Possible comvert

[gezerbike]

well, I had a few minutes today to stop in at the local Yamaha shop and actually look at the the 1300 A and had mixed feelings. First off, the sales kid didn't know his *** from a handlebar. I actually had to tell him what came on the bike....dah. When it cmae to price, not much brighter. Out the door with a top case was $15,000.....and he was giving me a deal. YES policy was " around a grand ". Freight was $425 and set up was $485. Top box and bracket was $ 700, Tax was about $ 950 if I recall, bringing the cost of the actual bike to a meager $ 12,450. Tack on a grand for the YES policy and the BMW's are starting to look cheep!!!!

That's what you get for not doing your homework.

Floor models will (usually) be more expensive because few dealerships will negotiate on models floored on spec.

PdP bikes can be had for a fraction of MSRP.

The 48 month Y.E.S. is a Yamaha product and can be had by anyone in the US (outside of Florida) for about $389 from D&H Cycle (do a search). Just get it before the 1st year warranty is up (which may be less than a year if you're buying a floor model that was aquired by a dealer trying to bypass the PdP process using a fake buyer's name).

Heated grips can be had for under $50 and installed under a grip of your choice.

Throttle locks can be had for a fraction of the cost of a set of Throttlemeisters. In fact, most anything can be had that functions of a par with (or better than) most anything that has some teutonic tartishness tacked onto its name (for a fraction of the cost in many cases).

Tip one: Check the aftermarket. Unlike BMW, you aren't locked in to the dealership under threat of banishment if it ever comes time for warranty work (or even basic maintenance support). Vee Dhoo Noht Haff Vayz Off Maikink Yue Tahk!

I thinkI have pretty much done my homework. I've read what alot of you are saying you paid for your bike. My point about my conversation with the saleguy was it's hard to beleive that a 25+ year Honda/ Yamaha in dealership in DuPage County Illinois would anyone as inept as him represent them. I can't knock any of the BMW dealerships I've bought from....for the most part, all really nice folks with a knowledge of the products the represent, alot with a passion for that product. If I need a part for my bike and can't make it in, they UPS it to me and I pay for it my next trip in. They let me " try " a heated vest years ago on a 3,500 mile trip I took. No complaints with any of the midswest dealers I have known over the years. As for the throttlemiesters, it's a beautifully made product for a hundred bucks...I've had about 7 BMW's over the years and every bike had them Would you consider a set if they callled them throttleamahas ? As for buying one off the floor vs ordering one 6 months in advance without riding it and putting money down...not for me. Even most BMW dealers let you ride a bike...BMW Grand Rapids will even let you take it home for the night. Have yet yo find a dealer who will let me roll one down the highway. And it's not as if I'm some kid wanting quick blast down the road...I'm 55 and plan on putting hard cash down for the bike. As for buying a bike off the floor....the dealer to a gamble at hoping he could get a sale on it when he didn't have anyone to order one.....August is here and fall right around the corner. If he doesn't sell it soon, he could be stuck with an 06 when time comes to order the 07's....what's it worth then ? It's a gamble he takes with his money...the bike is not floor planned. But I was not trying to dealer bash here...just an observation and comment on how my visit to my first Yamaha dealer went. Maybe a smaller, family store like J&J might be a better choice And maybe I am expecting too much after owning the BMW's I've had for the last 15 years...they have never let me down ....not once. But with the prices skyrocketing asnd sales in the toilet, I just thought it might be time to make a change, but I am wondering if I might not penny wise but pound foolish when it comes to this decision.

 

[mdisher]

Dealers are stupid...

When I started looking, there was a used 05 at a dealer with 5,000 miles on it. They wanted $11,999 for it (plus tax). It has a few farkles but nothing that I was sold on having.

I was ready to buy the FJR. I was ready to deal on an 05 but ready to purchase an 06. This particular dealer would not budge on that 11,999 price.

I clearly explained to them, I'm off to buy a new one for $1000 more. You are dumb. They didn't care.

This was a month ago and it's still sitting there today.

[Throttlemeisters are the best, hands down, I agree with you there]

Jap Dealers aren't like BMW Dealers, but there are fewer and fewer BMW dealers. They are/were more customer oriented but they have to be to justify the prices. I patronized Tri-State BMW because they were friendly, but I also got a lot of bad advice there too.

YMMV.

Gezerbike, honestly, buying a bike is like buying undewear, it's a personal choice. you know that. The fejer is a bargain for what you get, but the dealers aren't as good, but for what they lack in quality they make up in quantity

 

[dcarver]

I think you need to sell me the 95 R 100 GSPD Classic...

oh, but I'm broke so you'll have to float me a loan..

...and no, I won't trade my 06a for it...

 

[gezerbike]

I think you need to sell me the 95 R 100 GSPD Classic...
oh, but I'm broke so you'll have to float me a loan..

...and no, I won't trade my 06a for it...

Sorry, that one's not leavin anytime soon. The bike is absolute hoot to ride and I found I spent more time on it than the other 2 Beemers, which is why I sold them. But I do need a two up bike for traveling, hence the look at the FJR. I had the GSPD in the Chicago Cycle World show last Feruary at the local clubs request and I had an offer of $10,000 for it........if I sell it I could never replace it, it looks like the day it left the factory and is all original

 

[dcarver]

I think you need to sell me the 95 R 100 GSPD Classic...

oh, but I'm broke so you'll have to float me a loan..

...and no, I won't trade my 06a for it...

Sorry, that one's not leavin anytime soon. The bike is absolute hoot to ride and I found I spent more time on it than the other 2 Beemers, which is why I sold them. But I do need a two up bike for traveling, hence the look at the FJR. I had the GSPD in the Chicago Cycle World show last Feruary at the local clubs request and I had an offer of $10,000 for it........if I sell it I could never replace it, it looks like the day it left the factory and is all original

Not even for a couple of /2's ?

 

[Bounce]

I thinkI have pretty much done my homework. I've read what alot of you are saying you paid for your bike. My point about my conversation with the saleguy was it's hard to beleive that a 25+ year Honda/ Yamaha in dealership in DuPage County Illinois would anyone as inept as him represent them. I can't knock any of the BMW dealerships I've bought from....for the most part, all really nice folks with a knowledge of the products the represent, alot with a passion for that product. If I need a part for my bike and can't make it in, they UPS it to me and I pay for it my next trip in. They let me " try " a heated vest years ago on a 3,500 mile trip I took. No complaints with any of the midswest dealers I have known over the years. As for the throttlemiesters, it's a beautifully made product for a hundred bucks.

Sounds like you've answered your original question. Pay your usuary fees up front, deal with a limited dealership base. Stick to dealership sources for aftermarket stuff. Have the dealership do all your maintenance so they don't "blackball" you[1]. Stay happy.

[1] Confirmed from multiple BMW owners using multiple dealerships. Those great "do anything" dealerships that get a traveler back on the road when they have failures during their travels. You know, the ones you read about in the feedback sections of BMWOA or whatever). The ones that call your "home" dealership first to confirm if you're a "good" customer (bought new from the dealership, take it to them for all services, etc.).

And what's with that 36,000 mile limit on their OEM warranty? For the premium they should at least make it unlimited miles like Honda and Yamaha do.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Hey, that ain't okay. I spilled my guts trying to get the guy to buy the right bike and now he goes off and has his own opinion! Shucks.

 

[radman]

I'm no more able or willing to talk you into this bike than you are to get me into a BMW. But it appears there are more converts this way than the other, says it all IMHO.

 

[SilveradoSlick]

The FJR is good for two-up riding. Not as much weather protection or comfort as a GoldWing but the wife still loves it. She's not as fond of the stock saddle so we're going to be getting a custom. I'm happy with it but ya gotta keep the little woman happy. We don't corner as fast as solo because her aftermarket pegs drag before mine. We went aftermarket because she's 5' 10" and the stock pegs didn't work well for her. I understand they moved the passenger pegs on the '06 but you might want to have your SO sit on one to insure she's comfortable with it.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

You can go the "garage" to see what people have done with their bikes. Keep in mind, I did this over time, and only upgraded shocks when I wore out the stock ones.

see my garage entry that has many 2up mods.

2up farkles