Finally test rode and have a qusestion

[luxrybound]

I finally got to test ride a fjr this weekend.I like the bike but I had one issue .I could not get a smooth shift between gears.I don't know if this is operator error or just nature of the beast.I ride a vtx and do not have this problem. But every time i would pull the clutch in I would move forward a lot then when I would engage the clutch it would move me back.It was like I was in a tug of war. I test rode (hold your ears and close your eyes) the c14 and didn't notice this.

I have only rode this one and it was a 07. I'm trying to get another test ride but you know how that is. Anyway thanks

 

[csanders99]

I finally got to test ride a fjr this weekend.I like the bike but I had one issue .I could not get a smooth shift between gears.I don't know if this is operator error or just nature of the beast.I ride a vtx and do not have this problem. But every time i would pull the clutch in I would move forward a lot then when I would engage the clutch it would move me back.It was like I was in a tug of war. I test rode (hold your ears and close your eyes) the c14 and didn't notice this.
I have only rode this one and it was a 07. I'm trying to get another test ride but you know how that is. Anyway thanks

It's the (major) difference in Hp, you have to give it more throttle to do it smoothly, or shift a lower RPM.

 

[Fred W]

...or don't use the clutch. Seriously.

 

[krotchrocketgrampa]

thats odd, mine will shift smooth with or without the clutch up or down,just blip the throttle, but thats just me and I probably dont know what I'am doing anyway

 

[HaulinAshe]

Budget $150 and 2.0 hours of your personal time in the garage. There's two simple fixes for an '07 that will vastly improve the smoothness of shifting.

All the suggestions above do apply, but there are some particular idiosyncrasies to the '07 that are easily changed.

 

[Knifemaker]

Many coming from a different bike have the same problem...for just awhile, as once you learn how the bike wants to be shifted it is smooth and quick. (if your test bike had low miles that does not help)

It took me a few days to master the manuver till it became a unconcious operation. I think (and it is hard to describe ..) to shift you need to time the clutch lever, gas , and shift lever so the shift lever starts off first by a nano second. With my other bike it was clutch in-throttle back-shift up...where the FJR is kinda like shift up clutch in throttle back ...all of which are done in less than 1/2 second..but somehow it seems the first move is to lead with the shifting ...even if it appears they are all being done at the same time.

Again hard to explain, but take it from me, the shifting does get ALOT easier once you get used to the bike.

 

[Patriot]

I found my Feej clutch engages quickly and in a short "distance" from the grip...much different than the "loose" clutches of my cruiser and wing.

In only a few hours of riding, I adjusted to effective, effortless shifting and feathering of the clutch...especially from dead stops.

 

[FJR-Voltron]

Yeah, I think every member here can attest to the fact that there's a learning curve to master smooth shifting...

 

[midlifeuturn]

I have an '09, so I can't comment on the '07, but I found that my issues with shifting this bike were trying too hard and it started with coming up on the shift lever hard. The less I tried and let the bike do it's thing the smoother my shifting got. Smoother shifting resulted in smoother operation through the gears.

 

[Rick_W]

I get the smoothest shifts on my '07 when I shift in the higher RPM range.

 

[ridgerunner88]

Budget $150 and 2.0 hours of your personal time in the garage. There's two simple fixes for an '07 that will vastly improve the smoothness of shifting.
All the suggestions above do apply, but there are some particular idiosyncrasies to the '07 that are easily changed.

Care to elaborate?

 

[RadioHowie]

Budget $150 and 2.0 hours of your personal time in the garage. There's two simple fixes for an '07 that will vastly improve the smoothness of shifting.
All the suggestions above do apply, but there are some particular idiosyncrasies to the '07 that are easily changed.

Care to elaborate?

I'm gonna guess Jeff comes back with 1 - R1 shift arm, and 2 - G2 replacement throttle tube.

Just a WAG.

 

[HaulinAshe]

Budget $150 and 2.0 hours of your personal time in the garage. There's two simple fixes for an '07 that will vastly improve the smoothness of shifting.
All the suggestions above do apply, but there are some particular idiosyncrasies to the '07 that are easily changed.

Care to elaborate?

Howie you're close.

G2 Throttle Tube

Gen-I clutch slave cylinder

 

[Roy Epperson]

What's this and what does it add?

Gen-I clutch slave cylinder

 

[RadioHowie]

What's this and what does it add?

Gen-I clutch slave cylinder

Longer stroke and smoother engagement, IIRC.

 

[atxrider]

Initially, my clutch lever position was not fully engaging the clutch. I adjusted from 5,(if memory serves) which is closest to the grip to 2 on the dial. My shifting became much smoother after that.

G2 helped as well.

Regards,

Davy

 

[Roy Epperson]

What's this and what does it add?

Gen-I clutch slave cylinder

Longer stroke and smoother engagement, IIRC.

Whoops, me bad boy, didn't remember to re-read the "Bin-O-Facts"

Thanks

 

[luxrybound]

Thanks for all the input. After reading I think I was taking to long to shift because I would run it up then pull in the clutch(fall forward) then shift then let the clutch out then fall back (thats the way I do it on the vtx but had no body movement).I think I just need to do all the above just faster.Maybe instead of rinding a lazy cruiser in need to get on the stick and go. I'm looking at a 09 but they would only let me test ride the 07. I just thought if it was me the c14 would have acted the same. Once again thanks for helping the new guy

 

[Roy Epperson]

Thanks for all the input. After reading I think I was taking to long to shift because I would run it up then pull i

I had a "similar problem" when I moved over from a Roadstar - combo of different pull pressures, reaction times and available "ponies". I love my '07 A. Did the G2 mod made a world of difference and like something other than "black"....