FJR most common issues

[Fred W]

Oh, glad to hear it all worked out for you. I had forgotten about our prior exchange.

Yes, the 1st gens are considerably warmer, which can be a problem for some folks down south. Up here it just extends my riding season a few months into the winter.

 

[TomInPA]

Kc5
"I'm actually considering picking up an older Gen 1 bike just to ride to work. I have a 50 mile a day commute and don't like stacking up the miles on my current bike, just to go to work. I'm still researching the quirks of the Gen 1 bikes and don't know alot about them yet."

They run hot - real hot!

The 03 Silver Streak was the fastest of the FJR litter - by a 'smidge'.

Number 1 and 2 exhaust valves (guides) developed a tick in a few motors during that period. I think it was the 03 and 04 models.

I never had a problem with mine, other than too much farkling.

I run a 2005 and have frequently been riding with ambient temperatures well above 100 F. I did the Chromeit heat fix which involves a reflectorized bubble wrap under the fuel tank and some air conditioner unit foam in the fairing, and have not been hotter than any other FJR, at least based on my rides on 2006 and 2012 models. It's fun to sing Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire in July, but it's a joke. No worse than any other bike. During extreme conditions, I do wear an evaporative vest and carry water.

Very high heat in combination with stop and go driving and a low fuel tank is noticeable. Otherwise, you should not have a problem.

 

[Fred W]

I'm actually considering picking up an older Gen 1 bike just to ride to work. I have a 50 mile a day commute and don't like stacking up the miles on my current bike, just to go to work. I'm still researching the quirks of the Gen 1 bikes and don't know alot about them yet.

I'm not sure why you would even consider doing that. There really is not all that much difference between the 1st gens and the 2nd gens from an overall use standpoint. Why not just "use up" your 2nd gen bike commuting etc.? It's not like you are very likely to wear it out, and the 2012 is depreciating (rapidly right now) whether it is being ridden or just sitting in the garage. Plus having two FJRs would just mean that you have twice the amount of maintenance to keep up on.

Now, if you just want to have a second bike for when friends come around, well, that's a different story.

 

[RadioHowie]

They run hot - real hot!

Thanks for the info. Do you know if they are hotter than the Honda ST1300? That was the primary reason I chose the FJR over the ST.

In 85,000 miles, I've only had "heat" issues with my '04 once....was stuck in a huge traffic backup on the Interstate in Central Florida in August.

Ambient was 105 degrees, humidity about 734 percent! Moving one foot every 10 minutes. After an hour of this ****, I headed for the shoulder when I spotted a sign at the next exit....

Took me another half hour to get there.

Spent an hour there drinking milkshakes to cool me down.

The place was FULL of every brand of bike you can think of.

Gen I heat is only an issue in the mind of the cookie-puss riding it.

 

[Bugman]

Regarding Tominca;s post.

Gosh that was fun!

Why doesn't the quote button work?