Taboo question

[LeatherneckPA]

First, a little bit about me. I will turn 50 in August. I have just retired from a 23 year career in law enforcement. I have been riding motorcycle since I was 12. I am an MSF certified Rider Coach for the PA Motorcycle Safety Program. I referee professional bicycle races, which requires riding in very close proximity to a bunchy of crazy people doing 25-45mph (or more on steep hills) on 3/4" tires.

Why would anyone want to know that stuff? Because I am about to ask the taboo question. Is there anybody living within a couple hours of Williamsport PA who would be willing to let me try their FJR for a ride to see if I like it? You can ride my V-Strom and lead me on your favorite local ride, something that shows the FJR in it's best light. In fact, I'd really like to have a guide to show me some roads that demonstrate the FJR's potential. I'll pay for the gas for both bikes.

Personally, I've never understood the basis for that taboo. After all, it's just a motorcycle, not my wife. I've allowed different persons to ride any of my motorcycles they asked to, including all three of my HD's. The British bobby looked at me like I was nuts when I volunteered my HD to him and his 10 yr old son, but both came back from that ride with grins that looked like their faces were about to split in half. It seems that in England, rather than mess about with exchange rates and such, if an HD costs $18k here they just call it £18k. So of course the average copper can't afford an HD over there. He told me that would probably be the only time in his or his son's life that they ever got to ride an HD.

 

[Warchild]

Personally, I've never understood the basis for that taboo. After all, it's just a motorcycle, not my wife.

An interesting observation.

Though I am sure you must realize that many of the more passionate owners might take exception to this premise.

Good luck scoring a ride on a FJR; I am fairly confident someone local will step up and hook you up with a ride.

And welcome to the forum! B)

 

[Fred W]

I'd prolly let you take my wife for a spin if you want.

My bike...? Ummm, I think I might be busy that day.

 

[AFCJER]

It's an interesting offer as I would like to test ride a V-stom but I'm a bit outside the 2 hr window.

You may also try a dealer. Unlike many dealers/motorcycles my local dealer was more than happy to put me on one last year for a test ride. I thought test rides on Japanese bikes were taboo at dealers before that.

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Kinda like borrowing tools or underwear.

Sorry, can't help ya!

 

[Randy]

If you don't have plans on Sunday, August 17, come down to the Sport Touring at its Finest ride that me and a few others are planning. After the ride and after lunch, I'll ditch the wife and we can swap. It's an '04, but, will give you a gist of the capabilities of the bike.

 

[v65]

I have just retired from a 23 year career in law enforcement.

Got any free passes for a speeding ticket in PA? You can ride mine for a week for one of those. :evilsmiley03:

 

[ShawnKing]

Because I am about to ask the taboo question.

Really? The question is *that* taboo? I didn't know that.

Is there anybody living within a couple hours of Williamsport PA who would be willing to let me try their FJR for a ride to see if I like it?

I'd happily do it if I was closer. I've let others ride my bikes and I've ridden theirs. As long as everyone is responsible and fully insured, it ain't that big a deal.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>...After all, it's just a motorcycle, ...I've allowed different persons to ride ... all three of my HD's.

Not all bikes are created equal....

If, for instance, the test-rider tends to treat the shift lever like they're stomping snakes with engineer boots -- shift forks may get bent. I doubt the test-rider would be willing to 'pony-up' for that bike's (apparent) built-in weakness?

Some bikes -- you can stomp on the gear shifter all you want (you actually may need to -- to affect a shift...?!).

'LeatherneckPA': an HD costs $18k here they just call it £18k.

That's about $36K(USD) -- motorcycles are worth what people will pay for them....!

 

[Silent]

Personally, I've never understood the basis for that taboo. After all, it's just a motorcycle, not my wife.

I can shed a bit of light there, the last 2 bikes I let someone else ride came back in baskets :blink: :blink:

Since that point, no one rides mine, you can sit on it in a parking tho.

 

[mdisher]

I'm probably outside of your distance window, but if not, PM me and we can work something out.

-MD

 

[lnewlf]

One of my riding "buddies" wanted to ride my pristine '89 FJ1200-begged scraped crawled pissed and moaned until I relented and handed him the key..Less than two minutes later he put his right foot down on a low shoulder and wound up in the ditch [deep] with the bike on top of him. Just a scratch on him, several on the bike and then he stiffed me on the C note the dealer charged for a new mirror...Never again!

 

[Malve]

I let a local fellow that posted on the forum try mine here in San Diego.

It's no big thing.

Somebody in your hood should step up.

 

[Checkswrecks]

If you don't have plans on Sunday, August 17, come down to the Sport Touring at its Finest ride that me and a few others are planning. After the ride and after lunch, I'll ditch the wife and we can swap. It's an '04, but, will give you a gist of the capabilities of the bike.

It may be your lucky day. I have a 2004 that is well-sorted and running well, but I just tripped across a fire-sale deal on a near-new 2007. Even though I don't have the 2004 for sale yet it's going to be up for sale soon. I've been planning to make Randy's little ride, but due to waiting for HSBC & MD to clear the loan on the 2007 from the previous owner I'll probably go on the silver bike. (Painful story of MD & HSBC) I normally insist on cash in hand for a demo ride, but would be willing to consider trading rides if a 2004 non-abs with 22k miles interests you.

Feel free to PM me.

Bob

 

[ctfjr]

Personally, I've never understood the basis for that taboo. After all, it's just a motorcycle, not my wife.

I can shed a bit of light there, the last 2 bikes I let someone else ride came back in baskets :blink: :blink:

Since that point, no one rides mine, you can sit on it in a parking tho.

I just let someone sit on mine in the parking lot & now I hope I can buff out the scratch on the bag.

 

[Karmak]

I let a friend (who was an experienced rider) ride my new (at the time) FJ and he went down behind me, not at a fast clip, said a bird hit him. He broke his collar bone and three days later found his neck was also broken and if he had moved wrong during those three days.....so guess what my answer would be.....nothing personal, but no matter how good a rider someone is, crap happens. But, that is another answer in regard to the why...

 

[Silver Penguin]

With your experience, you would probably be able to coax the best out of an FJR in the circumstances you describe. It is a heavy beast at slow speeds but once you get past the parking lot speeds, it almost rides itself. Even if you don't manage a test ride, the bike will be good for what you need, and a lot of fun for the days that you're not escorting bicyclists.

Fairlaner has done some escort duty for the Race For The Cure. I know it's not quite the same thing, but you might PM Richard and chat about how the bike handled.

Jill

 

[SacramentoMike]

I'd prolly let you take my wife for a spin if you want.

Offer useless without pictures. :lol:

 

[radman]

I would think that if anyone was gonna stand up if he scratched your pretty baby, it would be this guy. I have let several Motor Officers ride Frank-the sighs they made as they had to climb back on their....trucks were priceless. Though I unnerstand this guy ain't a Motor, I still would offer up Frank were he a local. Besides, you can always bounce the Strom off the curb if he's less than forthcoming, should the unlikely happen.