on my way to the Yamaha dealer.
Wait! I'd better start again. I posted this introduction over at the FJR forum, I think it tells my story:
"My name is actually Bert, but since it's already been appropriated by an earlier member in this forum I've decided to use another moniker, Western Rider. Sue me.
I've got a problem. I've been lucky enough to have visited 47/48 states, which means there are two/three missing. You'll notice I'm a bit confused about whether I've been to 47 or 48 states. The issue is Arkansas, and perhaps senility. While I have vivid visual memories of 47 states, for some reason, although I think I've been to Arkansas, my memory is totally blank from that experience. So that means if I'm going to take a trip, and I am this year, to knock off the two states I am certain I've never visited, Maine and West Virginia, I simply have to add Arkansas to the itinerary. It would suck to reflect on my travels throughout the country only to draw a complete blank, and wonder, about Bubbaland.
The other problem I have is that I'm going to travel by motorcycle, and the steed in my garage, a shiny 2010 Ducati GT1000, don't ask, is not suited to haul a 70 year slightly worn carcass from Waterworld, aka Portland, OR, to Portland, Maine via Quebec City, and then to San Diego, CA via West Virginia and Arkansas, and finally back home. Sure it's doable by some stud with an iron butt. I'll sell him my Duc if you'll give me his address.
So I'm shopping for an iron horse appropriate for a 8,200 mile journey for a happily retired, if afflicted by a faulty memory, senior citizen looking for adventure. No, I've already owned two Goldwings so those are out, both too close to the automotive experience. Also out are BMW's, not because I don't like them, indeed I've owned three and have put ~110,000 miles on them, enjoying every mile, but because 15-20 large is close to my budget for the trip, but that includes a motorcycle, fuel/oil/tires, lodging, food, GPS, compact notebook computer, and maybe even an Aerostich Roadcrafter riding suit. I suppose I could drop the 20 large or so on a BMW but then I would have to sleep under bridges and dive in dumpsters for food.
Then there are the rumors of computer and other problems with the current generation BMW K tourers, not a good thing when their dealer network is thin in all the wrong places, the places I'll be riding.
I love the sport-touring experience, my favorite all time bike was a 2003 BMW K1200RS, simply a fantastic machine, which brings me to the FJR. At the moment a FJR1300A is at the top of my list, followed, perhaps, by a Concours 14. Both bikes, the FJR seemingly more so, promise to deliver the things I loved most about that KRS in a more modern package.
So I've been lurking here as a visitor for a couple of weeks now, seeking guidance and insight into the FJR, finally deciding to join so I can strengthen my learning experience, and if I push the button, perhaps share my experience with the bike on the road this coming summer."
A guy just might get the idea I like the FJR. Well, yes I do, but 'he who must not be named' works in mysterious ways.
Surfing the net for bargains I found the Droid I had been looking for, a 2010 FJR selling for $3,000 below list. So last Thursday I hopped in my cage to go buy one, checkbook in my pocket and headed an hour south. Yes, I chose to ignore all the comparison tests which ranked the C14 ahead of the FJR, that liquid silver color clouded my vision.
Guess what? Yes, that 2010 had been sold. Just "hours" before...but we have this shiny new 2011 for full list.... Damn! So I dragged my carcass back home and hopped on the web, my antenna seeking yet another bargain Droid. And I found one Friday morning, only about 130 miles north, in the exact opposite direction, a 2009 for another $1,500 off. Wow, I've already saved $4,500...although I have to kiss the liquid silver goodbye, that 2009 only comes in black...
which becomes my mood after I pick up my phone and call the dealer. "Yes Sir, we have that in stock butwhenweboughtitatauctionitwasdeliveredwithoutthebags... which will cost you an additional $1,000...along with fees for shipping and setup...and the auctioneer's fee and....
CLICK.
Two screaming deals on FJR's, two variations on the 'bait 'n switch, yes, the web site of the first dealer is still dangling that "sold" 2010 FJR out there as bait as of this morning. My spider senses were telling me that perhaps Yamaha hadn't been as selective as they might have been when it came to selecting dealers to move their product, and maybe these same dealers would try to rip me off during the entire ownership experience.
So I thought hmmmm, while I've got some time why don't I reread those comparos, and change the search criteria to Concours 14? Yes, the C14 continued to win all of those shoot-outs as I remembered. Now what do we have here, a, no, make that two, 2009 Concours 14s, a red and a black, available for even less money than either of the FJRs, only $10,800. Maybe I should take a look, back into the car I hopped, and by noon Friday I was sitting astride a red 2009 Concours 14, right next to a 2010 so I could do a direct comparison. Yes, I've read about the heat, but, now living in Waterworld, Portland, OR and planning future excursions into Canada, not the issue it might be for a rider living in Phoenix. Yes, those heated grips can be installed on a 2009.
And so it is, I found my iron horse for my journey this summer. And pulled the trigger, that red 2009 will be parked in my garage likely this coming Wednesday.
And confirming that I made the right choice, when I registered here in the COG forum I don't have to use an alias,
my name is Bert.
Wait! I'd better start again. I posted this introduction over at the FJR forum, I think it tells my story:
"My name is actually Bert, but since it's already been appropriated by an earlier member in this forum I've decided to use another moniker, Western Rider. Sue me.
I've got a problem. I've been lucky enough to have visited 47/48 states, which means there are two/three missing. You'll notice I'm a bit confused about whether I've been to 47 or 48 states. The issue is Arkansas, and perhaps senility. While I have vivid visual memories of 47 states, for some reason, although I think I've been to Arkansas, my memory is totally blank from that experience. So that means if I'm going to take a trip, and I am this year, to knock off the two states I am certain I've never visited, Maine and West Virginia, I simply have to add Arkansas to the itinerary. It would suck to reflect on my travels throughout the country only to draw a complete blank, and wonder, about Bubbaland.
The other problem I have is that I'm going to travel by motorcycle, and the steed in my garage, a shiny 2010 Ducati GT1000, don't ask, is not suited to haul a 70 year slightly worn carcass from Waterworld, aka Portland, OR, to Portland, Maine via Quebec City, and then to San Diego, CA via West Virginia and Arkansas, and finally back home. Sure it's doable by some stud with an iron butt. I'll sell him my Duc if you'll give me his address.
So I'm shopping for an iron horse appropriate for a 8,200 mile journey for a happily retired, if afflicted by a faulty memory, senior citizen looking for adventure. No, I've already owned two Goldwings so those are out, both too close to the automotive experience. Also out are BMW's, not because I don't like them, indeed I've owned three and have put ~110,000 miles on them, enjoying every mile, but because 15-20 large is close to my budget for the trip, but that includes a motorcycle, fuel/oil/tires, lodging, food, GPS, compact notebook computer, and maybe even an Aerostich Roadcrafter riding suit. I suppose I could drop the 20 large or so on a BMW but then I would have to sleep under bridges and dive in dumpsters for food.
Then there are the rumors of computer and other problems with the current generation BMW K tourers, not a good thing when their dealer network is thin in all the wrong places, the places I'll be riding.
I love the sport-touring experience, my favorite all time bike was a 2003 BMW K1200RS, simply a fantastic machine, which brings me to the FJR. At the moment a FJR1300A is at the top of my list, followed, perhaps, by a Concours 14. Both bikes, the FJR seemingly more so, promise to deliver the things I loved most about that KRS in a more modern package.
So I've been lurking here as a visitor for a couple of weeks now, seeking guidance and insight into the FJR, finally deciding to join so I can strengthen my learning experience, and if I push the button, perhaps share my experience with the bike on the road this coming summer."
A guy just might get the idea I like the FJR. Well, yes I do, but 'he who must not be named' works in mysterious ways.
Surfing the net for bargains I found the Droid I had been looking for, a 2010 FJR selling for $3,000 below list. So last Thursday I hopped in my cage to go buy one, checkbook in my pocket and headed an hour south. Yes, I chose to ignore all the comparison tests which ranked the C14 ahead of the FJR, that liquid silver color clouded my vision.
Guess what? Yes, that 2010 had been sold. Just "hours" before...but we have this shiny new 2011 for full list.... Damn! So I dragged my carcass back home and hopped on the web, my antenna seeking yet another bargain Droid. And I found one Friday morning, only about 130 miles north, in the exact opposite direction, a 2009 for another $1,500 off. Wow, I've already saved $4,500...although I have to kiss the liquid silver goodbye, that 2009 only comes in black...
which becomes my mood after I pick up my phone and call the dealer. "Yes Sir, we have that in stock butwhenweboughtitatauctionitwasdeliveredwithoutthebags... which will cost you an additional $1,000...along with fees for shipping and setup...and the auctioneer's fee and....
CLICK.
Two screaming deals on FJR's, two variations on the 'bait 'n switch, yes, the web site of the first dealer is still dangling that "sold" 2010 FJR out there as bait as of this morning. My spider senses were telling me that perhaps Yamaha hadn't been as selective as they might have been when it came to selecting dealers to move their product, and maybe these same dealers would try to rip me off during the entire ownership experience.
So I thought hmmmm, while I've got some time why don't I reread those comparos, and change the search criteria to Concours 14? Yes, the C14 continued to win all of those shoot-outs as I remembered. Now what do we have here, a, no, make that two, 2009 Concours 14s, a red and a black, available for even less money than either of the FJRs, only $10,800. Maybe I should take a look, back into the car I hopped, and by noon Friday I was sitting astride a red 2009 Concours 14, right next to a 2010 so I could do a direct comparison. Yes, I've read about the heat, but, now living in Waterworld, Portland, OR and planning future excursions into Canada, not the issue it might be for a rider living in Phoenix. Yes, those heated grips can be installed on a 2009.
And so it is, I found my iron horse for my journey this summer. And pulled the trigger, that red 2009 will be parked in my garage likely this coming Wednesday.
And confirming that I made the right choice, when I registered here in the COG forum I don't have to use an alias,
my name is Bert.
(watch the flames burn now)
