SacramentoMike
Not Safe For Work
Here comes a storm of controversy. I realize this goes against the prevailing viewpoint around here and a great wailing and gnashing of teeth will result, but I tried some FZ-1 "knockoffs" a while ago, and despite the fact that they were crap (uneven surface, wouldn't pivot right, etc.) the size, shape, dimensions and positioning of them was EXACTLY like genuine FZ-1 mirrors. But in my opinion, they were no better for seeing where the traffic behind me was than the "stubby" little OEM mirrors on my '05 are.
Everybody complains that they can only see their elbows with OEMs. But what are you trying to see, the space directly behind you? A motorcycle in your own wheeltracks two lengths back? I have my mirrors angled out so I barely see my arms (just enough to give you a reference and know where they're aimed), and then the lanes behind and to the side. A little move of my head gives a wider sweep than that. I do find that the FJR's mirrors, whether OEM or any aftermarket pair I've seen, are too FAR AWAY from the rider to give a wide enough field of view. Other bikes I've had, with the mirrors on posts by the grips, had a field twice as wide or more than the FJR's, just because they were closer to my eyes.
Bottom line is, I don't think you can depend on any mirrors for complete information. You still have to turn and look, you have to move your head from side to side, sometimes even lean forward and closer to the mirrors to increase your field of view. In my opinion, having them stick out farther really doesn't help all that much.
As a separate issue, I do have a pair of convex mirrors mounted below my OEMs. I found them here on the forum some time ago, and I really love them. They really show that blind spot just behind and to the side where a passing car can hide. But I still turn my head before making a lane change. These help, but it is my neck after all. Also, these spot mirrors are every bit as useful mounted on the OEMs where I have them as they'd be on FZ-1 stems farther out. They look like this:
It's been a long time, so I don't know if the old address I had for the guy is still good, but I just tried an email. I'll post if I hear back. Best part of these is you get the wide field but don't sacrifice any of your limited mirror space by sticking another mirror over part of it.
Everybody complains that they can only see their elbows with OEMs. But what are you trying to see, the space directly behind you? A motorcycle in your own wheeltracks two lengths back? I have my mirrors angled out so I barely see my arms (just enough to give you a reference and know where they're aimed), and then the lanes behind and to the side. A little move of my head gives a wider sweep than that. I do find that the FJR's mirrors, whether OEM or any aftermarket pair I've seen, are too FAR AWAY from the rider to give a wide enough field of view. Other bikes I've had, with the mirrors on posts by the grips, had a field twice as wide or more than the FJR's, just because they were closer to my eyes.
Bottom line is, I don't think you can depend on any mirrors for complete information. You still have to turn and look, you have to move your head from side to side, sometimes even lean forward and closer to the mirrors to increase your field of view. In my opinion, having them stick out farther really doesn't help all that much.
As a separate issue, I do have a pair of convex mirrors mounted below my OEMs. I found them here on the forum some time ago, and I really love them. They really show that blind spot just behind and to the side where a passing car can hide. But I still turn my head before making a lane change. These help, but it is my neck after all. Also, these spot mirrors are every bit as useful mounted on the OEMs where I have them as they'd be on FZ-1 stems farther out. They look like this:
It's been a long time, so I don't know if the old address I had for the guy is still good, but I just tried an email. I'll post if I hear back. Best part of these is you get the wide field but don't sacrifice any of your limited mirror space by sticking another mirror over part of it.
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