FJR Maybe

[pgrhodes1]

Hi All,

My FZ1 is simply to HOT to ride in the Montana heat so she is hitting the road. Now I must decide on a new bike. I have been researching the FJR but have some real concerns. I am 5'3" and inseam challeged. I was riding the other day and met a man that had an FJR that he had lowered and did a seat mod. I was able to lift the bike and had more of my feet on the ground than he did. However, I have been reading on this site and it appears people drop this bike a lot. This has me worried. The FZ1 is the 5th bike I have owned and the lightest but with the others I was flat footed and watched carefully where I pulled off and parked. I really like the FJR. She looks like the big sister to the FZ1 but I don't want to have to worry every time I come to a stop. So here are the questions:

Is she top heavy?

It is my understanding that Yamaha fixed the heat issue on the 07. Is this correct?

Any short women on here riding an FJR?

Any advise????

Thanks,

Penny

 

[gr8eyes]

It is a bit top heavy. Especially when full of gas.

They did fix the heat issue compared to the pre 06 models. It is about like any other 1300cc bike in that regard.

There are several women riders here but I'm not sure of their height.

There are "dogbone " lowering kits available and the modified seat can lower you a bit more.

Glenn

 

[Neil San Diego]

Is she top heavy?

She’s the lightest of the big sport tourers (ST1300, Connies, FJRs), IIRC. About 580 lbs dry. I’m not sure what your FZ weighs…? As far as top heavy, you'll get alot of opinions on that. Should be similar to your FZ though. The bike will be top heavy if you’re used to a cruiser, but that doesn’t sound like the case.

It is my understanding that Yamaha fixed the heat issue on the 07. Is this correct?

The second generation FJRs (affectionally referred to as Gen IIs) did fix the heat problem for most folks. Gen IIs started with the 2006 models.

Any short women on here riding an FJR?

Look for a member that goes by Silver Penguin as a start.

 

[phantom]

It's a little top heavy but much easier to handle than most cruisers. I've only had mine for about a month and wouldn't trade for anything cruiser-like. I've got about a foot in height on you so I find the bike to perfect. Once you get it moving you'll forget about the weight and the little top-heaviness. It's the best Sport/Tourer out there IMO. Get it, you'll adapt and love it in no time.

 

[Big Sky]

Penny, where at are ya in Montana? I have an '03 FJR with 47K and am a student of this machine and some others. Perhaps I can help in some way. I live in Butte. My adopted brother who lives in Livingston just bought the '08 FJR AE (electric clutch - he has arthritis issues). Between us, we could provide some objective perspectives. PM me if you'd like.

Big Sky

 

[pgrhodes1]

Penny, where at are ya in Montana? I have an '03 FJR with 47K and am a student of this machine and some others. Perhaps I can help in some way. I live in Butte. My adopted brother who lives in Livingston just bought the '08 FJR AE (electric clutch - he has arthritis issues). Between us, we could provide some objective perspectives. PM me if you'd like.
Big Sky

Hey there Big Sky!!!

I'm from Hamilton! Just rode over your way a couple weekends ago. Great ride through the Big Hole... Will pm you with a bunch of questions.

Penny

 

[Foxhuntr]

Hi All,
My FZ1 is simply to HOT to ride in the Montana heat so she is hitting the road. Now I must decide on a new bike. I have been researching the FJR but have some real concerns. I am 5'3" and inseam challeged. I was riding the other day and met a man that had an FJR that he had lowered and did a seat mod. I was able to lift the bike and had more of my feet on the ground than he did. However, I have been reading on this site and it appears people drop this bike a lot. This has me worried. The FZ1 is the 5th bike I have owned and the lightest but with the others I was flat footed and watched carefully where I pulled off and parked. I really like the FJR. She looks like the big sister to the FZ1 but I don't want to have to worry every time I come to a stop. So here are the questions:

Is she top heavy?

It is my understanding that Yamaha fixed the heat issue on the 07. Is this correct?

Any short women on here riding an FJR?

Any advise????

Thanks,

Penny

Hi Penny,

My wife is 5' 3", weighs 105 and rides a lowered FZ1. She sat on my FJR several times. I encouraged her to take it for a spin, but in stock height she can get it off the stand, but is too tippy toed to try it. Says it is just too heavy for her.

 

[Big Sky]

Penny, did ya try the Pioneer Scenic Route up past Elk Horn Hot Springs when you did your Big Hole ride? It was just completely paved in '07. Superb. I did it two Sundays ago.

Fire away.

Big Sky

 

[pgrhodes1]

Penny, did ya try the Pioneer Scenic Route up past Elk Horn Hot Springs when you did your Big Hole ride? It was just completely paved in '07. Superb. I did it two Sundays ago.
Fire away.

Big Sky

YES, it is wonderful! I have a loop I ride often. Up over Lost Trail Pass, come down 43 to Wisdom, go over toward Jackson, up over Pioneer Scenic route, back to Wisdow and home. I LOVE this ride...

 

[Big Sky]

Shhhh. Don't let the word out. Yes, it's excellent, especially when everywhere else is hot and it is a nice cool 80 or 85 back up in the Big Hole.

Your 5' 3" inch height is less important than inseam. "Silver Penguin" as mentioned above is Jill and I think is the foremost expert on the female inseam challenged. She has lowered the bike and wears boots with exceptionally tall heals and thick soles. I think she manages. She will probably log in here before too long and can offer great advice.

 

[pgrhodes1]

Shhhh. Don't let the word out. Yes, it's excellent, especially when everywhere else is hot and it is a nice cool 80 or 85 back up in the Big Hole.
Your 5' 3" inch height is less important than inseam. "Silver Penguin" as mentioned above is Jill and I think is the foremost expert on the female inseam challenged. She has lowered the bike and wears boots with exceptionally tall heals and thick soles. I think she manages. She will probably log in here before too long and can offer great advice.

I'm looking forward to hearing from her. I am absolutley sure the FJ would need to be lowered and the seat mod done. I was able to lift the one that was lowered off the stand and balance it just fine. However, I have tired the one on the showroom floor here in Hamilton and everyone enjoyed a good laugh. Even with the seat in the lowest position I looked like a kid trying to ride a big boys bike and could hardly get it off the kick stand. In fact, if I had not run into that person who let me try his FJ, I would not even have given it another thought. His inseam was shorter than mine and he absolutley loved his FJ. I got to thinking that with a little fixin it just might work for me.

Questions:

How does it do in the sharp twisties here in MT? Ever Scrape?

Any problems with elevation?

I live on a dirt road. How does it handle on gravel??

What don't you like about the FJ?

Have you ever dropped??

Is heat an issue?

THANKS!

Penny

 

[bramfrank]

pgrhodes1 asked the following Questions:

How does it do in the sharp twisties here in MT?

- Sorry, I'm from the frozen north so I can't vouch for Montana, but . . . for a 600+ pound bike it works really well in the twisties east of the Mississpippi.

Ever Scrape?

- Indeed, during the more exhuberant moments - however note that a lowered bike will scrape more easily.

Any problems with elevation?

- There was an altitude problem with early Gen-II ECUs, but Yamaha executed a recall and resolved the problems.

I live on a dirt road. How does it handle on gravel??

- It is heavy. It handles like a boat on water when you are on gravel.

What don't you like about the FJ?

- huh?

- Maybe the fact that you have to pay $400 extra to extend the warranty from 1 year to 5 when everyone else in the category has a 3 year warranty as standard.

Have you ever dropped??

- I have, and you will too.

Is heat an issue?

- In stop-and-go-traffic it starts to get warm.

 

[Big Sky]

Bramfrank covered your issues pretty well. I will augment his views by PM to minimize clutter here. To do so I just need to click on your name in the top left of your post.

Big Sky

 

[pgrhodes1]

pgrhodes1 asked the following Questions:
How does it do in the sharp twisties here in MT?

- Sorry, I'm from the frozen north so I can't vouch for Montana, but . . . for a 600+ pound bike it works really well in the twisties east of the Mississpippi.

Ever Scrape?

- Indeed, during the more exhuberant moments - however note that a lowered bike will scrape more easily.

Any problems with elevation?

- There was an altitude problem with early Gen-II ECUs, but Yamaha executed a recall and resolved the problems.

I live on a dirt road. How does it handle on gravel??

- It is heavy. It handles like a boat on water when you are on gravel.

What don't you like about the FJ?

- huh?

- Maybe the fact that you have to pay $400 extra to extend the warranty from 1 year to 5 when everyone else in the category has a 3 year warranty as standard.

Have you ever dropped??

- I have, and you will too.

Is heat an issue?

- In stop-and-go-traffic it starts to get warm.

But I don't want to drop my bike (I know, no one does).... I've never dropped one before and I don't know if I want to buy one knowing it is going to hit the dirt.

 

[bramfrank]

But I don't want to drop my bike (I know, no one does).... I've never dropped one before and I don't know if I want to buy one knowing it is going to hit the dirt.

You might not drop yours, but the bike has a propensity for rolling off it's sidestand if you aren't careful (reminder, shorten the sidestand if you lower the bike). These days I leave it in first when parking.

One of our members parked his bike for the night and it seems he had a leak in his rear tire - that was enough to tumble the bike on it's right side. Plus, it is heavy - I was in PA a few weeks ago and put my foot out when I stopped on fresh pavement and. . . . there was no pavement where my foot was, so I bought a new mirror and this winter will have one of our members repaint my sidecase.

Before this bike and aside from a single head-on collision with a car in 2005 (his fault), I'd had two incidents in 35 years, neither of which was a drop, but rather were laydowns while rolling.

You let your guard down in that respect and the bike seems to sense it.

 

[pgrhodes1]

But I don't want to drop my bike (I know, no one does).... I've never dropped one before and I don't know if I want to buy one knowing it is going to hit the dirt.

You might not drop yours, but the bike has a propensity for rolling off it's sidestand if you aren't careful (reminder, shorten the sidestand if you lower the bike). These days I leave it in first when parking.

One of our members parked his bike for the night and it seems he had a leak in his rear tire - that was enough to tumble the bike on it's right side. Plus, it is heavy - I was in PA a few weeks ago and put my foot out when I stopped on fresh pavement and. . . . there was no pavement where my foot was, so I bought a new mirror and this winter will have one of our members repaint my sidecase.

Before this bike and aside from a single head-on collision with a car in 2005 (his fault), I'd had two incidents in 35 years, neither of which was a drop, but rather were laydowns while rolling.

You let your guard down in that respect and the bike seems to sense it.

Yes, I have experienced the sidestand slide and always leave my bike in gear. Just last week someone in our party moved my bike and left it in neutral. When I went to get on it rolled and I just about lost it. Several near misses but I have never owned a bike this heavy and it is one of the things that worry me.

Thanks for informaiton....

Penny

 

[slowrider]

Bought an '08 two months ago after spending several months doing research. Wanted bags, windshield, etc. and ABS. Looked at Beemer K and R bikes, Goldwings, Concours, ST1300, even Harley touring models. Hands down best bike for the money; too many features to list. Just remember, whatever you buy, if it can be lowered it will also reduce suspension travel. Love mine and highly recommend one.

Heat problem? Not really 'cause here in Louisiana we have very little spring or fall and about 5 months of summer. June - Aug. often at 95+ and the bike is not hotter than a big V-Twin, actually better because all the heat seems to be well below my knees.

Top heavy? Yeah, with a full tank but not unmanageable. You have to pay attention moving around gas pumps and such.

 

[FightOrFlight]

Penny:

I've had an '08 for about a month. I've found a few things to complain about, but not the issues you listed. Oddly enough - and this coming from a person who has been a 'little' critical of the bike having more vibration than I'm used to - I actually don't feel the bike is particularly top-heavy. I've been paying attention to it because it is commonly discussed here (or, at least, drops are). Fuel level certainly makes a difference here but you just have to be mindful of that. With less than half a tank, I've actually gotten used to it and can easy work it around the garage and find the low speed balance quite good (not having to put feet down in slow traffic until actually stopped). That said, I'm a little taller than you are at six feet. I really have no idea how the bike would feel if I were quite a bit shorter. But make no mistake, it's not a light bike.

I'm getting used to the bike in local twisties. My initial feeling is that it wonders a little bit. But the suspension adjustments are easy and, like any bike, I think there is a period of 'getting to know each other.' Does that make sense? My last few rides, I felt dialed in - a oneness with the bike.

Even on the "fixed" GenII bikes, you'll feel the heat if you sit in traffic and it's over 80 (or 100 in St. Louis!). Traffic might not be an issue for you - I commute on mine.

I haven't dropped and hope this beautiful black thing never meets the ground sideways. As to "what don't you like," I touched on that above. I sincerely think it is all relative. My last several bikes were exceptionally smooth and this one has vibes, especially over 3,800 RPMs. It is discussed ad nauseam here and the suggestions are plentiful and can be helpful. I'd also suggest, as has been suggested many times in the forum, that the angle of the bars is a little goofy (raked back too much). But there again, maybe it's all relative to arm length, etc.

Good luck with your decision.

PS - Gravel on an FJR? Ughh. No thanks.

 

[Ari Rankum]

When I went to get on it rolled and I just about lost it. Several near misses but I have never owned a bike this heavy and it is one of the things that worry me.Penny

With the battery up by the bars, and the massive, high-sitting tank, and the monster in-line-4, the bike is top-heavy. I'm surprised at how much effort it can take to right the bike if it gets even a little leaned over at a stop. For instance, I'm about 1 for 4 with saves in this sort of situation:

I don't usually use a disc lock when I leave the bike around town, so I'm not thinking about the disc lock when I'm using it constantly while traveling through possibly sketchy areas. About 4 times now (2 on my 05 and 2 on my 06), I've gone to take off and gotten about 1/4 of a front wheel circumference before something goes REALLY WRONG with the bike and I start leaning really hard to the right. Some people talk about their "lizard brain" saving them in crash situations. My brain is almost certainly 0% lizard and 100% turtle. Because I'm at about 25 degrees lean before I figure out what's happening. Now, my brain is 100% turtle, but my muscles are more like Underdog, as in I end up under a lot of stuff (but I get ahead of myself). Seriously, though, I'm stronger than the average American male. Nonetheless, saving the bike in such a situation has been, for me, similar to one of those arm wrestling matches where you're just baaaaaaarely weaker than the other guy. You know...you've got that feeling of horror that stretches out forever as you try with all your might and still find yourself sickeningly leaning further and further toward your ultimate demise? Thankfully, if you put the sliders on on day one, and you don't give up the good fight until you and your Feej are resting comfortably on your sides, panting (as if one of you can REALLY go for a cigarette (just kidding, it's not ever that sexual for me (but just ask Odot about this))), you'll find you can execute this drill with no damage, at all, to the bike.

Even with the sliders, a drop can be expensive. A former college roommate, and life-long friend, stopped by a couple years ago when I had my 05. He asked to sit on the bike, and I said, "Sure! Take her for a ride if you want!". He got it up and flat-footed it and promptly lost his balance to the right. The surface was concrete, but not your typical concrete. This concrete had smashed plastic bits all over it. Yep, $1000 bucks worth of tupperware later, my bike was good as new. That guy would never be described as small, and he couldn't save it, at all.

In spite of the potential for a drop and the potential for an associated very large check, I still think the FJR comes out way ahead on thrills returned for the investment and, uh, "maintenance".

From the description you provided of your level of comfort on the modified bike you recently experienced, albeit only statically, I think a similarly modded FJR would work well for you.