newbie with many questions...

[joeniv]

I've been riding a small v-twin for several years, mostly summer time riding to and from work on a daily basis with a few longer trips thrown in for good measure. It's time to upgrade, my natural tendency is to head for a larger and newer cruiser. Then, a buddy of mine pointed me to the sport touring bikes, and I've been intruiged and interested at the thought.

My first question - how can I test ride the offerings when the dealers have no stock? I'm interested in the Yamaha FJR and the Honda ST - and I know one will fit my taste and personality and physique better than the other, but the local dealers have none in stock.

Next question - are there any known defects / issues with any of the older models - I'm not committed to buying brand new, willing to shop and find a good deal. Plus, I'm in no hurry - I need to sell my Virago and I'm waiting on cash to show up...

I've browsed the forum for a couple weeks, lots of good info and good folks posting / sharing...

tia

-joeniv

 

[slapnpop]

I was luck enough to find a used on the showroom floor. It still took my 4 visits on different days before they'd let me ride it.

If you're going with a used model, things to look for are the "ticking" sound. This is a metalic noise from the exhaust side of the head caused by loose valve guides. This was *more* of a problem with the '03 models, but has occured in 04s and 05s as wells.

 

[wheatonFJR]

@Joeniv - welcome to the forum. Hope you find the info that you need. I bought without a testride and have never looked back. Regardless of what issue(s) some may have with their bike, I think most if not all can agree that this bike puts a huge grin on their face. This is also a SUPERsports tourer. If you are mainly doing commuting on your bike, others may have some other bike suggestions, but if you like commuting in a Ferrari, this bike is for you. This bike was MADE for LD trips AND twisties - you gotta to love it!

I don't want this thread to degenerate, but here goes anyways...

I am NOT mechanically talented like many on the board, so don't take this post as seen coming from an expert. I am simply an average joe that can read. What I have gleaned from the FJR board(s) is this:

Regarding the ticking issue that s&p raised, I don't think anyone has ever been stranded or had an accident because of this mechanical issue. It is an annoyance, admittedly a major one to those that have it.

I think that Yamaha has given a "fix" to those that pursue it. However, in my mind this fix is not a permanent fix until Yamaha informs owners what the root causes are, provides the fix....AND proves that they know what they are talking about by having a production run WITHOUT this defect. So far, this hasn't happened yet.

As far as bike satisfaction: If you ask me if I will trade my FJR for any other sportstourer on the planet....I would say HELL NO. You would have to pry this bike from my cold, dead hands. The FJR experience is fantastic...

@slap: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that there is any sort of evidence - one way or another - that one model year is better than another (ticker-wise). If there is I haven't seen it.

Sorry about the long post - caffeine induced

 

[JREW]

Welcome. Saw your home page. In my opinion, if you like riding cruisers, and you want a Harley (as your web site indicated) then you are not going to like the FJR. This is a bike for riding, the destination is the next corner, not the next bar. Ticking is not an issue. Heat is not an issue. Riding style is the big question. When I go riding with my Harley friends, we are lucky to get 100 miles in. When I go without them, 200 to 300 miles. It is just a lot more fun to be riding than it is to be talking about it. You can fix the ticker if it happens. You will not have a heat problem unless you are cruising (and even then you can fix that problem). This is a damn fun bike to ride, but it is meant to be ridden. If you get one, you will probably be hooked.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I was lucky enough to get a test ride...the dealer bought one for himself and left it at his shop to be ridden. Would I buy a bike without a test ride? I have to say no. I rode the ST, and 3 difference BMW's, and when I rode the FJR, the choice was obvious. I think you would feel the same if you get the chance for a test ride. If not, buy the FJR anyway and you wont be sorry.

 

[user 1521]

Welcome. Saw your home page. In my opinion, if you like riding cruisers, and you want a Harley (as your web site indicated) then you are not going to like the FJR. This is a bike for riding, the destination is the next corner, not the next bar. Ticking is not an issue. Heat is not an issue. Riding style is the big question. When I go riding with my Harley friends, we are lucky to get 100 miles in. When I go without them, 200 to 300 miles. It is just a lot more fun to be riding than it is to be talking about it. You can fix the ticker if it happens. You will not have a heat problem unless you are cruising (and even then you can fix that problem). This is a damn fun bike to ride, but it is meant to be ridden. If you get one, you will probably be hooked.

Don't listen to such rubbish as this. I own both a Harley, and an '05 FJR, and love both very much.

 

[zzkenoman]

You might have a local FJR rider in your neighborhood, if so, and if they belong to this board, you can always ask or email them. I was also lucky to sit on an 04 before I got my 05 at the dealer. It was a used one, but I was not able to ride it. Good luck!

 

[sparky3008]

Welcome.  Saw your home page.  In my opinion, if you like riding cruisers, and you want a Harley (as your web site indicated) then you are not going to like the FJR.  This is a bike for riding, the destination is the next corner, not the next bar.  Ticking is not an issue.  Heat is not an issue.  Riding style is the big question.  When I go riding with my Harley friends, we are lucky to get 100 miles in.  When I go without them, 200 to 300 miles.  It is just a lot more fun to be riding than it is to be talking about it.  You can fix the ticker if it happens.  You will not have a heat problem unless you are cruising (and even then you can fix that problem).  This is a damn fun bike to ride, but it is meant to be ridden.  If you get one, you will probably be hooked.

Don't listen to such rubbish as this. I own both a Harley, and an '05 FJR, and love both very much.

Yep +1

While I came from mostly V-twins my first bike was an inline 4.

I have rented and ridden many Harley's over the years as when I go on vacation I usually like to sight see on a bike and Harley is my choice.

When I was looking for my next bike I was headed towards buying a Harley.

However I stopped and started asking myself what I personally wanted out of my next bike.

Power, accelleration, Handling, upright positioning, wind protection, Low maintenance all came to mind.

While I knew that with enough money I could probably get the Harley to meet many of these the handling wasn't ever going to be what I wanted out of a owned bike.

My first instinct was to go for a R6 or GSXR for power and handling but that was too 1 dimensional and I knew I would get to uncomfortable to quickly.

My search finally led me to Sport Touring. While there are many bikes that can go into this class from the great Hyabusa to BMW, Honda and Yamaha were more what I was looking for. Looks of the Honda didn't do it for me so as great of a bike it may be I have to at least enjoy looking at it everyday.

If you have never ridden a bike with an inline 4 you may want to go hope on just about anything that has an inline 4 to first see if you even like the feel of the motor. It is different than a V-twin and you may just not like it. I love the sound of a twin and for a inline 4 I perfer to keep the exhaust note quiet.

I really enjoy the FJR for the wind protection, carrying capacity, power and while the handling can be improved for me it is good enough.

If I had two street bikes the 2nd might be a Harley but it is nice to know that if I really want to take a weekend ride with my Harley buddies I can either do it on my FJR or go rent one for 2 days.

 

[Silver Penguin]

DH and I both have cruisers (Warrior and VStar 1100) which we enjoy riding. I had the opportunity to test ride several different sport bike at a Womens' Demo event. The Aprilia Futura impressed me, but it wasn't a Yamaha. Did my research and found the FJR to be a very similar bike.

I was able to find a used one for sale. DH test rode it for me, since I couldn't even THINK of reaching the ground on it. We bought it - I got some tall boots - the rest is history.

DH, who loves his rumbling, thumping V Twin has been sneaking the FJR out of the garage before I get up each morning. It is a completely different ride to the cruiser but one that will soon have you hooked. The power is just amazing and coupled with the weather protection makes for a comfortable commute.

Jill

 

[wheatonFJR]

DH and I ...
Jill

Hey SP,

What does DH stand for? D*mn Husband?!

j/k

 

[snowmonkey]

Welcome.  Saw your home page.  In my opinion, if you like riding cruisers, and you want a Harley (as your web site indicated) then you are not going to like the FJR.  This is a bike for riding, the destination is the next corner, not the next bar.  Ticking is not an issue.  Heat is not an issue.  Riding style is the big question.  When I go riding with my Harley friends, we are lucky to get 100 miles in.  When I go without them, 200 to 300 miles.  It is just a lot more fun to be riding than it is to be talking about it.  You can fix the ticker if it happens.  You will not have a heat problem unless you are cruising (and even then you can fix that problem).  This is a damn fun bike to ride, but it is meant to be ridden.  If you get one, you will probably be hooked.

Don't listen to such rubbish as this. I own both a Harley, and an '05 FJR, and love both very much.

Yep +1

+2

I don't understand why a few people in this forum insist on bashing Harley owners. Maybe they think its funny when they say something lame like "The destination is the NEXT corner not the NEXT bar". Maybe they just like to hear themselves talk or they wannabe noticed. I consider these few posers to be the same as the sidewalk commandos. Just because you own a motorcycle and you can put down 300 miles, that doesn't make you a biker or a motorcycle enthusiast.

 

[JREW]

I guess I have to apologize for my comments earlier. It was not my intention to bash Harley. Of my four riding partners, three ride a Harley. My son worked for the local dealer until last year. The local dealer is very active and supportive of the community. All good stuff. All I was trying to say (and did not succeed in doing) was that the FJR is an addicting bike to ride, and any of the complaints you may have read about are of no real concern. Again, sorry to those I offended.