135 lb. female on an FJR?

[krashdragon]

Riding the FJR is incredibly easy. It's also incredibly FAST!, especially when you can't see the speedo cause the bifocals are in the glovebox...OOPS!

It was the little things like having to watch where to park, backing up and doing stupid stuff like stopping in the gravel driveway halfway up the hill ...and having to get pushed!

and forgetting how wide the saddlebags are and almost dumping it in the gravel when I bumped my Jeep.... :blushing:

I did have mine FJR lowered, wonderful ride.

It is very top heavy tho. Iffin I were 10 ( or more! :glare: <BG> ) years younger I wouldn't think anything about it....

But I decided to just get a smaller bike since I already have a big lumpy Harley.... The FJR totally spoiled me tho.... I want a baby FJR...closest I can come is the 650F or 1200 Suzuki, Triumph ST or BMW F800ST.

Have her do some weightlifting, you might need some help if she her foot slip s in a gas station or something and you have to lift it up....

good luck,

Mary

PS.... I thot it was mandatory to do 100 miles before breakfast? Takes me that long to get comfortable..... oh well....

 

[MEM]

Call me a male chauvinist pig, but I would never let either of my daughters (both older than my boy) ride any of my bikes. Oh well... sucks to be old fashioned.

OK, you're a male chauvinist pig - but you wouldn't be the only one

 

[bikerskier]

From my experience, there is no substitute for learning to ride in the dirt for several years and then moving to street bikes. And then riding the hell out of a smaller, older and cheaper bike for a couple of years. Seen many examples of both ways and the riders I admire most are the ones who worked their way up the weight/power ladder. What's the hurry to get on a big, heavy, powerful bike that may or may not kill you or **** up your back when you drop it and try to lift it. Plenty of time in your riding life to apprentice and then be so comfortable and natural on the FJR. And never, ever stop riding the dirt bikes. They are way too much fun!!!

 

[weekend rider]

Lets face it MeM you are fighting an up hill battle here with most rider that are older.

Me I say you got some good teaching and riding experience with tour dad.

JUst go ride the dam thing and find out how it handles make your adjustments for the bike and riding style and be safe.

There are many times I like to ride with the younger rider better, faster, and just plain fun.

My vote is for you and I am older.... and enjoy that ride with your dad, cause he will always remember it and so will you... :fan_1:

 

[Janet]

...I would never let either of my daughters (both older than my boy) ride any of my bikes. Oh well... sucks to be old fashioned.

I am the opposite. I would not let my dad touch my bike with a 10 ft pole......

 

[Bobcattoo]

Time will tell but you obviously have the best perspective as to your Duaghter's capabilities. As I remember the GS 750 was perhaps a stronger running Bike than the FJR. If she has kept from twisting that throttle OR is capable of handling that Bike with the Butterflies opened she is no doubt a SAFER rider than I. Just the fact that you are considering this suggests she won't be looking to see the needle pointing to 135. Except when she is on the scales! :yahoo: But I would recommend Sliders as perhaps the "Best Bang for your Buck" if not already equipped. Saved my cases on 2 occasions since I seldom run with Tupperware. Best of Luck but beware! Next year she'll be wanting to try the Wing!

 

[MEM]

Lets face it MeM you are fighting an up hill battle here with most rider that are older.

What do you call "older" ? I'm on the dark side of 50 B)

 

[oldryder]

" As I remember the GS 750 was perhaps a stronger running Bike than the FJR"

not to worry. the GS750 has a 850 bore kit and the FJR would still leave it far behind under almost any riding conditions you could name.

I have a couple of vintage (1970's) bikes and the difference between those and any relatively recent bike is amazing. After riding a newer bike the old ones feel like the frames are cracked, the shocks and forks are dry, and the brakes are practically inoperative. Even on a racetrack I think an FJR would wax a stock 70's vintage muscle bike like a GS1000.

 

[weekend rider]

Lets face it MeM you are fighting an up hill battle here with most rider that are older.

What do you call "older" ? I'm on the dark side of 50 B)

MEM: I would dare to say you are not on the dark side but the pleasant and beautiful side of life

Well you see I am never going to get old so I am always one day older than the day before and never aging

If It be know it looks like 59

 

[MEM]

MEM: I would dare to say you are not on the dark side but the pleasant and beautiful side of life
Well you see I am never going to get old so I am always one day older than the day before and never aging

If It be know it looks like 59

Point taken. I'm in great health and more fit than I was 10 or 15 years ago. We celebrate all birthdays with gusto - and the philosophy that having birthdays is way better than not having them......

 

[Bobcattoo]

" As I remember the GS 750 was perhaps a stronger running Bike than the FJR"
not to worry. the GS750 has a 850 bore kit and the FJR would still leave it far behind under almost any riding conditions you could name.

I have a couple of vintage (1970's) bikes and the difference between those and any relatively recent bike is amazing. After riding a newer bike the old ones feel like the frames are cracked, the shocks and forks are dry, and the brakes are practically inoperative. Even on a racetrack I think an FJR would wax a stock 70's vintage muscle bike like a GS1000.

Wow! Once again my memory fails me. I had 2 Buddies back in that era that had 78 GS 750s. One was stock and couldn't pull any harder than my stock 77 Wing. BUT the OTHER one! Different story. 4 into one exhaust and several additional teeth on the back sprocket and that Bike would pull! First time on it I had to push it to the Max. I hit a expansion joint in the Road while shifting into second and lost my grip on the left bar. Almost lost that Bike. But as I remember the stock Bike was just under 12 seconds in the quarter-mile. FJR a full second under that.

One other suggestion for your initial question. I'm sure you've thought of this but I would leave the Trunk off and probably even the bags for her first Ride/s. My Bike is usually stripped of as much baggage/weight as possible. And what times I've traveled with that Trunk it really affects handling in the wind and at high speeds.

Best of luck in your family travels and I hope you realize you are the envy of every guy that has a Daugther and/or a Spouse that doesn't have any interest in riding their own Bike.

 

[oldryder]

Thx for suggestion on removing the bags; I wouldn't have thought of that and it's a good idea.

I am pleased my daughters are excited about motorcycles but it is mitigated by the realization that eventually I'll have to let her ride without me and while I don't worry about her behaving stupidly she will be on the road with many many people driving cars that do.

 

[Mr. Huero]

Oldryder, I think that’s fantastic you’re giving your daughter the opportunity to ride the FJR. I have an 18 y.o. daughter that is 5’7” and around 135 lbs that I’ll be giving riding lessons this holiday break on my ’05 FJR.

My daughter is a fairly accomplished dirt bike rider but of course only some of those skills will translate into riding a bike the size the FJR. If it works out the way I believe it will, I’ll be out looking for a new bike next year but gained a new riding partner.

And MEM thanks for the words of encouragement… its spirit like yours that keep ol’ men like myself smiling a lot. :wub:

Ron

(I’ll post a pic when I get a chance)

 

[luvtoride]

Thx for suggestion on removing the bags; I wouldn't have thought of that and it's a good idea.

On the other hand, the sadlebags make great sliders. Much cheaper than a leg that could very possibly get caught underneath the bike.

 

[Mr. Huero]

Thx for suggestion on removing the bags; I wouldn't have thought of that and it's a good idea.

On the other hand, the sadlebags make great sliders. Much cheaper than a leg that could very possibly get caught underneath the bike.

Unfortunately the bags won't help as evidenced by the titanium rod in my left leg. The good news is the bag is an easy and inexpensive fix if you have Gary patch and paint it for you. :fan_1: The leg was quite a bit more expensive... :ermm:

While practicing twisties in the Sierras I came into a tight left a little hot and loaded the suspension enough that I found the center stand makes a lousy fulcrum for turning. Lesson learned.

Ron

 

[Nightshift]

I'm 5'4.5" and 127 pounds (add some pounds for my ATGATT). I've dropped my FJR twice - once practising slow-speed turns a few days before I took the ERC - and was one of the few who took the course without dropping. Like all of the vertically challenged people who report on this forum, I have to carefully scope out where I stop and park my bike and I've had a number of close calls but managed to recover. I've had my bike lowered; if you do this, be sure to have the sidestand adjusted to give you appropriate lean angle. Yeah, it's a huge bike and I LOVE it :yahoo:

I was wondering who adjusted the sidestand on your FJR after it was lowered. I would like to do this adjustment or take it somewhere to get it adjusted.

My fjr was lowered by previous owner and that angle of bike when sidestand in use is not quite enough lean to it. LEt me know as would many others on this site.

Thanks ,

Mick

 

[ahchiu]

I would sugest getting the DVD "Ride Like A Pro V" It shows you the Motor Officer Course and shows 125/lbs# women riding a full dress Harley like it's a bicycle, it really helped my bike handling/riding skills, the weight does not determine weahther a rider can ride a heavy bike,you can get a 200#+ rider that has no experence or skill and not be able to handle a 500, I think the FJR would be fine as long as she gets to knows and learn to respect the bike and her limitiation.

 

[Bulldog9]

I've gotta hand it you you lightweights riding and mastering the FJR. I'm about average, 5'11, 180 lbs, hit the gym regularly, run/cycle a lot, and teh FJR is about as heavy a bike as I want. If I weighted 130-150, I'd be on a mid size sport tourer like the Sprint ST, VFR, or that 800CC BMW thing. So I guess my vote would be that an FJR is too much bike for your daughter to ride cross country. SO many factors that drain energy, focus, strength on an all day ride. I cant imagine it being safe.

 

[Graham Downunder]

" As I remember the GS 750 was perhaps a stronger running Bike than the FJR"
not to worry. the GS750 has a 850 bore kit and the FJR would still leave it far behind under almost any riding conditions you could name.

I have a couple of vintage (1970's) bikes and the difference between those and any relatively recent bike is amazing. After riding a newer bike the old ones feel like the frames are cracked, the shocks and forks are dry, and the brakes are practically inoperative. Even on a racetrack I think an FJR would wax a stock 70's vintage muscle bike like a GS1000.

Wow! Once again my memory fails me. I had 2 Buddies back in that era that had 78 GS 750s. One was stock and couldn't pull any harder than my stock 77 Wing. BUT the OTHER one! Different story. 4 into one exhaust and several additional teeth on the back sprocket and that Bike would pull! First time on it I had to push it to the Max. I hit a expansion joint in the Road while shifting into second and lost my grip on the left bar. Almost lost that Bike. But as I remember the stock Bike was just under 12 seconds in the quarter-mile. FJR a full second under that.

One other suggestion for your initial question. I'm sure you've thought of this but I would leave the Trunk off and probably even the bags for her first Ride/s. My Bike is usually stripped of as much baggage/weight as possible. And what times I've traveled with that Trunk it really affects handling in the wind and at high speeds.

Best of luck in your family travels and I hope you realize you are the envy of every guy that has a Daugther and/or a Spouse that doesn't have any interest in riding their own Bike.

Well having owned a Yamaha XS1100 in 1978 it was sub 12 sec 1/4 mile bike and shaft drive .Suzuki GS 750 were a bit nibler but could not keep up . When you fitted a fairing ( from Mad Max movie ),stero cassette,Krasuer bags and top box ,2 x 100 watts driving lights and some improved suspension you had a great FAST touring bike.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Listen, lots of small and short people ride FJRs with great success, so don't even worry about it. Why Old Michael is barely five feet tall, and except for that one little incident, he rides his just fine. Just has to park next to a curb or a big rock or something.