How do you use your FJR?

[seventyss]

I've been in the market for a different bike for quite a while, my current ride is a 1982 Honda 750F. I have had the 750 since Oct of 2008 and have had to do a lot of work to get it running right. I would like to do more riding and less wrenching. I currently commute to work as much as I can here in Portland and like to get out of the city on weekends. I don't go long distances but like to ride a bit aggressive when I'm riding alone. My wife isn't very excited about riding with me, although she did ride with me on my last bike (81 KZ750 with luggage rack and backrest, 25 years ago). So I wonder if the FJR is more than I need, based on how I ride now. Other bikes that I have been considering are the Kawasaki ZRX1200 and the Honda Blackbird. The Mrs. is a bit balky about how much I spend so I'm looking for used. I wonder if there is better reliability on FJR's 2006 and up. I Have some concerns about overheating since I do so much city riding. I am interested in a clutch model and am unsure about how good ABS is on a motorcycle. Linked brakes will take some getting used to. So please share your wisdom, thanks.

 

[sportsguy]

Well, I bought my bike for commuting daily in Bellevue, WA, fun weekend rides and for the odd two up ride.

The bike is reliable (mine was new, though) and doesn't overheat in stop and go traffic. In fact, this past summer saw temps well over 100 degrees here, and the bike handled it just fine. Me, not so much...

Bike is hugely comfortable, though rides over a couple hours might have you desiring a different seat cushion. This is subjective, though, so your results may vary.

Bike is easy on fuel when you are light on the throttle, not so much when you crank on it... but man is it fun when you crank on it. Even simple adjustments to the stock suspension make a big different i the handling of the bike, too.

Based on those I know locally who own Gen 2 bikes, I'd say it's a reliable bike. Some of the local guys have a LOT of miles on theirs...

The adjustable windscreen will spoil you, too.

 

[KATOOM37]

Bike is hugely comfortable, though rides over a couple hours might have you desiring a different seat cushion. This is subjective, though, so your results may vary.

The seat thing is subjective, I rode mine for 12 hours straight this past summer, from Bend out to Jackson WY. and though my butt was a little sore, it wasn't that bad. BTW, I took mine through 103 degree temps for a lot of miles last summer and did not have any heat issues. (except for me). My wife doesn't mind riding two up. I have a back rest from Garauld on this website which works great.

I ride aggressively as well and I mainly ride with liter sport bikes. I can honestly say that there is only two out of the many guys I ride with that will outride me and the feejer on the street. The bike is very capable and does not feel as heavy as it really is.

Good luck and let me know if you find one, We'll go take a run through Fossil!

 

[Harvey]

How far is your commute, and what type of roads do you take?

The FJR might be too much bike for what you do if your commutes aren't that long.

I believe it is best suited for longer distance rides.

My FJR is a bit much for the type of riding I do now but for that occasional long weekend ride it's wonderful.

Getting onto a highway with the FJR is great too. It quickly and effortlessly gets up to speed and feels solid and comfortable.

So if your coummutes are short and easy and you don't ride any distance then look at something smaller.

If you do any longer distance trips or need to ride the freeway, the FJR will make you happy.

Mine has 64,000 reliable miles on it. Overheating has never been an issue.

Good luck.

~Harvey

 

[madmike2]

I commute on mine using a top case only, though it's only 20 miles one-way.

I ride in 100+ temps in the summer, mid 30's in the winter.

Weekend rides are always on the agenda:NorCal New Years Day

It's a great 2-up bike and most owners have learned to "tone it down" to keep their passengers happy and willing. In NorCal, our day rides and weekend sojourns usually run 60% with passenger. This also helps make it "social" for the ladies.

To help with your decision, you might want to get a hold of (or check the PNW Ride Planning page) and ride with some of our members. If their bikes handle and perform to the standard you desire on the roads in your area, this could be the bike for you.

The FJR is heavier than your 750. This means it will not be as "flickable". Many of us have played with the suspension and some are using aftermarket shocks and fork springs to improve the bike's cornering clearance.

That being said, in stock trim it is a very capable bike. We can "play" with the sport bikes though a well ridden sport bike will leave us in the dust. However, the sportier bikes don't fare so well on an extended day ride (like 300-400 miles).

The FJR is a great all-around bike. It does many things in a capable manner.

The 3 bikes you mention are completely different, no doubt due to your eclectic tastes.

Blackbird: fastest, great engine, sporty, more corner clearance and ability than FJR, less weather protection than the FJR

ZRX: No weather protection, great acceleration, very capable and popular naked bike

FJR: Shaft drive, heaviest of this trio, luggage, adjustable windshield, long valve adjust schedule.

For ME: FJR because of simplicity of maintenance (including the shaft drive) and the miles I ride.

If your wife-unit is going to accompany you( or if you WANT her to), your choice will have to lean toward her comfort. IOW, slow down a bit when she's with you and get a top-case for her "stuff" and to use as a backrest, no matter which bike you buy.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mcatrophy]

I bought mine specifically for the electric gear-change, but came from a Triumph Trophy, which has similar characteristics, which for me are

• Low down torque, smooth increase in power all the way up;
• Comfortable for hours (depending on the individual rider's seat and screen requirements);
• Easy handling (I tend to ride like the old man I am, but sometimes that teenager within makes his presence felt
  
  );
• The ability to surprise some of the crotch-rocket fraternity (but in the limit, it's not a sports bike);
• Good range (easy 250 miles when sensibly touring, 300 just possible - though it's easy to not be sensible
  
  );
• Luggage capability;
• Good looks;
• Reliability (yes, some have had problems, but a large majority have not);
• Not overly expensive to run (but not cheap), uses tyres quickly if you ride agressively;

I use mine in all weathers (except when there's ice or snow on my drive or lane) for:

• A 3-mile city commute;
• Shopping;
• "Local" runs into nearby countryside (1 to 4 hours) as often as SWMBO permits (example 1, example 2);
• Occasional longish trips when I get an excuse;
• A couple of week-long tours a year;

I find it a heavy beast when stationary or foot-down maneuvering (but then I'm only 5 ft 8 short and weigh about 145 pounds). On the move it's an easy ride, but you need to respect its power particularly on slippery roads. It is not as flickable as a true sports bike; that isn't a problem for me. It can still give a lot of fun in the twisties.
Oh, yes, the linked brakes (rear to front only) are not intrusive, they've never given me any cause for complaint. It seem to give the bike a more planted feel in slow maneuvers when only using the brake pedal. The ABS works well over all types of surface. I'm not going to say "ABS brakes are better than non-ABS", proper braking won't activate the ABS. But what a good safety-net, it's saved my bacon more than once. All reviews say the brakes are good.

And overheating is something the FJR engine simply doesn't do, although the rider can get some heat from it when stopped. Never an issue for me in the UK.

 

[FJRBluesman]

IMHO, the FeeJ will easily fit the bill for what you want it to do. The real question may be, is it the ideal bike for what you want it to do?

I use my FJR for commuting to work each day, some city driving like to the store (believe me, you can fit a lot of stuff in those bags), or other errands, and pleasure cruises with Forum members on the weekend or on the odd weekday. I'll also do longer trips in the summer.

The FJR handles like a sporty bike in the turns IMO. It's heavy, yet nimble when asked to do what you want it to do. As long as you are at one with the bike all is good, you don't feel the weight, otherwise you may be fighting that weight. That would pretty much go for any bike you're riding too.

The bike is comfortable on long rides, although I prefer an after market seat. You can use it for many things compared to a more specific model with no bags, or not comfortable on long rides, etc.

It really comes down to, what you want it to do. It's not the best touring bike (doesn't have the big bags, or super comfy), it's not the best sport bike (heavier then a sporty, wider, etc), but it does many things very, very... no, extremely well. It is IMHO the best Sport Touring bike around. OK, I'm a little biased, oh well.

I came off a Ducati 900SS-SP and BMW K-bike that I did the same things with. I went from Ducati to BMW for the commuting comfort. The Duc was an awesome bike for short rides, and the tracks or canyons. Long rides were painful, and I had no storage except a tank bag. I left BMW due to maintenance costs and design issues I had with the bike.

I hope this helps. Good luck in your quest for a motorcycle.

 

[RadioHowie]

So I wonder if the FJR is more than I need, based on how I ride now. Other bikes that I have been considering are the Kawasaki ZRX1200 and the Honda Blackbird.

Best of Both Worlds:

Put a Feej AND a ZRex in your garage. You will not be disappointed.

And you could do it for under $10k....for BOTH!

 

[seventyss]

My commute is two round trips per day of 20 miles (I work a split shift) in city traffic. I may have the overheating issue wrong, I may have read that the rider was being overheated in city traffic, which would be a concern for me since the majority of my riding will be in the city. I do know that I am tired of my helmet being buffeted by the wind (I use a windshield when it gets colder) and would like some additional wind protection. How much does the fairing on the FJR help with the wind?

 

[RadioHowie]

You're gonna get hot on ANY 1300cc bike in city traffic during hot weather, regardless of make or model. It's just the nature of a big displacement motorcycle.

The helmet buffeting issue is a lot harder to address without knowing your height, but regardless of how vertically-challenged you are (or are not) the FJR will be worlds away better than a 750F, which, IIRC, is a lot like a ZRX, i.e., bikini fairing and windshield designed for form, not function. The stock FJR windshield works great for me, at 6'4". In the down position, where the main wind blast hits me right above chest-level, it's fine for most riding conditions, until it gets cold and/or wet. Then the shield goes up for more protection, but for me, the stock shield is a little lacking in the height department for complete protection, in those cold/wet conditions.

On a recent 1500 mile ride, many of it in 40 degree weather, I was wishing for a taller shield, as in full-up position, I get a lot of helmet buffeting. Knowing this, were I be shopping for an FJR today, I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker, because there are so many aftermarket shield options at very reasonable prices.

In other words, I wouldn't make a motorcycle buying decision based on something as easily corrected as a replacement shield.

Already the owner of a ZRX when I bought my FJR, I was looking for a "total package" motorcycle. Once that would fill my needs as a big, powerful, competent ride that looked good and could be driven comfortably for hundreds of miles at a clip. At the time when I purchased, mid 2005, the only viable choices were the BMW 1100RT, the Honda ST1300 and the FJR. Of the three, based on looks, performance, dealer availabilty and price, the FJR was a no-brainer.

Things haven't changed that much, although the Kawasaki C-14's entry into the ST market has muddied the waters a bit, but even as a dyed-in-the-wool, bleed "Kawasaki Green" fan for 30 years, I'd still pick the FJR over the C-14, if for no other reason than the FJR Forum community.

 

[madmike2]

I do know that I am tired of my helmet being buffeted by the wind (I use a windshield when it gets colder) and would like some additional wind protection. How much does the fairing on the FJR help with the wind?

Howie nailed the windshield issue. Sooooo many options and easily corrected for your size.

The fairing is wonderful. My C-10 Connie was a barn door that trapped a lot of heat in the summer.

The FJR fairing directs most of the wind around me (90%)...for instance, I don't use rain liners on my pants if it is just sprinkling or drizzling and I don't get wet (I wear riding pants). I do get some wind blast on my fore arms and shoulders so, if the weather is inclement, I use preventative measures.

That being said, I ride 20 miles to work at 0415 in the morning, 35 degrees wearing my mesh riding clothes, my work jacket under my mesh jacket and insulated gloves.

In the summer, I wear mesh riding gear and lower the windshield so I get ambient air flowing in the cockpit. (Okay, I have added other options...but many get by with the OEM equipment AND a Gen II flows more air.)

 

[seventyss]

I'm 5'11" and 195, so I'm hoping that the stock windshield would be adequate. Is the Gen II the 2006 bikes and up? Thanks for all the replies, they are really appreciated.

 

[Stephen]

.............as a sex toy! :yahoo:

 

[highcountry]

My commute is two round trips per day of 20 miles (I work a split shift) in city traffic. I may have the overheating issue wrong, I may have read that the rider was being overheated in city traffic, which would be a concern for me since the majority of my riding will be in the city. I do know that I am tired of my helmet being buffeted by the wind (I use a windshield when it gets colder) and would like some additional wind protection. How much does the fairing on the FJR help with the wind?

The overheating issue on the Gen 1 bikes was heat bothering the rider not an engine cooling problem. There are remedies for that if you find a nice Gen 1 that you are interested in. I bought my '07 used and it came with a National Vstream windscreen which works extremely well for me and I get no buffeting whatsoever.

Also ABS brakes are very nice to have on heavier bikes like the FJR. Personally, I really like the linked brakes on the FJR.

I have gotten 42-48 mpg on my bike but I don't ride it overly aggressively. I find that the FJR handles very well are slow speeds considering its weight, but if you have a short inseam, it could become a handful.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[JimNtexas]

I'm 5'11" and 195, so I'm hoping that the stock windshield would be adequate. Is the Gen II the 2006 bikes and up? Thanks for all the replies, they are really appreciated.

At your size you'll have no problem commuting on an FJR. The FJR is a bit top heavy, but IIRC so is the Honda 750.

The motor is not going to overheat.

I find the stock shield to be a bit small for winter riding, but there are many aftermarket screens for the FJR. I think for Texas summers the stock shield is going to be fine.

I drove mine 400 miles the day after I bought it, the seat got a bit painful near the end but not badly so. I've got bar risers in the budget, there is a bit more forward lean than what would be ideal for me. That's not a crisis.

ETA: I'm a newbie, I bought my 08AE the day after Thanksgiving.

 

[oldryder]

I have an '03 ZRX1200R and an '05 FJR.

I use the FJR for commuting to work as even in mid summer it's often only 50 degrees when I'm riding to work in the morning. It's the bike I ride the most. My 17 year old daughter also rides it and used it on a trip to Yellowstone this past summer.

My ZRX has a full muzzy exhaust, factory pro 2.5 jet kit, TRE, and dyno tuning. I like the engine a lot better than the FJR and would not have the FJR if a fulled faired version of the ZRX had been availalble.

either ones a great bike. for me the bags and the elect4ric windshield make the FJR more functional and it's definitely better looking.

 

[madmike2]

I'm 5'11" and 195, so I'm hoping that the stock windshield would be adequate. Is the Gen II the 2006 bikes and up? Thanks for all the replies, they are really appreciated.

Yes...2006 and newer are Gen II as noted in this area: (FAQs and Common Historical Information), given as suggested reading when you signed onto the forum. There's A LOT of information in there.

In case you missed them, you might also want to read these: Forum Guidelines.

Happy reading!

We now return you to your regularly sponsored discussion.

 

[bikerkash]

I have owned 3 FJR's an 03 which I did not like an 06 AE and an 08 AE. as far as I can tell the 06 and newer are all the same the 08 was said to have improved ABS. As far as linked brakes I do not believe you will know it they are excellent. These bikes are really a great bike for the money if you find a low mileage 06 you should be a very happy.

 

[glory racing]

So I wonder if the FJR is more than I need, based on how I ride now. Other bikes that I have been considering are the Kawasaki ZRX1200 and the Honda Blackbird.

Best of Both Worlds:

Put a Feej AND a ZRex in your garage. You will not be disappointed.

I had a zrx before the fjr. I really enjoy the FJR and am glad I bought it but I am a ******* for not keeping the zrx as well!