Got my new AE!

[Auron]

These are the sliders I was thinking of, also look like they would be less likely to pull on the frame in a crash

https://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/6977/815/

And speaking of the ST13, I put a lot of miles on my Dad's but that motor drove me nuts. Same with the VFR800, sounds like something George Jetson would ride.

 

[majicmaker]

These are the sliders I was thinking of, also look like they would be less likely to pull on the frame in a crash

https://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/6977/815/

Wow, that doesn't look bad at all. Never seen one. Thanks!

 

[winewhisperer]

Nice writeup, however, I own a FJR & a 2010 VFR1200F and your description of the VFR is completely crazy except for the limited range and the fact that is more sport-bike than sport-touring bike. Enjoy your AE.

 

[Auron]

Didn't think I'd find too many VFR owners in here so I'm sorry if I went too far with my description of a bike I do not own. The one I rode had 12,000 miles on it and was from a dealer so it could have have any number of things wrong or done to it. I do stand by my original impression though.

Clearly I'm happy with my decision and talking **** about the other bikes I was looking at only feels natural. Pretty much everything I rode would have been a nice upgrade from my blackbird and that's saying something.

 

[winewhisperer]

"Didn't think I'd find too many VFR owners in here so I'm sorry if I went too far with my description of a bike I do not own. The one I rode had 12,000 miles on it and was from a dealer so it could have have any number of things wrong or done to it. I do stand by my original impression though.

Clearly I'm happy with my decision and talking **** about the other bikes I was looking at only feels natural. Pretty much everything I rode would have been a nice upgrade from my blackbird and that's saying something."

Hey, I still love my '06 FJR and I'm sure you are loving the new AE and there are several members of this forum that own both the FJR and VFR. Besides, how could both of these moto's not be great? They both have three letter names and two of the letters are the same. Karma :lol:

 

[obijohn]

Congrats on your new '09 AE.

I picked up a new '09 AE in late June of this year, and am enjoying the hell out of it. My last ride was from Bellevue up to Arlington and back last Friday, at dusk, and it was magical to ride the two-lane roads with bats just above my head. I can tell you that a bat flies at just under 30 mph... thought about trying to grab one but didn't want to get bitten! Wonder if the turbine-like whine from my FJR confused/attracted them?

I picked up some T-Rex frame sliders off of eBay; they'll be okay if I drop the bike while stopped, and I don't know if anything besides a crash bar would save things if I fell at speed. I don't have any connection with the seller, and the link doesn't get me anything, but the product was surprisingly well-made. Fortunately, I can't tell you if they will actually prevent damage... and I hope I never will be able to.

At any rate, I'm sure you'll love it, and the automatic clutch feature. I don't know if I'd want to go back to a manual clutch on a large displacement touring bike. In fact, I'm hoping Honda brings their adventurized VFR1200 Crosstourer to the US market, with DCT. Or that Yamaha released an updated FJR with a DCT option.

 

[Bellerophon]

These are the sliders I was thinking of, also look like they would be less likely to pull on the frame in a crash

https://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/6977/815/

I got these at D2moto, Volmar is the brand, very easy to install. Of course I used the blue loctite, and torqued them to spec.

 

[Auron]

I just took it out for about 20 mins and it's everything I expected and that's in stock trim. I can't imagine how good it will be with the usual upgrades.

The shifting isn't quite as smooth as I expected but maybe I need some practice. Would a power commander and or new throttle tube help at all?

 

[RadioHowie]

Believe it or not, it is possible...not to mention practical...to ride an FJR that isn't farkled to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

You just got the dang thing. Give it a couple thousand miles to make a decision on how it shifts.

Or, go ahead and spend a coupla-three hundred dollars for a fix you might not need. It's ONLY money!

 

[Bellerophon]

I just took it out for about 20 mins and it's everything I expected and that's in stock trim. I can't imagine how good it will be with the usual upgrades.

The shifting isn't quite as smooth as I expected but maybe I need some practice. Would a power commander and or new throttle tube help at all?

All I can say is, "its not the bike".

 

[Auron]

I just took it out for about 20 mins and it's everything I expected and that's in stock trim. I can't imagine how good it will be with the usual upgrades.

The shifting isn't quite as smooth as I expected but maybe I need some practice. Would a power commander and or new throttle tube help at all?

All I can say is, "its not the bike".

Good! I'll work on my technique then. Any pointers on what I'm doing wrong? It's all about timing and throttle position right?

 

[Bellerophon]

Good! I'll work on my technique then. Any pointers on what I'm doing wrong? It's all about timing and throttle position right?

It's just a matter of a quick closing of the throttle on the up-shift, and a little blip of the throttle on a down-shift. You'll get it. The other advantage of the AE is perfect engagement when you take off from a stop. Some bike magazines have complained about low speed maneuvering. Honestly, I don't get it. With a little throttle control, and rear brake it maneuvers as good as any other bike I own, and way better than those big cruisers i.e. Harleys.

 

[Auron]

Good! I'll work on my technique then. Any pointers on what I'm doing wrong? It's all about timing and throttle position right?

It's just a matter of a quick closing of the throttle on the up-shift, and a little blip of the throttle on a down-shift. You'll get it. The other advantage of the AE is perfect engagement when you take off from a stop. Some bike magazines have complained about low speed maneuvering. Honestly, I don't get it. With a little throttle control, and rear brake it maneuvers as good as any other bike I own, and way better than those big cruisers i.e. Harleys.

Oh hell yeah! That was what pleased me the most. Zero issues with taking off, I love it :yahoo:

 

[yamafitter]

Believe it or not, it is possible...not to mention practical...to ride an FJR that isn't farkled to the tune of hundreds of dollars....

Blasphemy!!!

 

[fastpappy]

Congrats on the new ride and yeah as previously stated you need to live with it for a while and then decide what farkles you'll really want or need. The shifting will defiantly be better once get used to it, took me about 1500 mi to retrain my right hand and erase the old muscle memory.

 

[Auron]

Congrats on the new ride and yeah as previously stated you need to live with it for a while and then decide what farkles you'll really want or need. The shifting will defiantly be better once get used to it, took me about 1500 mi to retrain my right hand and erase the old muscle memory.

I'm trying not to go too crazy but I did order a givi screen, frame sliders, fenda extenda and 3M protective kit for the tank and bags.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Good! I'll work on my technique then. Any pointers on what I'm doing wrong? It's all about timing and throttle position right?

Yeah give it some break-in time. But on slow gradual shifts (where your putzing along in traffic) I don't let off the throttle,just a quick click and she is in the next gear smooth.

Now getting on it and progressing through the gears more aggressively you just "twitch" off a bit on the throttle at the exact moment you click the paddle, then bring back up the throttle. Takes a lil bit of "re-adjustment" but once you get it down pat.... so sweeeeeet!

BTW- I only use my forefinger for up & down shifts. I find the thumb (for upshifts) to close to the horn so the forefinger does both shifts for me. Plus I hardly ever use the foot shifter now, did at first however cuz it felt more normal to my regular hand clutched models. The transition naturally flowed to just the finger

Good luck!! Enjoy

 

[Auron]

Sounds good I'll give it a try again tonight.

Just got a V46 for it I can't help it!

 

[gixxerjasen]

Believe it or not, it is possible...not to mention practical...to ride an FJR that isn't farkled to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

This is so true, I'm a broke guy with an FJR and I've only spent....erm....oh....wow.... :blink: ...yea, not a good idea, never add it all up.

 

[Auron]

Believe it or not, it is possible...not to mention practical...to ride an FJR that isn't farkled to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

This is so true, I'm a broke guy with an FJR and I've only spent....erm....oh....wow.... :blink: ...yea, not a good idea, never add it all up.

Naw... I'm going for it. An FJR without farkles is like porn without penetration. :devilsmiley: