Unintended New Owner

[NVDucati]

Hello. I left home from Norther California a few days ago on my way to Cape Cod. I started out on my ST1300 (retired CHP bike). Just as I hit the Arkansas border it died, in flight. Ramp truck ride back to White Plains, MO and a diagnosis of fried alternator. Parts wait 3 weeks, estimated labor 6.5 hours. Traded it in for a used shinny BMW K1200LT. Headed back out and after a few miles realized that bike was wounded and took it back. Very, extremely nice people at Mega Motor Sports. They "dealed" me up to a one owner 2015 FJR. I’m now in Cape Code and now fully understand why these bikes are so popular. Will ride it back to California starting in the next few days.

 

[RossKean]

Already welcomed you on your other posting - this one is better placed for an introduction instead of tacking onto an old thread.
Being an "Unintended" new owner may be good luck in your favor after your ST1300 gave up and problems with the new-to-you K1200LT. The cross country trip will be enough to get you used to the platform and let you know whether you need to do anything about seats/windshield etc.
I have over 100,000 miles on my 2011 and wouldn't hesitate to ride it anywhere today. Had close to double that on my '07 when I sold it - still running as far as I know.

 

[mophead]

Very fortunate to be able to return the K1200LT. That is a disaster just waiting to happen. Congrats on the FJR. Coming off ST1300 myself I think the Yamaha will grow on you. Like cruise control to start with.

 

[NVDucati]

Very fortunate to be able to return the K1200LT. That is a disaster just waiting to happen. Congrats on the FJR. Coming off ST1300 myself I think the Yamaha will grow on you. Like cruise control to start with.

Yeah, It already has. I'll be heading back to California starting on Monday (I think). Hopefully, I will have finished reading the owners manual by then ;-)
My original plan was to give the ST to a couple of my lifetime buddies and fly back. But I like this new bike enough that I'm going to keep it.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Welcome from metro Seattle. Good luck with the new (to you) '15 FJR. You've got a great starting point to make it your own and enjoy many (s)miles along the way!

~G

 

[SkooterG]

Making lemonade after life throws you a bunch of lemons! Priceless!

 

[Ridelikethewind]

Yeah, It already has. I'll be heading back to California starting on Monday (I think). Hopefully, I will have finished reading the owners manual by then ;-)
My original plan was to give the ST to a couple of my lifetime buddies and fly back. But I like this new bike enough that I'm going to keep it.

What part of Northern California are you from? I am in the Fresno/ Clovis area. Have a great ride home.

 

[NVDucati]

What part of Northern California are you from? I am in the Fresno/ Clovis area. Have a great ride home.

North SF Bay Area. Great riding area and I've got too much junk to ever move.

 

[art miller]

I'm in San Ramon and we have a group of riders who meet up regularily to have coffee and a ride. Many of them are still working so they meet on Sundays. If you are in the east bay area and want to meet some of the local riders let me know and I will pass your name on to Ed Margolin.

 

[NVDucati]

I'm in San Ramon and we have a group of riders who meet up regularily to have coffee and a ride. Many of them are still working so they meet on Sundays. If you are in the east bay area and want to meet some of the local riders let me know and I will pass your name on to Ed Margolin.

Thanks, I've bookmarked this and when I get back to California I'll get in touch.

 

[norcal rider]

Thanks, I've bookmarked this and when I get back to California I'll get in touch.

Wow. What a story. If you're in Sonoma County, get in touch. I'm in Sebastopol.

 

[FJR30FAN]

The accidental FJR owner. What a story! Welcome from Texas.

 

[NVDucati]

Wow. What a story. If you're in Sonoma County, get in touch. I'm in Sebastopol.

Thanks, I will. I have a long time buddy who lives there so I'm over there fairly often.
Today I rode the new bike from Cape Cod to Columbus, Ohio. I'm more and more impressed.
I'll get in touch.

 

[Mcarver351]

North SF Bay Area. Great riding area and I've got too much junk to ever move.

I thought the same thing then my daughter moved with my only granddaughter. Sold everything and moved to Nashville TN. I love the change of pace and the beautiful riding areas. I was a Southern California native for 62 years.

 

[SkooterG]

I thought the same thing then my daughter moved with my only granddaughter. Sold everything and moved to Nashville TN. I love the change of pace and the beautiful riding areas. I was a Southern California native for 62 years.

The adjustment wasn't too hard? I just rode through West Virginia, Virginia, North, Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri. Absolutely loved it. After 25 years living in Phoenix, I no longer love living here and am contemplating a change. I would be looking at cheap cost of living and warmer weather, so South Carolina and Tennessee would be on the top of the list of considerations.

 

[BigOgre]

We s-l-o-w-l-y made the move to NC just before Covid hit but were fortunate to be familiar with the area beforehand. Still, visiting and living full-time are two different things. Any doubts I've had though have pretty much been erased. Scoot, my suggestion to someone who feels as you do would be to try and swing a long-term rental if you can. Six months or a year allows you to get to know area and fine-tune your wants while still having the comfort of knowing you can go 'back home' anytime you want.

 

[keithq]

Hello. I left home from Norther California a few days ago on my way to Cape Cod. I started out on my ST1300 (retired CHP bike). Just as I hit the Arkansas border it died, in flight. Ramp truck ride back to White Plains, MO and a diagnosis of fried alternator. Parts wait 3 weeks, estimated labor 6.5 hours. Traded it in for a used shinny BMW K1200LT. Headed back out and after a few miles realized that bike was wounded and took it back. Very, extremely nice people at Mega Motor Sports. They "dealed" me up to a one owner 2015 FJR. I’m now in Cape Code and now fully understand why these bikes are so popular. Will ride it back to California starting in the next few days.

Glad it all worked out for you. I've had two ST1300s but gave up on Honda ever making any significant changes and swtched to an FJR many years ago. Now on a 'new' 2019 that I love. Great bike as you have no doubt already discovered. Good luck.

Keith
Texas

 

[feejerbkb]

Phew, dodged the beemer bullet there. Good job!

I rode my 2013 on the stock seat for too long. I did Kansas twice on I-70 in hot humid windy weather on the same trip and was quite miserable both times.

What sort of seat on your 2015?

 

[NVDucati]

Phew, dodged the beemer bullet there. Good job!

I rode my 2013 on the stock seat for too long. I did Kansas twice on I-70 in hot humid windy weather on the same trip and was quite miserable both times.

What sort of seat on your 2015?

It still has the stock seat for now. Not bad. I'm about half way back across the country. Coincidentally, I'm in Kansas tonight.
When I get back I'll read through this forum and see what has been already discussed to bits. Typically, I build my own seats. After a few decades I've figured out what is best for me. But for this trip it has been ok considering I had to pack stuff on the passenger seat so it kinda locks me into a single position.

 

[MotoMike]

"Typically, I build my own seats". Tell me more about that. Perhaps you can post a step-by-step "how-to"?