CAJW
Well-known member
My FJR Math, just doesn’t add up.
After much consternation, I’ve decided to put my baby up for sale. I bought her new in Oct. 05’, took delivery with “0” miles and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of the 57,000+ miles I’ve put on her. She took me through some challenging conditions, did my Iron Butt on her (actually on a Rick Mayer seat) and took the Mrs. and me, 4,000 miles to Canada and back. The reason for the sale is that my FJR math just isn’t adding up. Last year the Mrs. and I purchased a Truck Camper and have been using the heck out of it, spending lots of quality time with the kids and their kids. While that is a great use of our time, riding the FJR keeps getting pushed back so often that it barely got 2,000 miles of use for each of the last two years and precious little planned for the future. This fact in itself makes me cringe because this precision machine was built to be ridden often but, alas my steed sits on a battery tender under cover.
My plans include purchasing a Beta 520RS dual sport and we’re thinking about a jeep to pull behind the camper when the dual sport isn’t occupying the rear bumper. So I’ll be doing time in the dirt on a 2 or 4 wheeler, but not much on the pavement. Sadly, all this doesn’t add up to include the FJR, which kills me as it’s the only brand new bike I’ve ever owned and it’s been absolutely perfect as the “sport bike with hard bags” I always wanted.
One of the things I’ve noticed is that when I upgraded my phone recently, I have a ton of phone contacts with FJR somewhere in the listing along with the associated screen name. Of these listings, all have the person’s actual name as well since we’d become friends. So much so that I don’t stammer for their name when at a gathering because, although we’d originally met as “Hi I’m John, CAJW on the board, what’s your handle and your real name is?” I now know them on sight by name without needing name tags.
Fact is, the folks I have ridden with are great people sharing a passion for a sport and bike in particular that was almost perfectly designed for this thing we call sport touring. Whatever you call it, it’s been an absolute blast, whether its riding all 4 Sierra Passes in one day with a small group of great guys, traveling to Canada and back or meeting up for lunch to honor an old phart (you know who your are OM). It has been a real pleasure and honor to meet you guys and gals and I feel blessed to know each and every one of you.
Kathy and I have talked about it and we still want to make it to some of the gatherings, albeit probably in a Jeep, but then we can carry the beer, right? Anyway, it’s been fun and were moving on to another stage in life (trying to semi-retire) and enjoying every moment. Remember, nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow, live life to the fullest and it comforts me to know most of you on this board do just that. My hats off to a great group of folks, ya’ll take care!
John & Kathy (CAJW)
Some of the great times I've shared with the "Boss", the bike and many of you here.
Me and the "Boss" at the "Rim of the World" vista point, Hwy 120. (2008)
4 Pass Ride (Olmstead Point, Hwy 120)
IBA ride (June 2006 with Toecutter)
Leaving Yreka for Fortuna (Mike, Ray, Brad & Christy) Oct. 09'
FODS 2012
After much consternation, I’ve decided to put my baby up for sale. I bought her new in Oct. 05’, took delivery with “0” miles and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of the 57,000+ miles I’ve put on her. She took me through some challenging conditions, did my Iron Butt on her (actually on a Rick Mayer seat) and took the Mrs. and me, 4,000 miles to Canada and back. The reason for the sale is that my FJR math just isn’t adding up. Last year the Mrs. and I purchased a Truck Camper and have been using the heck out of it, spending lots of quality time with the kids and their kids. While that is a great use of our time, riding the FJR keeps getting pushed back so often that it barely got 2,000 miles of use for each of the last two years and precious little planned for the future. This fact in itself makes me cringe because this precision machine was built to be ridden often but, alas my steed sits on a battery tender under cover.
My plans include purchasing a Beta 520RS dual sport and we’re thinking about a jeep to pull behind the camper when the dual sport isn’t occupying the rear bumper. So I’ll be doing time in the dirt on a 2 or 4 wheeler, but not much on the pavement. Sadly, all this doesn’t add up to include the FJR, which kills me as it’s the only brand new bike I’ve ever owned and it’s been absolutely perfect as the “sport bike with hard bags” I always wanted.
One of the things I’ve noticed is that when I upgraded my phone recently, I have a ton of phone contacts with FJR somewhere in the listing along with the associated screen name. Of these listings, all have the person’s actual name as well since we’d become friends. So much so that I don’t stammer for their name when at a gathering because, although we’d originally met as “Hi I’m John, CAJW on the board, what’s your handle and your real name is?” I now know them on sight by name without needing name tags.
Fact is, the folks I have ridden with are great people sharing a passion for a sport and bike in particular that was almost perfectly designed for this thing we call sport touring. Whatever you call it, it’s been an absolute blast, whether its riding all 4 Sierra Passes in one day with a small group of great guys, traveling to Canada and back or meeting up for lunch to honor an old phart (you know who your are OM). It has been a real pleasure and honor to meet you guys and gals and I feel blessed to know each and every one of you.
Kathy and I have talked about it and we still want to make it to some of the gatherings, albeit probably in a Jeep, but then we can carry the beer, right? Anyway, it’s been fun and were moving on to another stage in life (trying to semi-retire) and enjoying every moment. Remember, nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow, live life to the fullest and it comforts me to know most of you on this board do just that. My hats off to a great group of folks, ya’ll take care!
John & Kathy (CAJW)
Some of the great times I've shared with the "Boss", the bike and many of you here.
Me and the "Boss" at the "Rim of the World" vista point, Hwy 120. (2008)
4 Pass Ride (Olmstead Point, Hwy 120)
IBA ride (June 2006 with Toecutter)
Leaving Yreka for Fortuna (Mike, Ray, Brad & Christy) Oct. 09'
FODS 2012
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