Torn: To buy or not to buy

[majicmaker]

Every girl that's been in the back seat that's ridden a bike before said its like riding in a limousine. They loved to truck for the back support and all the girley crap that they carry. DO IT!! You won't be sorry! You will come back and Thank Us.

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

My bride and I are coming up on our 30-year anniversary, and she loves to go for FJR rides. She's comfortable enough that she's started to fall asleep on the straight boring parts. Give her a trunk for security and an AirHawk cushion for comfort, and she'll be happy.

 

[garyahouse]

Bulldog:

Ever notice that the ladies seem to enjoy the roller coasters even more than the men? All that extra power is just as much fun for them as it is for you. The anti lock brakes are a + as well... gives em a little more confidence in the feller doin' the drivin'. She should also find comfort in the fact that if you get in over your head in a corner, the FJR can lean right over till the pegs start grinding (and then some) and get cha outa trouble... and coming from a cruiser background you have to experience that to believe it. It's worth every nickel. It's got reliability, longevity (many forum members have well over 100k on these things) and the best of all--ya get to meet the meatheads when ya run into the rest of us up around the bend: there's a lot of FJR forum members in the Lone Star State.

You can even put a CT on the back which will smooth out the "ride" for her... if yer brave enough to take a walk on the DARKSIDE... check out the darkside thread.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Ken45]

Yamaha does do demo rides, that's what sold me on mine last fall. They have a stable of about a dozen and a half bikes that they take around the country.

**Some** dealers will let you take a bike out for a demo ride **if** they think you are a serious buyer. I have a good enough relationship with the local Honda dealer that he will gladly let me take any bike out, he knows it usually ends up in a sale. I actually bought my FJR (new) from the local Honda dealer they also own a Yamaha dealership 60 miles away.

Ken

 

[Aasland]

I've not ridden two-up much, but I have friends who do. What they say is ... it does great, but add the following:

1. Topbox (for luggage and backrest)

2. Upgrade the rear spring if you like to ride aggressively

3. Comfier rear seat

4. Taller windshield (probably depends on height of passenger)

As good as the FJR is, I've heard that the ST1300 is better for the passenger.

 

[El Toro]

I've not ridden two-up much, but I have friends who do.

As good as the FJR is, I've heard that the ST1300 is better for the passenger.

That's not the way I heered it, sonny...

Fella says Geezer Glider is the only thing better than an FJR for a passenger, ceptin' a 1952 Cadillac.

 

[Intech]

I bought mine on faith. Found it on ebay, called the seller and drove to Philly the next day. I started it and sat on it, paid for it and loaded it in my truck. Drove back to Virginia directly to the DMV, unloaded the bike and rode it home. It has not been trucked or trailered since. Best bike I have owned. The wife never rode with me before I got this bike, but rides and camps with me regularly.

Go for it! You will not regret it.

 

[RonDog]

I went to the local dealer and they had a new FJR that they let me test ride. I also rode a ST1300 and they would have let me ride a Connie, but I was done after the FJR. They didn't have a used bike, so I bought a 2007 with 4500 miles off of craigslist. It is a sweet bike.

 

[Pepperell]

Check out the right-hand column here.

Yeah, there's lots of us 2 up! And I drag a trailer to boot. Pulls nice at 80 or so...

 

[pmspaul]

Bulldog, the FJR is a mileater, solo and 2-up. My wife has ridden tens of thousands of miles with me and likes this bike the best so far. She's done day rides, cross country trips and a couple long distance rallies with me on the FJR. For her all day comfort, my big mods are a factory top box, Russell seat and good intercom system.

As far as demo rides, Yamaha has a demo ride calendar here: LINKY

Looks like Burleson Power Sports in Burleson, TX has demos today and tomorrow (14 & 15), and Stadium Yamaha in Irving, TX has demo rides coming up this weekend (17 & 18)

You could check with them and verify they're demoing FJRs as listed.

 

[wmadoty]

My dealer told me not test ride. I secured paperwork, and ordered the bike. The bike came in and they assembled it. I went to the bank and got the check. I told the dealer that I was buying the bike if a test ride did not uncover any deal breakers. He made me sign a release form and the bike, check, and I got to know each other for about an hour.

My point is that I doubt the dealer will let a test ride stand in the way of the surrender of that check. I think they just need to know you are serious about buying it. I would be a heck of a loss for them if you trashed the bike and decided you were not going to take the bike.

Say what you want about them having insurance. I don't know any dealers that are willing to file a claim and loose their coverage. Can't really blame them for now wanting to give up test rides.

 

[bulldog777]

As good as the FJR is, I've heard that the ST1300 is better for the passenger.

Sorry, they sound like George jetsons car! And I hear they are nicknamed "thigh burners".

I'm convinced, fjr.....

 

[HotRodZilla]

As good as the FJR is, I've heard that the ST1300 is better for the passenger.

Sorry, they sound like George jetsons car! And I hear they are nicknamed "thigh burners".

I'm convinced, fjr.....

Not trying to be an *******, but how come some of you new guys can't figure out how to quote a post without making it look like your own??

That being said, I too have heard, first hand, that the ST1300 is more passenger friendly. It's just all the other issues with the bike you'll have to get over. Screw that. My wife falls asleep on the back of my FJR, and says it is more comfortable than my VTX1800 that she rode on before this.

 

[Steel_Gin]

The last FJ I rode was a FJ1100 in high school just one time, haven’t ridden one since and loved the bike ever since. Almost fell off when I twisted the right grip not quite to half. When the FJ was reborn as the FJR the kids were diapers and buying wasn’t an option. Now that the kids are a lot less hands on and my paycheck looks better (I’m very lucky there with how the economy has been) been drooling over them for years. Last October my wife calls with questions about the bike and she says I’m placing the order. Reading the write ups on how the FJR handles I’m sure I will love it and it’s just a beautiful looking bike. I was beyond shocked by that. Take the leap like I am and go for it.

 

[bluesdog]

Not trying to be an *******, but how come some of you new guys can't figure out how to quote a post without making it look like your own??

Could be used to forums that lack an auto-quote function. I belong to one of those, and it's a PITA, 'cause you have to cut & paste, and remember to use quote marks so the conversations don't become seriously confusing :blink:

 

[someguy]

i've owned a dozen bikes....

put some serious miles on the Conni and FJR before pulling the trigger.

i commute 75%+ of the time with the FJR, and love it. rain or shine.

i shred the corners in the smokies and love it. no problem smoking the repli racer crowd.

i blur the lines two up and drag the hard parts and have never been given reason to doubt. tons of comfort and confidence for the pillion...

FJR is by far one of the best both solo and 2up... long road, twisties, commute, you name it...

others here are obviously biased, and for good reason.

as one who could have bought pretty much anything out there, i have not one regret.

sure, there's a few bikes with more 'techno gadgets, and some i would like to have been from the factory, like heated grips and cruise, but certainly not deal breakers, and easily added.

they all come with the heated grips now, so that's done...

get one...

by the way, i live a bit out of the way, but if you can't get a test ride, and you are ever in TN, you are welcome to mine for a day.

keep us posted!

 

[wheatonFJR]

...Not trying to be an *******...

Are you boasting because it just comes sooooo naturally?

:lol:

 

[Sharif]

+1 to a trunk for two-up. My wife find it more comfortable, especially during bouts of acceleration. She's tall at 5'11", but no legroom issues reported.

Doesn't compare comfort-wise to a Wing or Ultra, but those two bikes don't float our boat. Especially since most of my riding is solo. Hard to beat the FJR on performance/looks (subjective)/value/reliability.

 

[BigPaz]

i test drove an 07 i was looking at from one dealer. i was just sittin on it and the guy comes up and says "you wanna ride it??" well, yeah!!

he didn't wanna deal, so i bought an 09 from another dealer... he actually let me ride the FJR home to get the title for my DL1000, BEFORE i signed the paperwork.

as far as 2 up, my wife didn't like the truck, so i bought a back rest and a dry bag... she LOVES the FJR...

P.

 

[HotRodZilla]

...Not trying to be an *******...

Are you boasting because it just comes sooooo naturally?

:lol:

Maybe... :****:

And I forgot to say, I also have a backrest on my '07. If there was no backrest, I don't know how comfortable my wife would be. Comfort and security. You don't want her falling off the back when you pin the throttle.