Footpegs scraping - is there a fix?

[Fontanaman]

I have a 09 FJR with about 9500 miles on it now. I bought it new. It is on is second set of tires a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2. Nice tires - the bike drops into turns real nice now. The stock tires, Metzeler Roadtec Z6, create additional counter steering loads at the handlebars compared to the PR II's. So after breaking in the FJR and getting it set up right I find the FJR is a very nice bike. I also have have a Suki Vstrom DL1000, had a BMW R100RT and assorted other bikes over the years ago. Been riding for 40+ years.

My only gripe with the FJR is it is way to easy to scrape up the foot pegs. There are some very nice remote roads in Washington especially around Mt. St. Helens. I pray another volcano goes off to create additional recreational opportunities

Anyway while riding on FS 99 and other curvey delights sparks fly and it is down right annoying.

So is there a way to get the foot pegs up a bit higher?

 

[James Burleigh]

At the risk of being an a**, I think the answer is "technique."

 

[exskibum]

The further inside you move your weight on a tight corner, the less you have to lean the bike to achieve the same radius turn. The higher you set your suspension (shims, adjustable shock linkage or dogbone length in rear; not a lot you can do for front), the more room you'll have between the peg feelers and the roadway surface. A stiffer rear spring (and correct compression valving) will also keep the suspension from compressing as much in a tight corner, which reduces clearance.

Those are the only three things that come to mind to answer your question, assuming no change to corner entry speed or to chosen line.

 

[Fontanaman]

At the risk of being an a**, I think the answer is "technique."

In recent national moto mags the FJR was compared to other sport touring bikes and was the only one bike where the testers commented the pegs scrape.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

adjustable pegs

you can buy these from Twisted Throttle

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Totally agree with JB.....technique. When I shift my weight to the inside, partially slide a cheek off the seat, and lean 'er over, the footpegs touch at the time I'm within 1/8" from the edge of the tire. That's a pretty good and simple safety indicator for me. I've seen several "experienced" riders use dirtbike techniques, and "push" the bike down in the corner, while their upper body leans toward the outside of the corner. Talk about scraping the pegs early.

Obviously, having never ridden with you to observe your riding style, I'm talking from a pure speculation standpoint. You may be doing everything right, and have your bike set up properly. In that case, enjoy the sound and feel of your pegs going to the big, downhill, decreasing radius sweeper in the sky!

 

[Canadian FJR]

Before I had upgraded my suspension the pegs would drag very easily but there was no real concern. When things picked up a notch it the gard parts, gear shift lever, side stand and center stand. That's when I started to get concerned. The Eibach and Ohlins did a great job to help resolve most of this issue but things will still touch if in serious play mode.

All the technique in the world will not prevent the pegs from dragging if you ride the least bit agressive on stock suspension.

Canadian FJR

 

[Bustanut joker]

At the risk of being an a**, I think the answer is "technique."

In recent national moto mags the FJR was compared to other sport touring bikes and was the only one bike where the testers commented the pegs scrape.

Well then.... I'd have to say the old ***** inspires a higher confidence level which leads to such hooliganism. To bad for the new kids :lol:

 

[FJR Flyer]

You can shorten the dogbones about 6mm for some additional ride height in the rear.

 

[Canadian FJR]

"You can shorten the dogbones about 6mm for some additional ride height in the rear."

I like that idea.

Canadian FJR

 

[wfooshee]

I'm not a peg scraper by any means. The only times I've scraped them were on the way down during a crash. But it didn't seem to bother the original owner much:

Like I said, I'm not a peg scraper, probably my Florida up-bringing . . . or complete and total lack of skillz, but I've from those who should know that the Feej just doesn't have the same clearance as many other bikes. Suspension and technique are all you have to address it with.

 

[yamafitter]

The suspension on the FJR is overly soft for "sporty" riding. When I rode out to the WCR this past season I took a side trip to Oregeon to GP Suspensions to have my suspension re-worked. I had already replaced the rear shock with a Wilbers since the stock spring was too soft but the front end would wallow and did not have a precise feel in the twisties.

GP Suspensions re-valved and resprung the front forks and rebuilt the rear shock and upped the spring rate in the back. I rode the roads around St Helen's both on the way to and from the suspension shop and the improvement was very noticable. Also with the correct spring rates front and rear the bike does not touch down nearly as often as before.

I try to also work on my technique but am fighting over 40 years of dirt bike "habits" so I could probably corner faster if I rode "properly" but I'm still having fun.

 

[RadioHowie]

Fontanaman,

No one has replied with the CORRECT answer yet, so let me be the first:

SLOW THE **** DOWN!!!

You're welcome! :blum:

 

[johnny80s]

Read HaulinAshes thread on how to set up your stock suspension. I am by no means a fast rider or a very skilled one but after having my stock suspension set up I no longer scrape any thing.

If you set up your suspension properly then you will scrape less often. Also hanging off a little will allow the bike to stay more upright and not drag parts.

That is my two cents.

Good luck.

 

[Auburn]

Fontanaman,

No one has replied with the CORRECT answer yet, so let me be the first:

SLOW THE **** DOWN!!!

You're welcome! :blum:

Said from the man who's highest elevation is Britton Hill Florida at 345 feet above sea level.

I highly recommend the suspension upgrades. Stock suspensionis way too soft for exploring the sporty side of the FJR, especially behind Mt. St. Hlenes with all the frost heaves and crown in the roadway. Getting in the habit of dragging hard parts can become an issue when the unexpected dip occurs while dragging the metal bits.

Shifting weight and hanging off will help keep the bike more upright while corning, but that usually leads to more agressive riding which means more speed, more lean angle and hardparts on the ground again.

The best answer would be to get a track day bike and explore the corning limits on that where you have a known road condition to explore.

 

[pmeysemb]

My only gripe with the FJR is it is way to easy to scrape up the foot pegs. There are some very nice remote roads in Washington especially around Mt. St. Helens. I pray another volcano goes off to create additional recreational opportunities

So is there a way to get the foot pegs up a bit higher?

My first track day (Road America - on my '05 FJR) resulted in only one light scratch on the right footpeg after eight sessions. I firmed the susp. as far as it would go and the bike was somewhat new (15k?). Of course, all extra weight was off, also.

I am inclined to agree that hanging yourself off a bit more and getting the bike up should help.

 

[HaulinAshe]

After going back and re-reading the original post, I realized that I wasted a lot of time giving advice that wasn't requested. Oh well!

Short Answer: IMHO you would be making a serious mistake by raising the foot pegs. If you are interested in alternatives, read on...

You're approaching 10k miles on the FJR, which means you are getting comfortable with the big girl and looking for ways to spice up your love life. She complains when you try something kinky and you want to know how to convince her to try things your way. Well, you too must learn new tricks or the relationship is doomed. She's telling you that what you are attempting is making her uncomfortable. You must listen to what she's telling you.

Here's a couple guidelines/suggestions you may find helpful...

* Stock suspension (especially on later model Gen-II bikes) isn't bad at all. That is, IF you weigh 165-210 lbs. and ride mostly solo. It can be adjusted to perform well, but it will never push the performance envelope of the engine without modification/upgrades.

* Lean your torso and head. If you move some other heavy parts, you really don't have to get your butt that far off-center. Your head & helmet weigh a lot more than you realize. Get your line of sight outside the windshield and closer to the mirrors.

IMHO you are off to a good start by asking the question, just be prepared for the answer.

There is no silver bullet for stopping the peg scraping. It took you 10,000 miles to get here, it will probably take some mechanical changes and another 10,000 miles to reach your new riding level.

 

[Old Michael]

Great response, HaulinAshe!

 

[fjrchooser]

Having noticed that many FJR owners are well above the 'mean', perhaps a personal weight reduction program could be of some help ?

Enroute from Point A to Point C it's not always practical to drop the bags for improved handling on that fun road at Point B. Eliminating some personal baggage can make a big difference in performance both on and off the bike.

Whether you're within the mean or not , technique and suspension upgrades can only make things better.