To get an FJR or not to get an FJR, that is the question

[sprint_st]

In just under two months, I'll be hitting the big six oh! Been riding since about 1966 and about a year ago I suffered a "way past mid-life" crisis, I let two young GiXXR boys pass me because I was slowing them down. The old me would have said "fight's on, let's roll" but the REAL OLD ME says that's faster than I want to go so I let them go by. So I say to myself, maybe you ought to get something more sedate. First candidate was an R1200GS, nah, that beast is butt ugly and costs a ton. How about a Triumph Tiger, since I already ride a Sprint ST? Nah, no soul. Maybe a Goldwing? No, I ain't THAT old. The list went through a Multistrada, ST1300, R1200R, FZ1 (how did that get in there), finally got around to the FJR. It sure looked good AND Yamaha fixed all the not-really-problem problems in 2006. Then I looked at my Sprint again. Is the FJR qicker, no, faster, no, can it out handle it, no, so why is it I need an FJR??? Two weeks ago I came to my senses and put a deposit on a 2007. Today was an absolutely beautiful day and I go for a ride on the Sprint and for the first half hour my mind is saying "why do you need an FJR, this bike is great." For the hour and a half after that, I knew why I not only wanted the FJR but needed it. My Sprint gave me lots of 600 mile days but even with the adjustments I made she ain't no FJR when it comes to covering big chunks of ground. Gettin' old sucks, but an FJR can slow the process somewhat.

 

[FantasticJohnR]

In the group I ride with we have a rule: when buyig a new bike, you must keep the old one!

Keep your sprint and go for the FJR and do your own comparo!

John

In the group I ride with we have a rule: when buyig a new bike, you must keep the old one!

Keep your sprint and go for the FJR and do your own comparo!

By the way, I am the youngest in my group- all my friends are over 60 and each has at least 3 bikes- usually 2 Ducati's and Two Beemers! They all can carve corners like 20 year olds- so I hav to ask you to define "old"

John

 

[luvtoride]

Mr. Sprint, good luck with the new Feej. I absolutely love it! She sure is purdy! That new color is slick!

Oh, and by the way... you really think the sprint is quicker & faster than an FJR? hehehehe... You must not of ridden one, yet. I'll give ya' the handling comment. After all, the FJR weighs more by quite a bit.

The FJR is very planted & behaves itself well... until you make her scream. Me thinks that you will be pleasantly surprised. I've never thought of this bike as sedate. Well behaved maybe... but never sedate.

Anyhow, welcome & good luck w/ the new ride.

 

[JohnB]

I agree that you should keep the Sprint and get the FJR. It's nice to have a lighter weight machine for shorter distances or tighter twisties. I have a Multistrada for this. For the longer distance tours or two-up or where I need more or better wind protection, I have the FJR. Every man should have at least 2 bikes ...

 

[weekend rider]

Sptint: I;ooked into crystal and everything was clear, so that means you should purchase the new FJR with no regrets.

And like what Johnb said we should have two bikes in our garage. If that is the case than we also should have two wives inthe same house one for each bike, what do you think :yahoo: :yahoo:

weekend rider

 

[FLOWBACK]

Hey sprint, Was the new Kawi. on your short list? Seems to be on a few others lists. If so why you no like. :detective2:

 

[Rogue]

You should PM Turbo Dave, I think he has about 14 bikes now (including an 05' FJR and an 06' FJR) and he has seen a few seasons since he turned 60.

If you want to slow down the FJR may not be the right bike for you.

I think you'll like it.

 

[6mmbr]

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them?

I dunno....

But you might as well have as much fun as you can before

"We have to shuffle off this mortal coil"

Its only money, spend it, buy it, farkle it, ride it.

oh, and wave when we pass by

 

[Toecutter]

In the group I ride with we have a rule: when buyig a new bike, you must keep the old one!
Keep your sprint and go for the FJR and do your own comparo!

John

In the group I ride with we have a rule: when buyig a new bike, you must keep the old one!

Keep your sprint and go for the FJR and do your own comparo!

By the way, I am the youngest in my group- all my friends are over 60 and each has at least 3 bikes- usually 2 Ducati's and Two Beemers! They all can carve corners like 20 year olds- so I hav to ask you to define "old"

John

None of us are so old that you have to repeat everything :blink:

 

[Bounce]

For the hour and a half after that, I knew why I not only wanted the FJR but needed it. My Sprint gave me lots of 600 mile days but even with the adjustments I made she ain't no FJR when it comes to covering big chunks of ground.

that was my experience riding the Sprint. Fun (and got me itching for something sportier than my GL1500) but not up to the miles I was riding at the time. The Daytona 600 was an excellent 30 to 45 minute bike (thank goodness it was for my SiL and not for me). The FJR is better suited (for me) to put on longer miles and be more sporting than the touring bikes I'd had in the past.

In the group I ride with we have a rule: when buyig a new bike, you must keep the old one!

any of them willing to adopt me?

 

[Mike-H]

John

None of us are so old that you have to repeat everything :blink:

Toe....are you sure about that? (old man of your firehouse) :lol: .....

 

[Toecutter]

John

None of us are so old that you have to repeat everything :blink:

Toe....are you sure about that? (old man of your firehouse) :lol: .....

I'm sure that you could probably benefit from some remedial quoting clinics at WFO next year. :blink:

 

[ejworthen]

When shopping for a new bike my first choice was a new Sprint ST. The reason for getting a new bike was two up long distance comfort. In the end the FJR won out. It's just a better bike for putting on the miles with the old lady on the back. Much more comfu than a Sprint.

If I was still a single man I would have gone with the Sprint with bar risers in a second. I love the sound of that triple.

I'm sure you'll love the FJR.

 

[Dan23]

>>I let two young GiXXR boys pass me because I was slowing them down. <<

If you think the FJR will keep up with a real sport bike you have a very painful lesson ahead of you. The FJR suffers from the laws of physics.... laws that will bite you hard if you violate them. The owners here who report otherwise suffer from delusions of grandeur. There are lighter, faster sport-touring capable bikes that will come closer to your goal... but at 60 I'd suggest your goal is unreasonable and dangerous to your continued existence.

 

[sprint_st]

I had thought about the new Concours, and had owned the old one before my Sprint. Just don't like buying anything in it's first year. As far as being "old", I'm still 18 between the ears, BUT have you broken anything lately??? I broke an ankle about two years ago and it still isn't right. When I was 18 I would have been out playing basketball with the caste on. No I haven't ridden an FJR yet, BUT if you think you can hang with a Sprint in the twisties on an FJR you will have great surprise in store for you AND I'm talking about a pre-05 model. Don't get me wrong, I truly believe an FJR is a great handling bike, but if tangle with with a well ridden Sprint on it's own turf, be prepared for disappointment. Now for the "stranger than fiction part", it's my wife that is saying I should keep the Sprint, it's my cash register mind that says that it needs to go.

 

[AdrianNKY]

Get the Feej. You won't regret it. Agreed, it doesn't have R1 handling..but then again..It just does everything so well. That's not apples to apples anyway.

It handles extremely well for a bike its size and when you twist that throttle, you're given a lesson in respect. Unleash that beast of a powerplant and she gets up and moves.

It's been stated many times before, it's not perfect at any one thing but the best at what it does...which is all of it.

I came off a 750 Gixxer and the Feej was a stretch for me......and I couldn't be happier.

(well I could if I could get Renegade to help me with the throttle spring mod)

 

[krashdragon]

Sptint: I;ooked into crystal and everything was clear, so that means you should purchase the new FJR with no regrets.
And like what Johnb said we should have two bikes in our garage. If that is the case than we also should have two wives inthe same house one for each bike, what do you think :yahoo: :yahoo:

weekend rider

I have four bikes, ditched, the ex! <LOL>

No bf's at the moment.... but if I find one, he'd better have his own bike!

Bikes dont' give you a lecture when you want to go ride for a few days.... :yahoo:

mary

In just under two months, I'll be hitting the big six oh! Been riding since about 1966 and about a year ago I suffered a "way past mid-life" crisis, I let two young GiXXR boys pass me because I was slowing them down. The old me would have said "fight's on, let's roll" but the REAL OLD ME says that's faster than I want to go so I let them go by. So I say to myself, maybe you ought to get something more sedate. First candidate was an R1200GS, nah, that beast is butt ugly and costs a ton. How about a Triumph Tiger, since I already ride a Sprint ST? Nah, no soul. Maybe a Goldwing? No, I ain't THAT old. The list went through a Multistrada, ST1300, R1200R, FZ1 (how did that get in there), finally got around to the FJR. It sure looked good AND Yamaha fixed all the not-really-problem problems in 2006. Then I looked at my Sprint again. Is the FJR qicker, no, faster, no, can it out handle it, no, so why is it I need an FJR??? Two weeks ago I came to my senses and put a deposit on a 2007. Today was an absolutely beautiful day and I go for a ride on the Sprint and for the first half hour my mind is saying "why do you need an FJR, this bike is great." For the hour and a half after that, I knew why I not only wanted the FJR but needed it. My Sprint gave me lots of 600 mile days but even with the adjustments I made she ain't no FJR when it comes to covering big chunks of ground. Gettin' old sucks, but an FJR can slow the process somewhat.

And your point is? <G>

The FJR is the easiest bike to ride I've even been on....

Of coures, you do have to make a few adjustment, like a different seat, and a few farkles, like a GPS (great when you're really really lost! and a radar detector.... My Feejer doesnt' like speed limits..... and I'm a really wuss rider!

Get the dang thing and enjoy!

Mary

 

[Toecutter]

>>I let two young GiXXR boys pass me because I was slowing them down. <<
If you think the FJR will keep up with a real sport bike you have a very painful lesson ahead of you. The FJR suffers from the laws of physics.... laws that will bite you hard if you violate them. The owners here who report otherwise suffer from delusions of grandeur. There are lighter, faster sport-touring capable bikes that will come closer to your goal... but at 60 I'd suggest your goal is unreasonable and dangerous to your continued existence.

I think somebody missed the message. He obviously wasn't on an FJR when he decided to let the other bikes pass him. I'd assume he was on his Sprint ST, and now, as he said, he's looking for something more sedate. I think the FJR will fulfill that goal quite well.

 

[cota95]

Get the FJR. As a guy tapping on 60, I know this bike sure put the spring back in my step