End of an ERA

Well.

Most hit a point in the aging process with the realization that it is time to move on. I have reached that point. I trade in the matte-blue FJR1300 today, and that will conclude my 20 year history with this bike.

Hard to come to grips with as it may seem, I am not the strapping young stud I was in my early 40's when I began my FJR time, and two reconstructed knees do not help the cause any.  Sure, the bike is still easy to ride once you have left the parking lot and have a pinch of speed up. But in parking lots, gas stations, etc, the FJR has always been a handful when fully laden, 2-up, full gas tank, etc. There have been multiple close calls in the last few years, including a 0-mph tip-over with Annie on the back. Not really a good idea to continue to temp fate with the bride as pillion.

So something lighter, smaller, a bit more manageable is indicated. The FJR is traded in for this quasi-miniature version of it:
 




A TFT screen similar to my BMW S1000XR, though not as large. There is a shit-ton of info thru multiple scrolling menus:
 




All LED headlights.
 


 

Cornering ABS/TCS, Cruise Control, cross-plane crankshaft, and the sound of that triple motor... oh, yes!  




Doesn't have the carrying capacity of the big bike, of course, but these FJR-ish hard bags are not too small, and we will manage by  more efficient packing and just carrying less stuff. Only a 4.8 gallon tank, but the triple can get astounding mileage (50+ mpg) until you hit 70mph.  
 



It is taking a bit to get used to.... but this bike will more than do the job for the foreseeable future. 

Wish us luck - first big road trip together on it will be this June, when it carrys us the start of the Iron Butt Rally in Provo, Utah.

Congrats on the new ride. I am considering the Tracer GT as a replacement for my FJR for the same reasons you stated.

Congratulations Dale, nothing wrong with facing the realities of time and making wise choices because of it. We all are eventually looking at the same decisions and for me as that day comes ever closer, I will just be happy to still be riding regardless of what it is. Nice new scoot, enjoy it. 

*Sniff*  *Sniff*

Getting old's a bitch.

SkooterG said:

*Sniff*  *Sniff*

Getting old's a bitch.

Click to expand...

But it beats the alternative. 

SkooterG said:

*Sniff*  *Sniff*

Getting old's a bitch.

Click to expand...

It most definitely is. I won't even start in on eyesight issues, they are not helping at all. Because of them, I don't care for night riding much nowadays, and if it's raining at night, that particularly bad. So it is definitely a bitch.

But this crossplane triple bike is helping.

At almost 66, thankfully I don't have issues with knees, hips or back.  Weight is pretty good and no problem with heart, kidneys, blood sugar cholesterol etc. So far.  A bit of arthritis in the hands but that isn't going to make much difference in the choice of bikes.  Eyesight and hearing aren't what they once were but I expect to be on the FJR for road trips at least another five years.  After that, who knows?

I like your choice of a fun replacement.  I think a smaller dual sport is more likely in my near future but that Yamaha triple is sure tempting. 

Have fun with it.

Turning 69 myself in less than a week.  I know the same decision is facing me in the near future.  You've made an excellent choice of bikes.  I test rode an MT-09 a couple of years ago.  It felt great and I felt it, or something similar like your choice would be a great alternative to the FJR.  Best of luck to you.  Ride on!

Well, it happens. Let us know when you install training wheels? 

Warchild said:

Well.

Most hit a point in the aging process with the realization that it is time to move on. I have reached that point. I trade in the matte-blue FJR1300 today, and that will conclude my 20 year history with this bike.

Click to expand...

The FJR has always been too heavy for me below walking pace, but otherwise has been pretty much ideal. Without its electrically operated clutch I couldn't have been riding for the last 15 years because of excruciating pain when operating a clutch.

But I, too, will be giving up mine within the next year or so, either because of no longer feeling safe with its weight, because of insurance difficulties with my age (79 in August), or because glaucoma means my driving licence is withdrawn.

Whatever the reason, I won't be getting a replacement, but I'm glad to see you are continuing to ride. 

Your thread title just might be a little prescient.  Maybe you're just showing the FJR its future.

Best of luck with the new ride.  There's a lot to like about that bike.

Bummer but understandable. Hope you don't become even more scarce around here than in recent times.

Looks like a good choice to me, I have considered the same set up to replace the Tenere. Having both the FJR and the Ten has been great the Ten is a great utility bike. It loads on the back of the motorhome fine but it's heavy to push around and at 69 facing to Knee resurfacing surgery's I have thought along the same line as you. Add a set of crash bars for easy strapping to the M/C lift and good to go!

Love the color, good choice.

Not too shabby

I have my two FJR's and an MT09. Great little bike and fast if you twist the throttle. Feels like a light dirt bike after getting off of the FJR. The triple is a good engine, but I miss the shaft drive being on it. I'm spoiled to the easy maintenance on all the shaftys I've had in my life. Havent had a chain drive bike since the 70s. Guess I'll have to learn how to do it all over again. Ha! Especially since I'm seeing several bikes out there that are chain drive that I'm interested in.

                                                      GP

Nice bike!  Didn't realize it came with hard bags too.

We'll see you at the finish.  My FJR was sold to a gentleman from England that will be riding it in the IBR if they lockdowns end in time for him.  He is supposed to pick it up the first part of June.

mcatrophy said:

The FJR has always been too heavy for me below walking pace, but otherwise has been pretty much ideal. Without its electrically operated clutch I couldn't have been riding for the last 15 years because of excruciating pain when operating a clutch.

But I, too, will be giving up mine within the next year or so, either because of no longer feeling safe with its weight, because of insurance difficulties with my age (79 in August), or because glaucoma means my driving licence is withdrawn.

Whatever the reason, I won't be getting a replacement, but I'm glad to see you are continuing to ride. 

Click to expand...

Well, Mac and I are in the same age bracket. In June I  too will enter 79. Knock on wood, I am not having any health issues that affect my riding. I do find the FJR more than a hand full manouvering at idle in and out of tight spots. A lot of that may have to do with being 5'9" tall and 145lbs.  I hope to stay healthy and continue to ride, mostly road trips until age 80. After that I promised the wife road trips in the SUV.   :bike:

I thought the forum had died and gone to heaven. Nice to see it's still around.

Hello everyone!

Good to see you're still on the planet.

If it does die, I don't know that heaven is the destination.