New 2009 AE or 2012 A

[fastpappy]

I know you're enjoying breaking her in! I'm looking at doing the 4k miles service in a couple of weeks.

I'll be installing the Kouba links next week. After gently setting her down on the left side -twice- I'm ready to lower her a little

That's what convinced me also I was on an uneven surface between two driveways and when I put my foot down I ran out of leg and once you get past the point of no return, well you know that kind of slow motion thing. :angry: Don't forget you need to lower the front at the same time just slip the forks up in the triple clamp. I think I got about a half inch out of mine. ^_^ You'll see that the forks where the triple clamp grabs has a slightly larger diameter. I wouldn't go past that when you slide them up.YMMV.

 

[user 28803]

I know you're enjoying breaking her in! I'm looking at doing the 4k miles service in a couple of weeks.

I'll be installing the Kouba links next week. After gently setting her down on the left side -twice- I'm ready to lower her a little

That's what convinced me also I was on an uneven surface between two driveways and when I put my foot down I ran out of leg and once you get past the point of no return, well you know that kind of slow motion thing. :angry: Don't forget you need to lower the front at the same time just slip the forks up in the triple clamp. I think I got about a half inch out of mine. ^_^ You'll see that the forks where the triple clamp grabs has a slightly larger diameter. I wouldn't go past that when you slide them up.YMMV.

Yeah, running out of leg sucks. I planned to slide the triple clamp on the forks but I hadn't looked closely enough yet to notice that. Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[Smooth14u2]

I know you're enjoying breaking her in! I'm looking at doing the 4k miles service in a couple of weeks.

I'll be installing the Kouba links next week. After gently setting her down on the left side -twice- I'm ready to lower her a little

That's what convinced me also I was on an uneven surface between two driveways and when I put my foot down I ran out of leg and once you get past the point of no return, well you know that kind of slow motion thing. :angry: Don't forget you need to lower the front at the same time just slip the forks up in the triple clamp. I think I got about a half inch out of mine. ^_^ You'll see that the forks where the triple clamp grabs has a slightly larger diameter. I wouldn't go past that when you slide them up.YMMV.

Yeah, running out of leg sucks. I planned to slide the triple clamp on the forks but I hadn't looked closely enough yet to notice that. Thanks. :thumbsup:

From what I've read/seen, most if not all who lowered the bike lowered the front as well.

 

[obijohn]

I had the same choice to make and went with the '09 AE... and the auto-clutch was the decider. I'm not worried about depreciation. Everything depreciates, but I tend to own vehicles for a decade or so, and by that point whether it was an '09 or a '12 doesn't matter. With taxes, registration, etc., I'm at just over $14k out the door, and paid $11.7k for the bike itself.

Yes, I could have beat the local dealer out of a few hundred more, but the guy has to make a living, and if you want local dealers they have to be profitable so they can stay in business. I've been on the other side of this kind of deal, and it just isn't worth it to me to beat up the dealer.

I'm also 5'6" with a 29" inseam, and find I have to be on my toes with the factory seat in the low position, but it works okay. I had been torn between the FJR and the S10, but the Tenere is just too tall. Maybe someday someone will make a liter-class adventure tourer with shaft drive and a 30" seat height.

I'll pick it up either this weekend or next, and I'm looking forward to some multi-state trips later this summer.

 

[Smooth14u2]

I had the same choice to make and went with the '09 AE... and the auto-clutch was the decider. I'm not worried about depreciation. Everything depreciates, but I tend to own vehicles for a decade or so, and by that point whether it was an '09 or a '12 doesn't matter. With taxes, registration, etc., I'm at just over $14k out the door, and paid $11.7k for the bike itself.

Yes, I could have beat the local dealer out of a few hundred more, but the guy has to make a living, and if you want local dealers they have to be profitable so they can stay in business. I've been on the other side of this kind of deal, and it just isn't worth it to me to beat up the dealer.

I'm also 5'6" with a 29" inseam, and find I have to be on my toes with the factory seat in the low position, but it works okay. I had been torn between the FJR and the S10, but the Tenere is just too tall. Maybe someday someone will make a liter-class adventure tourer with shaft drive and a 30" seat height.

I'll pick it up either this weekend or next, and I'm looking forward to some multi-state trips later this summer.

Thanks Obijohn. Since I picked up my 2012, I guess it was the clutch for me than did it. Here in SA TX, the "stealerships" are out for the $$$. Figured if I'm going to pay close to what a 2012 cost, forget it, 2012 it is. Besides, all my cycle have been purchased new, just something I favor tis all. From what I've read about the AE, the auto shift is not my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong, either machine is great, I just need to control the clutch vs slow speed spudder or adjusting to that. Either way, an FJR is the way to go and proud of all our decisions.

 

[Wolf_in_Cheapclothing]

Smooth14u2,

I had the same choice as you except the prices were $4,000 apart. So, I've had the '09 AE for one week. I can ride as slow as I want by finessing the throttle a bit. If I'm smooth on the throttle, the bike crawls just like feathering a clutch.