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From: kirb on 5 Oct 2006 18:58

Hub wrote:
> Looking to get a new sport/touring bike. So far I've got it narrowed
> down to the Yamaha FJR1300 and the Honda ST1300. Any recommendations,
> or other bikes I should consier? Ideally I get one thats 2 to 3 years
> old and in great condition, but I might buy a new one instead.
>
> Thoughts much appreciated.. thx!
>
> Hub

The '06 FJR is a fantastic bike. I have a '05 and love it. All the
things that I wish were different are changed in the '06 model.

I had a ST1100 and looked hard at both the FJR and new ST. I loved the
old ST, but the FJR just was above and beyond what I was looking for in
a new bike. Want to save a bunch of cash? Buy a ST1100 unless you want
the features of the new bikes (power mostly).

Pros for the FJR-
little more sport with equal tour
power, power, power
lighter
great windshield
nice heat management features (06 only)
confortable for me

pros for the ST1300-
little more tour, little less sport
fit and finish is better on the Honda
I liked the Honda bag latches on my ST better than the FJR- new one the
same?
the V-4 is just a great engine.

JUST got back (2 hours ago) from a 2300 mile tour of MI to DC to Blue
Ridge Parkway to Deal's Gap back to MI...fun fun fun. Love my FJR...

BTW- saw a ton of BMW (their time of year), quite a few FJR's, and I
can't recall any ST1300's....Might have been one or two, but that's
tops.

Kirb

From: kirb on 6 Oct 2006 12:59

B. Peg wrote:
> BMW K-1200GT:
>
> Faster.

Real world faster, or just at the track? The bottom end stinks, IMHO.

> Better braking system.

Yikes, BMW brakes of late that I have tried were FAR too little
feedback

> Heated seats and grips.

Nice, but this guy is in houston

> Cruise control.

I added a throttlemeister to mine, but not good enough for many

> Electronically controlled suspension "On-the-Fly" and it really works riding
> down the road.

never got a chance to try this, but I wouldn't pay K bike prices
either...

> Easier to change tire on (Single-sided swingarm).

My buddies K bike wallows around alot when I am behind him. I wasn't
impressed with this feature.

> Alternator output nearly twice that of Honda or Yamaha. Need it if you like
> full heated clothing for his/her and lots of goodies..
> Newer (07's) one will have on-board tire pressure monitors and new traction
> control. Possibly, HID lighting too.
> Duo-lever front end that minimizes handlebar vibration and provides better
> braking control in turns.

The new K bikes are LLLLoooonnnngggggg.....

> Electronic chipped-key lock (anti-theft).
> Larger trunk storage for trips. Sidebags a bit better in build quality too
> ((insulated wall and latch/removal).
> Can-Bus electrical system requiring fewer wires (debatable).
> Sensors for on-screen readings of brake pad wear and oil level, MPG, Miles
> to fuel, temp, etc.

More stuff to break, IMHO.

> Computer display with all sort of info.
> Better add-ons like their Navigator GPS unit (also debatable).

My garmin works just fine, but it doesn't have all the BMW dealers in
it (see "more stuff to break" above)

> Disadvantage. Lousy dealer network compared to Honda and Yamaha. Stock
> seat sucks too. Dealer service requires taking a second against the house,
> but not as bad as some older BMW's. Need to do as much self-service as one
> can. Deprication is high (as on the others too).

Buying a year or two old model of any bike saves you from the dep.

> I got one and it is sweet - although I about croaked at the $29K+ I paid for
> it with all the goodies and extended maintenance plan. Once I switched out
> the stock seat, it went over $30K!

Wow, I was thinking $10k less than that and it was STILL way out of my
price range....

> I thought about the FJR and held off. Glad I did. The K1200GT is a true
> winner! Hit the throttle and the car you passed is a mere spot in the
> mirror, and very quickly!

Better be. I could buy 2 new FJRs for that and have 2 very happy people
riding. I just don't get the $ to benefit ratio. The goodies are nice,
but I can outfit any other bike with confort goodies for far less.

> ....of course, this is my smug opinion.... :o)

BMW riders do have that :)

Ride what you like. At least we have a choice.

Kirb

From: kirb on 6 Oct 2006 13:42

Blazing wrote:
> I think the 1100 is prettier than the 1300--I think the ST1300 looks
> too 'generic' (as does the FJR, IMO). But by all accounts it's a much
> better bike--faster, lighter-feeling, better handling, etc.

I had a ST1100...the FJR looks MUCH better. Even more so with the bags
off.

The ST1100 design did hold on for a lot of years and still looks OK,
but the newer designs are much better looking overall.

Kirb

From: B. Peg on 6 Oct 2006 16:09
> "kirb" wrote:
>> BMW K-1200GT:
>> ...Once I switched out the stock seat, it went over $30K!
>
> Wow, I was thinking $10k less than that and it was STILL way out of my
> price range....
>
>> I thought about the FJR and held off. Glad I did. The K1200GT is a
>> true
>> winner! Hit the throttle and the car you passed is a mere spot in the
>> mirror, and very quickly!
>
> Better be. I could buy 2 new FJRs for that and have 2 very happy people
> riding. I just don't get the $ to benefit ratio. The goodies are nice,
> but I can outfit any other bike with confort goodies for far less.
>
>> ....of course, this is my smug opinion.... :o)
>
> BMW riders do have that :)

We try....but sometimes fail.

I never get the $ to benefit ratio either, but I do understand the $ to
smiles ratio pretty well. Seems to work for the H-D crowd too. I do like
to ask people with the smaller Hummer H-2 or H3 models "Why they bought the
girlie model instead of the H-1?" when they get smug with me over my little
runt hybrid car. ;o)

The deal breaker for me with the Yama FJR was the local dealer required a
$500 down and then you sit for maybe months until one shows up and you are
stuck with it. He offered no refund of the deposit saying it was a "special
order bike." The other was the wimpy stator of the Yamaha since I
occassionaly ride two up in winter and need the Gerbing's fully heated gear.
The Yami wouldn't handle it and the BMW could. Of course, it comes with a
price!

I really am not a fan of BMW for many reasons (like no dealer in 150 miles,
and then that one is questionable at best). It's just that the K1200GT fit
everything from "Speeds to Needs" without having to resort to a <gasp!> Gold
Wing or BMW K1200LT.

Hopefully, the GT will not leave me stranded in the middle of NoWheresVille.
My old one lasted 100K miles and didn't. This overly expensive thing better
not as well!

> Ride what you like. At least we have a choice.

True.

Ride on.

B~


From: kirb on 6 Oct 2006 18:17

B. Peg wrote:
> The deal breaker for me with the Yama FJR was the local dealer required a
> $500 down and then you sit for maybe months until one shows up and you are
> stuck with it. He offered no refund of the deposit saying it was a "special
> order bike."

Yea, I got around that by walking into my dealer in Oct of '05 and
spotting one on the floor. He paid the deposit hoping to cash in that
year. He didn't and I was able to "steal" it, but still paid more for
the ABS which I may not have paid for otherwise (you had a choice
before '06).

>The other was the wimpy stator of the Yamaha since I
> occassionaly ride two up in winter and need the Gerbing's fully heated gear.
> The Yami wouldn't handle it and the BMW could. Of course, it comes with a
> price!

I need it to power my Garmin and XM radio, so that doesn't matter to
me. I don't ride much below 50 degrees and don't bother with electric
clothes. Just got back from a 9 hour trip in sub 50 degrees weather and
didn't have a prob with what I have now. I guess all those years on a
snowmobile without the elec. gear lets me get away without it on a
bike.

> I really am not a fan of BMW for many reasons (like no dealer in 150 miles,
> and then that one is questionable at best). It's just that the K1200GT fit
> everything from "Speeds to Needs" without having to resort to a <gasp!> Gold
> Wing or BMW K1200LT.

The choices out there now should fit just about anyone's touring needs.

> Hopefully, the GT will not leave me stranded in the middle of NoWheresVille.
> My old one lasted 100K miles and didn't. This overly expensive thing better
> not as well!

I doubt it will, but you never know. Watching the "long way round" bike
trip on BMW GS only left one of the 3 bikes stranded with some funky
ABS problem. I highly suggest watching this movie just for kicks.

Kirb

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