FJR1300 TRADE-IN

[b12bandit]

Have wanted a GS for years, ever since I had a demo ride on an 1100 when they first came out.

I've read every magazine article, road test and review. Watched 'Long Way Round' several times. Promised myself I'd do the off-road school in Wales (but have never got round to it).

Currently ride an '03 FJR1300 which I use for the occasional commute and leisure ride but mainly for advanced motorcycle training. It's a fine machine and does everything I need it to do but it's a bit 'bland' (if you can call anything with 147hp 'bland'). I bought it direct from Yamaha as I was one of their 'Rider Advantage' instructors.

Last week I had a customer who rode a 1200GS. It had a few Touratech (?) bits, a custom seat and a Boss exhaust. It was a wonderful looking machine that sounded as good as it went.

So now I'm hooked again and wondering if I should trade in my FJR against a GS? The FJR was a bargain - I paid about 2/3 of it's market value - complete with luggage and a grand's worth of Autocom gear. Can't afford a brand new GS but just know I'm gonna take a huge hit if I part-ex against a used one.

It seems a daft question to ask on this forum, but, what would you do?

CHEERS

PETE aka b12bandit (long story)
shefford
beds

 

[finn]

fjr

depends what you want 1100 from 3k 1150 from 3.5k and have seen some 1200 for 6k i have recently got the 1150 but really want the 1200 and the difference is clear to me but if you happy to have a big heavier 1150 you may get a fairish trade try the buy sell section and see if anyone wants a swap you never know or you can list yours and keep your eye out on there

try them all then see what your budget stretches to

 

[dragontest]

I have just bought a 1100 GS and I'm over the moon with it, I too would have liked the newer model but with limited funds I thought better a 1100 than non.

Due to the bad wet weather, I have not put any real miles on it yet, but I have polished it to death I would bite the bullet if I was you, my only regret is I didn't buy one earlier.

You are right on thinking that you will take a hit now on your Yamaha if you trade in, but the BM 's in general appear to hold their price's compared to the majority of Japanese bikes.
BMW’s tend to be well serviced and looked after.

I researched the model before I finally bought one (as they tell you to do) and while doing so, I read on a web forum site that a BMW boxer engine owned from new by the same owner, with approx 120,000 miles on the engine, still had the cylinder honing marks visible from the manufacturing process, the reason for the strip down?

The owner thought he would strip it down and check for wear... needless to say there was none... but his previous Japanese bike, well it required a complete rebuild at much less mileage if I remember it right.

Mine has 50,000 miles on it and it sounds like new still, but it has a full service history plus the pervious owner changed the oil and filters every 3,500 to 4,000 miles as well. (He worked in the bike industry) the only reason he sold it was he had 2 of them a 1100 and a 1150!!
I hope this is helps you decide..
Cheers
D

 

[GS TRV]

How much do you wanna spend?

 

[Womble]

Have wanted a GS for years, ever since I had a demo ride on an 1100 when they first came out.

I've read every magazine article, road test and review. Watched 'Long Way Round' several times. Promised myself I'd do the off-road school in Wales (but have never got round to it).

Currently ride an '03 FJR1300 which I use for the occasional commute and leisure ride but mainly for advanced motorcycle training. It's a fine machine and does everything I need it to do but it's a bit 'bland' (if you can call anything with 147hp 'bland'). I bought it direct from Yamaha as I was one of their 'Rider Advantage' instructors.

Last week I had a customer who rode a 1200GS. It had a few Touratech (?) bits, a custom seat and a Boss exhaust. It was a wonderful looking machine that sounded as good as it went.

So now I'm hooked again and wondering if I should trade in my FJR against a GS? The FJR was a bargain - I paid about 2/3 of it's market value - complete with luggage and a grand's worth of Autocom gear. Can't afford a brand new GS but just know I'm gonna take a huge hit if I part-ex against a used one.

It seems a daft question to ask on this forum, but, what would you do?

CHEERS

PETE aka b12bandit (long story)
shefford
beds

There are a few options from here, but I can't fill in all the gaps.

Firstly, have a look at this month's T.W.O. - as they say, the different adventure models have a lot going for them and, if you've got around £5k, then go for the 1150, and if you're a mad idiot with too more money than brains, get the GSA.

Actually, it was a little more balanced than that, but I couldn't let the 1150 side down

However, you have a couple of really good bargaining points:
1) You paid less than the going rate for your current bike. That's going to save you money on the trade in.
2) Forget the price of the Autocom - GS Rich will be able to help you out there - check out the 'Bike Communications' section of the forum.

 

[Steptoe]

Stick with your FJR and carry-on reading/watching about the GS.

If you only ride on the road, your bike will do everything a GS will do, maybe even better.

 

[alimey4u2]

One of the problems (possibly the only) with Japanese motorcycles is the resale value, especially with expensive accessories. My advice would be to keep your bike & read on. You with not get what it's worth even though it's a great bike.....

 

[XRM]

I've got a 52 plate FJR - wouldn't trade it for anything. I traded a Speed Triple for my GS - and that is the problem. BMW will get you a price for your bike - but it is with another dealer as most BMW folks only deal in BMWs - at least that is my impression.

So no good trade in price - at least not as good as you would get from a Yamaha dealer against a new Yamaha.

As the guys say - if you want a road bike you've got one of the best - if you want a bit of "off road"you need to visit a dealer and get some prices.My BM was 2 years old - I'm pleased with it, but then I'm looking to ship it to Canada for a bit of a run "up country".

Rob

 

[richie]

Stick with your FJR and carry-on reading/watching about the GS.

If you only ride on the road, your bike will do everything a GS will do, maybe even better.

Agreed, spent some time on a FJR great bike, but a bit boring after a while, plus I'd worry about the speeding fines

 

[b12bandit]

Thanks for your input. I must say I'm surprised at those who've said "Keep the FJR". I was exepcting 100% support for the GS. Now I'm confused. And anyway, I've got a few potentially life-changing things happening in the next few weeks (month in Australia visiting rellys and then possibly a change of job), so any bike changing will have to wait a while. I'll keep you posted.

CHEERS

PETE

 

[alimey4u2]

Thanks for your input. I must say I'm surprised at those who've said "Keep the FJR". I was exepcting 100% support for the GS. Now I'm confused. And anyway, I've got a few potentially life-changing things happening in the next few weeks (month in Australia visiting rellys and then possibly a change of job), so any bike changing will have to wait a while. I'll keep you posted.

CHEERS

PETE

Lose money & 40 BHP ?? Great bike, keep it for 10 more years until engineering advances make it really worthwhile......

 

[teejay]

Though recognised the name Bandit from FJ site, have done just that (nearly) my 2 yr old FJR goes part ex against the GS on Wednesday so we will see if made the right choice.

No doubt will miss that awesome power, went to Donnington last week, first time on it for a week after coming back from the Dolomites, found myself a bit late to meet up with a mate and was making up a bit of time at 100mph again!!! its just so effortless and made me think if I was doing the right thing.

Tried GS 2 yrs ago and came SO close but bought the FJR, we will see over the next few monthe if it was the right decision-- dissapointed with trade in value of the FJR, tried against a new FJR but would have only got £50 more.

Excited anyway cos its a new bike anyway!!

Teejay

 

[Steptoe]

At the moment i'm mighty tempted to go the other way - GS to FJR

 

[Northants Rob]

-- dissapointed with trade in value of the FJR, tried against a new FJR but would have only got £50 more.

Excited anyway cos its a new bike anyway!!

Teejay

Think I'm going to be 24hrs behind you...I trade in my Harley (Heritage Softail) against a new 1200GS on Thursday! Like you, got what is probably a poor p/ex offer but...hey...it's what I want to do and I can afford (just) to take the hit.

Enjoy the bike on Wednesday, I know I will!

 

[b12bandit]

Even more undecided now! Nothing's going to happen for at least a couple of months, for reasons explained above. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks to you all for your opinions and advice.

 

[Stickleback]

Interested in your comments Northants Rob, as I alsotraded a Harley Softail for a new GS1200 this week. Local dealer was great, Ok tok a hit on the hog but was really cheesed off with having a bike sat in the garage that I didn't want to use as unless it was dead clean it looked a dog. At least now can get back doing what I enjoy, that is riding the boike not polishing it and/or talking about them!

Still have a huge soft spot for Harleys, but just not the right bike for me at the mo.

Had kicked around the idea of a boxer GS for ages, finally plucked up courage and took one for a looooong test ride,and found it brilliant at what I wanted. Can't beleive how easyily it hides its hieght and weight, especially when wheeling it aound in the driveway.

Re FJR question, a tough one, huge respect for these too and ultimately the FJR would do all a GS would on the road, but half the pleasure of riding is the experience and if you are getting bored with a bike then finances permitting it is probably time to move on...

 

[cookie]

Re FJR question, a tough one, huge respect for these too and ultimately the FJR would do all a GS would on the road, but half the pleasure of riding is the experience and if you are getting bored with a bike then finances permitting it is probably time to move on...

agree with that. choosing bikes shouldn't be just about money ideally.

 

[turnipbmw]

stop teasing us, what do you want want for it ?

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

This is an age old problem, not just related to bikes. "The grass is always greener" etc. I'd imagine that for most people who ride only on the road and do a bit of touring, there are dozens of good bikes to choose from. Many of these will go on for years if looked after, and will provide comfort, grins and happy hours of riding.

Reading road tests, to help make a decision, doesn't help either. As each new model comes out magazines rave about it being the best in the world...ever, then along comes something new, slightly improved in some way, and the mags start banging on about how brilliant this one is. This makes us look at what we have and think that there's something so much better out there, but is there....I mean really?

There's no harm in changing bikes as often as you want, or can afford, it's a personal decision. But, if you are really unsure about if it's the right way to go you probably need to take a good long look at your current bike and ask yourself "am I changing it just for the sake of it, or because there really will be some benefit".

Perhaps spending the money you would need to, on something like a couple of good trips or some other goodies would be better.

Perhaps I am talking bollocks as well though.