Paging the Bedfordisti & TOG

As I will be in the vicinity Sat-Mon any good bike shops around?
particularly one with rows of slightly used FJR13's....or should it be
an ST4, **** I don't know.
I see a private sale in Royston which ain't too far away I guess, what
does the NG think of the price?

2003 YAMAHA FJR 1300, 13,000 miles, fsh, abs, alarm, full set yamaha
luggage, very nice original condition, £6,000.

'Hog

 

'Hog says...

I don't visit the local bike shops now, I live off my sales area so
drive straight past them all. I haven't a clue who's got what in stock,
but I do know of an FJR for sale in Southend.

 

Bear says...

Well he's not having it back, I'm in luuuurve with it.

 

Bear says...

Occasionally. I don't get out that much, the grown ups lock me away in
case I scare the locals.

 

Can I borrow it back for Sunday? lolol

'Hog

 

Back thing, innit

'Hog

 

but I do know of an FJR for sale in Southend.

ABS?

'Hog

 

I liked the old FJ, by all accounts the FJR is better. I *do* plan to
twin this with a K5 when health allows! Handy for the ol' 2up
trans-continental stuff anyway.
You gonna be around on Sat/Sun then?

'Hog

 

'Hog says...

No idea

 

Coming to this thread late, and seen some of the bollocks spouted...

That's a reasonable price for the FJR, yes. They depreciate faster than
a Colombian airliner - list price for that one, with the luggage (not
offered as standard) would have been close to 10 grand. That said, I'd
offer 5.5k and see what happens. I'll admit to not having ridden one,
mind. The real problem with them was price - they did a number of
things quite well, but nothing superbly. If you wanted a full-on
tourer, a Pan was better. If you wanted something sportier then there
were a zillion choices. And it was always overpriced.

ST4 - I got ---><--- this close to buying one myself. They never sold
well when new, because people couldn't get the idea of a Ducati sports
tourer. That and the styling is humdrum, to say the least. What you're
getting is 916 go in a much more easy-to-live with chassis. Again, they
depreciate like hell: they were being offered new for about 6k a couple
of years ago, I think.

The ST4S is the one to have, as that's got the 996 lump in it. Again,
neither bike sold well because they had the same sort of ID crisis as
the Yamaha.

You can probably get an ST4 for 4k or less. 4S - not much more. They
will be damned expensive to run, mind, and will require a lot of love
and attention, but then I know you're clued-up in that area.

 

I've had AS3, RD's, XT500 and 1000EXUP. Apart from a few detail items,
like corroding shocks and brake pistons, they were great bikes. As good
as other Jap stuff. For occasional use the FJR, being kept under cover,
would be fine.

Big traillies, like beemers etc just can't cut it on top cruising speed,
the FJR will lope at 110, unlike (also) the K1100 which was nearly at
the red line. The Pan and Wing thing is about weight, they are hugely
heavier, FJR 244kg and 144bhp Vs Pan 283Kg and 117bhp

Remember, the best build quality bike I've owned, bar none, was my 1999
DUCATI 996 (1), noticeably better than the 595 (2), the previous best.
How the ST4 stacks up I have no idea.

Sweet. Where is this in the world now?

(1) 20K, 2 years, kept on the street, commuted Oxford-London all year
round - not a spot of corrosion, though kept well greased up.
(2) which was good bar all the fasteners rusting horribly

'Hog

 

Don't think I haven't looked (seriously) at late FJ1200 ABS mega
bargains.
IIRC they will only accept poor tyre type/sizes though? Also they are
chain driven although TBF I suppose Loz will tell me a Scott Oiler is
better than a shaft drive.

'Hog

 

'Hog says...

A Scottoiler is better than a shaft drive.

There you go.

While I'm at it, an abused and neglected ZZR1100 is better than a cared
for FJ.

 

Thanks, I wouldn't give him more than 5.5 for it TBH

Aye I was looking at the recent ABS optional model, it's pretty well
priced at some dealers now. It is 996 engine and running gear. For an
occasional and fun bike it makes quite a compelling case. More
character than the FJR but a lot less power, way lighter though.

'Hog

 

Onyerbike aren't too far from Bedford (Aylesbury).

Whilst their prices appear rather high they normally have quite a good stock
of Ducatis (and other stuff).

Could be worth a tyre kicking session.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

Thanks Dan, while the workshop manager is a sterling fellow and I owe
him one, the owners/sales types are cunts, I don't like them at all.

'Hog

 

You think? The seat unit is so wide that hard luggage sits wider than
a truck but I looked at the newer ZZR12. I like it but I need a
fairing/screen that takes my head *completely* out of the wind &
without buffeting. Any pressure on he neck will leave me sorry.
Another K1100LT would fit the ergonomic bill but it's too slow and
cruises too close to the red line. I want something that's only 2/3
round the taco at 100-110mph

'Hog

 

Hmm, I might detour via there this weekend.

There's a 'busa for sale down the way from me. I'm busy convincing
myself I don't want one.

Where's that V5 Blackbird then when you need it

P.

 

Couldn't agree more. Although I've had a couple of half decent deals
from them over the years, it's hard work and I hate the sales staff in
there.

As you say, the workshop manager is a top bloke - he scoured the country
looking for a decent used lump for my TRX, and even though the owner
didn't want to give me a loan bike, he managed to sort one for me.

 

'Hog says...

A ZZR11 is only half way round the tacho at 100mph, 6K revs and the
redline is at 12K IIRC. I put a flip screen on all of mine and never
had a problem with buffeting. With the Nonfango luggage on the last
black one it was ok to filter with, probably only about 3 inches wider
than a K series with BMW luggage. I could happily cruise all the way to
Scotland on mine at 110ish with stops for fuel every 150 miles.