Hey all your short FJR owners

[jayshaw91]

Well, I'm a very soon-to-be owner. Got the $$$ from a bank, now to just get a ride.

So, what are you all doing to your 04/05 FJR's to make it easier to handle. You know what I mean. You're 'blessed' with a 30 in +/- inseam and look like a little kid on your dad's bike when you're stopped at a light.

I know the 29" Corbin seat is the first thing to do.

What else? Anything? How bad is this to handle with the stock seat, fellow shorties?

 

[Groo]

It's not that bad... try finding a pair of boots with a thicker sole (steel toed work boots maybe), or have a thicker sole put on by a local boot maker. You can also slightly lower the front and back with different dogbones, or even an adjustable shock (like the Wilbers), and sliding the front forks through the triple tree a similar amount. Just be aware that by doing it, you'll lose some cornering clearance (you'll scrape the pegs earlier).

 

[Knifemaker]

First off, I do not consider myself short. 5' 9" tall is considered "average" ..but, yes, my 30 inch inseam fits your criteria. I must also point out that all of the Roadracers I have met were "small" folks. Kenny Roberts was like 5-7.

Anyway, yes I ordered the corbin seat, but more for overall comfort , not because the FJR was "too big" for me. Even with my munchkin legs, I could still touch both feet to the ground at stops...more of a tip toe than a flat foot thing of course. When riding with my passenger, this was better as the shock compressed a bit and lower us some.

My biggest complaint is the handlebars. Low, yes, and not at a good angle for me. I ordered some Tacky grips for my hand comfort, and it is hoped that the lower seat will in effect "raise" the bars to a more tollerable level. I also ordered a Cee Baily 4+4 windscreen. This is more for my passengers comfort than mine, as lowering the seat would also make the stock screen "taller". ..and I have no real complaints about the stock screen other than it's poor optical quality (the ridgess running up ths sides make it horrid to look through if you want to duck behind it.

One thing that will help some of your shorter legged riders would be to wear boots with thick soles. My work boots that I wear add about one inch to my leg reach.

Other than that, I do not see any problems riding the FJR due to my size..I owned a few dirt bikes that were taller. The bike is big and heavy..but not noticably so 90 percent of the time. It's great handling and top notch brakes make it almost effortless to pilot. I have seen little guys get off Goldwings...so I think size is only an issue if you make it one.

KM

 

[jayshaw91]

All very good points 'maker (nice pic, BTW!). You're likely right that it won't be a big issue, but I just remember two years ago how much trouble I had handling my SV at first and that's like 350lbs.

And seeing I never sat on an FJR to test how 'big' it felt, I dunno.

And yeah, I see shrimps on GW's all the time, so very valid point.

 

[Groo]

And seeing I never sat on an FJR to test how 'big' it felt, I dunno.

Do what I did... find someone on the board who lives near you, and see if they'll let you sit on the bike....

 

[FJRMGM]

same as Groo - I never even saw one in person until three months after I ordered my '05. When I sat on an '04 it was "ahhhhh yes, daddy's home".

So, I am a happy 5'8" camper with 32 inch inseam.

 

[airboss]

Coming from a mid weight curiser to the FJR with my 30" inseam was of some concern. After sitting on a 03 I knew I could make it work without mods, and the 06 with the seat in the lower position it is even better.

+1 work boots with thick soles, but I also have a pair of thin sole sidi's thats a hair short of being able to flat foot the bike.

 

[rickcorwn]

I've got about a 29 inch inseam also. My '06 now sports a Russell seat that might have raised the seat height about 1/2 inch. I can reach the ground on both sides but just barely. If I need to move the bike even on level ground I need to get off and push it.

What I found over the years is that as my slow speed skills improved I felt less and less need to reach the ground. So get out to a parking lot near by and practice some slow speed figure eights or something to improve your confidence and seat height will become less of an issue.

 

[jayshaw91]

Rick, it's more a matter of dealing with the stop lights and gravity deciding to be mean to me than it is confidence/skills.

Sounds like this will be a non-issue, though! Thanks all.

 

[FJRocket]

I can touch both tip toes on a '04 stock FJR. I raised the forks, got a lowered Wibers shock, and cut down my seat. I can now touch flat footed with my 28 inseam, especially with the bike loaded down, and the bike sorta too far into the rear shock sag settings... which you can't do much with on the stocker.

You can get lowering dogbones, too.

Don't know if I'd like a lowered Corbin. Not for long distances. That's got to be hard as a rock.

With both ends of the bike lowered, and me lowered, the bike is still great handling.

 

[FJR Gary]

I'm 5' 10" with a 29" inseam. I can touch both feet to the ground (but not flat-footed). I have the stock seat set to the low position. Considering a Corbin as the stock seat give me a good case of monkey butt after about an hour and a half

 

[Silver Penguin]

What else? Anything? How bad is this to handle with the stock seat, fellow shorties?

There are those who DREAM of a 30" inseam!! I'm 5'2" with about 26-27" inseam. I was determined to ride an FJR, one way or another. For my very first ride on it, DH removed the seat and taped a pillow to the frame. With the seat back in place, I learned to drop one cheek off the seat when coming to a stop, then stand beside the bike until the light changed. Pretty scary eh?

Since then, I've added a Bill Mayer saddle. That was more for comfort than height though. The biggest difference was adding boots with a two inch sole. I have heli-bar risers which got rid of the ache between my shoulders.

For about 8K miles, I resisted the temptation to lower the bike but finally gave in after a long ride, taking in varied riding conditions. Now, the bike is lowered by almost an inch, front and back. I've seen no difference in handling at all, although the side stand did have to be adjusted a little to get a proper lean angle.

I agree with the comment about building up one's slow speed riding skills. For as long as your feet are up, the height of the bike is a non-issue.

Jill

 

[dobias]

Jay,

Take your seat in to an upholsterer. Have him cut the foam down to within an inch of the pan. Remove the foam, to make a pocket for a gel pad, all the way to the pan. Shape the front to narrow it. Wrap everything in a cloth covered 1/4 inch foam cover & recover the seat with the original vinyl.

You'll have a very comfortable seat that has been lowered to the maximum.

Cost will be $75 for the gel pad & $50 to $75 for the upholsterer. The smile on your face will be priceless.

Search for information on the lowering links. If you're interested, I have an OEM shock complete with steel German dogbones and the prerequisite 1/4 inch spacer (links make the shock "softer" due to the additional leverage). My new Wilbers has the optional lowering adjustment.

dobias :glare:

 

[jayshaw91]

Dobias, that sounds like a few hondo in savings over getting a Corbin or something!

The only thing... where the heck do I get one of these gel pads? I'm all about $150 for hellaciously comfy seat.

 

[Claymore]

The only thing... where the heck do I get one of these gel pads? I'm all about $150 for hellaciously comfy seat.

Try airrider.com

 

[jayshaw91]

You da man!

 

[FJRocket]

I checked with a couple companies about lowering links for the '06 FJR1300. Seems the dogbones have changed and no one has them available yet. I don't think I'm going to need them, but right now, they aren't available anyway. Sure enough, the prefix on the part number is different. The configuration looks the same on the '04 and the '06. Wonder if the bolt holes are just closer or farther apart? Hmmmm... I'll know soon as I get my AE side by side with my '04.... soon, I hope.

 

[sanqhar]

Be very careful with aftermarket shocks. Some manufacturers sneakily make their "standard" replacement shock longer than standard. This gives sharper steering but doesn't help those short in the leg.

A lower seat would be a start. Thicker soled boots also.

Lowering dogbones and dropping the forks legs sounds good but will make getting the bike on the centre stand harder and will probably require modification to the sidestand.

 

[FJRocket]

Lowering dogbones and dropping the forks legs sounds good but will make getting the bike on the centre stand harder and will probably require modification to the sidestand.

My '04 bike is lowered 1/2 inch front and back. No problem with the side stand.