How do you use your FJR?

[rocketdoc]

As far a reliability goes, you should be fine on any FJR, those older models will have had the bugs rung out of them, pick up an '04 or 5 with abs. great brakes and they perform flawlessly when needed. I'm not a big fan of linked brakes either, so these model years would give great bang for your buck.

Ride from Portland out to Cannon Beack and then back the long way, sounds like perfect FJR riding to me. Good luck on your decision.

 

[JimNtexas]

... as far as I can tell the 06 and newer are all the same the 08 was said to have improved ABS.

Bikerkash, I'm curious about throttle response between the 06 and 08. I've just bought an 08AE after test riding a 2010A at the Dallas IM show.

I had read a lot about 'taming the throttle' on the FJR by unwinding springs or installing power commanders and such.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find the throttle response on the two FJRs I've ridden to be very linear and predictable, not the least twitcy or abrupt.

In your experience is there much difference in the throttle characteristics of the 06 compared to the 08?

 

[RadioHowie]

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!

Don't be so hard on yourself. Ask Bustanut Joker, King of the *********, to absolve you of your crime. He can be very charitable.

 

[fastpappy]

So I wonder if the FJR is more than I need, based on how I ride now.

Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it I always say. The only problem you'll have with that 20 mile commute is it's too short. You would definitly be looking for as much seat time on an FJR as you can get. One day the ride home from work was so great I didn't want it to end and was almost dissapointed to be home and I made the mistake of telling the wife :dribble: You need to do a test ride that will tell the tale. Just my $.02.

 

[dustyrains]

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.

I live in Portland and ride an 06 AE. Three great things about the bike for commuting are the electric clutch, the weather protection and ABS. You will appreciate the peace of mind having the ABS in the wet. In heavy traffic, the electric clutch is a godsend. The adjustable windshield and adjustable fairing keep you quite warm and dry (relatively speaking) in our winter weather. I have ridden all day in the mid to high thirties without electrically heated gear and stayed fairly comfy. Take it out on the weekends and hit the local fun roads and have a blast due to it's really great motor and road manners.

 

[AVGeek]

I have owned both an 04 non-ABS and an 08 ABS, and commuted on them both (in fact, the 08 is currently my main transportation, as I sold my truck last year). In fact, I bought the FJR for commuting because of the locking storage (I had a regional position at the time, and was all over SoCal). The 04 was a great choicel, in both winter and summer, through all that wonderful traffic, as well as weekend rides with mostly sport bike riders. I picked up the 08 after moving to Nevada, and commute year-round (yes even in 120 degree heat). I don't do as much weekend riding here (fewer cool mountain roads and all), but I wouldn't trade the FJR for anything else (now I will add to the stable when I can though!).

 

[BobbyBlue]

I dont commute anymore but my FJR is my only transportation, my folks have an old car I borrow from time to time. As you live in Portland I really dont see heat as a problem, but this big plastic shrinkwrapped cruise missile aint so great in stop and go traffic...heavy but moving is fine, but stop and go in temps over 90 kick my lame ***. Its really a wonderful machine for everything else and is so flexible and low maintenance...less cost...more spouse friendly yes ? Whatever ya get, good onya for using 2 wheels !

Blessings,

Bobby

 

[Bustanut joker]

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!

Don't be so hard on yourself. Ask Bustanut Joker, King of the *********, to absolve you of your crime. He can be very charitable.

You forgot "Exalted" ya fukwhistle..

And, there will be no absolution without payment in a Sheep ish manner mind ya..

:jester:

 

[72Duster340]

I bought my FJR in Mid-August have been commuting to work pretty much daily until the second week of December (snow and ice) it's 10 miles one way. Did find myself taking the long way home at times. The bike is large and heavy in a parking lot but very managable once you get moving. I came off of a Concours 10 and my Gen 2 is much cooler then the Concours was during the summer months. The ABS brakes work very well you don't even know they are there. I had someone make a left turn in front of me with about 200 miles on the bike I just stood on the brakes and the bike just stopped, straight and fast no pulsation or skidding. As far as the linked brakes the only thing I have noticed is: if you do not use the "rear" brake you get just a hint of a squeak from the right front brake, use both brakes and every thing is quiet, otherwise you would never know the front and rear brakes are linked. Hope this information helps.

 

[flyingz06]

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!

sorry, I have you beat. 2008 Ducati 1098 and a 2009 FJR1300. Now that is the best of both worlds!

 

[RadioHowie]

sorry, I have you beat. 2008 Ducati 1098 and a 2009 FJR1300. Now that is the best of both worlds!

Beat by about $20,000...yeah -- THAT'S a win! <_<

And I bet my ZRX goes longer between valve adjusts, too. :finger:

 

[Geezer]

I bough my FJR as a daily commuter and for an occasional pleasure ride. I chose this bike because it required minimal maintenance (shaft drive and fuel injection), had luggage, and plenty of power.

I soon found that the FJR was a lot more capable than any previous bike I owned, more sporty and more comfortable for a long day in the saddle. I soon got my Iron Butt license plate backer and started attending riding and social events all over the country.

 

[Niehart]

Don't let Geezer kid ya, he's never had that bike out of NY state .. is Moscow, ID in NY state?

 

[Moon Man]

FWIW. I own a Gen 1 (a 2003 actually) paid 6 grand even for it last year with ~6k on it, and i put another 5-6k on it last summer. I have been stuck in stop and go traffic for extended periods in 90+ degrees. When the fans turn on it gets warm for sure, but if you ride ATGATT it wont be an issue. Even in jeans the worst was a hot leg (not burning).

I think that you would be pleased with a Gen I or Gen II. The non-ABS models do not have linked brakes. If you have a Gen I you will need to make a heat mod to the left side, it takes an hour and is well worth it.

I looked at a lot of bikes but had a 6000 max. The Z Rex was one of them, as was the VFR, i even looked at a new tiger (to finance). I settled on the FJR because of the reputation for reliability, the included luggage, and of course the power.

I think you would be happy with a Gen I or Gen II, if you want to save some $$$. Howver in my experience the Gen I's have about bottomed out on their values. The Gen II bikes are going for about 7k+ and the Gen I's are sitting at 5-6.5k depending on mods. The Gen II bikes do have some nice improvements. I guess it depends on the bike, i got a warm fuzzy feeling from the PO and that has paid off bigtime.

 

[jmdaniel]

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!

Was your garage featured on that TV show "Hoarders" recently?

 

[Scythian]

Commuting. Commuting. Commuting....

I look forward to weekends so I don't have to ride.

 

[RadioHowie]

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!

Was your garage featured on that TV show "Hoarders" recently?

Judging from your avatar, you just wouldn't undertand. <_<

 

[Warchild]

I got it to pick up chicks.

 

[Geezer]

I got it to pick up chicks.

Picking up your daughter from soccer practice doesn't count as 'picking up chicks'. B)

 

[wheatonFJR]

Touring. Period.