New owner of 2006 in North Carolina

[HaulinAshe]

Hello, my name is HaulinAshe and I'm a motorcycle addict.

Last week a 2006 FJR 1300A with 1,900 miles followed me home and demanded money from my check book. Now, nearly a week later, she's reduced my credit card to a smoldering heap of charred plastic.

I've been considering a second bike so I can stash one at my brother's house 350 miles closer to the mountains that I so love to ride. The journey across NC is perilous at night with major city traffic and herds of Bambi your only route choices.

The obvious question... Why an '06? Here's the answers...

A. 2008 (and up) ruled out - I love the mechanics of the 08 and up, but price and wheels...(see next answer)

A. 2005 to 2007 considered - I have spare wheels that will fit 05 ABS through 07 only. I want to be able to take mounted & balanced fresh rubber to my brother's for a quick wheel change when necessary, and avoid doing actual tire changes there.

A. 2007 ruled out - Of all the year models, IMO the '07 has the most ergonomic issues to resolve, and used 07s are still bringing a premium price.

A. 2005 ruled out - Another Gen-II was a "must have". No more Gen-I for me. I like the Gen-II changes, especially the air flow.

A. I like blue.

A. Low mileage 06s still around. I found one with 1,900 miles on her within two hours drive of my house. NC title on the bike helped make the sale and paperwork easier.

All I have to do is pack my side bag liners, Givi E52 top case, ride gear, GPS and go. Everything transfers between bikes with minimal loading/unloading.

It's amazing how much work it takes to match a new bike to the one you've been tweaking for three years!

So now I'm officially Blue Cherry, or Cobalt Red, or Cobalt Cherry, or just happy!!!

 

[dsmack]

Good on ya, Haulin!

That sounds like a really smart move, given the less than optimal commuting choices. The last thing you need is to get "up close and personal" with a forest rat on your way to a fun ride.

The interchangeability of parts between the two bikes is a definite selling point...

Nicely thought out move - Well played, Sir! B)

 

[escapefjrtist]

Congrats on the new (to you) purchase Jeff...you picked up the best year and color too!

--G

 

[not2shabby]

Wise decision on the 06. Hmm, I wasn't aware the 08's and up had different wheels. You know you'll want to do the suspension since it'll be your 'mountain bike'.

 

[RenoJohn]

Nice Job !!!

Fun reading on you choice ....certainly the interchangeability between one's current bike and new bike is a HUGE factor. For me it was gigantic and as you've noted, you have to know the issues as well as pecularities of each year -and yep that includes various parts and farkles.

....and while you went Gen2 ...at least you went with the one that has the most common with the Gen1's

Enjoy the new bike

.....so will the old one go to the mountain home and the new one at your primary?

 

[FjrVfr]

You know the first step toward recovery is admitting that you have a problem.

 

[HaulinAshe]

.....so will the old one go to the mountain home and the new one at your primary?

The '07 has a proved record of 95,000 miles. Everything is "wired" with the exception of Bike2Bike radio which requires charging a separate battery. So it seems best to put the '07 close to the mountains. A Battery Tender should be all it needs to stay fresh-n-ready.

I'm doing some wireless experimentation with the new '06. Looks like she's the guinea pig for now.

 

[Greb]

An '06 with 1900 miles! That has to be a rare find.

What is different about the wheels from '07-'08 up? I was thinking of picking up used wheels for easy tire changes.

 

[ShowMeMo]

Repeat after me:

Hi, my name is HaulinAshe, and I'm a FJR-aholic ...

The first step is really the most important....

 

[Niehart]

And I thought you bought it so that you could be just like me. Now I can fly in and use your spare FJR. Cool..

 

[HaulinAshe]

And I thought you bought it so that you could be just like me. Now I can fly in and use your spare FJR. Cool..

When do I pick you up at the airport?

You flying into Charlotte, right?

 

[HaulinAshe]

What is different about the wheels from '07-'08 up? I was thinking of picking up used wheels for easy tire changes.

FJR ABS wheels currently come in two(2) distinct variations.

('05 - '07) and ('08-'10)

The hub castings, ABS sensor rings and all are different. The two types are NOT compatible with each other.

 

[winewhisperer]

What is different about the wheels from '07-'08 up? I was thinking of picking up used wheels for easy tire changes.

FJR ABS wheels currently come in two(2) distinct variations.

('05 - '07) and ('08-'10)

The hub castings, ABS sensor rings and all are different. The two types are NOT compatible with each other.

Great choice on an extremely low mileage '06. I met you at EOM'09, just as you were about to blast off for an evening ride in the twisties. Mine was the blue, silver and gold '06 FJR. Maybe I might get a chance to ride with you in Knoxville this year. I might just be able to keep your FJR taillights within view! :yahoo:

winewhisperer

 

[Grumpy]

But JEff, you're still "stuck" in Yamaha's "dark" period!

 

[Bigbeavk]

Welcome to the forum Jeff. Some guy posted a nice suspension settings thread a while back. Listed in my sig.

 

[wfooshee]

But not the Dark Side!!!!!!!!

 

[Panman]

Well double Dog anyhow! So what's ""07 has the most ergonomic issues to resolve"" mean to you? Same bike, both need G-2 throttle tub's and Power Commanders. I followed you across Montana (you know where the sheep are scared) and Pop's 06 could keep up with you but you were two up. So ergo wise????????????

And besides a blue one? It doesn't even stand out in a crowd :lol: :lol: :lol:

Really if I weren't so cheap I'd buy the latest Power Commander ( the one you can have two settings with) and dyno it with a economy setting and a power on setting for my 07.

I know that hands down when I rode MCRIDER007 08 when we were on the way to NAFO it was way smother, in the thirty or so miles I rode it I had way more confidence coming out of a corner than I did with mine, it was pre Power Commander then. There are times even now going around certain slow speed corner mine still pisses me off even with the Power Commander. Both Niehart & escapefjrtist "both on 06's" talk about the throttle smoothness. So again, ergo???????????

Well good for you anyhow Jeff, I'd rather see you and Karen being safe dodging the forest rats in a cage.

Stay safe Kevin.

 

[S76]

Congrats on the new bike, but,

I really don't see why you are so happy about it. I mean, after all, you're just going to wear this one out too eventually.

JK. Enjoy. Do the spiders!