Bugnatr
Well-known member
Nice bike Richard, real nice!
My 2013 FJR has arrived.....
- Thread starter Fairlaner
- Start date
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Nice pics, Richard!
So. Is the cruise control limited to 80 mph, like the Canadian model?
Do test up and tell!
hppants
Well-known member
Fairliner - congrats on your new bike and thanks for sharing your thoughts and answering questions.
The following comments are not meant to start a war - just a respectful discussion. That said... I'm a big boy, flame away if you must.
(deep breath)
From the computer and the front row... I'm not too impressed at the Gen III.
Obviously, my opinions are skewed by the fact that I haven't ridden a Gen III and the proof's in the pudding. But surely, we can't call a new cowling, a new ECU, traction control, and a new dash board "all new"? I'll admit, I am over simplifying this, but why would I trade in my '05 and pluck down an additional $12K (or more) for this bike? Not that I could afford it anyway. But for the sake of discussion, unless I'm missing a lot, from the Gen II, the frame geometry, engine/tranny/clutch/drive train, brakes, suspension, wheels, luggage, fuel tank, and overall chassis is unchanged for '13. Yamaha specs cite 36 mpg?
Now, to be fair, as a Gen I rider, improved heat management, cruise control, and traction control would be very nice improvements. But not at a cost of $15K.
As an example, the '12 Connie re-vamped the swing arm completely to basically eliminate shaft jacking. That trailing arm design is very impressive and might work well for the FJR. Also, the fork spring dampening and valving could have been improved to stop that annoying 40-50ish mph occasional vibration that everyone gets from time to time.
Maybe the FJR was such a great motorcycle out of the box in '03 that there is only so much improvement that can be made?
Don't get me wrong - the FJR is the answer to my dream motorcycle. It does everything I want in a bike and if mine was stolen or totaled today, I'd be scouring C/L and this forum for another one. But the world would have to sell quite a bit harder to get me to bite on a GEN III - even if I had the money for it.
YMMV
The following comments are not meant to start a war - just a respectful discussion. That said... I'm a big boy, flame away if you must.
(deep breath)
From the computer and the front row... I'm not too impressed at the Gen III.
Obviously, my opinions are skewed by the fact that I haven't ridden a Gen III and the proof's in the pudding. But surely, we can't call a new cowling, a new ECU, traction control, and a new dash board "all new"? I'll admit, I am over simplifying this, but why would I trade in my '05 and pluck down an additional $12K (or more) for this bike? Not that I could afford it anyway. But for the sake of discussion, unless I'm missing a lot, from the Gen II, the frame geometry, engine/tranny/clutch/drive train, brakes, suspension, wheels, luggage, fuel tank, and overall chassis is unchanged for '13. Yamaha specs cite 36 mpg?
Now, to be fair, as a Gen I rider, improved heat management, cruise control, and traction control would be very nice improvements. But not at a cost of $15K.
As an example, the '12 Connie re-vamped the swing arm completely to basically eliminate shaft jacking. That trailing arm design is very impressive and might work well for the FJR. Also, the fork spring dampening and valving could have been improved to stop that annoying 40-50ish mph occasional vibration that everyone gets from time to time.
Maybe the FJR was such a great motorcycle out of the box in '03 that there is only so much improvement that can be made?
Don't get me wrong - the FJR is the answer to my dream motorcycle. It does everything I want in a bike and if mine was stolen or totaled today, I'd be scouring C/L and this forum for another one. But the world would have to sell quite a bit harder to get me to bite on a GEN III - even if I had the money for it.
YMMV
Fairlaner
The Bartender Whisperer
only until you rode one......
R
R
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
+1, Gunny; I'm in 100% agreement with everything the Manatee Molester said, definitely go with grey for the Smuggler! Oh, where are you buying your wife beaters at?Finally!!!
A new generation of FJR I could fall in love with.
Too bad it took 8 friggin' years for Yamaha to get it right again.
A worth successor to the immortal 2004 FJR!
Add my congratulations to the list, Mr. Fairlaner.
(Personally, I'd go with the grey of the majority of the rest of the bike for the Smuggler)
p.s.: Oh, don't forget to change your bike's year on your avatar description!
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Yeah, Richard...? I pretty much hate you. You lucky bastid!! :good:
That bike looks awesome. Like some of the other "died in the wool" first gen riders (aka tight wads), this is really tempting me to jump on the new gen bandwagon. It would mean taking on a new bike loan, and I really don't need that right now.
Congrats on a very nice new ride. And keep those reviews / reports coming!! :drinks:
That bike looks awesome. Like some of the other "died in the wool" first gen riders (aka tight wads), this is really tempting me to jump on the new gen bandwagon. It would mean taking on a new bike loan, and I really don't need that right now.
Congrats on a very nice new ride. And keep those reviews / reports coming!! :drinks:
Patriot
Isabella is Lazarus
I probably missed it, but how does the suspension measure up ???
the cruise and interchangable seat are a big plus
does it need a aftermarket windshield?
the cruise and interchangable seat are a big plus
does it need a aftermarket windshield?
Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Watchit Fred, some don't like hearing this here :assassin: ...but I found humor in this
CONGRATS Richard, I really like your new ride and thanks for the great pics and comments. Looking forward to day 2 riff-raff.
Possibly - I just got another quart of Galaxy Blue. Sheesh, you 2005 boyz crash a lot...
And I'll be getting some 2013 color as soon as Colorrite makes it available to help 'ol Rich out with his farkles.
Effjay
Well-known member
Richard, thanks for sharing pics and impressions on your new scoot. Gen3 changes have definitely gotten my juices going and I really like the color too. So now I gotta go ride my old Beemer GS today (um) to take some fresh pics and get a C-L ad posted. PMing ya...
Congrats Richard!!
Nice looking bike and I see you're already farkeling away. I can't wait to your your on-going impressions over the next month. :yahoo:
Nice looking bike and I see you're already farkeling away. I can't wait to your your on-going impressions over the next month. :yahoo:
snackbauer
Well-known member
So, a little over a month from birth to sale. My 2010 was born 5/10 and I bought it new 4/12 at an obviously reduced price. I wonder what Yamaha projects for the '13 model sales. Think we'll see any sitting on showroom floors in 2015?
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majicmaker
Well-known member
Damn! Reading all this is making Sugar Plum Fairies dance in my head! :wub: Must Resist! Must Resist! Let me think of Ugly things.......
Famine... Third World Hunger... Being 5 yeas old and seeing Grandma walk out of the Shower Naked... Howie, waking up first thing in the morning from a Drunken Stooper........ Ok!! I'm Good!
Famine... Third World Hunger... Being 5 yeas old and seeing Grandma walk out of the Shower Naked... Howie, waking up first thing in the morning from a Drunken Stooper........ Ok!! I'm Good!
Fairlaner
The Bartender Whisperer
another observation, the center stand is so easy even MEM will be able to "get it up"
Time to see if the superbrace will fit.
just noticed there is only 1 horn now....
R
Time to see if the superbrace will fit.
just noticed there is only 1 horn now....
R
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Warchild
Benevolent Dictator
Use care here.... now that we (er, you and I, for the moment, anyway) have the Gen III to examine, it seems we have more changes going on with this model than we were led to believe by Yamaha marketing. Damn thing is not turning out to be a evolutionary model change; these changes are significant and numerous.
I noticed that last night while examining the radiator area. But have you tried the horn yet? It is NOT the typical little beep-beep roadrunner horn of previous generations. While it's no Master Blaster, IMO it's not the embarrassing little pizzio horn we are used to hearing on Japanese bikes... :lol:
BTW, Richard, you can add the 2013 Gen III model to your profile and sig now... thanks, Iggy! B)
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Fairlaner
The Bartender Whisperer
Horn does not appear to be louder, still sounds like a cartoon horn....at least i thought so..
On the good news side the wild Bill highway pegs will fit........
Iggy already did my profile for me :yahoo: :yahoo:
i was also going to suggest we try and keep all these "findings in one place but it looks like you had the same idea....
I am going to go ride it in a few minutes and then when i get back it will go up on the lift....
R
On the good news side the wild Bill highway pegs will fit........
Iggy already did my profile for me :yahoo: :yahoo:
i was also going to suggest we try and keep all these "findings in one place but it looks like you had the same idea....
I am going to go ride it in a few minutes and then when i get back it will go up on the lift....
R
I'm trying to keep a bit of a running sheet so when I update the Comparison Matrix I'll try and cover at least the bigger items. About the time somebody gets the third or fourth....or nth actual new FJR in their hands we may need to throttle down into one thread about changes.
I also took the opportunity to add "Gen III" to the years so it's a bit easier for newbies to keep track. Besides changing your profile directly--everybody's now looks just a bit different.
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Neil San Diego
One of "...those guys..."
Congratulations Richard! Damn that's alot of 2013 goodness for only a couple hundred dollars more than a 2012...
Dammit.
Dammit.
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
Well THAT didn't take long! Last week I rode out to a local dealer - they still had a '12 on the floor, no '13 yet. If this snow that's falling from the sky melts off I may try to get back out this weekend, and maybe swing by Iron Pony to see if they have one yet.
Congrats on the new ride, Richard. I'll be following you and WC through your discovery and farkling phases.
Congrats on the new ride, Richard. I'll be following you and WC through your discovery and farkling phases.
russperry
Well-known member
Congrats Richard (and Warchild too) on the new rides. Bummed that my '08 is probably worth a few thousand less now, but looking forward to the next 5 years of complaints from the Gen 1 crowd (if the last 5 years is an accurate forecast)....
