Snoofus .. did you also post this question on the Connie forum?? Just wondering what kind of answers you got over there.
Rob
Actually no, I haven't. I'd have to sign up for the Concours forum yadda-yadda-yadda and the truth is my mind is largely made up already. I don't think I could be persuaded to buy the Concours at this point. A friend works at a local Kawasaki dealer - he tells me the mechanics all groan when a Concours comes in because they don't like working on them.
From what I've been reading, one of the advantages of the FJR is that it's been in production since 2001. The issues the 08 and 09 Concours owners are going through will probably be long gone when that bike's been produced for ten years, too. I don't have the $ to be considering a 2010 Concours.
I've been looking for a used FJR, but prices in Vancouver BC are nuts. There's a 2006 at a dealer with somewhere in the 30-40K mile range and they want $11K. I can buy a new 2008 or 09 for that.
I've ridden a 2008 AE and was really impressed by the auto clutch system. I'm not sure how well it will work for low speed parking maneuvers, but I what I know I like.
I'm finding it aggravating that the well priced used models start about 2000 miles from home. There are several bikes on this forum that I'd be making offers on if they were a few hundred miles away. I don't know if that's because the economy is in better shape in NW USA or what.
At the moment I'm in contact with two dealers with 08 or 09 AE models and trying to see what kind of price they'll offer. The advertized prices are often much lower than the out the door price. I'm looking at Idaho and California for good pricing on new bikes - in this case under $11K.
If anyone knows of Washington or Oregon dealers who have bikes in that price range, I'd be happy to hear about them. I have been checking Craig's List, eBay, and Cycle Trader.
Rob