Considering..

[DAK]

Hi all,

I currently own a 2003 Goldwing and a 2006 Yamaha Roadliner. Love both bikes, but I'd really like to condense 2 into 1 on a bike that's great for long distance touring and fun. I love the Wing, but since the wife rides her own bike now I'd really enjoy something a bit smaller. We average 10K+ miles a year. Really, a sport tourer is the only thing I can picture trading my current rides for. The big, flat seat is a NEGATIVE on the Wing, but I don't know how the riding postion of the FJR would suit either. I'm 6' tall with long arms so seat height really isn't an issue and reach may not be (risers would solve that). I see some guys on the FJR that look fairly upright... which would be good. Others are leaning forward... which my old man neck and wrists probably wouldn't take.

I know I need to find a rental to take out for a day in the Rockies and just ride, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Especially from those who have moved from Wings or cruisers.

Thanks!

 

[JamesW]

Hi all,I currently own a 2003 Goldwing and a 2006 Yamaha Roadliner. Love both bikes, but I'd really like to condense 2 into 1 on a bike that's great for long distance touring and fun. I love the Wing, but since the wife rides her own bike now I'd really enjoy something a bit smaller. We average 10K+ miles a year. Really, a sport tourer is the only thing I can picture trading my current rides for. The big, flat seat is a NEGATIVE on the Wing, but I don't know how the riding postion of the FJR would suit either. I'm 6' tall with long arms so seat height really isn't an issue and reach may not be (risers would solve that). I see some guys on the FJR that look fairly upright... which would be good. Others are leaning forward... which my old man neck and wrists probably wouldn't take.

I know I need to find a rental to take out for a day in the Rockies and just ride, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Especially from those who have moved from Wings or cruisers.

Thanks!

What does your wife ride? It would have to keep up with the fjr which is an easy bike to move right along on. You guys might think of an st1300,imho it has a foot in both worlds.

 

[angus]

Hi all,I currently own a 2003 Goldwing and a 2006 Yamaha Roadliner. Love both bikes, but I'd really like to condense 2 into 1 on a bike that's great for long distance touring and fun. I love the Wing, but since the wife rides her own bike now I'd really enjoy something a bit smaller. We average 10K+ miles a year. Really, a sport tourer is the only thing I can picture trading my current rides for. The big, flat seat is a NEGATIVE on the Wing, but I don't know how the riding postion of the FJR would suit either. I'm 6' tall with long arms so seat height really isn't an issue and reach may not be (risers would solve that). I see some guys on the FJR that look fairly upright... which would be good. Others are leaning forward... which my old man neck and wrists probably wouldn't take.

I know I need to find a rental to take out for a day in the Rockies and just ride, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Especially from those who have moved from Wings or cruisers.

Thanks!

What does your wife ride? It would have to keep up with the fjr which is an easy bike to move right along on. You guys might think of an st1300,imho it has a foot in both worlds.

I also have 2003 Wing and love it for trips but love my Fjr for short trips one up wife love the wing I sold my 2008 tour deluxe to buy the wing and there is no conparison between the FJR and the ST1300 the St is slow heavy Hot as hell and real tall I test rode one for 4 hours then rode the FJR and fell in love.

 

[DAK]

My wife rides a Vstar 1300 and she'll keep up just fine. Of course, there will be those moments of madness, as I have now on the Wing and the Liner, and then I may not see her for a few miles.

 

[highcountry]

I have an old man neck, back, knees - - hell, everything is old. I couldn't tolerate the stock rider position of the FJR, but my pre-owned FJR came with risers which allow for infinite bar positions so I moved the bars back then installed a peg relocation kit which lowered and moved the pegs forward. Added a Sargent seat and I was good to go. More room for my knees and a relaxed upright position.

 

[LagerHead]

I have an old man neck, back, knees - - hell, everything is old. I couldn't tolerate the stock rider position of the FJR, but my pre-owned FJR came with risers which allow for infinite bar positions so I moved the bars back then installed a peg relocation kit which lowered and moved the pegs forward. Added a Sargent seat and I was good to go. More room for my knees and a relaxed upright position.

How about some pictures of each of those mods? I would love to see how the peg relocation worked out, for example.

 

[doug44]

I just came from an 06 GL1800 rode it for 4 years and put around 50K on it and now have an 05 FJR I found at the local dealer which was farkled out nice. I am very short both legged and armed but with riser & back plates it is doable. With your height I think the FJR would be fine for you. I really like my FJR and don't want to go back to a GL. I do have the electronic cruise control which I would sorely miss coming from the GL. The FJR is a rocket ship if you think the GL1800 has got high gear roll on all I can say is WOW. I think you can adjust nicely with just a few farkles here and there if needed to make a long and satisfied relationship with the FJR. Ridden within reasonable limits my FJR gets 45mpg on reg 87 fuel. Hopefully you can find a dealer who will let you ride either a used or new FJR or a buddy and see for yourself. FWIW I also a few years ago had a ST1100 and didn't care for that bike at all it was just too heavy, top heavy, and not a lot of fun to ride the GL1800 was much better for me than the ST.

Keep us posted here what you do we always need another good man :yahoo:

 

[Scooper]

Hi all,I currently own a 2003 Goldwing and a 2006 Yamaha Roadliner. Love both bikes, but I'd really like to condense 2 into 1 on a bike that's great for long distance touring and fun. I love the Wing, but since the wife rides her own bike now I'd really enjoy something a bit smaller. We average 10K+ miles a year. Really, a sport tourer is the only thing I can picture trading my current rides for. The big, flat seat is a NEGATIVE on the Wing, but I don't know how the riding postion of the FJR would suit either. I'm 6' tall with long arms so seat height really isn't an issue and reach may not be (risers would solve that). I see some guys on the FJR that look fairly upright... which would be good. Others are leaning forward... which my old man neck and wrists probably wouldn't take.

I know I need to find a rental to take out for a day in the Rockies and just ride, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Especially from those who have moved from Wings or cruisers.

Thanks!

I had a 2006 Stratoliner and my wife still has her 2007 1300 V-Star. I now own a 2008 Road Star and a 2004 FJR. I'm 6'1" with the long arms as well. Anyway it took a little time to get used to the FJR but chasing my grown sons on their Sport rides has gotten me used to it. It is now my favorite ride and I went on a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway last May from Indiana. Last day I logged 650 miles to get home. I think you will do fine if you give it a few days to get used to. We do not ride it two up though as we once had a Venture and the wife feels cramped on the FJR so it's her bike or the Roady two up. It's all good here in Indiana.

Here is a link to my trip in May.

https://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Sco...ay%20FJR%20Run/

Scoop

 

[DAK]

Appreciate all the info. I as at the dealer yesterday. No-can-do on the test ride, but I did have a chance to sit on a Concours 14 and an FJR. It would be the FJR for me hands down. MUCH more forward lean on the Connie. The FJR may be fine out-of-the-box for me, but Helibars would certainly solve any possible issue there. I hear guys talking about "top heavy". The bike is tall so that stands to reason. Is it more top heavy than my Wing? I can't imagine that but I'd like to hear from those who have been on both.

Keep the info coming. I appreciate your input.

 

[angus]

Appreciate all the info. I as at the dealer yesterday. No-can-do on the test ride, but I did have a chance to sit on a Concours 14 and an FJR. It would be the FJR for me hands down. MUCH more forward lean on the Connie. The FJR may be fine out-of-the-box for me, but Helibars would certainly solve any possible issue there. I hear guys talking about "top heavy". The bike is tall so that stands to reason. Is it more top heavy than my Wing? I can't imagine that but I'd like to hear from those who have been on both.Keep the info coming. I appreciate your input.

I think my Wing is way top heavy compared to my FJR I have taken the Advanced rider course on both and the FJR was by far the easiest

 

[deagle]

With the wing and Roadliner you already have the best of both Worlds.

I have a hard time riding the FJR slow. Riding with cruisers (which I do often) is a lesson in patience, but that may just be me.

 

[DAK]

With the wing and Roadliner you already have the best of both Worlds.

And don't I know it... that's what makes this so tough. The Wing is the best touring bike on the planet but I don't ever ride two-up any more. The Liner is a fantastic cruiser, but it certainly doesn't scratch all my itches (and no cruiser could). I'm trying to determine if I replaced those two bikes with one, would that bike give me as much fun as the other two? Though both are paid for, it would certainly be cheaper in terms of upkeep, insurance, etc.. It would save a bunch of room in the garage too.

I know the FJR would be a blast to ride. It's a TON smaller than the Wing and it's even smaller than the Liner, though it can do more. I love to tour on the bike (though I do commute and make "lunch runs" too). I know it won't have the "cushiness" of the Wing, but can I make the FJR comfortable enough for the long haul (day after day)?

One more thing I'd like to throw into the mix... my preference would be an end of year 2010 model, but I'm considering gently used ones as well. Don't really want anything older than 2007. Weren't most of the "issues" fixed by then (not including the ignition switch)? EVERY bike has some issues... I mean anything major.

Thanks yet again... this is about the most helpful and informative FJR forum I've found.

 

[highcountry]

I have an old man neck, back, knees - - hell, everything is old. I couldn't tolerate the stock rider position of the FJR, but my pre-owned FJR came with risers which allow for infinite bar positions so I moved the bars back then installed a peg relocation kit which lowered and moved the pegs forward. Added a Sargent seat and I was good to go. More room for my knees and a relaxed upright position.

How about some pictures of each of those mods? I would love to see how the peg relocation worked out, for example.

Here you go Lagerhead, the risers don't have any markings on them but maybe someone here can tell you who makes them. You will notice that the brake pedal is bent out which I need to accommodate my partially paralyzed foot and ankle.

 

[kolonial72]

highcountry's risers look like Lenker-adapters.

Here's the website. Can you read German? I'm not sure who wells them in the States.

 

[ctfjr]

Hi Dak

I sold my '03 wing to buy my '08 fjr. I average about 20k miles a year an do mostly LD riding. The fjr is, as expected, a lot more fun in the twisties

I did get the Russell Day Long for the feej - I was pretty satisfied with the wing's seat.

They are definitely 2 different bikes. Putting the Heli risers on made it a more upright ride.

- had abt 140k on the wing and now have abt 30 on the fjr. For me it was agood change.

 

[SDMac]

My wife rides a Vstar 1300 and she'll keep up just fine. Of course, there will be those moments of madness, as I have now on the Wing and the Liner, and then I may not see her for a few miles.

Well DAK, all I can say is that if you think moments of madness on a Wing or a Liner leave her behind... start thinking on the order of tens and tens of miles before you'll ever see her again!!

I'd highly recommend the Feej (of course)... I'm 6ft 1, and have no issues at all with the bars/risers/height/comfort. I've spent up to 14 hours in the saddle this summer, and woken up ready to jump on and do some more... No Kidding...

Take the Right Plunge!! Get the Feejer!! You'll not regret anything other than the pain that the constant grin causes in your cheeks!!

Good Hunting!

Scott

 

[RossKean]

I'm 6'3" and traded my 2002 Yamaha Venture for a 2007 FJR this year. It took a little time to get used to but I now find it more comfortable than the Venture for long rides. Performance and handling can't even be compared. The FJR is less roomy and the rider position is quite different, but I don't feel cramped. As for long distance, I did a cross-continent tour this year; a total of ~9500 miles in 17 days. No serious issues at all although I may end out with an aftermarket seat next year. I have a set of risers but have never bothered to put them on the bike. If you end out with the FJR, I would suggest you ride it for a month before you do any additions for ergonomics. Sometimes the muscles just need a little retraining.

Good luck with your decision.

Ross

 

[kolonial72]

I have a hard time riding the FJR slow. Riding with cruisers (which I do often) is a lesson in patience, but that may just be me.

No, it's defintely not just you.