Good-bye and Thank You

[Vanderwho]

I traded my ever-faithful 2014 Super Ténéré ES today, leaving the dealer on a 2016 FJR1300 ES with 0 miles on the clock.

Thanks to all the wonderful folks here, most especially to Don in Lodi (who shipped me his front wheel sensor after an independent shop mis-routed the front wheel sensor lead, leaving me with no ABS and no cruise control -- and at least a month-long backorder) and BVMark (who shipped me his Seat Concepts-modified pillion seat for my wife to try out). Oh, and thanks to the local guys who invited me along on my first-and-last off-road foray on a 600-pound dirt bike!

I'll see you out there (but not on anything more gnarly than gravel or well-graded dirt)!

 

[RCinNC]

I almost did the same thing this summer, but the FJR just felt too cramped when I went to sit on one at a dealership. Still, I love the bike, so I hope you enjoy it!

 

[arjayes]

Been nice having you around, Vanderwho. Have fun with the new ride!

Any luck with your job search in SoCal?

Bob

 

[barkingllizard]

travel well, Vanderwho.....

 

[JRE]

You are welcome to stay even though you switched ride ::004::

 

[Vanderwho]

Been nice having you around, Vanderwho. Have fun with the new ride!

Any luck with your job search in SoCal?

Bob

Unfortunately, no. Age discrimination is widespread in tech, and I've come to think I may be stuck where I am until I can retire ...should that day ever arrive...

 

[Vanderwho]

You are welcome to stay even though you switched ride ::004::

Thanks. Who knows... I may own a Ténéré again, some day...

 

[Squibb]

Let us know how you get on with the FJR. What colour have you chosen? We get Flat Silver or mid Grey in the UK.

I manage to justify running both an S10 & FJR, both 2014 ES models. The 2016/7 FJR, with the new headlights & 6-speed box has been calling though & I really fancy a try on the Auto version, just to see if I am being a Luddite.

Enjoy the new ride ............................ KEN

 

[Madhatter]

vanderwho , your still in the Yamaha family... if I were to trade, the fjr is on the the top of my list... I love my big pig, the twin suits me 99% of the time, but I still remember the almost electric feel of a powerful four as you roll on the power... safe riding out there.....

 

[Velvet]

Good luck with the FJR. The way that is see it is, you're going from one awesome bike to another awesome bike!

 

[Vanderwho]

Let us know how you get on with the FJR. What colour have you chosen? We get Flat Silver or mid Grey in the UK.

I manage to justify running both an S10 & FJR, both 2014 ES models. The 2016/7 FJR, with the new headlights & 6-speed box has been calling though & I really fancy a try on the Auto version, just to see if I am being a Luddite.

Enjoy the new ride ............................ KEN

Color? My only choice was Cobalt Blue. (Wanted a '16, not a '17 for financial reasons, and had to have ES.) Never had a blue bike before...

Initial impressions...
Pulling away from the dealer, I was appalled by how little legroom there is on the FJR, but I find I'm getting used to it already... I feel more confident making low-speed maneuvers... Geez, the thing is a pig to push around garage or parking lot... Can't wait to see 1,000 miles on the odometer so I can really flog the thing... Goes up on the centerstand MUCH easier than the 2010 I owned, briefly, before the Ténéré... and "what a gorgeous bike"... I think we'll get on fine...

 

[Vanderwho]

Good luck with the FJR. The way that is see it is, you're going from one awesome bike to another awesome bike!

+1
...and thanks, everyone, for the kind wishes.

 

[Dogdaze]

Safe travels, love i-4 engines, just cannot fit on them anymore.

 

[HeliMark]

I have been looking at adding a second bike to the stable, and the FJR with the ES has been #1 on my list. I really enjoy the sport touring bikes, and have owned a ST1300 and a R1200RT in the past. I would be very interested as you rake up the mileage, you come back and update your impressions between the two.

Thanks
Mark

 

[Vanderwho]

Will certainly do.

 

[Vanderwho]

This morning I mounted up the Givi SR357 rack that arrived last week. It will carry the Givi top case that's due to arrive on Monday. Then I installed the Fenda Extenda, then investigated power options for the GPS (the mount for which will arrive later this week). Decided to use the 12-volt outlet in the "glove box;" I removed the rubber plug from the bottom of the thing, and snaked the cord through and up to the left handlebar. (I'll use a RAM ball mounted in the FJR's threaded phantom mirror hole.) Neat, clean, and out of sight. Also installed the tankring mount for the SW Motech tankbag.

Once the top case and the GPS mount arrive, the only outstanding items will be highway pegs from Garauld over on the FJR forum and his hydration system. (The system I cobbled together out of bar aluminum and an insulated Coleman jug for my old V-Strom and adapted for use on the Ténéré will not move to the FJR.)

Then I went for a short ride. Today's observation: while the suspension will likely become more compliant over the first few hundred miles, even on its softest setting, the bike is much more tautly suspended than the Super-T. Over bumps that the Ténéré fully absorbs, my butt's off the seat for a fraction of a second. But I wouldn't call the ride harsh -- unlike my used 2010 FJR.

More impressions as they occur...

 

[Checkswrecks]

Congrats on the new bike. FJRs are great.
Don't need to be a stranger here tho.

 

[Vanderwho]

Thanks, Checks. I'll try not to become an irritating FJR evangelist here.

 

[Checkswrecks]

No worries, as so many of us here came form FJRs or still have them. I had an '04 and '07.

 

[AVGeek]

No worries, as so many of us here came form FJRs or still have them. I had an '04 and '07.

::026::

Former 04 and 08 owner here, love that motor!