Compliments Thread

[SteveADV]

"Urban Mobility Vehicle."

Yup and YUP

 

[Gurock]

I have had only one guy stick his nose up and comment, "It's a scooter. It won't go that fast" (we were at a golf outing).

He saw it in passing a few days earlier and when I told him it was a BMW, he changed his tune somewhat. He's just one of those guys....owns a 30 year old standard.

There's always going to be an idiot that sticks their nose up. For years I've owned multiple bikes and one or more of them has been a Maxi-Scooter, now I have a C 650, Burgman 650 and an FJR 1300. The FJR has always been the fastest, especially for going in straight lines. The scooters just can't take off like a 145 HP in-line 4. On the other hand I enjoy them all. The point is that I've had more them my share of fools look at the FJR and call it slow. I can't begin to tell of the many fools on cruisers of one type or another pull up to challenge the FJR. There's no cruiser ever made that can come close to keeping up with the FJR. The Mt. Rushmore "Screaming Eagle" Harley is a "Crying Eagle" Harley if it challenges the FJR yet there's no shortage of fools that want to get embarrassed making that challenge.

So what difference does it make that some fool turns their nose up at my C 650? I enjoy the daylights out of riding it.

The FZ-07s and the FZ-09s are wonderful fast maneuverable bikes, my issue with them is that I'm old, fat and have arthritis and those bikes weren't made for someone like me. Even the FJR is hard for me, but I have an AE (automatic clutch) with hand shift and highway pegs so I can spend a fair amount of time with my legs more in front.

 

[JaimeC]

No cruiser ever made that can come close to keeping up with the FJR? I guess that depends on your definition of a cruiser... because according to their manufacturers, the Yamaha VMAX, Triumph Rocket 3, and Ducati Diavel are all "Cruisers..."

 

[Spdrush]

You are on to something there. My scooter buddies don't like my Sport any more than a classic car club appreciates a 2014 Dodge Dart. It's just really not a scooter other than having a cvt. And let's get real, I don't think it's a true step through design. I mount my Sport just like I do any traditional bike. The way I describe my BMW is... "It's a smaller RT with CVT"

I wish I could. I'm 72 and just can't raise my leg over the back. When I bought the bike I went to the dealer for a BMW with a boxer motor and climbed the pegs. The problem was that I couldn't get off without a box. I'm 6"4" and 230 lbs of mostly muscle but one bad hip.

I can get my foot over in front without hitting the plastic. My cars are six speed but I do love not shifting the C650GT.

Thank God for modern medicine keeping me athletic.

 

[SteveADV]

Old guy section here .....I mount my bike via the floor boards with a leg over the back as my hip makes it a challenge to bring my right foot up and over the center section. Weird how these old bodies of ours work nowadays. Not complaining, though. Once on it and moving, "the road doesn't know how old I am.*"

*From Oldscoot, I think.

 

[Xian Forbes]

No cruiser ever made that can come close to keeping up with the FJR? I guess that depends on your definition of a cruiser... because according to their manufacturers, the Yamaha VMAX, Triumph Rocket 3, and Ducati Diavel are all "Cruisers..."

Certainly not the outdated and underpowered (compared to FJR) VMax and not the Rocket 3 which is a 2.2L but I'm guessing it's overweight and about as maneuverable as a V8 Boss Hog. Probably the Ducati is faster, but is it really a long haul machine?

 

[JaimeC]

Outdated and underpowered??? 200hp (165 at the rear wheel) from a 1.7L, fuel-injected V4?? Are you sure you aren't thinking of the V-Max (based on the 1.2 liter Yamaha Venture engine) and not the model introduced in 2009 with a completely redesigned engine in a completely redesigned frame?? And the Rocket III is actually a 2.3L

2010 Star VMAX vs Triumph Rocket III Roadster - Motorcycle USA

Certainly in the twisties the scooter has the advantage, but the first straight line that comes up, those bikes are GONE.

 

[Xian Forbes]

Yup I'm totally thinking of the mid 80's Vmax ... I can see that you were referencing the Vmax not the Vmax, my mistake. Seriously, 2.3L? That's like borderline ridiculous. But, I still think the FJR is a better machine than all three of those other bikes.

 

[Dale]

Parked to get gas, found myself in a herd of Harleys. No one made any bad comments they just looked as to say what is that.

I also had an FJR prior to the 650 and yes it will run away from most bikes. Reason I traded for the 650 was looked at it and said a 70 year old does not need to be riding a rocket sled.

Friend just got a FZ-07 and loves it, said it is the first practical bike he has ever owned. All other were close to the 200HP types.

 

[exavid]

Having owned a couple of GL1800s I know my GT couldn't take one off the line or at top end but the scooter would still make a good try at it. A group of Goldwing riders get together in a town about 30 miles for breakfast a couple times a month. Since I sold my Goldwing my wife and I ride the GT along with two or three Wingriders on their 1500s and 1800s. They were skeptical about the scooter when we started doing that but not for long seeing how the scooter performed on the long grades between Medford and Grants Pass on I-5. I think more than one of them was shocked when on the first trip with the scooter and my wife on the back I passed them going up hill at about 75mph. That got some respect. I won't claim that the GT is as good as a Goldwing on a long haul, but it can do it and do it well nonetheless. Now I don't have the 'Wing, I have a K1100LT which I really enjoy riding and my scooter. The last one to be sold will be the GT when I can't ride anymore, I'll most likely have it longer than the LT because it's so much easier to ride. Even with serious arthritis, which I don't have yet, the scooter will still be easy to ride and handle. No trike for me, I expect the GT to be around for quite a few years for me.