Future 1st Time FJR Owner

[Bogus]

I will almost certainly be trading off my 02 VTX 1800C off this spring for an 08 FJR1300A.

I have been watching postings on this site, and have been impressed by the collective knowledge

of all members here. It is very similar to the VTXOA board that I have been a member of for the

past 6 years. Since I'll have to wait for a month or so to test ride one of two 08 FJRs at my local dealer,

I would like to get some feedback from current owners.

I am convinced by online research of sport tour comparisons, posts on this board, etc., that the FJR will

not disappoint. There are a couple of farkels that that I think are "must haves" for me. One is a

backrest of some sort for when my wife rides with me, more for her security than anything. The other

is a "throttle lock" to give the right wrist a break once in a while.

I don"t want a top box with a backrest on it, but something that could be a quick release deal since my

wife only rides with me occasionly. I found this product that will be released soon at this site: https://pirateslair.net/ .

They have made the same product for other models, and will be coming out with one for the FJR soon. Wondered

if any members here have heard of this company, or any other ideas for a quick release backrest without seat

replacemement.

As far as the throttle lock, is the Vista cruise the simpleist solution, or are there other possibilities?

One last item; What would be your personal top 5 farkles for a new ride?

Hopefully this post will keep me entertained and educated until this miserable midwestern weather breaks!!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Welcome...I have a removeable backrest from garauld (FJR owner here on site that does his own fabricating)...two thumbs up from me. My wife also is a vey occasional rider - once or twice a year. I feel much better with her having the back rest...just in case I twist that throttle too hard.

 

[squeezer]

Welcome. I think you'll love this bike. At least I do.

There's already a thread on "Top 5 farkles" here. The only general conclusion is that what's best is pretty personal. Put some miles on it to see how you fit.

 

[gr8eyes]

It appears the Pirates lair site doesn't include the FJR in their backrest list of bikes.

I would go with Garaulds here as well if I needed a backrest.

 

[quicksilver]

I had same issues.

I ended up with a Unisersal Vista Cruise for like $16 and a Throttle rocker for like $10.

Together I have never pined for something better.

The Universal Vista cruise took some head scratching to mount, but it works fine.

I had to mount it upside down, so it is unclamped by my index finger instead of my thumb.

I had to rebend the anti-rotation bracket 180 degrees so it would mount at an existing screw location.

(heated with a propane torch to prevent breaking it during bending)

For a pricer spend, the Throttlemeister would be my 1st choice.

For the backrest, I picked up a used Corbin off the forum. All Corbin saddles accept all Corbin backrests.

I picked up the used backrest somewhere else. Total spend was $300.

Unfortunately, I had to modify the saddle for it to become an all day seat, because Corbins are as wide and hard as church pews. That was a P,I,T,A and another $80 in materials.

But, mission accomplished. I've been rollin' that way for 3.5 years.

Gerauld will hook you up for far less. Its a bracket and cushion that bolts up using the rear rack bolts. Do a search.

 

[squeezer]

If you poke around the board, you can find several discussions of Vista Cruise vs. Throttlemeister. To save you the effort, here's a summary:

Some people think the Vista Cruise is great.

Some people think the Throttlemeister is great.

Some people had a Throttlemeister, changed to a Vista Cruise, and wished they had done that in the first place.

Some people had a Vista Cruise, changed to a Throttlemeister, and wished they had done that in the first place.

If the Vista Cruise isn't working well for you, you're too mechanically inept to install it correctly.

If the Throttlemeister isn't working well for you, you're too much of a dork to use it correctly.

Some people have neither and wonder what the fuss is all about in the first place.

The Vista Cruise is cheaper.

I think that pretty much covers it all. Have fun with your choice.

 

[crizyal]

The very first thing I purchased for my FJR were the Skyway Frame Sliders (strongly recomended from this site). Within a couple of months I tipped her over in a parking lot and the bike landed on the slider, NO DAMAGE! I had the bags off at the time. Best money I ever spent!

 

[Bogus]

Hey,gr8eyes, if you go to the "other bikes" tab on the top right of the Pirates Lair web site, the FJR is listed

there. They say that the backrest for it will be coming in '08. Apparently this is a fairly new outfit that

started out specializing in BMW accessories, and is branching out to other models. They make one for

the Honda ST1300, and by the look of the picture, seems to be just what I would be looking for. I'll be

keeping an eye on their site.

And squeezer, thanks for the info on Vista Cruise, and Throttlemiesters. Will make my choice

much easier! :blink:

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Hey,gr8eyes, if you go to the "other bikes" tab on the top right of the Pirates Lair web site, the FJR is listedthere. They say that the backrest for it will be coming in '08. Apparently this is a fairly new outfit that

started out specializing in BMW accessories, and is branching out to other models. They make one for

the Honda ST1300, and by the look of the picture, seems to be just what I would be looking for. I'll be

keeping an eye on their site.

And squeezer, thanks for the info on Vista Cruise, and Throttlemiesters. Will make my choice

much easier! :blink:

Do a search on Gary's (Garauld) work and you will hear nothing but good I believe. Does his own fabrication, his own powdercoating, welding, all a work of art. In the past he has worked with folks on minor alterations (like a different backrest). And he doesn't pay me to say it.

 

[artistonFJR]

Hey 1st Time, welcome.

Couldn't help but overhear you say "test ride" and "dealer" in the same day. Unless I'm wrong you either have to promise NOT to date the dealer's daughter, OR promise TO date his spinster sister in order to actually test drive a Feejr. (I did both and still barely got it out his doors) I know all dealers make their own rules, but all I've ever met was resistance and a big red "no".... Of course it might work out for you if you have been single-handedly paying his boat and condo payments by being a loyal cu$tomer.

Again, welcome.

Artist

 

[TheBlueStreak]

1) Sliders, 2) Touring shiled, 3) Givi V46 trunk w/backrest, 4) Heated Grips, 5) Throttlemiester throttle lock

 

[MojaveFJR]

Had my bike for 3 weeks, have put 1300 miles on it and haven't stopped smiling.

Farkles for me are Sliders, handguards and bar ends to get rid of that annoying buzz.

Which reminds me, need to order some grip warmers.

Awesome well balanced machine. Check the board, someone posted up the comaparo where the FJR took top honors.

 

[Bogus]

Hey Artist, I have known this dealer for 25 plus years, and have always gotten a test ride from day one.

Just as a plug, they are Sindt Motors in Dubuque, IA. Was in the dealership about 3 weeks ago to see the

FJR in person for the first time. After kicking the tires, throwing a leg over it, and going over it with a

magnifying glass, told Dan that I would be back when the weather breaks for a test ride. Not surprisingly,

he said "no problem". Of course, he knows that every bike I have test ridden has gone out the door!!

Will report back after the snow melts with pics of new purchase! (At this rate, the snow won't be gone

till June)

 

[JRO]

If you're coming off a VTX, the first thing you are going to miss, is the fat handgrips. My hands can't take small diameter grips. So, what I always do, is get a pair of cheap, gel, dirt-bike grips, and cut the ends off. Now I have a 'sleeve', that will (with a little work and a some soapy water) slide over the stock grips. Dry them off, and you have a fat, cushy, comfortable grip, and it doesn't slip around. Cost: about $8.

 

[PDXFJR]

Bogus, I did the exact thing you are, I went from a VTX1800C to my FJR. Great choice!!! If you're looking for a throttle lock, check out www.brakeawayproducts.com

They're a NW company that has done it right. The only negative towards the product is that you will have to remove your grips to install. This is an easy task that I accomplished quickly. A little advice, don't use grip glue to replace, makes too much of a mess. A racer told me of an old trick, AquaNet hairspray!!! Thats right, the cheapest grip glue will find and it gives you time to adjust the placement without getting in your throttle.

Ray

 

[rbentnail]

Bogus, I did the exact thing you are, I went from a VTX1800C to my FJR. Great choice!!! If you're looking for a throttle lock, check out www.brakeawayproducts.com
They're a NW company that has done it right. The only negative towards the product is that you will have to remove your grips to install. This is an easy task that I accomplished quickly. A little advice, don't use grip glue to replace, makes too much of a mess. A racer told me of an old trick, AquaNet hairspray!!! Thats right, the cheapest grip glue will find and it gives you time to adjust the placement without getting in your throttle.

Ray

White Rain hair spray works well too.

 

[Bogus]

I was wondering about the size of the handgrips. They looked awfully small compared to the VTXs. Went

to the brakeaway web site too look at the throttle lock. Pretty pricey, but seems to be well made. I'm sure

that a throttlle lock will definetly be on my farkle list. Had one on the Honda and used it all the time.

I remember my uncle told me to use hair spray on grips years ago. Works good, but you have to have

a little patience and let the hair spray dry completely before riding off. Don't ask me how I know this!

 

[artistonFJR]

Great, Bogus! Keep the dealer on your side!

As far as the bike... if I had known the feeling this bike creates before I rode it I would have paid him the money then taken it for a ride. It is so sweet. As far as grips, I bought a set of Grip Puppies and they are purdy comfy so far. As far as the hairspray... my helmet just musses up m'hair anyway, so I use gel, but that's no ones business.

C

 

[FJR-Pilot]

I did the same thing! I went from the VTX1800 to an '07 FJR a year and 14,000 miles ago. The VTX is probably one of the most capable cruisers out there but my riding style was getting way too agressive for that type of machine. It is amazing how well the FJR rides. It took a little getting used to but not long.

Frame sliders paid off big-time when I dropped it in the garage last summer. Just a tiny little scratch on the left mirror. Dale Walker Holeshots, Power Commander, and the Motoman break-in seems to have treated this bike real well. I've used his method on almost every one of my engines with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

I too am looking for a back rest. Keep us posted on what you decide.

Good luck and safe riding! Ride the sh*t out of it and enjoy every second!!

John