Don’t look back

It was with a heavy heart that I handed over my beloved 2005 Yamaha FJR1300 to my dealer today as I was awaiting its replacement, a Tracer 900. During 11 memorable years, the FJR carried my wife and I to many places throughout Europe and the UK. We swept through the Scottish Highlands, cruised along the shores of Lake Geneva and onwards up the Grimsel Pass, galloped through Austria into Italy via the Timmelsjoch Pass, ventured deep into the Black Forest and Bavaria, meandered through the vineyards of the Loire valley and the Dordogne in France, and hustled through the forests of Belgium and Luxembourg. Our last adventures together were three fabulous tours of the Picos Mountains in Spain.

From my perch on that wide, comfortable seat, astride that titan of an engine, I saw amazing vistas in 12 countries during 33,000 miles of pure enjoyment. What a magnificent motorcycle: powerful yet forgiving, thrilling yet reassuring, poised, versatile, utterly competent and reliable. I hope many more adventures await my old friend in the company of her new owner. Look after her, please, and she will reward you with great times and great memories. My new Tracer has very big boots to fill. Garnett Wolseley