FJR: first ride

[FordBoy33]

Howdy. New member from Houston, TX. Currently riding a Shadow Spirit 750 and coming up on the end of my first year of riding. I ride to work on nice days (25 miles round trip on back roads of Suburbia, so no freeway gridlock), and take weekend half-day trips out of town as time allows. While looking at bigger cruisers, the FJR and the sport touring style caught my attention. I have looked at the FJR, ST1300, C14...like the style for sure: looks good, practical, technical, etc. A used 2004-05 FJR is the most likely choice of the 3 models at this point, as budget will dictate....

So I rode an '05 FJR for about 55 miles on Sat. Wow. Went from nervous to zooooooooooooooooom in no time! I liked the style, the way it handles, the crazy acceleration, etc. But came away uncertain. Was surprised a bit by the heat coming off of the thing on my legs, but more than that...my right wrist/hand was feeling some pressure 10 miles into the ride and and was nearly numb after 40-50 miles! I'm used to the leaned back cruiser riding position (where only your butt gets numb). How can I ride the thing longer if that's going to happen?

So, I know there are heli risers and different seats...wonder if those kinds of adjustments will really help (I'm 6' with 34" inseam...all arms and legs), or if I'll just get used to riding an FJR and the wrist will quit hurting. Feedback from those with similar experience would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[majicmaker]

Welcome to the Forum Ford, It's your first ride. There are many things that can be done to minimize all the things you mentioned. In no time at all, they will not

even be noticed. That nervous to Zoooooooooooooom!! thing, Will make you a believer. Oh! and by the way, Get a GenII. It's the better one! :yahoo:

 

[wfooshee]

Posture is the biggest adjustment, especially coming from a laid-back, reach-for-the-bars cruiser. Use your back and legs to hold your weight, and don't lean on your arms. If you have to change your posture to let go of the bars then you're doing it wrong; your hands guide the bike, they don't hold up the top half of your body.

Google "Master Yoda riding position"

As for heat, putting on gear will make that pretty much a non-issue. I ride with overpants on for protection from road rash, but they also block the direct engine and radiator heat from my skin.

The FJR is known for a VERY string throttle return spring, also. The common thing to do is to pop the spring at the tang and let it unwind one turn to reduce the pressure. Might have already been done by the previous owner if they're "in the know."

 

[RossKean]

Howdy. New member from Houston, TX. Currently riding a Shadow Spirit 750 and coming up on the end of my first year of riding. I ride to work on nice days (25 miles round trip on back roads of Suburbia, so no freeway gridlock), and take weekend half-day trips out of town as time allows. While looking at bigger cruisers, the FJR and the sport touring style caught my attention. I have looked at the FJR, ST1300, C14...like the style for sure: looks good, practical, technical, etc. A used 2004-05 FJR is the most likely choice of the 3 models at this point, as budget will dictate....

So I rode an '05 FJR for about 55 miles on Sat. Wow. Went from nervous to zooooooooooooooooom in no time! I liked the style, the way it handles, the crazy acceleration, etc. But came away uncertain. Was surprised a bit by the heat coming off of the thing on my legs, but more than that...my right wrist/hand was feeling some pressure 10 miles into the ride and and was nearly numb after 40-50 miles! I'm used to the leaned back cruiser riding position (where only your butt gets numb). How can I ride the thing longer if that's going to happen?

So, I know there are heli risers and different seats...wonder if those kinds of adjustments will really help (I'm 6' with 34" inseam...all arms and legs), or if I'll just get used to riding an FJR and the wrist will quit hurting. Feedback from those with similar experience would be helpful.

Thanks!

There is a throttle spring unwind mod that may relieve the right wrist - lots of people have done it although I haven't really felt the need. Heat can be an issue - worse on Gen I than Gen II; but not worse than many other in-line fours. Appropriate choice of riding attire makes a difference as well as insulating under the tank. Still going to be warm with a closed-in motor making close to 150 HP.

I am still riding my FJR (have had it for one season) with the stock seats and without risers. No issues for me and I am of similar size (6'3", 34" inseam, 220 lb). I found it easier to do a 700 mile day on the FJR than on my previous bike - a 2002 Yamaha Venture. I put 25,000 miles on the FJR from April to early December and loved every minute. The ergos take some getting used to and you may find that you need a different seat, handlebar position etc. to make it perfect for you.

I got a pretty good deal on a 2007 Gen II and I don't plan on trading it anytime soon. Good luck!

Ross

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

My right hand used to fall asleep all the time while riding. Never got it fixed, but I'm wondering if different grips or grip puppies or something would have helped.

Alexi

 

[08FJR4ME]

My guess is you were to tensed up being the first ride and all. GenI's do put out more heat but there are some fixes for that if it hasn't been done already. +1 on the riding pants that will solve 85% of the problem with heat from the engine. It is most common to have wrist issues early on with riding the FJR1300. Grip puppy's will help somewhat. Another big help is a throttle rocker (Cramp buster) for $10 bucks. The best $10 you will ever spend. 50 miles on this mule really isn't going to get you acquainted enough to start an affair. More like a one night stand. You should be able to do an easy 250 miles in a day to really appreciate what the bike can do. Buy the way that's just one tank full of gas.

Good Luck,

Dave

 

[FordBoy33]

I wear Olympia Air Glide 3 pants, though they were over shorts that day.

The description of the hand going to sleep is accurate, and I agree that some of the problem was just being tense on a new-to-me bike belonging to someone else. I'll check into the Yoda thing.

Thanks...keep it coming.

 

[FJReady]

I think most everythings been covered, but I will add nonetheless. One thing I found helpful regarding the throttle in addition to relaxing the return spring one turn is putting on larger diameter hand grips. I use a hard rubber type made by tourmaster (or something like that, sorry , can't remember ****) they are like elongated footballs: largest diameter in the middle and taper to smaller diameter at the ends. way more comfortable than stock ones. for me.

I have similar dimensions(6 ft, 33 inch inseam, longish arms) an I love the FJR ergos. Its all day comfy for me, 500 miles is a breeze. But I did have to replace the seat and windshield to get it there. Buying the FJR is just the beginning. Keep a few hundred $$ in reserve after you buy the bike and start accumulating miles. Farkles are good. and addicting.

Good luck with your shopping.

 

[FJReady]

Heres the fat handgrips:

Sorry, don't remember where they came from.

 

[Knifemaker]

Heres the fat handgrips:

Sorry, don't remember where they came from.

They came from hell. I bought a set and installed them. Hated them so much I could not wait to get home and cut them off...

I opted for some Progrip duel gel grips...and learned not to hold the grips like they were trying to run off...a gentle squeeze is all ya need.

I also found that tipping the bars more out...helped me alot. I think you can only do that on a Gen II. A lower seat helped alot too.

KM

 

[Brodie]

Fordboy33

Welcome to the FJRForum. A numb right hand is a common complaint, that can be dealt with. The Master Yoda position will aid you on any Sport Touring bike - that will get you using a light touch on the hand grips. Another thing that you can add is a Vista Cruise throttle lock. This lets you take your hand off the throttle altogether and give it a rest, that helps me a lot ( I have a cruise control). Spend some time here searching the forum, ask a bunch of questions. Good luck and have fun figuring what your next bike will be.

Brodie

 

[fastpappy]

Throttle Spring Unwind + Grip Puppies + Heavy Bar Ends + VistaCruise = :yahoo:

 

[road runner]

My guess is you were to tensed up being the first ride and all. GenI's do put out more heat but there are some fixes for that if it hasn't been done already. +1 on the riding pants that will solve 85% of the problem with heat from the engine. It is most common to have wrist issues early on with riding the FJR1300. Grip puppy's will help somewhat. Another big help is a throttle rocker (Cramp buster) for $10 bucks. The best $10 you will ever spend. 50 miles on this mule really isn't going to get you acquainted enough to start an affair. More like a one night stand. You should be able to do an easy 250 miles in a day to really appreciate what the bike can do. Buy the way that's just one tank full of gas.

Good Luck,

Dave

+1 on relaxing your grip on the bars & get a cramp buster.

Also riding position will make a big difference. Once you get used to the bike you will love it.

 

[Bogus]

+100 on all previous posts, especially the comment on getting a Gen 2!! What I really want to know is where you got to test ride one for 55 miles!!

 

[scubatech]

Fordboy33

Welcome to the FJRForum. A numb right hand is a common complaint, that can be dealt with. The Master Yoda position will aid you on any Sport Touring bike - that will get you using a light touch on the hand grips. Another thing that you can add is a Vista Cruise throttle lock. This lets you take your hand off the throttle altogether and give it a rest, that helps me a lot ( I have a cruise control). Spend some time here searching the forum, ask a bunch of questions. Good luck and have fun figuring what your next bike will be.

Brodie

Hi Brodie,

Did you get a new bike yet? Or did I miss the post on it?

 

[FordBoy33]

The 2005 FJR that I rode was an uncle's, and he was nice enough to let me ride it and even tell me to "let it run" after I was taking it easy the first 10 miles. I'll probably try to get in another round on that one, and maybe get in a ride on a buddy's Concours 14, too. There are also some larger local dealerships that let you take a decent ride on their used bikes.

Gen II is 2006+, right? What are the significant improvements? (Edit: found these on the new owner's thread!) During my looking over the last several weeks, I have found a couple of good deals from individuals: a 2005 ABS with 20K miles for $5K and a 2004 ABS with 18K miles for $4500 (sold). (I've also seen some trash like wrecked bikes or bikes missing bags, turn signals, windshields, etc.) These are KBB trade-in values...and that's my price range, too: $4-5K. Anyway, both of these have been ("was" in the 2004 case) for sale for a good while, and the 2005 is still available. Its only problem is that the locking compartment on the top left side of the fairing has a busted latch, and it has a nick or scratch here or there. So, if I decide to get an FJR, I will wait for a good deal like these. How hard/expensive is it to fix that busted latch on the left compartment, anyway? I guess it was forced shut when the ignition was off...?

I talked to another guy with a 2005 last week, and he had insulated the underside of his tank and added some kinda panels to the fairing by the knees to block some of the heat. I do ride in Houston in the Summer, so the heat is a bit of a concern (though it may be welcome in January!). But the right hand problem is my primary concern, and I'm hoping riding position and some combination of inexpensive changes will take care of that.

 

[Harald]

But the right hand problem is my primary concern, and I'm hoping riding position and some combination of inexpensive changes will take care of that.

I'll just repeat what's already been said about this because it's so true. You've got to relax your death grip on the bars to fix your problem. Think about why it's only your right hand that's effected? Because the FJR is a fast, powerful bike and you have a death grip on the throttle. Even coming off big bore sportbikes, I had the same problem with my FJR when I first got it. You just gotta spend time on it getting comfortable and learn to relax your grip!

 

[majicmaker]

I highly recommend the Cramp Buster! You can rest your palm on that thing all day long at any speed and open your hand while wiggling your fingers.

It's Great!! :clapping:

 

[HeUeR]

Fordboy33

Welcome to the FJRForum. A numb right hand is a common complaint, that can be dealt with. The Master Yoda position will aid you on any Sport Touring bike - that will get you using a light touch on the hand grips. Another thing that you can add is a Vista Cruise throttle lock. This lets you take your hand off the throttle altogether and give it a rest, that helps me a lot ( I have a cruise control). Spend some time here searching the forum, ask a bunch of questions. Good luck and have fun figuring what your next bike will be.

Brodie

I got the numb right hand on my FJR and my 05 Connie...Cruise control on the FJR and Throttlemeister on the Connie did the trick. Both had handle bar risers which also help, but my biggest problem is short arms (32").