First Farkles

[Terry J]

I had a couple of small dealer prep issues on my new '08, so I had my bike back in the shop at only 490 miles. They took care of some little leaks, and did the first nut tightening and oil change. While they had it, I had Gen Mar risers and the Yamaha touring windshield installed.

Makes an amazing difference! The ride is much smoother, and I seem to be putting far less pressure on my wrists (remember, I've been a cruiser rider for years). The best thing was that, since the wind noise is all but gone, I can hear the bike. What a gorgeous sound.

Speaking of sound, we were going by the dealer after running some other errands and I saw my favorite tech headed out for a test ride. He pulled onto the highway, cranked on it, and just left us. My wife said, "Did you see how that bike took off?"

I laughed and said, "Yeah, that's my bike." She looked at me and said, "It takes off like that?"

You don't often get to see your own bike running down the road. I really liked the sound of it. I thought that was impressive.

After I picked it up I went for a short ride and got to see the difference in the bars and windshield, but had to quit 'cause it started snowing!

It's an adventure....

Terry J

 

[Duff]

Gotta love this time of year in MT. It's easy to catch a warm day and get a ride in... just as easy to lose a week due to cold & snow. I miss it, but I make up for it by riding year-round out here in CA.

Sounds like you are enjoying the new bike. Spend time on it, learn it and treat it right it'll treat you right back.

Oh yeah... you GOTTA love how these things take off! :yahoo:

 

[MojaveFJR]

Congrats on the new farkles. Hopefully the weather will break soon and you can enjoy them.

Yes, the FJR will get up and boogy down the road. I surprised a buddy a couple of weeks ago while he was on his 600 RR. And jumped a GSXR 600 the other day. Thought he was going to crap his pants. The clothes I wear, (not purposely) resemble CHP's winter uniforms and since the bike looks like a cop bike, well you get the picture. Poor dude. Anywho, the bike is amazing and has sneaky power and torque.

Check the head nut one more time just to be sure they got it.

Hope ya can ride soon.

Me like DUFF make up for a our misery and decision by riding yr round. Just one of those sacirifices us riders in SOCAL make for the rest of the country.

 

[ShawnKing]

I had a couple of small dealer prep issues on my new '08, so I had my bike back in the shop at only 490 miles. They took care of some little leaks, and did the first nut tightening and oil change. While they had it, I had Gen Mar risers and the Yamaha touring windshield installed.

How much bigger is that shield? Does it change the "look" of the bike (yes, I'm *that* vain! ).

The ride is much smoother, and I seem to be putting far less pressure on my wrists (remember, I've been a cruiser rider for years).

Interesting. I went on my first FJR ride with friends yesterday for some "spirited" riding on roads we're very familiar with. I was able to get through the twisties *much* more easily than on my cruiser (I know...DUH!) but my wrists were *killing me afet a couple of hours of that.

The best thing was that, since the wind noise is all but gone, I can hear the bike. What a gorgeous sound.

I was *very* surprised how much I like hearing that sound.

You don't often get to see your own bike running down the road. I really liked the sound of it. I thought that was impressive.

LOL My riding buddies are used to seeing me puttering around on my cruiser. So when I took lead and, just to show off (on a complete straight away - nothing *too* stupid), I hit the gas and just took *off*, they were all suitably impressed.

 

[ShawnKing]

Just one of those sacirifices us riders in SOCAL make for the rest of the country.

Show offs....

 

[rushes]

I'm 6'2 and thinking about the taller shield, but wondering if it's tall enough. I figure I duck down about 5" below the stock shield to get out of the blast now. If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you?

 

[2wheelingdawg]

they'll take off alright. I have an 07 and had the front wheel off the ground a couple of times by mistake.

 

[Terry J]

I'm 6'2 and thinking about the taller shield, but wondering if it's tall enough. I figure I duck down about 5" below the stock shield to get out of the blast now. If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you?

Don't mind at all--same as you. 6-2. I'm wearing earplugs, which I didn't before, but I find that I'm a lot more comfortable with the taller shield. I still get some wind. It's not the sail I had on the Venture, but I think it's doing a great job. Did a little riding this afternoon and went down the interstate. Felt very comfortable.

And in response to ShawnKing's question, it looks great with the bigger shield. Doesn't detract from the appearance at all.

I had a Harley guy ask me this afternoon why I didn't buy a "real" bike. I told him I looked at real bikes but decided to buy one that was unreal. I don't really worry too much about what other people think.

Terry

 

[ShawnKing]

I had a Harley guy ask me this afternoon why I didn't buy a "real" bike. I told him I looked at real bikes but decided to buy one that was unreal. I don't really worry too much about what other people think.

LOL Good for you! I used to have a big (non-Harley) cruiser and I'd get the same (stupid) question. I'd always say, "Its got two wheels and an engine - what makes it *not* a real bike?" but your answer is *much* better.

 

[MojaveFJR]

What is it with these guys and the HARLEY is a "real bike" thing? My neighbor has the same banter. Now he wants to punch out my baffles cause it doesn't "sound like a real bike". Told him I like my quiet and so do the NEIGHBORS!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, when you leave them in the dust on the twisiies and the straights ask him how he likes that?

 

[Greb]

What is it with these guys and the HARLEY is a "real bike" thing? My neighbor has the same banter. Now he wants to punch out my baffles cause it doesn't "sound like a real bike". Told him I like my quiet and so do the NEIGHBORS!!!!!!!!!!
Anyways, when you leave them in the dust on the twisiies and the straights ask him how he likes that?

I can't believe how low tech this bike made my 06 Street Glide. Best trade I have ever made. BUT let's not turn this into a HD bashing thread, okay? My dad still owns one and sells them. :glare:

I jumped on the Versys today after riding the FJR, and it made it feel low tech too. But the Versys is so refreshingly light and fun. You should all test ride one, you will be very impressed. okay HIJACK OVER

Back on subject : Sounds good for the windshield, but I find if not for the angle of the bars it is the perfect rider triangle. Just the right amount of forward lean for me.