FJR: first ride

[Texan]

Howdy, brother. I switched from a shadow 750 to the FJR about two years ago. Heat is an issue, but frankly only when it's above 95. That I'll be the same with any larger displacement fully faired bike including the Connie 14.

I love the FJR and I bet you will as well. Take it easy. It's so much faster than the shadow and it's easy to get carried away with the throttle.

 

[marcusorelius]

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.

The throttle spring unwind is about as inexpensive as ya can get!

 

[Pepperell]

Fresh tires seem to help with the death-grip issues, too. Shifting my weight to help steer the bike, rather than pressure on the bars reduces it some.

As far as heat, keeping the tank more than half full helps to keep it cooler on those really hot days.

And the Gen1's are faster!!

 

[cruppelt]

Welcome! I had the exact same issues when I started with my 2006. I'm 5'11", so really just a tad shorter then you, and also was used to the upright seating position on the bike before. A riding buddy talked me out of installing risers right away, he said to wait at least a couple of thousand miles to see if I can get used to it - and I am sure glad about that now. I trained my back to accept the sage advise of Master Yoda, and now it feels kind of wrong to sit on a totally upright bike :lol:

On the standard bike you can move the handlebars back a bit, and you can also move the seat to the lower position, that might get you just enough upright to get you used to it. About the heat, Yamaha added an insulation blanket to go between the engine and the tank for 2006 and newer, and quite a few folks with the older bikes added these with good success. Even with my Gen II with the standard heat blanket in there though I like having some impact nylon on my lower legs to keep the heat off on warm days.

About the handle grips, I also tried grip puppies for standard thickness gloves, but found that I am much happier with the standard Yamaha grips in combination with Olympia gloves with the gel insert in the palm area. That just about beats anything else for me in comfort for longer trips. Lot's of folks here without the heated grips changed the grips completely, BMW grips seem popular.

I hope this helped to make up your mind!

 

[FordBoy33]

Well, thanks for all the comments, fellas. I'm gonna take another spin on an FJR before making the decision to buy one, but its good to know that many of you experienced the same problems and overcame them.

Thanks.

 

[highcountry]

There relatively inexpensive fixes for your concerns. Being an older rider, I didn't like the peg position on my Gen II so I installed a relocation kit. I also have risers on the bike that allowed me to move the handlebars back seating me in a more upright position. I don't find heat to be noticeable on my Gen II until the temps hit the 90s. And even then, it is no big deal. I bought a used a Sargent seat to replace the concrete-hard Corbin seat that came on the bike. Another feature that I love, are the ABS linked brakes on my FJR.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[Tom Herold]

I ride year-round in Charleston, SC. It gets so hot and humidity so bad here late June - September, even the devil sweats and begs for relief....

With that said, the heat coming off the FJR really isn't near as bad as other bikes out there; namely the C-14 and my previous heavy sport touring machine, the Triumph Trophy 1200. A good friend of mine owns a C-14 and had my FJR for a week in August, his comments about the lower heat on the FJR were a good comparison for me.

The Gen-II's do a bit better at managing it, no doubt. The truth is, if you're sitting in traffic, any bike is hot regardless of the "generation".

Because of the heat here I can't ride in anything other than my Levi's for pants, or if I'm on a road trip, my mesh pants with a pair of shorts on underneath. I really don't think the heat coming off the bike's all that bad.

I'm 5'10" and 180lbs with a 34" inseam. I tried the gen-mar risers with the cramp-buster and still had the numbness issue. I found a set of heli-bar risers on craigslist for $40, add the cramp-buster, and some type of throttle lock, the numbness issue is gone.

I found the stock seat adequate for around town and shorter rides, but purchased a gel pad for the longer stints in the saddle and found it to be a cheaper alternative to a new seat.

I bought my 05 last July for $5k with 20k on the clock, tour pack, Powerlet and volt meter - they're good deals. Maintenance is a snap - just completed my 26k valve clearance check and like the majority of owners have found, my clearances were all within acceptable ranges.

Just some thoughts to consider on top of the already mentioned ideas.

Good luck and ride safe!

 

[GL4435]

I also came from a 750 Shadow to the FJR, and had the exact same issues ... as many here have. I found it was all in the riding position, and after realizing that your hands should really just be guiding the bike, not supporting you at all, the numbness and wrist fatigue was history. I picked up a G2 throttle tube and a pair of grip puppies (both inexpensive) and that is about the only modifications I have made. I also looked at the Concour, but that huge exhaust can on one side was just damn ugly ... then there is the maintenance schedule which is a PTA compared to the FJR. Good luck with your decision, I don't think you will regret it if you choose the FJR.

 

[bikerkash]

The riding position you will get use to. The heat issue will never go away. Ride an 06 or newer and you will find it is a much improved bike over the 05.

 

[user 213]

Lots of good info so far. You'll get used to the new riding position after a bit and it will be more comfortable. Yes, the '03-05 Gen I bikes put out a bit more heat than the '06-on Gen II bikes. Many don't find it an issue, but you're in a warmer environment too. Don't be afraid of higher mileage bikes, the motors last easily to 200k if no bad shop techs interfere.

The glove box latch pretty much means replacing the entire unit for about $120 or making up a new lid/hinge and latch. Several people just did some Home Depot fab work and a simple cabinet latch instead of paying for a new factory unit. Some of them look like it sounds, some look really clean too.

I have an '04 w/o any heat fixes, but live in a cooler location. I've ridden all over, and spend full days in high heat on many occaions w/o noticing the heat. A cross wind can cook one leg though! It's an individual preference. The heat fixes are pretty easy to do and do make a difference, but not as much as a Gen II, imho. Try to get a comparable ride on a Gen II just so you can see for yourself, even if they are out of your price range.

I too had some numbness issues. The Gen I needed some handlebar angle changes to solve that issue for me. Some Heli-risers did the trick, though I really didn't need the rise, just the angle changes. Lenkadapters offer minimal rise, but a nice amount of angle adjustment. Check out the full offerings from Wild Hair Accessories. A radiator guard of some kind is a really good thing™.

Now days I consider a throttle lock of some kind and a Throttle Rocker or Cramp Buster to be mandatory kit. It allows you to relax your hand and use your palm to control the throttle position. The throttle lock gives you a chance to shake out or just do other things with the right hand now and then. Full on cruise control is nice now and then, but not really something I need most rides.

 

[FordBoy33]

There's another thread on this, but I figured I should follow up with a reply here, for those of you that offered your opinions after my first ride.

I bought a nice 06 last weekend.

Its got 43K miles and a few add-ons (G2 tube, throttle lock, heated grips, uninstalled PCIII, uninstalled dual-tone horns, 2 shorter-than-stock Cee Bailey shields and the stock one), new front (installed) and rear (on the way) tires and a few months left on the YES warranty. It also has the servo removed from the glove box.

I'm going to try to catch up the maintenance on my own (which may delay significant riding a bit...), put the PCIII and horns back on, get the new rear tire mounted, and maybe get a dealer in Houston to do the valve check/adjustment. (By the way, what should the valve service cost?) I've only ridden it a few miles so far, but I'm looking forward to getting out on it and seeing how its different than the '05 I rode before, and also to getting the proper riding position down and making any necessary adjustments to the bars and seat.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Fordboy,

Congrats on your gorgeous bike. Since the bike has 43k miles, you won't need to do a Valve Check until 52K miles unless the First Check was not Done.

You may want to call a Yamaha dealer or Yamaha in Cyprus California with the VIN number and see what the Service history has been so you know what outline you are working with.

Hope this helps...have fun!

 

[FordBoy33]

That's right the valve adjustment was not done at 26k. Mainly just oil changes, rear end and tires were done.

 

[FordBoy33]

Valve check was not done at 26k, I meant. ECU recall was done, but not others.

 

[Karmak]

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:

I don't-not without a warning about how it can get you in deep doo doo if you are not aware that in tight corners, if you aren't very conscious of where the weight on your wrist is, you can goose the bike in some cases and in others, may be unable to roll off the throttle if needed-it will catch you by surprise! I believe this has bit others on the forum in the past.

Now, go ahead and use it after being made aware of the potential for a surprise when least expected!!!

 

[wfooshee]

I don't know what a valve check should cost, but a check and they're OK should be significantly less than an adjustment. The cover comes off for a check, the cams come out for an adjustment, to replace the shims.

 

[user 213]

(By the way, what should the valve service cost?)

I've paid between $300 and $450 for valve check. Don't expect it to cost less if they are all in spec and no re-shim is required. And that's pretty common for FJRs up to about 80-100k. Some do need it sooner, so get it done.

 

[mikerbiker]

You just need to relax and get used to the bike. The more miles, the better. I never adjusted any spring and have no probs. The bike wants to run and IMO is built to have some air on the chest at speed offsetting the slightly (compared to a cruiser) forward lean. Just ride. The rest takes care of itself. Or you could overanalyze til the cows come home...

 

[RadioHowie]

Forget the Gen I models (2003-2005) as they are complete POS bikes and shouldn't be ridden.....or even allowed on.....the streets!

You really should be looking at an 06 or newer.

 

[Harald]

Forget the Gen I models (2003-2005) as they are complete POS bikes and shouldn't be ridden.....or even allowed on.....the streets!

You really should be looking at an 06 or newer.

You're not fooling anyone here! We all know that you are trying to make sure no one buys any Gen I models so that you can have a steady supply to purchase once you finally get over 200k on yours and it's finally worn out.