Hi all,
I've considered myself an ADV guy for most of my riding career, but all of my certification work has been on HD touring bikes; I work part time with a HD Riding Academy site, so getting service work done while I'm coaching on the range is just super convenient.
Unfortunately, circumstances are changing, and the HD-sized payment needs to go as I move back into the world of being single. The replacement bike needs to be pretty cheap (5-8k), reliable, something I can do most of the wrenching on, and quite competent at LD work. I'm tempted to get into rallying, and I also enjoy police rodeo/tight conework.
I've been thinking in terms of a 3rd gen (2013ish) FJR, or perhaps an earlier (2008ish) R1200RT. The dry clutch on the RT concerns me (remember, conework), but I otherwise like the riding position, and they're a popular cone bike. I'm unsure if the FJR's turning circle will be a touch wider than I'd like. I could maybe seen an ADV bike, but I do like the comfortable bubble provided by a more road-oriented bike. Cruise control is important to me.
Any advice? Anything I'm missing?
I've considered myself an ADV guy for most of my riding career, but all of my certification work has been on HD touring bikes; I work part time with a HD Riding Academy site, so getting service work done while I'm coaching on the range is just super convenient.
Unfortunately, circumstances are changing, and the HD-sized payment needs to go as I move back into the world of being single. The replacement bike needs to be pretty cheap (5-8k), reliable, something I can do most of the wrenching on, and quite competent at LD work. I'm tempted to get into rallying, and I also enjoy police rodeo/tight conework.
I've been thinking in terms of a 3rd gen (2013ish) FJR, or perhaps an earlier (2008ish) R1200RT. The dry clutch on the RT concerns me (remember, conework), but I otherwise like the riding position, and they're a popular cone bike. I'm unsure if the FJR's turning circle will be a touch wider than I'd like. I could maybe seen an ADV bike, but I do like the comfortable bubble provided by a more road-oriented bike. Cruise control is important to me.
Any advice? Anything I'm missing?