How do you use your FJR?

[Bungie]

Use my FJR?

My FJR uses me. Sometimes it uses me for running errands like picking up farkles at the dealer, other times for toodling around backroads looking around. Occasionally, it wants to stretch its legs in the mountains to the south. I swear though, its favourite thing to do is scaring squids on sportbikes.

I don't mind though, so long as it takes me along for the ride.

 

[El Toro Joe]

I use mine whenever I can

 

[Dave Migliore]

How do you use your FJR?

I use my bike like a hypodermic needle – and get my fix whenever I can when I need it.

 

[JamesW]

The FJR is a superb machine however you need something that fits your needs. I love my 08, but I have a wing for groceries and taking the wife for rides in places like Yellowstone, trailer the bike there, got to admit somedays the heated seats are nice.

 

[El Toro Joe]

The FJR is a superb machine however you need something that fits your needs. I love my 08, but I have a wing for groceries and taking the wife for rides in places like Yellowstone, trailer the bike there, got to admit somedays the heated seats are nice.

You tow your FJR to Yellowstone, two-up on the Wing filled with groceries? :blink:

 

[chrisflock]

I generally use my FJR to travel to and from 'jobs'. I suppose you could call it a commute. I feel that it is quite well suited to this role, as most people aren't on the lookout for a bike. They are watching for something more like an SUV with tinted windows or a white ford panel van. The FJR also offers significantly improved mobility over something like an SUV. It is much easier to swerve down an alley at the last moment, lane split through traffic, and in some situations it is even possible to squeeze between vehicle barriers. This is of unspeakable value when a job does not go as planned and you need to 'escape'. I'm sure we all understand how 'work troubles' try to follow you around, and the FJR excels at evading.

Additionally, the saddlebags are great for carrying the 'tools' that you need to get a job done, while keeping them out of sight. The tank is well suited to a tank bag that can carry the sort of items one might need while en route to or from a 'job'. The rear seat is a nice place to strap large objects to, and if tools are chosen with care, many times they can fit into a case that comes to right about the same width as the saddle bags when strapped on the seat, which of course is less conspicuous.

Of course, I'm talking about an ordinary office job, one that might entail the occasional on-site meeting with a client, or the occasional multi-day business trip. And that black case, it just has...fishing gear. Fishing gear and nothing else.

 

[jmdaniel]

You sound like James freakin' Bond!

 

[tmc]

I generally use my FJR to travel to and from 'jobs'. I suppose you could call it a commute. I feel that it is quite well suited to this role, as most people aren't on the lookout for a bike. They are watching for something more like an SUV with tinted windows or a white ford panel van. The FJR also offers significantly improved mobility over something like an SUV. It is much easier to swerve down an alley at the last moment, lane split through traffic, and in some situations it is even possible to squeeze between vehicle barriers. This is of unspeakable value when a job does not go as planned and you need to 'escape'. I'm sure we all understand how 'work troubles' try to follow you around, and the FJR excels at evading.
Additionally, the saddlebags are great for carrying the 'tools' that you need to get a job done, while keeping them out of sight. The tank is well suited to a tank bag that can carry the sort of items one might need while en route to or from a 'job'. The rear seat is a nice place to strap large objects to, and if tools are chosen with care, many times they can fit into a case that comes to right about the same width as the saddle bags when strapped on the seat, which of course is less conspicuous.

Of course, I'm talking about an ordinary office job, one that might entail the occasional on-site meeting with a client, or the occasional multi-day business trip. And that black case, it just has...fishing gear. Fishing gear and nothing else.

Hello Martin Blank.

Give Budrow the dog my regards and tell Debi she has a nice ***.

 

[Fred W]

I think he's a hit man.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I generally use my FJR to travel to and from 'jobs'. I suppose you could call it a commute. I feel that it is quite well suited to this role, as most people aren't on the lookout for a bike. They are watching for something more like an SUV with tinted windows or a white ford panel van. The FJR also offers significantly improved mobility over something like an SUV. It is much easier to swerve down an alley at the last moment, lane split through traffic, and in some situations it is even possible to squeeze between vehicle barriers. This is of unspeakable value when a job does not go as planned and you need to 'escape'. I'm sure we all understand how 'work troubles' try to follow you around, and the FJR excels at evading.
Additionally, the saddlebags are great for carrying the 'tools' that you need to get a job done, while keeping them out of sight. The tank is well suited to a tank bag that can carry the sort of items one might need while en route to or from a 'job'. The rear seat is a nice place to strap large objects to, and if tools are chosen with care, many times they can fit into a case that comes to right about the same width as the saddle bags when strapped on the seat, which of course is less conspicuous.

Of course, I'm talking about an ordinary office job, one that might entail the occasional on-site meeting with a client, or the occasional multi-day business trip. And that black case, it just has...fishing gear. Fishing gear and nothing else.

Geez...just how dangerous is it getting up there in Cheeseland now with Brett Favre gone?

 

[fjr mississippi]

I generally use my FJR to travel to and from 'jobs'. I suppose you could call it a commute. I feel that it is quite well suited to this role, as most people aren't on the lookout for a bike. They are watching for something more like an SUV with tinted windows or a white ford panel van. The FJR also offers significantly improved mobility over something like an SUV. It is much easier to swerve down an alley at the last moment, lane split through traffic, and in some situations it is even possible to squeeze between vehicle barriers. This is of unspeakable value when a job does not go as planned and you need to 'escape'. I'm sure we all understand how 'work troubles' try to follow you around, and the FJR excels at evading.
Additionally, the saddlebags are great for carrying the 'tools' that you need to get a job done, while keeping them out of sight. The tank is well suited to a tank bag that can carry the sort of items one might need while en route to or from a 'job'. The rear seat is a nice place to strap large objects to, and if tools are chosen with care, many times they can fit into a case that comes to right about the same width as the saddle bags when strapped on the seat, which of course is less conspicuous.

Of course, I'm talking about an ordinary office job, one that might entail the occasional on-site meeting with a client, or the occasional multi-day business trip. And that black case, it just has...fishing gear. Fishing gear and nothing else.

Meeting with clients huh? Are you charging them by the hour? :blink:

 

[Patriot]

Common folks...quit feeding this guy ******** and say it like it is...the FJR is a piece of crap...let me count the ways:

the throttle will kill you hand...too expensive to add a throttle lock and or electronic cruise control

the horn is way too wimpy...too much trouble replacing the stock horns and it will blow up the crappy horn button...relays are for fools...and to add an air horn...too much trouble to MOST folks

tires wear out too fast and balls fall off even to consider an auto tire

windshield is too small and replacements cost well over $1000

ignition switches blow up all the time and the suspension sucks pond water

and most of all, someone's engine grenades on a daily basis

stay away...stay way away... :clapping:

 

[NyquilJunkie]

As a reason to get out of bed each morning,

 

[chrisflock]

Hello Martin Blank.
Give Budrow the dog my regards and tell Debi she has a nice ***.

I had to google to get the movie reference. I guess I don't watch enough movies...

Seriously, though, I use my bike to commute during the 6-9month 'unglaciated' period (the season alternate winter, commonly known as 'Road Construction'). I have a pretty short commute. Is the FJR overkill? Hell yeah. But if you have an in-town commute, anything over a moped is overkill. If the speed limit exceeds 25, anything over a Ninja 250 is overkill. But does that mean it is 'too much', no. The power is nice for accelerating away from traffic (and although my commute is short, it follows one of 3 north-south corridors in La Crosse, and crosses/merges with 2 of the major east-west ways 'into town'). The bags are great for bringing stuff to and from work (lunch, laptop, diet coke, etc).

The bike often encourages me to take interesting routes to and from work, often traveling more miles away from work/home than the distance of the commute itself would be. And on those occasions when I can get away, I've been known to drive the bike to work loaded up and simply hop on and take off after work.

 

[marcusorelius]

I use mine to take duke wherever the little basturd wants to go!

 

[MEM]

I got it to pick up chicks.

How's that working for you? Even better.... picking up chicks with their OWN FJRs !

 

[Geezer]

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

Can't be too far, I got there and back on the same set of tires, including a few side trips.

 

[Scythian]

Common folks...quit feeding this guy ******** and say it like it is...the FJR is a piece of crap...let me count the ways:
the throttle will kill you hand...too expensive to add a throttle lock and or electronic cruise control

the horn is way too wimpy...too much trouble replacing the stock horns and it will blow up the crappy horn button...relays are for fools...and to add an air horn...too much trouble to MOST folks

tires wear out too fast and balls fall off even to consider an auto tire

windshield is too small and replacements cost well over $1000

ignition switches blow up all the time and the suspension sucks pond water

and most of all, someone's engine grenades on a daily basis

stay away...stay way away... :clapping:

I was warming my bike up sitting on the centerstand this morning parked next to a tree. I noticed a high pitch squeal/screech for a fraction of a second when starting the bike.

I shifted 55 times in a minute; then the throttle got too sensitive; the seat was too hard, my grips were too hard the throttle spring was too hard and it started ticking and roasted my left leg so I put the sidestand down to take it off the centerstand. I pulled the front brake lever in until it touched the grip. The front end clunked and I stripped the oil pan while I was gently squeezing my anti-lock brakes like an orange to keep them from locking up when I realized the brakes aren't as powerful as I thought.

When I was lowering it off the centerstand, the sidestand collapsed and it landed on my metal slider which broke my frame causing my Metzeler tire to fail and both sidebags to unlock and fall off. The car swerving into my lane couldn't hear my wimpy horn and there was no grease on my spline. It was wobbling at 48.5 mph and the buzzing was making my hands numb. I couldn't hear anything 'cuz of the static in my intercom.

The glovebox wouldn't open and the suspension was too mushy. My cover wore the paint off the tops of my mirrors. Then I got yelled at by another rider on a group ride

Picking it up, I tore my bicep, wrenched my back, both knees and got monkey butt....

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I've been in the market for a different bike for quite a while, I would like to do more riding and less wrenching.

Most 'newer' ('90s-on) motorcycles don't need much "wrenching" -- and there are many fine motorcycles from which to choose.

I currently commute to work as much as I can ...and like to get out of the city on weekends. I don't go long distances but like to ride a bit aggressive

My wife isn't very excited about riding with me

So I wonder if the FJR is more than I need

Since I've ridden alot and toured alot for decades, my local dealers often send potential sport-touring buyers to me to discuss their intended purchases. I ask them, "Do you frequently take rides that cross several state boundaries?" Often, the answer is (something-like): "No -- I just putt around locally." I, then, don't recommmend that they purchase a big, heavy, powerful bike for that kind of use.

Sometimes, they do it anyway and the dealer later reports to me their (general) un-happiness with the bike -- generally, things just not going right: niggles, faults, ?, etc.

Other bikes that I have been considering are the Kawasaki ZRX1200 and the Honda Blackbird.

Neither of these bikes are in line with the type of riding you describe you do -- their designed purpose is ulta high speed long distance 'road-burning' (something the FJR is good at, too...).

I wonder if there is better reliability on FJR's 2006 and up.

They're all (FJRs) reliable.

I Have some concerns about overheating since I do so much city riding.

Some of the best city bikes/hot weather bikes I've had have been air-cooled (air-oil cooled) with no, or minimal, fairings. Big engines with water-jackets and radiators and fans and full-coverage fairings may not be the wisest choice for city commuting?

Linked brakes will take some getting used to.

Many (most?) have found the operation of linked brakes to go mostly un-noticed.

So please share your wisdom, thanks.

You're welcome.

 

[wheatonFJR]

As a reason to get out of bed each morning,

I thought that's what you used the Nyquil for? :blink: