Your opinion please.....

[hoodoodrum]

I have a good friend who owns a Yamaha Dealer (the same place I bought my LT three years ago) who is offering me a good deal to trade my LT for an 06 FJR.

My LT only has 16k on the clock and runs like a champ. The wife is a bit leary about the future costs of large repairs which I don't have the ability to work on. She would like me to consider the deal. I am comparing the costs of trade/buy vs. future repairs/inconvenience.

My LT has been a very reliable bike to date and provided an excellent ride.

My question is should 5 stay with the proven LT or consider the virtues of the FJR?

Thanks

[TBob]

Buy an extended warranty for your LT and everyones happy. If you like the LT I don't think you'll like the FJR - the seating is way more aggresive.

- TBob

[TMH]

Have you ridden an FJR yet? Much more of a sporting bike (from what I have heard) in both riding position and power-to-weight ratio. When I was looking at a dual-sport bike to add to my stable, I test-rode a Suz DL1000 V-Strom. Had very high expectations from what I had read. But ended up really not liking it - It just was not what I personally wanted. Not to say it wasn't a great bike, but it was not for me.

Some great things have been said about the FJR 1300's, and it seems like the '06's will be even further improvements in heat and wind management. But it is the first year of a significantly revised model, which always makes me wary.

With all of this said, however, I think that the '06 FJR's are already oversold, so you might be able to get one because of your connections where someone else may not. Keep the LT and buy/sell the FJR as an investment! Now will it be "standard" or "automatic" gear changing...

Good luck,
Tom

[meese]

First, test ride an FJR, even if it's an '05. They should be similar enough for this purpose. If you still are considering it, then test ride it two-up. If you're still considering it, then look at the financial aspects.

You may find that it just doesn't fit you or your riding style. But if it does, it can be a great bike.

[RideIt]

Take a cold shower. Then, as one suggested go buy an extended warranty and ride into the sunset. I tend to agree that if you really like your LT you would not be as happy with the FJR, just my $ .02 worth. Of course, I am not an expert since I have never ridden the FJR but it is a very different bike with more forward seating, etc. I don't think it would be as comfortable for the passenger. Good Luck and remember it is your decision and it matters not what we mere mortals think.
Leon
05 Blue LT

[TBob]

LOL- yea I don't mind saying it... It's not a great bike! I had one, tried everything to set it up to my liking - never did. SO GLAD I traded it for
the LT. Of coarse in fairness to the Strom it can't be fairly compaired to a 20k BMW. The Stroms new are 8800 so they definately fit a nitch.

I test-rode a Suz DL1000 V-Strom. Had very high expectations from what I had read. But ended up really not liking it - It just was not what I personally wanted. Not to say it wasn't a great bike, but it was not for me.

Good luck,
Tom

[TMH]

Of coarse in fairness to the Strom it can't be fairly compaired to a 20k BMW. The Stroms new are 8800 so they definately fit a nitch.
Actually I was comparing it to the F650 and 1150GS's I had ridden, and would have loved to get into "dual-sportdom" at the pricepoint of the Stroms.

Point taken about it being significantly less expensive new than a BMW, even when not comparing it directly to an LT. But it just didn't seem adequately stable to me on the freeway, regardless of comparative price.

But then again, lighter is typically better for any off-road work. It still couldn't compare to the Swiss Army Knife capabilities of the 1150GS, and didn't even seem as stable as an F650 (to me).

Tom

[clay]

I have 06 FJR and a 02 LT. Totally different bikes. The FJR is a blast to ride, tons of power, handles great and is very reliable. I have 19,000+ on mine and have put 3 sets of tires on it, and changed the oil several times, thats it.
This is my second LT. The first one's final drive failed twice and the second one is in the shop now for slave cylinder and clutch replacement @ 11,000 mi. Definitely get the extended warranty if you keep the LT.
One word of caution, the women love the LT. After I sold the first LT and bought the FJR I took the wife for a couple of short day trips on the FJR. After the second trip, the wife said no way, I'm not getting back on that Blue bike, it's not like the red one ( 99 LT ). Well about a month later I bought another LT, primarily for the wifes comfort. Once they experience that big seat and all that room they are spoiled. The LT is great for two up riding, the best in my opinion.
Good Luck,
DCH

[clay]

Correction, make that an 05 FJR.

DCH

[KBandit]

if i were riding one up, i'd be on an FJR, or something similar. but for two-up there is no substitute for an LT. if i were you i'd let that guide my judgement.

the yamaha is a fine machine.

[DavidTaylor]

I have a good friend who owns a Yamaha Dealer (the same place I bought my LT three years ago) who is offering me a good deal to trade my LT for an 06 FJR......

My question is should 5 stay with the proven LT or consider the virtues of the FJR?
Thanks

Nobody can tell you want to do on this one. The FJR is a VERY different bike that the LT. I've ridden both and like both, but it's a different animal. Go ride an FJR (if the dealer wants to deal he should let you) both 1 and 2 up to see if you even like the bike. As for your LT's reliability - unless you have indications of problems today why do you expect there to be major problems in the future? Also, would you REALLY base a motorcycle trade/purchase on that? 99.5% of the riders I know wouldn't; you would be a rare person if you did.

[tvguy]

The FJR is a wonderful fast Crouch Rocket with saddle bags... NOT an LT
The is no comparison. Buy the extended warranty for the LT and go get a GSXR or RR and ride that if you want to go fast.. M2C :rolleyes:

[hoodoodrum]

Thanks all for the great input. Can I still get an extended warranty on a 2000 with 16k on it? If so, from what company?

[messenger13]

Thanks all for the great input. Can I still get an extended warranty on a 2000 with 16k on it? If so, from what company?I don't believe so. Most (if not all) extended warranty companies want the bike to still be under the factory warranty at the time you purchase the extended warranty. I could be wrong.


The point I would like to stress is: You own a 2000 LT with ONLY 16K miles on the clock. Sure, anything can happen to ANY machine at ANY time. But the way you're racking up the miles (smell the sarcasm?), I think you can count on another 5 years of low-cost ownership out of your current bike. In the year 2010 or so...you'll be up to 32-35K miles. I don't see the issue here myself. Keep it. And ride it. The smile's are still free. :)

[hoodoodrum]

Joe, wished I could take credit for 16k in 6 years, but it only had 1k when I bought it in 03. The LT used to be 1 of 3 in the stall, but will be the only steed this year. The mileage will rise quite rapidly in the next years.

[TouringProf]

Unlike some of those who know what the seating position is like on an FJR, I (like Clay) actually own one, and have toured day after day on it. IMHO, the seating position is not 'way more aggressive' than on the LT. I have an 05 FJR, and after a Sargeant Seat and risers, I have what I consider to be an equivalent seating position, and I'm still $8K away from the cost of my LT, w/out the accessories.

Having said that, my SO won't ride (happily) w/me on any of my bikes other than the LT, which she considers the epitomy of riding. Yet on the other hand, she doesn't tour long distance with me, so I choose between the FJR and LT based on the roads I'm going to be on, and the number of days out.

I'm on my second LT, and have had no mechanical failures; ditto my FJR to date.

In only my opinion, these are very different answers to the same question, and both are superlative in their own niche (Luxo Touring vs. Sport Touring).
Full disclosure: currently waiting to change from my LT to a new GT.

YMMV.

[hoodoodrum]

Professor, In reading your collection of current bikes, I would be happy as heck to ride any of them anytime they need exercised. I'm jealous.... I'll bet that Rocket is a blast from light to light....

[messenger13]

Yea...those Rocket IIIs are fast! Sometimes I have to downshift to pass em! :D

"The Touring Professor" definitely has a nice stable though. Really nice.

[jayjacobson]

Greetings:

It's amazing that someone else has the same dilemma as I had!

After months of careful research, I formed the opinion that the FJR and LT are two completely different bikes in two different classes.

So, instead of choosing, I bought both! Each has its purpose. The choice allows me to have the best of both worlds.

[TouringProf]

Jay, you are absolutely correct!

My story for the SO: "Honey, I do not have multiple bikes. I have multiple APPLICATIONS".

Works so far.

[k12steve]

I have a good friend who owns a Yamaha Dealer (the same place I bought my LT three years ago) who is offering me a good deal to trade my LT for an 06 FJR.

My LT only has 16k on the clock and runs like a champ. The wife is a bit leary about the future costs of large repairs which I don't have the ability to work on. She would like me to consider the deal. I am comparing the costs of trade/buy vs. future repairs/inconvenience.

My LT has been a very reliable bike to date and provided an excellent ride.

My question is should 5 stay with the proven LT or consider the virtues of the FJR?

Thanks

Couple of points:

MOST LTs have NEVER had a significant or costly repair (Mine has had ZERO in 54K miles)

The interest on the loan for the FJR will almost certainly pay for any near term repair/service if you kept the LT.

Extended warranties are a crap shoot. Some have good luck (Dave Shealey) but for most its $$$$ down the toilet. If I'd bought one it would have paid out ZERO!

Keep the LT and "Just Ride It"!! ;)

[Craigo]

I have just sold my 03 FJR1300A to buy my 01 K1200LT. IMO the bikes are like chalk and cheese. I thought that although the FJR had bucket loads of power it felt heavy. That was until I rode the LT, then the FJR felt like a sports bike when I got back on it. When I got the FJR I just got on it and rode it and it felt very comfortable , handling & ride. At the moment (ive only had it for a week) im finding the LT a bit of a handfull. In fairness I must say that I dont normaly use it to comute and thats what im trying to do with the LT just to get used to it quicker. Love the bike just think that you have to ride yourself into it. my 0.02c
Craig

[nbroca]

Let the seat of your pants do the talking...