2013 Yamaha FJR

[LKLD]

Originally Posted by fred flintstone

Definitely take the rider course, but then get your gear (helmet etc.) take your new motorcycle cert to a dealer and test ride a bunch of bikes before you start riding you brand new $$$ one. Maybe some old FJR if you can find one. It is so easy to make a bonehead move after 20 years off, would be a shame if it happened on your brand new bike.

Direct experience here, I took close to 30 years off, did my MSF, then test rode quite a few new & used bikes. Slooooowly. Wore off some of the newb jitters on them. But it took quite a few miles to get most of the skills & comfort back (esp in traffic), and modern bikes are so much more capable than mid 70's "sportbike" iron that I used to ride. Most modern big touring bikes are 11 sec 1/4 mile machines, just unbelievable. And the liter bikes are mid 9's off the showroom floor. Handling and brakes just light years ahead.

True story. I was test riding an 08 ZX14 one day, got it out into the country and cracked it open a bit. Thought I was maybe doing 90MPH. Looked down at the speedo. 140. Just nuts. This was after I'd been back to riding for 3 yrs and owned a CBR1100XX. These new bikes are deceptive and you can get over your head real fast.

Thank you for that advice, test-riding a used FJR is a great idea!

[SAFJrider]

Originally Posted by Data

You can get some valuable cross learning from riding a bicycle too (yeah the ones you have to pedal). Seriously they help with balance, counter steering, and picking your lines. The physical conditioning doesn't hurt either.

\\

as dumb as this sounds - I would agree, road bicycle to MC has improved my riding. Enjoy the FJR - Each gen seems to have its own strength. the Gen 1 was great for winter riding and roasting nuts, but it seemed to have tighter steering, gen 2-great ride, comfy in the canopy-get the V-stream windshield for winter/long tours.

[fred flintstone]

Definitely a better level of fitness helps. I picked up snowboarding about the same time I got back to riding bikes, amazing (to me at least) how much crossover there is. If I do not board much over the winter, or there is a big lag between when I stop and then start riding, it is more difficult. Where I live the two seasons do not overlap much. It may not be boarding per se but just an off season dynamic balance sport (like MTN biking maybe).

Solid core and good strength & flexibility in hips/low back makes those long rides a lot easier. And in case of any boo boos.

[Badjuju]

Originally Posted by FJracer

Same for me with 04 on mileage..................BEFORE I totaled it. I was going to be perfectly content to replace that 04 with another Gen I BUT, after reading about the latest and greatest(?) I have desires to try one. Just don't NEED to put that much into a Bike. Maybe if it was the ONLY Bike in the Garage. Hopefully one of you proud NEW Buyers will have a well maintained Gen I up for sale in the near future.

Here ya go. Not mine, nor do I have any personal knowledge of it's history, nor do I have any opinion as to whether the price is appropriate or outright rape. Appears to have some....uuum...cosmetic issues, and sports a salvage title. Believe the seller is located in St Louis.

http://www.assfaultjunkies.com/showt...-2003-fjr-1300

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by Badjuju

Here ya go. Not mine, nor do I have any personal knowledge of it's history, nor do I have any opinion as to whether the price is appropriate or outright rape. Appears to have some....uuum...cosmetic issues, and sports a salvage title. Believe the seller is located in St Louis.

http://www.assfaultjunkies.com/showt...-2003-fjr-1300

The upper fairing is a write-off, and I'm not sure the forks aren't bent...

FWIW, I just sold my 2004 FJR with ABS, driving lights, heated grips, V-Strom hand guards, Givi top mount and a few other goodies- a bike that had never touched the ground, for $4200.

[Badjuju]

Originally Posted by dwoodward

FWIW, I just sold my 2004 FJR with ABS, driving lights, heated grips, V-Strom hand guards, Givi top mount and a few other goodies- a bike that had never touched the ground, for $4200.

Thus, my disclaimer...and as I have always observed, 'asking' and 'getting' are most often two different things.

[pluric]

Originally Posted by Badjuju

Thus, my disclaimer...and as I have always observed, 'asking' and 'getting' are most often two different things.

So, you're married too huh?

[D.T.]

Saw one at the dealer yesterday. Pretty cool! Price was $15k ish. Bold new price for sure!

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by D.T.

Saw one at the dealer yesterday. Pretty cool! Price was $15k ish. Bold new price for sure!

MSRP is $300 more than last year. Given they've added fly-by-wire, traction control, cruise control, lost a few pounds, gained a few ponies, and threw in a functional styling update- I'd say it's a good $300.

On top of that, dealers are, remarkably, dealing- even the ones notorious for not dealing. Prices in the mid-$14k range are being advertised.

[LKLD]

Just picked mine up yesterday. $14,699+$299 dealer fee, all within 15 minutes.

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by LKLD

Just picked mine up yesterday. $14,699+$299 dealer fee, all within 15 minutes.

[LKLD]

I have a couple of friends who would agree with you, unless they owned one too .

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by LKLD

I have a couple of friends who would agree with you, unless they owned one too .

I got nothing against the bike! I want it, but since you have it, you suck!

[BanjoBoy]

Originally Posted by LKLD

Just picked mine up yesterday. $14,699+$299 dealer fee, all within 15 minutes.

Congratulations, me jelly too

[straightrod]

^ Scrub those tires in they look shinny!