Knifemakers new ride

[Knifemaker]

Congrats! Have fun with her, sure your going to have lots of stare-downs

Enjoy!!!

I do agree on above^^^ ..ya should of kept the Feej also and by the looks of that bench seat on the Umph you just may miss the touring-bike comfort-ability?)

Well if I could have afforded to own both...I would have.

In the six years I had the FJR we only made one multi state trip. Most of my miles were just commuting or a 100 mike day trip now and then. Bike had just 11000 miles in it. Most if our longer distance touring had us take the Miata instead.

What I really needed was a small sport bike that got great gas mileage. If my wife didn't love to ride with me I would have picked the new Ninja 300. But that bike sucks for a passenger, especially after they been spoiled by the FJR.

I am really excited about getting the Bonnie. I absolutely love the FJR.....but it just does not fit my location and lifestyle now.

I worked my way up the bike path, from a 185cc duel purpose bike to a RD 400, to a Secca 550, to a 750, 850, then the 1300. I honestly miss that 400. Something about small and light jives with me. So I guess I'm working my way back down now...lol.

 

[Knifemaker]

Well, All went well, and yesterday picked up the new bike:

https://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/Knifemaker1954/Bonnie/DSC05670.jpg

As it was like 40 degrees out the one thing I missed right off was the protection the FJR offered. But as the only real part of me that got chilled some was my face due to cold air entering under my Shoei RF. A short windscreen to duck behind would have solved this....so it might be my first purchace for the bike.

Overall impression seems I made a good choice. The bike handles like a small sport bike, which is exactly what I was looking for, and it handled my long rock driveway with ease ......providing me with zero pucker moments.

Only got the 50 miles it was from the dealer home, but I think I am going to be very happy with this bike.

I'll still be checking in here, just because I no longer have an FJR doesnt mean I won't hang out here now and then.

Who knows, maybe in a few years I'll pick up anoher Feejer....although that Ducati Monster at the dealer looked really sweet......

Eric

 

[Knifemaker]

Update.

Got more miles in on the bike and so far and very happy. Only downside I can see is the lack of protection the FJR had....upside is the bike is a joy to ride around here and makes me feel like a kid again.... I did get a small windscreen that not only does a fair job of keeping the airblast off my chest but also follows the lines of the bike well with a hint of the cafe racer look:

https://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/Knifemaker1954/Bonnie/DSC05689.jpg

(For some reason I can't get the "insert image" thingy to work .It just highlights the whole screen and does not have a link pop up box...what up with that?)

Plan on getting a few farkles for Christmas. Still plan on a small tail case. Odd how once you have one how much you miss them when they are gone...I do still have a nice tank bag that I can use to carry crap in. So far only used it to hold some cigars....

Anyway, missing the FJR less and really enjoying the fun of a the "smaller" bike. Wife says she likes the more "intinate" seating. That's got to be good by itself...

KM

More photos at my photobucket link below...

 

[fossilrider]

Congrats on your new ride. The bonnie I purchased in 1970 was my first bike and it took me across Canada , down to Mexico and back to Ontario. A totally different experience from the machines of today but every bit as enjoyable.