Thanks everybody. Great comments. Already the BMW is on the back burner because of the dealer network thing. I'm a good 80 miles to the closest beamer dealer and do not want the hassle. I'm within 30 miles of 4 Yamaha dealers. I'm leaning FJR at this point. Thanks again. I'm off to the Motorcycle show this morning in Atlanta. Will make copious notes and talk to riders and dealers alike. Thanks again. I knew I could count on this Forum to help me. Now, when I get my bike, I can find you folks out and go for a ride.
kiteman11: With forty years experience owning/riding BMW boxer twin's and six years owning/riding a Yamaha FJR 1300 I know a lot about both machines and brands. In 1969 the BMW was the only truly long distance dependable motorcycle that you could purchase. I had suffered through 3 British motorcycles since I started riding in 1963 and the BMW was a godsend.
In addition to the fact that BMW twins have carried me for 500K miles (300K miles on other makes, including Yamaha) I've always enjoyed the camaraderie of the BMW Clubs. I am one of the first decade of membership in BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and BMW Riders Association. When my hometown was Morro Bay, California I was an active member of Central Cal BMW Club and since I have moved to Arizona I have been a fifteen year Director of AZ Beemers www.azbeemers.org
However, in 2008 the Yamaha FJR 1300 has the same club bonding that the BMW clubs had in the early years thanks to our FJR Forum here. I attend all FJR meets through this forum that I can; WFO, NAFO and other get togethers of FJR Forum.
Mechanically the big difference to me is power delivery of the big opposed twin versus the inline four; apples and oranges.
They will both grind out high mileages in great comfort and long term reliability. In 500K worth of riding, my BMW's have never broken down on me and by the same token my Yamaha's have never left me stranded either. Both are great bikes!
Last year I rode 6K miles to Maine, and at age 59 my old body felt just great with 600 miles days. As SkooterG, vectervp1, FJRobert and others will tell you: I often jump on the FJR and ride the 3,000 miles to Cabo San Lucas and back in 5 days.
Even though I am indeed a BMW loyalist, I'd recommend the Yamaha FJR 1300 over the BMW R1200RT. Man that hurt!!
The dealer network fiasco is a real killer. BMW Motorrad AG killed off "mom and pop" dealers that were BMW's backbone!
You asked about Kawasaki: My KLR 650 has ridden dirt roads almost exclusively in Mexico for 6K miles with no problems!