Now, I must admit, I love the have the latest and greatest. It bugs me when I know there is something better out there and I don't have it. It is an illness - an expensive one at that, especially because I always want the "optioned out" version of whatever I am buying.
Over the last few weeks I have struggled mentally with the idea of upgrading my '05 to the '06. Originally, I was unequivocally going to upgrade. It sounds like a great bike, and if I had to take it on the chin financially, then so be it.
Fortunately, reason has settled in, and I have changed my mind and will be staying with my '05.
The reasons, as it turns out, are quite simple. The new bike promises to fix some issues with the current model. But for me, the "issues" are essentially a "non-issue". In no particular order, although the list may mirror the '06 feature list of the website:
1. Yes, my bike is a little warm, but with some creative foam placement and richening up the mix this is completely alleviated. And I should know. I live in a swamp where it can never be humid enough (South Florida). And while the curved radiator sounds like a great idea, my bike doesn't overheat even in the peak noontime blaze.
2. I like the stock windshield configuration. It works for me just perfectly. I can see over it and get nice clean air to my chin for normal riding, duck behind it for foul weather. Maybe I'll add a spacer someday for more rake, but otherwise I'm thrilled.
3. I like my ABS brakes as they are: unlinked.
4. My handlebars are comfortable and my seat (sucks) height is good for my at 6' 0" / 33" inseam. No adjustment needed, thank you.
5. I'm OK with the current gearing. Between the taller gear and the longer wheelbase, it will be much harder to wheelie an '06. (Truth be told I have never and will likely never purposely wheelie, at least without killing myself, but at least I know I can if I want to).
6. Bike width is OK by me. What the heck it 1" less going to do?
7. I ride solo, so I couldn't give a rat's ass where the passenger pegs are. I might just take them off to save a few ounces!
8. The guages are currently great. Do I really care what gear I am in? If I need more juice I downshift. If I want to cruise I upshift. And at the top, 5th gear is 70 mph at 4k. Simple as pie. And do I really care how many MPG I am currently getting? I care about this in my car and sometimes adjust my driving intensity as a result - I don't want this on my bike. And God knows I don't need any other distractions.
9. I have never needed to adjust my headlights, so they could put the knob on the handlebar for all I care, I still won't need it.
10. Revised throttle pulley. You mean remove the extra butterfly spring as many of us have already done on the '05?
11. If I need to open the glove box in gear, I need a life. Neutral is easy enough to find, and I certainly hope I don't make a habit of fidding with things in the glovebox while underway. On top of that, why the frig would I want the outlet to be inside the 2" square box? WTF good is that going to do?
12. While the look of the '06 is appealing, it is certainly not enough of a departure to make my eyes pop out and my heart go-a-flutter. This is evolutionary, certainly not revolutionary.
13. My '05 has a catalyst. Ideally, it would have none. Why would I want another like the '06 has?
And the most important reason: FARKLES! I have my bike configured exactly as I want it: MCL brace, hyperlites, fuseblock, Audiovox CC, powelet outlet, radiator fan switch, Scorpio alarm, tankslapper, custom radiator guard, Magnum Blasters, R&G sliders, headlight protectors, voltmeter/temp gauge/stopwatch, etc.
Please don't read this and think I am knocking the '06. I am not. If I were looking forward to an FJR for the first time I would undoubtedly wait for the '06 instead of searching down an '05. But without any significant suspension or engine/tranny upgrades, I just can't see any reason to switch. My '05 is perfect. Why mess with success? And the idea of re-doing my farkles is certainly a painful thought.
Now, if my ride begins to tick, the above essay will become null and void, because I will be first in line to my dealer for a tickless '06.
-BD
