ShawnKing
Well-known member
There was nothing remarkable about the break in period except for me trying to get used to the FJR. I'm coming from my first bike - an '05 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe I had put 35k miles on in 2.5 years. I loved that bike but was quickly realizing its limitations for the way I wanted to ride. It was originally purchased because my wife and I wanted to go on long trips together. After she got her own sport tourer ('08 BMW F800ST), I needed something that could keep up with her. 
Even during the break in period, the performance of the FJR was obviously a quantum leap over the abilities of the Royal Star. There were a couple of times twisting the throttle on the FJR was literally frightening.
Finally managed to get 600 miles on it - slowest 600 mile *ever*! Wife and I were planning on riding to NJ a few weekends ago so I wanted to get the service done before then.
Called the dealer to make drop off arrangements and rushed down there - "rushed" being the key word.
I caught a bad case of Teh Stoopids.
Dealership has an oddly sloped area right where you think would be a good place to stop. I know this and yet - I still stopped there. My wife was on her bike and had pulled up next to me on my right.
I put the kickstand down and proceeded to get off the bike. Bike decided it didn't want to lean to the left. It wanted to lean to the right - unfortunately, that's not where the kickstand is.
I managed to swing my right leg back over to the other side but by that time, the bike was well on its way down and because my wife had pulled up next to me, I couldn't really get any leverage. All I could do is let the bike down slowly.
Letting a bike down slowly does *not* mean gently though. Scratched up the right side mirror, fairing and saddlebag. Did I mention I did this in the dealership parking lot!?
Everything checked out just fine on the bike although I am concerned that our dealer doesn't explain many things or ask many questions about the bike (big difference from our Nashville, TN dealer who was the most helpful group of people I've ever dealt with).
Whether it's tooling around the Danbury CT area (we've just moved here so we are still exploring) or going on longish trips (we went to Cape Cod this past weekend), the bike is an absolute blast to ride.
Cons: I'm going to give it to the 4K maintenance before I do anything drastic but the riding position takes a lot of getting used to. I'm 6'3" and have to constantly remind myself not to lean on my wrists. The inside nerve of both elbows gets a little "tweaked" on long runs, too. I was spoiled by the cruise control on the Royal Star and really miss it.
For me, the stock windshield is next to useless. At highway speeds, when it is fully raised, it makes a hellacious amount of noise. At any other position, the buffeting is really annoying.
I'm used to toploading cases so I find the side loading ones *really* annoying. I'm constantly trapping small bits of gear in the cases and not being able to lose them.
No Cruise Control/self canceling turn signals.
Slight but annoying buzz in throttle grips and right side footpegs at highway speeds. Probably just needs something tightened up.
Pros: Scary quick/fast. "Scary" has always been in a good way though. I've been cruising down the highway wondering why everyone else seems to be going slow when I look at the speedo to see...well...let's just say the numbers would get me a high "Performance Award" from the local troopers.
But it's also just quick. Not only 0-60 but also at speed. Going quickly from 60-80 to pass is ridiculously smooth and easy as is clicking through the gears. I hit the "Perfect Shift" a *lot* more on the FJR than I ever did on the Royal Star.
I'm surprised at how much room there is in the cases - not as much as the Royal Star but even the Royal Star's hardbags couldn't fit a full face helmet.
The stock seat is surprisingly comfortable. Because of the better gas mileage, we're on the bike for about 30 mins longer at a stretch than the Royal Star but there is much less discomfort from the seat.
Gauges are easy to read, even at night. I really like the gear indicator and the "average gas mileage" indicator. Lets you know how much gas you're wasting taking off from stop lights.
I'm not an "aggressive" rider through turns (although, I'd like to learn) but it's obvious how much the FJR *wants* to be flicked through curves (keep in mind I'm coming off a 900 lbs cruiser so yes, I consider a 600+lbs sport tourer "flickable" ). I was able to take the FJR on several curvy roads I had ridden on the Royal Star and was surprised to not have to hit the same braking points and often, not have to brake for the curve at all!
One of the major (and it turns out, silly) concerns I had was pegs vs floorboards - I thought there would be a problem coming from the relatively relaxed cruising foot position but, other than occasionally hitting my feet on the pegs as I lift off the ground, it's a non-issue.
Overall, I'm absolutely loving this bike and am really looking forward to exploring/touring this summer!
Even during the break in period, the performance of the FJR was obviously a quantum leap over the abilities of the Royal Star. There were a couple of times twisting the throttle on the FJR was literally frightening.
Finally managed to get 600 miles on it - slowest 600 mile *ever*! Wife and I were planning on riding to NJ a few weekends ago so I wanted to get the service done before then.
Called the dealer to make drop off arrangements and rushed down there - "rushed" being the key word.
I caught a bad case of Teh Stoopids.
Dealership has an oddly sloped area right where you think would be a good place to stop. I know this and yet - I still stopped there. My wife was on her bike and had pulled up next to me on my right.
I put the kickstand down and proceeded to get off the bike. Bike decided it didn't want to lean to the left. It wanted to lean to the right - unfortunately, that's not where the kickstand is.
I managed to swing my right leg back over to the other side but by that time, the bike was well on its way down and because my wife had pulled up next to me, I couldn't really get any leverage. All I could do is let the bike down slowly.
Letting a bike down slowly does *not* mean gently though. Scratched up the right side mirror, fairing and saddlebag. Did I mention I did this in the dealership parking lot!?
Everything checked out just fine on the bike although I am concerned that our dealer doesn't explain many things or ask many questions about the bike (big difference from our Nashville, TN dealer who was the most helpful group of people I've ever dealt with).
Whether it's tooling around the Danbury CT area (we've just moved here so we are still exploring) or going on longish trips (we went to Cape Cod this past weekend), the bike is an absolute blast to ride.
Cons: I'm going to give it to the 4K maintenance before I do anything drastic but the riding position takes a lot of getting used to. I'm 6'3" and have to constantly remind myself not to lean on my wrists. The inside nerve of both elbows gets a little "tweaked" on long runs, too. I was spoiled by the cruise control on the Royal Star and really miss it.
For me, the stock windshield is next to useless. At highway speeds, when it is fully raised, it makes a hellacious amount of noise. At any other position, the buffeting is really annoying.
I'm used to toploading cases so I find the side loading ones *really* annoying. I'm constantly trapping small bits of gear in the cases and not being able to lose them.
No Cruise Control/self canceling turn signals.
Slight but annoying buzz in throttle grips and right side footpegs at highway speeds. Probably just needs something tightened up.
Pros: Scary quick/fast. "Scary" has always been in a good way though. I've been cruising down the highway wondering why everyone else seems to be going slow when I look at the speedo to see...well...let's just say the numbers would get me a high "Performance Award" from the local troopers.
But it's also just quick. Not only 0-60 but also at speed. Going quickly from 60-80 to pass is ridiculously smooth and easy as is clicking through the gears. I hit the "Perfect Shift" a *lot* more on the FJR than I ever did on the Royal Star.
I'm surprised at how much room there is in the cases - not as much as the Royal Star but even the Royal Star's hardbags couldn't fit a full face helmet.
The stock seat is surprisingly comfortable. Because of the better gas mileage, we're on the bike for about 30 mins longer at a stretch than the Royal Star but there is much less discomfort from the seat.
Gauges are easy to read, even at night. I really like the gear indicator and the "average gas mileage" indicator. Lets you know how much gas you're wasting taking off from stop lights.
I'm not an "aggressive" rider through turns (although, I'd like to learn) but it's obvious how much the FJR *wants* to be flicked through curves (keep in mind I'm coming off a 900 lbs cruiser so yes, I consider a 600+lbs sport tourer "flickable"
). I was able to take the FJR on several curvy roads I had ridden on the Royal Star and was surprised to not have to hit the same braking points and often, not have to brake for the curve at all!One of the major (and it turns out, silly) concerns I had was pegs vs floorboards - I thought there would be a problem coming from the relatively relaxed cruising foot position but, other than occasionally hitting my feet on the pegs as I lift off the ground, it's a non-issue.
Overall, I'm absolutely loving this bike and am really looking forward to exploring/touring this summer!
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