View from the San Jose Int. show

[skyway]

We spent the afternoon on Saturday at the San Jose Int. show. Here's what I came away with from it. IMHO there are Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy to many cruisers in the US market, I couldn't spit on the ground without hitting one. I'm sure they sell a wad of 'em, but they were not being oogled by many patrons.

I wandered over and took a gander of the '06 FJR and will echo some others' points of view: it's definately leaning toward the touring end of the spectrum. I do not care for the new front lights or the rear deck/rack (?) whatever you want to call it. The function of the vents around the lights surely serve a good purpose to flow air, but IMO it takes away from the lines of the bike, sort of an angled look or something. I am really excited about the AE model for auto shifting, but where can I rest my hand? I also spotted a well known Iron Butt veteran taking a long hard look at the FJRA as well, is this bike contagous right now among LD rider's or what!

The bikes that caught my eyes were a pearlescent white/silver busa for pure eye candy.

Even though I have never considered owning a Buell, this one caught my eye, despite the cheesy switches, it sure looks like it would be lots of fun on my local highways.

The prettiest bike in the show by far, and at only $11,000 IMO is a steal and I would love to have one as a run around, is the new Ducati sport 1000

Any of these bikes by MV Agusta also could easily find themselves a worthy spot in my garage any time they want.

Maybe the best set of stock pipes and rear end at the show?

This bike feels so light, and at 130 or so hp, with great ergos to boot, is one sweet ride. :dribble:

And a couple of cuties to boot as well.

I also became a new fan of the Knox armour and all of my riding gear will be getting a much needed improvement in this department. Foam(or anything foam based) in terms of armour sucks! The Belstaff Adventure jacket was also a keeper IMO.

Also of worthy note is a once and for all cure to fogging facesheilds. The system about to be released by Shoei is the first product I have ever seen that really works as advertised with zero fuss to install. The system does not fog, period. Leave the visor down and breath as hard as you want, not even a hint of fogging. More goodies to look forward to in the new year. Also the lady at the Shoei booth was very clued in with the entire product line, props to her vast knowledge.

The Kawi ZX-14 is one freakishly long mc, It's gonna need 2 zip codes for the registration!

I can't wait till next year, maybe Honda will have something new to drool over? I can dream for now at least.

 

[nusman68]

I can't wait till next year, maybe Honda will have something new to drool over? I can dream for now at least. 

Sadly, I think next year has already arrived....all 680cc's of it.

honda

 

[madmike2]

According to the bike magazines, next year will be a banner year for Honda changes and updates.

Skyway, Aprillia Tuono would be loads of fun on the roads around your area...

 

[Bounce]

I also spotted a well known Iron Butt veteran taking a long hard look at the FJRA as well, is this bike contagous right now among LD rider's or what!

Since '03's introduction, the FJR has been making in-roads into the endurance community. Us '03 early adopters showed that it had what it took if the rider could put it to use. Every model since then has proven the platform's reliability and durrability. Since many riders, endurance riders or not, prefer to let a "new" model [yeah, yeah, you and i both know the '03 us model was the 3rd year of production world wide] mature a little before jumping into ownership, and with the mods of the '06, the timing is right to see a secondary spike in ownership within the endurance gang.

 

[Warchild]

I wandered over and took a gander of the '06 FJR and will echo some others' points of view: it's definately leaning toward the touring end of the spectrum.

Yes, it is. Pity. This may be welcomed by some. Not by me. We already know the '06's will not have the performance edge of the pre-'06 bikes, simply based upon weight.... that extra 45lbs is not going to help passing 18-wheelers up a steep incline, nor benefit in the tight stuff.

I must admit, I am at least casually looking at the ZX-14, but there's no way I'm going to score the first year intro of a Kawasaki (look at the first year of the ZX-12 for reference.... pitted cams, oil pump fiascoes - blech!).

Maybe - possibly - Honda might do something with the Blackbird in 2007, but given Honda's abysmal history of intro models the last half-decade, ain't no way I'm going after it, if they do release a new XX in '07.

So while it's fun looking, it appears my stable is set for at least 2 more years. Which is cool by me…..

 

[skyway]

I forgot to include this photo. It is a 1975 DT125 which has been restored by a guy from Santa Cruz, CA. The photo does not do this bike justice, it was absolutely flawless from the ground up. This guy is one talented individual. Wifey likes this style of bike a lot. :dribble:

 

[PapaUtah]

The exhaust on the Augusta's is very cool!!! Is heat an issue with the amount of exhaust gases passing just below the seat? Looks like the outside pipes could be a warm issue for any pillion back there. Maybe the cover can't be removed and it is a rider only bike???

 

[FJRZON]

skyway Posted on Dec 18 2005, 11:46 PM I wandered over and took a gander of the '06 FJR and will echo some others' points of view: it's definately leaning toward the touring end of the spectrum.

Warchild Posted on Dec 19 2005, 08:11 AM

Yes, it is. Pity. This may be welcomed by some. Not by me. We already know the '06's will not have the performance edge of the pre-'06 bikes, simply based upon weight.... that extra 45lbs is not going to help passing 18-wheelers up a steep incline, nor benefit in the tight stuff.

Totally agree. Shame that Yamaha killed the FJR off in the future for the sport that (some of us) enjoyed in our touring and went to the portly side and now trying to clone the ST1300...yikes! The Busa, ZX-14 & XX (if updated) look like my top contenders for my ST replacement. For now, I am at least set until ‘07 & will be enjoying the hunt for the next inline-4 hyper sport tourer.

Great pics Skyway! I especially enjoy the MV Augustas. :dribble:

 

[JREW]

IMHO there are Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy to many cruisers in the US market, I couldn't spit on the ground without hitting one.  I'm sure they sell a wad of 'em, but they were not being oogled by many patrons.

I'm sure the volume of cruisers in the market place is a direct result of baby boomer's buying habits. I went on a toy run a few weeks ago, and the vast majority of bikes were cruisers. And it seemed to me, the average age was 40 to 50. Economics and marketing. One reason I like my FJR is that it makes me stand out in the crowd.

 

[tripletango]

skyway Posted on Dec 18 2005, 11:46 PM I wandered over and took a gander of the '06 FJR and will echo some others' points of view: it's definately leaning toward the touring end of the spectrum.

Warchild Posted on Dec 19 2005, 08:11 AM

Yes, it is. Pity. This may be welcomed by some. Not by me. We already know the '06's will not have the performance edge of the pre-'06 bikes, simply based upon weight.... that extra 45lbs is not going to help passing 18-wheelers up a steep incline, nor benefit in the tight stuff.

Totally agree. Shame that Yamaha killed the FJR off in the future for the sport that (some of us) enjoyed in our touring and went to the portly side and now trying to clone the ST1300...yikes! The Busa, ZX-14 & XX (if updated) look like my top contenders for my ST replacement. For now, I am at least set until ‘07 & will be enjoying the hunt for the next inline-4 hyper sport tourer.

Great pics Skyway! I especially enjoy the MV Augustas. :dribble:

Yamaha has just the bike for bare bones sport touring! The FZ1. 400 Lbs. 150 hp for blowing off 18 wheelers etc.

The FJR still rules over all for touring in the sporty vein.

 

[Ric in Sac]

Skyway - thanks for sharing. That Tuono gets my vote.

 

[skyway]

@ Mike & Ric - I'm definately jonesing for the Aprilia Tuono. Hwy49 south of Coulterville and the Sonora Pass would never be the same again. :dribble: and double :dribble:

 

[painman]

Well even if the 06 demonstrates a 40+ lb. weight gain and technical changes, I think these will not cause any real problems for what the bike is designed to do. l reason fjr buyer's made the decession then and now to buy is to capture the best of both world's and the 06 still does that without question. So do we abandon those qualities of such a great bike because of this or do we continue to celebrate the greatness this bike still holds? I think by watching hordes of folks pour over and around it at the recent shows, clearly shows the great interest the fjr still holds. For the purists who own the older models, those qualities still belong to those years just as any model and year of any bike holds their own qualities. Will we end up trailering our different types of bikes with us whenever we decide to go on a trip. I think not. With the 06 Im sure there will be not a lack of power, or any other real problem that will stop those who choose to ride it. It will still be "the" bike of choice for many who really know what true qualities the fjr still holds. The fjr "is" in a class all it's own. And I hope those changes will be for a "better" fjr. Painman. <><

 

[tripletango]

Well even if the 06 demonstrates a 40+ lb. weight gain and technical changes, I think these will not cause any real problems for what the bike is designed to do. l reason fjr buyer's made the decession then and now to buy is to capture the best of both world's and the 06 still does that without question. So do we abandon those qualities of such a great bike because of this or do we continue to celebrate the greatness this bike still holds? I think by watching hordes of folks pour over and around it at the recent shows, clearly shows the great interest the fjr still holds. For the purists who own the older models, those qualities still belong to those years just as any model and year of any bike holds their own qualities. Will we end up trailering our different types of bikes with us whenever we decide to go on a trip. I think not. With the 06 Im sure there will be not a lack of power, or any other real problem that will stop those who choose to ride it. It will still be "the" bike of choice for many who really know what true qualities the fjr still holds. The fjr "is" in a class all it's own. And I hope those changes will be for a "better" fjr. Painman. <><

Well said

FJRs rule!!!

 

[tripletango]

@ Mike & Ric - I'm definately jonesing for the Aprilia Tuono. Hwy49 south of Coulterville and the Sonora Pass would never be the same again. :dribble: and double :dribble:

You better buy a used one. They lose their value quite quickly. That is according to my Triumph dealer !!

Speed Triple is a great bike too.

 

[skyway]

@ Mike & Ric - I'm definately jonesing for the Aprilia Tuono. Hwy49 south of Coulterville and the Sonora Pass would never be the same again. :dribble: and double  :dribble:

You better buy a used one. They lose their value quite quickly. That is according to my Triumph dealer !!

Speed Triple is a great bike too.

The value drop is true. So where was Triumph at the show?

 

[Centerline]

Also of worthy note is a once and for all cure to fogging facesheilds. The system about to be released by Shoei is the first product I have ever seen that really works as advertised with zero fuss to install. The system does not fog, period. Leave the visor down and breath as hard as you want, not even a hint of fogging. More goodies to look forward to in the new year. Also the lady at the Shoei booth was very clued in with the entire product line, props to her vast knowledge.

My Scorpion helmet with the fogless shield does exactly that with no muss or fuss, no add-on. It just comes that way.

 

[Bounce]

Yamaha has just the bike for bare bones sport touring! The FZ1. 400 Lbs. 150 hp for blowing off 18 wheelers etc.The FJR still rules over all for touring in the sporty vein.

They converted the FZ1 to shaft drive?

 

[rogdeb]

Very nice pics Skyway, nice of you to share

I'll take the MV please