What`s so great about these bikes?

[madmike2]

If you already own BMWs and like them, then why not "bite the bullet" and order the new 1200GT you really want?

Your original question (in the title) explains it for me. This bike has the right mix of curb appeal, power and handling to "float my boat". I ordered mine without ever sitting on one. I determined it was the correct mix to fill my desires and needs and the FJR has proven itself in that regard. I still open my garage door and smile.

You should buy the bike that engenders the same visceral response for you, whatever the make or model. If that means having to "put up with" a PDP program or lack of test ride, then so-be-it. It seems to me there are enough bikes available on dealer's showrooms that you could see, touch and purchase without the PDP if you are willing to drive 200 miles (about the distance some have to drive to a BMW dealer). Every dealer system has its faults.

It looks like you are on the West coast, so you should be able to find an owner and meet up. Heck, watch the rides columns and find out when some locals are going to meet somewhwer and join them. Most of us are more than willing to share any information we have. While most won't let you ride their "pride and joy", you might be able to sit on one and judge more for yourself. I don't think the seating is going to be all that much different from the previous models, just have adjustment that doesn't exist on the last 3 years models.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

MCRIDER007  <snip>QUOTE (charismaticmegafauna)

-- like they did with the 650 Seca, GTS1000, TDM, etc.....

I am not sure what you are talking about here. The dealers didn't kill the sales for those bikes, they didn't sell because the public didn't want them...

You're right -- it was the dealers' incompetence and lack of product knowledge that killed those bikes -- that and the fact that most dealers don't want to *sell* anything -- they merely want to be clerks (here's the product, give me the money). Alot like techs merely want to be parts changers -- don't try to get them to do any diagnostics.As for the FJR: a friend was recently thinking about an '06 and went to a large dealer and was told the line about the PDP. He waited around the showroom and talked and before he left he was made aware that there will be about six '06s available at that dealer. So much for the PDP working in Yamaha Corporate's favor.

As to the (new) K1200GT: a local multiline dealer had an open-house last summer with test rides on the BMW K1200S. The local FJR riders rode it and gave (the requested) feedback. FWIW, the dealer dropped BMW....I guess, sometimes test rides backfire?

 

[Bounce]

what I have seen is that the buyers of this particular bike are not the type that walk into a showrooom to pick something out... but instead have done research, read repprts-both in cycle mags and from owners- , looked at specs and photos available and decided this was the bike they wanted. Many have also joined forums like this to get more information and owners opinions.

And still whine like preschoolers! :haha:

 

[donaldb]

Guess I was just lucky. Rode down to Baton Rouge w/my neighbor who needed a routine service on his F650 BMW duel sport, I rode his 1150RT and while there we test rode some 05 beemers. While out test riding we went to the local Honda/Yamaha stealership, I think the name was "Friendly", they had a 05FJR on the floor, first one I had ever seen at a dealership, sitting on the floor for sale and they allowed me to test ride it. So, my fellow FJR seekers/wanters/wishers there is at least one stealership out there that will allow you to test ride. Now, keep in mind this was back about mid summer and they may have had this bike on the floor for a while and wanted real bad to move it. Maybe I just happened to time my appearance right, maybe they don't usually allow test rides, I really don't know, all I know is that when they said yes, I got out the door ASAP and got on it. I didn't buy the bike, my *** is too cheap, and besides, I still wanted to ride the ST before I made a final decision. But after I test rode the ST I knew before I got off of it that the FJR was the one that "fit" me. I bought an 04 w/ABS and 1500 miles and got what I feel was a good price. Like most I had read comparisons of sport tourers and most included the top 3 to compare, the RT, the ST and the FJR, so I had the opportunity to try all three before I made my decision. Some stealerships allow test rides on their bikes, depending on the type and amount of insurance THEY carry and what type of insurance YOU carry. At least that is the usual case down here in the southeast U.S.--like I said, guess I was just lucky! Sometimes timing is everything!!

 

[stevec]

Maybe I just bite the bullit and get the new K1200gt when to comes out, at least BMW gives test rides.

And, at those prices, they need to give a reach-around too!

Where have you been? The PdP is an FJR pre-order program that (good, bad, or indifferent) has been around in the US and Canada for more than 3 years now.

Where have you been? The PdP is an FJR pre-order program that (good, bad, or indifferent) has been around in the US and Canada for more than 3 years now

I`ve been on BMW`s and Ducati`s fot the last 6 years, never gave a FJR a second thought until prices sent me this way

 

[BrunDog]

... this ain`t a Harley.! ...

Exactly. Let the un-brainwashing begin.

-BD

 

[zorkler]

knifemaker i could of not typed it any better i agree 100 percent because i am one of the same people that you typed about . and i bet if you asked 500 fjr owners 90 percent would agree with you , good job .

 

[Okie@Tulsa]

Agree with SteveC.

Am getting impatient as well. Have started shopping for other sports tourers. Can't see how I can wait another 4 months to enjoy a sports tourer. If I get a good deal on a used Beemer I might pull the trigger.

Too bad for Yamaha. Can't figure out their marketing strategy in NA for FJR.

Am very confident that Yamaha will not know the real potential market for FJRs in NA if they continue with the PDP program. There are going to be many like me who can't wait.

 

[Ric in Sac]

OKIE - Patience. If you don't wait you will be sorry. In Oklahoma you aren't going to be doing much riding these next 4 months anyway. So, start ordering your farkles and stand by . . .

 

[Toecutter]

OK, I have to find out :huh: ? Whats so good about these bikes that dealers don`t keep stock, you can`t test drive one let alone sit on one, and you have to preorder with a nonrefundable $500.00 deposit.

If you have to ask, it's not for you. If you are only driven by the lower price, keep on driving. You'll probably find a way to be disappointed with the FJR. They're not for everyone, just the passionate minority. I bought mine sight unseen from across the country, after researching and shopping for about a month. No regrets. Tell us where you are, maybe one of us lives nearby and can hook you up with a visit.

 

[red2kcbr]

Waiters, all I can say is be patient, it's worth it. I, too, was getting real antsy towards the end. I kept getting NO INFORMATION from Yamaha, and it was starting to get to me.

So much so that I was looking at an '04 Limited Edition Hayabusa. Red, black trim, sweet!

But I resisted the urge and a week later my '05 FJR arrived. Sure the 'busa has more power, but the FJR has great power (as opposed to crazy 'busa power), is shaft drive, has the two-up comfort I was looking for, and is a lot more exclusive than the 'busa.

I made the right choice. Wait it out, if you can. It's winter time, anyway.

:cold:

 

[designeraccd]

My first FJR was an '03 that the "allotted" owner walked away from because it came in during Nov. not the promised August. So I got to try b4 I bought which is the only way I will buy. It impressed my jaded sensitivities enough to buy it. By the following late Spring I found out the bike cooked me in 80F+ temps so after @ 8 months and 6K miles: goodbye.

However, being a "believer" in Yamaha's marketing hype about the '06 and the resolved heat issues I ordered my FJR "A" on 28 Sept and am looking forward to getting her in March by which time my new hip should be strong enough to finally allow me to ride again! Despite the heat with the '03 the bike was a very impressive machineboth for short or l-o-n-g rides (400+ miles at a jump). Given that I've owned 75 bikes over the last 41 years I'm hard to satisfy I guess, but heck it sure is fun looking!! IMO the FJR is a very good motorcycle and despite the price hikes still a good value. DFO

 

[grnarrowe]

What's so great about the FJR? As said by others it is a great sport-touring bike, it does both well. It wil take you long distance in comfort and when you get to the twisty parts it will have you like a fool. The day I rode mine home I passed a line of cars and when I pulled back in front of them I was doing 100 MPH. I never down shifted, just rolled on the throttle and I was gone!

I got mine when someone else backed out of it. I went into the dealership to say hi to the guys I know there and for oil & a filter for my Virago and walked out with an 05 ABS FJR and a part time job. I still had to wait for it but it was WELL WORTH IT! I didn't get the oil & filter that day but who cares.

After the info for the 06 was released and my wife and I looked over all the specs and what was improved we went back to the same Dealership and ordered an 06 for the same price I paid for my 05.

The 06 is for the wife, she had wanted an ST1300 but then she started riding my FJR and she changed her mind. She didn't like the looks of the ST with the bags off, the FJR looks good with or without the bags and the ST's dash looked incomplete to her. Plus I think she liked the power and handling of the bike.

We plan on taking a trip down to Knoxville TN next year to ride the Dragon and the roads around there then ride the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway from Ashville NC up to the end and home. So we have our vacation set for next year.

So go ahead and order your 06 and don't worry, be happy :lol:

Grnarrowe

 

[FriscoJim]

One story I heard about the PDP was that the head of Yamaha in the US never really cared for the FJR and didn't think it would sell (GTS experience comes to mind). I also heard that he retired last year so the hope was the PDP would go away for 2006 which didn't happen. Don't know how true that is. I still contend that the next big market in the US will be the sport-touring market. Guys (20-30 years old) who are riding the crotch rockets today are going to demand performance along with two-up capabilities and ergonomics when they get their next scoot - none of the current offering of cruisers meets that requirement IMO.

 

[zzkenoman]

Dont buy the FJR, its only for selfish b*(()^! like me who shadow beemers in the blind spots, then pull up to thier mirrors, then re appear several hundred yards in front of them!

 

[sparky3008]

Dont buy the FJR, its only for selfish b*(()^! like me who shadow beemers in the blind spots, then pull up to thier mirrors, then re appear several hundred yards in front of them!

Nice Gas Guzzler ya got back there.!

 

[Mighty Joe]

Ya gotta pull the trigger and buy this bike to appreciate what she's got. I'm glad the PDP is in place, it makes the FJR ssooooo much more exclusive for us all.

MJ

 

[nusman68]

Stevec, you said:

Whats so good about these bikes that dealers don`t keep stock, you can`t test drive one let alone sit on one, and you have to preorder with a nonrefundable $500.00 deposit. I never heard of this, this ain`t a Harley.!

You are SO right 'this aint a Harley'! I remember that every time I blow by a convoy of Harley riders on some desolate rural road. Brings a stupid grin to my face everytime! What's so good about this bike? It's like great *** with 'no strings attached' ...well, okay, a close second. After a great ride on the Feej, though, I've never had to cuddle afterwards..

 

[mbottoms]

When I bought my 05 last year, never having seen or sat on one,

I got to know the GM at my local dealer and he sold me a bike and said that if I didn't

like it when it came in, that he would refund my deposite.

I gave him a $500 check which was never cashed.

When my bike came in, he handed me the check back and asked if I wanted to apply it to the purchase.

You can climb all over an 06 at the International M/C Show.

Check their web site and hit a show near you.

Mark

 

[Constant Mesh]

PDP is not so bad if the bikes begin delivery in March. Delivery of the '04s began in July. I don't want to ride in the winter before March. I do want to ride in the spring and summer before July. I took delivery of my PDP '04 the first week of September.

I don't believe dealers such as D&H Cycle (my dealer) would offer such attractive discounts without the PDP program. They don't have any financial risk with this program. It's an ideal program for a small, low overhead dealer. D&H has exploited this program to perfection.