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New Guy in Utah
- JohnO_SLC
- Squid
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:49 pm
- FJRModel: None yet
- x 4
New Guy in Utah
Greetings - new here, and I live in the Salt Lake area. Got my endorsement 4 years ago, rode a DL650 for three years and sold it when an acquaintance was killed just riding home. But... I miss it, and my grand plan to buy a sports car was nixed by my wife, so...
I've had my eye on the FJR for a couple years now, and think I will pull the trigger soon. Everything I read sounds like this is a great bike and it'll chew up miles like a Gold Wing, without boring the crap out of you, LOL (rode a friend's a couple times--that bike is a car without doors that rides smoother than most cars).
Looking forward to learning more on the forum!
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
I've had my eye on the FJR for a couple years now, and think I will pull the trigger soon. Everything I read sounds like this is a great bike and it'll chew up miles like a Gold Wing, without boring the crap out of you, LOL (rode a friend's a couple times--that bike is a car without doors that rides smoother than most cars).
Looking forward to learning more on the forum!
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Cav47 and wheatonFJR loved this
- mi_pjk
- Casual Rider
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:36 pm
- FJRModel: 2014 A
- Location: Northern Lower MI
- x 91
- x 56
Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome On John,
The FJR is quite a engineering feat, instilling rocket-ship go-go, couchy comfort, and hammer-like reliability.
I may be biased tho.
The FJR is quite a engineering feat, instilling rocket-ship go-go, couchy comfort, and hammer-like reliability.
I may be biased tho.
Assfaulticus Slabtasticleese
'14A, '96 XR4, TTR125 (D2), Sportsman 600 (The Plow), Recon 250 (D1)

'14A, '96 XR4, TTR125 (D2), Sportsman 600 (The Plow), Recon 250 (D1)

- LKLD
- Contributor
- Veteran
- Posts: 1947
- Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:26 am
- FJRModel: 2016 ES
- Location: Central Flatistan
- x 2779
- x 1653
Re: New Guy in Utah
Don't do it, John. Or...all of your time, money, and thoughts will be consumed by the bike.
You've been warned.
You've been warned.
Being alive, is not living. R.I.P. Don & Petey レイクランド
- CollingsBob
- Contributor
- Veteran
- Posts: 1346
- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 2:19 pm
- FJRModel: 2017 FJR1300ES
1953 “C” Vincent Rapide - Location: Winnipeg
- x 2771
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome to the forum..find some rider safety training and take a course, please.
- jwilly
- Site Admin
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- Posts: 735
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:31 am
- FJRModel: 2016
- Location: Georgia
- x 2195
- x 2040
Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome to the forum. Good luck with your FJR purchase, you won't be disappointed.
I’d be more than happy to swear under oath that having watched you ride for many, many miles, there is no way in hell you could be speeding through those curves. -0face
- natehawk750
- Contributor
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- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2018 1:07 pm
- FJRModel: 2015 FJR1300A, 2001 zrx1200r, 2001 XR650R
- x 909
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome!
None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
#69272
#69272
- JohnO_SLC
- Squid
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:49 pm
- FJRModel: None yet
- x 4
Re: New Guy in Utah
Thanks all. I know, I know... with a bike in the garage, days at my desk are torture! Actually the decision to sell the VStrom was made easier by the discomfort I started feeling riding more than about an hour. About two years into owning it, I tweaked my back lifting it after several spills on a trail in Moab. Ever since then, I was just so limited in how long I could ride it. The sport touring position seemed so much more comfortable when I’ve tried bikes in the genre.
As for training courses, I have taken the MSF course, but am overdue for the street riding course. Another reason I need to buy a bike, right? I’ll either do the street course from MSF, or a riding skills course taught by the local racing organization at the Tooele race track. Anything that improves my handling and awareness.
As for training courses, I have taken the MSF course, but am overdue for the street riding course. Another reason I need to buy a bike, right? I’ll either do the street course from MSF, or a riding skills course taught by the local racing organization at the Tooele race track. Anything that improves my handling and awareness.
CollingsBob loved this
- Hppants
- Contributor
- Veteran
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- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 9:22 pm
- FJRModel: 2014
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome, John. I've toured the southern part of your State on the bike, but a recent Rider Magazine article has me jonesing about riding some of North Utah's sites, closer to where you call home, I imagine.
I'm on my 3rd FJR, and almost 150,000 miles in, it's the bike for me. You will find it much heavier than your Wee Strom was, especially at speeds below 30. And you had better give up those Moab trails, or you are going to pull more than your back out there. But it's an all weather Sherpa that will gladly haul whatever load you throw on it. And it's dead nuts reliable. Think of the most dependable thing you own. Your kitchen faucet. Your bathroom flooring. You family dog. When was the last time those let you down? Well, the FJR is better than that.
You might as well budget for a custom saddle and aftermarket windscreen in your purchase. Sooner or later, those will happen. After that, it just depends on your needs and preferences.
Good luck - looking forward to having you here.
I'm on my 3rd FJR, and almost 150,000 miles in, it's the bike for me. You will find it much heavier than your Wee Strom was, especially at speeds below 30. And you had better give up those Moab trails, or you are going to pull more than your back out there. But it's an all weather Sherpa that will gladly haul whatever load you throw on it. And it's dead nuts reliable. Think of the most dependable thing you own. Your kitchen faucet. Your bathroom flooring. You family dog. When was the last time those let you down? Well, the FJR is better than that.
You might as well budget for a custom saddle and aftermarket windscreen in your purchase. Sooner or later, those will happen. After that, it just depends on your needs and preferences.
Good luck - looking forward to having you here.
"I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living. Or get busy dying."
- Andy Dufresne, Shawshank Redemption

- Andy Dufresne, Shawshank Redemption

- Uncle Hud
- Veteran
- Posts: 3314
- Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2016 1:52 pm
- FJRModel: 2015 ES, with new fairings!
- Location: Smyrna, metro Atlanta
- x 6055
- x 2283
Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome to FJRiders, JohnO_SLC. Been to your fair city quite a few times while living in Idaho Falls, and quite a few times afterward because of it's incredibly convenient airplane-to-ski connections. Pretty city!
We're a rowdy bunch, but we travel. And we bring our own liquor when travelling to Utah.
We're a rowdy bunch, but we travel. And we bring our own liquor when travelling to Utah.

_________________ You can't get into trouble in second gear. _________________
- escapefjrtist
- Veteran
- Posts: 689
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:51 pm
- FJRModel: '15 FJR 1300A
- Location: Snohomish WA
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome from metro Seattle!
Happy hunting, there's lots of good buys out there.
~G
Happy hunting, there's lots of good buys out there.
~G
IBA34365
'15 FJR-USD-A
'18 Tenere
'15 FJR-USD-A
'18 Tenere
- FJRPittsburgh
- Contributor
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- Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 1:10 pm
- FJRModel: 2008 AE
- Location: Canonsburg, PA
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome John! Once you make the move to buy an FJR, you won't be disappointed. However, you may be disappointed by some of the members of this forum. I've been disappointed for years and it's fantastic!
raYzerman loved this
- wheatonFJR
- Contributor
- I post more than I ride
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- FJRModel: 2013
- Location: Travelers Rest
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Yeah, you will love your FJR, see many amazing places, and be surprised at the riff raff you are willing to ride hundreds of miles to see again.
Steel_Gin, raYzerman, and FJRPittsburgh loved this
“There’s no better therapy than a ride.” -petey
- Red
- Veteran
- Posts: 542
- Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:09 am
- FJRModel: 2008 FJR1300A
- Location: near the Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA, Sol III
- x 160
- x 547
Re: New Guy in Utah
JohnO,JohnO_SLC wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:55 pmGreetings - new here, and I live in the Salt Lake area. Got my endorsement 4 years ago, rode a DL650 for three years and sold it when an acquaintance was killed just riding home. But... I miss it, and my grand plan to buy a sports car was nixed by my wife, so... I've had my eye on the FJR for a couple years now, and think I will pull the trigger soon. Everything I read sounds like this is a great bike Looking forward to learning more on the forum!
Around SLC, you have Craigslist, Cycle Trader, KSL.com (classified ads), and other ad venues. You will see scams, sorry to say, so buyer beware; if anything smells a little fishy from a seller, RUN do not walk to the nearest exits. The good deals will turn up for you, so don't get "tunnel vision" on any one ad. These strong bikes are barely broken in at 60,000 miles, and there are lots of 100k+ milers that still give good service around here. A maintenance logbook or stack of receipts will be a plus, for any bike being sold.
Welcome to our sandbox! Happy hunting!
Cheers,
Red - Pirelli Angel GT (Spec A) tires, TPMS, RDL seat, GPS digital speedometer (Amazon~US$29.00).
P.S. Life is too short, and health is too valuable, to ride on cheap parade-duty tires.
Red - Pirelli Angel GT (Spec A) tires, TPMS, RDL seat, GPS digital speedometer (Amazon~US$29.00).
P.S. Life is too short, and health is too valuable, to ride on cheap parade-duty tires.
- Steel_Gin
- Veteran
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2016 1:21 pm
- FJRModel: 2012 FJR1300A
- Location: Finger Lakes Region, NY
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome John and good luck in your search. Just buy new and get it over with. 

Old Forum name: deang
- fontanaman
- Contributor
- Veteran
- Posts: 2360
- Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:38 pm
- FJRModel: 2017 FJR, 2017 DR650
- Location: Spokane, Washington
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome from Spokane Washington. My 100,000 mile FJR is more reliable than my kitchen faucet and my dog.
wheatonFJR loved this
- raYzerman
- Contributor
- I post more than I ride
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- Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:49 am
- FJRModel: 2009 CBF1000A Raspberry, 1999 VFR 800 Bumble Bee
- Location: Millgrove, Ontario, CA
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Re: New Guy in Utah
WElcome, John. As another benefit of this forum, all of us veterans here can spend lots of your money on the bike and accesories. We're good like that.
Keep yer stick on the ice........... (Red Green)
Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can sure muffle the sound.
Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can sure muffle the sound.
- 0face
- Contributor
- Veteran
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- FJRModel: 2008
- Location: Evanston, Illinois
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Re: New Guy in Utah
Welcome... Ray is an expert at fork seals.... FYI
"Lets all do what we can do to bring thick skinned, donkey raping shit eaters to this joint."
-Bust
-Bust
- JohnO_SLC
- Squid
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:49 pm
- FJRModel: None yet
- x 4
Re: New Guy in Utah
LOL hanks for the great welcome, everyone. Moving slow on the purchase here—we are taking a trip in May, and I’m thinking I’ll start looking after that, or even wait till fall and pick up a deal.
Although 4 mos of riding is sure worth paying some extra cash...
Although 4 mos of riding is sure worth paying some extra cash...

Hppants loved this
- fontanaman
- Contributor
- Veteran
- Posts: 2360
- Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:38 pm
- FJRModel: 2017 FJR, 2017 DR650
- Location: Spokane, Washington
- x 1857
- x 2499
Re: New Guy in Utah
You can get a great used FJR for $5000 to $10000. Don't wait cause tomorrow is not a given.
wheatonFJR loved this