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LeeS

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    Treasure Coast, FLA

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  1. I was able to test-sit both bikes yday, almost back to back. The T900GT was privately owned and the current owner had done some nice, basic comfort mods- RDL seat, FJR rubber mounted foot pegs, a variety of larger screens. He had custom painted the bike black and gray too which removed some of the fugliness Yamaha had incorporated w/their weird color schemes. Really made a huge difference in appearance. Still not a pretty bike but it was better. Here's a pic and yes, it looks much better in person. The current owner is meticulous and it really shows in the bike. The N1K, on the other hand, was at a dealership & bone stock except for a few minor pieces of anti-crash armor as it was a Kawi demo bike. I was surprised how much more upright the T900GT was in comparison and the RDL seat was a veritable sofa compared to the N1K's stock seat- the first thing that will have to go! My conclusion- I still really like them both altho the N1K is definitely going to require more mods to make her fit me better. The T900GT was much better in the comfort arena- a very important consideration for me. But as I've said before, I've got a life built for one bike and one bike only so I still gotta pick.I think I'm now officially much closer in selecting. My brain has kinda sorta made its decision, my heart not quite yet. Gotta put the FJR up f/s now. I've been putting that off so my daughter and I could continue to do our little jaunts but those have become fewer and fewer of late and now w/summer officially upon us, I'm sure those rides will become even less.Lee
  2. In the very near future, I'm going to post my '16 FJR1300A up f/s so it's getting close to decision time for my next and very likely last bike. I honestly thought my '11 N1K was my last bike, that was until my daughter started riding w/me 2 years back and the N1K was found unsuitable for 2-up purposes. Well, she's about to head off to college so her riding time w/me will be significantly minimized and she's told me to get what I want. And therein lies the matter. The FJR is an awesome and capable bike; my lone issue w/that bike is its weight. At 650+ lbs., my fear is dropping her while moving her around the garage, slow speed maneuvers, etc. And honestly, once my daughter is off, the FJR will be overkill for my general riding purposes. My desire is to return to a smaller, lighter (500 +/- lb.) ST and it's going to either be a '20 N1K or T900GT. I'm done w/my research and 'test sits' and those are the choices, nothing else. Not interested in any other bikes. I say this is likely my last ride because I'm 60 and as I've gotten older, my desire to ride- especially longer distance rides- has diminished somewhat, primarily due to physical issues of discomfort, especially w/my shoulders. There's no long rides planned, intra- or inter- state, but I want a bike that'll keep me in relative comfort for day rides. The T900GT is basically an upright ride, w/wide open hip/knee placements, whereas the N1K, w/a set of Murph's risers installed, may be a touch more sporty but still ultimately doable. As a longtime Kawi guy, I'm emotionally drawn to another N1K. It's a far better looking bike than the T900GT (such a fugly bike!) and also about 25 HP more powerful, and weighs only about 30 lbs. more. Throw on a set of Grip Puppies, some Blaze saddlebags, the Murph's, perhaps a bigger windscreen, a modded seat, and blammo, the bike is done. The T900GT likely only needs a computer reflash, a seat, some Grip Puppies and a screen and you're done there too. And my experiences these past 2 years on the FJR have sold me on Yamaha. They make great bikes. Reports are the T900GT is 'unpolished' in comparison to the N1K but that vertical, wide open seating position calls and it's likely a better 2-up rider than the N1K so, on those rare occasions when my daughter & I ride, it'd likely be a better bike. I've got a couple of used bikes of each model lined up (I almost never buy new) but I am having the issue deciding which one is the right one for me. So if you've got any thoughts to offer, feel free to do so. Lee
  3. on: Today at 06:00:15 PM I'm thinking of selling my FJR1300 and moving down to a Tracer 900 GT. Problem is there isn't a dealership w/in 3 hrs that has a Tracer on the showroom floor so I can't tell how well it might fit me. The FJR has spoiled me in a lot of ways w/its excellent fairing coverage, comfort, adjustable windscreen and cruise control. But the 650. lbs of bike weight gets to me & I get tired of pushing the thing around. So I'm looking for someone who might be willing to allow me a test sit or ride, where we swap bikes for a short bit to see if I can adapt to the T900GT lifestlye. Any takers? Lee
  4. I have no interest in lowering the bike but my concern is being able to safely flatfoot the bike, even if w/only one leg. W/my FJR, it's a bit top heavy and signficantly heavier than the T900GT, but also a touch lower. I always have to be very focused when coming to a stop, especially if I have a rider onboard, and remain surefooted throughout the ordeal. That's why the GT's seat height concerns me. Lee
  5. A 33" seat height is already 3+ inches higher than my inseam. On a good day w/boots on, my inseam may be 30" +/-. I can't flatfoot my FJR so I'm wondering how much more difficult it will be some someone who's inseam-challenged to get feet flat w/the Tracer 900 GT. Comments? Thanks. Lee
  6. At first I was kinda digging it overall, except for the weird bag shape. Then I read that the American price was going to be somewhere in the $14g range. I might've once considered trading the FJR in for the newest version of the T900GT but not anymore. I'd go back to a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 in a heartbeat first. Maybe I'll just get a leftover 2020 model instead.
  7. That's fantastic! So for ya'll that ride 2-up, as this is a concern for me, how big are you & your riding partner? At 5'10" & 230, my partner being 5'2" and 150, we're kinda bulky. I sold my '11 Ninja 1000 because the 2 of us couldn't comfortably fit. Then I bought a '16 FJR1300 (my current ride) as it's a great 2-up bike. The FJR is a great bike but a bit much to push around when necessary. So now I'm looking at options 2-up options again, the Tracer 900 GT being one of them. Comfort is the most important factor and a backrest is an absolute necessity. Lee
  8. Where did you acquire the mounting bracket?
  9. Anyone come up w/a passenger backrest option yet? I've searched the net and no one seems to make one for the T900GT?
  10. Yes, to all of your points, as I've tossed them all around my noggin over & over. And then my daughter & I took advantage of some 'cooler' weather and overcast skies this AM & went out for a 2 hr. ride. It'd be fair to say we both enjoyed the heck out of it. She's a natural riding partner- has been since the very 1st ride. I barely had to school her how to be a good back-seater. The FJR is a fantastic ride except for that one sticking point- the weight. On the open road, it's a benefit but rolling it around? Not so much. Luckily, I'm not in a rush and this is a 'first world' issue. I'll figure it out as a I figure it out, I guess. And just for yucks, I'm attaching a pic of my beloved, but now gone, 2011 N1K. Lee
  11. Newb to the site jumping into this older conversation; let me explain why. I owned an '11 N1K, modded it to fit me physically and for my needs. After nearly 45 years of riding (I'm now approaching 60) I thought it was possibly my last bike, one that I'd long dreamed of- a proper, lightweight ST. Then about a year & half ago, I asked my then 16 yr. old daughter if she'd like tor ride w/me, sort of a last 'hurrah' before she done went and growed up, found boys, cars & had no more time for the old man. She loved the idea so I got her all properly geared up and off we went... except that the N1K is not a proper 2-up bike unless both pilot & passenger are waifs, which neither of us are. But she loved the experience so off we went, a-shopping for a new ride to accommodate us. After test-sitting about a dozen bikes of all shapes, sizes & brands, we landed on an FJR & she was in moto-love. Research done, I found a beauty- a used, low mileage used, 16 A model. My only concern was the bike's weight. Long ago I swore off on bikes that weighed in excess of 550 lbs and the FJR comes in over a 100 lbs. more. She's a pain to roll around the garage but loses all that weight once moving. W/the exception of the weight issue, the FJR is overall one fantastic ride/bike, certainly the most comfortable I've ever owned. Fast forward to today & I fear the moto-buzz may be off the bloom for her. Living in SoFla, I like to ride early in the day to minimize exposure to the excess heat, humidity & rain, especially in the summer season. My daughter, however, hates to get up early and the riding gear makes her uncomfortable in the aforementioned h/h/r. So here I am again considering selling the FJR and going smaller, but I'd still like it to accommodate the 2 of us for those rare rides together. In reality it leaves me w/2-3 choices: the Tracer 900 GT, the 2020 N1K (since reportedly it's been made better for 2-ups w/different seating positions) or perhaps even a BMW 1250RS (although not likely). The Versys 1000 is also an option & I love the fact that the newest gen has cruise control (sorry, now I'm spoiled cuz the FJR) but that bike is fugly & expensive. I'm a long-time Kawi & Honda guy. This FJR was my first Yammie & I've been very impressed w/it so I kinda sorta like what the Tracer offers similarly in its package, especially the cruise control and below 500 lb weight. It's a mini-FJR in many aspects. But is it any good for 2 up riding? Does it offer the space/comfort/performance we'll need? Can a back rest be fitted? I've read enough articles, saw enough youtube vids on the bike and get its niggles, but no one seems to have touched upon the 2-up issue. Anyone care to comment? How's that for an opening post? Lee
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