YAMAHA RELEASES ADDITIONAL FJR 1300s
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with a purhaps minor difference - Hardley makes crap. Thay have for 50 years. There is nothing substantive 'new' or 'improved' in any of HD's product line. And no I don't swoon when beer town manages to grasp the concept that counterbalancers were invented eons ago and for a reason. Not until they go bust again and even then they probably won't improve anything. Just wait out the storm till "nostalgia for crap" comes back into fashion. Then ride the boom cycle once more. I just love hearing the "best harley ever" line. That's like saying I got better smelling bodily waste because I ate carrots with my steak and potatoes instead of slapping down a beer.
But the obligatory bashing aside, at least you get an honestly good bike for your 12 Large from Yamaha. Now if they sold them for over sticker like certain HD dealerships routinely do or did for many years, THEN we'd have a real reason to get jumping ugly. I don't agree with Yamaha's tactics of artificially constraining supply or if you're of the mind to give them the benefit of the dout, the timidity with which they are coming to the US market. It's not like they're jacking the price up to cash in on the demand curve so why play the game? How many sales are going to other bikes say the Kawi or Honda because of the supply choke? Where's the inflection point of "exclusivity" vs pain in the arse factor?
What I wouldn't mind in addition to mandatory and recurring training and a graduated license scheme in the USA is a voucher system for sportbike riders who take an approved riding school. 2 sessions worth. And whitebox race bikes for those who only want a track bike, anyway. I'm not sure how to deal with the cruiser riders. Maybe a factory contribution to the "Brotherhood of idiots who can't ride and think buying the same chrome doodad that 10 thousand other people are going to buy makes my bike a custom" fund to pay for more rider training facilities.
But that's all too complicated. Graduated licensing should weed out the posers for the most part and recurrent training requirements will probably get rid of the rest of the pretend riders.
Now where did I put my Nomex suit? Does a water hose put out a gasoline fire?
But the obligatory bashing aside, at least you get an honestly good bike for your 12 Large from Yamaha. Now if they sold them for over sticker like certain HD dealerships routinely do or did for many years, THEN we'd have a real reason to get jumping ugly. I don't agree with Yamaha's tactics of artificially constraining supply or if you're of the mind to give them the benefit of the dout, the timidity with which they are coming to the US market. It's not like they're jacking the price up to cash in on the demand curve so why play the game? How many sales are going to other bikes say the Kawi or Honda because of the supply choke? Where's the inflection point of "exclusivity" vs pain in the arse factor?
What I wouldn't mind in addition to mandatory and recurring training and a graduated license scheme in the USA is a voucher system for sportbike riders who take an approved riding school. 2 sessions worth. And whitebox race bikes for those who only want a track bike, anyway. I'm not sure how to deal with the cruiser riders. Maybe a factory contribution to the "Brotherhood of idiots who can't ride and think buying the same chrome doodad that 10 thousand other people are going to buy makes my bike a custom" fund to pay for more rider training facilities.
But that's all too complicated. Graduated licensing should weed out the posers for the most part and recurrent training requirements will probably get rid of the rest of the pretend riders.
Now where did I put my Nomex suit? Does a water hose put out a gasoline fire?
Okay, just thought of something...I gotta get a life
And...
Having owned a two-wheeled Buick Riviera (CBR1000F) I can honestly say, I dont get it the whole big-sport-tourer-thing, that is. I mean, I'm still trying to figure out why I bought the 1000F, in the first place. To me, the words over-a-quarter-ton and "Sport" just don't go together.
Having owned a two-wheeled Buick Riviera (CBR1000F) I can honestly say, I dont get it the whole big-sport-tourer-thing, that is. I mean, I'm still trying to figure out why I bought the 1000F, in the first place. To me, the words over-a-quarter-ton and "Sport" just don't go together.
"Oh no, there aren't enough flu vaccinations! I must get one (even though I never wanted one before)!"
"Oh no, there aren't enough FJR's! I must get one (even though I never wanted one before)!"
I wouldn't be surprised if this limited availability "get one while you can" buzz was Yamaha's idea-- Make it appear as if the new FJR (popular enough in its own right) is some kind of ultra-coveted motorcycling icon, to help boost attention/sales.
If that isn't the case, they chould certainly capitalize off of this unnecessary frenzy, regardless.
Personally, I'd rather put miles (like long trips) on something with cup holders and climate control, and ride bikes the rest of the time. (And no, I'm not talking about a Goldwing).
"Oh no, there aren't enough FJR's! I must get one (even though I never wanted one before)!"
I wouldn't be surprised if this limited availability "get one while you can" buzz was Yamaha's idea-- Make it appear as if the new FJR (popular enough in its own right) is some kind of ultra-coveted motorcycling icon, to help boost attention/sales.
If that isn't the case, they chould certainly capitalize off of this unnecessary frenzy, regardless.
Personally, I'd rather put miles (like long trips) on something with cup holders and climate control, and ride bikes the rest of the time. (And no, I'm not talking about a Goldwing).
I believe what his gripe is; when Harley does the limited-productions thing, everyone cries foul. While, when Yamaha does the same thing, it's seen as an act of benevolence. And, far as I'm concerned, he has a good point.
As for someone liking Harleys, like everything having to do with motorcycles, its an emotional, rather than a rational, choice. I mean; its not like any of us are choosing gear to climb K2. After all, if that were the case we sure as Hell wouldnt be sitting around bashing a keyboard.
BTW, about the government getting involved motorcycling Kpaul is the bureaucrat who starts the Sh!t Storms around here. So, unless you want to take over his position
As for someone liking Harleys, like everything having to do with motorcycles, its an emotional, rather than a rational, choice. I mean; its not like any of us are choosing gear to climb K2. After all, if that were the case we sure as Hell wouldnt be sitting around bashing a keyboard.
BTW, about the government getting involved motorcycling Kpaul is the bureaucrat who starts the Sh!t Storms around here. So, unless you want to take over his position
Let's give credit...
... where credit is due. The V-Rod is far more original and authentically "new" than anything Yamaha has put on the floor in the same time period, and if you don't consider the post-2004 Sporties to be drastically "improved" then its because you haven't ridden one.
That having been said, rant away!
... where credit is due. The V-Rod is far more original and authentically "new" than anything Yamaha has put on the floor in the same time period, and if you don't consider the post-2004 Sporties to be drastically "improved" then its because you haven't ridden one.
That having been said, rant away!
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Well, I guess if you're a sissy and aren't tough enough to ride a bike on a long trip (at least 700 miles per day on the stock seat and no handlebar risers), then go ahead and take the vehicle with training wheels... 
In all seriousness, go Yamaha! First they pay for the changes to Laguna Seca for the US GP, and now they let those who are inclined to buy an FJR have another chance this year. Even though I won't be buying one due to the other new bike, I still appreciate the PR that Yamaha is doing right now.
Chango
In all seriousness, go Yamaha! First they pay for the changes to Laguna Seca for the US GP, and now they let those who are inclined to buy an FJR have another chance this year. Even though I won't be buying one due to the other new bike, I still appreciate the PR that Yamaha is doing right now.
Chango
There are many jokes I could make about the press release, but none are funnier than reality. Yamaha is trying to add value and uniquiness to a bike that truly has neither quality. A quick scan on Ebay shows it still depreciates just as fast as any other Japanese bike, and there are brand new ones sitting on dealer floors here, waiting to be bought. I figure someone must have been waiting for this exciting announcement, but I can't for the life of me figure out who that would be. I think I read in CW that they sold 2000 of these since inception. I would hardly call that an "overwhelming customer response".
How soon we all forget the Virago.
When mine broke down, the first three shops I called almost hung-up on me. When I found someone willing to work on it, I didn't even have to tell 'em what was wrong. The Wrench just said, "Lemme guess; carbs and electrical problems, right?"
I said, "Hey! You're pretty good."
He said, "No! Viragos are junk!"
Needless to say, he and I became well aquainted.
When mine broke down, the first three shops I called almost hung-up on me. When I found someone willing to work on it, I didn't even have to tell 'em what was wrong. The Wrench just said, "Lemme guess; carbs and electrical problems, right?"
I said, "Hey! You're pretty good."
He said, "No! Viragos are junk!"
Needless to say, he and I became well aquainted.
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