The JB Comparo Report:

[James Burleigh]

Yesterday Old Michael and I stopped in on California Sport Touring's parking lot sale. I found the owner, Kim, to say hi, and the first words out of his mouth were: "Have you seen my '08?"

"''08 what?" I asked.

"Yamaha FJR."

"You have an '08 FJR!"

Kim smiled a very satisfied "Yep."

Now, Kim's the guy I bought my '05 from two years ago this month. He also has an ST 1300, which when he sold his FJR to me he said he preferred, and he has a Goldwing. And he has a dual-sport. So I never figured he'd pick up another FJR.

"Let's have a look!" I said, and Kim led Old Michael and me into his shop. Next to the completely gutted Goldwing was the FJR, still sporting paper plates. What a beauty!

Then Kim walked us through all the accessories he put on it already--with paper plates and only 300 miles. I don't recall all the doodads he named, but there was a new seat, GPS, some other gizmo or other, and a some-thing-or-other windscreen (you'd probably recognize the brand if I knew it--"Old Michael, help!").

I admired the bike and, walking around to the front of the black bike, commented on the windscreen, saying I had the V-Stream but was unhappy with it. So Kim says, "Why don't you take my bike out for a spin and see how you like the windscreen."

I turned to Old Michael and said with astonishment and obvious pleasure: "Kim just said I could ride his '08."

Turning back to Kim I smiled and said, "Okay."

Kim and JB Discussing Kim's New '08 (photo by Old Michael):

I took it for a spin up the freeway and around some twisties for about 25 minutes or so. Here are my impressions on the noticeable (to me) differences between my '05 and Black Beauty:

• The clutch engaged immediately, almost causing me to pop my first FJR wheelie; my friction zone is half-way up the clutch--maybe it's just an adjustment issue.
• I thought the front end felt much heavier, not as responsive to a light push on the bars--later Kim said maybe it was the more-effective windscreen.
• The brakes stop her on a dime.
• The suspension was sweeeeeeet--again, maybe just a set-up issue.
• And the windscreen was a dream, much better than my V-stream--but will that make me feel the FJR heat more?
• I prefer the big-ol' turn signal indicators on my model; they're easy to see.

I couldn't really say if it was quicker. I certainly didn't get that impression. But Kim was breaking the bike in, and he didn't want me to go over 6K RPMs, which is just below the point where the rocket boosters typically engage. Moreover, I was REALLY worried that I was going to crash it and have to come skulking back with the bad news.

For now I'll stick with my '05, because I LOVE it so much!!!! :yahoo:

And THAT'S your '05-'08 comparo for today.

This has been the JB Report. Until next time....

James Burleigh, Esq.

P.S. I had to ask Kim if he considered the Connie-14. He said he never considered it because he's not interested.

 

[HaulinAshe]

JB, you really need to get out more.

 

[twowheelnut]

Huh, he didn't get nervous after seeing your worn knee pucks?

 

[James Burleigh]

Huh, he didn't get nervous after seeing your worn knee pucks?

I was telling Old Michael that I'm going to have to rub those pucks against a rock, because they're as shiny and smooth as the day I bought them! But the leathers are otherwise pretty well scuffed up from my little, uh, dust up....

 

[Old Michael]

It was a CalSci windscreen JB, made right here in West Sacramento I believe.

 

[HYCLE]

Huh, he didn't get nervous after seeing your worn knee pucks?

I was telling Old Michael that I'm going to have to rub those pucks against a rock, because they're as shiny and smooth as the day I bought them! But the leathers are otherwise pretty well scuffed up from my little, uh, dust up....

Hey JB, I remember a time that knee puck was on the pavement. Don't you remember our last ride to the wall and it kept falling off the velcro while we were taking pictures.

 

[TriumphSM]

The clutch engaged immediately, almost causing me to pop my first FJR wheelie; my friction zone is half-way up the clutch--maybe it's just an adjustment issue.

I noticed the same thing with the clutch on the 2008 FJR I took for a test ride yesterday. I killed the bike twice because it's so much different than my usual ride. Looking at the owners manual, since it's a hydraulic clutch it says no adjustment is available for clutch free play, but that's a bit different than what we experienced.

 

[FJRMGM]

nice report.

Those of us who have an '05 already know it is the best of all the year models for many reasons.