FNG looking at FJR's

[Duck Dodgers]

Howdy,

Each bike is unique I agree. What are the top 5 must do mods for the FJR. Commuting, Touring and LD work in that order. Mileage for each for the year 40%, 40% and 20%. Time on the Bike each would be 60%, 30% and 10%.

I live in the Fog (insert comment) what are the preferred fog lights and mounting?

What do I watch out for? What years do I avoid? What parts need regular attention? What tools do I need from Yamaha?

Is it garage mechanic friendly?

Is the stock seat any good? Besides 100lbs and 1 gallon lighter than an ST why would I chose this over an ST?

 

[jwhite518]

Yeah, you really are an FNG. Go read the FAQ. :blink:

Why would you choose an FJR over an ST? Because you like it better...because it fits your needs better...because your mama told you not to buy one.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Clicky

Read, take two aspirin and repost on Friday :blink:

 

[Rondo777]

A must have is a big fat wallet. Farkeling is a disease, spending tons of cash is the only cure!!

 

[biknflyfisher]

Dude!

I hope you are wearing flame-proof shorts, you are going to need them.

There is a huge amount of information within this site, but you need to ferret it out and do some looking around (the site, that is). If you use the search mechanism, you will no doubt find good responses to your questions as most have been well-covered prior.

Both the ST and the FJR are great machines, and each side will tell you their machine is better than "the other", you just have to do what you feel is better for your style of riding. Me personally, I prefer everyting about the FJR and that is why I chose one as my machine.

Welcome to the form - and enjoy the ride!

biknflyfisher

 

[Spook]

Howdy,Each bike is unique I agree. What are the top 5 must do mods for the FJR. Commuting, Touring and LD work in that order. Mileage for each for the year 40%, 40% and 20%. Time on the Bike each would be 60%, 30% and 10%.

I live in the Fog (insert comment) what are the preferred fog lights and mounting?

What do I watch out for? What years do I avoid? What parts need regular attention? What tools do I need from Yamaha?

Is it garage mechanic friendly?

Is the stock seat any good? Besides 100lbs and 1 gallon lighter than an ST why would I chose this over an ST?

If you need to ask the last question you are in the wrong place.

 

[bergs]

I live in the Fog (insert comment) what are the preferred fog lights and mounting?

What do I watch out for? What years do I avoid? What parts need regular attention? What tools do I need from Yamaha?

Is it garage mechanic friendly?

Is the stock seat any good? Besides 100lbs and 1 gallon lighter than an ST why would I chose this over an ST?

Come on now....even I did better than this when I signed up here.

To answer your questions (seeing how you don't want to read the FAQ's)

Fog lights?

Watch out for the Abominable Snowman and the Yeti....they can real mofos.

Don't think you need to "avoid" certain years. Educate yourself before purchasing. Know what to look for in advance.

Oil needs to be changed regularly as does the gear oil, brake fluid, tires, brake pads, coolant.

Tools you need: Plug/ patch kit.

Tools I suggest: Metric hex keys, quality flat blade and Philips screw drivers.

The term "garage mechanic friendly" is subjective. The real question is "does your tech actually know what he/ she's doing?" I'd be more concerned about that first.

OEM seat is fine.

If the weight difference alone won't do it for you, I'm not sure what will.

 

[cyclebabble]

Must haves...hmmnn.

How about

1st - An FJR

2nd- A tank full of gas.

3rd- The open road.

Other than that, the rest is up to you.

 

[Back In The Saddle]

+1 on cyclebabble!

Being a FNG myself - here's a short list:

1) The Honda is a boring pig of a ride - buy a mini van instead

2) Once you have the FJR (and you're gonna' love it!) - Make sure the dealer put loctite on the saddle bag lock screws

3) Get sliders

4) Adjust your suspension - start with 8-8-2 soft-8 (search for it here on the forum - you'll find it)

5) Ride like hell - and have the most fun EVER!

 

[bramfrank]

Lots of rain lately and you are playing to a tough crowd.

There is lots of info on the site and you do have to learn to use the search function unless you like scorched ass.

However, some of your questions are subjective and others are technically valid;

1. The ST is more of a touring bike, the FJR is more sporty, the C14 is yet more sporty.

2. There are no 'bad' years, per-se. There was a generational change staring in 2006 where a number of major redesigns were implemented. Everything else within the two generations of product are minor. The engine is the same across the line.

3. If you plan to do you minor service, this machine is not unfriendly. Then again it IS fully faired.

4. Is the seat comfortable? How high is UP? and Will I be rich? These are the questions of the ages. If you don't like the seat, buy a new one.

5. Lighting for fog? A good tail light comes to mind. I have HID driving lights on my bike, but fogs have to be mounted low - how about fork mounted yellow motolights?

 

[FJRBluesman]

First off, welcome from SoCal.

Second... naaaa. It's just too tempting.

Read around plenty of stuff here for you to make up your mind.

Of course FeeJs are best.

Someone please bump this on Friday.

 

[OlyFJR]

First thing to get if you are going to be a regular member of this forum is a pair of asbestos shorts and thick skin.

Now for the bike...

1. sliders

2. louder horns

3. different grips

3. some say a PCIII (I can't comment...yet.)

After that the list is pretty subjective. I have the stock seat and plan to eventually upgrade it to a Rick's custom, but it's not a problem for me.

Working on the bike is easy if you visit this site and read what others have done. Some even post up pictures so you can see exactly what they did.

Look around the site and you will usually find the info you are looking for.

If you don't want to do a search for something first then only post up on Fridays. You'll get a lot more responses.

 

[jwhite518]

First thing to get if you are going to be a regular member of this forum is a pair of asbestos shorts and thick skin.
Now for the bike...

1. sliders

2. louder horns

3. different grips

3. some say a PCIII (I can't comment...yet.)

After that the list is pretty subjective. I have the stock seat and plan to eventually upgrade it to a Rick's custom, but it's not a problem for me.

Working on the bike is easy if you visit this site and read what others have done. Some even post up pictures so you can see exactly what they did.

Look around the site and you will usually find the info you are looking for.

If you don't want to do a search for something first then only post up on Fridays. You'll get a lot more responses.

Why is it that everyone recommends sliders as one of the first farkles? Are you guys all planning on crashing?

 

[EXPDSGT]

Put on sliders for the same reason you wear a helmet & gloves----

Remove the center throttle spring.

Remove the outside alignment pin in the handlebars.

adjust the throttle cables.

Ride the ST and then the FJR on a mountain road and you will have answered your own question.

 

[Duck Dodgers]

Clicky
Read, take two aspirin and repost on Friday :blink:

Only Tuesday so far...

Boy what a bunch of A$$holes. I think I will like my visits to this forum.

So.. Questions. Answers…

The Tupperware issues on service, a skill acquired through repetition. Get used to it.

The battery and fuse blocks placement seems a choice.

Security Torx = new tools.

PIAA 1100 up on mirrors

Moto Fogs on Calipers

Rear hyperlites.

Sliders

A$$ evaluates the seat.

Some interesting electronic gyrations with fuel level indication.

2008 and we still use crush washers

The bags sometimes fall off or have parts left out

Some you hate the stock mirrors

Some of you can’t decide Givi or Stock Top Case, was this recall motivated?

The fancy smancy screen retract thing is a PITA

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

 

[Duck Dodgers]

Family Photo?

 

[Capt. Bob]

Clicky
Read, take two aspirin and repost on Friday :blink:

Only Tuesday so far...

Well two outta three ain't bad.

 

[ctfjr]

Clicky
Read, take two aspirin and repost on Friday :blink:

Only Tuesday so far...

Boy what a bunch of A$$holes. I think I will like my visits to this forum.

So.. Questions. Answers…

The Tupperware issues on service, a skill acquired through repetition. Get used to it.

The battery and fuse blocks placement seems a choice.

Security Torx = new tools.

PIAA 1100 up on mirrors

Moto Fogs on Calipers

Rear hyperlites.

Sliders [SIZE=12pt]one of two items I had the dealer instal before I picked the bike up[/SIZE]

A$$ evaluates the seat. [SIZE=12pt]I just got in my Russell seat - had the bike for 1 week before I knew stock seat wasn't for me[/SIZE]

Some interesting electronic gyrations with fuel level indication. [SIZE=12pt]none on my 08[/SIZE]

2008 and we still use crush washers

The bags sometimes fall off or have parts left out [SIZE=12pt]I think this issue is web-sized not reality sized, installed correctly=no problem[/SIZE]

Some you hate the stock mirrors [SIZE=12pt]1st farkle I installed - fz1's as reccomended on this forum major improvement![/SIZE]

Some of you can’t decide Givi or Stock Top Case, was this recall motivated? [SIZE=12pt]I put on Givi used Premier Cycle mounting plate[/SIZE]

The fancy smancy screen retract thing is a PITA

Surprised you didn't pick up the Heli triple clamp in your reading. It was the 2nd item I had the dealer install before I picked up the bike. Brings the bars back & up. I like the riding position better.

Throttle lock, palm grip for throttle or all out cruise control. I just ordered the little palm grip dohickie and Grip Puppies (increase OD of the grips)

I think the level of farkling and what you put on will really depend on what kind of and where you do your riding. I'm into LD my farkles reflect my needs - might not be yours.

Oh yeah - if you don't use the search function 1st you will definitely get a raft of sh*t from the search police here.

I sold my GL1800 last fall & researched the ST, fjr & c14 a lot before deciding what was the best choice (for me). So far (7500 miles in 3-1/2 months) its a keeper!