THAT is a YAMAHA?!?

[rogdeb]

AND...the only thing on my bike that says Yamaha are the rubber protectors on the side of the panniers. I've removed all the tuning fork badges.

Just like the teens with their hopped up Evo's and Civics :lol:

 

[madmike2]

AND...the only thing on my bike that says Yamaha are the rubber protectors on the side of the panniers. I've removed all the tuning fork badges.

Just like the teens with their hopped up Evo's and Civics :lol:

They stole my idea?!?!

 

[Dr. Jekyll]

I had a bit of fun with the uninformed a couple of years ago on a trip.

While making a pit stop in St, Louis, I noticed a middle age guy watching me fuel up, then finally coming over while I took a break, to ask me what kind of bike it was. "Nice bike." "Thanks. You ride?" "No, but I'd like to get a Harley sometime. Never seen one of these before....BMW, right?" "No, FJR." "Whazzat mean?"

Now I just couldn't help myself: "Ferrari Joint Racing". "Never heard of them." "Yeah, it's a prototype bike that may be a joint manufacture with Yamaha building the frames and plastic, and Ferrari building the motor and drive train." <_< "WOW!"

I told the same story later in the day in Arkansas to a couple of young guys with lots of tats, baggy pants and ball caps shading their necks, but I embellished to include there were only 6 prototypes, with 3 in the US, and I was headed to New Mexico with this one for a guy to test. That drew a small crowd during the fill up.

I kind of felt bad later... they seemed like nice kids.

LOVE IT!!!

 

[FJR_Mikey]

This bike has sat in the garage since December 1 when I bought the FJR, which has had about 4 miles in the interim. Go figure:

Me too Tom! Old Soldier - New Recruit...

 

[SacramentoMike]

. . ." FJR." "Whazzat mean?"

Now I just couldn't help myself: "Ferrari Joint Racing". "Never heard of them." "Yeah, it's a prototype bike that may be a joint manufacture with Yamaha building the frames and plastic, and Ferrari building the motor and drive train." <_< "WOW!"

Best "definition" of FJR EVAH! :lol: Do you mind sharing?

". . . and as she walked up she said, "Mike, that's a bike is big!"

Italian, I bet.

 

[wfooshee]

"Mike, that's a bike is big!

Wow, big enough her speech got all flustered!

I only see it when you're riding away

Ewww!

but now that I'm standing next to it....

Hey, now you're talkin'!

 

[garyahouse]

Maybe I should post this as a new thread, but let's have some fun here. WHAT BIKES HAVE YOU OWNED THAT LED UP TO AN FJR? I believe that if I hadn't discovered the FJR, I'd have been a 4 wheel commuter from now on.Thinking back, I've owned a number of bikes since I was a kid, starting with a Vespa and then a '67 Honda 50. Then my '70 Harley 125 Rapido gave way to a '71 Suzook 500 (2 stroke twin). I hot rodded the snot out of it an did a little drag racing, 'til I traded it on a 78 Suzook GS1000. Next came my 91 Suzook GSX1100 G (the naked bike with the driveshaft) which I sold because it was wasting away in the shed...I thought I was done riding because I just lost interest. I sold it, and gave up riding for a couple years, but little did I know - It wasn't that i didn't want to ride anymore, I just didn't want to ride the Suzuki. So I dove in again when I fell in love with the FJR and finally bought one. My new 05 FJR is so much more in so many ways than my previous mounts. I've had it for 7 months now, and it's still a thrill every time I start it up. I love everything about the bike, even that gear whine that it makes when I'm winding through the gears. So, if ya can remember back that far, can ya still list em from the very first one in order? Don't know if you all can say this, but my Feej is the best bike i've ever owned, period.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[trmn8er]

Maybe I should post this as a new thread, but let's have some fun here. WHAT BIKES HAVE YOU OWNED THAT LED UP TO AN FJR? I believe that if I hadn't discovered the FJR, I'd have been a 4 wheel commuter from now on.Thinking back, I've owned a number of bikes since I was a kid, starting with a Vespa and then a '67 Honda 50. Then my '70 Harley 125 Rapido gave way to a '71 Suzook 500 (2 stroke twin). I hot rodded the snot out of it an did a little drag racing, 'til I traded it on a 78 Suzook GS1000. Next came my 91 Suzook GSX1100 G (the naked bike with the driveshaft) which I sold because it was wasting away in the shed...I thought I was done riding because I just lost interest. I sold it, and gave up riding for a couple years, but little did I know - It wasn't that i didn't want to ride anymore, I just didn't want to ride the Suzuki. So I dove in again when I fell in love with the FJR and finally bought one. My new 05 FJR is so much more in so many ways than my previous mounts. I've had it for 7 months now, and it's still a thrill every time I start it up. I love everything about the bike, even that gear whine that it makes when I'm winding through the gears. So, if ya can remember back that far, can ya still list em from the very first one in order? Don't know if you all can say this, but my Feej is the best bike i've ever owned, period.

Gary

darksider #44

I have to say out of all the bikes I have had, the FJR is by FAR my favorite. This is the first bike I have put this many miles on (only 25K so far), and I have zero desire to replace it. I suspect I will keep it until if/when Yamaha decides to really upgrade the FJR. Even then, not sure I will get rid of the 06. I would need it to offer say a 1400, at least 160HP, weight the same or less than the 06. Could care less about a sixth gear. Cruise would be nice. As for the bikes that led to my amazing decision to get an FJR, here is my list...

Honda Scooter

Suzuki RM250 (bone breaker)

Suzuki GS400E (loved this bike!)

Sukuki GS650E

Yamaha FZ700 (Great bike)

Kawasaki Ninja 600 (handled on rails)

Suzuki GSX-R 750 (one of the first of this model)

Kawasaki Ninja 900 (overweight pig)

Honda CBR1000F (Heavy, but comfy and stable)

2004 Yamaha R1 (truly a scary ride from 10K RPM on)

2006 FJR1300AVC (near perfection with NO farkles for me)

 

[garyahouse]

You had an RM 250. What year was that? I forgot to mention my RM370 back in '79. Wish the dumb thing was a little quieter. Never did get around to putting a decent silencer on it, but left some serious ruts on the sides of the hills of state land in and around White Lake, Michigan.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[LagerHead]

Couple weeks ago I was accused of riding a BMW...that's not all bad though! Cruiser rider w/o out any knowledge outside of the leather and fringe crowd. Don't think I made a convert out of him... :lol:

--G

I got the exact same comment from a guy on a Harley. He said it looked EXACTLY like a BMW. I wanted to reply that his bike looked EXACTLY like a Honda Rebel, but I restrained myself.

I had a bit of fun with the uninformed a couple of years ago on a trip.

While making a pit stop in St, Louis, I noticed a middle age guy watching me fuel up, then finally coming over while I took a break, to ask me what kind of bike it was. "Nice bike." "Thanks. You ride?" "No, but I'd like to get a Harley sometime. Never seen one of these before....BMW, right?" "No, FJR." "Whazzat mean?"

Now I just couldn't help myself: "Ferrari Joint Racing". "Never heard of them." "Yeah, it's a prototype bike that may be a joint manufacture with Yamaha building the frames and plastic, and Ferrari building the motor and drive train." <_< "WOW!"

I told the same story later in the day in Arkansas to a couple of young guys with lots of tats, baggy pants and ball caps shading their necks, but I embellished to include there were only 6 prototypes, with 3 in the US, and I was headed to New Mexico with this one for a guy to test. That drew a small crowd during the fill up.

I kind of felt bad later... they seemed like nice kids.

Hilarious. I'm totally stealing that.

 

[trmn8er]

You had an RM 250. What year was that? I forgot to mention my RM370 back in '79. Wish the dumb thing was a little quieter. Never did get around to putting a decent silencer on it, but left some serious ruts on the sides of the hills of state land in and around White Lake, Michigan.

Gary

darksider #44

Wow I do not even remember the year. It was right before the waer pumpers came out. Single rear shick. Maybe 1980?

 

[Mackeroni]

Couple weeks ago I was accused of riding a BMW...that's not all bad though! Cruiser rider w/o out any knowledge outside of the leather and fringe crowd. Don't think I made a convert out of him... :lol:

--G

I rode my FJR into my friendly local BMW cage dealer last summer. As I walked around kicking car tires, three sales guys were climbing over and under the bike looking for the BMW roundel. Hee hee.

 

[garyahouse]

You had an RM 250. What year was that? I forgot to mention my RM370 back in '79. Wish the dumb thing was a little quieter. Never did get around to putting a decent silencer on it, but left some serious ruts on the sides of the hills of state land in and around White Lake, Michigan.

Gary

darksider #44

Wow I do not even remember the year. It was right before the waer pumpers came out. Single rear shick. Maybe 1980?

That sounds about right. I had a 78 RM 370... bright yellow with the twin laid down rear shocks. I've often said that the most fun I ever had was riding that thing. Hill climbing with 40+ horses was such a blast. Ah the good old days.
Gary

 

[Big Sky]

I always urge beginning riders to start small (and used and cheap), then gradually move up the food chain. Here's my progression:

1978 - 1976 RD 400 Yamaha

1980 - 1980 XS650G Yamaha Maxim

1982 - 1982 750 Sabre Honda

1983 - 1983 CB1100F Honda

1989 - Another 1983 CB1100F Honda

1998 - 1997 CB1100XX Super Blackbird Honda

2003 - 2003 FJR 1300 Yamaha (still have with 72K)

2008 - 2007 GSX-R750 Suzuki (still have)

2009 - 2003 DL 1000 V-Strom Suzuki (still have)

There were a whole bunch of other bikes (perhaps 10 or so) I bought and sold for fun and profit that I never really rode.

 

[RadioHowie]

Couple weeks ago I was accused of riding a BMW...that's not all bad though! Cruiser rider w/o out any knowledge outside of the leather and fringe crowd. Don't think I made a convert out of him... :lol:

--G

I got the exact same comment from a guy on a Harley. He said it looked EXACTLY like a BMW. I wanted to reply that his bike looked EXACTLY like a Honda Rebel Ukrainian ditch pump, but I restrained myself.

There....that looks better.

 

[Crash Cash]

My FJR is my favorite "heavy" bike... my favorite light bike is a toss up between my '08 SV-650 w/ABS & my '82 CB450SC.

1982 Honda CB450SC Nighthawk - Only comfortable stock seat until I got the FJR. Wooden brakes, but fun as hell and tough as a rock. I really wish I still had it.

1984 Honda VF750S "V45 Sabre" - Christ, this was a beast. Biggest, baddest, most comfy, until the FJR. Pain in the ass to work on. Horrible wet-noodle front forks that were skinnier than my SV's tubes.

1985 Suzuki GS550EF - A fun little bike. Weird siamesed carbs. Joy to work on.

1983 Yamaha XZ550 Vision - Ugh. Had car-style carbs. Worse than a Harley.

1982 Suzuki GS1100L - This was abused, so it needed a lot of work. How does ball bearings dropping out of the tranny grab ya? I drove it into a Ford. The Ford definitely came out worse in the transaction.

1989 Honda NT650 Hawk GT - Space-age frame/suspension. Shame about the limp motor.

1985 Yamaha RZ-350 - WHEEEEEE!!! But not practical for daily transpo.

1993 Suzuki GSX1100G - Nice but weird shaft drive sportbike, until I drove it into another Ford.

2002 Suzuki SV-650 - Excellent bike, but not the greatest suspension and brakes

2005 Suzuki DL-650 "V-Strom" - Piece of crap that I traded for the FJR. I wasted more money on that scrapheap trying to make a real bike out of it...

Current bikes:

2007 Yamaha FJR-1300 - not very farkled, except for a CB screen & heated grips

2008 Suzuki SV-650A - much improved 2nd gen SV with ABS & FI, and far better stock suspension. Motor spins like an absolute demon.

Edit: I don't know if I should look out for dangerous Fords, or Fords should look out for dangerous wackos on shaft-drive 1100cc inline-4 Suzukis?

 

[garyahouse]

Hey Crash,

Never thought I'd find anyone that owned a GSX1100G Sazook. I rarely ever saw any of those rascals around. I understand they were pretty rare. Remember the softie front fork springs? Hit the front brake and take a DIVE!!!!!!!. Then there was that odd little hesitation just off "demand." At just about any engine speed there was a flat spot just when ya rolled on the throttle. But it was a comfy bike with good low end power. Hey- ya remember that gigantic "petcock?" Anyway, I owned mine for about 8 years... Sold it for 3k just 2 years ago to a very happy new owner. And get this. The guy gave me a hundred dollar "tip" just because he appreciated the fact that I told him about every scratch and/or minor mechanical problem on the bike. Said he appreciated my honesty. Well I sure appreciated his appreciation!!!!!

Anyway, just to stick to the subject of this thread, to me, the Feejer is everything that Zook wanted to be. I especially appreciate that amazing fairing since every bike I ever owned had NONE.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[James Burleigh]

The other day I had to go to the dentist first thing in the morning before work, so I took the FJR. At a signal I slithered up past a dozen cars to the front of the light. Out of my peripheral I noticed the car on my right nudge forward and the driver's window go down--unusual since it was cold and damp. "Here we go," I thought; get ready to take evasive action....

"Excuse me!"

Normally I don't make eye contact with cage drivers, let alone have conversations with them at major urban intersections when I need to be on my game for when the light turns in the thick of the rush. But not always feeling averse to an adventure, I turned my head....

"What kind of motorcycle is that!" It was a woman. But I noticed a middle-aged man in the passenger seat wearing an expression like Christmas morning. No doubt he'd told her to ask me.

"It's a Yamaha!" I shouted (I was wearing ear plugs and of course a helmet, and my sat radio was blasting). I didn't bother to add "F J R" since it would be unintelligible across the chasm between the two of our vehicles. But the man's smiled broadened.

I turned away and re-engaged with the intersection, then pulled away when the light turned green, wondering if I'd been rude. Well, now he knows, and I felt all warm and fuzzy that someone noticed my motorcycle.

 

[James Burleigh]

Yeah I'm always amazed when I park next to an R6 how small it is, seems like a toy bike next to the FJR.

Awhile back I posted a RR about borrowing my buddies CBR 1000RR, the first time I'd ridden a sport bike. It felt to me like one of those toy pocket bikes I see kids riding around my neighborhood.

 

[Crash Cash]

Hey Crash,

Never thought I'd find anyone that owned a GSX1100G Sazook. I rarely ever saw any of those rascals around. I understand they were pretty rare.

Yeah, the front suspension on that thing was horrible, but that was about 150lbs ago for me, so it wasn't that bad. It also had a lot less "get up and go" than the FJR has, for being an 1100cc inline-4. Hell, I even have a pic from Sept 1998 for your viewing "enjoyment" and I just realized it's almost the same color as my FJR.

Awhile back I posted a RR about borrowing my buddies CBR 1000RR, the first time I'd ridden a sport bike. It felt to me like one of those toy pocket bikes I see kids riding around my neighborhood.

Heh. I just rode my SV-650 for the first time in a long time, since it's nice & warm. It felt like a Schwinn! A Schwinn with 70hp. Just wheeling it out of the garage, it was "this thang don't weigh nuffin'" - I also got to remember the joys of having to wear earplugs again.