Trading FJR for Dual Sport (XT350)?

[FJRulzON]

Since my baby girl was known to be on her way till now at age 18 months, I've been pretty busy and haven't been getting out much on the FJR -though I sure do enjoy it (maybe even more) when I do. Also why I haven't been on the Forum much.

With thoughts of starting on baby #2 around the corner, and the wife already deciding to sell her Sprint-ST to help subsidize that -I am thinking the FJR is a lot a bike to have sitting in the garage for the little I have been using it (last 2.5 seasons). I could let the bird out of the cage and inject some money into the household if I sold it -but must have some sort of Yamaha in there to scratch the itch.

Since most other street bikes can be compared to the FJR somehow, and leave me wanting after having those 90ft.lbs... I figure I will get something that is less comparable, change my sport a bit, and add some stuff the FJR couldn't do to minimize regrets -so thought of getting dirty (I am older and fatter so maybe just dusty) again.

Because the XT225 (and new 250) are to small for me (6' and 240lbs) -I found an old 2000 XT350. Haven't been on knobby tires for 15 years.

What do you think? Mistake? Setting myself up for serious regret? Or wise choice?

Anybody have any exprerience with/on XT350 (or other similar Dual Sport/Dual Purpose/Enduro) bikes and the FJR care to chime in to fill in the blanks for what I am in for by substituting a one with the other?

Truth is -I want to decide Wednesday and set up the XT meet for Saturday (it's a 5 hour drive) as I have also sold my truck which leaves Monday.

So huury up and help me will ya

Thanks in advance.

 

[painman]

FJRulzON, you are to be commended for realizing your family comes first. There is no shame in selling everything you own to provide for your wife and kids. Things like bikes, cars, boats, etc. are always last. Just stay on the track your on and do the right thing. You will know. After the kids get a little older you can always buy back into the hobby of biking. If you can afford it now only you know that. Just be safe for them. Take care, PM. <><

 

[madmike2]

BTDT. Others haven't had to make that choice. As a single parent, weighing the possible dangers of motorcycle riding, the bikes went to other owners until my "Princess" was an adult and on her own at 23 yrs. of age. My reward....(after 2 years on used bikes)....a shiny new '04 FJR (and now an '05).

Set your own priorities based on your circumstances and family dynamics. If riding a streetbike truly is a passion you can return later. A few years hiatus is nothing compared to the joy of raising your children.

 

[FJRulzON]

My family does come first, and the money raised will be ear-marked for to help buy a reasonable second car instead of a 350,000 mile Tercel -for when baby #2 comes along as mommy insists on having wheels -and I don't like the bus (sadly, in Canada -winter means the bike can't be a car #2).

So... we do not REALLY need the money (yet anyway), the bike is paid for so the savings are really the difference in insurance from FJR to XT350. Though, while waiting for the right car/baby #2 to come along -the money will go against some debt and save us some interest payments for that amount of time.

I know it will be hard to get an FJR back some day (I only have one now because it was bought and paid for before daycare bills and a bigger mortgage for a bigger house started). With 2 kids/cars on what is basically a fixed income (gov't worker), it will be tough to go back up with only an old XT350 for down. Besides -FJR's are nearly $20k now here in Canada, may have to hope our dollar stays near par and shop in USA.

Essentially -I gain some off-road capability and a nicer 2nd car in exchange for serious 2-up street performance while risking not being able to go back for many years. I should slow down a bit anyway (I guess) but I am not irresponsibly fast now, I just accellerate hard to make myself smile until just over the limit where the smile turns to angst that our limits are so low here. Of course, I will also miss railing corners with serious lean angles.

So no bike, FJR vs XT comments yet huh? I was sure I remembered several members having both...

 

[madmike2]

There are many members who own FJRs and dirt bikes or dual sports./ I recently crashed while riding my KLR650. There is no comparison as the different bikes have different missions. I loooooove my FJR and enjoy riding it, I also enjoy the KLR, the slower pace and the option to see where any particular dirt road goes. If its about a less expensive way to enjoy personal time and freedom to wander, the XT will work just fine. For me, it would not fill the need to meet others for lunch....150 miles away.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I do have an FJR and DRZ400.

I really think the bikes complement each other perfectly. For a time I thought I might have bought too small a dual sport. After a few really happy 400 mile days on the DRZ, I couldn't be happier with my selection. I would not trade in my FJR for a DRZ. I tell you, there are aspects of the DRZ that are a lot of fun, but in my opinion, there are simply things that the FJR does so well on the road that I can't settle for less now that I have experienced sport touring on the FJR. In other words, if I had to have one bike, it would be the FJR.

 

[RenoJohn]

heck yes on the Dual-Sport bike. anyone can be a street *****. nice you're getting priorities in line, they should go like this:

a.) dirt bike

b.) Family

c.) street bike

d.) beer

e.) Raider season tickets

 

[burnergold2B]

Congrats on having the kids!!

I have several dirt bikes and you will not be let down by the XT350. I had a XT '79 500 while in college and that machine was incredible; simple enough to do all the work on myself and enough of a rat that noone wanted to steal it.

Selling the FJR? It's only a bike that you can purchase another day. The spirit of the ride will remain with the XT. Hey, can't you get those XT 800s up there in Canada? Or is it a 660? Those babies rock too!!

 

[FJR919]

I owned a 1996 XT350 and currently own an'05 FJR. The XT was a good machine, and I modified it with a Yosh exhaust, airbox mods, a TT-350 carb, and dropped a tooth on the countershaft sprocket. The mods really woke this bike up; the front wheel rose easily hitting the throttle.

Modified or stock, they are very different motorcycle experiences. If you're looking to inexpensively scratch the motorcycle itch and will do some dirt riding, the XT just might do it.

It is such a matter of personal taste and I don't know if anyone can really answer the question for you.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Congrats on the priorities! I had an XT500 and loved it.Strong enough for freeways and knarly enough for trails.I will say as anally attentive as the OPP is on the 401, 402 and 403, the XT350 should be just fine.Would be a great machine for beach riding there or an occasional hunt.Cant you get the XT800 there?I wish that I could here!Maybe your tastes will change towards the big cruiser like the Venture.At least that way the kids wont be inclined to slip out of that big bucket seat when they can ride with you. I sold off most of my toys until my kids got older but did keep my Suzuki GT500 and my MG Midget.My problem now is how can I convince my wife that I need the new Buell when her desire is to put a Wing in the garage!

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I thought about this some more.

I went a long time without bikes because of the kids. I think it was a mistake and I regret it. Instead, I wish I got them involved in dirt riding at a young age so they could grow up sharing a passion with dear ol dad.

So sell the FJR, get 3 dirt bikes and enjoy your kids and let them enjoy your passion with you. (sounds like your wife mike like one too)

 

[gr8eyes]

After my 4 came along I got them a PW58,Pw80,RT100 and a 125. We rode some but the youngest is the only one that showed any real interest in riding in the dirt.

I noticed Europe gets the XT660 adventure tourer. That would be a great bike for your purposes if you can get it in Canada. I'd buy one if they imported it to the U.S.

 

[FJRulzON]

After my 4 came along I got them a PW58,Pw80,RT100 and a 125. We rode some but the youngest is the only one that showed any real interest in riding in the dirt.
I noticed Europe gets the XT660 adventure tourer. That would be a great bike for your purposes if you can get it in Canada. I'd buy one if they imported it to the U.S.

Ya -the Euro XT660 is pretty nice, and no -not in Canada either. They actually get 3 - 660 models, the XT660Z-Tenere (adventure tourer), the XT660R (Dual-Sport), and the XT660X (SuperMotard). They Have no XT225/250 but have a 125cc.

I was told Yamaha Canada knows there is a big hole in there line-up and are trying to fill it. That new WR250R and maybe WR250X too may get a 450 brother in a year or two (probably no new XT middle-weight though), and the XT660 may be coming for to hold the heavy-weight class. WR's are hard-core off roaders with plates -I want middle-weight XT (R or Z-Tenere) though the 660 will do if priced OK like a Kawi KLR.

Thanks all -I am proceeding to get the XT Saturday (while I can) -will think about selling the FJR more over the winter but it will probably go up for sale in the spring if I get along with the XT.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

After my 4 came along I got them a PW58,Pw80,RT100 and a 125. We rode some but the youngest is the only one that showed any real interest in riding in the dirt.
I noticed Europe gets the XT660 adventure tourer. That would be a great bike for your purposes if you can get it in Canada. I'd buy one if they imported it to the U.S.

Ya -the Euro XT660 is pretty nice, and no -not in Canada either. They actually get 3 - 660 models, the XT660Z-Tenere (adventure tourer), the XT660R (Dual-Sport), and the XT660X (SuperMotard). They Have no XT225/250 but have a 125cc.

I was told Yamaha Canada knows there is a big hole in there line-up and are trying to fill it. That new WR250R and maybe WR250X too may get a 450 brother in a year or two (probably no new XT middle-weight though), and the XT660 may be coming for to hold the heavy-weight class. WR's are hard-core off roaders with plates -I want middle-weight XT (R or Z-Tenere) though the 660 will do if priced OK like a Kawi KLR.

Thanks all -I am proceeding to get the XT Saturday (while I can) -will think about selling the FJR more over the winter but it will probably go up for sale in the spring if I get along with the XT.

You are so right on about the hole in what you can get from Yamaha now.Had a lot more choices in the 70's and 80's.I kept thinking about your purchase and I tell you I do miss being able to go blasting through a field into the snow.That can make you feel like a flat track expert without the speed!Crashing doesnt hurt so much in 12" of snow.The neighborhood kids would runout when I would start my XT to watch me plow through the snow and just laugh so much when I would rode in the snow and then slide on my backside after spilling.Not much of it here in north Texas.Enjoy your bike!You sure gave me a lot of memory recall.

 

[FJRulzON]

UPDATE:

Ok, got the XT350 last weekend... (keeping the FJR till dust settles on how I feel about XT).

This bike is pretty cool -I have not been off asphalt for years and it was nice to me. Trail riding is this bikes strong suit (very comfy, didn't feel bumps or get bounced about, easy reach to ground, very light and maybe too nimble at my relaxed pace). This is no motocrosser, suspension is way soft -but that is fine as I am no motocrosser either. OEM 'Stone TW tires do not like wet clay though.

So, off road -I am very happy.

On road, hmmmm.... I think I need help. This thing turns so easy you pull out the driveway and go to turn left or right down the road and darn-near end up doing a U-turn back into the driveway. This is easy enough to adapt to and tolerate in town, but I expected things to require more effort at speed becasue the fork is raked out there a bit with a big 21" front tire making trail -but no, it is friggin' scary at highway speed as compared to my FJR that I can stand on the seat and do a jig if I wanted to. I can rail corners on the FJR, gun-it and adjust my line mid corner and lean as far as I want -all with one hand -the XT falls sideways into corners and both hands are needed as dampers for the stearing because any input will result in big trajectory changes. Knobbies are far less than confidence inspiring -very squishy/squirmy. It's a bit like being on a short skateboard down a big fast hill standing straight-up.

It is probably me being used to a very different bike (not the XT) but...

I am wondering if there is a way to firm things up and make this thing less nimble/twitchy and more stable on the highway like maybe different tires, stearing damper, narrower bars, etc...???

At least if you go WFO it can keep ahead of cars and will keep a highway pace until my nerves have me slow for turns -hard for me, I usually speed up for turns on FJR.

Any constructive ideas/comments?

 

[UberKul]

I would try to hold off on changes if you can. Give it another couple months/miles to get a feel for the nimbleness to become familiar then make changes if you want to. If you lay off the FJR during that time it will feel like a big fat pig and the svelt XT will feel normal.

Try dropping the fork tubes in the clamps to flush if they are not already there...may help that twitchy feeling. IMHO- Get rid of the Deathwings for anything other than pavement.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

OEM 'Stone TW tires do not like wet clay though.

I can vouch for this as can my scratched up DRZ :lol: