Which bike would you pick/keep?

[audiowize]

Nice deal for an 03!

Replace the CCT as soon as you can, I doubt it's the new version (Google is your friend here).

Read the tire date codes, they are likely a little too old for comfort.

Forum member Garauld can handle your painting needs and probably has the 03 silver sitting around somewhere. The fairing decals were also still available last time I checked.

 

[deagle]

There are tons of bikes out there without ABS. We all grew up on bikes without ABS. Lots of folks bought 2003 FJR's without ABS (and many 2004's were sold without ABS). I get that ABS is an improvement but this lad just landed a comfortable rocket with low miles for $1200. Great deal! Enjoy the ride!!!

 

[RBEmerson]

In a couple of panic stops on my BMW, I've been more than a little happy to see ABS kick in. Sorry, but I don't see ABS as a "nice to have". Any number of "brake modulation v. ABS" demos show this clearly.

OP has the bike he has, so this point is, for this thread, academic.

 

[owsley]

Very much after the fact, but...
Given the choices, if I could budget for possible problems showing up a bit sooner, I'd take the '04. OTOH road rash and low miles speak of problems which may be closer, for the '03 than for the '04. Given '04's done 74K, if there's any kind of service record, and it doesn't show any red flags, life is good. In any case, a second, pro look is needed for either bike. And I concur with "No ABS, no deal".

I watch the Ryan Fortnine series also, good stuff