Just had my FJR1300 knocked out from under me. What should I replace it with?

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Had my FJR1300 knocked out from under me. Replaced it with a ST1300.

My 2005 Yamaha FJR1300 is toast. I'll buy another this fall at end-of-year prices but am interested in suggestions if other make/models get a passionate recommendation from you fanatics. Looks like I'm on the WR250 for the duration.

The FJR was great at holding all my tree work gear so side hard bags and top trunk are wanted.
It was also my wife's preferred ride. We spent a few years each on a Honda ST1100 and a Triumph Trophy 900 but she likes the FJR over them for back seat comfort. If you have a reason I should buy something else let me know but for now, I think the replacement will be another FJR.

Now for a little motorcycle philosophy...stop reading if not interested...

I've been riding for about 30 years and raced bikes for about 10. I've been tossed down the road or track many times (a quick memory search comes up with at least 20 but I'm sure the number is higher) and all but 3, now 4, were my own fault as I pushed past the limits of traction or abilities or simply made a stupid decision. I love riding bikes and enjoy the risks associated. I enjoy the risks more when my real life video game comes out with me winning the battle and ending a thrilling ride safe at home or work or back in the paddoc but I still enjoy the risks when I loose; because without the risks, there wouldn't be anything to win.

Yesterday I lost and legally I was not to blame but my own personal philosophy is that if I ever allow another driver to take me out, it is my own fault because I didn't assure that their stupidity or inattentiveness couldn't harm me. Yesterday I failed and it cost me a 2005 Yamaha FJR1300 and some pain and suffering.

How did it happen? Riding at dusk (highest risk time outside of the hour after bar closing) I was Northwest bound on West Broadway going through green lighted intersections. Four intersections to get through then I'm on highway 94 and safe from turning traffic. intersection One and cars wait for me before turning left (I give them a wave "thanks for seeing me" like I habitually do). Same at intersection Two. Just after crossing number Three, a car turns left mid-block across my path to get to a parking lot and I have to slow and swerve left-right to avoid plowing into his right side rear.

"***", I think glancing back for a second. Looking back ahead the light turns yellow just before I enter the intersection of pain in the rightmost of three lanes. I registered the little car turning left late. Cut to the right to give more room. Accelerated to try to get past but knew I needed her to see me and brake or I wouldn't make it. She didn't brake and I didn't make it. Her middle front got me square mid-bike and I was rag-dolling across 5 lanes getting honked at for coming too close to cars waiting for the green on the cross street (Washington Avenue).

Her fault for not yielding to my right of way. (She was even given a ticket). My fault for having my head too stuck on that last idiot when I needed my head busy searching for the next one. Another hard earned lesson.

Remember, when you are riding, ride like they CAN see you, they HATE you and want to take you out. Then, don't give them the opportunity.

Later,
Kent Larson recovering in Woodbury
 
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ToddC

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Bummer deal dude. Hope the healing goes well. Thanks for sharing. Good luck on your search.

ToddC
 

Mellow

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That could have gone much worse than it did.. glad your survived and on the search for a new steed.
 
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Kent, don't be too hard on yourself, it can happen to the best of us.
Concentrate on getting 100% ish, and you sound like you have a decent plan going forward.
Upt'North.
 
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Damn! I'm happy you made it in one piece, the bike is something you can always replace.
:)

Concerning the original question (i.e. What replace it with?), I'm assuming a ST1300 is not in your consideration?

If so, what about the Concours 14? It has a nice engine (1400cc) and hard bags, but I would suggest a 2010 to avoid the heat issues. If not that, maybe a 2008 R1200RT (but better save money for the BMW maintenance costs...)?
 
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mudduc
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I think I should try the ST and Concours before committing to another FJR. I never liked the vague feel of the front end on any BMW I was loaned.

Speaking of heat issues...
One downside to the 2005 FJR was it transferring way too much heat to my legs on warm days. I also heard there was an engine problem to worry about on certain years. Someone said "once it makes the fatal FJR engine sound, it has a very limited life" but I never got clarification on what to listen for. I also always wished for a 6th gear.

I know the newer FJRs come with a 6th gear but anyone have feedback on what years to avoid for too hot and the "fatal engine sound"?

Thanks for the well wishes. Limping hard today but the road rash has stopped the burning sensation so that's a plus.

Later,
Kent Larson in Minnesota
 
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Kent, I was on my ST1300 in October after coming back from a 4600 mile trip two weeks earlier. I was in Anoka at a stop light; when I got the green light, the opposing lane had a flashing yellow, to wait for oncoming traffic. The guy thought he could beat oncoming traffic through the intersection, and he took me , and my bike out. I received a concussion, and was knocked out. I ended up getting another ST1300, and found you probably want to go with what you're comfortable with. Take care of yourself, and take as much time as you need to recover....do not rush it, and when you're ready to ride again , if you'd like to meet for coffee, or pie sometime, p.m. me.
Eddie
 
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I am glad you are OK and are able to look for another bike. With that said, I have both ST1300 and FJR1300. You can't go wrong with either one and I ride them both about equally. To me it is like I sit ON the FJR and sit IN the ST1300. They both exceed my ridding abilities in all categories. The heat issue on the FJR has been fixed on the newer models.
 
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Too bad about your crash, pain sucks...the 3rd gen FJRs have no heat issues and the ES suspension is amazingly adjustable, cruise control is sweet...if you can find a good used '14 or later ES you should test ride it...you're gonna likey.........ff
 
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Just get a low mile ST1300 and be done. Best pickup truck on 2 wheels. Does anything an FJ does. And if it doesn't, you don't need it.
So why are you on an ST forum asking about FJ's?
 
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Just my $.02 - every review I read where they compared the ST and the FJ, the ST was preferred for comfort, especially by the pillion. But the FJ was always the faster. Your call as always...
 
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Glad you are ok and able to think about another bike. Lots of good choices out there. For me factory cruise control is a must. Love my Super Tenere but sometimes lust for a BMW RT. Padden owns one and loves it. Good luck with your looking, take your time and try to ride the potential models choices enough to get a feel if they are right for you. It is amazing how many bike owners will be glad to let you try out their rides....
 

ST Gui

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My fault for having my head too stuck on that last idiot when I needed my head busy searching for the next one. Another hard earned lesson.

Remember, when you are riding, ride like they CAN see you, they HATE you and want to take you out. Then, don't give them the opportunity.

Glad to hear you weren't hurt worse because you certainly could have been.

I'm all for driving/riding defensively and Watching Out for the Other Guy etc. Who isn't. But I think your last bit is bad advice. I believe that riding with that kind of bias is not more effective than good defensive posture and possibly even probably less so.

Humans make errors. Some more than others but nobody's perfect neither them or us. Some drivers are lousy and shouldn't be on the road. Other may rarely make a mistake and the one time they drop their guard stuff happens. There is the random driver who doesn't like motorcyclists and could be an active threat. All bad stuff.

Riding motorcycles makes us more vulnerable not special. So carrying emotional baggage as pillion can distract us from the principle task at hand— riding safely to enjoy the ride. The more baggage the more likely we might let ourselves overreact or be distracted. That serves no good purpose.
 

Dale_I

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As all have said, sorry for the accident, glad you're OK, it definitely could have been worse.

I'll add one more thought to the conversation:
I ride like "they" are out to get me. But, I also ride like I'm going to go down. It may not take a cager, it could be a deer, oil on the road, or one of a million things. Even when going down you have decisions to lessen the situation. If you are going off a cliff... you don't need to accelerate to 80, you can decelerate and go over at 1 mph, jump off, and let the bike go over and start thumbing a ride home.

In your case, the ability to keep your head about yourself probably saved your life. Sure, it made you mad... but you're still with us. We like that.

For a new bike... it is all about riding style. Are you 600 miles a day or an hour or two in the twisties to blow some cobwebs out of your mind? The FJR is obviously more weight forward/aggressive riding style. The ST I would consider more long distance. However, LOTS of guys go distance on FJR's.

Again, I think you've got your classification nailed. What will fit "perfect" is only for you to know, because you may not ride like me or like what I would choose.
 

drrod

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Sorry to hear this Kent. Hope you heal up soon and get a chance to try some different bikes before winter sets in. You will find something that fits your needs I am sure. There are lots of great bikes out there to choose from.
Rod
 
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mudduc
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"....do not rush it, and when you're ready to ride again , if you'd like to meet for coffee, or pie sometime, p.m. me. Eddie"

Thanks Eddie. I'm always up for pie.
I was knocked off the FJR on Saturday night about 9:30.
Monday morning I rode my WR250 to work. Was that rushing it?

Today, I got a call from the orthopedic specialist who was sent my x-rays and she told the ankle is broken. Oops.

Later,
Kent
 
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mudduc
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Bummer Kent - but glad you are OK.
Rest and recover for the summer and ride safely.
Pete
Thanks. I have other bikes (Yamaha WR250, Honda RC51, Aprilia RS50, Honda Grom) so I'm covered for the summer. I just need to replace my two-up ride sometime.
Later,
Kent
 
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mudduc
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Just get a low mile ST1300 and be done. Best pickup truck on 2 wheels. Does anything an FJ does. And if it doesn't, you don't need it.
So why are you on an ST forum asking about FJ's?
I'm a former ST1100 owner and a forum member here for many years. I know we have owners of many models and I've learned to respect many of the members and their opinions so it was worth the post. Plus I knew I'd get some needed sympathy too.

I have some years on ST1100, FJR1300, Triumph Trophy 900 but all were 2005 year models or older. I welcome insight on 2010+ models from any manufacturer which fill my need for a two-up bike that will also hold my tree gaffers (spikes for climbing), two chain saws, hand saw, harness, top rope and flip lines in lockable hard bags.

Thanks for the input,
Kent Larson in Minnesota
 
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