Worth it to upgrade from 2003 to new model?

[DELETE-PLEASE]

I'll be able to afford it when I return, especially with a trade-in of my 2003.

but is it worth it? I got a good deal on my '03. $6300, my trade-in was worth 5k so I paid 1300. But it's WAY outta warranty, low stator output and if I wanna add all sorts of heated stuff, I might be better off with a newer one than buying that ESG130. It'd be stock, and from what I can glean from bin-o-facts and whatnot, should still give me more capacity than the ESG130 on a GEN I.

I'd get the same mods on either of them, but wonder if the upgrades they've made to the newer models that will be on there as well as having a warranty would be worth it. Is the '03 just aging? It doesn't have much mileage, but I wanted a used bike to (A) try it out for a bit to see if sport touring is really the style bike I wanted (and it is), and cause ( B) I knew I was getting deployed so a new bike would just sit and depreciate. When I come back, I'm coming back to stay for a few years. I'd definitely get some use out of a new bike and warranty.

So what ya think?

Alexi

 

[SkooterG]

Ride the **** out of the 03.

 

[Cal24Master]

I'll be able to afford it when I return, especially with a trade-in of my 2003.
but is it worth it? I got a good deal on my '03. $6300, my trade-in was worth 5k so I paid 1300. But it's WAY outta warranty, low stator output and if I wanna add all sorts of heated stuff, I might be better off with a newer one than buying that ESG130. It'd be stock, and from what I can glean from bin-o-facts and whatnot, should still give me more capacity than the ESG130 on a GEN I.

I'd get the same mods on either of them, but wonder if the upgrades they've made to the newer models that will be on there as well as having a warranty would be worth it. Is the '03 just aging? It doesn't have much mileage, but I wanted a used bike to (A) try it out for a bit to see if sport touring is really the style bike I wanted (and it is), and cause ( B) I knew I was getting deployed so a new bike would just sit and depreciate. When I come back, I'm coming back to stay for a few years. I'd definitely get some use out of a new bike and warranty.

So what ya think?

Alexi

It all depends. I have never regretted upgrading from the 03 to the 06. The things on the 06 that you cannot do to a 03 is the gearing change, better ventilation, better fuel mileage, more passenger room, linked brakes and narrower saddlebags. The bags are the same, but they are mounted closer in, so the bike is about an inch narrower. I also like the gauges better on the Gen II. I think the linked brakes rock, I wouldn't want to go back to the old brakes. Overall I think it is worth it, but if you have a low mileage 03, you can't really go wrong either way.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Ditch the '03 and get a GenII. Improvements make it a worthwhile swap.

--G

 

[Old Michael]

Browsing MCN today.

0-100mph. -

'03 6.84 sec.

'07 7.72 sec.

Gen II's are pigs. I'll trade you. :lol:

 

[madmike2]

Browsing MCN today.0-100mph. -

'03 6.84 sec.

'07 7.72 sec.

Gen II's are pigs. I'll trade you. :lol:

'03s are, and have always been, reported as the quickest.

Uhm...Michael, how much cash are you willing to include?

 

[2006FJR]

Wait 12 months for the Gen 3.

 

[Stephen]

As everyone here will attest, the '04 is, by far, the best model. Don't you mind those "gheyfornia" folks.... they will "ride" just about anything. And don't pay no mind to those "Flo-Rida" bunch neither.... they can't be trusted worth a "chit".

Yep, '04. That's the one. Yes, sireee.

Now, go. Githerdone.

:drinks:

 

[2006FJR]

As everyone here will attest, the '06 is, by far, the best model. Don't you mind those "gheyfornia" folks.... they will "ride" just about anything. And don't pay no mind to those "Flo-Rida" bunch neither.... they can't be trusted worth a "chit".
Yep, '06. That's the one. Yes, sireee.

Now, go. Githerdone.

:drinks:

There I fixed it for ya.

 

[Stephen]

Ya noticed where the "correction" came from? Yep. :butcher:

 

[DJB]

Keep the 03 and ride it till it dies. Or you can no longer ride. I am doing the stator upgrade this winter along with someother stuff. Love the bike, I fell inlove in London yes england in 2001 the first time I sat on one. Yes I was one of the lucky ones to actully see the bike up close in the original 3 colrs before I bought it. Never regret buying it. :yahoo:

 

[WBill]

I'm about convinced to wait till the Gen III's come out. If they have features like fly-by-wire, HID lights and maybe even the V-Max motor, that would be a serious upgrade. WBill

 

[El Toro]

I'd probably keep the 03 since you didn't sell it when you left. The time to sell one is before you think about storing it. Trust me on this. I've got a lot of experience on storing stuff that I should have sold.

Ride the 03 for a year and get the lay of the land. Try some different things. When you get ready to sell the 03 it will probably be worth about the same as it is today.... and maybe more if the economy picks up by the time you're ready to sell.

 

[oldryder]

Gen III: FJR with VMax motor???? is this believed to be in the works?

 

[v65]

Gen III: FJR with VMax motor???? is this believed to be in the works?

I think there was some wishful thinking a while back, mostly bsaed on the idea that a motor upgrade was necessary to compete with the new connie and Beemer. The v-max is a v4, the FJR an inline 4. Without trying it I would guess that it would take a new frame to fit the v-max motor in, and that's just the start of it. Anything could happen, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[2006FJR]

I will not buy until the new Gen 3 comes out and it has a bigger motor in it. I want more, more, more and I want to pay the same. :drinks: I just got back from a nice 2 hour ride through some twisties riding 2-up in the rain and this bike was planted!

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I am still an original owner of my '03 bought in July '02. It has just about everything needed for touring and has the capabilities for LD riding. Including a Tanji cell, full exhaust system with a power commander, electronics, suspension upgrades, heated gear and so many incidentals its hard to remember just how much was spent in farkles.

I considered trading up but with the difference in cost to acquire a GenII bike and all the upgrades to get it where the 03 is I have concluded I don't have enough money. My 03 will still out run most of the new bikes and is still mechanically sound. IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT.

 

[rocketdoc]

My '04 is still a pup for goodness sake. 90,000 and humming like is just broken-in. Besides, I am still farkling. Looked at a new '08 in Black.. but it doesn't provide any of the creature comforts I love and have on my '04. If you need more juice for your goodies, then you might as well take the plunge. Who know's what kind of stator output the new Gen3 will deliver. There my friend is the rub....ride that '03 while you can and see what's available when you come home.

Godspeed regardless.

 

[bandit]

I have ridden them both, Didnt see anything worth upgrading my 2005 for. Keep the 2003 , there is so little difference you wont notice.