Looking at getting an FJR - one concern

Kingofgix · May 16, 2016

I will try to keep this pretty clear. I started a thread over at FJRowners.com too in case any of you see it over there.

-The concern - head shake (or as I have seen it referred to, "tankslapper")

-Why the concern? - I test rode a 2014 ES with 3600 miles on Friday, and it had head shake, not as severe as tankslapper, but pretty bad

-Why is this super important to me? - I hate head shake. It is not acceptable to me, and I will not own a bike that has any tendency to head shake. I place this issue in the same category as "the wheels have a tendency to fly off at speed".

- Why do I feel that that last statement is perfectly reasonable and head shake should be easy to avoid - because I haven't ridden a bike in 30 years that had any head shake whatsoever, and I have ridden dozens of bikes of all styles under all conditions and they never had this issue. (The one time I did experience it was about 30 years ago). So in my experience, modern bikes shouldn't do this, and they don't.

OK, so don't buy that particular 2014 ES I hear you getting ready to say. But there is more.

Over on FJRowners.com, I get the distinct impression that this is not an uncommon problem with FJRs. Maybe not "normal", but certainly not unheard of. I am just looking for another perspective from this group. I really like the FJR and would love to have one that doesn't have head shake, but based on the info I have right now I am not comfortable pulling the trigger on one. But remember, this is the holy grail of issues to me. If I buy an FJR and it has head shake, it will be for sale in 24 hours. I am not dealing with it on any level.

Lastly, I am considering a 2014 - 2016, A or ES to the extent that matters.

So, I would love to hear what you guys have to say. And thanks in advance for your help!

wheatonFJR · May 16, 2016

Bye, bye.

Kingofgix · May 16, 2016

wheatonFJR said:
Bye, bye.

So they do have this tendency then...

Niehart · May 16, 2016

Buy the 14 ES and put a new front tire on it and ride off into the sunset. 243,000, 3 FJR's and no head shake. JSNS

MrZappo · May 16, 2016

I saw your post on the other forum ... Let me ask clearly, are you referring to head shake as in wind buffeting ? Or specifically a "tank slapper" where the front end wobbles and shimmy's back and forth progressively worse until the handlebars are slapping going back and forth at full range "slapping the tank" and usually ending bad ...

Because, I will say that I have always heard the wind buffeting thing and that is rather common but can be remedied reasonably ... But a real "tank slapper", I have not really ever seen discussed with any regularity ... It is certainly not "normal" and I have been riding FJR's for years and on these forums for a long time and have not really heard of this as an issue dealt with much ... I'm not going to say "unheard" of but honestly I cant personally remember an instance ...

I've never had anything close to it on my 2008 Gen II and I know a lot of FJR riders and never heard it mentioned ... Most of them are way higher mileage riders than I am as well ...

My 2 cents ...

RossKean · May 16, 2016

The only times I have experienced head shake on my FJR (or on other bikes I have ridden) is when there have been issues with front tires. Generally when worn, cupped or underinflated. I have heard of some tires that were bad from the beginning. I don't think that the FJR is more (or less) susceptible to head shake than any other bike. Typically noticed when decelerating from 50 mph with a light grip on the bars.

Ignacio · May 16, 2016

Kingofgix said:
-The concern - head shake (or as I have seen it referred to, "tankslapper")
....... head shake.

.....head shake should be easy to avoid....

......one that doesn't have head shake.....

Hmmm. Since you mentioned it four different times you think that you might consider trying to searching on....ummmmm....say....."head shake" and see if the subject has come up 82+ times before?

So they do have this tendency then...

You didn't really read any of the things you were asked and agree to when you signed up did you?

Me thinks when/if we update the forum--we're going to have to invest in pre-qualification test for newbies to become members.

Uncle Hud · May 16, 2016

Well, you posted this in the main Forum before I could suggest (in the New Members section) that you search first ...

Bad front tire on the 2014ES.

Go back, tell him something related to "Tankslapper", negotiate another $750 off the purchase price, put on new tires, and ride for 100,000 miles before trading it in on a new 2019 model.

Kingofgix · May 16, 2016

MrZappo said:
I saw your post on the other forum ... Let me ask clearly, are you referring to head shake as in wind buffeting ? Or specifically a "tank slapper" where the front end wobbles and shimmy's back and forth progressively worse until the handlebars are slapping going back and forth at full range "slapping the tank" and usually ending bad ...
Because, I will say that I have always heard the wind buffeting thing and that is rather common but can be remedied reasonably ... But a real "tank slapper", I have not really ever seen discussed with any regularity ... It is certainly not "normal" and I have been riding FJR's for years and on these forums for a long time and have not really heard of this as an issue dealt with much ... I'm not going to say "unheard" of but honestly I cant personally remember an instance ...

I've never had anything close to it on my 2008 Gen II and I know a lot of FJR riders and never heard it mentioned ... Most of them are way higher mileage riders than I am as well ...

My 2 cents ...

I am talking tank slapper, not wind buffeting. But it wasn't as severe as to actually cause contact between the bars and the tank.

Kingofgix · May 16, 2016

Niehart said:
Buy the 14 ES and put a new front tire on it and ride off into the sunset. 243,000, 3 FJR's and no head shake. JSNS

Great data point, but why would a bike with 3600 miles need a new tire?

Ignacio · May 16, 2016

Kingofgix said:
Niehart said:

Buy the 14 ES and put a new front tire on it and ride off into the sunset. 243,000, 3 FJR's and no head shake. JSNS

Click to expand...

Great data point, but why would a bike with 3600 miles need a new tire?

See post #7.

NTXFJR · May 16, 2016

Bad or under inflated front tire, or maybe that bike was dropped and suffered some frame damage, who knows. I would move on to the next one if you don't think you have it in you to fix that particular bike. I've found both fjr's I've owned to be very stable well into the triple digits without even a hint of head shake.

Kingofgix · May 16, 2016

Well, sure is a welcoming bunch here. Sorry I bothered you.

Uncle Hud · May 16, 2016

Kingofgix posted: Great data point, but why would a bike with 3600 miles need a new tire?

Bad puncture repair, tire out of balance, bent/damaged rim, badass hoon pilot who wore out the OEM tire in 3,500 miles, manufacturing defect, flat spot from being parked a lot (3,600 miles on a 2014? are you kidding me?) ... shall I continue?

Have you ridden motorcycles before?

Actually, I'm a rather nice guy, but I'll agree: I'm sorry you bothered us, too.

Redfish Hunter · May 16, 2016

Kingofgix said:
Niehart said:

Buy the 14 ES and put a new front tire on it and ride off into the sunset. 243,000, 3 FJR's and no head shake. JSNS

Click to expand...

Great data point, but why would a bike with 3600 miles need a new tire?

The OEM Bridgestones sometimes create a "pulsation" in the bars. Headshake? No. Again, do a SEARCH and you will find numerous complaints related to the OEM Bridgestones.

The Honda ST1300 had a documented high speed weave that had actually resulted in fatalities. To my knowledge, there has NEVER been any fundamental issue with the FJR that has resulted in a fatality or crash.

Honestly, it sounds like this is a rewrite of The Princess and the Pea. If you are that sensitive the FJR may not be the bike for you and I can promise you, this is NOT the forum for you either.

MrZappo · May 16, 2016

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Kingofgix" data-cid="1310892" data-time="1463434436">

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Niehart" data-cid="1310882" data-time="1463433836"> 

Buy the 14 ES and put a new front tire on it and ride off into the sunset. 243,000, 3 FJR's and no head shake. JSNS</blockquote>

Great data point, but why would a bike with 3600 miles need a new tire?</blockquote>

Lots of people don't like the stock tires. Now, if they changed them than a different group of people would need to like those.

In any event, you seem like you are bent on finding a problem.

I got mine, didn't like how she handeled and replaced the tires. All has been well.

Why would you "need" to replace a tire after 3600 miles? Well, maybe because you don't like it, or maybe it is a shitty tire, or maybe you ride aggressively and wore it out. Whatever.

The bike will last you 200,000 miles plus. So, if you have to replace the tires early to get her to handle how you like it than do it. It is one set of many sets over the life of the bike. Not worth worrying about.

And in case you have expectations of long lasting tires, let me dispell that concept right now for you. FJR's eat tires. If that bothers you too, I'd move on to a lower horsepower lighter machine.

Either way, to answer again. NO, tankslappers are NOT a pervasive issue on the FJR. If you do a forum search you might find someone talking about it but it is not common.

Honest answer to your question.

Mudslide Miller · May 16, 2016

Kingofgix said:
Over on FJRowners.com, I get the distinct impression that this is not an uncommon problem with FJRs. Maybe not "normal", but certainly not unheard of.

Newsflash: In case you haven't ridden many motorcycles, ANY motorcycle can develop a 'head shake', as stated by those above who tried to explain it. Being the new guy, as Iggy stated above, do your due diligence in searching the thousands of posts on this forum to get the answers to your question (that has already been asked a dozen times) before you decide to post; otherwise you'll get the flogging that ensues. This is one of the most helpful forums on the planet with very knowledgeable people. So don't take offense, just do your homework.

FYI, the stock Bridgestones on these bikes suck and wear out quickly!! Lose the set and I can just about guarantee you will lose the problem. I got rid of mine on my '14 at about that same mileage, 3500, and never looked back. Rides like a dream.

s.ga.rider · May 16, 2016

The oem tire on my 14 sucked but no head shake. It had a vibration and made a roaring noise but that went away when I replaced it with a road smart.

bruinFJRguy · May 16, 2016

Kingofgix said:
Well, sure is a welcoming bunch here. Sorry I bothered you.

I think you feel a sharp reaction because you came in kind of hot expressing your disgust and unwillingness to compromise on a problem that doesn't (I don't think) generally exist. Most folks here have put many, many thousands of miles on the bike you aren't sure you like, because they love it.

I'm a total newb. I bought an '08 to see if I liked it, and after 1000 miles I sold it and promptly looked for a new one, which has 50 miles on it from my ride home from the dealer this morning. Both of these bikes for me rode like a fighter jet, smooth as silk at any speed I can realistically do without risking going to jail (and probably then some). It sounds to me like you got a dud (bad tire/underinflated/something else off).

I'd try another. This bike is a proven long-haul legend with a loyal following spanning 16 years on a regularly modernized but generally unchanged design. Many riders work the "sport" aspect of this sport-tourer to an extent most riders couldn't maneuver any other sport bike.

"Head shake" would be unacceptable to me too, so I don't blame you for your qualm. Find a dealership or two that has a demo or a different used one you can ride and see if your opinion changes. Also, maybe suspension is not set up close to where it should be for you and any other problem is exacerbated by pogo-ing? At any rate, the model is a legend. Good luck.

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