First Impressions - the 300 Mile day

[Valueman]

I picked up my new FJR Thursday night, and it didn’t take me long to hook with a fellow Middle Tennessean on FJRForum.com. Today (Sunday) we went out to ride together. It was my first day of really trying out my new bike on an extended ride over a variety of road types. After logging nearly 300 miles today, there are no regrets over this purchase.

Impressions…..

The ride is very good. The suspension isn’t quite as good as my BMW 1150R, but there is WAY less engine vibration. Overall, I call it a wash on the ride at this point. The suspension is still new and set at all the factory default settings. I suspect the ride on the FJR will improve as it breaks in and I learn the proper adjustments.

Handling is excellent, even considering that I am not as comfortable with it yet. After 22,000 miles it seemed that I wore the BMW more than rode it. It fit like an old pair of shoes. I don’t have that same comfort with the FJR yet, but know it will come. That said, the bike really handles the twisties well. It just falls into curves. On a short ride yesterday I noticed that some curves that seemed really hot on the 1150R were a lot easier on the FJR.

The power plant is simply awesome. Having almost 75% more horsepower sure is handy (and fun). Handled the wrong way, power can get you in trouble. Handled the right way, it sure can get you out of trouble as well.

Coming from a naked bike I really like the overall protection of the FJR. I LOVE that adjustable windshield, even though I think a Cal-Sci replacement (to get a little more height) is in the cards. SHOKDIMN, my riding partner for the day, had one on his FJR, and it sure looked sweet. More importantly, he bragged on its performance all day. I’ll take first hand experience over ad copy any day.

Overall comfort was very good. I'm not sure I want to do an Iron Butt on the stock seat, but it wasn't bad. The 300 miles today was certainly no problem. I am adjusting to the higher seat height, but when my Corbin arrives I think the seat height will be very similar to the 1150R.

I explored roads I had never been on before today, and I highly recommend Hwy 30. The boring stretch just outside McMinville is more than made up for by the twisties up the mountain. Here are a couple of pics from the day.

The Falls

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/valueman/7055f950.jpg

SHOKDIMN

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/val...ke/shokdimn.jpg

Valueman

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/valueman/53f98617.jpg

The chuckle of the day came when a lady at Fall Creek Falls was demonstrating her bike knowledge to her 6 year old son. The little boy was admiring the HDs parked under the trees, and hadn’t noticed our two FJRs parked right beside him. His mother finally point at our bikes and said, “Look, there’s two motorcycles right behind you!! Those are Gold Wings, like your Uncle Fred wants.” I hope Uncle Fred get a “Gold Wing” just like mine B) .

The only problem of the day was recurring numbness in my right hand. I think adjusting the handlebars and getting a Throttlemeister will help that a lot.

In short, love the FJR, but I am glad the BMW 1150R is still in the garage. Like I said, that bike is just like an old pair of comfortable shoes. They may be in the back of the closet, but you still wear them and love the way they feel.

VM

 

[BkrK12]

Impressions…..
The ride is very good. The suspension isn’t quite as good as my BMW 1150R, but there is WAY less engine vibration. Overall, I call it a wash on the ride at this point. The suspension is still new and set at all the factory default settings. I suspect the ride on the FJR will improve as it breaks in and I learn the proper adjustments.

The only thing I would suggest is that you not assume that the suspension is set to the factory "standard" settings. It only takes a few minutes with the owners manual to figure out how to use all the settings. When you begin to check them, you may be surprised to find out that they are not set to the "standard" and may not even be set symetrically - I know that was my experience. I just backed everything all the way out and then set them to where they were supposed to be on delivery. Bike handled much better when everything was properly adjusted - then you can start to fiddle and fine tune for yourself.

Dan

Hooksett, NH

[SIZE=8pt][/SIZE]

Edit by SkooterG: Eliminated quoted material not applicable to post. BTW, welcome to the forum BkrK12.

 

[Valueman]

Dan,

I tested all the setting on everything as soon as I got home using the method you describe. By the way, if I counted the clicks right my bike was set up exactly according as it was supposed to be. I backed everything out and then re-set them all to the "factory settings" as stated in the manual. I figured this would give me a baseline to work from.

VM

 

[HondaCBX6]

Tell us what you think after a 1000 mile day!

 

[temp357]

I set the suspension to the sport rider settings. The suspension still isn't as nice and adjustable as my BMW R1100S, but its a ton better than stock.

 

[pronomian]

This is what I posted on a goldwing site:

With only 400 miles on the odo and after having it for a week (rained most of last week so I didn't ride) I have to agree. WOW. There is just something about this bike that I can't shake. All I can think about is riding it. Went for a "short" jaunt tonight and I was thinking, "man, if my wife was on her yearly vacation back home, I'd keep going, probably to CA and back," I didn't want to stop.

I bought the wing in Union City TN (great place to buy) and it took me 200 miles before I started liking it. I never really caught the wing "bug" so I sold it. I am glad I bought one, needed to get that out of my blood.

But this bike, it is a sheer pleasure to ride. So far I have purchased a corbin saddle (front and rear with backrest). As many here know the wife didn't like the way she got buffetted on the wing and I was not willing to put forth the bucks needed to make her feel more comfortable. She thought she would like to ride this bike and like she used to (30 years ago) hug me. Well, she like that for a bit then told me she wanted a back rest. I showed her the corbin saddle and she said she wanted that so I bought one, also bought sliders, grip puppies, a luggage rack, just to start. I can see myself willing to buy more.

The best bike I have owned, riding, comfort, power, wow factor, is my hoss. I always said that if I buy a bike that I like more than my hoss I will sell the hoss. I put the hoss up for sale when I bought the wing then took it off, the wing was not as much fun. Now, all I can say about the hoss is the wow factor. This feej is as fun if not more than the hoss.

Don't get me wrong, the wing is the best in it's class (full tourer), there is not a close second as far as I am concerned, for reliability, comfort, fun, etc., however, it wasn't for me.

If the wife ends up not liking it, oh well, may have to keep the hoss when she wants to ride.

YW, I'd love to meet you at some twisties, not that I am challenging you or think that I can beat you, but just for some fun and for me to see what my limitations are, and maybe get some pointers. I think this bike would even make a novice look better than he is. What corners and twisties I can find I cut harder and faster with more confidence than I did on the wing. All you have to do is think turn and your going into it.

Mike

For those who don't know this yellow wolf guy: https://media.putfile.com/Riding-the-Dragon-Part-One

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

I am a bit surprised riders coming from a wing. It wasn't the right MC. Have fun on the feej. TJ

 

[Bounce]

I came to the 2003 FJR after 10 years on Wings. 83 GL1100a, 84 GL1200a, 98 GL1500se.

Feejer's definitely much more funner.

 

[Rockett]

I came to the 2003 FJR after 10 years on Wings. 83 GL1100a, 84 GL1200a, 98 GL1500se.
Feejer's definitely much more funner.

:yahoo: I would have to agree Bounce, I still have an 1800 wing but i prefer the FJR for the fun factor. :clapping: :yahoo: