New owner checking in...

[ArtJ]

Picked up a brand new left over 09 about 2 months ago. Traded in my 05 goldwing. I ride one up 99.99% of the time. Thought I wanted a wing after riding one. I put about 30K on it in the 14 months I had it. I then decided I wanted something more sportier/lighter/better handling but could still handle multi day rides. Rode the connie, it didn't feel right. The Honda ST looked too much like the wing to me & I didn't want a V4. Test rode the FJR, It didn't just talk to me, it screamed "Buy me. Buy me." I bought it. It feels like I'm riding a motorcycle again. It has put the fun back into riding. Compared to the wing, it stops a heck of lot quicker and accelerates so much faster. Shifting at the 7000 rpm mark - OMG! For not being a true sport bike, it will still push your eye balls back in to their sockets. The friendly folks at the Kansas Highway Patrol can attest to it's quickness too. Never got pulled over on the wing, already got stopped by the KHP on the FJR. He only gave me a warning, said he was a rider too. He also said he was impressed by me wearing ATGATT in 105+ degree weather. Later at home I read the warning, he wrote "BMW" under make of vehicle. What a insult. What impressed me was that this was a 300 mile ride. The bikes air temp gauge never went below 107. The coolant gauge never went over the 1/2 way mark. Didn't feel excess heat on my legs. In stop & go traffic the gauge went 2 marks over 1/2 way. Sure didn't see too many air cooled bikes that day! The dislikes: The saddle bags seem flimsy, the hinge seems cheap. But remember I'm comparing to a wing. It's bags seemed more solid, more stout. Also heavier too. I also don't have any problem putting my 2XL Shoei or HJC in them. The head lights pale in comparison. 4 vs 2. I've have to get back into the habit of turning off the blinker. I really miss the cruise control. A lot. All in all, I'm extremely happy with the purchase. Getting ready to pull the tupperware off for the first time. Gonna add a fuse block under the seat, and hang a set of Krista's under the mirrors. This is a great forum you guys have. I don't see the bickering/back stabbing like on other forums. Hope to meet some you down the road. Sorry for being so long winded.

 

Art

Topeka, KS

 

[03HiYoSilver]

... Test rode the FJR, It didn't just talk to me, it screamed "Buy me. Buy me." I bought it. It feels like I'm riding a motorcycle again. It has put the fun back into riding...

Art,

Congrats and Thanks for sharing your new experience. The FJR is one heck of a platform.

If you have not already, get some Sliders for Tip Over Protection, and a Rad. Detector since you are in Kansas.

Many Happy Miles and Smiles to ya!

 

[MarFJR]

Welcome fellow FJR enthusiast. I get that all the time.. “Is that a BMW” the FJR is truly a great ride.

Mater of fact I will be heading out after this post!

 

[giarcg]

I really miss the cruise control. A lot.

Having logged about 60K miles on my LT prior to picking up the FJR I became a cruise control junkie. Decided I couldn't do without it, especially with the right forearm/wrist discomfort the FJR mysteriously inflicts. I installed a Rostra electronic c.c. and it transformed the bike. The LT is now almost exclusively a two up machine now. Also the FJR suspension responds to adjustments better than any other bike I've owned, play with the settings and you'll be amazed.

 

[Ken45]

Art,

Please tell me more of how you compare the Wing to the FJR.

I bought a Wing because my wife and I wanted to ride 2up but I never felt comfortable enough with the weight of the Wing to let my wife on, so we got a trike for 2up riding. That's great for the two of us, but for solo riding, well I've been thinking of trading in the Wing but I'm afraid to blindly jump in.

Lately with the hot weather I've been riding a naked 92 Nighthawk and loving how light and responsive it is compared to the Wing. Of course, on these hot humid days the airflow is heaven sent

If I would go the FJR route, what would I be giving up? I prefer the curvy, hilly roads around here, rather than the main highways. Yes, the Wing is great for comfort, but the Nighthawk seems to be more "real" cycling.

I assume the airflow is significantly better with the FJR than the Wing? Will I regret that in cold or wet weather?

Thanks,

Ken

p.s. I'm not in to fast riding or super acceleration, so I'm not looking for that.

 

[garyahouse]

HEY KEN 45,

YOU SAID, "p.s. I'm not in to fast riding or super acceleration, so I'm not looking for that."

I said the same thing about roller coasters until I got on one. Take a ride on an FJR just once. Resistance will be futile. Besides, if you get an FJR, the best part of owning one is: YOU GET TO HANG OUT WITH ALL OF US ON THIS FORUM!!!!

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Ken45]

HEY KEN 45,

YOU SAID, "p.s. I'm not in to fast riding or super acceleration, so I'm not looking for that."

I said the same thing about roller coasters until I got on one. Take a ride on an FJR just once. Resistance will be futile. Besides, if you get an FJR, the best part of owning one is: YOU GET TO HANG OUT WITH ALL OF US ON THIS FORUM!!!!

Gary

darksider #44

Gary,

I'd love to be able to test ride an FJR but I don't know of any dealers offering test rides (my local Honda dealer will let me test an ST1300 though, LOL). Besides I'm looking for an AE, my left ankle is non functional and that's one of the attractions of the FJR.

I do not want to start collecting speeding tickets though ;-)

I am very tempted to go to an FJR, I just wish I knew that I wouldn't regret giving up the Wing.

Ken

 

[garyahouse]

Anybody out there within a reasonable distance able to take a ride to meet this fella and take him for a spin on your Feejer? I'd do it myself if I didn't live in Florida, the land of the flea and the home of the slave (cause there ain't no jobs in this state)!!

Gary

darksider #44

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=134691

Welcome aboard Art, you'll enjoy our FJR Forum. Lots of great people and plenty of good information here on maintaining and farkling your FJR.

Consider yourself cordially invited to SW-FOG 2011, held in Taos, New Mexico September 6-9; large FJR gathering with good times/food and big laughs!