FJR1300A as a first bike

[feliz]

I can't add much, it's all about maturity, common sense and good judgement. Riding for two days in a parking lot doesn't prepare you for anything except riding in a parking lot, and on a small bike at that.

Lots have people have started on large/powerfull bikes and done fine, I know a girl who bought a 800+pound HD for a first bike and did OK. I was in a dealers one time and cringed witnessing parents buying their son a GSX-R 750 for his 16th birthday, he probably survived but lots don't.

The prudent thing to do is buy an older Japanese bike and practice, practise, practise. You will learn and gain confidence quicker on a smaller less powerfull bike and hence have more fun. It takes a very small mistake on a bike like an FJR to make your ride very unpleasant if not your last.

 

[Grumpy]

I'm considering a FJR1300 as a first bike puchase. Any opinions?
I have taken the MSF course and I have my motorcyle license endorsement. Other than the MSF course my only riding experience is a few daily rentals from my local HD dealer. (I hated the noise and vibration on the Harleys and would never consider one for purchase.)

Well, in spite of advice to the opposite, I did what you are wondering about when I bought my 2003. It's worked out very well! The advice about the heaviness is right on. However, the bike is a joy to ride above 5 mph in the parking lot. It has lots and lots of tractable power that can be used to "putter" around or turned up to get-it-on....your choice as you get additional riding time.

Good luck on your decision!

jim

 

[rogdeb]

As someone else said, it's all about maturity and more importantly skills.
You mentioned you've taken the MSF course. While that's fine, no actually outstanding and give you a serious leg up. It doesn't really prepare you. You need seat time, and miles. Time for things to become natural and second nature. Doesn't mean it all has to be on the street. If you have had considerable dirt time, that all translates well to the street in terms of survival skills. Meaning you know what happens when you get on the brakes too hard, either front or rear. You already know what that feels like and how to correct.

Is the FJR too much? Is it too big? Too heavy? To expensive if you drop it? Nah... It's a much better choice than say a CBRR, or an R1, or even a 600cc sport bike. While they are lighter, their power curves aren't susceptible to easy street riding IMHO.

The power and torque of the FJR makes it an easy to ride bike. Sure it's heavy but so are those Harley's you've been renting. It has more power, but that's all in the wrist my friend, and you control that. That's where the maturity comes in.

You can kill yourself on a scooter just as easily.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the FJR to a first time buyer with common sense and a respect for the machine and what it can do. Someone that's ridden something in their lifetime and knows what it's all about.

I would not recommend it to the first time buyer who suddenly decides "I'm going to get a bike, and today's the day". That person needs to be groomed and needs to start out smaller.

I don't know where you fit in. If you've anything before or ridden anything before. If you've torn it up in the woods, picked up a bike of you or your best friend, pulled one out of the mud, then you know what I'm talking about. If not, then perhaps you do need to start smaller.

My $.02

Ditto, ditto.

 

[Warpdrv]

I have a 1986 Honda Nighthawk for sale...

Clean as a whistle, Red/white & Blue... 17,000 miles...

Was my bike, shaft drive, 6 speed, with a gear indicator...

I hadn't ridden a bike for 15 years, first bike was a highly over powered RD-400 Fastest thing around, couldn't stop the thing for doin wheelies in first 'n second...

got that before I got my *** on an FJR, and it was worth it..

Would sell for @ $2000.

 

[Ari Rankum]

I have a 1986 Honda Nighthawk for sale...Clean as a whistle, Red/white & Blue... 17,000 miles...

Was my bike, shaft drive, 6 speed, with a gear indicator...

I hadn't ridden a bike for 15 years, first bike was a highly over powered RD-400 Fastest thing around, couldn't stop the thing for doin wheelies in first 'n second...

got that before I got my *** on an FJR, and it was worth it..

Would sell for @ $2000.

You left off the all important 'S'.

I've got one of those - mine is the all-blue (those were faster, too) 1985 model. I still think the 84-86 Nighthawk 'S' is one of the coolest bikes, ever. They are absolutely bulletproof. I rode mine last summer from Baltimore to the far side of DFW, through Hurricane Dennis. I did 2 SS1Ks and two SS1500s during that trip. The bike didn't miss once.

I wish I had pictures of the monkey butt, cuz I'd scare all y'all with 'em.

 

[mdisher]

I'm 5'10'', 160 pounds, 32 inch inseam, and in my mid 40's. <snip>

Now I'm leaning towards a used Victory Vegas for a starter bike. It is very easy to ride, vibration is better than a Harley, but it still requires ear plugs.

The Victory Vegas, and the FJR are very far apart in terms of riding style and ergos... I'd hate to see you get one of those to groom yourself for the FJR. Might as well get an FJR.

For the extra money you'll spend, set it asside in case you drop the Fejer, or just look at it in the drive way until you put tip over gaurds on it or frame sliders and you'll be fine.

I honestly don't think you'll just go out, twist the wrist and wreck it unless you're just a numbskull. It's not a ZX10R, or an R1. It's not going to rip your arms out of your sockets.

You do need to respect it, no doubt about it it, but you also must not fear it. That too is equally bad.

Now you may drop it in a parking lot, but you can drop a victory too, and that won't be cheap either.

Maybe you should pickup a used VFR (Honda Intercpeptor), or VStrom or something similar to get started if that's really what you're after. Or if you're really looking for the cruiser lifestyle then stop looking at the FJR, it's too high performance, and encourages too much fun, and you'll want to take long trips and all that stuff.

 

[OC_Ed]

carolinafjr

If you are confident that you can respect the bike's power and ride defensively, have you considered a used FJR?

Possibly one that someone bought and later decided they couldn't ride it for some reason: physical issues, too much bike, etc.

Possibly one thats been dropped in the parking lot, that you may be able to get at a good deal.

The downside is you may have to live with some scratches or blemishes.

Best of luck in your decision.

 

[PMC FJRider]

My 06 was my first bike. No problems at all. Once I got the slow speed balance down, everything else was a snap. Throttle control was not an issue for me, because going warp speed from light to light left my system a few years ago. But only you know your riding skills. Good luck.

DK

 

[keithaba]

Although you are probably sick of reading responses already, i thought I would chime in.

I think most would agree that any bike can be dangerous, but the larger factor is how you ride.

Most people that get a new bike for their first bike either drop it, or lay it down from entering a corner to fast, or slamming the throttle too hard while exiting a turn.

My first bike was a honda 919, which is relatively close in speed to the FJR, but is quite a bit lighter. What you tend to do as a new rider is build up confidence until some stupid thing happens. Someone pulls out in front of you, you hit a patch of dirt on a turn, a possom decides to take you head on at 50 mph, you try to stop without straightening the wheel.... Once the bike goes down once, it will change the way you ride for a long time.

Overall, it really isn't the greatest starter bike, but even a 600 will go fast. The weight issue is the largest pain with the FJR, but if you really take it slow and by slow i mean, continue to work on starting and stopping in a parking lot. Mark a spot and work on stopping within an inch of it at various speeds. Get really used to the clutch point. Then start working on things like u-turns, manuvering.... After you feel comfortable, start taking her out on the road, but go easy (which is hard with 1300 cc's). If you can do that, the FJR will be an o.k. first bike. The problem is, most people can't. I know I didn't and I ate it when I entered a turn too fast and hit a patch of dirt!

 

[git-r-dan]

fjrcarolina -

Here's a previous thread to read through clicky (my post is #18). I now have 4100 miles on mine and have only dropped the bike once while backing out of the garage. Kick stand was thought to be forward but was not and as it went down, it was just too heavy to hold up. Total error on my part (not the kick stand ) but the good news was - the bags were off and Skyway's sliders performed perfectly. Lucky, lesson learned.

For me, purchasing the FJR, as my first bike, was the correct decision and with that came the bonus of friendships already made through this forum.

It's your decision, Ride safe,

gitterdan :beach: