Rick_W
Well-known member
I left Virginia Beach @ 0930 this morning with 99 miles on the odometer and a full tank of gas. With the forecast calling for scattered thunderstorms along my route, I decided to play it safe and wear the First Gear Kilimanjaro Jacket and HT Overpants - knowing that if I did the weather would be clear the entire day. It was, and I sweated my butt off.
Taking I-264 West from the beach, I headed West on US-58 until I reached Emporia, VA. This first ~98 miles of my little trip rolled by smoothly - with the air temp in the upper 70's according to the ambient air temp display on the FJR's computer.
I jumped on I-95 South in Emporia and rode the Interstate for ~55 miles down to exit 138. The FJR cruised along at an idicated 80 mph (75 mph GPS) and was very stable. I did notice that the mirrors really vibrate, as do the grips, above 3500-4000 RPM. I don't want to call it a problem, but I did develop a minor discomfort. The bars/grips on the FJR are smaller than those on my Vulcan - that combined with the gloves that I was wearing and the buzz in the bars became really annoying. The throttle rocker that I've been using on the Vulcan did not grip the bars very tight and kept rotating around the grip. Besides, it really accentuated the buzzing in the palm because of the smaller contact area. The amount of buzzing would not be a deal-breaker if I were shopping for this bike. There are several variables that can and will be changed until I quell the vibration.
I-95 exit 138 put me on US-64. I headed West for ~16 miles and then got on NC-98, which I rode on for another ~16 miles until I got to NC-96. NC-96 took me to my final destination of Youngsville, NC.
204.7 FJR odometer miles and I hit reserve. Filled up with 4.569 gallons of gas for an average of 44.80 mpg. Coming home by pretty much the same route, but filling up a little earlier, I travelled 191.7 miles on 4.419 gallons for an average of 43.38 mpg. I won't complain about those numbers.
I started squirming after about 100 miles on the trip down. Shifting around and occassionally standing was all it took to make it without stopping. After I got to Youngsville, I sat around visiting for a couple of hours and ate a nice meal at a little buffett restaurant. Coming back home, I started squirming after about 50 miles - about the time I got back on I-95. It took a combination of standing and dropping/extending my legs in order to make it without stopping. My left knee especially would start to pain me after a short period of time being bent. Some sort of highway peg may be in the future.
Rolled back into the parking spot at 1730 this afternoon with 495 miles on the odometer.
Overall - I am very happy with the FJR. With the exception of the vibes in the bars, the Vulcan was no where near as comfortable when stock - and only marginally so after the engine guard, highway pegs, Phat II risers, and Mustang seat with driver backrest. I plan on putting a few more rides like the one today with the bike as it is before I start making any big changes.
Taking I-264 West from the beach, I headed West on US-58 until I reached Emporia, VA. This first ~98 miles of my little trip rolled by smoothly - with the air temp in the upper 70's according to the ambient air temp display on the FJR's computer.
I jumped on I-95 South in Emporia and rode the Interstate for ~55 miles down to exit 138. The FJR cruised along at an idicated 80 mph (75 mph GPS) and was very stable. I did notice that the mirrors really vibrate, as do the grips, above 3500-4000 RPM. I don't want to call it a problem, but I did develop a minor discomfort. The bars/grips on the FJR are smaller than those on my Vulcan - that combined with the gloves that I was wearing and the buzz in the bars became really annoying. The throttle rocker that I've been using on the Vulcan did not grip the bars very tight and kept rotating around the grip. Besides, it really accentuated the buzzing in the palm because of the smaller contact area. The amount of buzzing would not be a deal-breaker if I were shopping for this bike. There are several variables that can and will be changed until I quell the vibration.
I-95 exit 138 put me on US-64. I headed West for ~16 miles and then got on NC-98, which I rode on for another ~16 miles until I got to NC-96. NC-96 took me to my final destination of Youngsville, NC.
204.7 FJR odometer miles and I hit reserve. Filled up with 4.569 gallons of gas for an average of 44.80 mpg. Coming home by pretty much the same route, but filling up a little earlier, I travelled 191.7 miles on 4.419 gallons for an average of 43.38 mpg. I won't complain about those numbers.
I started squirming after about 100 miles on the trip down. Shifting around and occassionally standing was all it took to make it without stopping. After I got to Youngsville, I sat around visiting for a couple of hours and ate a nice meal at a little buffett restaurant. Coming back home, I started squirming after about 50 miles - about the time I got back on I-95. It took a combination of standing and dropping/extending my legs in order to make it without stopping. My left knee especially would start to pain me after a short period of time being bent. Some sort of highway peg may be in the future.
Rolled back into the parking spot at 1730 this afternoon with 495 miles on the odometer.
Overall - I am very happy with the FJR. With the exception of the vibes in the bars, the Vulcan was no where near as comfortable when stock - and only marginally so after the engine guard, highway pegs, Phat II risers, and Mustang seat with driver backrest. I plan on putting a few more rides like the one today with the bike as it is before I start making any big changes.
