FJR Ergos

[icedog75]

Good day to everyone. New member looking for a little feedback on the ergonomics of the FJR for a tall (6'3") rider. I've just sold my HD Dyna Wide Glide and am scoping out ST machines. I met a forum member Sunday in Miami while I was out riding and he turned me on to the group.

I've enjoyed reading the groups thoughts on Beemers and the ST1300. In my mind it comes down to either the Honda or the FJR with the edge to the FJR. It will be change from the HD but I'm looking forward to it.

Tks.

 

[FantasticJohnR]

Since you are so tall- have you thought about the BMW 1200 GS, they sit really high and one of the tallest guys in my group rides one.

Coming from a cruiser myself- the biggest ergo change you'll feel is the more front leaning position rather than the cruiser position. Then you'll buy handle bar risers ect to get you up and back- and then after becoming used to the sport bike of the FJR you'll slowly get rid of this stuff and go bacl to the great sport seating positon for those days on the twisties!

Enjoy!

John

 

[Fencer]

I am 6'2 three if you count the boots. I am very comfortable in the seating position. I don't notice a lean on the bars at all but that may be my freakishly long knucle dragging arms. I am a new owner of an 06. the uncomfortable factor I am facing right now is the war between my butt and my seat. I can't tell who will break who in first. I think the ergos will be fine for a tall(er) rider. But plan on an aftermarket windshield as I find my chest to my nose in the wind stream depending on sheild position.

 

[chickey191]

coming from an HD - there is much more to this than just the handlebar reach and angle. There is (relative to a HD) a different seating angle - and foot peg angle. Instead of the forward pegs - they are more under your feet - and relative to the HD - you might feel they are behind you.

Going to a beemer would also be relatively dramatic for you.

hell -- having horsepower will be pretty dramatic... not to mention brakes and handling.

My suggestion is that you go somewhere and rent a beemer (if you can rent a yamaha or honda - go for it, but typcial rentals are HD and BMW). Ride that sucker like you stole it for a weekend and make a realistic observation on how you feel afterward. (or even a Buell )

Remember - you probably will be a bit sore - as it is a whole new position for you.

You will also have needle cheeks from grinning ear to ear.

once you decide if this style of seating position you can try to narrow your choices down.

 

[icedog75]

Tks awfully for the comments. I never really planned on a Harley...I always felt they were under engineered and not very reliable. That being said, here in South Florida...it worked out OK for what I wanted at the time. Now it's time for a more adult ride. I'm negotiating with a forum member to purchase an 03 already set up for a taller rider. I'm looking forward to the change.

 

[Toecutter]

Tks awfully for the comments. I never really planned on a Harley...I always felt they were under engineered and not very reliable. That being said, here in South Florida...it worked out OK for what I wanted at the time. Now it's time for a more adult ride. I'm negotiating with a forum member to purchase an 03 already set up for a taller rider. I'm looking forward to the change.

A used bike is a good choice, but no ABS available for '03. I chose an '04 for just that reason. The FJR can get you in over your head quickly, and the ABS can save yer ass just as fast. IMO, it's invaluable, and besides, the Cerulean Silver is prettier than the '03 Silver. It's a perfect blend of the '03/'05 colors. JMO, YMMV

 

[Mike-H]

Threshold breaking has always been taught for a reason toecutter.....don't get all soft and gooey just because you bought a bike with abs....but you are right the 04 colour is much nicer....

 

[bkbennett]

New member looking for a little feedback on the ergonomics of the FJR for a tall (6'3") rider.

Finally, maybe I can help somebody.

I'm 6'3" with a 34" inseam and have made the transition to a 2005 FJR1300 from a cruiser this year. I love it. The ergs are very comfortable with 1" risers. The most disapointing thing is the stock windscreen. If you have a long torso like me, you're going to want to change for winter riding. With the screen down, my neck froze. With the screen up, the buffeting is horrendous.

I did a lot of shopping with ergonomics being a key discriminator. The ST1300 is slightly better ergonomically. Sprint ST was too "sporty" for my 46-year-old legs and arms. BMW? Well, they are very comfortable.

I'd be glad to offer more input. Hope your decision is the right one.

Brian

 

[RadioHowie]

6'4" in shower shoes here, and the FJR is close to perfect for me. Mine's an '04 and some issues are addressed in the '06, such as adjustable seat, re-angled windshield, adjustable bars, etc., but here's my take.

Seat height is fine. No problem reaching the ground or getting comfortable. The sporty-ish positioning of the footpegs cause me some knee pain around and after the 5 hour mark, but a quick Advil stop takes care of that and both knees have undergone multiple surgeries, so it's difficult to blame the FJR. But -- the seat itself SUCKS! Maybe 'cause the previous owner, who was about five-foot-nothing, did the electric-knife mod to the foam, but my first major upgrade WILL be a Russell DayLong.

Bar/grip reach -- this is SO user-dependent it's hard to quantify. I'm a knuckle-dragger so reach for me isn't a problem. I sit straight up and the angle relationship of the grips to centerline is just right for me. I do experience finger/hand numbness and tingling after as little as an hour of riding -- sooner in traffic -- but I've got to attribute that to carpal tunnel syndrome. I use my VistaCruise A LOT...and soon as I can wrangle the time, I'll install my Audiovox CC and retire the Vista Cruise.

After my first long ride...1800mi in 2 days back in September...I discovered I needed a set of these

as I'd sometimes slide back on the passenger seat, which place my heels way too close to

and made a rubber-based mess. Find out more HERE.

On a related note, check out this thread --

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=7758

 

[FJRski]

I'm 198 cm tall, that's 5'18" if you are metrically challenged.

The FJR is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden, or sat on for that matter.

Fell in love the minute I put a leg over one and knew I had to have her.

Much more comfortable than the ST, especially if you have long legs.

The ST is fat at the thighs and has no knee room by comparison.

(OK, I ain't got the greatest physique, I'll stop with the denigrating remarks about Big Red.)

The '06 has better ergonomics for a person of my proportions than the '04/05,

but I may be slightly prejudiced since my '06 arrived.

Only complaint is a little heat on the left shin and the damn WHISTLE.

 

[RadioHowie]

Only complaint is a little heat on the left shin and the damn WHISTLE.

You mean THIS whistle?

 

[HaulinAshe]

Sorry I can't contribute to the tall conversation. I'm average height, average weight, average... well, I'll stop there!

But I will offer some advice on how to reduce/eliminate the buffeting on the aftermarket windshield you will definitely need. And I have a set of 1" risers that I just replaced with 1.5", because us shorter old farts really need that extra 1/2". Or was that my girlfriend that wanted it???

 

[Mike-H]

Geez...just when I thought JeffAshe was OK ....he had to start with the short weenie/girlfriend routine :blink: ....where the "HE double toothpicks" are TWN or SkooterG when you need them :dribble: ....boy oh boy the "disappointment'' is starting to gain momentum :fans:

 

[donaldb]

.....and Jeff still hasn't explained what a cap thistle or what ever the hell you call it is

 

[ronjrieth]

Tks awfully for the comments. I never really planned on a Harley...I always felt they were under engineered and not very reliable. That being said, here in South Florida...it worked out OK for what I wanted at the time. Now it's time for a more adult ride. I'm negotiating with a forum member to purchase an 03 already set up for a taller rider. I'm looking forward to the change.

Ice Dog,

This Saturday morning another FJR'er and I are meeting up in W Palm Beach with a couple of ST 1300's (one of them is my old bike) at Atlanta Bread Company at the Northlake Blvd and I-95 Intersection (it's by Home Depot on the Southeast Corner) at 9 AM to do a little riding. Join us and maybe you can try both bikes...

Safe Riding,

Ron

 

[icedog75]

Tks awfully for the comments. I never really planned on a Harley...I always felt they were under engineered and not very reliable. That being said, here in South Florida...it worked out OK for what I wanted at the time. Now it's time for a more adult ride. I'm negotiating with a forum member to purchase an 03 already set up for a taller rider. I'm looking forward to the change.

Ice Dog,

This Saturday morning another FJR'er and I are meeting up in W Palm Beach with a couple of ST 1300's (one of them is my old bike) at Atlanta Bread Company at the Northlake Blvd and I-95 Intersection (it's by Home Depot on the Southeast Corner) at 9 AM to do a little riding. Join us and maybe you can try both bikes...

Safe Riding,

Ron

Tks for the invite, however, I'm delivering the Dyna to it's new home Saturday morning. I had a long talk with the seller (6'4") and after that (and mods he has made) and all the helpful comments above I'm pretty comfortable that I'm heading in the right direction. I look forward to hooking up when I have the bike...hopefully next week.

This forum is a lot more amusing than some of the other groups I've been involved in. Tks for all the input.

John J.

aka: icedog75