View from the San Jose Int. show

[rogdeb]

I'll definitely have to make more time to get my "post" level up huh?

 

[TejasFJR]

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.

+1

 

[skyway]

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

Thanks for the heads up, except my wife and I both wear Shoei X-11 helmets.

 

[twowheelnut]

@ 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?

Curious about that, too. I'm kinda jonesin' for that new 675... They had a local dealer at Long Beach who had a few '05's on display. The salesman theorized that the funding for the show tour has been eaten up in product development costs and they are still stinging from the fire...

 

[gr8eyes]

Speaking of resale value, did anyone see the latest Motorcyclist. Toward the back the have a smart buysection. Featured was a Hayabusa. 04 resale 8500.00.04 Honda Blackbird 8300.00. 04 Kaw zx12R ? 8100.00. 04 FJR 1300 9500.00. I'm thinking they hold their value pretty well compared to others.

Glenn

 

[Spike]

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:

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.

I was there too!

Cruisers unfortunately take a larger portion of the market than anything else...

I like that on the rear deck of the '06, it looks like you don't have to drill to mount the top case. I hated to do that on mine.

Also the side panels looked to be adjustable, so you could maybe have heat in the winter months, but not in the summer.

Having ridden a MV, (F4 Senna) they are awesome. Everything just clicks. It is like riding a Rolex.

And best rear end of the show? Did you see some of the umbrella girls? Usually they are all pretty skanky, but not this year, almost all were quite pretty! Much nicer to look at!

The ZX-14 is Fugly IMHO, what is with the 1980's style black plastic side strakes?

I got a Schuberth helmet, no fogging, ever. Don't have to do a thing, treated with something from the factory.

Spike

 

[tripletango]

Wow can't believe Triunph was not in the show.

According to my Honda dealer 06 is the year where they will be introducing quite a few new models. Many targeted towards new riders such as their hybrid automatic bikes. There is even talk of an automatic Gold Wing. Not too sure about their sport bikes though.

Yes the FJRs do hold their value quite well. Probably due to the PDO situation making them hard to get unless you wait!

 

[flyinlow]

Triumph's official position was it wanted to focus on marketing plans for this year and more test rides, so it elected not to attend the shows this year.

The scuttlebutt is that they did not want to use union labor to haul the bikes from show to show.

You can buy a used Tuono, but its not the same as the new one, the new one is a new design.

The Agusta's exhaust is nice, but its old news. See the new FZ1 exhaust? The reason for this short, tucked in style is it reduces the high center of gravity and the closer it is to centerline and not hanging way out the back reduces the polar rotation (makes the bike easier to flick side to side). This is the way of future exhausts on sport bikes. Oh, and it doesn't fry your butt either.

As for the new FJR not having enough power, please stop. The guys saying it doesn't have enough because of the extra weight are the same guys who spend a ton of money for a couple extra hp. The new FJR will have more than enough to pass a semi going up a hill.

 

[rogerfjrfaster]

RogDeb

Dont feel left out on posting I tried to post on the Internat board last night and I think I have a total of 35 post. :lol:

rogerfjrfaster

 

[rogdeb]

35 huh Roger

That's STILL one more than me!

Not now though

 

[CopB8]

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:

Man, does that take me back a few decades or what. I don't know why but I can clearly remember changing the front fender on a bike like that.

Ahhh, the good ole simple days! Damn, I'm getting to be an old fart!

 

[leebunyard]

>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 don't care for the looks of the '06 period, will take my '04 anytime. Not to mention the additional weight. Not enough new features and improvements to even begin to entice me, will definitely keep my '04 for another couple years. Now if they add a 6th OD gear to the '07 models . . . . . . . . .

Lee in the Mountains of Northern California B)