FZ1's & FJR1300's

[Monsterlover]

Thinking seriously about a sport touring bike and have found examples of both bikes (06's) in my price range.

Opinions?  I am planning to ride both of these next week.

Anything Ducati is out of my price range and I don't think I want to get involved with a 4v

[vwboomer]

I have a little experience with the FZ1, but it was an earlier model my x had. While it was in contention before I purchased my S4R, I am very glad I didn't buy one.
Sitting on it there was just so much....stuff in front of you. The fairing seemed massive and far out in front. Comfy seat position, but it had to be close to almost straight up and down. I had zero confidence in cornering because it seemed I couldn't feel anything. It had good power, but seemed slow to build it up. Guess I'm too used to a twin.

I think it was an '02, but the experience turned me off. I'd be interested in a BMW I think.

[killerniceguy]

I was blown away by the FJR1300 when I rode it.  The amount of after market support is incredible and the online resources are extensive.  It is a bigger bike and can carry way more stuff than the fz1.  The wind protection on the FJR is far superior than the FZ1 and riding two up on the FJR is pleasant, while on the FZ1 riding two up is just better than a sport bike. The FJR is a shaft driven bike which for long hauls is really nice. They are both fast bikes but the power in the FJR is crazy.  

FJR all the way is my vote.  If Ducati doesn't get there act together here soon and offer a new sport tourer I going to pick up a FJR.

KNG

p.s. post pics when you get it.

Thinking seriously about a sport touring bike and have found examples of both bikes (06's) in my price range.

Opinions?  I am planning to ride both of these next week.

Anything Ducati is out of my price range and I don't think I want to get involved with a 4v

[Raux]

Thinking seriously about a sport touring bike and have found examples of both bikes (06's) in my price range.

Opinions?  I am planning to ride both of these next week.

Anything Ducati is out of my price range and I don't think I want to get involved with a 4v

what is your price range? seems like a Ducati ST2 would be in it compared to those two. it's a 2valve 944cc motor.

[peanut_man]

So, I guess the Multistrada is out of question?       While most considered it 'weird' looking, i have grown to love it.  It's super comfy, can carry stuff, go just about anywhere pretty fast, and ... ahhh... the 2-valve air-cooled L-twin.   I would probably still have it if it wasn't totalled last year due to some stupid kid in a car.

[Monsterlover]

what is your price range? seems like a Ducati ST2 would be in it compared to those two. it's a 2valve 944cc motor.

7000-9000 or so.

The issue is whatever I get I have to be able to trade in my 950sm and not lose much, which is likely.  An st2 would probably work (in theory, Ive never ridden one) but there are no close Ducati dealers and I know there are no used ones in my area.

So, I guess the Multistrada is out of question?       While most considered it 'weird' looking, i have grown to love it.  It's super comfy, can carry stuff, go just about anywhere pretty fast, and ... ahhh... the 2-valve air-cooled L-twin.   I would probably still have it if it wasn't totalled last year due to some stupid kid in a car.

I think an MTS1K would work well!  But, a little on the pricey side for one that's not beat.  Also, see above about no Ducati dealers in my area.

The major downside to the FJR i can see, without riding it, is it's low.  I have a 36" inseam and can flat foot the 950sm or any other bike on the market.  The FJR seemed really really low.

When I ride I like to be able to hang my legs down once in a while to stretch out, this would not at all be an option on the FJR.

[Monsterlover]

Been reading about FJR's on ADV.

Looking better and better.

[NAKID]

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2005-DUCATI-Multistrada-95017604

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2003-Ducati-Multistrada-1000DS-95008311

Pricier than I thought, but there you go...

[fastwin]

We had a guy here locally loose his FJR to a screwed up auto accident at Advanced Motortsports in Dallas. It got hit and totalled by an out of control car while the bike was peacefully and lawfully parked in front of AMS at one their demo days. I only bring this up because they are awesome bikes. I have no idea what he will replace his FJR with but personally I love them. Sure, the Kawi Concours ZX-14 will kick it's butt performance-wise but who cares? That's not what sport touring is all about. Sure, I haul ass on my Busa on sport touring rides but I damn sure don't ride off and leave my Ducati buddies. What is the point in that? They are perfectly capable of keeping up with me or anyone else. Just saying... Yammyhammer FJR are nice bikes! Sport touring is about the ride not the bike. Who cares what you are on?

[triangleforge]

What's your geographic area?  ST2s aren't all that common, but they do crop up fairly regularly. I haven't ridden the other two you're considering, but found my '98 ST2 in pristine shape a few years back for $4k and prices have dropped since then as the bottom has fallen out of a lot of the "toy" market.

If' you're ever in Central AZ, drop by for a test ride; I think you'll be impressed.

[DrDesmo]

what is your price range? seems like a Ducati ST2 would be in it compared to those two. it's a 2valve 944cc motor.

Compared to an FJR1300, an ST2 isn't "in it" at all. 

FJR:
- 32k ( ! ) valve service intervals
- 2x the horsepower
- A mountain of torque
- Virtually maintenance free shaft drive
- etc.

I've owned an ST2 (a '98), they're awesome bikes, but they're not an FJR for sport touring.  If you've got a limited budget you can save some $ over an FJR, but ...

Adam

PS: 04 had the battery located above the forks
2005 had battery relocated, but had loads of heat
2006+ is the best years to get. 

[JohnnyDucati]

I borrowed my friends FJR for an afternoon (this was a few years ago).  Very cool machine, silver, hardbags, had the spiffy electric screen that went up and down.  My pal was very proud of his new FJR and was trying to sell me on getting one so we could ride together. 

I suited up the wife, too, and we went for a long ride.  We were both jones'ing for our ST4s that I had just sold.  I was thinking about another bike at the time.  So we took a ride.

I was bored.

She was bored.

The wife even made a comment that it was like riding in a car and not as much fun as our old ST.  Not the mechanical type, she didn't understand the I-4 versus V-2 thingy-majiggy.  I sure did.

It's a great bike, but it just didn't push the right buttons for me.  My pal, on the other hand, used it for really looooong trips - like 1500+ mile weekends - and for that, that bike is peerless.

good luck, man

[erkishhorde]

For some reason the words sport and touring never went well together. I'm either in it for the long haul or I'm in it for fun. I can't seem to do both because one always seems to tire me out and keep me from doing the other.

[triangleforge]

Compared to an FJR1300, an ST2 isn't "in it" at all. 

FJR:
- 32k ( ! ) valve service intervals
- 2x the horsepower
- A mountain of torque
- Virtually maintenance free shaft drive
- etc.

I've owned an ST2 (a '98), they're awesome bikes, but they're not an FJR for sport touring.  If you've got a limited budget you can save some $ over an FJR, but ...
 

See, for me the ST was about as ponderous a motorcycle as I wanted since I don't have a whole garage full of bikes (my partner immediately laid claim to the Monster, so that's now hers) and this one had to be fun unloaded (which is about 90 percent of its use) and comfortable enough for long & loaded touring, only occasionally 2-up. For me (and your experience -- and that of Monsterlover, the OP -- will almost certainly be different) living in the heart of miles and miles of second gear twisty canyon roads with a girlfriend who prefers to pilot the Monster to riding pillion , the FJR would have been a very wrong choice.

The lighter, quicker, but still long-ish haul comfy FZ1, however...

Another bike that was high on my list was the Triumph Sprint ST; those seem to be going for pretty reasonable prices on the used market as well, and pop up with about the same frequency as the Duc ST.

[Triple J]

7000-9000 or so.

I think an MTS1K would work well!  But, a little on the pricey side for one that's not beat.  Also, see above about no Ducati dealers in my area.

You can get a nice MTS 1000 for that. Check the Multi board. Shipping would only be ~$500-$600. The lack of a Ducati dealer sucks though for maintenance, unless your comfotable with doing it yourself. 

2005 1000DS http://www.multistrada.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17290
2006 1000DS S: http://www.multistrada.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17174
1100: http://www.multistrada.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17548

The 1100 is worth it IMO if you can find one at the right price. The engine is smoother, and the wet clutch is nicer (ya...I said it!  )

I got the bug for more of a sport touring bike last summer, so I went and looked at a Triumph Sprint and a Honda Interceptor (VFR). Both were nice, but they felt "fat" compared to the Multi. I'd imagine an FJR would feel that way even more so. The great thing about the Multi is that it's a sport touring bike, that feels light and compact. After looking at those other bikes...which I liked...I realized I loved my Multi.  Then I hacked it up into a streetfighter...but that's just me. 

Not that I think you should only get a MTS...but if you would like one you CAN get a nice one for that price. Ignore what people are asking as well. MTS 1000/1100s always seems to be a bit hard to sell due to their looks, especially now in this economy...offer them less and they may go for it.