Damn, Damn, Damn, bugger bugger, poo, poo.
Sold the St1300 just over 3 weeks ago with the intention of giving bikes away. Many reasons but at 65 years of age (in May) and having written off 2 bikes, in not at fault accidents since November 2009, I figured I was probably pushing my luck a bit far and that at this time of life it was now time to settle back and enjoy the wife, kids, grandkids, great grandkids and other hobbies. A minor health issue also contributed to the decision.
Beside all that, not being negative toward the St1300, but it just never really seemed to fit me or my riding style properly. A very comfortable bike and as a pillion, the wife loved it. But after 3 FJR1300's since 2001, the ST1300 and I just never seemed to jell and I just never really settled on it.
Well here we are, 3 weeks down the track and I have committed to buy another bike from Victoria, which I am picking up at Albury next Wednesday. That retirement thing didn't last that bloody long did it.
When I started researching what was available about a week ago, my thoughts were that I wanted a tourer or sports tourer of some sort but something lighter than the ST1300 and the FJR1300. I looked at Vstroms, VFR's, Suzuki GSX1250Fa's, Ninja 1000's and triumph Sprints. I test rode a few, looked at a few others, but they just didn't light my fire. I finished up test riding an FJR that was for private sale locally and immediately felt like I had returned home.
So what can I say, sorry guys but I am going back to the dark side and I have purchased another Yamaha FJR1300. I didn't buy the local one that I test rode but I did a deal on a 2007 Model FJR from Victoria. It's only done 33000kms and has bar risers, custom pillion seat, Power Commander, Staintune pipes and a McCruise Control.
Please forgive me.