FJR's don't like dirt - let alone floods and ...

[Yowie]

A mate and fellow owner of an FJR advised me that they do not like dirt.

Took a while for me to satisfy myself that he was right.

Antone got any strategies on making soft roads easier?

In the meantime MAKE SURE AUTOPLAY IS OFF then enjoy this

 

[RossKean]

I know a couple of guys who put Continental TKC-80 knobby tires on their FJRs and rode the Trans Labrador highway (in 2014, before it was all paved).
Perhaps Canadian FJR or fjrob1300 would share their experience.




Edit: Pretty remote and a total of over 1700 km from Baie Comeau to Blanc Sablon. Currently, most of it is paved except a 170 km portion of QC-389 between Baie Comeau and Labrador City. (Relatively little of it was paved when they did this ride.)

 

[Oldjeep]

I wouldn't want to do it all day long, but my car tire equipped FJR works like any other bike on dirt/gravel roads.

 

[BigOgre]

A mate and fellow owner of an FJR advised me that they do not like dirt.

Took a while for me to satisfy myself that he was right.

There's more than a few here that would disagree with you. Might even say the FJR handles dirt better than expected for a such a bike. But I guess I should qualify that by asking what your definition of "dirt" is. Unpaved but maintained roads shouldn't be an issue save for some uncomfortable sounding creaking coming from the plastics.

 

[roger dodger]

Some would highly disagree ...

As always ... YMMV

 

[Ignacio]

A mate and fellow owner of an FJR advised me that they do not like dirt.

Pish! I disagree.

Three of many points include:

The time Grosvenor Arch was a bonus in a Utah 1088 rally. Two FJRS made it and nary a single drop. Myself and Marbach were pilots. At the same time multiple GS1200s bit the big one.

And I had a great time going to Bristlecone on mine.

Third, a record stood for some time from Prudhoe Bay to Florida and it was held by a guy riding a 2005 FJR.

Advice? Practice more.

 

[mophead]

In the meantime MAKE SURE AUTOPLAY IS OFF then enjoy this

A lot of Stevie Ray Vaughn on that album. Oreo Cookie Blues is the first song I learned to play and sing at the same time.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Buy a Tenere and ride more, stress less!

JS'NS

~G

 

[norcal rider]

Some would highly disagree ...

As always ... YMMV

Wow. awesome. Those were trails I would ride on my mountain bike. On an FJR?? epic

 

[Rmbarcus]

Buy a Tenere and ride more, stress less!

JS'NS

~G

I have to agree. Use the right tool for job. It’s more enjoyable for the owner and the machine. I felt sorry for the fjr in the video. Can they do it sure but why?

 

[Yowie]

lolol The guys that disagree were music to my ears!
Yeah, I was out of bikes for a period of 20 years. Then about four years ago got back into 'em.
Had a few bikes over the last four years and the one I rode most was a 650 DR variant. Got a bit spoilt on dirt - it handled it really well.
Anyway, great to hear the bike is capable of mad ass offroad antics - like in that clip fom Japan.

Since the original post I have softened the suspension a fair bit and that has made a great difference. Next I might drop my tire pressures a bit 'cos I usually run road bikes on pretty high pressures - bit harsh for dirt.

To those who say I need practice, well, um...., you, naturally, don't know much about me. lololol

Anyway, great to hear all the 'can do' stuff!

Would be great to see some video of FJR's, running road tires, crossed up on 6" deep gravel! lololol If noone can post any, I'll see what I can do to fix that

 

[Rocnsanman]

Ha,ha! 2018 I rode up to the Samon Glacier, Alaska on a Super Tenere. The other two guys on GSA's. A very rough trail and we are talking about the right bike for the ride and how I was right to leave my FJR at home and buy the Tenere for this adventure. We get to the top of the Glacier and a single lone bike and rider greets us. Yup, a guy on a FJR using Mitas-07 tires! I personally think the FJR was put through a torture test to be on that uh, road but it can be done if that's what you have and the desire is great enough. But should you?

 

[Yowie]

I should qualify that by asking what your definition of "dirt" is

lolololololol Inches deep gravel and severely off-camber corners with lashings of mud and potholes that take you all the way to China!

Seriously, just really neglected dirt roads. But come to think of it all that other stuff does apply - except the bit about China.

 

[Yowie]

A lot of Stevie Ray Vaughn on that album

Yeah. Great riding music! I read the other day that Stevie usually tuned guitars a half note lower. Guess he just stretched the notes up!

Been playing around with some "Rev Willy's Mexican Lottery' strings lately. Great fun!

 

[Yowie]

it can be done if that's what you have and the desire is great enough. But should you?

lololololololololol
Great post!!!!!
Love the 'should you?' bit lolololololol

Came to a few dirty flooded causeways lately and usually rocked over 'em, but there was one yesterday where I just got off, went over and pissed in it, waded it over (even my boots were sinking) and turned around. If I hadn't been riding alone I might have given it a go, but it was seriously bad loose stuff with no apparent bottom to it. Loads of that sort of crap around here lately due to numerous recent floods.

 

[Yowie]

car tire equipped FJR

Are you serious? Got pics?

 

[Yowie]

Some would highly disagree

That's a great video! Looks a lot like Nagano prefecture, where I lived for twenty years - but could be lots of places in mountain areas of Japanland.
I was driving a wild track there one time and a GIANT SIZED mountain deer jumped clean over the front of the car! Wife and daughter were asleep and missed it. Blew me right out though!

 

[Yowie]

Use the right tool for job

lololol good point, but hacking can be fun too - especially when the alternative is turning around and riding OUTRAGEOUS distances for a better root.

Having said that, sometimes riding OUTRAGEOUS distances for a better root is WELL WORTH IT!

 

[Sunnyorlando]

Some would highly disagree ...

As always ... YMMV

Yep, been there done that. The FJR is quite versatile.

 

[Sunnyorlando]

A mate and fellow owner of an FJR advised me that they do not like dirt.

Took a while for me to satisfy myself that he was right.

Antone got any strategies on making soft roads easier?

In the meantime MAKE SURE AUTOPLAY IS OFF then enjoy this

I think it may be more of your mate than the FJR itself. My buddies and I have been in places with FJR and Concourse's that many would not even remotely consider.
I've done similar with a Goldwing as well.
Bikes can do much more than what many riders believe so or are able to.