Hello From Washington!

[papaduke]

I'm currently riding an 2000 Harley Bagger but am looking at buying a new (or slightly used) FJR1300ES. I've probably been looking at the FJR for 10 years but haven't made the move yet. Well over the weekend I was at the Pendleton Bike Week and had a chance to do a demo ride on an '18 ES. I can't believe I've been holding out this long. I knew Harley's were old tech, but dang, I didn't realize how old.

The 2 things I didn't like about it were the hydraulic clutch (something I could get used to in a hurry just needed more time) and the windshield could'be been 1-2" taller but those are minor and the windshield will probably get changed as soon as I get one.

I guess you all know this but I was surprised at how easy it was to ride, how smooth everything was, and how easy the electronics are to operate.

Enough of my blabbering. I'm really excited and hope to be on an FJR soon!

[Harald]

Welcome from the Sumner area. Lots of FJR riders here in the PNW!

[wheatonFJR]

Welcome...hope you find the information you wanted.

Hope your old buddies will still ride with you...if not, shame on them.

[wetwolf]

Welcome from the east side of the state. If your Harley buddies will still ride with you, you will spend some time at the end of a road waiting for them. Don't ask how I know.

[extrememarine]

Welcome!

I had a '02 FXSTB Softtail Nightrain; loved the bike, then added a '04 FJR - the braking upgrade (ABS model) and performance was tremendous. I kept the Harley for a long time, splitting my riding between the two bikes. In the end, when it came time to thin the fleet, the Harley was passed on to someone who'd give it the attention it deserved. The FJR was just better suited for all round use...

[BkerChuck]

Welcome aboard!

You might find after you get accustomed to a hydraulic clutch that the older style cable operated ones are the weird ones! DAMHIK.

[fontanaman]

Welcome from Spokane and to the forum. A used FJR is the way to go. These bike are mostly trouble free to and maintenance is straight forward.

[LKLD]

Welcome to the Forum, papaduke!

Also, best of luck with finding that purrfect bike.

[ericboutin]

Welcome from the Southeast side of the country! Hope your search is swift and fruitful!

[bigjohnsd]

Welcome, even if you don't find the "FJR-for-you" think about attending the Reuben Run in LaPine OR 13-16 September. Details on this site.

[escapefjrtist]

Welcome from the east side foothills! We've got a great group in the metro area...any questions just ask!

~G

[fontanaman]

Welcome from the east side foothills! We've got a great group in the metro area...any questions just ask!

~G

I have a question. How is the weather in the Puget Sound Convergence Zone in the winter --G?

[Hppants]

Welcome to the madness. We are glad to have ya. Search tempest is your friend. Don't be afraid to do a fly and ride, if you find the right bike across the country. This group is basically nationwide, so if you need someone to take a look at a bike and offer an honest opinion, do not hesitate to ask. You can do so in confidence for two very important reasons:

1. The FJR is so dead nuts reliable that even semi-abused examples with 100,000 miles or more are VERY likely to have NOTHING wrong with them other than cosmetic issues. Seriously, coming from Pirate Ships, you are going to have to get your mind right. This is not your average pirate ship, where every 6 months you bring it to the one-eyed admiral and receive the royal Viking Vas-e-line treatment. This bike eats tires, but otherwise, you change the oil, change the diff fluid, flush the brake and clutch fluid every year or two, and then ride it. That's it.

2. I honestly believe that some of these guys know more about the FJR than Yamaha. They can get LITERALLY into the nuts and bolts of the matter. All of us are as genuine as we seem. If you know how to hold a screwdriver, these guys can walk you through absolutely ANYTHING that could possibly go wrong with your bike. DAMHIK. I've met nearly all of them and we are a close knit group. We will not lead you wrong.

Now then, if you find yourself with an insatiable attraction to Alpacas, then we are gonna give you some shit, and there is nothing I can do to help you there. This is especially prevalent on Fridays. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it is what it is....

Good luck in your endeavor.

[Auburn]

Welcome from Auburn.

You just missed our now annual tech meet. The tech meet is an excuse to get a lot of folks together while doing some maintenance or farkling. Next one will be next June/July sometime. Hppants is right (can't believe I am saying that) the bike is about as bullet proof as you can get, even those that are not well maintained.

[Uncle Hud]

Gotta throw down with the PantsMan. My FJR has scrapes, gouges, and a pretty good-sized crack in the starboard fairing, so she looks roughed-up. But she still putts along nicely each day, carrying me to work in Midtown Atlanta.

We should hit 65,000 miles before the end of August, and the only thing that's gone "wrong" is she sometimes doesn't indicate that she's in fifth gear.

Keep the oil changed, and (to avoid those scrapes and gouges) practice your parking lot maneuvers immediately after taking her home!

[wheatonFJR]

My FJR has scrapes, gouges, and a pretty good-sized crack in the starboard fairing, so she looks roughed-up.

Guess how she got all those scrapes and gouges and cracks...

...practice your parking lot maneuvers immediately after taking her home!

[fontanaman]

Welcome to the madness. We are glad to have ya.

Now then, if you find yourself with an insatiable attraction to Alpacas, then we are gonna give you some shit, and there is nothing I can do to help you there. This is especially prevalent on Fridays. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it is what it is....

Good luck in your endeavor.

He means there is a lurker here who goes by the name of Bust short for Bust a Nut Joker. Theses days Bust hosts a tech day annually but does not own a bike. He pops up here occasionally with some witty comment and we roar laughing. Festus is his avatar and he professes to like Alpaca but can't afford one.

Oh and my FJR is an 09 with 95k. Runs great. I expect to see 150k no problem.

[wetwolf]

Hey Fontanaman, Have you ridden Flowery Trail Road yet? It's the pass that goes from Usk to Chewelah, past 49 degrees North Ski Resort. Fresh pavement, only about 4 straight stretches and the rest is nothing but twisties.

[fontanaman]

Hey Fontanaman, Have you ridden Flowery Trail Road yet? It's the pass that goes from Usk to Chewelah, past 49 degrees North Ski Resort. Fresh pavement, only about 4 straight stretches and the rest is nothing but twisties.

Yes I road it about a month ago. It is a great road. Thanks for tip. Have others?

[wetwolf]

Valley Chapel Road. Goes from the Palouse hiway to 27 just outside of rockford.