Picked up the FJR 'round 2-3ish Saturday and did 150 miles on it. Here are some of my first impressions....
Power: The bike is really powerful, it's no Busa, but compared to the VTX and Gl1800 Wing, it's a rocket! Like Fred, I found that I rode this puppy tooooo fast. I run '10 over' with the Wing, but the FJR is difficult to keep below '20 over'. I'm not sure this is a good thing. I've not twisted the go handle wide open, but did run it to 6500 in several gears.... and there was plenty left! Most running yesterday was from 30 in town to 85 in the Super Slab. I'm impressed with the bikes power compared with other rides I have.
Handling: The bike really handles well. Seems well balanced in slow maneuvers and slips into the other lane for passing like budda. Coming from a Wing (that I think handles like a BIG sport tourer), the FJR feels extremely light and well planted. Side wind does cause the bike to move rather harshly. Much more than the Wing that I've ridden in high winds and movement was less upsetting.... of course the Wing is a couple hundred elbs heavier than the FJR.
Ergonomics: Wow... this is an area that I don't particularly like. The riding position set at the dealer (which I have no idea what setting the front spring load, shocks, bars, seat, yada, yada) was not conducive to my old bones. With in a few miles my right thumb, then right fingers were numb. Weight is transferred from my bum to my hands. This needs changing. The slope of the sticky seat causes my pants to ride up and squishes my nards. I changed the low setting of the saddle to the high end and that helped a bit. I'm 6'2" 220# with a 34" inseam and 35" shirt sleeve for comparison. My back was killing me after 50 miles. A backrest will be necessary as will a custom saddle. I have always used a backrest and had ergos done to the saddles of my rides. My back sucks. The bars need to be moved UP and back... for me at least.
Transmission/throttle: Tranny is smooth on take off. Smoother than any bike I've ridden. Gear engagement is pretty smooth, too. Changing gears, however, requires some throttle control. Maybe I'll get better at it, but I noticed a herky-jerkey deal going on when up shifting. Not to my liking. Throttle tension is excessive.... throttle rocker will be needed for longer rides, IMO. Don't know if it can be adjusted.
Dash: Kewl dash! I like all the information that can be had at a glance. Speedo numerals are a bit smallish for my old eyes, tho. One problem is that I wear polarized Rx sunglasses under my visor and the FJR's info screen is difficult to read at a glance. Same with my cages. 45.6 mpg? Found that odd. Didn't check other info, like instant mpg as I don't really care about that.
Other stuff....
Horn: What a piece of crap. The Wing has the only horn I tho't befitted a motorcycle. The FJRs is pretty dim. I've added a Wing horn to my VTX and may try to do so with the FJR. I know Fred has upgraded.
Fit and finish: I like the color of the bike. Didn't think I would, but it's pretty nice. In some light (or lack of it) it's almost black. I like it. I would have preferred to have a choice, however. Fitment is good. As with all clear coats, the clear is 'soft'. Some side tank deals will be necessary to keep things from scratching it. One does need to watch swinging a leg over the FJR. The right saddle bag will take the brunt of an errant boot.
Oil change/filter change looks pretty straight forward. Kewl. I'll switch to synthetic after the 600 mile dealer deal.
There should be a shroud over the left side exhaust pipe. Too close to the side stand 'handle' and I already have black marks to remove.
Heat: depending on the wind direction, I can feel some heat on my left thigh/leg. But, not excessive.... more than the Wing, but not a big deal. It was only in the mid-70s and I was running at 55-65 most of the time, so I'm sure in town this may be more of an issue, but who does this?
Brakes: Very good compared with other bikes I've ridden. The Wing has linked breaks (no ABS) and the FJRs feel better, but are a bit 'sticky'. Will take a bit of time to get used to, but lever feel is good.
Clutch pull: I dialed it back a bunch...5 ... for the shortest throw. I didn't find it excessive. Same/same with the brake lever.
I have the suspension set on 'soft'... came that way. Feels pretty good, but there is front end 'dive' on braking. That may be something that can be dialed out with adjustment.
Haven't read the manual, yet.... you know how it is. Read or ride.
I know that I have to do something about the bars. Manual did say that the dealer had to adjust the bars. Maybe someone can tell me how to DIY.
Anyway, this is long enuf ..... more later if anyone's interested.
BAGGER
Power: The bike is really powerful, it's no Busa, but compared to the VTX and Gl1800 Wing, it's a rocket! Like Fred, I found that I rode this puppy tooooo fast. I run '10 over' with the Wing, but the FJR is difficult to keep below '20 over'. I'm not sure this is a good thing. I've not twisted the go handle wide open, but did run it to 6500 in several gears.... and there was plenty left! Most running yesterday was from 30 in town to 85 in the Super Slab. I'm impressed with the bikes power compared with other rides I have.
Handling: The bike really handles well. Seems well balanced in slow maneuvers and slips into the other lane for passing like budda. Coming from a Wing (that I think handles like a BIG sport tourer), the FJR feels extremely light and well planted. Side wind does cause the bike to move rather harshly. Much more than the Wing that I've ridden in high winds and movement was less upsetting.... of course the Wing is a couple hundred elbs heavier than the FJR.
Ergonomics: Wow... this is an area that I don't particularly like. The riding position set at the dealer (which I have no idea what setting the front spring load, shocks, bars, seat, yada, yada) was not conducive to my old bones. With in a few miles my right thumb, then right fingers were numb. Weight is transferred from my bum to my hands. This needs changing. The slope of the sticky seat causes my pants to ride up and squishes my nards. I changed the low setting of the saddle to the high end and that helped a bit. I'm 6'2" 220# with a 34" inseam and 35" shirt sleeve for comparison. My back was killing me after 50 miles. A backrest will be necessary as will a custom saddle. I have always used a backrest and had ergos done to the saddles of my rides. My back sucks. The bars need to be moved UP and back... for me at least.
Transmission/throttle: Tranny is smooth on take off. Smoother than any bike I've ridden. Gear engagement is pretty smooth, too. Changing gears, however, requires some throttle control. Maybe I'll get better at it, but I noticed a herky-jerkey deal going on when up shifting. Not to my liking. Throttle tension is excessive.... throttle rocker will be needed for longer rides, IMO. Don't know if it can be adjusted.
Dash: Kewl dash! I like all the information that can be had at a glance. Speedo numerals are a bit smallish for my old eyes, tho. One problem is that I wear polarized Rx sunglasses under my visor and the FJR's info screen is difficult to read at a glance. Same with my cages. 45.6 mpg? Found that odd. Didn't check other info, like instant mpg as I don't really care about that.
Other stuff....
Horn: What a piece of crap. The Wing has the only horn I tho't befitted a motorcycle. The FJRs is pretty dim. I've added a Wing horn to my VTX and may try to do so with the FJR. I know Fred has upgraded.
Fit and finish: I like the color of the bike. Didn't think I would, but it's pretty nice. In some light (or lack of it) it's almost black. I like it. I would have preferred to have a choice, however. Fitment is good. As with all clear coats, the clear is 'soft'. Some side tank deals will be necessary to keep things from scratching it. One does need to watch swinging a leg over the FJR. The right saddle bag will take the brunt of an errant boot.
Oil change/filter change looks pretty straight forward. Kewl. I'll switch to synthetic after the 600 mile dealer deal.
There should be a shroud over the left side exhaust pipe. Too close to the side stand 'handle' and I already have black marks to remove.
Heat: depending on the wind direction, I can feel some heat on my left thigh/leg. But, not excessive.... more than the Wing, but not a big deal. It was only in the mid-70s and I was running at 55-65 most of the time, so I'm sure in town this may be more of an issue, but who does this?
Brakes: Very good compared with other bikes I've ridden. The Wing has linked breaks (no ABS) and the FJRs feel better, but are a bit 'sticky'. Will take a bit of time to get used to, but lever feel is good.
Clutch pull: I dialed it back a bunch...5 ... for the shortest throw. I didn't find it excessive. Same/same with the brake lever.
I have the suspension set on 'soft'... came that way. Feels pretty good, but there is front end 'dive' on braking. That may be something that can be dialed out with adjustment.
Haven't read the manual, yet.... you know how it is. Read or ride.
I know that I have to do something about the bars. Manual did say that the dealer had to adjust the bars. Maybe someone can tell me how to DIY.
Anyway, this is long enuf ..... more later if anyone's interested.
BAGGER
