And speaking of dilemmas...

[chornbe]

The wife isn't terribly comfy or confident on the back of the FJR (she's a scaredy cat, we know). However she absolutely, positively LOVES being on the back of the new GLs (That's a 'Wing, folks). So, I think next year, after my riding group's cross country trip, I'm ditching the FJR (which will be a sad day - I really do love this bike) and snagging a new 'Wing for 2-up riding, touring and general use, and a toy/weekend/romping bike. I've already secured a cheap-as-dirt car for those few weeks a year I don't ride (Scion xB) and for the oldest kid to use, so my vehicle budget is looking A-1 for doing this next year.

I've been wanting a new 'Wing for a long time, and I do so enjoy having something to toss around for romping on the country roads. Right now the FJR is good for all the duties except for spousal 2-up (which is sad because I 2-up on it all the time with my daughter). This might just work out wonderfully. The front runners for the toy bike are the Ninja 650R and the Suzuki SV650. I'm willing to substitute a Honda 599 for the Ninja 650R if buying 2 Hondas nets me a better deal. Depends on the dealer and the haggling, I guess.

Oh, the problems we must deal with, eh?

Keep in mind, this all hinges on whether or not I just say "tough shit" and keep the FJR. I like this thing more and more every time I ride it.

[Anthony]

I read a review on a rental of a wing in vegas where the person that posted complained about his feet becoming trapped under the exhaust while taking off from a stoplight and lack of clearance in turns. After riding your fjr It might be hard to retrain one self to a new type of riding.

Maybe take her for a test ride on a k1200

[Lawn Dart]

Once a woman gets on the back of a KLT or a GWing it's all over...

I'm very curious though why she's not too fond of the FJR.  Riding position on the rear isn't that much different than my RSL and the seat is plenty large.  I assume you have a backrest?  Made HUGE difference for the wife's comfort...

[chornbe]

Once a woman gets on the back of a KLT or a GWing it's all over...

I'm very curious though why she's not too fond of the FJR.  Riding position on the rear isn't that much different than my RSL and the seat is plenty large.  I assume you have a backrest?  Made HUGE difference for the wife's comfort...

Yep, got the Givi box with back rest.

The pillion area on the GL is bigger in all directions and she's not pressed up against me. With the Givi rack the givi box sits far enough forward and she says she sits "really high up like on the sport bike". The GL pillion is more planted and less "perchy".

[ctfz1]

Well, i prefer a suspension moded Gen1 FZ1 to an FJR, but my roads and rides favor it. A German magazine prefered the DL650 (weestrom) (i know) as an allrounder to a bunch of sport and sport touring bikes.

[Rincewind]

I've been wanting a new 'Wing for a long time, and I do so enjoy having something to toss around for romping on the country roads. Right now the FJR is good for all the duties except for spousal 2-up (which is sad because I 2-up on it all the time with my daughter). This might just work out wonderfully. The front runners for the toy bike are the Ninja 650R and the Suzuki SV650. I'm willing to substitute a Honda 599 for the Ninja 650R if buying 2 Hondas nets me a better deal. Depends on the dealer and the haggling, I guess.

You know they aren't making the 599 anymore - last year available in the US was 2006.  There could easily be leftovers around.  We may see the new Hornet here for 2008, but who knows with Honda...  Personally I'd buy the new 08 Triumph Street Triple over any of the others, but I've drunk deeply of the Triumph kool-aid.  

As far as the Gold Wing, gah!    My dad has an 07 with the air-bag, integral GPS, and color-matched trailer.  No thanks!  I'd rather listen to my wife bitch than ride that behemoth regularly.

[phoenix]

I should be in the market for an FJR next year. Keep it in good shape and keep the miles down!

I do understand the appeal of Goldwings to the passengers. They are uber comfy. Although I tend to think pillions just feel more secure with the wrap-around seat on a Goldwing, or on the Harley Davidson Ultra Glides. The bike as a whole feels much too big for me, and I don't want to spend that much anyway, so it hardly matters.

[chornbe]

I should be in the market for an FJR next year. Keep it in good shape and keep the miles down!

I don't even know how to begin addressing the notion of "keep the miles down"   I'm good for 20k/year on average. The FJR has 12k on it since getting it in late August, and that includes still riding the cruiser and the Burgman regularly

As for "good shape", I don't garage queen it. I ride it. Yep... it's got scratches, marks and rubs. It is, however, meticulously maintained and mechanically perfect. I've *always* put mechanicals before aesthetics. Always. My old, mostly-restored GL1100 looked like shit but ran like a top and never once let me down (once I was done rebuilding it from its PO's neglect).

[chornbe]

You know they aren't making the 599 anymore - last year available in the US was 2006.

I didn't know that, but it doesn't surprise me, either. Carbs = going away. They'll probably come back with something with the F4i engine in it, in all its FI glory. I can't see them re-engineering something *all* new for a mid-sized naked. But I could be wrong.

[Rincewind]

I didn't know that, but it doesn't surprise me, either. Carbs = going away. They'll probably come back with something with the F4i engine in it, in all its FI glory. I can't see them re-engineering something *all* new for a mid-sized naked. But I could be wrong.

The new Euro Honda Hornet has the RR engine, rather than the F4i.  See http://www.honda.co.uk/performanceart/

[jude]

Huh, that's interesting...  After divergent schedules put an end to our 2-uppedness, I ditched the GL1800 and got the FJR.  You'll like the Wing.  It can be just as fun as the FJR, in an antediluvian sorta way, that is.  

[Brad1445]

[ctfz1]

So, didja change the shock on the FJR yrt?

[chornbe]

Ya'll are sick and need lots of help.

Moving on then...

[rajflyboy]

I was extremely impressed with the Goldwing after I had a chance to test ride one a few years back.   I had no Idea how much power the bike had and just how well it handled for a Big Bike!  

Wish they were less than 20,000 for a new one!

[SuperHans]

Don't do it man. Just say no to Wings.

[chornbe]

Don't do it man. Just say no to Wings.

You drink. They're hot machines.  

[SuperHans]

You drink. They're hot machines.  

Friends don't let friends ride Wings.

[chornbe]

Well, it's a year off. Nothing happens until after the coast-to-coast trip next May.

Which, by the way, I can *not* wait for. I am so jazzed!!

[ctfz1]

Wings rock.