wow. what a year.

Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

FJRfarrier

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2014
Messages
396
Reaction score
679
Location
Findlay, OH
Wow. What a year for 2015.

8F6354AB-30A2-47F0-ABDB-5153E120AF21_zpsxmbtxhsv.jpg


2015 started out with a ride on the FJR, January 1st. A little chilly, but not too bad!

End of January- in the midst of a snowy season- I attended the Progressive IMShow in Cleveland, OH. That helped with my motorcycle withdrawal, while also adding products to the “I want” list.
2A2A0082-0B39-49C8-B346-E8E74E5CC902_zpsrp8tcuuo.jpg


February was another snowy month- but I did manage to get out for a ride on my parents’ dual sport bike. Unfortunately, the FJR stayed tucked away and on a battery tender.
BF30F627-A507-4F81-8C7B-0D963F8259DD_zps3nxaxsun.jpg


By the time March 8th rolled around- it had been 9 weeks since I had been out for a good ride, on the FJR. I was getting desperate. The roads were clear and the weather was tolerable. But there was 1 problem- the bike was stored in my shed, which was 20 feet from the driveway, through the yard, which was buried under 11 inches of snow. So I did what any crazy person would do- I shoveled a path through my yard. And then proceeded to push my bike to the driveway.
B03F7CC8-2633-411D-BDFB-0041F5D8CD8B_zpsjenlb4dc.jpg


Let me tell you- that was the biggest smile and giddiest laugh I have ever had!! My eyes leaked a little bit when I got out on the road and let him purr! (Let’s blame that on the cold. yeah, the cold air)
C00A4616-5941-40D9-B78D-0386AD4DB277_zpsimiazdi6.jpg


April brought warmer weather and more riding. Also, a mini tech day / farkle installation day with extrememarine. I was able to check “ride in Canada” off my bike-it list. Major mods were the FZ1 mirrors and disabling the windshield retract.
59A42C31-86D6-412C-9277-2DA0D0B6E21D_zpsh0folryk.jpg


When May finally showed up- I was off to the SEOhio Ramble. That weekend was full of some great riding and meeting lots of people.
A11166F0-943A-48C2-81BA-C3DA1CDD92B9_zpsqawqcowb.jpg


A week after the Ramble, I participated in a Tough Mudder event. 10 miles of mud and military-styled obstacles. What an accomplishment!
EE1E6849-41A0-4226-B7E0-9343762B7FC4_zps3iel3yrb.jpg


Why do I mention this? Because the day after that full body exertion- I climbed on the bike and went for a ride. Who woulda thunk that you can get on the bike- and 150 miles later- not be able to get off?! I learned my lesson on that one!

Throughout May, I tend to look at the calendar and start planning things for the summer and fall. I realized I had a lot fo amazing rides planned. And I needed to improve my riding gear. I decided to go with the Aerostich R-3.

28A27DEA-06DE-494B-BFF3-F44AD4E2858E_zpsganjv4jh.jpg


Two weeks later, June came around and provided a beautiful weekend for a Saddlesore 1000 around Lake Michigan with 2 fellow FJR riders, extrememarine and Linc.
4CAEE8A7-6C18-4A96-BDCA-CB983415BFD9_zpsxo9qnje6.jpg


01481518-AFB8-4CC6-9E6F-960007240526_zpsaagpwtdr.jpg


We had an amazing journey- lots of miles, lots of smiles, and certificates and IBA numbers were assigned. We are now “one of them”.

Celebrated my birthday with a ride on the bike- with thunderstorms looming, to get ice cream, 80 miles from home. Crazy? Crazy is also the guy who rode through the storm to go 140 miles to surprise me for the evening.
B36DBFF2-0B99-4F61-B170-C6ADBEDEF65B_zpsgc66lsid.jpg


C7350F6C-487A-429A-B3D5-89DD656F3845_zpsbmlap5sf.jpg


0DB88D65-94F5-492B-928D-09C7EFF7B849_zpsn5kl0q16.jpg


July 2, 2015- I celebrated the 2 year anniversary with this bike- by rolling over 25,000 (ridden by me) miles. It also happened the same day I whacked a bald eagle. Following behind extrememarine, I came around a curve in MI, and a large mass of feathers comes swooping down out of the trees, aimed at the road kill on the ground that I am approaching. We collide. He hits my mirror (folds back as intended), hits my knee (armor in the R-3 was wonderful), and continues to ricochet off my sidecase (barely a scratch noticeable). I stayed upright, but the bird wasn’t so lucky. Bird rescue lady came and got him- broken right wing.
B44728DD-05D5-4A9A-9C32-C17AA89C9F54_zps6hekwkbr.jpg


July was also the month that allowed me time to take a longer vacation. 11 days of riding. I decided to head west. Not all the way- just partway. Colorado. I’ve been to Colorado before. I’ve seen Colorado from a van/camper. But I have not experienced Colorado from a motorcyclist’s viewpoint. Took 2 days out via the flatlands of Iowa and Nebraska.
342FD051-9428-4364-8D79-61B45DD438EA_zpscrwr3sqb.jpg


Spent a week then traveling around the state. Zigzagged west, then south, then north, then east, then south, then east some more. Also went high to low; top of mountains down into valleys and canyons. I was able to working things around and meet up for a few nights with my parents, who were on their summer vacation also. They allowed me to sleep in their camper with them and eat their food. That helped the budget!! I also had made arrangements to meet a fellow FJR rider who lives high up in the mountains.
Capture202_zps6oam9bqk.jpg


On the way home- I saw that I could wiggle the route just a bit, in order to get 1500 miles. I then headed home, in a day and a half, via the hot flatlands of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. That trip was verified as a Bunburner 1500.
9B829634-6CA5-4D58-AEC7-FFDFA97E5E55_zpspzvt3e5z.jpg


8919E80C-3DC9-434E-B192-8D610C66D5F6_zpsouyayk93.jpg


8B26EEB3-EBA8-40B8-A3FE-F4EC5C234C5A_zps3xq1psro.jpg


After that 5,000 mile trip- I decided to look into upgrading the stock seat. So in August… a used Russell came up for sale. Owner and I had identical measurements- so I grabbed it. You don’t realize how bad you have it (stock seat) until you have something better (Russell)!

September arrived with the plans being made for EOM in WV. Because of my work schedule, I was able to leave a couple days earlier- and I headed to the Smoky Mountains. Then I headed to the hills of Appalachia. Which also brought a weekend of rain. But of course, you make the best of it! Still managed to get in full days of riding! (The upgraded gear really made it possible to keep riding in the rain) And meeting people during the parking lot shenanigans- icing on the donut.
49981815-9250-4A3E-AA12-E20F6B9220DC_zpsnrno9m7d.jpg


A4E7C1B2-A496-4489-8AC9-4B72B5D6D26D_zpsi6sdh4sv.jpg


October brought more riding- tech day in Ohio and an RTE in PA. Same weekend. Awesome!
6DEF4992-76DF-41B8-B48C-BE9375502505_zps3xglo0aj.jpg


And then, just a few weeks later- a trip into/around Michigan. Which included sand. More sand than the FJR preferred. But it also included great conversation with friends. And miles of scenic therapy.

D63D7788-A187-4562-9F04-4FB1C90FA16A_zpsnrd70otl.jpg


839DC925-C80D-4DD7-827D-8448F4F28145_zpswmkrx9qi.jpg


98777AF6-F056-4F60-B84B-E55354CB24ED_zpsbv1y0rm8.jpg


83C134AE-B0EB-4121-8B40-2F0C56968397_zps1ybbwhfc.jpg


Heated jacket liner and pant liner have allowed me the opportunity to continue riding into the colder months, without having to bundle up and lose appendage mobility. The fact that we were also having a warm spell late in the year- has also allowed me to ride farther into the later months. And with that, brings the milestone of 45,000 miles for the bike.

November also brought a great milestone. My first speeding ticket. Ever. Dang it, this bike is fast and smooth. Unfortunately, my talking skills weren’t as smooth.
864A345E-180C-4E66-A299-5D001EF1CEDF_zps9se6dmbe.jpg


December arrived with more warm-ish temps. Record breaking highs were being made for the month of December in NW Ohio. But of course, the day that Wayne and I decide to go for a ride- December 19th- was a cold day. But still ride worthy. 28* and sunny?- sure!, go ride!
CA8690AE-03E0-4A03-AC2C-DB84D122E792_zpsgckw6kuu.jpg


Christmas approached with moderate weather. And for the 7th year in a row, my dad and I were able to go for a motorcycle ride on Christmas Day. This was the first year, though, that we have been able to do it on the “big bikes” instead of the dual sports.
686CE7AA-4D8D-4745-8A4C-BA2471A5864A_zps9mylyxtb.jpg


2012 FJR1300-
Odometer reading……… 46,135
Mileage for 2015 year…. 23,221
All the memories………. Priceless

So here is my overview:
Owning and riding this bike has opened up a world of friends due to the nature of the forums and groups. What would have happened if I would have chosen the Kawasaki that was sitting next to the FJR at the dealership? Or worse yet- what if I had let my dad talk me into a large cruiser? *shudder*

Granted- this bike (and accompanying friendships) has gouged a hole in my pocketbook: Farkles. Gear. Tires. Fuel. Hotels. Speeding tickets. Lol

But dangit- my happiness is beyond full. Overflowing.

BB89A496-18B5-447D-A3FD-6BACC930409A_zpsann6gwnx.jpg


The year is what you make it. Have a good one guys and gals!!

 
What a great write-up to conclude your season of riding! Thank you. I also gotta say your picture taking skills are pretty good. There's a few pics that are really awesome.

And I have to say you have more gumption than I to ride your feejer in that deep sand. lol

I should also add, big congrats on becoming "one of them"!
punk.gif


 
Nicely done Julie. Looking forward to another great year of two wheeled therapy.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Props to you for such a great year, serious mileage on that bike considering your home climate.

Hope to meet you somewhere on the asphalt in 2016

 
Nice. Reminds us of what's out there for us to grab.

You should also offer that last pic to Aerostich. I think it would look great in one of their catalogs.

 
Great year of riding, thanks for sharing the adventure(s) with us!

--G

 
Last edited by a moderator:
That was Very Good Stuff. Thank you for sharing all of that with us. Of course, I am a bit jealous as I only managed about 12k miles for 2015.

What year is your Dad's GoldWing? I see it is a 1200, I am guessing about an '85 or '86 model. My Dad had an '84 'Wing in Wineberry Red. Until I totaled it.

 
Good year! Keep the sticky side down in 2016 and...no more tickets! Thanks for taking me along.

 
Damn Julie, you put most of us to shame! :)

That was a wonderful year in review report, and except for the 'throttle award', a smile on your face in every photo....congrats on a fantastic year!

Rob

 
Top