It seems several people on this forum own or have owned both a V-Strom 650 and an FJR 1300. I'd love to hear from anyone who has ever owned an FJR. Believe it or not, I'm thinking of buying one or the other as my next bike. I think I'd be happy with either one, but for different reasons.
I plan on taking some extended 2-up trips this summer, from Colorado to the Northwest, including British Columbia. I am 160 lbs and my wife is 105 lbs. We are both about 60 years old but very fit and active. We will camp; but seldom in campgrounds. We will pull off the road and set up a tent. We will use motels rarely; maybe once a week. We hate cities and anything urban. We love remote places. We are outdoor, country folks. We try to avoid any place crowded. We will be on some dirt roads; if only to find a place to set up our tent.
I've done a few 5000+ mile trips exactly like this before on a 2007 Triumph Sprint 1050, but alone. My wife has taken a few longish (1000 mile) trips on the back of the Sprint, but it was just not a great bike for 2-up. Not enough room on the seat. She kept sliding into me, pushing me forward into the gas tank. We were constantly "adjusting". I want more comfort and a bit more upright posture. The Sprint was just a little too much on the "sport" side of the spectrum. She does not complain, but I want more comfort for her too. Sold the Sprint.
Price of the bike is not much of a consideration, mostly because used FJRs are an incredible value. It seems everyone wants "Adventure" bikes instead. I've weighed some of the pros and cons of both bikes. I would enjoy the extra power of the FJR. I like the excitement of whipping around a car to pass, while going uphill at 10,000 feet elevation. If I get one, l'll try to contain myself better than I did on the Sprint. I think I've gotten that out of my system. No more 140 mph two-up with luggage. I've only done that in the middle of nowhere, on straightaways, for very short duration. I have however traveled at 90 to 110 mph sustained for over an hour at a time, many times.
I will probably hate the considerable extra weight of the FJR, especially when pulling off the road to camp, or on gravel or dirt roads. I think the FJR would restrict my routes a bit more.
I like the better gas mileage of the Wee-Strom, but the difference between 40 mpg and 50 mpg over 5000 miles is 25 gallons of gas, or about $100. I'm very frugal, but that is not an issue.
I've owned many dual-purpose bikes. We both ride dirt bikes, but she's a beginner at it and short, so does not want to ride a dual-purpose bike of her own on a long trip. I'd love to explore dirt roads I find along the way. I was thinking of a Wee because of this. However, riding 2-up with full camping gear, I don't see how this is possible, even on the Wee. If I can't do it on the Wee, then maybe I should just get an FJR. Does this make sense?
If I were going alone, I'd take my DR650, do a lot more dirt, and be happy. However, going 2-up changes everything.
I go back and forth. I convince myself that I am getting a Wee, then I start wondering if the FJR will make me happier. However, I've never owned a bike that heavy. Wet weight on an FJR is 644 lbs. I don't know if that weight even includes the empty side cases or not. That's about 100 lbs more than my Sprint weighed without the side cases.
By the way, I NEVER take Interstates on a bike, unless it is the ONLY way between point A and point B, and then only for as short a distance as possible. I'd rather take a dirt side road than an Interstate.
Right now, I just started leaning toward the FJR, and this post probably reflects that. Yesterday, I was totally convinced the Wee is the better choice.
Please give me some insights I may not have thought about. One thing I don't know is how 2-up comfort compares between the two bikes. I'd love some thoughts on that.
THANKS!
I plan on taking some extended 2-up trips this summer, from Colorado to the Northwest, including British Columbia. I am 160 lbs and my wife is 105 lbs. We are both about 60 years old but very fit and active. We will camp; but seldom in campgrounds. We will pull off the road and set up a tent. We will use motels rarely; maybe once a week. We hate cities and anything urban. We love remote places. We are outdoor, country folks. We try to avoid any place crowded. We will be on some dirt roads; if only to find a place to set up our tent.
I've done a few 5000+ mile trips exactly like this before on a 2007 Triumph Sprint 1050, but alone. My wife has taken a few longish (1000 mile) trips on the back of the Sprint, but it was just not a great bike for 2-up. Not enough room on the seat. She kept sliding into me, pushing me forward into the gas tank. We were constantly "adjusting". I want more comfort and a bit more upright posture. The Sprint was just a little too much on the "sport" side of the spectrum. She does not complain, but I want more comfort for her too. Sold the Sprint.
Price of the bike is not much of a consideration, mostly because used FJRs are an incredible value. It seems everyone wants "Adventure" bikes instead. I've weighed some of the pros and cons of both bikes. I would enjoy the extra power of the FJR. I like the excitement of whipping around a car to pass, while going uphill at 10,000 feet elevation. If I get one, l'll try to contain myself better than I did on the Sprint. I think I've gotten that out of my system. No more 140 mph two-up with luggage. I've only done that in the middle of nowhere, on straightaways, for very short duration. I have however traveled at 90 to 110 mph sustained for over an hour at a time, many times.
I will probably hate the considerable extra weight of the FJR, especially when pulling off the road to camp, or on gravel or dirt roads. I think the FJR would restrict my routes a bit more.
I like the better gas mileage of the Wee-Strom, but the difference between 40 mpg and 50 mpg over 5000 miles is 25 gallons of gas, or about $100. I'm very frugal, but that is not an issue.
I've owned many dual-purpose bikes. We both ride dirt bikes, but she's a beginner at it and short, so does not want to ride a dual-purpose bike of her own on a long trip. I'd love to explore dirt roads I find along the way. I was thinking of a Wee because of this. However, riding 2-up with full camping gear, I don't see how this is possible, even on the Wee. If I can't do it on the Wee, then maybe I should just get an FJR. Does this make sense?
If I were going alone, I'd take my DR650, do a lot more dirt, and be happy. However, going 2-up changes everything.
I go back and forth. I convince myself that I am getting a Wee, then I start wondering if the FJR will make me happier. However, I've never owned a bike that heavy. Wet weight on an FJR is 644 lbs. I don't know if that weight even includes the empty side cases or not. That's about 100 lbs more than my Sprint weighed without the side cases.
By the way, I NEVER take Interstates on a bike, unless it is the ONLY way between point A and point B, and then only for as short a distance as possible. I'd rather take a dirt side road than an Interstate.
Right now, I just started leaning toward the FJR, and this post probably reflects that. Yesterday, I was totally convinced the Wee is the better choice.
Please give me some insights I may not have thought about. One thing I don't know is how 2-up comfort compares between the two bikes. I'd love some thoughts on that.
THANKS!