Took a test ride on '17 ES today

[warprints]

Friendly Yamaha in Baton Rouge (and yes, they are quite friendly) has the Yamaha demo truck there today and tomorrow. Road my N1K 75 miles to test ride the '17 ES. Escorted group ride in suburban setting, so couldn't really get a complete feel for the bike. Top speed we hit was an indicated 54 mph, briefly. My impressions ... bike felt heavy at a standstill, but quite light once moving. Seat shape forced me into a wide stance at a standstill. Turn in is much better than my N1K. In Sport mode, around town, the throttle was very twitchy. Much better in Touring mode. I suppose I'd get used to Sport mode with a few more miles under the belt. (Test ride lasted about 20 minutes - a fair bit of stop and go.) Dash was easy for my aging eyes to read. Brakes felt good and easy to modulate. Certainly plenty of power -- at least pulling away from stop lights and getting up to a whopping 40 mph.

In regard to the test ride itself, I realize that there are certain limitations due to the test ride location, and possibly liability issues, but I think test riding bikes at rallies in the mountains (Asheville, Knoxville, etc.) has given me a lot more insight into a bike than this city test ride could come close to. It'd be nice if the test ride in Baton Rouge had included at least one road with a few nice curves and maybe a short stint on the interstate. I know of a nice route not far from Friendly Yamaha --- test drove one of the VW GTIs I've owned in that area.

As to the bike itself .... I'll keep my N1K and Goldwing for the time being. Prefer the N1K to the FJR. However, I do plan to reduce my stable some day, an the FJR would be a perfect compromise for a single bike to replace the N1K and Wing.

 

[jonjonboo]

might want check this out

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocia...hnical_details

 

[hppants]

I bought 2 FJRs from Friendly Yamaha. Good dealership.

When Scooter on this site was conducting Test Rides (when he was a Yamaha employee), they were far more "spirited". Just sayin.....

I'm jealous that you have 2 bikes, but admittedly, if I could have 2 bikes, the second one would be much lighter.

Cheers!!!

P.S. - what's up John? Let's go riding!!!

 

[warprints]

Could be nice, but can't stomach honda's pricing policy on the wing, and looking to downsize when my wife no longer wants to ride.

 

[fjrjonesing]

I'm a big fan of Friendly and have also gotten 2 of my FJRs there. And I'd bet you're talking about the curves around Kleinpeter's Dairy. I bought 2 GTIs right there at Southpoint and ran them both through there.

Jim in BR

 

[Bill Lumberg]

My wife wants a wing. I mean she wants me to have one. I'm not excited. She sees the throne on the back of a Harley or wing, and to be able to hang with me on long trips, that's what she wants. No similar option on an fjr. Excellent ride report on the '17 and the dealership.

 

[timk]

I guess I'm one of the unwashed, so I'll ask What's a N1K?

 

[Mudslide Miller]

I guess I'm one of the unwashed, so I'll ask What's a N1K?

Ninja 1000

 

[art miller]

I guess I'm one of the unwashed, so I'll ask What's a N1K?

Ninja 1000

^^^ and how did you get the name Mudslide????

 

[Mudslide Miller]

Was dubbed that name over on the Beemer side of the house when I became the 'unofficial' bartender for the night at a Christmas party many years back. I was making Mudslides all night for everybody and they started calling me Mudslide Miller. The name just stuck after that! I think Don Stanley imbibed the most that evening!

 

[warprints]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="fjrjonesing" data-cid="1380006" data-time="1506729278"><p>

I'm a big fan of Friendly and have also gotten 2 of my FJRs there. And I'd bet you're talking about the curves around Kleinpeter's Dairy. I bought 2 GTIs right there at Southpoint and ran them both through there.<br />

<br />

Jim in BR</p></blockquote>

Yup. That's exactly the route I was referring to.

I've had two GTIs and now have a GLI

 

[fjrjonesing]

Either of you have any experience with mechanics at GN Gonzales? Friendly is backed up with 4 wheelers until mid October...

 

[warprints]

Either of you have any experience with mechanics at GN Gonzales? Friendly is backed up with 4 wheelers until mid October...

Not me. My only experience with GN Gonzales was years ago in the sales department, and it consisted of the sales guy trying to sell me a two model year old bike at MSRP.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

I guess I'm one of the unwashed, so I'll ask What's a N1K?

Kawasaki Ninja 1000

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Either of you have any experience with mechanics at GN Gonzales? Friendly is backed up with 4 wheelers until mid October...

Shop at Gonzales sucks. I bought 2 FJRs there. Would not trust them to do a damn thing. When I got my '08 FJR, took off from the parking lot, noticed a very loud clunking from the front end. Rode it back into the shop, the dude takes it out for a test ride, says he can't feel or hear anything. WHAT?? I end up riding 90 miles back home, and tracked it down to a loose steering stem nut. The mechanic must be mostly deaf and somewhat blind.

 

[Bob Malehorn]

Was dubbed that name over on the Beemer side of the house when I became the 'unofficial' bartender for the night at a Christmas party many years back. I was making Mudslides all night for everybody and they started calling me Mudslide Miller. The name just stuck after that! I think Don Stanley imbibed the most that evening!

For me mudslides are the drink of choice at the Oar on the Great Salt Pond on block island. My reason for responding is you have the same stable of bikes. After buying the FJR this year thought I'd get rid of the K1200RS. But after riding the K12 a week ago I'm not so sure, it has some advantages.