General questions and personal impressions

[paul463]

I just returned from a 10 day, 3,400 mile ride to Sturgis and back. My '13 FJR had 946 miles when I started the trip.

Prior to the trip, I put a Alaska Leather sheepskin pad on the stock seat, grip puppies on the grips, MCL highway pegs, and the FJR touring windscreen. The bars were in their stock position and the seat was in the lower setting. I'm 6'00" and 230 lbs.

By the time I got to Sturgis; i decided to change the stock bar configuration by having a Helibars riser plate installed. The owner of the company did the install and it really alleviated much of the right wrist pain that I experienced. It raises the bars and moves them closer, plus it flares them out more to create a more natural wrist, forearm angle when on the bars.

I also bought a Airhawk R seat pad which I placed under the sheepskin pad (my prostate area was KILLING me on the ride up). The Airhawk was a mixed bag of results. It shifted a lot as I would shift my weight and at times, the Airhawk would be hanging off one side of the seat more than the other which created additional pressures on my prostate area.

My only concern is that after only 4,400 miles; the front tire has cupped to the point that I have to replace it and the back is starting to cup. I was very diligent about maintaining proper tire pressure (I carry a portable compressor and several different types of tire gauges). I believe I read somewhere that theses Bridgestone tires were developed specifically for the '13 Feejie.

I have to say that I'm not too impressed. My dealer has recommended Michelins so I'm going to give them a try.

Question: Would the riser plate have any effect on the tire wear? Would a Superbrace help or make things worse?

I would appreciate any qualified, experienced responses. Thank in advance.

 

[Ignacio]

Question: Would the riser plate have any effect on the tire wear? Would a Superbrace help or make things worse?
I would appreciate any qualified, experienced responses. Thank in advance.

No and not really.

Tire wear is a NEPRT subject covered many, Many, MANY times before. Try looking through Best of NEPRT.

 

[BkerChuck]

Having bought several bikes new I can tell you this much, stock tires in general SUCK! I can't speak for the '13 FJR and I bought my '07 used. The '07 had 8600 miles on it and tires had been replaced already with Michelins. Manufacturers often buy what they get the best, in other words, lowest price on and not the best tire for the application. I can't see any way in which the riser plate would have any affect on tire wear. Regarding the Superbrace I have no first hand experience but as with the riser plate I don't think ti will have any affect on tire wear. If you do a search on the forum you'll find pleenty of opinions on both parts. On a couple of bikes I've owned I've found if I go just 1 or 2 psi above the recommended settings I get less cupping of the front tire. I work for a dealership part time, Harley shop, and most of our techs advise owners to do this.

 

[garyahouse]

I agree about running slightly higher pressures. However, I'm so used to front tire cupping I've come to assume it's normal.

Gary

Darksider #44

 

[nankoweap]

I agree about running slightly higher pressures. However, I'm so used to front tire cupping I've come to assume it's normal.

I've never had a tire cup so badly that I was compelled to change it prematurely. Other than a bit of humming while leaned over, I can't tell the difference.

I do tend to keep the tires tight and rarely experience any cupping.

 

[bluesdog]

The OEM Bridgestones on mine were pretty muched hosed at similar mileage. I replaced them with Bridgestone 023-GT, and have been pleased with both the wear and the handling. I think the OEM Bridgestones offer more sticktion, but at the expense of decreased mileage.

I may try the Michelin PR2 next, just 'cause I've read so many glowing reports here on the forum.

Tire pressure seems critical for the feej. Many, including myself, run slightly higher pressures, particularly in the front. I think most front tires will cup -- no matter what you do -- but with @ 40PSI in the front, checked cold before every ride, I've managed to reduce cupping quite a bit. I ride solo, so keep the rear @ 42PSI.

Riding style also has something to do with, (especially front), tire wear. Heavy braking, as you enter a corner and are leaned over, transfers weight forward, and thus increases tire wear on the outer, softer tread. Result: increased cupping.

Riser plate won't have any effect on tire wear, and IMO the superbrace won't make any difference.

You might want to explore after market suspension upgrades. I've noticed more even tire wear after upgrading to custom AK-20 cartridges and a Penske 8983 shock. Also the bike is even more fun!

 

[RPrice]

Like others have said, your front tire is going to cup. And if your rear tire is not down to the wear bars yet, you're doing pretty well at 4400 miles. Excellent advice in posts above re: tire pressure.

I've had the best luck (and I've tried many different brands) with the Michelin PR 2's. The last set I had, got just over 6k miles on the rear, and about 9k miles out of the front.

I just installed a new set of PR 2's last week, after "experimenting" with a cheaper set of tires. Those cheap tires were not impressive; the rear wore down to the cords at 4300 miles, and the fronts lasted about 200 miles longer with the sides worn down to the wear bars.

If you need information from this forum type the subject followed by: site:fjrforum.com into Google. For example, if you want to search for Bridgestone BT 023 tires type this: Bridgestone BT 023 tires site:fjrforum.com

If you use this technique you'll find a wealth of information on just about any subject related to the FJR that you can think of!!

Good Luck!

 

[FJR Bill]

Bought my 09 FJR with OEM Bridgstones with 4800 miles on them. The front end was like lead, thought I made the wrong choice buying the bike. A Set of PR2's fixed it and I'm getting around 11,000 miles per set and the front ends steers like it should. The FJR is very tire sensitive. I too add about 2 psi to each tire. Very happy with the results.

Bill

 

[paul463]

Great information from everyone. Thanks to all of you for the quick and knowledgeable responses. I'm going with the Michelin's per my dealer's recommendations and I'll hold off on the Superbrace for now. I've been running 38 front and 42 in the rear, but I'll try bumping the front to 40. Thanks again everyone.

 

[RPrice]

Great information from everyone. Thanks to all of you for the quick and knowledgeable responses. I'm going with the Michelin's per my dealer's recommendations and I'll hold off on the Superbrace for now. I've been running 38 front and 42 in the rear, but I'll try bumping the front to 40. Thanks again everyone.

You are very welcome!

 

[Donal]

FWIW 'contact patch' area (in²) is a function of load (lbs) on the tyre divided by tyre pressure (psi). Therefore it follows if you are above average weight and you use 'standard' tyre pressures your contact patch area will be larger. If the contact patch is larger there will be more deformation as the tyre rolls.

NB tyre(UK) = tire(USA)

 

[luvtoride]

I quickly scanned the thread & didn't see any recommendations for the Air Hawk.

Paul463, you are not supposed to have so much air in the Air Hawk that it allows you or itself to roll around. Try letting the air out of it until it's almost flat. I don't have one but have talked to many riders about them that do run them under the tookus. There is only supposed to be a small amount of air in it for it to work properly.