FNG looking at FJR's

[jwhite518]

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!

Heh. My BMW broke and I bought an FJR without ever riding one. I knew I was an FJR person all along. Research, smesearch.

 

[Dadskool]

Why Sliders???

Well if your bike simply falls over when at a stop, the sliders have just saved you a minimum of $1000 in damage. Now for the second reason your first farkle is sliders ????????????????????

 

[OlyFJR]

Glad to see that you are taking the razzing in stride. If you can deal with it you will find a world of knowledge about the FJR in this forum.

As for the FJR - ST decision, that is up to you.

The FJR is prone to cause farklitis in the owner. However no one is really looking for the cure.

 

[FJRBill]

I was in the same position as you recently and looked at / rode both bikes. The FJR is more sport and the ST is more touring. I opted for sportier bike that can tour on when I want to. Add ons / farkles so far are frame sliders and grip puppies for a larger grip more comfortable grip. The only thing I can forsee in the future are the triple tree riser to pull the bars up and back 1.5 inches. Gerry makes a great rack for gear and a backrest if you ride two up a lot. Only gas and go beyond that.

 

[madmike2]

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

There are no "preferred" fog lights, the only preference would be to mount them as low as possible and that could be a problem given the few location where one can bolt brackets onto the FJR. IIRC, Highlander has a set of driving lights mounted above a Garauld bracket and a set of fog lights (he lives in the Santa Cruz mountains) below the bracket and only uses one set of lights at a time.

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

No years to avoid. Read the FAQ section and Ignacio's spread sheet to find the differences between the iterations (Gen I: '03-'05 and Gen II: '06 to present). There are no "bad" FJRs!

Is it garage mechanic friendly?

Yes! Of course, doing the valve adjustment is beyond some of us, but all maintenance, etc., is certainly easily performed in your garage with a small set of tools: Sockets, end wrenches, metric allens, etc.).Some sites you might peruse to familiarize yourself:

https://www.fjrtech.com/

https://www.fjr-tips.org/

https://www.fjr1300.info/

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

At 6'2". 250 lbs., the Gen I stock seat doesn't work for me. I loooove my Russell Daylong Saddle!
There are no bad ST bikes. They simply come tot he solution from different perspectives. The ST 1300, the FJR and the C-14 are all good bikes. Choose the one that makes your heart go "pitty-pat" and ride it.

Some will say that the ST 1300 is so smooth that it's boring.

Some will say that the harmonic vibrations of the FJR drive them more nuts than they are.

Some will say that the C-14 sits too much like a sport bike.

There are nits to be picked from each manufacturer. Choose the one that suits YOU.

 

[Duff]

1st, MUST READ FAQ...

2nd, MUST HAVE FJR... :dribble:

I'm not certain about the order, but I would recommend doing it the way I listed. Beyond that, it's all GGGGRRRRAAAAVVVVYYYY.............

 

[RonBB]

Radar Detector!

 

[Mooseonagoose]

Found myself chuckling while watching OLYFJR's avatar, ...it's actually a pretty humorous graphic depiction of what happens when you ask researchable questions around here!

Gunny on the sliders! ...hadn't had mine on more than a month before they saved me an investment in plastic!

 

[CRMH Eagle]

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

You can mount in any position you want. It's up to you if you wanna use fog lights.... I prefer not to. But this may change if you're doing a two-way, three-way, etc. Moving around in the fog doesn't matter if you're eyes are closed. In some states certain mounting positions are illegal like in South Carolina where coming in from behind can land you jail.

We are talking about ***, right?

 

[MarkFJR]

I've had my FJR since 03.

Farkles that I think are a must have are.

1. Sliders.

2. Powerlet - need to power all the extras toys. - https://www.powerlet.net/products.php?mid=1

3. Stemstand - for GPS (I have an old Garmin iQ3600 with MP3 player)

4. Techmount right mirror mount for Radar detector (Valentine 1) https://www.techmounts.com/products/index.p...p;product_id=74

5. Autocom - links toys together and allows driver/passenger comms/music and receive cell phone calls (Arai helmets with autocom speakers/mikes) - https://www.autocomamerica.com/comparisons.cfm

6. Vista cruise throttle lock - keeps numb right hand at bay on long trips - https://www.fjrtech.com/getdbitem.cfm?item=23

Nice to haves:

1. Tank protector

2. Decent tank bag to hold Autocom (I use it on a few bikes so I cannot hard wire it in)

3. Helmet locks - here's a uselfull link - https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=28363

4. Hand Guards - good for rain and cold riding - https://www.fjrtech.com/getdbitem.cfm?item=30

5. Yamaha bike cover, it's good quality and keeps crap of the bike

Things I tried

Bigger wind screen - went back to standard small one for summer riding - small screen looks better as well

Unwind throttle return spring to help numb right hand - helps a bit but throttle is very sensitive now (not sure if it was worth it)

 

[Gizmo]

1st, MUST READ FAQ...
2nd, MUST HAVE FJR... :dribble:

I'm not certain about the order, but I would recommend doing it the way I listed. Beyond that, it's all GGGGRRRRAAAAVVVVYYYY.............

--------------------

Dude, Really, Duff is right - check out the FAQs. A weatlh of information is there, but you have to spend a little time with it. Me, I probably spend too much time, but once I decide what direction to go, get the fook out the way... BTW, I'm far past the research stage and currently working on #2 above. I'll find the right one, and hopefully soon.

Good luck whatever you decide, but you really want to decide on the FJR... :clapping:

 

[Duck Dodgers]

1st, MUST READ FAQ... <img src="https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" " border="0" alt="unsure.gif" />

2nd, MUST HAVE FJR... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dribble.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" :dribble: " border="0" alt="dribble.gif" />

I'm not certain about the order, but I would recommend doing it the way I listed. Beyond that, it's all GGGGRRRRAAAAVVVVYYYY............. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" " border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

Ok, so it took a few years. I just brought home a 2007 w/less than 11k miles. That takes care of: No 1

Now No. 2 ... hello, tap, tap is this thing on. Some of the links are... oh well.

Power Camander check,

Heli touring triple clamp check,

ram ball check,

cal sci screen check.

Now... lights, rack, seat, sliders,.... oh my.. farkle-itis is setting in.

 

[FJRBluesman]

It took you almost 3 years of researching and you still bought a Gen2? OMG! Well good luck anyway.

 

[MEM]

Found myself chuckling while watching OLYFJR's avatar, ...it's actually a pretty humorous graphic depiction of what happens when you ask researchable questions around here!

:lol:

As advised, read the FAQs and HERE'S your Search Engine

Welcome aboard

 

[Duck Dodgers]

Found myself chuckling while watching OLYFJR's avatar, ...it's actually a pretty humorous graphic depiction of what happens when you ask researchable questions around here!

:lol:

As advised, read the FAQs and HERE'S your Search Engine

Welcome aboard

Thank's for the engine.

I'll try my hand at posting photos soon (in less than 3 years) :blink:

 

[Duck Dodgers]

It took you almost 3 years of researching and you still bought a Gen2? OMG! Well good luck anyway.

Attempt No.1 pictures:

Back to the FAQ's, Bin-o-facts and Farkle-itis.

 

[MEM]

It took you almost 3 years of researching and you still bought a Gen2? OMG! Well good luck anyway.

Attempt No.1 pictures:

Back to the FAQ's, Bin-o-facts and Farkle-itis.

Good job. Nice size, good exposure and composition

Can't wait to see your Ride Reports