FJR1300A as a first bike

[zzzzip]

GOSH!!! Somebody actually took MY advice.... :blink:

I gotta show my wife this thread-- she'll never believe it otherwise.

B)

 

[ponyfool]

A Bandit 600 is a great bike to start on IMO. They are cheap, have ok power, easy on the body ergonomics, and is easy to learn the basic motorcycle mechanic stuff too.

 

[zzkenoman]

I know a few people who bought the FJR as a first bike. They take it slow, learn the manage the weight, and eventually after putting time and miles on, they get more comfortable. Its a big powerful bike, and it will bite if you don't know how to control it, so I'd take some advanced MSF classes just to raise your confidence.

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

As a returning rider, I wanted something mid size to get my skills back. I had a Yamaha XS1100 before but wanted to start on something easier. I bought a SV650. Two months later I decided I wanted the FJR. I had the SV for just under a year. I did get my skills back. David Houg, Proficient Motorcycling books are great for realizing what it takes to stay safe in traffic on a MC. Read absorb his knowledge & Stay Safe! TJ

 

[Ari Rankum]

I have always suggested that someone get a cheap dual sport so they can take it off road, and learn how to handle a bike that is sliding, etc, but also have the ability to gain street experience, and to do it for at least a year. But, that's just my opinion, and I've been wrong before.

Yeah. Get a KLR 650. I've had two FJRs and I'm doing my best to stay out of the showroom to avoid picking up a brand spanking new 2006 KLR at bargain prices. So far, I'm half-way through the Fall and completely succesful in avoiding the showroom experience.

One other benefit to a dual sport, like the KLR, is they are designed to go sliding down the dirt on their sides without emptying your wallet. It's a truism that you can buy a 10-year-old Japanese bike for cheap, ride it for a year, and then sell it for just about what you paid for it. It's a virtually free rental. Combine that savings with not having to replace all the left side, or right side, or both, plastic on your new Feej, and you are way ahead of the game in terms of total cost of ownership.

 

[mcrides]

I'm considering a FJR1300 as a first bike puchase. Any opinions?

You don't mention anything about some of the critical factors such as your weight, inseam, and strength.

To an extent, higher experience can compensate for shorter inseam, and lower strength and weight. Trouble can happen if you're low in all areas.

Other than the MSF course my only riding experience is a few daily rentals from my local HD dealer.

HD's are designed so that just about anyone with a hearbeat can ride them. Seat height is very low. Despite being quite heavy, their center of gravity is also very low, making them easy to maneuver.

The FJR has normal seat height, which may be high for some inseams. It also has a much higher center of gravity, so you definitely know that the weight is there.

Montreal, Canada

https://pages.videotron.com/mcrides

 

[rogdeb]

memories of Daniel Hice here <_<

Although I remember a thread where someone was in negotiations to buy his "unblemished" FJR

 

[Cdogman]

My first bike, I bought last year, was an 05 Goldwing. My Feej dont weigh squat.

If you get a Feej as a 1st bike, just be afraid, very afraid and you will survive. My 900 lb wing scared the doo doo outa me for a long time. (Oh BTW, I did drop it while standing still) Skyways Sliders??

 

[bmac]

The toughest thing about the FJR as a first bike is the weight. A controlled rider can restrain from using the power but we all have to deal with the weight. Be very careful of low speed turning. If you fail to properly modulate the clutch and stall the bike it will fall over.

The best choice would be a much lighter bike.

 

[Capt. Bob]

As Clint Eastwood said in The Outlaw Josey Wales, "A man's got to know his limitations".

Wasn't that from the "Dirty Harry" series with Hal Holbrook?

 

[Gary]

When I bought my '06A, I was watching 2 bikes on Ebay. Both '92's, a Honda VFR750, and a 750 Ninja.

I made the mistake of stopping at the local Yamaha dealer to see if they dealt in used bikes at all, next thing I knew I was digging thru the closet for my helmet. (hadn't ridden in 15-16 years)

BUT...both of the 750's I was looking at went for around $3,000...and either would be a safer first ride than the FJR.

 

[Silver Penguin]

You don't mention anything about some of the critical factors such as your weight, inseam, and strength.To an extent, higher experience can compensate for shorter inseam, and lower strength and weight. Trouble can happen if you're low in all areas. https://pages.videotron.com/mcrides

Since my inseam (27") and strength are lacking, I'd better get working on the experience thing just in case I ever manage to lose any of the weight (which is NOT lacking).

Seriously though, I agree that the FJR is not a beginner bike. There have been times when sheer gut reaction and instinct have taken over, for me. Had I not put the miles in on a gentler bike, I would have had trouble in those situations. I would strongly recommend that any new rider rack up some serious miles on another bike before enjoying the FJR. Taking the MSF class is a great way to get started. Reading David Hough's books is another step in the right direction.

Jill

 

[chornbe]

You don't mention anything about some of the critical factors such as your weight, inseam, and strength.

To an extent, higher experience can compensate for shorter inseam, and lower strength and weight. Trouble can happen if you're low in all areas. https://pages.videotron.com/mcrides

Since my inseam (27") and strength are lacking, I'd better get working on the experience thing just in case I ever manage to lose any of the weight (which is NOT lacking).

Seriously though, I agree that the FJR is not a beginner bike. There have been times when sheer gut reaction and instinct have taken over, for me. Had I not put the miles in on a gentler bike, I would have had trouble in those situations. I would strongly recommend that any new rider rack up some serious miles on another bike before enjoying the FJR. Taking the MSF class is a great way to get started. Reading David Hough's books is another step in the right direction.

Jill

There is lowering in your future if you want an FJR. I have a 29" inseam and while the bike is manageable, I still wish for a bit more planting when moving it around.

 

[Bounce]

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.)

any faired bike.

any new bike.

as a first bike.

have lots of cash to fix broken plastic.

each drop will cost you about a grand to fix the plastic.

 

[mdisher]

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

 

[EXPDSGT]

Motorcycles are fairly easy to learn to ride. You say to yourself "this is not so hard". Herein lies the problem. Your confidence is way above your ability.

Get a smaller -- lighter -- less powerful bike and stay with us a while.

 

[FJRMGM]

I have a friend who has been riding a big BMW GS 1200 for the past 1.5 years and I let him ride my '05 FJR the other day.

His response? "Man, that bike gets to triple digit speeds QUICK!!"

 

[SQUIDO]

You can get in serious trouble on 600 or 1300.you just have to treat both with respect.

My first bike is 03 wide glide HD and same year got my self 03 busa.

Now 06 fjr and 05 1k gixxer. Just take it easy and watch that right hand and some common sense

and you will be fine. "DO IT" I did.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

My first bike was a naked sv1000 and that was a fun bike, that v-twin was smooth and torquey. I dropped that at a stoplight. The FJR was my second bike and I haven't had any problems, but the center of gravity seems a bit high so at stoplights, parking lots it's takes a bit more attention. I have massive respect for the throttle, so I havent gotten into trouble that way. I am one of the vertically challenged people though, and it got alot easier to maneuver after I lowered it.

Josh

 

[carolinafjr]

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

I really dislike the Harley's I've rented. They felt very heavy, were very noisy, vibrated too much, and offered mediocre wind protection. The FJR seems to be the solution to all of these problems, but the high torque and horsepower stats are intimidating. The FJR is also priced very reasonably relative to everything else.

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.