Got my new 2006 FJR today.

[Gunstar]

Got my motorcycle today from D&H Cycle, Gerald said I was the first FJR he sold this year. WOOT! I’m waiting no longer.

Ok, first the good news. Two FJR’s got delivered today to his shop while I was there, the bad news none of them came with bags including mine.

Word has it that the bags are being shipped from Chicago by UPS Ground to the dealer.

This is my second bike, my first a Vulcan 750. My first ride impression of the FJR 78 miles and 1.5 hours later:

1. Power: OMG, it’s like a toggle switch. On=go fast :shock:

2. Brakes: Slightly grabby, but not bad and not scary, again another toggle switch like feel. Brake On=Stop Now

3. Sitting comfort: Nice seat, I’m 6’2” with a 38” inseam and with the seat in the tallest position I was tip toeing it. Lowered the seat and was able to have my foot flat while stopped.

4. Wind at highway speed: Little to no back pressure with the shield all the way up, but it isn’t a ‘bubble of solitude’. Lots of wind/white noise in a full face helmet, ear plugs may be a must.

5. Ride comfort: Throttle is hard to hold with such a strong return spring. Ambient temp. according to the gauge was 81F, no heat to speak of at speed. While stopped at traffic lights, very little heat at legs. Nice neutral riding position no pressure on the tailbone and nice firm seat.

I got the bike at 6pm in Cullman and the weather was starting to look bad so I drove it back to Pelham and parked it. I’ve not done any ‘messing with it’ yet and look forward to finding out what’s in store.

If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer them and take any pictures that need taking.

Glad to join the ranks of the ‘non-waiting’, and waiters it is so worth it!

 

[rublenoon]

Gunstar

Thanks for early report...please post pics for those who are still waiting.

rublenoon

 

[hippo]

Ambient temp. according to the gauge was 81F, no heat to speak of at speed. While stopped at traffic lights, very little heat at legs.

This is the point I'm personally most concerned about.

Thanks for the info. A FJR13 looks more and more certain in my plans now.

 

[crewof1]

Congrats, Gunstar - I'll look forward to seeing you around. I'm just a few miles north of you. I'd love to see that '06!

That toggle switch feeling will go away after you've ridden it a bit (it sure ain't no 750, is it?!). Once you figure out that very minute, smooth moves are what the FJR needs on throttle and braking, you'll be fine.

So, who're you gonna use for maintenance? Not the hometown boys, I hope... Can you tell I'm not impressed?

Best thing I ever did was getting geared up and doing my own maintenance.

 

[Fencer]

Gunstar,

Like Crewof1 I am right next door in Alabaster and would love to impose upon you at your convienience.

PM me if you are ok with this and we'll set a time.

Hope you (both) fair well in the storms tonight. Baseball size hail is comming! Oh and don't forget to take the bike in with you when you hear the tornado sirens

For my .02 Not impressed with PPS either.

 

[Centerline]

NICE, way to go GunStar!! Thanks for the brief write-up about your new beast. Now.....get out there and enjoy it, but be careful.

 

[fjrchik]

Congrats gunstar!!!! I know how ya feel!!!

 

[airboss]

Thanks for the ride tips Gunstar, I'm riding a Vulcan 750, and waiting for the FJR, guess I had best not grab a hand full of throttle on the FRJ.

 

[nitelife]

Gunstar,

Thanks for the update. I just talked with Gerald 3 days ago and he didn't have any yet and didn't know when they will be in. This is great news! So if I read correctly you were #1 and two where delivered while you were there, which makes a total of 3. I am number 26 @ D&H so mine could be awhile.

Larry

 

[rogdeb]

:thumbup: Gunstar

 

[wpbfjr]

well, i was bike two at d&h...

but i REFUSED DELIVERY!!!!

yes, you read right, i refused delivery... my flight there isn't until the 25th of this month...

sooo....

i figured there must be some desperate waiter, and why not let them have their fjr, instead of mine sitting in storage...

ride well!!!

 

[Gunstar]

Thanks for the well wishes.

Yes there were 2 bikes that came off a truck while I was there. I saw the crates. The strange thing is, Gerald had no idea the bikes were coming. He said my bike arrived a day before it was in the yahama's system. Of the two bikes that he recieved on the 7th only one was in the system and the other was a ghost.

No I am not impressed with PPS, but there is a new cycle shop in Pelham called Back Roads. From word of mouth, they are pretty good, but I've never tried them myself.

 

[Constant Mesh]

What pressures did Jerold recommend for your front and rear tire inflations?

The combination of a 38" inseam and 6'-2" height sounds somewhat unusual. I guess you don't have much trouble keeping your shirttail tucked in.

Last time I talked to Jerold he seemed a bit miffed that Yamaha had dropped the non-ABS as an option. The AE model was also something of a mystery to him.

When I took delivery of my '04 FJR from Jerold, he gave me a great overview of the features and his do's and don'ts of motorcycle care and operation.

Fine fellow, Jerold. Renaa is also most pleasant and efficient. Fine folks, both.

 

[Gunstar]

What pressures did Jerold recommend for your front and rear tire inflations?

He told me a different value than is in the owners manual. 39 front and 36 rear; however, the manual suggested 39/42.

The combination of a 38" inseam and 6'-2" height sounds somewhat unusual.  I guess you don't have much trouble keeping your shirttail tucked in.

I never said that 38" was my pants' size and actually I mispoke, it's actually 34" which is from the bottom of my foot up to...well you can guess the rest.

Last time I talked to Jerold he seemed a bit miffed that Yamaha had dropped the non-ABS as an option.  The AE model was also something of a mystery to him.

The only thing he seemed concerned when I was talking to him, regarding the new bikes, were the linked brakes. He wasn't sure how good the ABS would be from keeping the front from locking up if your front tire was on gravel and your rear tire was on pavement and you pushed a whole lot of rear brake.
As for Jerold and Renaa, they really are some of the nicest people you could meet. It's so nice to be treated fairly when buying something so expensive, unlike the other 90% of motorcycle/car dealers out there.

 

[wpbfjr]

The combination of a 38" inseam and 6'-2" height sounds somewhat unusual.  I guess you don't have much trouble keeping your shirttail tucked in.

I never said that 38" was my pants' size and actually I mispoke, it's actually 34" which is from the bottom of my foot up to...well you can guess the rest.

your brain? :lol: :bleh: :bleh:

 

[FJRocket]

Gunstar, congrats on your FJR!

Did you get the YES and was it still $389?

 

[TheRepairMan]

The only thing he seemed concerned when I was talking to him, regarding the new bikes, were the linked brakes.
He wasn't sure how good the ABS would be from keeping the front from locking up if your front tire was on gravel and your rear tire was on pavement and you pushed a whole lot of rear brake.

The ABS system monitors the wheel speed independent of each wheel and has the ability to modulate the braking force to each wheel independently as well.

The linked brakes won't affect the ABS at all but as with ANY motorcycle it is still possible to take the new FJR beyond it's control limits and get into deep trouble.

My advise is to find a nice empty lot to do some low speed maneuvers and some panic stops as many times as it takes until you know how the bike will react under extreme situations.

Better to prepare yourself with practice then to have to find out in a real life panic stop.

Just be careful during these practice sessions not to drop that new machine. Start out slowly and stay within your ability to keep her up.

BTW, as many here know, I spent my summer last year on a Honda ST1300 with linked brakes. Never had ANY problem with uncontrolled wheel lock up and the bike instilled high confidence in lots of spirited riding and even a few of high speed stops. I think Yamaha's system will be a great safety feature once we adjust to it.

Roger B,

resident technician

 

[trinibob]

4. Wind at highway speed: Little to no back pressure with the shield all the way up, but it isn’t a ‘bubble of solitude’. Lots of wind/white noise in a full face helmet, ear plugs may be a must.

get the cbaleys 2+4 with a flip and you will have a nice bubble.

 

[Gunstar]

Gunstar, congrats on your FJR!
Did you get the YES and was it still $389?

Thanks FJRocket.

I did get the Y.E.S. and it's still $389.