Back to FJR after Harley Street glide

[rwortman]

rwortman wrote:
<snipped>

However, if I am going to be droning down the interstate all day I'd rather be in a car.

Perhaps that's a fundamental difference between us FJR Forum members.

In New England, the Interstate highways are full of potholes and other travelers. In the Southeast, including Texas, there are very few potholes and fellow travelers are scarce outside the metro areas like Charlotte, B'ham, Nawlins, Houston, and Atlanta. (Florida's I-95 is a noted exception, or anywhere on I-95 during snowbird migration.) Don't know about farther west.

I derive considerably more Interstate pleasure on the FJR than in a car, although the convertible provides an option for immediate and very effective cover if it starts to rain.

To jim oneil, the OP, I'd be interested in hearing a comparison between your 2013 Gen3 and your new 2015 Gen3.

I grew up (sort of) in the southeast. Freeways are boring to me. Cars or bikes, empty or full. I guess if I was in the middle of the desert out west, ripping along at triple digit speeds, I might feel different. I only ride there if there are no other viable options. I don't generally ride just to get someplace. The ride is as important as the destination and I am not in a hurry.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

There are those that pose. And there are those that don't. I was in Helen this weekend and had plenty of opportunity to watch the posefest, along with some that were probably not posing, rather on parole, or on their way. It struck me that there was almost a mandatory uniform. I like the bikes (HD). They're different than the FJR's inline motor, or BMW's flat twin, both of which I am quite fond of as well. I think it's the poser nation, and the fact that many (not all) who invest in an HD may be inexperienced riders, relatively speaking, that turns so many off to them. While they certainly make up a notable percentage of HD riders, it's important to note that those who let the bike define them (pirate clothing, mandatory snarl or grimace while riding, delusions of Sons of Anarchy) may not have a strong self-concept, and their "lifestyle change" upon purchasing the v-twin is probably not the only drift they suffer. Whether at a beer garden in Helen, or at a corner restaurant on the Wolf Pen Gap loop, I've had lots of opportunity to watch some seriously sketchy riders lately on the big iron (it just gets worse at low speed). But there are many who ride long and ride well. I know a number of folks who, aside from poor helmet choices, wouldn't think of dressing like a pirate, know how to put up big miles, and ride with skill. And their bike is a Harley. It takes all kinds. An affected scowl or a failure to wave doesn't bother me a bit. I'm still friendly and willing to help out riders like myself, regardless of what they ride. Scooters excepted, squids watched closely.

 

[art miller]

There are those that pose. And there are those that don't. I was in Helen this weekend and had plenty of opportunity to watch the posefest, along with some that were probably not posing, rather on parole, or on their way. It struck me that there was almost a mandatory uniform. I like the bikes (HD). They're different than the FJR's inline motor, or BMW's flat twin, both of which I am quite fond of as well. I think it's the poser nation, and the fact that many (not all) who invest in an HD may be inexperienced riders, relatively speaking, that turns so many off to them. While they certainly make up a notable percentage of HD riders, it's important to note that those who let the bike define them (pirate clothing, mandatory snarl or grimace while riding, delusions of Sons of Anarchy) may not have a strong self-concept, and their "lifestyle change" upon purchasing the v-twin is probably not the only drift they suffer. Whether at a beer garden in Helen, or at a corner restaurant on the Wolf Pen Gap loop, I've had lots of opportunity to watch some seriously sketchy riders lately on the big iron (it just gets worse at low speed). But there are many who ride long and ride well. I know a number of folks who, aside from poor helmet choices, wouldn't think of dressing like a pirate, know how to put up big miles, and ride with skill. And their bike is a Harley. It takes all kinds. An affected scowl or a failure to wave doesn't bother me a bit. I'm still friendly and willing to help out riders like myself, regardless of what they ride. Scooters excepted, squids watched closely.

Bill, You refer to activity in Helen. In what state is Helen?

 

[Bill Lumberg]

This particular one is in north Georgia.

 

[art miller]

Good Lord...... you should see the cult following stuff right here in the heart of it all... Milwaukee.....
Its Bike night every thursday at the Harley Museum in the summer and they have quite the parking lot for em all..... We generally don't go to the museum but my buddy I just sold the 05 FJR to has a friend that just had to buy a new street glide and he is drinking the coolaid hard.... not that he doesn't have the money...... Good lookin wife, tall thin, certainly not a heavy girl - you should hear her bitch about the shit suspension that comes from the factory, bottoming out on every bump, her skinny ass is taking a beating until he dumps some big money on the air ride suspension upgrade.... LOL

I'm not sure what the deal is with those guys and the constant need for Revving the engine with straight pipes every 2 ft of movement until the leave the parking lot....... so goofy but more so annoying with the 1000 bikes in the lot..... how they spend all that money on those things wanting to go fast, only to get humiliated by the FJR using barely 1/2 hp output

1/2 block away is the Iron Horse Hotel, which has bike night the same time..... its generally a much more civilized and diverse crowd there.... generally we will head down there a few times during the summer.....

As a resident of the Hardley center of the universe, you may be able to address a couple questions I have. Why is it H-D's exhaust smells like raw gas? Many times I can smell a Hardley before I see it on the highway. This holds true for the late model FI models. Why do H-D owners carp about rice burners and Jap bikes when some of the H-D stuff is made in China. In my limited life's experience, Japanese products have been far superior to Chinese make goods.

 

[TomInPA]

I,m riding last summer with 2 buddies on Harley Street Glides and me on my 2013 FJR. We stop for ice cream and a guy pulls up on a new Amber Whiskey color Harley Street glide.Like a guy bowled over by a hot looking woman I took the bait and went out a bought a new HD Street glide Special last fall and sold my 13 FJR

Absolutely beautiful bike! You cannot beat Harleys for paint, chrome and overall fitment. Unfortunately it ends there however. Once you get over the initial buzz of how cool looking it is you find out that it cannot compare to all the FJR offers at a much lower cost

I sold the HD last week and am happy to say I'm getting back to a new 2015 Fjr1300 ES this coming Friday. Like I said, it was like falling for a beautiful woman only to find out after the fact that looks really are only skin deep

This will be my 4th FJR and I'm never going away again. Its just a terrific bike. The Harleys are nice but totally different

So after 3 pages of the usual Harley lovefest, where is Jim with his new FJR? I have seen some posts about putting a Corbin Smuggler on a '15, but gee whiz, start a thread on jilted Harley love, and never return?

 

[Uncle Hud]

He's probably been too busy riding his new FJR to bother with us.

 

[Big Sky]

Smelly H-Ds? I would guess it's because when they toss the factory exhaust, the catalytic converter goes with it. Then the mandatory fuel control module and dyno tuning, probably set up to run rich to run cooler.

 

[art miller]

Smelly H-Ds? I would guess it's because when they toss the factory exhaust, the catalytic converter goes with it. Then the mandatory fuel control module and dyno tuning, probably set up to run rich to run cooler.

Now I get it!!!

 

[rwortman]

I feel more kinship to the scooter rider than I do to the typical HD fan around here. For me its not the brand, its the kind of bike. Cruisers are lousy motorcycles by any measure of what a motorcycle is for. I wouldn't pick one for anything unless I was too vertically challenged to ride anything else, The only reason I can see for preferring a cruiser that you don't want a specialized motorcycle and today's "naked" bikes are all ugly as sin. Maybe the 20'somethings like that Mad Max look but I do not.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I feel more kinship to the scooter rider than I do to the typical HD fan around here. For me its not the brand, its the kind of bike. Cruisers are lousy motorcycles by any measure of what a motorcycle is for. I wouldn't pick one for anything unless I was too vertically challenged to ride anything else, The only reason I can see for preferring a cruiser that you don't want a specialized motorcycle and today's "naked" bikes are all ugly as sin. Maybe the 20'somethings like that Mad Max look but I do not.

That may be true, but scooters are for guys who wear skirts.

 

[Uncle Hud]

I feel more kinship to the scooter rider than I do to the typical HD fan around here. For me its not the brand, its the kind of bike. Cruisers are lousy motorcycles by any measure of what a motorcycle is for. I wouldn't pick one for anything unless I was too vertically challenged to ride anything else, The only reason I can see for preferring a cruiser that you don't want a specialized motorcycle and today's "naked" bikes are all ugly as sin. Maybe the 20'somethings like that Mad Max look but I do not.

With respect, I disagree.

I rode my Vstar 950 for hours on end because the saddle and seating position felt like a La-Z-Boy. It couldn't take cornering on city streets above 40 mph without scraping hard parts, but I adjusted. I also think the modern naked bikes look sexy as hell, and my kids are well past 20-something.

However, the FJR in my garage also looks sexy as hell, takes city street corners easily at 55, and -- while not La-Z-Boy comfortable -- carries me fine for 12-hour rides. She also has cruise control that works at Mach 0.8, ABS, heated grips, adjustable windscreen, badass LED headlight brows, and a 'Sport Mode' that's too scary for me to use.

I have no desire to return to V-twin cruiser land.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I can't take their tendency to rattle themselves loose into their most basic components. But for sedate cruising, especially with the wife, a cruiser is a lovely ride. Not as versatile as the FJR, but a great LD bike, especially two up.

 

[DaJudge]

As close as I'll ever get is the HD and "Harley Hauler" labels on the equipment box of my older model Kendon dual trailer. I've been tempted to peel them off, but afraid they'll take some paint with em.

Friends and family members have been given advanced permission to shoot me on sight if I ever show up on a HD wearing pirate attire and it's not Halloween.

 

[Big Sky]

I saw a good one in Sand Point, ID yesterday. This guy had apes so tall his hands were higher than his head, feet kicked way forward and up atop highway pegs and... Some kind of full head covering with skull face. This was in town and it was 90 degrees. I don't get it.

 

[deagle]

Don't think I agree that cruisers are lousy motorcycles. Just because someone isn't riding "your" bike, doesn't make their bike any less perfect for their choice of ride. We are in the minority after all.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I saw a good one in Sand Point, ID yesterday. This guy had apes so tall his hands were higher than his head, feet kicked way forward and up atop highway pegs and... Some kind of full head covering with skull face. This was in town and it was 90 degrees. I don't get it.

With his hands over his head, he will already be in a good position to walk backwards towards the police officers at their direction.

He's planning ahead.

 

[Bungie]

The Harley demo ride is in town today. The other day a friend of mine, whose a rabid HD guy, asks if I'm coming out to try any of the bikes?

"Nope, I already have plans."

Thinking I must be riding to somewhere far off he asks "oh ya? what'cha doing?"

"Washing the windows in the house"

 

[wheatonFJR]

The Harley demo ride is in town today. The other day a friend of mine, whose a rabid HD guy, asks if I'm coming out to try any of the bikes?
"Nope, I already have plans."

Thinking I must be riding to somewhere far off he asks "oh ya? what'cha doing?"

"Washing the windows in the house"

Dangit, now that's a funny one!

Not enough likes, so I had to post....attaboy Luthor!

 

[garauld]

I'm going to demo my Kubota this weekend...