How does your FJR steer?

[rfespinosa]

My '08 FJR seems similar to ugar-6. OEM tires were Z6's and I am on my next set of Z6's.

My previous bike to the FJR was a BMW K1200 RS and coming off that bike onto the FJR I felt the FJR handled better, lighter, and was much easier to handle at parking lot speeds or making u-turns in two lane country roads. It also seemed easier to flick around a corner.

I came from a different perspective, and the same handling described by ugar-6 seemed like an improvement to me. To him, it seems like a concern. Bottom line, I think it is normal for the FJR and I would say the condition of the bike is ok.

Ron

 

[FJRless]

I test rode an 08 FJR today and may buy it. It's a fair deal but not a great deal. However, it's VERY close to me. I rode it and it rode pretty good. However, at low speeds, the front tire turns into the direction you are turning. At speeds it turned kind of like a sportsbike. Is this normal? I noticed the front tire pressure was a little low but not too bad. I didn't see anything wrong with the forks nor did I feel fork oil on the legs. I just want to make sure this is normal before I drop the change. Everything else on the bike seemed pretty spot on as far as performance goes.

Pay no attention to these farkle addicts. I think what it comes down to is that your perception of a difference emanates from a difference in clip-on configuration. A sport bike has more narrow and angled back handles and the FJT has much wider and more lateral attachments. You arm position is much different and I think you might be more cognizant of the steering differences.

 

[BanjoBoy]

I test rode an 08 FJR today and may buy it. It's a fair deal but not a great deal. However, it's VERY close to me. I rode it and it rode pretty good. However, at low speeds, the front tire turns into the direction you are turning. At speeds it turned kind of like a sportsbike. Is this normal? I noticed the front tire pressure was a little low but not too bad. I didn't see anything wrong with the forks nor did I feel fork oil on the legs. I just want to make sure this is normal before I drop the change. Everything else on the bike seemed pretty spot on as far as performance goes.

Mine too falls into a corner a slower speeds, but I like it like that. I'm running Z6 s 40 psi f and 43 r, with the rear suspension on "hard" and the front is on the stock factory settings. if you add pre-load to the front, and soften the rear, that should make it steer better at parking lot speeds, but then if you get on the gas through a faster corner, the bike won't hold it's line as well, and will want to run wide. (Unless you make a steering input.)

Put some air in the tires and ride the thing! :thumbsupsmileyanim:

 

[Wannabe_4x4]

I test rode an 08 FJR today and may buy it. It's a fair deal but not a great deal. However, it's VERY close to me. I rode it and it rode pretty good. However, at low speeds, the front tire turns into the direction you are turning. At speeds it turned kind of like a sportsbike. Is this normal? I noticed the front tire pressure was a little low but not too bad. I didn't see anything wrong with the forks nor did I feel fork oil on the legs. I just want to make sure this is normal before I drop the change. Everything else on the bike seemed pretty spot on as far as performance goes.

I agree with another post on here about the suspension because I felt the same thing... could be you're nose low in comparison to the back. Best way to tell is go a full turn tighter on the forks, go ride, see if it's harder to turn into a corner (means you're too high). If it feels better, problem solved. If you're nose low, it's turn quicker and handle like a sportbike. If you're nose high, the bike's not going to fall in fast enough, and the steering will be stiffer.

Take it from me... do NOT mess with the hydraulics (comp. & rebound). You'll just open yourself up to a nightmare of suspension tweaking and tuning.

 

[tesla]

Perhaps I'm reading your post too literally but what I hear you describe is normal. Steering is in the direction of the turn until you reach a certain speed, then obviously you counter-steer.

Au contraire...Countersteering initiates the turn. Anyhow, check out this lengthy thread about someone who recently purchased a used FJR, and had some steering issues with it. His problem is now solved :yahoo:

I am the author of the thread mentioned above and I can tell you that I feel like the low speed maneuvers feels just right. New PR2's and Haulinashe's suspension recommendations made this happen. I come from a V-Strom 650 and feel like low speed stuff on the FJR is an improvement and comparable on cornering but every time I get out on the bike it feels better than the last. On paper Haulin's suspension recommendations should feel stiffer than what they are but what I get is a fairly soft ride on the straights and confident and predictable cornering that puts a big ass smile on my face.

 

[boomerang]

I went out for a cold ass ride in mid december,when I first started out I thought that I might be having an inner ear problem or balance problem. The bike handled like crap! After a few miles of riding I started to get re-acclumated to the way she handles and did'nt have any futher issuse's.

Let's face it,this is not some layed back cruiser. She likes to be ridden. And she will challange your skill's from time to time.

 

[tesla]

I went out for a cold ass ride in mid december,when I first started out I thought that I might be having an inner ear problem or balance problem. The bike handled like crap! After a few miles of riding I started to get re-acclumated to the way she handles and did'nt have any futher issuse's.Let's face it,this is not some layed back cruiser. She likes to be ridden. And she will challange your skill's from time to time.

I don't get it. This bike handles beautifully and predictably but then I've only ridden about 5 different bikes prior to the FJR, 2 of them were mine. Only the Suzuki SV-650 felt better. I got this BECAUSE it handled better and was more nimble than most, if not all, of the sport tourers. I hope you guys are exaggerating. Is my positive experience with the FJR because of new PR2's? Tell me it doesn't deteriorate quicky as the tires wear.

 

[designeraccd]

After NOT being on my '06 FJR since mid-NOV I felt that low speed steering "response" yesterday, too. Tires were, of course, properly aired up b4 first ride of year. After a few miles of backroad running-at moderate speeds given the 39F temps-the big bike felt "normal" again. Still, IMhO, the best bike-for me-out of the 82 bikes I've owned!! A GR8 combo of everything I like in a motorcycle.........DFO

 

[highcountry]

Speaking of handling. Yesterday, a buddy brought his FZ1 over to change the oil on his bike and my recently acquired Honda Valkyrie. We got the maintenance chores out of the way and hit the road for a nice ride. I rode my Valk and invited him to ride the FJR. We put in a nice 50 mile circuit of sweepers, straights, and hills and when we got back to the house, he exclaimed "wow, why did you do this to me!" He had been riding a naked bike in the 40s and freezing his a$$ (hands, legs, torso, etc.) off. Among other things, he was amazed at how much better the FJR handled the curves than his FZ1 did. I am still running the OEM tires and he has upgraded to Michelin PRs. I have set up my suspension as recommended on the board here.

Bottomline: another FJR owner in the making!