value and then they just don't depreciate that fast, so maybe look for one that is just a few years old.

article on 2007 MGs

Plus, we have really active Guzzi owner groups in the DC/VA area and a lot of the bikes. Example: https://www.vaguzzi.com/

 

[anarchoxen]

Guzzi Breva v1100

Guzzi 1200 Sport

https://forum.guzzitech.com/forum.html

 

[chivvalry]

Pull your fairing off the FJR and ride naked...

 

[not2shabby]

Any modern litre or bigger bike is gonna be able to get you in trouble in a heartbeat. Like others have said, take the windshield and/or fairing off and keep the feejer.

 

[Ford68xl]

Don't feel bad, I too struggle with the thought of getting a different bike (would love a ZX-14) but the FJR does everything a bike needs to do and does it well. I am afraid to pull the trigger on a differentt bike only to find that the grass was not greener on the other side.

Making a sport shield for yourself is a good suggestion. I currently am running mine with a stock shield that I cut four inches shorter and no bags. My kids call it an old man's sport bike. When the finances allow for a second bike, I might buy a 3 or 4 year old R6 just to bang around town with. And keep my FJR for everything else.

 

[joeR6]

I know exactly what you are going through. My FJR is up for sale (BTW I'm having a hard time selling it) b/c I have a little one at home now and the weeklong trips have been shortened to daylong rides. Don't get me wrong - I love this bike too and there is no other bike I'd rather have if I was on some desolate road thousands of miles away from home. Super reliable and it does everything well. Maybe once a year I'd get caught in the rain and have to use all the space in those saddlebags.

I too am lured to Ducati (Hypermotard to be exact) and have been seriously contemplating making the change once/if my FJR is sold. But 7500 miles b/w valve adjustments is going to be expensive. I haven't even hit the 1st valve adj on the FJR yet. Then all those farkles I'm gonna have to buy to suit my needs. I have the FJR exactly the way I want it but I still can't help lusting over the duc. My biggest worry is like yours "Why o why did I sell my FJR?"

If my FJR doesn't sell then I'll just keep it. Then I'll know the duc was not meant to be.

BTW the 1st moto I ever rode was a 98 VMAX - I'll never forget my maiden ride - badass looks, rumbling V4, and the first time that vboost kicked in I was instantly hooked on motorcycling!

 

[DJB]

Triumph Tiger or Speed Triple. Both of those bike will work. On the other hand go and buy a 2003 stock wind screen. It is the year with the smallest screen. You will love what the bike feels like.

 

[Bulldog9]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Not an easy decision.

Not sure if it make sense, but the 'take the bags off - cut down the windscreen - make it an old mans sport bike' exactly captures what I DONT like or want.

If I make a move, it will be towards a standard-classic look, single headlight, no fairing of any type, minimal or zero bodywork. Its not about speed or getting into trouble, or too powerful, its about too good, the way a pro makes difficult things easy... I miss the verve, the character the feeling that says RIDE ME. Maybe it is teh whole SPORT bike side of things that I m turned off by? Gotta tell you it is bothering me................

Thanks for the heads up on the Guzzi, the sport standard looks to be amazing, but the V-Max seems to be getting the most traction in all my important areas. I worry about Guzzi reliability. Patriot is right though, I need a 2-3 day trip, but that aint gonna happen anytime soon.

Oh, FWIW, I've seen the FRJ nekkid, aint a pretty sight :dribble:

 

[WRichStrom]

I can only tell you my experience. I am really busy with kids and not touring with this bike like it is really designed for. Just commuting and short trips around town mostly and that is kind of boring on a FJR. In the last two years I have bought a H-D (I can see the flak coming) and then another Harley (I have had the prior Friday dog pile already!!!).

I have to tell you those Cruiser's were were great around town and sounded fantastic. And in both cases I sold the '08 H-D (still had the FJR) and got rid of the last H-D and went right back to a FJR. And I ride conservatively, like a slow cruiser guy, and still the FJR is the most comfortable of them all even without all the "personality". Just being on a bike is better than in a cage and that is good enough for me.

I am hanging onto my FJR after going through a butt load of bikes and acting with emotion rather than logically. Maybe in time with kids growing up, and with improved health (I have asthma and lung damage from previous work) I will end up touring more. I would listen to what FredW says. My experience is that nothing is like a FJR except for another sport-touring bike. So why switch?

Chris

'02 Shadow (starter bike when I was 42 years old)

'04 V-Strom

'06 ST1300

'07 FJR and '08 Ultra-Classic

traded '07 FJR for a Street Glide

sold Street Glide and went back to a '07 FJR

Going to stick with a FJR.

 

[krashdragon]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Not an easy decision.
Not sure if it make sense, but the 'take the bags off - cut down the windscreen - make it an old mans sport bike' exactly captures what I DONT like or want.

If I make a move, it will be towards a standard-classic look, single headlight, no fairing of any type, minimal or zero bodywork. Its not about speed or getting into trouble, or too powerful, its about too good, the way a pro makes difficult things easy... I miss the verve, the character the feeling that says RIDE ME. Maybe it is teh whole SPORT bike side of things that I m turned off by? Gotta tell you it is bothering me................

Thanks for the heads up on the Guzzi, the sport standard looks to be amazing, but the V-Max seems to be getting the most traction in all my important areas. I worry about Guzzi reliability. Patriot is right though, I need a 2-3 day trip, but that aint gonna happen anytime soon.

Oh, FWIW, I've seen the FRJ nekkid, aint a pretty sight :dribble:

closest thing would be a Harley 1200 Sportster....especially the new XR1200, and yes, they are very reliable and fun!

Good deals on slightly used H-D's right now, too...

don't knock 'em till you try riding...<BG>

All of the Harley riders are NOT RUBS's and idiots,<G>.... many of my H-D friends not only ride, and ride hard, they build and/or work on their own bikes...<BG>

I had a 650 Special, bought it brand new! Way fun. think it was a '78....

Mary

 

[07fjrTom]

After reading your post, I can't help but say it sounds like you are frustrated because you are to rich, or too thin, or your wife is too attractive. There are tons of great bikes out there, but not much will give you the sentimental feel of a bike that you've had for 30 yrs. BTW, I had a 79 XS1100 myself as a first street bike and loved it.

I'm sure you will find something that suits you in time, but meanwhile you have one of the best problems to have. :lol:

 

[Deacon51]

Every motorcycle lover must own at least five bikes.

Six is to many... daisy chained battery tenders and clogged carbs is all you have if you have six (or more) bikes.

Four is to few... you are always missing something.

You need a track/play bike (Dirt or street).

You need a daily rider.

You need a old, from your youth maybe.

You need a (Super Sport!) touring bike.

You need a fixer-upper that you are working on.

 

[Fred W]

I like your thinking here, but I'm not sure about your tabulations.

Right now, I figure I need 4 or 5 bikes and yet I have only a paltry 3. :angry:

agreed: Everyone needs a super sport touring bike (FJR, C14, K13GT, etc). This is to fulfill the longer distance touring and 2-up requirements. It gets you from hither to yon. And lets you take along a change of underwear.

We also need a sportier bike. If you are a trackster, this is patently obvious. Others will still still want something a bit more svelte to toss around in the back road twisties, when not touring with full bags or encumbered with pillion.

One area I am lacking in now is a dual sport. Adventure is in the (dirt) roads less often taken. Forcing your other bikes down this unpaved track can be expensive and not all that rewarding in the long run. Sure it can be done. But why bring a knife to a gunfight?

The whole retro bike thing is seriously overrated, IMO. Get your High School crush bike, ride it for a while and then sell it off before you kill yourself (or worse) on the damn thing. Evolution in bikes is a very good thing. Newer bikes are generally more gooder.

The other bikes that you "need" are the loaner bike. That is the one you let your buddy from out of town use when he comes in and you want to go dust off a few local roads. Also useful as a change of pace to make you appreciate your other bikes.

And the true dirt bike. But be vewwy caweful, as these bikes tend to come in groups and travel on a thing called a "trailer". There is a whole lot of kick ass fun to be had squirting in the dirt. I just wish that the PC doosh-nozzles around here weren't so... doosh-nozzley. THe riding areas for true trail bikes are becoming rare and hard to find, at least in the eastern states.

And the final bike required is some sort of a big trailie that one can ride off to Alaska and beyond. I don't quite know what this bike is just yet, but I'm thinking that this may be the bestest of all. Perhaps, gasp, obsoleting all of the other choices?