My first week with my first real sportbike. Just started riding in 04 and put 33,000 miles on 04 BMW 1150r (naked) and then traded for new 1150rt. I sold the 1150rt 3 weeks ago with 35,000 miles on it. Perfect timming for FJR to arrive. Picked the bike up last sat. and was totally blown away with the power! 2nd gear and 90mph WOW, this going to be fun and then 125mph and I'm really getting tossed around and lots of wind noise this is not nearly as stable as my bmw. O.K. that was my first 100 miles, time to call it a day. Next day passing a car with a nice long straight away, laying forward on tankbag 140mph and smooth as can be. Now I have to find a taller windshied. Called calsci first thing monday and talked to Mark I think one of the owners and he says no problem I can make you one just send me yours so I have pattern. I explain I live in Iowa and really don't want to srew around with the down time with shipping while he developes new shield. Does anyone in northern CA have 06 FJR and looking for a new windshield??? I think calsci would cut you a hell of a deal because monday morning Mark just opened and I was 2nd caller looking for help. Please call calsci Mark at 800-478-9040. So anyway I love my new bike and have just put my first 1000 miles on it but am really looking foward to taller shield.
first week with my new FJR
- Thread starter denny
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odot
CC member # 17,----- DUP member # 7, mensa club m
Hey, you guys only have straight roads in iowa, don't ya? One that goes from west to east and one that goes from north to south. And lots and lots of corn.
Fred H.
Well-known member
I put about 500 miles on my 06 this week. Having to make lots of adjustments coming from a Gold Wing, but I do like the bike. Sure get a lot of wind, and ear plugs are a must.
I am having to learn to exercise my out of shape self restraint muscles quite a bit so I don't end up a splat on the road or in the jailhouse.
For many years, I wished for a better Sport Touring bike with a bit more grunt and HP and better handling and ABS, and now that I have it, I almost find myself wondering if the extra power this bike provides isn't almost a bit of a negative. Maybe I am getting old, but I find I really have to pay close attention to keep the bike anywhere near the speed limit, and it just feels like it always wants to be going faster. My initial impression is that this can actually detract from the ride a bit, as I find myself really having to work hard to pay attention to speed cues, like watching surrounding traffic and wind noise and monitor the speedo closely. Maybe after I get some more time on it, I will adjust.
I was thinking today how fun it is to get on a bike and whack the throttle open and go through all the gears and make it scream. I am afraid that if I tried to ride the FJR like that, it would be over 160mph before I knew it. I know, I always thought more HP and torque was a good thing, but now I am beginning to wonder if you don't loose a little of the fun when you get so much power to the road, that you can't use it all. I think bikes and cars are most fun when run at or near their limits, and I don't see any way I can ever ride this bike anywhere near its limits.
Sorry, I am just rambling. I do like the bike and it is really smooth and handles great. I probably just need some more time to adjust to it.
I am having to learn to exercise my out of shape self restraint muscles quite a bit so I don't end up a splat on the road or in the jailhouse.
For many years, I wished for a better Sport Touring bike with a bit more grunt and HP and better handling and ABS, and now that I have it, I almost find myself wondering if the extra power this bike provides isn't almost a bit of a negative. Maybe I am getting old, but I find I really have to pay close attention to keep the bike anywhere near the speed limit, and it just feels like it always wants to be going faster. My initial impression is that this can actually detract from the ride a bit, as I find myself really having to work hard to pay attention to speed cues, like watching surrounding traffic and wind noise and monitor the speedo closely. Maybe after I get some more time on it, I will adjust.
I was thinking today how fun it is to get on a bike and whack the throttle open and go through all the gears and make it scream. I am afraid that if I tried to ride the FJR like that, it would be over 160mph before I knew it. I know, I always thought more HP and torque was a good thing, but now I am beginning to wonder if you don't loose a little of the fun when you get so much power to the road, that you can't use it all. I think bikes and cars are most fun when run at or near their limits, and I don't see any way I can ever ride this bike anywhere near its limits.
Sorry, I am just rambling. I do like the bike and it is really smooth and handles great. I probably just need some more time to adjust to it.
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Shane Stump
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Fred,
Start farkling and entering it into DL (you were the one who said you needed time to add your new toy to DL)
!Best Regards,
Shane
Fred H.
Well-known member
I already upgraded the horns. Next is a mount for my color weather radar GPS (376c) and an Autocom and Ipod and XM.
Don't get me wrong, I like the bike. Just thinking out loud. I suspect others have had the same thoughts about it from time to time but just don't vocalize them. I remember when I thought my old KZ750 was fast, and then I got the Concours. I thought the Concours was fast till I got my GL1800. So I guess it is all relative.
Maybe I need to go ride a Hayabusa for a week and then come back and get on the FJR.
Don't get me wrong, I like the bike. Just thinking out loud. I suspect others have had the same thoughts about it from time to time but just don't vocalize them. I remember when I thought my old KZ750 was fast, and then I got the Concours. I thought the Concours was fast till I got my GL1800. So I guess it is all relative.
Maybe I need to go ride a Hayabusa for a week and then come back and get on the FJR.
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Fred H? as in Harmon?
Welcome aboard! Can we expect a DVD set for the Feejer, too?
Blows the socks of the Wing, dunnit?
After all those years on a Wing, I couldn't believe how technology had progressed. It was a real eye opener; especially considering all the people who talk about how great the Wing is for handling and performance. I suspect they just don't know.
BTW: Expect some people to correct you about the FJR being a sport bike. It's about 200 pounds too heavy to be accurately classified as such. It truely is at the cusp between sport and touring. Those coming from sport bikes talk about it's set-up-and-beg position and heavy weight design. Those coming from touring bikes talk about it's forward-seating-position and lightness.
Welcome aboard! Can we expect a DVD set for the Feejer, too?
Blows the socks of the Wing, dunnit?
After all those years on a Wing, I couldn't believe how technology had progressed. It was a real eye opener; especially considering all the people who talk about how great the Wing is for handling and performance. I suspect they just don't know.
BTW: Expect some people to correct you about the FJR being a sport bike. It's about 200 pounds too heavy to be accurately classified as such. It truely is at the cusp between sport and touring. Those coming from sport bikes talk about it's set-up-and-beg position and heavy weight design. Those coming from touring bikes talk about it's forward-seating-position and lightness.
Fred H.
Well-known member
I thought I called it a Sport Tourer. Yea, I know it isn't a sport bike.
If it had a wider/taller windshield it would remind of the Concours, up until I twist the throttle. I am still expermenting with lean angle and haven't yet found the point where the peg feelers touch down, but I am still in the break in phase. I did get some rear tire slide on a couple corner exits today, but nothing dramatic. I can tell you I will really enjoy the increased ground clearance and lean angle it provides.
I found it easy to snatch the bike in mid turn if you are not real precise on throttle control. This will take some getting used to. It also appears to have a whole lot of front end dive on braking. Fork spring upgrades may be in order.
Brakes are great. Already tested the ABS when a car in front of me going 70 on I-30 came to a dead stop in the road. I got on the brakes hard enough that the ABS on the front tire engaged to prevent a lock up. Probably saved my bacon.
If it had a wider/taller windshield it would remind of the Concours, up until I twist the throttle. I am still expermenting with lean angle and haven't yet found the point where the peg feelers touch down, but I am still in the break in phase. I did get some rear tire slide on a couple corner exits today, but nothing dramatic. I can tell you I will really enjoy the increased ground clearance and lean angle it provides.
I found it easy to snatch the bike in mid turn if you are not real precise on throttle control. This will take some getting used to. It also appears to have a whole lot of front end dive on braking. Fork spring upgrades may be in order.
Brakes are great. Already tested the ABS when a car in front of me going 70 on I-30 came to a dead stop in the road. I got on the brakes hard enough that the ABS on the front tire engaged to prevent a lock up. Probably saved my bacon.
Cal24Master
Well-known member
You need to spend some time in Nevada. That will cure you of thinking you have too much power.
Tom
Fred H.
Well-known member
Been there, done that. Several times. Set the cruise on the Wing at 110 and rode through half the state that way. The best way to see Nevada is when it is all blurry.
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paste007
Well-known member
"It also appears to have a whole lot of front end dive on braking. Fork spring upgrades may be in order."
At what setting do you have front fork spring preload, rebound damping and compression damping adjustments set at, as well as the setting on the shock absorber spring preload and rebound damping force?
At what setting do you have front fork spring preload, rebound damping and compression damping adjustments set at, as well as the setting on the shock absorber spring preload and rebound damping force?
Toecutter
What would DoG do?
Maybe you will just get better at speeding (tip- radar detector). Or add a cruise control, set and forget. I find the speeding program more favorable, YMMV
I also started secound guessing my latest motorcyle purchase. I questioned my ability to ride any where near the speed limit, my last ride I suprised myself. I stopped to fill the tank and reset the average per mile caculator. Started riding on four lane and noticed mpg around 42. I wondered how high I could get it. Started following marked scenic two lane and practiced smooth easy shifting. WOW! 45mpg and really noticed the great views. I also feel riding and listening to my IPOD slows me down and that is why I'm looking for taller windshield. I did spend the month of jan. riding around your neck of the woods. Texas Hilll Country and Big Bend,I put on 6000 miles and felt I did'nt see every thing.
Clark Kent
Well-known member
Don't forget the PIGS! livestock kind. Not the women kind!
Dated a girl from Tipton, Iowa.
Iowa girls are corn fed and very Prime! Very nice girl.
You would be wise to find a nice girl from Iowa to ride behind you! :friends:
I did get a chance to ride over the one hill in western Iowa back in 2001! At the summit you could just see over the corn! :haha:
CK :super1:
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C
Centerline
Guest
Absolutely am crazy about my Cee-Baileys +4 +2 windshield. Almost NO windnoise at speed behind a comfortable bubble of nearly undisturbed air.
I think about 125 will be my self imposed speed limit with that bigger screen, though it probably wouldn't go much faster anyhow with it. The bike of mine has done 151 with the standard screen on level road and cool day.
I would love the bike to have even MORE power, as I can select any slower speed with more power or can opt to use the impulse power available if there were more available. It is all in how and when you use it.
Like a cruising yacht, if you have a trawler, you will only be capable of trawler speeds.....If you have a power cruiser and a sleek hull, you can go trawler speeds whenever you want.
I think about 125 will be my self imposed speed limit with that bigger screen, though it probably wouldn't go much faster anyhow with it. The bike of mine has done 151 with the standard screen on level road and cool day.
I would love the bike to have even MORE power, as I can select any slower speed with more power or can opt to use the impulse power available if there were more available. It is all in how and when you use it.
Like a cruising yacht, if you have a trawler, you will only be capable of trawler speeds.....If you have a power cruiser and a sleek hull, you can go trawler speeds whenever you want.
OrangevaleFJR
R.I.P. Our FJR Riding Friend
The Cali bikes are still being delivered. Hopefully someone will step up to your request! I have a +4 height wind shield that I thought I would use just for winter. It has never and probably wont come off the bike.
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madmike2
Shtirrenuppenmeister
Those of us who are of a "higher" weight number have added 1 line of preload which helps some, but I've had to play with my compression and rebound a bit to eliminate some of the "nosedive". It seems the weight transfer is rather dramatic on these bikes as delivered with the fork settings in "normal" . IIRC, with a rider weight of "svelt" 250#, the forks on my bike are: +1 line on preload, +2 clicks on compression, + 1 click on rebound. While it still dives, it is much less severe. YMMV.
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FJR_pig
Bud Light Real Man of Genius
The last time I was in Nevada, it was a blur. Only...I wasn't on a bike. I was just sitting at the Blackjack tables, pulling out the wallet, putting it away, pulling it out, putting it away...and yet never seeing a money go into it, just out of it. A blur, I tell ya... <_<
I use a Rifle +4 +4 and am very happy with it. Set high it provides a good bubble. Set low the airflow is smooth. There's still plenty of wind noise (ear plugs are definitely a must), but the buffeting is much better than with the stock screen. I removed it last year during the hottest part of the summer here in Central California. The highs can get into the mid 110's and I like more air on the body when it's hot. I did some impromptu high speed testing last year going through Nevada and the windshield was rock steady.
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