Finally Rode an FJR, but didn't love it

[EXPDSGT]

I would bet the tire pressure was off; esp. the front tire. Also as someone else said -- it the tires are worn -- that will do what you describe. My FJR does none of the things you describe.

 

[Graham Downunder]

I would say front tire pressure was out ( common on many bikes ) ,tires worn ,suspension worn, fork oil old ,suspesion not set for YOU.these are just some things that coem to mind about any bike you may ride that is owned by someone else.

If you are after a bike to do 500 mile days any bike that is any noiser is going to get to you on a long trip .

Good luck with your choice ,it may not be the bike for you, but it just may be the bike for you in a year or two .

 

[AZrider]

You know, someone already said it, but........go with your guts. I bought an ST-1300, everyone I talked to extolled its virtues, V-4 engine with gobs of torque, great fairing, wonderful handling etc. I looked at the FJR and at that time the dealer didn't have a used one around I could ride. There was something that just grabbed me about the way it looked. But, I bought the ST and for almost a year I struggled with the weight and the heat. I never bonded with that bike no matter what mods I did, there was just something about it that didn't talk to me.

After struggling with the ST-1300 and performing an Olympic squat with 700 pounds of machine I finally threw in the towel and asked the same dealer (He sells both Honda an Yamaha) if I could ride this used 2005 FJR. After ten miles I had a grin on my face and knew I had to have it. I bought a new FJR and have never looked back. Point is that sometimes you just have to toss people's opinions out the door and go with your intuition and gut feeling.

AZ

 

[rgross98]

It's Funny, I am in the same boat...I currently own an '01 svs that was my first bike. I have modified it greatly to meet my needs with convertibars, corbin, forward and lower footpegs, Givi Screen, ventrua bike pack.....It is fun, but it is very responsive/jitter with the taller and forward bars, I enjoy longer rides but it gets uncomfortable on the sv for me with my bad back and knees, I commute 80 miles of slab daily, and would like for more flexibility with storage space.

I have been saving money for the last two years and should have enough money to buy a used bike by next xmass/spring of next year. I have been doing alot of research and have narrowed the possibilities down to the '06 FJR or '06 Triumph sprint...........It's very difficult, as I don't have any other friends who ride, so I cannot test ride either bike, but I really want to make a decision between the two and take the plunge. What ever I buy, I really need to ride it for the next 5-6 years as I will not have the money to upgrade again as I just had my first daughter (16mths) and I will be trying to have another shortly.....

I only know what I have read from other people on message boards, but I have read the the sprint is closer to a VFR which is lighter and more on the sporting end of the spectrum, but still has the comfortable position and luggage....may be a bike for you to look into further.......BUT, I am just SOOOO drawn to the FJR, it's just something inside me that always pulls me back to leaning towards the FJR.....

Good luck on your journey, and I hope in the near future we both post a message stating we've found the best fit for us...you never know, we may even stay with the SV

Robert

 

[jr944]

Hey Robert:

Went to the local Triumph/Ducati/Yamaha dealer yesterday and sat on a Sprint. It did feel a lot smaller than the FJR. The other bike I was interested in was the Ducati ST3.

Of course, you can't tell much just by sitting, but balance wise, the Ducati felt very much like the SV, the Triumph felt a bit more top-heavy (though, obviously not as much so as the FJR).

Undoubtedly, the Duc would be much more expensive to maintain than the other bikes. Like the FJR, I think it looks really good with or without the bags mounted. My only complaint after about a 20 minute showroom test-sit was that the clutch lever had a REALLY hard pull. The Duc also felt like it had a bit longer reach, but a set of heli-bars would help that.

I'm still pretty enamored with the Blackbird too and suspect that could be my "interim" bike. It's undoubtedly much better for longer rides than the SV, but still pretty sporty. If I find myself doing more long rides, I could sell the SV, keep the Blackbird, and add an FJR, ST3, or Concours 14.

Still trying to find an '06-07 FJR to test ride, but unsuccesful so far.

Joe

 

[vectervp1]

You know if you guys put where you lived in your profile you may be able to get some current owners to offer up a test ride....

 

[feejer222]

Not read all the reply's, so I don't know if I am duplicating.

You will see from my signature that I have had lots of bikes over a long period. As far as I am concerned the FJR is the best of the lot by far.

My feelings are that you have ridden a bad bike. You don't say what the mileage is on the 03.

The FJR is, as you will see from the many posts on here is a superb bike. The fact that you have only owned one bike may also have an influence on your thoughts.

Good luck.

 

[rgross98]

You know if you guys put where you lived in your profile you may be able to get some current owners to offer up a test ride....

I didn't realize I had not added that FIXED.....

 

[boardsNbikes]

You know if you guys put where you lived in your profile you may be able to get some current owners to offer up a test ride....

I didn't realize I had not added that FIXED.....

Rockaway, NJ??? I'd go back to keeping it hidden

 

[jr944]

Hello:

Thought I'd share what happened if anyone is interested.....

After riding the Blackbird, I thought I'd look for something a bit lighter and perhaps sportier than the FJR.

Sat on a Ducati ST3, but couldn't get a test ride. Ruled it out due to a fair number of folks online complaining of buzzy handlebars. Also sat on the Triumph Sprint ST, but couldn't ride that either. Not sure why, but the Triumph just didn't click for me.

Did a lot more reading and saw that there were some folks using their Kawasaki ZX14's for touring duties.

While waiting to test ride the ZX14, had the chance to ride a new BMW K1200R Sport. Not my favorite style of the K1200, but very impressive motor, handling, and overall feel.

Rode the ZX14 today and was very impressed with how manageable it was to ride. As long as the throttle is used judiciously, it's not scary at all, handles beautifully, and is really really really STUPID fast! I really liked the bike, but was pretty unsure about the image the bike portrays. (for a somewhat overweight, balding, married, 40 yr. old anyway)

The plan was to visit the nearest BMW dealer tomorrow to sit on and perhaps ride a K1200S, but leaning towards the ZX14 due to the huge difference in cost for a BMW.

By luck, my friend with the Blackbird (who accompanied me to the Kaw. dealer today) stopped at the Honda dealer on his way home. Called me to say there was a used K1200S parked amongst their new sport bikes.

The bike was an '07 with just 2,550 miles in blue/silver/black. It's plenty fast, but didn't feel quite so stupid fast as the ZX14. Handling is very intuitive and the motor is smooth as can be. I bought it!

Thanks again for all who offered their feedback. This is a great forum.

 

[dcarver]

Hello:Thought I'd share what happened if anyone is interested.....

After riding the Blackbird, I thought I'd look for something a bit lighter and perhaps sportier than the FJR.

Sat on a Ducati ST3, but couldn't get a test ride. Ruled it out due to a fair number of folks online complaining of buzzy handlebars. Also sat on the Triumph Sprint ST, but couldn't ride that either. Not sure why, but the Triumph just didn't click for me.

Did a lot more reading and saw that there were some folks using their Kawasaki ZX14's for touring duties.

While waiting to test ride the ZX14, had the chance to ride a new BMW K1200R Sport. Not my favorite style of the K1200, but very impressive motor, handling, and overall feel.

Rode the ZX14 today and was very impressed with how manageable it was to ride. As long as the throttle is used judiciously, it's not scary at all, handles beautifully, and is really really really STUPID fast! I really liked the bike, but was pretty unsure about the image the bike portrays. (for a somewhat overweight, balding, married, 40 yr. old anyway)

The plan was to visit the nearest BMW dealer tomorrow to sit on and perhaps ride a K1200S, but leaning towards the ZX14 due to the huge difference in cost for a BMW.

By luck, my friend with the Blackbird (who accompanied me to the Kaw. dealer today) stopped at the Honda dealer on his way home. Called me to say there was a used K1200S parked amongst their new sport bikes.

The bike was an '07 with just 2,550 miles in blue/silver/black. It's plenty fast, but didn't feel quite so stupid fast as the ZX14. Handling is very intuitive and the motor is smooth as can be. I bought it!

Thanks again for all who offered their feedback. This is a great forum.

No problem! Just slap some tuning forks on the POS you just bought and call it good! Seriously, that's a nice ride.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Sounds to me like you'd be super happy with a FZ-1. Blackbirds are great bikes, certainly not apple to apples comparison. We have a blackbird and FJR owner on line and his remarks are similar to your findings and he uses the bikes to compliment each other. He has said that if he could only have one, it would be the FJR.

Glad you, too, are back in Orangevale safe from the southern part of the state! :clapping:

And you must be talking about me, though I'm one of a few I know of on the site who own both Blackbirds and FJRs.

Both my bikes have aftermarket suspensions and some farkles aimed at performance; my XX also has lighter aftermarket wheels and Micron pipe with CF can (haven't yet installed the Muzzy full system on the FJR).

The XX is lighter than the FJR -- probably a little under 100 lbs with the mods I have, and with them similarly loaded or unloaded with luggage. It does have more horseponies than the FJR, though less grunt in the mid range. It won't keep up with a modern liter sport bike in the top end HP department, but it sure does have the full powerband, esp. with a pipe.

A smoother 4 cyl. engine you will not find than on the XX.

They are both sport touring bikes, but the XX is closer to the sport side of the compromise and the FJR closer to the touring side. Neither is a full sport bike.

I mostly use the XX as a one up, full day, mountain passes and twisties mount. I use the FJR mostly for two up riding, and long distance trips (have done same on XX, but nowhere near as comfortable). On either bike, most of my riding is in twisties (blessed to live where I do), and the FJR does a great job there within its limits. I'm sure that on the XX I could beat myself on the FJR through the twisties, but would probably scare the **** out of myself and I doing it -- they're both good enough and quick enough to be able to go too fast in that kind of an ignorant competition.

I LOVE both bikes and cannot imagine selling either (this is my second XX), BUT . . .

IF I had to get down to one bike, it'd be the FJR. It is simply the better all around bike. It does nothing the best, but as a platform of compromises, it is unequalled in my opinion. Set up the suspension right, and it will do an admirable job in the twisties as long as you aren't trying to race it.

If I had the SV650, I'd feel the need for more of a tourer to keep it company in the garage. It's just a question of degree. Hard to argue against an XX for me, but FOR ME, the FJR gets the most use and works the best for the range of riding I do -- esp. for taking the GF along -- and she LOVES riding**.

**She's now got the hots (and oil company motivation) to take the MSF course and buy a Kwak 650R Ninja -- the 2 cylinder in candy blue. She sat on one last Thursday and fell in love. (Edit to note: went home for lunch today and see the Kawasaki brochure out on the counter and a Post-it note with an arrow pointing to the full page picture of the blue 650R leaned over in a curve and the note: "My Bike!!!" LOL -- and then I found two print outs of glowing magazine reviews with specs -- open on the coffee table.)

I guarantee she will love the new 650.It is a blast!Take her to the BMW dealership and look at the new 800 F series.Very similar but she can buy 2.5 Kawasakis to one F seris

 

[RatoneMuerto]

For the past few months, I've been planning to buy a new FJR, but just couldn't pull the trigger before actually riding one. Last week, a friend of a friend was kind enough to allow me to take his '03 for a good 1/2 hour ride that included some gentle curving roads, stop and go in-town, and a bit of interstate.
My current (and first) bike is an '04 Suzuki SV650S. I really like it a lot and am glad it was my first. My plan was even to keep it for a while after purchasing the FJR just for quick rides on the twisties near home. I wanted the FJR for a more comfortable riding position, smoother ride, and long-distance touring capability. While I'm working on improving my riding posture, my hands still tend to get numb on the SV due, I'm sure, in part to the riding position and partially due to the buzzy V-twin motor.

I've read all the fantastic reviews and probably thousands of posts on this forum. What I expected with the FJR was a much bigger, but still sporty feeling ride. What I found (at least on this particular '03) was that it felt like the handlebars were fighting me back at in low speed turns (neighborhood speed) and an exhaust note that was extremely unsatisfying. In the 45-50mph curving roads, it was nice, but still felt big to me. On the highway, it felt fantastic and would be even better with a slightly taller windscreen.

Another friend, who was also sure the FJR would be my next bike, offered to let me ride his '97 CBRXX Blackbird. Obviously, not apples to apples, but the Blackbird is almost the same weight as the FJR and similar power. I hope this isn't sacreligious on this forum, but I LOVED the Blackbird. The throttle response was fantastic, it sounded great, shifted perfectly, and handled like I expected a big sportbike to handle. This bike is about to turn 50k miles and was as smooth and tight as could be. The ride was only about 20 minutes and I really don't think I can live with the seating position for a 250-300 mile day.

OK, have at it...... You won't hurt my feelings. What's wrong with me? What was wrong with the '03FJR I rode? What, if any, other bikes should I look at? What bikes did you consider before choosing the FJR and why? (I'm now considering Ducati ST3 or used BMW K1200GT or RS)

Thanks very much for your thoughts. I've really enjoyed just learning about the FJR and was looking forward to joining you as an owner (and may still do so, just not so sure now!)

Joe

St. Louis, MO

Joe buying any motorcycle is like buying shoes.You know you have the right fit when it is comfortable and works for you.The FJR is a solid platform IMO to build up a rock solid sport tourer that wont break your bank.I got mine so my wife and I can ride together.If I were to ride only solo then I would not have picked the FJR but the FZ1.I also love riding my buds Suzuki SV since he changed the bar setup to a Heli bar and a Rifle windscreen.Might look into that one for you.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Hello:Thought I'd share what happened if anyone is interested.....

After riding the Blackbird, I thought I'd look for something a bit lighter and perhaps sportier than the FJR.

Sat on a Ducati ST3, but couldn't get a test ride. Ruled it out due to a fair number of folks online complaining of buzzy handlebars. Also sat on the Triumph Sprint ST, but couldn't ride that either. Not sure why, but the Triumph just didn't click for me.

Did a lot more reading and saw that there were some folks using their Kawasaki ZX14's for touring duties.

While waiting to test ride the ZX14, had the chance to ride a new BMW K1200R Sport. Not my favorite style of the K1200, but very impressive motor, handling, and overall feel.

Rode the ZX14 today and was very impressed with how manageable it was to ride. As long as the throttle is used judiciously, it's not scary at all, handles beautifully, and is really really really STUPID fast! I really liked the bike, but was pretty unsure about the image the bike portrays. (for a somewhat overweight, balding, married, 40 yr. old anyway)

The plan was to visit the nearest BMW dealer tomorrow to sit on and perhaps ride a K1200S, but leaning towards the ZX14 due to the huge difference in cost for a BMW.

By luck, my friend with the Blackbird (who accompanied me to the Kaw. dealer today) stopped at the Honda dealer on his way home. Called me to say there was a used K1200S parked amongst their new sport bikes.

The bike was an '07 with just 2,550 miles in blue/silver/black. It's plenty fast, but didn't feel quite so stupid fast as the ZX14. Handling is very intuitive and the motor is smooth as can be. I bought it!

Thanks again for all who offered their feedback. This is a great forum.

YOU RODE THE NEW CONNIE? I BET SHE WAS ONE HOT TICKET :dribble: Guess what they are going to make a police version of it too