2004 FJR Engine heat

[Ural Guy]

Hello-  My RT1150 just blew up the input shaft at 90,000 miles and I'm looking for a replacement.  Love the BMW, but don't have the ability to make this repair.  After buying the parts, and paying someone to install, this used FJR may make a lot of sense.

There is a 2004 FJR for sale near me, around 53,000 miles, $3200.  The guy has done a lot of work to it, upgrade to Wilber rear shock and front springs, windshield extension, Meyer seat, etc.  The only thing that concerns me is he said he gets engine heat on the legs when it's above 75 f.  Somehow having the tank full lessons the effect, he says. That is my main concern, as otherwise on paper the bike looks really nice.

What is the opinion here, I've had a KZ1000 Concours (put 95,000 miles on it), and the RT1150 that just died.  Is their a handlebar raise kit you can install, I did it on my other bikes as I like an upright position. I like to do 4-5 day trips, avoiding interstate when I can.

I like that it's the older model, not crazy about all the newer electronics.  I want a bike I can throw my leg over and ride.  My brother has a 2010 1400 Concours he's offered to sell me, but I don't like that it weighs almost 100 pounds more, and looks like a lot more electronics.  He lives 600 miles away so I've never riden the bike.  (I did see the thread comparing the two bikes...consensus seemed that the Connie was fat and not great at low speed, not good on the occasional gravel I encounter).

I'd appreciate your thoughts, heading down before the snow flies to see it in person.  I did try the search feature for 'engine and heat', but just came up with too many results.  Thanks in advance.

 

[Cyclepath]

Hey Ural, I rode a Gen 1 (2004) FJR for about 7 years, and though yes, the heat around lower legs could sometimes become noticeable on the warmest of days, I didn't find it took joy away from ownership.  Friends and I travelled many 1000s of miles together through western Canada and Pacific Northwest, and as long as I was using [sensible] vented textile armour pants, excess engine heat was never a problem for me.  In fact, because we have colder weather in the shoulder seasons leading into summer / ending summer, I actually could enjoy that extra warmth just a little too.

Yes, there are Helibar risers and some other aftermarket handlebar block kits out there for FJRs which raise & shift back about 1" to help you improve ergos.

I only sold my Gen 1  this past April in order to take advantage of a great deal on a 2013 FJR available in my area. Most of the same farkles have now gone into that Gen 3 bike too,

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[SkooterG]

First, the heat off the Gen I FJR is less than that off the old Concours.  I had an '87 Concours and in the summertime after a ride my thighs would be bright red and hurting.   A Gen I FJR is not even close.

How much the heat bothers you off a Gen I FJR is subjective.  It's there, mainly at the shins.  If you are a moron and ride in shorts, you are going to feel it for sure.  If you have decent jeans or better yet, some good riding pants, then it will bother you less so.  If you are of shorter stature you may be more likely to sit up against the rear of the tank.  Not a good idea.  It gets hot. At 6' I have always sat just an inch or so behind the tank.  So tank heat is a non-issue for me.  As for the subjective part, some folks are really bothered my the heat, some like me, just find it a minor annoyance.

I've had many FJRs over the years.  I put 226k miles on my first '04 FJR before I crashed it.  I have 207k miles on my 2nd '04 FJR and still enjoy riding it.  Not all FJRs are created equal.  My 2nd '04 FJR put off significantly more heat than my first.  My SWAG as to the reason was lean fueling.  My first had a Power Commander on it.  The 2nd did not and got 10-15% better fuel mileage.  I think it ran leaner and hotter.  Over time that fuel mileage went down a bit and so did the heat.

At any rate, for me, with well over 400k miles on mainly two '04 FJRS, the 'heat issue' did not, and still does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the bike for me.  It's only an annoyance between 80-90 degrees or so.  Below that who cares about some extra heat, and above it's just freaking hot out.

Handlebar risers.  I am a Handlebar risers guy and have had them on every one of the thirteen FJRs I've owned over the years.  Probably easy to find a used set of Heli bar risers on one of the forums, or Craigslist.  They are the one's I recommend.

I have put significant miles on a Gen II FJR - a 2009 with 138k, and am slowly putting miles on a Gen III, and a Gen III.6.  As the FJR has aged it has become much more refined.  But I still think my '04 FJR is a bit more 'fun'.  A bit rougher around the edges.  More visceral.  More like a 'motorcycle'.  But all the creature comforts of the latest and greatest are nice too.  You can get a decent example of a Gen I FJR for cheap, and the one your considering has some very worthwhile farkles.  As far as I am concerned, the weakest part of the early FJRs was it's suspension, and yours has that fixed.  Oh, and the Gen I FJR stock seat TOTALLY SUCKS.  But nothing a few $$$ can't solve.  And once again, the one you are looking at has that solved.  I would go for it.  As for the 1400 Connie, anybody who would choose a Concours over an FJR must not have had much of a mother......

What a wonderful world we live in to have such options.  Best of luck.

 

[infrared]

Hello-  My RT1150 just blew up the input shaft at 90,000 miles and I'm looking for a replacement.  Love the BMW, but don't have the ability to make this repair. 
There is a 2004 FJR for sale near me, around 53,000 miles, $3200.  The guy has done a lot of work to it, upgrade to Wilber rear shock and front springs, windshield extension, Meyer seat, etc.  The only thing that concerns me is he said he gets engine heat on the legs when it's above 75 f. 
I'd appreciate your thoughts, heading down before the snow flies to see it in person.  I did try the search feature for 'engine and heat', but just came up with too many results.  Thanks in advance.

Ural Guy,

For the Gen1 FJRs, there is a Right Side heat fix, a Left Side heat fix, and a Heat Blanket fix that goes just under the tank.  You can get tailored FJR Heat Blankets on eBay; the material is good, but expect to trim to fit anyway.  The right home insulation is what you need, there.  Some of the links below have unconventional links to pix; you have to highlight, and Right-click the link, then select "COPY to Clipboard" from the menu.  Then PASTE the link [CTRL V] into the address line of a browser, to see the pix.  SAVE them to your computer, and create a Repair file there, for easy access.  There really is no one final answer to the heat problem of a Gen1, but these things help (or so I'm told).

Right Side Heat Fix
https://www.fjrowners.com/forum/messages/6/10235.html

orginal post for Left Side Heat Fix Gen1
https://www.fjrowners.com/forums/1265857-post1.html

Template for cut out...
Template https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10016.jpg

Fabricated part...
Part A https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10017.jpg
Part B https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10018.jpg
Part C https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10019.jpg
Part D https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10020.jpg

Mounting tab on engine for part...
Frame A https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10021.jpg

Part positioned and mounted...
Frame B https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10022.jpg
Frame C https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10023.jpg
Frame D https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10024.jpg
Frame E https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10025.jpg

DO NOT REINSTALL AIR DIRECTION PANEL...
Panel https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10026.jpg

Cutaway version of air direction panel...
Panel 2 https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10027.jpg

Final assembly view...
Frame E https://www.fjrowners.ws/forum/messages/6/10028.jpg

HTH.

.
 

 

[Ludwig61]

I am another fortunate Gen I owner.  I live in San Antonio, where we average 17 days over 100F.  I don't get slammed by the heat unless it is stop-and-go.  I have heard of others who had their legs baked at all temperatures and speeds.  A prior owner did put the blanket in.  Test ride it and see how it feels to you compared to how you recall your BMW would feel in the same temperatures.

There are also inexpensive tweaks to redirect some of the hot air away from your legs.

 

[Ural Guy]

Holy crow guys, thanks for the almost instant responses!

I'm pretty much an AGATT rider, with jeans and leather chaps; no shorts, never ever.  I have a mesh armored jacket, didn't even know they had pants like that.

  Appreciate the feedback, just what I was looking for.  

My other bike that is running is a Ural with sidecar, so pretty much any 2 wheel bike feels like a huge leap forward.  The RT1150 felt like going from a jet plane to a WW1 biplane.  I have to think the FJR will be the same.

Cyclepath-  I'm 30 miles south of Canadian border, so I get your comments about the heat being nice sometimes.  We had a cold snap in October, and on a 4 night trip had frost on the seat 3 of the mornings.  I like it when it's cold out, turn up the heated liner and drive on.  Just watch out for the black ice lurking in the shadows.

 

[BigOgre]

^What they said.

Had an '04 for about 65k miles before going to my '15.  I kept thinking about what I'd say here as I was reading but the guys above hit on everything I was going to offer up, including a mention about having a set of Heli blocks sitting in the garage somewhere.  Your comment about being AGATT also factors in when figuring out if the leg heat might bother you.  It really shouldn't.  I was almost always in a 'Stich and hardly ever noticed the heat down there.  Around the tank sometimes (before the heat blanket) but a fill-up of cool fuel always chilled things down nicely.

 

[PJ4863]

I went from a Connie to the 2004 FJR. I'm still trying to figure out what heat? I always ride in pants, and I've never noticed it.  I did however love that the bodywork was much easier to take on and off, and more sturdy, and the fuel injection over the carbs, plus the electric windshield, better bags, more torque, more HP, better headlights... I mean I can keep going. I liked the connie, but not nearly as much as the FJR. 

 

[Bounce]

I still have my PdP '03. Engine heat can be an issue during the summer but it's also the same for a 84 GL1200 and a 98 GL1500se (prior to adding WingWings to move air around the fairing and onto the rider). Wear long pants, boots, and gloves and you'll be ahead of the game. ANY bike is hot in the summer where I live. I thought something was on fire in my front fairing on the GL1200 and pulled to the shoulder. The heat on my hands was ambient heat. I started wearing gloves religiously.

 

[WBill]

I've been riding my '05 since it was new, and, yes, it did build up enough engine heat on hot summer desert days to make my left leg uncomfortable and literally make the gasoline boil. I fixed that issue early on.

The fix was not difficult. First, I fabricated a "Chromeit" heat deflector from roof flashing and installed it up the upper left corner of the radiator. I downloaded the details from this forum. That helped quite a bit, but didn't solve the boiling gasoline problem.

Next, I cut out an under-the-tank heat shield from a roll of aluminum-plastic-bubble heat insulation obtained at Home Depot and installed it under the fuel tank. Since I had plenty of it, I cut out more of that insulation to fit behind and on either side of the tank where it contacted the seat, as well as behind the fairing parts below and on either side of the seat. That mitigated the heat I felt on my other tender bits.

Neither addition caused a significant change in engine cooling, as indicated by the temperature gauge.

That was all there was to it. The original additions are still in place, and I have been quite comfortable for over 80,000 miles.

Hope this helps, WBill

 

[roger dodger]

Ural, You will love the FJR!!!  I went from the Connie to the FJR with my 2003, and added Genmar bar risers (or similar) taller shield, and a custom seat too. 

https://www.ebay.com/p/1064709993    Get this heat shield and wear pants and you will be fine.  If it's over 90' just tip your left leg out an extra inch or so to catch the wind. 

With FI, 17" wheels, tons of HP and Torque, and suspension that doesn't suck, you will think you're on a brand new bike (even with 50k miles)!      YMMV

 

[SacramentoMike]

You almost live in freaking CANADA.  So when the AZ and TX guys tell you it's not so bad, believe it.  Ditto this CA guy, and I had two '05's (also a Gen I).  A heat blanket under the tank helps, and you can get wind deflectors (Baker Air Wings is one) that can direct air onto or away from your legs.  Highway pegs can also bring relief, same with keeping the tank topped off, but then when it cools down, I recall really appreciating that engine warmth.   Hey, it's a big engine; what do you expect?  They all get a little warm.  Just manage it a little.  BTW, 50-some K miles on an FJR is low mileage, especially if the guy rode it and maintained it.  Sounds like a good price too IMHO.  Buy it and have a ball.

 

[Ural Guy]

Heading down in a hour to look at it....with trailer and $ in hand.  5" of snow at house yesterday, good thing bike is in sunny Syracuse.

 

[infrared]

Heading down in a hour to look at it....with trailer and $ in hand.  5" of snow at house yesterday, good thing bike is in sunny Syracuse.

Ural Guy,

Is that a joke?  I was there one year, and I think it snowed every single day during the winter.   Didn't they just get a blizzard there this week?

 

[Ural Guy]

Kinda a joke, Syracuse typically doesn't get much sun, Lake Ontario has something to do with it.  And yes, we did get 5" of snow yesterday.

But today, it was 39 leaving my house an hour north of SYR, and sunny and 47 in SYR.

And the trailer was loaded with a real pretty 2004 fjr.  Bike was in even better shape than I expected, and it already had the bar extensions.  Engine sounds and runs great, based on a 10 mile quick check out ride.  Guy I bought it from is an electrician, in my experience those guys take good care of stuff.  He really seemed sad about selling it, but wanted to try a Tenere.

I'll post a picture tomorrow.

Thanks again to all the responses, I'll refer back to thread if I find the heat an issue, very helpful advice Infrared.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Congrats on the new addition! I had an '04 a few FJRs ago and with mine, the heat wasn't that big a deal until ambient temps got into the 90s.

Enjoy the new (to you) scoot, you won't be disappointed!

~G

 

[SkooterG]

Kinda a joke, Syracuse typically doesn't get much sun, Lake Ontario has something to do with it.  And yes, we did get 5" of snow yesterday.

But today, it was 39 leaving my house an hour north of SYR, and sunny and 47 in SYR.

And the trailer was loaded with a real pretty 2004 fjr.  Bike was in even better shape than I expected, and it already had the bar extensions.  Engine sounds and runs great, based on a 10 mile quick check out ride.  Guy I bought it from is an electrician, in my experience those guys take good care of stuff.  He really seemed sad about selling it, but wanted to try a Tenere.

I'll post a picture tomorrow.

Thanks again to all the responses, I'll refer back to thread if I find the heat an issue, very helpful advice Infrared.

Well done!  Congrats!

And your mother's reputation is preserved........

 

[jammess]

Hey Ural Guy, Good decision to replace the 1150 with an FJR I did the same thing 4 years ago and glad I did.  I take it the transmission input shaft is what went?  Not uncommon with the oilhead that and the final drive blowing up, grrrrrr.  Curious how much the dealer wanted to fix.  

 

[Ural Guy]

Yep, input shaft.  One local shop doesn't work on BMW's except tire changes.  The closest BMW shop is about 180 miles away, and they can't give me a price estimate until they tear it apart.  They won't install a transmission I pick up off E-bay, which would cut labor cost way down.

So it's a 618 pound paperweight right now.

Here's the replacement:

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP_5DbFMOCHSXQZXI7FgHfiaJ-IaXO9KVCIEMWP