Ah yes... as previously mentioned the score did happen. Arrived just after their 10AM opening (didn't want to be that guy beating on the door) and even that may have been a bit early. It seemed like folks there were still wading through their morning mail, both paper an electronic.
I was ushered back to one of the "business ladies", and we went through all of the purchase paperwork in about 10 minutes flat. Last time I spent money at that speed was when we bought our house.
The sales guy that took my order during the demo days was not around, so Jennifer (a sales lady that has been around at some of the other dealerships here, too) gave me the intro spiel.
Note that I came properly attired to pick up a 2014!
We had already talked before about FJRs, so she knew that I already owned one, and probably know a whole lot more about this particular bike than she does. So she just ticked off the "required" items... New tires, don't fall down... check. Have you enjoyed your experience, please rate us highly on the post sales survey... check.
Of course, I had my own little checklist, so I asked to see all the stuff that is supposed to be included with the bike. We opened up the side bags and found that the two soft bag liners were in there (they are actually much nicer than in the olden days), and the third lock cylinder, and curiously only 2 or the 6 little painted hole covers, but no owners manual, and missing the other 4 painted covers.
I told her there should be 6 covers. Oh no, there are only 4. Two each side. No, says I, there are 6. 4 on the top and the 2 lower ones are different. Scurry, scurry scurry. OK, here's the owners manual and 4 more of those little painted covers! Some other sales guy comes out with them and informs me that they now have 6 covers. The old ones only had 4.
Uh... yeah. (I let it drop even though I have 6 covers for my '05.)
This is what it feels like to take delivery of your
first new bike ever at the age of 56 years, 11 months, and 9 days of age.
If you can't tell from the photo, I am in heaven. Ask anyone. I am actually not a big smiler, but could not help myself there.
Geared up and heading home to add a few farkles
And here she is 10 miles later before getting her first additions. These are the "Before", driveway beauty shots. The poor thing may never look this unadulterated again!
Moved my Bags Connection tank bag, Garmin zumo 550 on a Wynpro RamBone, and my old POS radar detector (a Passport 8500) over from the old bike. Also installed some brand new Tech Spec Snakeskin tank protectors and SW Motech sliders on before her maiden voyage.
Then suited back up and hit the road. I had a date with a certain New Hampshire landmark. Every bike that I have ever owned I have taken (eventually) to this particular wooden bridge that overlooks Chocorua Lake and has Mount Chocorua in the background. This is just on the southern edge of the white mountains in Albany, NH. You may not have noticed it, but it has been my avatar both here and on ADVriders for the past several years.
Here's the money shot. A 2014 ES in its native element
We tooled around on a lot of roads I am very familiar with, but these roads were not the same today. Someone surely must have repaved them all since my last time here.
I burned almost the whole (free) tank of gas, right at 200 miles. 1/3rd of the way to the "all impotent" first earl change. Jennifer had told me earlier, "No problem doing your own, just keep the receipts." Good thing... 'cause at this rate I'll be needing it on Monday, and it's a holiday. I seriously doubt they will see this bike again, unless there are some recalls or warranty work to be done.
This right here, is one happy garage...
And, it gets even better... After having, quite literally, the best day of my life, Josie had a home made pie waiting for me for our celebratory dinner.
Yeah buddy! That is what I am talking about!!
I could probably die right now and be satisfied. But I sure the hell do not want to. :nono:
Instead I want to go back out into the garage and bolt on that new SR357 rack so I can snap the Givi trunk on and take my best girl for a ride tomorrow.
Well... I'll take both my best girls, actually.