New forum member & considering switch from cruiser to FJR- need help

[petercwelch]

Try to find an 06 as I do not believe there is any difference except the color. Have you seen the color in person? I liked it alot better in the dealer than in photos. I am an MD, 65 and cannot flat foot my 06 FJRA but love it none the less. You will almost certainly love the FJR. Call some dealers as I bet somewhere there resides an unsold 06 or a low mileage. Thought I saw a used 06 the other day on e bay. Good luck. Go for it.

 

[bmac]

I am with you the 07 color sucks. I thought it might be ok in person but it is not. I am very glad I bought an 06 and if anything happened to mine I would scour the country to find another 06, preferably new but used if necessary.

I also came from a VFR and although I never went the cruiser route I think you will find what you are looking for in the FJR. It is fine for a short ride to the store or a week long trip through the mountains. The only thing it is not really good at is going around a race track but there are a few folks on this forum willing to give that a try as well. With your height and weight the bike will be just right. Let us know when you pick one up.

 

[MsLilly]

I currently have an '06 FJR and love it. This is my second one and wouldn't go back to any of the other bikes I've had in the past. I love the fact that I can ride with my daughter and the sportbike group she belongs to...I have no problem keeping up with those kids and their rockets!! I also use it as a commute vehicle for work. My husband and I take long vacations every summer and I can load a lot of stuff on that bike. It is truly a versatile bike. What ever you want, it can and does deliver. I'm 5'6" and the '06 is a bit taller than my previous FJR but I can live with it. As for cruising, you can go as fast or slow as you want...you have control of the throttle! I do have to agree with you on the color of the '07. Really, you think they could have done better but there are those who love it. I'm sure if you start calling around you can find a new '06 somewhere. Heaven knows there are lots of dealers in California! I was told there were no '06s available (when they were new) but I just kept calling and finally found one. From what I've read there really isn't anything different between the two bikes other than the color. Good luck with your search.

Jo

 

[boogahboogah]

Hiya eye Surgeon,

I rode a 2000 Royal Star Boulevard for 4 years, getting back into riding after a 25 year 'hiatus'. 75 HP (1300 water cooled), a heavy bike that would go anywhere as long as the roads were paved ( & sometimes even when they were not ). Put 27k miles on the Star before I got the FJR (short rides, long tours mix). My riding buddy got a BMW 1150RT in 2002 & raved about handling, storage, weather protection, & it was always me calling for a gas stop between 120-140 miles. After reading everything I could find about the BMW's, Honda ST1300's, & the FJR , I ended up selling the Royal Star & buying an '05 FJR in June of '05. I can tell you that the FJR is way lighter than my Star but is a little top heavy, has way way better handling, better gas mileage (40-50 trips), better weather protection, more/easier storage, tank range of 220-250 miles, a motor than just won't quit (it pulls from just above idle) and I even change my own oil now.

Cruiser: ride slow, enjoy the road as long as it's not too challenging

FJR: ride fast, ride slow, ride twisties, ride slab, enjoy every road

Would I get the FJR again ? Yup, in a heartbeat.

Do I want to sell/change to another bike? Nope

Keep the cruiser till you find a bike w/ 7500+ miles, then compare the two for awhile. I think you'll sell the cruiser...

 

[feejer222]

I would greatly appreciate some feedback on my situation from you guys. I'm 38 and recently got back into riding a year ago by buying a new Suzuki boulevard cruiser (my last bike before this was a 1986 honda interceptor when I was a teenager). When I bought the cruiser I was thinking I would put a couple thousand miles on per year putting around the area on the weekends.
Well as it turns out I've put about 5500 miles on it in the first year, and instead of short rides, the thing I have discovered that I really enjoy is going on 200-300 mile rides on a Saturday morning through the California interior and central coast. Recently it has occurred to me that I am really using my cruiser like a sport-touring bike.

So I am considering selling the cruiser and buying an FJR.

Two problems. Firstly I hate the 2007 color. Hate it. I like silver,blue, or just about any other color but whatever the heck they want to call the 07 color, we all know it's purple. No offense to any owners, color choice is a personal thing and doesn't slow the bike down at all And no, I don't want the AE.

The other problem is that I really enjoy the leisurely smell-the-roses aspect of cruising. I like to go more or less the speed limit and see the beautiful countryside as I ride. I'm not a grandpa but I am not going to pull wheelies and scrape my footpegs. I did that on my interceptor and those days are over for me. Wife, kids, all that stuff. I'm not sure if this riding style would be better served by my cruiser. I ride purely for pleasure and not commuting, going to the store, etc. Just Saturdays primarily by myself.

Buying used is an option if only for color choice but there seems to be a relative dearth of used FJRs on the market that I would consider, ie. with less than 7000 miles or so on the bike in like new condition, and has to be in California thanks to our 'special' emission requirements. Preferably silver, which pretty much means an 06. Another thought is to wait for the 2008 model but nobody seems to know what color that will be. It's got to be better than plum crazy though.

I would greatly appreciate some insight from those that have switched from a cruiser, thanks in advance!

I have not read all the posts so don't know if I am repeating what others have said.

The FJR is the best bike I have owned, and if you look below I have owned a few. ( I have 10 years on you and have also slowed down). Never owned a cruiser I should add, but just about everything else. The bike will give you the option of riding at your own speed and when the road opens up, a little (or a lot) of excitement. You could do much worse than an FJR. I would describe it as a comfortable great handling tourer with sports bike performance when needed.

Take a test ride.

 

[madmike2]

Resistance...

is.....

futile....

You will be assimilated!!

Just do it! My "cruiser" has stayed in the garage since I began my Sport-touring quest with a used Connie then bought a new FJR. I can ride a slowly as I want and enjoy the scenery-weather-smells-experience or I can enjoy some interesting and twisty roads. Its ALL good!

There are many members who enjoy the touring aspect of this bike. A nice, easy 200 mile day is PERFECT. In fact, come join us on the Marin County ride (clicky here). You'd be welcome and you'd get to see FJRs in various states of "farkledom" and meet some of the NorCal characters who contribute to the forum.

 

[E1Allen]

At 24 i'm at the other end of the spectrum. Love this bike, would buy another. Does it keep up with my buddies 600's sure it does. Does it criuse everywhere else with the wife on back, yep. Excellent bike if you ask me. I have a stock seat, but most riders upgrade so their old butts can handle it. Also I didn't see a post about the color. You said you prefered silver, and someone correct me but I think that the AE was the only color that offered silver. Find somone with a AE that wants a blue bike, might be able to solve your color problem. Buy an used 06. If you dont like it, wont take a hit like you would with a brand new one.

 

[CraigRegs]

I've been on cruisers 18 years (87 Shadow 700, 98 Shadow 1100), and like you found I enjoyed longer days in the saddle. I did a SS1000 and a BB1500 on the 1100, but am sure I would have enjoyed it more (and finished earlier) on an FJR. Any bike's only going to go as fast as you want it to. I'm with Lake Powell on this: get the '07, cowboy up on the color for a season and maybe you'll like the '08 color better. Or maybe Black Cherry will grow on you. Good luck!

Craig

 

[automag928]

I came from a 1300 VTX...Night and day difference and I would never go back. I let my brother in law ride my FJR while we were out cruisin last weekend and I had to ride his honda shadow 1100....I felt like I was on some alien spacecraft, it just didnt feel right. He on the otherhand, has put his bike for sale and is looking for a "new" FJR for himself.

As said before....resistance is futile..you WILL be assimilated!

 

[Gunner]

Just do it you will better for it .I switched from HD Road King and it got ridden 50 miles last year and the FJR 6500 miles you do the math

 

[eye.surgeon]

Thanks for the input guys.

I actually tracked down a blue 2006 demo bike with 1100 miles on it, about 250 miles from my house, here in California. The dealer wants 10,800 for it. Any thoughts on that? Do demo bikes get thrashed?

 

[painman]

One member here stated that their cruiser was more comfortable. For them that could be true. For me, coming off a cruiser , HD which I still own for many years, the cruiser is set up to be as comfortable as possible. Saddlemen deep dish seat with back rest, pullback bars, windshield, Kuryakyn cush grips, forward controls, etc. Now I find myself after getting a set of bar risers, spring mod, G2 Ergo throttle mod, made my own custom seat, ect. for the Yamaha, I find the FJR to be the winner in the comfort department, more quiet, smoother running engine, way more power if I need it and the ability to haul just as much on the FJR if not more than the cruiser if I need it. It comes down to these type of bikes are just two worlds apart each serving its own purpose. I like the idea of riding which one fits the mood or the occasion. I work at and attend different events that might require one type bike over the other. Take care and good luck. PM. <><

 

[keithwinlouisiana]

$10,800 was what I paid when I bought my new 2005 almost 2 years ago. With only 1,100 miles on the 06 that sounds good to me. Someone would have to be pretty hard on the bike to damage it in only 1100 miles. Since you don't like the 2007 color, I think you have found what is probably the best option since you either need 7500+ miles or a Cali bike. Good luck.

Keith

 

[03HiYoSilver]

I came from a 1300 VTX...Night and day difference and I would never go back. I let my brother in law ride my FJR while we were out cruisin last weekend and I had to ride his honda shadow 1100....I felt like I was on some alien spacecraft, it just didnt feel right. He on the otherhand, has put his bike for sale and is looking for a "new" FJR for himself.

Automag,

That was funny. I could imagin how you felt and then how you ruined your brother!

Eye,

Sounds pretty good...just make sure you get the YES insurance program(Yamaha Warranty) from the dealer or DH in Alabama.

That will give you peace of mind and a great deal(less hassles).

 

[petercwelch]

Price on the 06 sounds really good. If not down and runs well, can't imagine that it would not be a good buy. I got the YES too just in case. I and some others found the throttle on the FJR to be a little twitchy and I have a power commander that made a significant improvement in that area. Also after market seat, headlight modulator and a nice mount for the GPS. Weather is just getting to be good around here about now. You certainly ought to go ride that bike. Bet you'll buy it. Good luck

 

[E1Allen]

seems like you found yourself the bike

 

[Zodiac]

Hey, if your an eye surgeon, the only way to go is new! Don't take a chance on someone elses mistake! Now the good news! Some dealers have the 06 or 07 Silver with the electric shift in stock. Very nice bike, but there not selling well and there are pockets of dealers with two or three in stock and there not moving! I'm sure if you looked hard you could find one and get a heck of a discount!! Today I took my new 07 Black cherry in for it's firsts 600 mile service and the salesmanager said he has three in stock and would do anything to move them. The dealer is Riva Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, Fl 954-785-4820. Sales manager who is very nice is Alex. Give him a call!

Tell him his customer who was just in for service told you to call! Who knows what he can work out!!

 

[IndianaTom]

How about buying an 07, and then calling Gary to get all 06 plastic at cost +15%. Then hold on to the cherry and sell parts to the first guy to drop his 07.

I don't need a part yet, but I hop you'll give me a good deal when I need it since I gave you this great idea.

 

[MsLilly]

sounds like a good deal on the '06. I've purchased the dealer demo bikes and they were so cool about everything! If there was a problem they took care of it with no questions! Talk to the dealer about warranty on the bike. If it hasn't been down should be fine! Comes down to what YOU want. Take a leap....and enjoy the ride

 

[Farkles]

You guys must be color blind the 07 is striking in the sun.

People come up and go god I love that color and the bike WOW.

So to each your own but I love the color.

And I don't really care the bike is everything I wanted it to be and everything this board said it was.

And it go fast way to easily.