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Could not agree more with T-Bird, et. al. I think Yamaha has done an awful job marketing this bike. In Bruce McCall's wildly funny book, "Zany Afternoons", (long out of print-sorry), there is an ad for the "VUME`", a car so exclusive that NONE will be built! Yamaha is offering a bike so exclusive that evidentally only motojournalists are allowed near them..and of course, bike show attendees.

Hint to the Yamaha marketing "brains". Hell will freeze over before I drop that much long green on a bike I can't even see, much less test ride. And having said that, this ST11 owner wants one still!

Will the industry EVER get over the memory of the 80's glut and resulting markdowns? Industry types; that was a different time. Us boomers are now in our peak earnings years. Now is the time to shower us with goodies! And while you marketing "brains" are at it, how 'bout decent accessories - think BMW.

BTW, JB...the FJ1200 was also offered with ABS in its last yr - 93 (or was it 92?). Saw one and talked to it's owner up at Deals Gap on my last ride of the 02 season in late fall. Very sano bike.

Sport tourers must be a very small part of the total market. Another posting noted that ST11's were rarely seen on dealer floors. Then again, the sport tourers are seen, at least by me, in numbers WAY above what their market share must be - at least in the cool riding areas with good twisties and great views.

Which brings me to a last point: I'd like to see an article that looks more at the business side of the bike business..what sells in what numbers (not just mfg sales rankings), who buys what and why (marketing insider stuff) and who puts what milage on what bikes. Written well by our beloved smarty pants lib (that'd be you, JB), such an article could be mighty interesting. In fact, I can't think of another motojournalist I'd rather see tackle this one.

 

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At about 2pm today, I talked to a customer who has just put his $500 deposit on an 04 non ABS FJR..and good for him! Since he is also a friend, I MAY get to take a ride on it, if I ask REAL nice and after the new has worn off....when it FINALLY comes in...July, August or whenever. My point stands...you can't go to a dealer here and try one on for size, much less test ride one. And riding to Sturgis just for a test ride...sound great, but is not very practical for those of us with careers, families and live in the east.

Maybe I was too harsh on the Yamaha marketing folks. My bud who has ordered the FJR has a long background in the retail end of the bike bidness and pointed out to me that the exclusivity is boosted, etc, and the overstock situation of the early 80's really, really burned 'em bad. I still feel that if you don't have the product on the floor, you just won't sell as many...and artificial mystique just annoys me.

All in all and griping aside, I'd rather have the FJR available as it currently is rather than not having it available at all.

Another post mentions that Sport tourers just are not on the floor of may dealers: good point, though my local Honda dealer DOES have an ST13 std on the floor now. Only the larger dealers around here routinely stocked ST's. I travel a LOT on business and stop in at bike shops to kill time aroung lunch. What does sell is what is stocked. But there is a supply side argument to be made..supply creates it's own demand. Naturally good marketing, etc counts for a lot. And the USA probably will never be a big sport tourer market.

As for non Sportster HD's..who cares? I sure don't.

And speaking of Sportsters, we all know the AMF years just bit and bit hard, but as for looks, the earlier Sportsters with big tanks, normal bars and 19"/18" wire wheels were just the best looking Harleys ever...even if you truly "rode a mile and walked the rest".

Does anyone out there remember the time when, if you were an H-D guy..the only question was: you ride an "H" or "CH"?.