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Adding not trading

2K views 20 replies 15 participants last post by  Craig Jackman 
#1 ·
I have a 07 Wee. 64 years old--ride two-thirds country, one third city. I take one 6 or 7 day trip and a couple of 2 day trips a year--maybe 10,000 km. I am thinking of adding an FJR or ST1300--but the ST looks heavy for an old guy, and I do not find the FJR upright enough--so now I am thinking just stick with the Wee-which is a great ride or look at a Vee. Any thoughts or comment would be helpful
 
#2 ·
Almost 64 years old and a longtime motorcyclist, but not fanatical about it, maybe 7-8K miles per year and don't do much "farkling" or DIY work on bikes. Just bought a 2012 650 Adventure model last month to replace a 650KLR, which I had for 2 years. Previously had an FZ1 for about 6 years, but knew my reflexes were not getting any faster and didn't want to do anything that was beyond my physical capabilities.

My decision on the VStrom was driven by a desire for one good all-around bike that can do a lot of things well. The KLR didn't excite me like the VStrom does; on the other hand, I no longer wanted the speed offered by the FZ1. So far I could not be more satisfied with the VStrom. The only thing I don't like so much is how wide it is with the panniers attached.

For a long time, I thought about a Concours, but it was the weight (lack of nimbleness) and the availability of speed that kept me from buying. I would not consider an FJR or ST, both great bikes, for the same reasons -- too heavy and too fast.

Maybe not exactly the info you were requesting, but thought I would toss it out.
 
#3 ·
Kind of simply comes down to what you want not what you need.
Obviously the wee will do what you are doing as far as the ride.
I'm 57 and have pretty good reason to question how much riding time I have left. I don't need a 1400 Concours for the few trips I can take in a year. I just wanted it. For that matter I don't need six bikes but I want them.
I think the simple answer is to ask yourself, looking down the line5 or 6 years. Will you be wishing you had gotten the other bike? If the answer is yes and its not going to kill you financially then why not? Assuming relatively good health I don't see the weight of the sport tourer being that big of a deal but some test riding would likely answer that.
 
#17 ·
I am 62 and have not only considered one, but bought one this week. Took the wife out on it and it pulls just fine on the interstate with both of us on. Nice bike for touring. Kept the Wee for fun rides.
 
#5 ·
Have you test rode an FJ1300? Sometimes looks are deceiving as to the seating position. One guy on the Valkyrie board thought the Wee had a seating position like a crotch rocket. :green_lol:

If you like the FJ, be aware that Heli Bars makes handlebars for almost all sport tourers that will sit you up and there are probably peg lowering kits too if that is necessary. You can make almost any bike fit if you are willing to check out after market items. I think the FJ would be one bike that would be worth the effort.
 
#21 ·
If you like the FJ, be aware that Heli Bars makes handlebars for almost all sport tourers that will sit you up and there are probably peg lowering kits too if that is necessary. You can make almost any bike fit if you are willing to check out after market items. I think the FJ would be one bike that would be worth the effort.
A buddy of mine (mid-50's) rides the FJ. He put bar risers on it to not be so bent over, and with the seat in the low position, finds the seating position similar to his old Gold Wing. The FJ is a fantastic motorcycle.
 
#6 ·
It's kind of like Joe said, if you have the money and want it, Why not? OTOH, for the amount of riding you do, you might be wasting that money since the tourers you are looking at are long distance bikes. Or look for a good deal on a used one you can move if you don't like/use it.
 
#7 ·
The FJR, ST1300 and Concourse are great bikes. I have sat on the FJR and the Concourse and ridden the ST. The ST didn't feel large at all when riding it. It felt a little underpowered actually, but was smooth as silk. Very quiet and easy to ride. All of these 4's will be smooth and quiet. I suppose you could run into trouble if you ever dropped the bike. You may need help to pick it up, which could be a concern.

If you like the Wee, but want something that is a bit more highway friendly, then the Vee would seem to be a logical step up. Cruises nicely on the highway.

My friend on his Wee was having a hard time keeping up to me on my Vee at 85+ MPH and his gas mileage suffered a lot at those speeds where my Vee was around 5K RPM all the time.

I agree with the others though, if you can afford one of the bigger bikes, go for it. If you buy one used and don't like it, you should be able to recover your money, or most of it, fairly quickly. Stay clear of a new one until your sure it's what you want.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I was just browsing the new BMW F 800 GT. It looks like a pretty nice bike and it's 470 lbs., ready to ride. 90Hp and 63 lb. torque. Not bad figures for a bike that weight.

This size bike is what I'd be looking for in a tourer, unless it was two-up, fully loaded touring. Otherwise, with the bags off, you have a nimble, sporty bike for the backroads that can still cross the country. A little pricey for what it is, but Cycletrader had a few at $11,800 new. Love the orange.
 
#9 ·
I can't help you. I too am 64 years old. I still feel physically fit and strong enough for a sport-cruiser, though a hard core sport bike is out. My Wee is satisfying my needs, and enough of my wants, and (equally critical) it fits my budget. That's why I can't help you.

But you ask for thoughts or comments. So, this old guy would have five bikes, and the ST could easily be one of them.
 
#12 ·
Theres a lot of bikes that aren't so cheap to service. My 1050 Tiger isn't cheap to service if you do it by the book, suspension and all.
In fact my 1400 Concours has the potential to be very expensive to service, the 15k valve service particularly so, hearing $500-800 depending on the dealership.
If service costs are a concern then you need to research that before you buy. If its more than you want to spend or you can't afford it you're looking at the wrong bike.
 
#13 ·
Joe,

You are right. When I bought my lightly used Sprint, a Denver area dealer told me to plan on $1,000 for the major service interval! Plus the minor service in between. There was no way I could or would do that, and where I took it, the service manager said some schedules are overkill.
 
#14 ·
I solved this problem by keeping my old ('86) C10 Concours for those times when I just want more power or weather protection. I end up riding the DL650 about 80% of the time, love the lower weight and the lack of 4 cylinder handlebar buzz. When I bought an electronic cruise control this winter it ended up going on the V-strom. The Concours is way better for cruising above 80mph or so but I'm not sure my license could survive if I was on the Connie all the time:thumbup: If I was forced to have one bike instead of a dozen it would be the DL650...(I've had bikes and scooters on every end of the spectrum (except German bikes) and the V-strom is bike #50 in my 45 years of riding.
I did find that both bikes needed some ergo adjustments (bar risers, windshields, etc but the Connie has a great stock seat)
 
#15 ·
Options

I love the touring ability of my DL650 with its great fuel economy etc.:yesnod: However there are times when a full street bike would be desirable. The biggest problem I see is range, many of the bikes that I have considered only have 15 or at best 17litre tanks. The ones that still stay on my short list because they are simple, relatively light and look like they will do the job include the V7 Guzzi, Kawasaki W800 or one of the Triumph Twins, Bonneville Thruxton etc.
At the moment finances prevent me from adding to my motorcycle collection and the fact that I've run out of room in the shed and brownie points.
Also here in Australia the police and politicians take a very dim view of speeding and a bike like an FJR would never get above 4000rpm without attracting the attention of plod. My FJ1200 rarely got over 4500rpm and a lot of its potential was never really tapped by me. My SR500 on the other hand is a lot of fun because it is light and I can use all of the engines performance without attracting plod.:thumbup:
 
#16 · (Edited)
St1100

I'm currently 55, and I've had a 1998 Honda ST1100 since the year 2000. Put 108,000 miles on the bike. I also have a 2008 DL650 that I bought new in 2008. Got 45,000 miles on the 650.

I rode the ST1100 all over the country, but about once every couple of years or so I'd drop it in a parking lot or something. And depending on the terrain, I'd have a hard time picking it up. I've asked for help a couple of times. The ST1100 is a terrific bike and does everything really well. My only complaints were weight and heat. The bike can put off a lot of heat, and weighs right at 700 pounds. My wife likes the passenger seat on the ST1100.

I bought the 650 primarily for it's lighter weight, but I also like the better off-road capability over the ST1100. The 650 fits better into the motorcycle life style I want to lead.

So, when my wife rides with me, we go on the ST1100. When I ride alone, I go on the 650.

If my wife didn't like to ride with me occasionally, I would sell the ST1100.
 
#19 ·
I'd like to see you write up your impressions of that bike when you have time. I would have considered it because I like Triumphs and my dealer but it was also looking like the better part of $6k difference between the Trophy and the Concours and I just wasn't prepared to go there.
 
#20 ·
I'll be 67 in about 3 weeks, and I have no difficulty managing an ST1300 or FJR. The ST is a bit heavier than the f'JR, but it loses its weight as soon as you let out the clutch. It's a strong, smooth mover that just eats up miles. It's also quite comfortable. Had a Gold Wing before the ST and I found the ST to be as comfortable as the Wing. I was sorry to get rid of the ST, but I needed the Wing to pull the Bunkhouse camper trailer. Unless you're pretty weak, the ST should be a problem for you. Just my $.02 from my experience.

Still, it's pretty hard to be the Wee.
 
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