EasyE
Member
If your considering an FJR or K12-13GT...maybe I can help :clapping:
BUY THE FJR :yahoo:
It has been an agonizing 4 weeks. Visiting almost every dealer in a 50 mile radius, reading forums, replaying youtube shootouts and chasing riders down to ask the important question: Which bike should I buy? For starters, I test drove the K13GT and loved it, unfortunately most Yamaha dealers don't allow this critical marketing maneuver :angry2: This was a MAJOR factor in considering the BMW, after all - no shootout, opinions or advice could compare to actually test running a bike for myself. It should have ended there, I would never buy a vehicle that I wasn't allowed to drive before hand. So how did I end up with the FJR if I could not test drive it? Hell if I know but I like it...a lot! Seriously, hear are my thoughts:
Assumptions: You are not fond of the Beemer's price but you want the very "best" bike...money can buy....for you. After all, this is a risky outlet, hobby, lifestyle to partake in, so I want the best experience possible if I'm going to assume the risk - right? There are other concerns of course but if both bikes cost the same and you can test drive it you might lean heavy to the Beemer -I assume...I would and did.
The BMW K1300GT....
What a beauty, fast, elegant and full of niceties. This bike put a grin on my face that hung (lifted) around 1/2 the day. It was great. The Germans know how to design vehicles that awaking something within us humans that very few manufacturers can duplicate, it's strange, but so true (I own a BMW 3 series too, all the more reason to go with BMW right? Not so fast..read on). Owning a BMW, I am no stranger to the "dark side" of this German engineering, not an expert, just an average every day customer with my own experiences. The road created by BMW will most likely be detoured by some mechanical failure, just as you invite the thrill to take your to a higher level....Bam, Damn, WTF was that? Ah yes, my BMW mechanic comes to the forefront of my mind (yes-I have my own mechanic, know all about him, his family, etc.. although he also works for other terrestrails like me, with similar circumstances from time to time). You see, the problem (in my opinion) with BMW is they spend more time engineering componets that amaze and transform our enviroments but some how overlook or undervalue the "value" in synergy - or every componet, complmenting every other componet - resulting in a complete and whole product. Maybe they too are bitten by their own engineering excellence? To purchase the BMW, I have to completely level with the chances that I could be either harmed, inconvienced, or made too pay for BMW's engineering woes. Have you every heard the statement: "don't own a BMW out of warranty"? Look at what is being sold used, both bike and car, it's almost always out of lease or warranty. I have learned this the hard way, my Beemer has 100k on it, a costly 100k <_< Nevertheless, this is a fantastic machine but you must assume the risk or chance of a major componet failure at some point in the future-IMO. And yes, not all BMW's have problems but most do. IMO of course.
THE Yamaha FJR 1300 - 2010 model....
I can't test drive it! Youv'e got to be kidding! Thats it! I'm buying the BMW! Later that night, I laid in bed and reasoned with myself; I want something safe and reliable but it must also excite my being as well. I know the Japanese can deliver safe and relable but can they bring the joy that the K1300GT did? So I did what any other idiot would do....I bought a bike (2010 FJR) without a test ride. I did so because of all the current FJR owners who seem joyed by their purchase - mainly from this forum. I scoured the BMW forums only to find them argueing amonst themselves about BMW's problems. BMW owners are saying: "I love this bike, no majors issues, just replaced seals today, switches last week, won't start, sputters, had to find another dealer 40 miles away....but I love this bike
The writting is on the wall folks. If you want the beemer chances are you pay for it in more ways than one. Anyways, I purchased this 2010 FJR on nothing more than what I have learned in the last 4 weeks -never ridden one at all. I'll add too, once your in it (owning a BMW) you begin to justify why your in it, as my 3 series and I can attest. Yes I love it, but It cost me to continue loving it...and I'm in it now.
The Verdict....
I loaded it up on my trailer, drove home and felt sick on my stomach. I have made a very bad decision...I just bought this damn bike and I don't really have a clue as to what it will be like. Stupid..Stupid..Stupid.... I unload it, put on the tag, my gear and fire it up. Well it runs thats good, put it in first and released the clutch.......
The next 100 miles are the best 100 miles I have ridden-ever.period (breakin -changing oil tommorrow). The bike was unbelievable, I felt almost immediately like i could ride the VIR track at 150 mph, it was responsive, more so than the KGT, smooth accelaration, awesome brakes, etc... It was only 100 miles but man it was awesome. My stupidly blind purchase just became a very smart move indeed. I am 6'3" and I swear this bike was made for me. If your tall and heavy, don't fear the FJR will welcome you just like another farkle :yahoo: Riding the BMW didn't require my participation, it did all the work and to experience the FJR, well, I was the bike. Its amazing how the yamaha feels like another body part that responds to my every thought and the BMW, well its like riding in a taxi not driving one, not as much direct user input, some may prefer this "driving miss daisy" feel - I ultimately did not (hindsight, after the Yamaha experience). If yamaha would allow people to test drive this beast, BMW would lose sales exponentially when compared to the KGT, it's a shame on Yamaha and their dealers, just my opinion.
To be fair, there are some problems. 1st - The seat is not going to do it for such a big guy, and 2nd - the BMW salesman are still calling on me <_<
Anyone personally know a good Yamaha mechanic...didn't think so, oh well. If I seem a little harsh on the BMW guys it's do in part because every time I ask about their known issues they respond: "you have a 3 year warranty if anything should go wrong". Not good enough, I wish to ride, not dream of riding while it is in the shop. BTW - I purchased a 5 year, full unlimited mileage warranty for my FJR, from Yamaha, for 700 bucks! (what a waste of money, I know but 5 yr compared to 3 yrs and its 6-8k less to purchase the FJR bike..no brainer). Take the leap of faith to believe the FJR can deliver what others are saying in here or take the leap of faith to believe that your KGT will stay together. I am not affiliated or compensated by BMW or Yamaha.
picks to come soon...busy riding my new FJR and trying to sell my extended warranty
BUY THE FJR :yahoo:
It has been an agonizing 4 weeks. Visiting almost every dealer in a 50 mile radius, reading forums, replaying youtube shootouts and chasing riders down to ask the important question: Which bike should I buy? For starters, I test drove the K13GT and loved it, unfortunately most Yamaha dealers don't allow this critical marketing maneuver :angry2: This was a MAJOR factor in considering the BMW, after all - no shootout, opinions or advice could compare to actually test running a bike for myself. It should have ended there, I would never buy a vehicle that I wasn't allowed to drive before hand. So how did I end up with the FJR if I could not test drive it? Hell if I know but I like it...a lot! Seriously, hear are my thoughts:
Assumptions: You are not fond of the Beemer's price but you want the very "best" bike...money can buy....for you. After all, this is a risky outlet, hobby, lifestyle to partake in, so I want the best experience possible if I'm going to assume the risk - right? There are other concerns of course but if both bikes cost the same and you can test drive it you might lean heavy to the Beemer -I assume...I would and did.
The BMW K1300GT....
What a beauty, fast, elegant and full of niceties. This bike put a grin on my face that hung (lifted) around 1/2 the day. It was great. The Germans know how to design vehicles that awaking something within us humans that very few manufacturers can duplicate, it's strange, but so true (I own a BMW 3 series too, all the more reason to go with BMW right? Not so fast..read on). Owning a BMW, I am no stranger to the "dark side" of this German engineering, not an expert, just an average every day customer with my own experiences. The road created by BMW will most likely be detoured by some mechanical failure, just as you invite the thrill to take your to a higher level....Bam, Damn, WTF was that? Ah yes, my BMW mechanic comes to the forefront of my mind (yes-I have my own mechanic, know all about him, his family, etc.. although he also works for other terrestrails like me, with similar circumstances from time to time). You see, the problem (in my opinion) with BMW is they spend more time engineering componets that amaze and transform our enviroments but some how overlook or undervalue the "value" in synergy - or every componet, complmenting every other componet - resulting in a complete and whole product. Maybe they too are bitten by their own engineering excellence? To purchase the BMW, I have to completely level with the chances that I could be either harmed, inconvienced, or made too pay for BMW's engineering woes. Have you every heard the statement: "don't own a BMW out of warranty"? Look at what is being sold used, both bike and car, it's almost always out of lease or warranty. I have learned this the hard way, my Beemer has 100k on it, a costly 100k <_< Nevertheless, this is a fantastic machine but you must assume the risk or chance of a major componet failure at some point in the future-IMO. And yes, not all BMW's have problems but most do. IMO of course.
THE Yamaha FJR 1300 - 2010 model....
I can't test drive it! Youv'e got to be kidding! Thats it! I'm buying the BMW! Later that night, I laid in bed and reasoned with myself; I want something safe and reliable but it must also excite my being as well. I know the Japanese can deliver safe and relable but can they bring the joy that the K1300GT did? So I did what any other idiot would do....I bought a bike (2010 FJR) without a test ride. I did so because of all the current FJR owners who seem joyed by their purchase - mainly from this forum. I scoured the BMW forums only to find them argueing amonst themselves about BMW's problems. BMW owners are saying: "I love this bike, no majors issues, just replaced seals today, switches last week, won't start, sputters, had to find another dealer 40 miles away....but I love this bike
The writting is on the wall folks. If you want the beemer chances are you pay for it in more ways than one. Anyways, I purchased this 2010 FJR on nothing more than what I have learned in the last 4 weeks -never ridden one at all. I'll add too, once your in it (owning a BMW) you begin to justify why your in it, as my 3 series and I can attest. Yes I love it, but It cost me to continue loving it...and I'm in it now.The Verdict....
I loaded it up on my trailer, drove home and felt sick on my stomach. I have made a very bad decision...I just bought this damn bike and I don't really have a clue as to what it will be like. Stupid..Stupid..Stupid.... I unload it, put on the tag, my gear and fire it up. Well it runs thats good, put it in first and released the clutch.......
The next 100 miles are the best 100 miles I have ridden-ever.period (breakin -changing oil tommorrow). The bike was unbelievable, I felt almost immediately like i could ride the VIR track at 150 mph, it was responsive, more so than the KGT, smooth accelaration, awesome brakes, etc... It was only 100 miles but man it was awesome. My stupidly blind purchase just became a very smart move indeed. I am 6'3" and I swear this bike was made for me. If your tall and heavy, don't fear the FJR will welcome you just like another farkle :yahoo: Riding the BMW didn't require my participation, it did all the work and to experience the FJR, well, I was the bike. Its amazing how the yamaha feels like another body part that responds to my every thought and the BMW, well its like riding in a taxi not driving one, not as much direct user input, some may prefer this "driving miss daisy" feel - I ultimately did not (hindsight, after the Yamaha experience). If yamaha would allow people to test drive this beast, BMW would lose sales exponentially when compared to the KGT, it's a shame on Yamaha and their dealers, just my opinion.
To be fair, there are some problems. 1st - The seat is not going to do it for such a big guy, and 2nd - the BMW salesman are still calling on me <_<
Anyone personally know a good Yamaha mechanic...didn't think so, oh well. If I seem a little harsh on the BMW guys it's do in part because every time I ask about their known issues they respond: "you have a 3 year warranty if anything should go wrong". Not good enough, I wish to ride, not dream of riding while it is in the shop. BTW - I purchased a 5 year, full unlimited mileage warranty for my FJR, from Yamaha, for 700 bucks! (what a waste of money, I know but 5 yr compared to 3 yrs and its 6-8k less to purchase the FJR bike..no brainer). Take the leap of faith to believe the FJR can deliver what others are saying in here or take the leap of faith to believe that your KGT will stay together. I am not affiliated or compensated by BMW or Yamaha.
picks to come soon...busy riding my new FJR and trying to sell my extended warranty
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