Joe, I've given that advice to a lot of other riders. I know that it's generally good advice.
Ross, You're right that the changes from 07 to 09 were not that much. I think it has a little better heat management, maybe. I also know that if I buy a back tire, change the oil, replace a blown high beam and plugs, and do a valve check the 07 is probably good to go for the next season. I really don't know if the Pelican case has too much value to me. I've used Givi and Hepco & Backer, but never a Pelican. As much as anything, I figure that I'm paying for the 35,000 less miles on it. As far as the devil I know vs the devil I don't, I think I'm a little complacent because I've never ridden a bad FJR. I've had four and ridden a few that I din't own as well. I should know that doesn't mean that there aren't "bad" ones out there. Also the PO in a no or slow drop broke the mirror stay on mine. I know that mirror stay is an expensive and or time consuming repair. Also my 08 did have a noticeably better throttle then the 06s or the 07. You really put your finger on it at the end.
There is no bike that I've ever ridden or thought of that I love the way I love the AE. This love affair began when I weighed in at 315 lbs and at 6'0". In addition I have bad joints in my hips. I figured out that if I bought an AE (this was before I'd owned an FJR) that I could use the highway pegs, with the back of my right foot for the rear brake, and the paddle shift for riding in many normal conditions. Then I would use the regular pegs for twistee roads and or major traffic. This allowed a "fat guy" to ride a much more sport bike type bike. In the meantime I've gotten down to 210 lbs and this has made it so I mainly use the highway pegs for what god intended them to be used for, riding on the interstate. This is also maybe 200,000 miles down the road. For me at this time, the wonderful thing about the AE is the lack of a need to work the clutch. I've grown used to changing gears more then I ever would with a standard clutch especially on the very challenging roads that I do in southeast Kentucky a few times a month. Also at this point I have maybe 30 times more miles on an FJR AE then all bikes with manual clutches put together. I'm probably the first guy that should have signed the petition for Yamaha to bring the AE back to the USA. Also I'm 62 years old. I figure that I have maybe 5 to ten years of riding left. So I figure that an AE with 10,000 miles will get to 100,000 miles in four years or less. I figure that maybe by that time either Yamaha may bring an AE back to the USA or the DCT Goldwings that have been used, will be used and starting to get to a price I can look at without barfing, and that my body maybe more wanting a Goldwing by that time.
BTW, if I could not transfer the Heli, Russell and let's not forget the highway pegs so well designed by Gerald, I wouldn't consider the deal. For me the FJR becomes so much more pleasant with the Heli-bar riser especially. I have short arms (33" sleeve) and without the riser my arms, shoulders and back start to hate me on days that are 500 miles and more. The Russell I don't need to add comment about as so many here swear by Russell.
