GL4435
Well-known member
This post is for anyone "on the fence" about purchasing an FJR.
The owner of the dealership delivered my 07 FJR that I purchased this February ... I researched many reviews of this bike before I made my purchase, and I bought it without a test drive. Before Wednesday, and after reading many posts on this forum, I have thought that it may have been a mistake. Some of the posts I have read about the difficulty in slow speed maneuvers, the throttle surges, top heaviness, clutch issues, over-sprung throttle return pressure and some guys my size (5'10'') having problems flat footing or controlling the bike at a stand still really had me worried. I am pretty safety conscious, and my wife and I want to ride and travel with this bike for many years to come. To address some of this anxiety I purchased sliders and a G2 throttle even before I had the bike in my possesion.
I have taken this fantastic machine on three long rides so far, and I cannot wipe the grin off my face. I did notice that the clutch friction zone is close to the bar ... that does not strike me as an issue, and was easy to get used to. The bike is stable, easy to flat foot and more maneuverable at slow speed using the standard technique of friction zone and rear breaking than my smaller shadow was. I have not noticed any throttle surge yet ... the starts have been smooth as silk. Some small abruptness seemed to be due to a bit of drive train lash and my getting used to the clutch than throttle surge. On my first ride, after an hour or so, I noticed some wrist discomfort, but I do not believe it was of throttle spring origin because it was both wrists. I concentrated on riding position ... not leaning into the bars, and it went away during the ride. The power the bike has is unreal coming from a history of v-twin crusers. The windshield works perfectly for my height and I would not change a thing. I love being able to hear that motor! The one thing that I will have to get used to is the smoothness at speed ... it is easy to go much faster than you intend. The throttle spring issue may come to light over time, or over longer rides, but I really have not noticed it in my brief experiences. The grips do seem a bit small in diameter, but there are many options to change that if I decide to in the future. I will install the G2 because I have it, but I think I will wait till some rainy summer day. I would advise caution when first putting the bike on the center stand however, because I didn't have both feet of the stand firmly planted on the cement the second time I tried it and it rocked a bit after going up and almost gave me heart failure.
The first rides have been fantastic. It is not difficult to maneuver at a standstill, and it is as light as a feather when moving ... to bad its going to snow tomorrow here in Mi.
The owner of the dealership delivered my 07 FJR that I purchased this February ... I researched many reviews of this bike before I made my purchase, and I bought it without a test drive. Before Wednesday, and after reading many posts on this forum, I have thought that it may have been a mistake. Some of the posts I have read about the difficulty in slow speed maneuvers, the throttle surges, top heaviness, clutch issues, over-sprung throttle return pressure and some guys my size (5'10'') having problems flat footing or controlling the bike at a stand still really had me worried. I am pretty safety conscious, and my wife and I want to ride and travel with this bike for many years to come. To address some of this anxiety I purchased sliders and a G2 throttle even before I had the bike in my possesion.
I have taken this fantastic machine on three long rides so far, and I cannot wipe the grin off my face. I did notice that the clutch friction zone is close to the bar ... that does not strike me as an issue, and was easy to get used to. The bike is stable, easy to flat foot and more maneuverable at slow speed using the standard technique of friction zone and rear breaking than my smaller shadow was. I have not noticed any throttle surge yet ... the starts have been smooth as silk. Some small abruptness seemed to be due to a bit of drive train lash and my getting used to the clutch than throttle surge. On my first ride, after an hour or so, I noticed some wrist discomfort, but I do not believe it was of throttle spring origin because it was both wrists. I concentrated on riding position ... not leaning into the bars, and it went away during the ride. The power the bike has is unreal coming from a history of v-twin crusers. The windshield works perfectly for my height and I would not change a thing. I love being able to hear that motor! The one thing that I will have to get used to is the smoothness at speed ... it is easy to go much faster than you intend. The throttle spring issue may come to light over time, or over longer rides, but I really have not noticed it in my brief experiences. The grips do seem a bit small in diameter, but there are many options to change that if I decide to in the future. I will install the G2 because I have it, but I think I will wait till some rainy summer day. I would advise caution when first putting the bike on the center stand however, because I didn't have both feet of the stand firmly planted on the cement the second time I tried it and it rocked a bit after going up and almost gave me heart failure.
The first rides have been fantastic. It is not difficult to maneuver at a standstill, and it is as light as a feather when moving ... to bad its going to snow tomorrow here in Mi.
