FJR most common issues

[Hill]

What are the most common issues/problem areas on the Gen II & III FJR. Such as: Seat comfort, any heat issues, walking speed handling, bike weight when manually moving it around in the garage, etc.

Or please direct me to the string(s) if previously started.

 

[Ignacio]

What are the most common issues/problem areas on the Gen II & III FJR. Or please direct me to the string(s) if previously started.

Start here and here first like we suggested when you signed up.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

First off Mr Hill....WELCOME to the site!

Seat is subjective.

For 500 mile or so days I think the stock seat is fine......many say different but EVERY bike I've ridden some people say the stock seat is adequate and others hate it.

Heat issues were greatly reduced with the Gen II and III.

I've ridden my 2008 in triple digit heat and it's wasn't extreme.

Keep in mind EVERY full fairing bike will give off some heat.

The FJR is a 600 plus pound bike, every 600 plus pound bike feels heavy when you're moving around the garage.

The FJR is the LIGHTEST of all the major sport tourers and it handles very well, better than most for it's size, it IS more compact than the other major sport tourers.

Maint is easier too on the FJR and the valve adjustment intervals ar the longest (26,000 many go longer) than any major sport tourer.

Buy one you won't regret it!

 

[FJReady]

Compared to your ST, the FJR is lighter, faster, just as comfortable and much sexier. The stock seat is not conducive (sp?) to multiday, long days in the saddle. there are many aftermarket solutions for that.

don't worry about the heat. I have a gen1 which has a reputation for heat and it is really only noticeable on a handful of days per year. I can't see how it would be a problem on gen 2 or 3 bikes.

Its a durable machine as well. Many owners here have well over 100K miles on their FJRs.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Common problem: The nut between the seat and the handlebars falling off into the ditch somewhere.

Seriously...it's been posted up many times. Watch out for that one.

 

[Bugman]

I use the stock seat. My buddy TominCA has a different opinion.

 

[mcatrophy]

Common problem: The nut between the seat and the handlebars falling off into the ditch somewhere.
Seriously...it's been posted up many times. Watch out for that one.

Usually caused by the nut who serviced the bike forgetting to tighten it.

(click on image for larger view)



(BTDT)

 

[wheatonFJR]

Common problem: The nut between the seat and the handlebars falling off into the ditch somewhere.

Seriously...it's been posted up many times. Watch out for that one.

Usually caused by the nut who serviced the bike forgetting to tighten it.

(click on image for larger view)



(BTDT)

NOT what I meant

, but that will do as well.

 

[mcatrophy]

Common problem: The nut between the seat and the handlebars falling off into the ditch somewhere.

Seriously...it's been posted up many times. Watch out for that one.

Usually caused by the nut who serviced the bike forgetting to tighten it.

(click on image for larger view)



(BTDT)

NOT what I meant

, but that will do as well.

Ah, you mean that nut that shouldn't be tight when on a motorcycle? Think you'll find that's not FJR-specific

.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Mine goes through tires like there's no tomorrow...'zat count?

--G

 

[TomInPA]

I use the stock seat. My buddy TominCA has a different opinion.

I have seen you put in day after day averaging 600 miles on the FJR stock seat, and it's obvious you are numb from the waist down...or maybe from the neck up. Then again it's no surprise. I also watched you do an 8000 mile trip on a Harley Sportster with broken rear suspension. Any you still looked like a monkey humping a football.

The FJR is an improvement for you dude, even with a stock seat. Now pick up your toes.

Living proof the stock seat works for some riders

 

[Bounce]

Main problems with Gen 1 is that the tank always needs refilling, the tires always need replacing and the fluids always need flushing. Something about directly proportional to miles ridden.

 

[TripperMike]

Common problem: The nut between the seat and the handlebars falling off into the ditch somewhere.
Seriously...it's been posted up many times. Watch out for that one.

Huh?! Whatcha talkin' about Willis?

If you recall, the nuts were still intact in the side case.

 

[Hill]

First off Mr Hill....WELCOME to the site!
Seat is subjective.

For 500 mile or so days I think the stock seat is fine......many say different but EVERY bike I've ridden some people say the stock seat is adequate and others hate it.

Heat issues were greatly reduced with the Gen II and III.

I've ridden my 2008 in triple digit heat and it's wasn't extreme.

Keep in mind EVERY full fairing bike will give off some heat.

The FJR is a 600 plus pound bike, every 600 plus pound bike feels heavy when you're moving around the garage.

The FJR is the LIGHTEST of all the major sport tourers and it handles very well, better than most for it's size, it IS more compact than the other major sport tourers.

Maint is easier too on the FJR and the valve adjustment intervals ar the longest (26,000 many go longer) than any major sport tourer.

Buy one you won't regret it!

Compared to your ST, the FJR is lighter, faster, just as comfortable and much sexier. The stock seat is not conducive (sp?) to multiday, long days in the saddle. there are many aftermarket solutions for that.
don't worry about the heat. I have a gen1 which has a reputation for heat and it is really only noticeable on a handful of days per year. I can't see how it would be a problem on gen 2 or 3 bikes.

Its a durable machine as well. Many owners here have well over 100K miles on their FJRs.

Thanks guys, some good info, appreciate it. I did some digging in the "Technical/Mechanical Problems" & "Common Historical Info" threads last week but could not find the kind of responses you gave here.

FWIW the ST's have a couple very common problems, such as the coolant leaks in hoses up between the V-4 heads, fixable but extremely difficult to get at. The ST seat poll shows that about 75% of us change the seat. That 75% are closely spread out among Sargent, Corbin, Russell Day Long and the Spencer Mod seats.

I'm 71 now & find my ST a tad heavy, the FJR being the "lightest of all the major sport tourers" is worth a closer look for me.

Thanks

PS: FJReady: Love you plate

 

[Dutch]

Not strictly an FJR problem, the air filter makes a wonderful mouse nest.

 

[Surly]

What are the most common issues/problem areas on the Gen II & III FJR.

The need for anti-depressants because you didn't buy a Gen l.

 

[Old Guy]

I use the stock seat. My buddy TominCA has a different opinion.

I've done some long days on the stock seat and find it adequate. I did 1500 miles in two days in June ( 710 + 790 ) on the stock seat. I'm sure I would have been more comfortable on something else, but I wasn't unduly uncomfortable. And I have money left for tires

Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you aboard, Hill.

 

[art miller]

Perhaps it depends on how wide your posterior may be or your weight. I am 71 years old and 148lbs in excellent health. I can ride day rides on the stock seat with on issues. When I do 3500-4000 miles rides I use an AirHawk. You can use the AirHawk pillon which fits nicely on the rider seat and cost much less than the bloated rider seat unit. Hands down the FJR is my choice for Sport Touring. I've had BMW's and rented ST1300's...I'm sign'd up for the 2014 FJR1300ES to continue my travels.

 

[rfespinosa]

If you plan to buy a new one, I would say there are no reliability issues right now.

A friend of mine had an ST 1300 but it was older than yours, I think an '06. Here are some things I remember. The saddlebags on the FJR are MUCH easier to remove and reinstall. The FJR has a small storage compartment in the fairing below the left handlebar that gets almost as hot as the same storage in the ST. The rear view mirrors are much better in the FJR. The FJR is easier to work on. The ST has a smoother engine, if you ride them back to back you will see what I mean, but the FJR is pretty smooth.