15 miles later and numbed right hand on my new bike

[cardingtr]

OK i got the bike last Friday but not able to ride it in the weekend because I took the course. I've been waiting for 3 weeks. The dealer delivered it to my garage with 0000000 miles. I can't believe what I see. I never been this excited compared with this new toy.

Today I rode it for a whooping 15 miles.

What I noticed:

1. Heavy to ride in the first 2 miles as I get used to it but after a few miles in it man, this is a sportsbike!

2. The gears are hard and clunky. I have to lift or push it twice most of the time to shift. And it is clunky. Is this normal for a new bike and will disappear after the break in period?

3. Halfway on my short trip I stopped and put it in neutral while the engine is running. When I put it in 1st gear, the engine died. ??? I ride back to garage pulling in on first gear with the clutch in friction zone and the engine died again. I thought this is the smoothest engine but I'll wait few more hundred miles.

4. The throttle numbed my hand quick. Is there an adjustment to make the throttle a little lighter?

Other than that, this bike pulls hard. It earned my respect because if its weight though. I just have to be very careful in the garage maneuver I almost drop it the first time I pulled out of the garage with 0 miles.

And BTW, anybody here from McAllen, TX or know somebody from around the city? I love to meet a fellow FJR owner.

 

[jwilly]

Start reading man, the answers are all here!

Welcome to the forum.

JW

 

[Stewart]

OK i got the bike last Friday but not able to ride it in the weekend because I took the course. I've been waiting for 3 weeks. The dealer delivered it to my garage with 0000000 miles. I can't believe what I see. I never been this excited compared with this new toy. Today I rode it for a whooping 15 miles.

What I noticed:

1. Heavy to ride in the first 2 miles as I get used to it but after a few miles in it man, this is a sportsbike!

2. The gears are hard and clunky. I have to lift or push it twice most of the time to shift. And it is clunky. Is this normal for a new bike and will disappear after the break in period?

3. Halfway on my short trip I stopped and put it in neutral while the engine is running. When I put it in 1st gear, the engine died. ??? I ride back to garage pulling in on first gear with the clutch in friction zone and the engine died again. I thought this is the smoothest engine but I'll wait few more hundred miles.

4. The throttle numbed my hand quick. Is there an adjustment to make the throttle a little lighter?

Other than that, this bike pulls hard. It earned my respect because if its weight though. I just have to be very careful in the garage maneuver I almost drop it the first time I pulled out of the garage with 0 miles.

And BTW, anybody here from McAllen, TX or know somebody from around the city? I love to meet a fellow FJR owner.

cardingtr,

Congrats on the new ride.

1. It is a nice ride no doubt

2. Make sure you are not lugging the engine on your shifts. Wind it out a little bit and then make sure the clutch is squeezed in before your shift. It should smooth those feelings out for you.

3. When you stopped were you parked? Did you have the sidestand down when you put it in 1st gear? There's a safety feature that will not allow you to shift to 1st with the sidestand down.

4. Yes, there is a spring mod you can find by using the search feature or you could do the G2(?) throttle tube replacement also readily available with the search feature at the top right of your screen.

Sounds from your post like this is a first bike for you. If so practice, practice, practice. It's easy to go fast on any motorcycle capable of doing so, it's more challenging to corner skillfully and even more importantly be able to stop safely. Keep the rubber on the road and the plastic parts scratch free.

Regards and God Bless,

 

[ynotride]

Practice, Practice, and more Practice. About 8 years ago when I got my first street bike I took it down to my local DMV after hours and practiced doing the figure 8 they had in the parking lot. I did take the MSF course but that was on their little dual sport bikes and it is different riding a big heavy bike like the FJR.

If it is your first bike I suggest using an empty parking lot or DMV to practice before you just jump on to the roads with other cars. You should be able to take off, stop and turn around without stalling or putting your feet down.

Congrats and be safe

 

[FuzzyRider]

cardingtr, congratulations on the new bike! It surely is a sweet machine.

As to the clunky shifting, there have been many reports from folks on the forum of the clutch plates sticking together even with the clutch pulled it. With the clutch pulled in and the bike turned off and in 1st gear is it hard to move the bike? Then put the bike in neutral and try moving it? Easier to move in neutral? If so you're clutch plates may be sticking - you can take it to your dealer and they'll fix it under warranty.

As for the numb hand, yeah, the throttle is stiff. Keep riding it and you do get used to it - at least I did.

 

[cardingtr]

I appreciate all your suggestions. Yes, I read about these problems and I just want to let you all know that my bike has it too. I hope these issues will be gone when the bike smooths out.

When I stopped I just adjusted my gear and go. I just put it in neutral and the sidestand are always up. What I did is..squeezed the clutch, put it in first gear, engine stalled.

This is not the first bike for me. Although I haven't have a bike for 10 years, a ride too (Brother in law's VSTROM and Sportster) . I've been riding since age 12 (fell of the bridge at that time) mostly 225cc and 500cc. In fact I attended MSF this weekend to refresh myself and I got -2 score in rider skills test, not perfect, my instructor said I rode faster than 12mph in a curve but I got the highest score. He said that speed on a tight curve looks spooky.

Towards the end of this first ride today, I am actually comfortable and confident riding it, it just the numbness in my wrist. The good thing is, had I test riden this bike in the dealership, I probably ended up not buying the bike because of the wrist. But I'm glad I did. The more I thought about it, I think I will get used to the new throttle pressure.

My stint with MSF over the weekend probably spooked me because those bikes are too light.

I already spotted a big vacant parking lot that I can practice the course. I will try that in the next few days. I'm buying Fanta drinks tomorrow (orange). Those will be my markers.

Farkles? I'm shopping. Reflective tapes coming. Slider installed. That's it for now. I am riding this bike and figure out after what I need to bet my dollar on.

Later.

Ric

 

[FuzzyRider]

I'm buying Fanta drinks tomorrow (orange). Those will be my markers.

Ric, if you have a set of used tennis balls - or heck, even if you don't you can go buy a can of new ones for not much money - take your hacksaw and cut the balls into two hemispheres. Then you can use those for markers and you won't have to worry about getting too close and running them over.

 

[BFehklar]

4. Yes, there is a spring mod you can find by using the search feature or you could do the G2(?) throttle tube replacement also readily available with the search feature at the top right of your screen.

+1 on the G2 Thottle Tube replacement. It made a huge difference for me - so much that I didn't feel the need to do the spring mod. I had ridden 2,500 miles before the G2 and while I was used to the stiff throttle - I didn't like it, required way too much work to get smooth thottle control.

 

[MojaveFJR]

Take it you have an 08'. Signature or post doesn't say.

I don't notice the sitff throttle but then again compared to the R1 and WR what is stiff? All relative. Search for the throttle spring there is a way to release some tension through there. I don't find it stiff so I let it be. Will get a throttle lock though. Mostly cause I plan on using this bike as a tourer and ya just need to flex the right wrist some times on the long haul. Also, next time out try to notice how tight you are gripping the throttle. No need to man-handle the throttle with this bike. Once you get it to where you want it a gentle pressure is all that is needed to hold it there.

Another thing to consider are bar ends. This bike has a buzz at about 75-90 in the bars that will make you hands numb. https://www.motovationusa.com/mvstore/Scrip...sp?idproduct=46 These are the ones I have. Got mine in black. Very nice and they did the job. Also help preserve the bike in case of a slide.

Mine stalls from time to time in 1st gear as well. This is happening less and less. One thing I did notice is that if you let the bike warm up this doesn't happen. To me it happens in the first couple of miles, sometimes. Once the bike is warmed up for the day it never happens again. Someone mentioned the clutch plates sticking. Well they are in the oil in the crankcase. Next time you take the bike out let it warm up to at least two bars before taking it out. Min one bar on the thermostat. Have found that if the bike is given the chance to warm up it is less likely to do this. Mostly happened on real cold mornings. As I said, happening less and less. This is also the same for the clunking. Gotta let that oil warm up.

The FJR is a top heavy bike compared to the rest of my bikes. Yes it is heavy, close to 700 lbs wet. Well balanced and easy to manuever while under the throttle but a "tank" otherwise. All based on perception and experience with other bikes that are much lighter than the FJR. So I applaud your going to a parking lot to practice. I have found that with low speed manuevers the FJR likes to turn/tip in on you. Becareful and be ready for that. Little bit of throttle fixes the issue but just a little bit.

One thing I would like to recommend to you is that after your first 100 miles or so go over the nuts and bolts that you can access with a torque wrench. Values are in the BOF. Found that some weren't set according to the manual on my bike. Just a comfort factor for me.

The more you ride this bike the more you WILL be happy you bought it.

Happy miles to you.

 

[dragonchef]

Wow..McAllen, you are way down there...Planning on any riding in Mexico?

I was also in the "not much riding in over a decade" club. MSF helped a great deal, but as with you, pon a 250cc. I'm am sure it will be different on the FJR. I'm in about 6 months of riding, and put on about 5,000 miles. Wishing more and more that I had more time and a bigger country to ride in...

A big help for me was turning up the idle adjustment, >1100. Stall problems went away.

G2 throttle was also huge. Changed the experience completely.

You can solve the bar-end weight/throttle lock issue with throttlemiesters. Folks here love 'em or hate' em, I'm in the first group.

Clunky shifting smothed out with time as well, not to mention changing to Mobil1 (why did I say that..)

last 2 words....grip puppies

 

[Fred W]

The main reason that newer riders right hands goes numb is because they have a death grip on the handlebars, especially the throttle. Do yourself a big favor, before you spend a ton of farkle bucks on G2 sleeves and PCIII's, get a Throttle rocker, wrist rest, cramp buster of some kind and snap that puppy on your right grip. Go for a ride and leave your hand loose around the bar. You'll be amazed...

PS - I have no interest in this product other than a happy user.

 

[Warchild]

The main reason that newer riders right hands goes numb is because they have a death grip on the handlebars, especially the throttle.

Absolutely correct. The hand goes numb due to lack of blood flow. The lack of blood flow is caused by an iron death grip on the throttle, and most likely, you aren't cognizant you are gripping it so hard because you are concentrating so hard on other things (like not dropping the bike, negotiating a turn, etc, etc.).

You acclimate to the bike within a (relatively) short time.

Welcome to the finest FJR forum on the planet.

 

[sl_1300]

I will second the throttle rocker. Also made sure the idle is at 1100, mine was at 950 and it stalled on a take off one time, adjusted the idle up to 1100 and no more problems.

 

[Bogus]

I have the Madco throttle lock on my 08 and love it. Had it on my 02 VTX, and was one of the first farkles on the new FJR. Much cheaper then the Throttlemeister, and in my opinion, much easier to use. Madco is a small machine shop in CA. You have to send in a form via snail mail, but the turnaround time is only about a week! You have to take off the throttle hand grip to install, but it is a piece of cake to do, and well worth it. Here is a picture of it installed on mine, and a web-site link to them.

Madco

 

[cardingtr]

Thanks for all your helpful replies. Yes, Mexico is definitely on my radar. Probably in a few months I have to put more miles on this puppy on this side of the border. One of the MSF course rider told me he went to Satillo, Mexico last month and the ride is awesome on his Roadking. (On MSF, he failed on figure 8 and emergency stop on a curve).

I wont buy any "throttle help" for now. I want my body to fit in as it is so it will develop a muscle memory just for the bike. But if 2000 miles and a bottle of Motrin later the problem is still there, I will consider the above suggestions.

But you are all right, I am probably gripping the throttle too hard unconciously. I'm going to Academy today so I grab some of those antislip rubbers that you can put in a tennis racket. I think it will work ok on the bike. I'll get the tennis balls too for my practice.

One thing I want to modify is the "glove box" or shall I say add. There is only one on the left side with the power outlet. I will look at it later but can I add another one on the right side? I figured I can cut a hole the size of whatever container with a cover, drop it in and then secure it with an appropriate glue. I know heat issues but I can look around.

Ric.

 

[Ford68xl]

I also found adding grip puppies (or similar product) worked wonders. I was used to fatter grips on my previous bikes and when I got the FJR the diameter of the grips were so small that my hands cramped. Adjusting the handle bar setting to the furthest position towards the back (it comes in the center position I think) took a lot of pressure off of my wrists as well. Ride and enjoy!!!

 

[Fred W]

Thanks for all your helpful replies. Yes, Mexico is definitely on my radar. Probably in a few months I have to put more miles on this puppy on this side of the border. One of the MSF course rider told me he went to Satillo, Mexico last month and the ride is awesome on his Roadking. (On MSF, he failed on figure 8 and emergency stop on a curve). I wont buy any "throttle help" for now. I want my body to fit in as it is so it will develop a muscle memory just for the bike. But if 2000 miles and a bottle of Motrin later the problem is still there, I will consider the above suggestions.

But you are all right, I am probably gripping the throttle too hard unconciously. I'm going to Academy today so I grab some of those antislip rubbers that you can put in a tennis racket. I think it will work ok on the bike. I'll get the tennis balls too for my practice.

One thing I want to modify is the "glove box" or shall I say add. There is only one on the left side with the power outlet. I will look at it later but can I add another one on the right side? I figured I can cut a hole the size of whatever container with a cover, drop it in and then secure it with an appropriate glue. I know heat issues but I can look around.

Ric.

The right side is full of battery. No room for a right side glove box.

If you are talking about adding another outlet, then sure. Lots of people do.

I ride all of my bikes with throttle rockers, FWIW. They all fit me just fine.

 

[exskibum]

One thing I want to modify is the "glove box" or shall I say add. There is only one on the left side with the power outlet. I will look at it later but can I add another one on the right side? I figured I can cut a hole the size of whatever container with a cover, drop it in and then secure it with an appropriate glue. I know heat issues but I can look around.

Nope-- believe it or not, your battery is over there. Yep -- in the right hand side of the fairing. EDIT --- I see that Fred beat me to it while I was reading.

 

[chrisflock]

Thanks for all your helpful replies. Yes, Mexico is definitely on my radar. Probably in a few months I have to put more miles on this puppy on this side of the border. One of the MSF course rider told me he went to Satillo, Mexico last month and the ride is awesome on his Roadking. (On MSF, he failed on figure 8 and emergency stop on a curve). I wont buy any "throttle help" for now. I want my body to fit in as it is so it will develop a muscle memory just for the bike. But if 2000 miles and a bottle of Motrin later the problem is still there, I will consider the above suggestions.

But you are all right, I am probably gripping the throttle too hard unconciously. I'm going to Academy today so I grab some of those antislip rubbers that you can put in a tennis racket. I think it will work ok on the bike. I'll get the tennis balls too for my practice.

One thing I want to modify is the "glove box" or shall I say add. There is only one on the left side with the power outlet. I will look at it later but can I add another one on the right side? I figured I can cut a hole the size of whatever container with a cover, drop it in and then secure it with an appropriate glue. I know heat issues but I can look around.

Ric.

I think you'll find there isn't a way to put a 'glove box' on the right side, there's parts in there. Battery, I think some fuses, maybe relays...