Need moral support from you guys

[bananaman]

Been lurking on this forum for quite a while and have lusted over the FJR1300 for almost 2 years. :dribble:

Sold my Harley SuperGlide last year to get some things done around the house and bought a Ninja 250 just so I could keep riding. Well the wife really misses being able to ride with me and we decided it's time to get a bigger 2 up type bike again. Problem is I can get a good used V-strom right now or wait 3 or 4 months and get a good used FJR. The FJR is the bike I really want-shaft drive, ABS, better windshield etc... BUT waiting is soooo hard! Please help a guy out and tell me the FJR1300 is worth waiting for.

This would be easier if we had real winters here in Texas, but last week the temps were in the 70's. Arrrggghh!

 

[El Toro Joe]

It's worth it

 

[majicmaker]

I second that! It is well worth the wait. The wife will think it's well worth it too! :yahoo:

 

[old&slow]

Been lurking on this forum for quite a while and have lusted over the FJR1300 for almost 2 years. :dribble: Sold my Harley SuperGlide last year to get some things done around the house and bought a Ninja 250 just so I could keep riding. Well the wife really misses being able to ride with me and we decided it's time to get a bigger 2 up type bike again. Problem is I can get a good used V-strom right now or wait 3 or 4 months and get a good used FJR. The FJR is the bike I really want-shaft drive, ABS, better windshield etc... BUT waiting is soooo hard! Please help a guy out and tell me the FJR1300 is worth waiting for.

This would be easier if we had real winters here in Texas, but last week the temps were in the 70's. Arrrggghh!

Here in Ohio ,, 2 months :dribble: ,,this time of year ,, No big deal... :blink:

I haven't been on the bike for a couple months already,, and probably won't be on it for a couple more...

I've hear the V storm is a pretty nice bike ,, but I haven't been on one,,,,

I can tell you the FJR is a smooth , comfortable , good handling ,, long distance bike..

If your bike riding is ,, 40 ,, 50 ,,, 80 mile day rides , once every week or two ,,,

probably any bike would be OK and fun to ride...

If you had longer rides planned ,, The FJR is a top notch bike sport touring..

( I figure in Texas ,, there's A whole lot of distance between point A and point B.. One time, I cut across the corner

of Texas ,, from Okla. to New Mex. and there was a Whole bunch of nothing but miles and sage brush ,,,)

Just my 2 cents,,, good luck with your choice :clapping:

 

[bananaman]

Been riding to work and back everyday I can and if I can do 200 miles on the Ninja 250 I can't wait to see how far I can go on the FJR!

 

[old&slow]

Been riding to work and back everyday I can and if I can do 200 miles on the Ninja 250 I can't wait to see how far I can go on the FJR!

200 miles on a Ninja 250 ??!! ,,,,, go for the FJR ...

 

[Burnspot]

I waited about 3 years to get mine...and it was totally worth the wait! I'd pounce on the FJR.

 

[Steel]

With the weather the way it's been around here, the hardest thing you can do is wait. In 3 - 4 months, you'll be glad you did!

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

I know we're all biased here, but here's one more opinion. One of the guys I've been riding with for the past 23 years bought a V-Strom about 5 years ago. Great bike, handles well, nice powerband. But a totally different bike than an FJR. My wife of 28 years hadn't been on a bike for about 25 years, but about a year and a half ago decided it was time again. The 98 Honda SuperHawk has been relegated to future track day duty, and sits patiently under a cover in the back of the garage. The FJR is comfortable, reasonably fast, has great brakes, and handles well enough two-up to shave some aluminum from the pegs, if you have a capable passenger. I'm not sure if the V-Strom is as capable two-up. My wife is very happy with the comfort. That's saying a lot, because as great as she is, if she's not comfortable, NOBODY is going to be happy. Do your wife a favor, and buy her an FJR. Just my opinion, which is worth zero, in the big picture.

 

[ScottyUSN]

Let me tell you first hand. I bought a V-Strom, and don't get me wrong, I loved it! Then I test rode an FJR.

I fought off the voices in my head for 6-8 months before giving in!

Honestly they are both great bikes, and the VStrom is a capable touring bike with the ability to continue where the pavement ends (I won't say off road). But personally, I was never going to use the bike in this capacity.

Wait for the FJR or it WILL haunt you. Start your farkle list now. I would wager your wife will prefer the ride on the FJR, mine does.

Best piece of advice I can give you... On a day you know her butt is tired of the stock saddle, show her a Russell, and tell her you will "sacrifice" your farkle list for her sake and get new saddles

 

[08FJR4ME]

Bananaman,

Definately wait and buy the FJR. You will just be trading in the V-Strom eventually. Not that it's a bad bike, Ime not sure how will it will perform on long rides 2up. After a hour my wife would say lets go home when riding the XR.

Good luck,

Dave

 

[ScottyUSN]

I'm not sure if the V-Strom is as capable two-up.

The "Vee" is very capable of two-up touring bike.

Some will argue so is the Wee. "For me" The Wee just didn't have enough power to be considered a 2 up touring bike. The bike can do 75 all day, but two-up at that speed there is not enough reserve power to get you out of trouble at the twist of the trottle if needed.

 

[marcusorelius]

Since the bike ya really want is an FJR wait and get it and you'll have no regrets!

 

[Big Sky]

I have both the FJR and DL 1000 V-strom in the stable (as well as a GSXR 750). The Strom is very good at what it was intended for ("adventure touring") and the FEEJ is perhaps unsurpassed at its intended mission (sport touring). The questions become, what type of riding will you do most; and is your $$$ investment a consideration? The Strom will be way less expensive. It can be ridden in a sporting fashion (my wife and I managed to touch the feelers to the pavement on the White Pines in Idaho last year) and works pretty well in two-up touring mode with soft sidebags, tanks bag and tail pack. Wife says she likes the seat and riding position. We do have a taller, bigger after-market windscreen on it. My brother-in-law and sister used it on a a couple of tours last year and pronounced it capable and fun. The Feej, on the other hand, is superior in almost every respect for the long-distance days with its superior comfort, and for carving the corners with its precise railing capabilities. We did 8,000 miles on the Feej and 2,000 on the Strom last season, which may be telling.

But I think we will be getting more use from the Strom in coming years as we practically know every bump on every piece of pavement within 1,000 miles of home, having been riding this region for 25 years. The Strom, however, will allow us to start exploring the many beautiful and uncrowded gravel routes in the area that we have only seen from our pickup or car.

Ideally, you would own both. Otherwise, consider what type of riding is most likely, then target your selection of machine to that.

 

[Mcgyver74]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind to get the FJR and just need us to talk U into being patient,

IMHO, I've ridden a Strom and no question it's a blast to ride, but it doesn't have the luggage capacity out of the box (Yes I know U can farkle it in) and while i have not done any 2 up on it, I would imagine that for a long day it would be a but uncomfortable for your passenger.

Let's break it down.

FJR Pro's

1) FJR is the better touring bike

2) FJR handles better

3) FJR has more power

4) FJR has better brakes

5) FJR is more comfortable 2 up

6) FJR has better weather protection

FJR Cons

1) It's a heavy bike

2) It's more expensive

3) Low Speed handling takes some finesse and clutch feathering

Strom Pros

1) Inexpensive (relatively)

2) VERY capable around town bike

3) Is a BLAST to ride

4) for one up touring is very capable

5) Cheaper to run

Strom Cons

1) Smaller motor

2) can do 2 up, but really not practical

3) Doesn't have luggage capacity out of the box

4) does not handle as well as the FJR

5) Minimal weather protection

6) Its not an FJR

Hope this helps

 

[CaptianBanana]

I can get a good used V-strom right now or wait 3 or 4 months and get a good used FJR. The FJR is the bike I really want-shaft drive, ABS, better windshield etc... BUT waiting is soooo hard! Please help a guy out and tell me the FJR1300 is worth waiting for.

Wait and buy what you really want, otherwise you'll just end up buying it later and you'll have spent more money. I came to the FJR from a Vee, and it's a huge difference. I was treating the 'strom like a sport-touring bike, and it just isn't one. It does have plenty of power for 2-up riding, but it's not terribly stable at high speed and the wind protection is dismal. The FJR is a much, much more refined ride.

I'd say that if your intent is to spend all your time on pavement, wait for the FJR. If you have any desire to ride on unpaved roads, then maybe the 'Strom is a better choice.

 

[dkbellga]

Just curious, why do you have to wait several months for a good used FJR? Are you targeting a specific year?

 

[bananaman]

Just curious, why do you have to wait several months for a good used FJR? Are you targeting a specific year?

Well yes and no. I love the 07 Black Cherry color, but will consider any of the colors (years)

I am trying to be debt free and have enough saved up now to where I could buy a used V-strom right now. Save some more and wait a few

months (and sell the Ninja) and I should have enough for a Gen II FJR. :yahoo:

Thanks for all the responses, just-need-to-hold-on-longer.... The problem is I have a bad case of MBS (multiple bike syndrome)!

No known cure I hear.

 

[Mcgyver74]

Hang in there, it will be worth it