Gold Wing Forward Lean Position vs FJR with Risers

[tesla]

Sat on a Wing today and the upright riding position felt about perfect. For you guys with risers on your bikes, how does it compare with the Wings position? I come from a V-Strom and the riding position was almost perfect for me, however, risers on that bike would have been just about right. Not buying a Wing but wondering if I can make the FJR fit me like a glove.

 

[fjrchooser]

Only if you're built like a hand. :exhappysmiley:

FJR still has me in a forward lean even after putting risers with setbacks on it. I'd prefer a little more upright position still but don't see it happening short of aftermarket bars of which there are none.

That said, the improvement was enough to reduce the wrist pain to the point occasional use of the throttle lock makes it a non-issue.

Not quite fitting like a glove but fitting well enough. I love the GW position too but not quite ready to take that bus everyday when a Ferrari is available.

 

[Big-D]

It's you again Barry! Still wondering what to buy. Keep in mind, the Fjr is a Sport Touring bike with emphasis on Sport! It is not a Goldwing! I don't think you will ever see a FJR with pull-back bars on it.

The forward lean on an FJR has never bothered me. If you think it will bother you, then you need a little body training. Keep in mind, the FJR is not a sport bike, but you do lean forward a little. That affords better control and..... it allows your weight to rest more on your thighs instead of your tailbone.

Barry, if you want a Sport Touring bike that sits like a Goldwing, it hasn't been manufactured yet. There are not that many choices to choose from in this category. The FJR is fast and the handling is superb. It is a extremely well made and a well designed motorcycle and the price won't break the bank.

 

[k7lvo]

Only if you're built like a hand. :exhappysmiley: FJR still has me in a forward lean even after putting risers with setbacks on it. I'd prefer a little more upright position still but don't see it happening short of aftermarket bars of which there are none.

That said, the improvement was enough to reduce the wrist pain to the point occasional use of the throttle lock makes it a non-issue.

Not quite fitting like a glove but fitting well enough. I love the GW position too but not quite ready to take that bus everyday when a Ferrari is available.

+1

I couldn't have said it better, except for the part about "taking the bus." Limousine, maybe, but certainly not a bus.

 

[happyPuppy]

+1 not much to add. To get the pain out of your wrists get your rear up, knees in the grooves and lean on the tank. It is so much more comfortable and I feel very connected, making it easier and smoother riding.

 

[fjrchooser]

Limo is a much better descriptor, no disrepect to the GW intended K7lvo. I plan to have one when reality catches up with me.

 

[JamesW]

Opposite point of position here. Been ridings concours for the last 28+ yrs and am C10 bent. Got a wing a couple of years (anything for the wife)back and do not like the sit up and beg position, put risers on the wing , to not much avail,to get the bars a little up and fwd. Still have to remind myself to push the old butt back and straighten the arms. My FJR fits just sporty bike nice position wise, a little fwd lean and balls of the feet on the pegs.

 

[wfooshee]

Don't slouch to get the forward lean, roll forward at your hips and keep your back straight. Put no weight on your hands; you should be able to lift your hands off the bars without changing your posture or position. Do a Google search for "Master Yoda" position. Sitting like that removes the shoulder blade pain many experience, and removes wrist pain as well.

If you're reaching for the bars, you're not sitting right.

 

[tesla]

If you think it will bother you, then you need a little body training. Keep in mind, the FJR is not a sport bike, but you do lean forward a little. That affords better control and..... it allows your weight to rest more on your thighs instead of your tailbone.

Actually I'm pretty fit. Do chins, deadlifts and bench presses 2-3 times a week so the strength is there too. Somewhere there was an assumption that leaning forward was a wrist issue, it is not. The problem is my right shoulder caused by many years of playing tennis. The big booming serve helped win matches but I paid the price with chronic bursitis in the shoulder. It usually only flares up after being on the bike for more than 4-5 hours but you guys got me thinking.........maybe a more leaned over position might actually be better than worse since it will change the stress point on the joint.

Thanks for the input. You guys have been very generous with the input.

You guys might find this interesting but when I asked the wife what she thought about how the GW felt when she sat on it, she said "it was too comfortable". Said that it takes away from the whole biking experience if it feels like you're sitting on a couch.

 

[highcountry]

FWIW, I bought my '07 used and one of the mods is risers which allow infinite forward/rear adjustment of the handlebars. Not sure what the brand is as there are no markings. I adjusted them so that I can sit in a more or less conventional posture. I also added peg extensions moving my feet more forward. At 62 (cervical disk issues, torn rotator cuff in left shoulder, gimpy hips, partially paralyzed right foot/ankle), the sportier stock position just doesn't cut it, but I love the bike and want to be able to comfortably ride it.

Point being, there are a few mods for the FJR that can modify your riding position.

 

[rfulcher]

Audiovox cruise control (if you can find one) will allow you to sit up straight and ride with one hand or with mid portion of finger on grips.

 

[wfooshee]

I paid the price with chronic bursitis in the shoulder. It usually only flares up after being on the bike for more than 4-5 hours but you guys got me thinking.........maybe a more leaned over position might actually be better than worse since it will change the stress point on the joint.

I had the same issue with my left shoulder, from a college-age bicycle accident, an almost dislocation. Shoulder pain may be indicative of carrying too much weight on your arms. Again, lean forward at the hips, back straight, hold the tank with your legs, put pressure on the foot pegs to hold some of your weight. Hand on the grips should be operating the bike, not supporting the rider.

It feels odd when you first get there, and you'll have to make yourself sit that way until you get it right, but it unloads wrists, shoulders, and the shoulder blade part of your back.

 

[07fjrTom]

I have put only a thousand miles or so on my 07' (iv'e had it for a week) and I find it to be quite comfortable. It came with heli risers on it and has the stock seat. This bike, like any sport touring machine has to be ridden differently than a wing or a cruiser. Sitting upright with your back straight is important. Rolling forward off of your tailbone and moving your feet around a bit is the best way to avoid fatigue. I find it more comfortable on long rides to be on this type of bike than some touring bikes that I have owned.

Just my $.02

Tom

 

[tesla]

I have put only a thousand miles or so on my 07' (iv'e had it for a week) and I find it to be quite comfortable. Tom

"Only" a thousand miles in a week? Yea, I would say you like the bike. Impressive still that you can do that in January! Gotta love those mild AZ winters.

 

[Good2Go]

I own/ride both. After injuring my back in '08 I installed Heli risers on the FJR in an attempt to make the riding position more Wing-like. Tried all the combinations of riser settings and seat height, but all just put more pressure on my tailbone, making it even more uncomfortable. I came to the conclusion that just changing the FJR's handlebar position alone wasn't going to cut it; the footpeg height and location needed to change also. A bit more range of adjustment on the Heli's would probably have helped too. I sold the Heli's and rode the Wing a lot until my back healed.

 

[CaptianBanana]

I come from a V-Strom and the riding position was almost perfect for me, however, risers on that bike would have been just about right. Not buying a Wing but wondering if I can make the FJR fit me like a glove.

I can't compare the bike to a GW, but I also came from a V-Strom, and my FJR has one of these:

https://www.helibars.com/products-by-bike/yamaha

I think that makes the FJR position comparable to the 'Strom's. The pegs are a little farther back on the FJR. Looks to me like in order to replicate the GW riding position, you'd have to be able to move the FJR foot controls forward. I don't see that happening easily.

 

[tesla]

I come from a V-Strom and the riding position was almost perfect for me, however, risers on that bike would have been just about right. Not buying a Wing but wondering if I can make the FJR fit me like a glove.

I can't compare the bike to a GW, but I also came from a V-Strom, and my FJR has one of these:

https://www.helibars.com/products-by-bike/yamaha

I think that makes the FJR position comparable to the 'Strom's. The pegs are a little farther back on the FJR. Looks to me like in order to replicate the GW riding position, you'd have to be able to move the FJR foot controls forward. I don't see that happening easily.

So is the riding position similar with or without the helibars?

 

[CaptianBanana]

So is the riding position similar with or without the helibars?

With the helibars I think the position is similar to the Strom. I can't say I did a side-by-side comparison though.

 

[Karmak]

FWIW, I bought my '07 used and one of the mods is risers which allow infinite forward/rear adjustment of the handlebars. Not sure what the brand is as there are no markings. I adjusted them so that I can sit in a more or less conventional posture. I also added peg extensions moving my feet more forward. At 62 (cervical disk issues, torn rotator cuff in left shoulder, gimpy hips, partially paralyzed right foot/ankle), the sportier stock position just doesn't cut it, but I love the bike and want to be able to comfortably ride it. Point being, there are a few mods for the FJR that can modify your riding position.

You might have Meissner Adapters, which I had on my '05. They offer infinite adjustment, or at least back to a point your bars would hit your tank...https://www.whaccessories.com/YamahaFJR1300accessories.htm...sells them (Irfan Burke-great guy).

>I currently have (can't mention the type) risers with Helis stacked on top-but I will probably go with Meissners again eventually.

>Same deal, vertebrae damage, both rotator cuffs blown out numerous times, elbows, etc. The curses of power lifting...youth and glory fleeting, pain everlasting...

>Most risers lift the bars and bring them back a bit, but don't change the angles of the bars so although the bars are higher, you still have to lean-whether the angle helps or not depends on your height, arm length, injuries, etc. Gotta find the right "sweet spot." Meissners will solve the problem by allowing the bars to be angled back, putting you in a more upright posture.