samamoto
Well-known member
I passed you and I was like: "That's a nice FJR! I wonder if that guy is also on the forum..."
I read a bit about the plates - seems util. Power commander - this will be quite far on the list.
I bought an FJR - what to do now?
- Thread starter samamoto
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I read a bit about the plates - seems util. Power commander - this will be quite far on the list.
Welcome to the forum and FJR ownership! You got ripped off on the bike because they didn't include the clutch lever! 
LOL
Most of those scuffs look like a right side drop, but the right side cover is surely wear from riding gear and I've never seen a hole in the tail-light from a drop. Perhaps they backed into something at some point? I know my kid left the garbage can in the driveway, right in the path I take when backing my FJR out of the garage at 4:30am in the dark for my daily commute to work. I was quite shocked when I felt the bike hit something where nothing should be! No damage to my bike, but a wall or pickup truck in the way would probably do some damage.
The 06 and 07 had a problem with twitchy throttle response due to a different cam arrangement between the throttle tube cam and the throttle body cam. This combined with fuel injection mapping causes the throttle to be like an ON OFF switch coming off idle. Many riders like me replaced the throttle tube with a G3 version that has a modified cam profile to slow throttle response off idle and also installed a Power Commander to modify the fuel injection map for better smoothness. But if you're happy with the throttle response, then you can save some $$$.
LOLMost of those scuffs look like a right side drop, but the right side cover is surely wear from riding gear and I've never seen a hole in the tail-light from a drop. Perhaps they backed into something at some point? I know my kid left the garbage can in the driveway, right in the path I take when backing my FJR out of the garage at 4:30am in the dark for my daily commute to work. I was quite shocked when I felt the bike hit something where nothing should be! No damage to my bike, but a wall or pickup truck in the way would probably do some damage.
The 06 and 07 had a problem with twitchy throttle response due to a different cam arrangement between the throttle tube cam and the throttle body cam. This combined with fuel injection mapping causes the throttle to be like an ON OFF switch coming off idle. Many riders like me replaced the throttle tube with a G3 version that has a modified cam profile to slow throttle response off idle and also installed a Power Commander to modify the fuel injection map for better smoothness. But if you're happy with the throttle response, then you can save some $$$.
TomInPA
Well-known member
Welcome! You got a FJR and one foot out the door for your summer vacation. The only problem in owning a FJR is deciding if work is worthwhile anymore given the alternatives. I took the alternatives.
samamoto
Well-known member
I'm two days and almost 150 miles older with my FJR. First, thanks for all the good words around. I'm coming from a BMW R1150GS so I know the question "work or ride" pretty well
. What I can clearly tell after these two days and few rides would be:
- what I find as vibration on FJR would be my wet dream with BMW boxer
- it is insane how different two bikes can handle in the curves. I'm almost learning from new on how to take and manage the turns with FJR. I don't know if that's the handlebar width or overall geometry but FJR does need much more input to both enter and remain in the turn.
- I wish so much it had a 6th gear... (I know '16 will have)
- I was super happy with auto clutch when test riding, now I'm not that sold. Although it may be more because of the paddle shift. I hit horn multiple times, I still need to think on how to switch. On the other end I have a bit of jerking when cold - just made the clutch flush and bleeding, old fluid was pretty dark, hopefully tomorrow it will be solved. It will probably simply take me some time to adjust.
- damn it has POWER!
BTW - these white scuffs I had on saddle bags - it appeared to be just paint - a bit of paint thinner and they are gone
- what I find as vibration on FJR would be my wet dream with BMW boxer
- it is insane how different two bikes can handle in the curves. I'm almost learning from new on how to take and manage the turns with FJR. I don't know if that's the handlebar width or overall geometry but FJR does need much more input to both enter and remain in the turn.
- I wish so much it had a 6th gear... (I know '16 will have)
- I was super happy with auto clutch when test riding, now I'm not that sold. Although it may be more because of the paddle shift. I hit horn multiple times, I still need to think on how to switch. On the other end I have a bit of jerking when cold - just made the clutch flush and bleeding, old fluid was pretty dark, hopefully tomorrow it will be solved. It will probably simply take me some time to adjust.
- damn it has POWER!
BTW - these white scuffs I had on saddle bags - it appeared to be just paint - a bit of paint thinner and they are gone
Enn
Well-known member
Use your index finger and the upper part of the switch for both up and down shifting. Then you never hit the horn again
We have all gone through this
TomInPA
Well-known member
The FJR will turn like a pig if the tires are under-inflated, or badly worn. To improve handling dramatically, be sure front tire is at least 38 PSI, and if you have any question about the tire's history, replace it. The Bridgestone T30 on the front can work miracles for turn-in. The bike geometry can be tremendously improved with an aftermarket shock that allows the rear of the bike to be slightly more elevated. A worn shock will again ruin the turning geometry.
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BRick626
Active member
Welcome. Let me know if you get riding out Hood Canal way.
samamoto
Well-known member
I'm getting to the conclusion that it wasn't the FJR, it was me. I'm getting more and more used to the bike and it gets much better. I took my GS for a spin today and after the first turn I recalled the memory of how I felt when I just got it. Especially with the 50/50 tires this bike is pretty much like a rollercoaster. You make a tad of movement and with wide handlebars limiting the force needed and top heavy characteristics it dives to the ground. FJR is heavy but it turns in a civilized way, kind of like superbike.
I was doing that route (around the canal) few times before and that would be actually nice to make it again with FJR. This weekend I'm all covered with things to do but next Saturday cold be an option.
Happytrails63
Well-known member
Congrats on the new ride. Sounds like your having fun already. And dang this is an informative thread. Glad I stumbled on it. I'm a bit like you. I joined the forum awhile back to learn more about FJR's. Still haven't bought one. Had a chance to demo ride one so far. Maybe will be able to do it again this summer. Your comment about 6th gear is interesting. Has me thinking about other things like the clutch. Not yours but GenII's vs. Gen III's. Something that stood out to me when I rode a Gen III is how light and good the clutch felt. At the same time how smooth the power came on from idle. Enjoy your new ride and be safe
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samamoto
Well-known member
It's just a bunch o my opinions, no real facts. You should definitely test ride few bikes before you get an FJR and assess yourself.
6th gear. I happen to be travelling about 80% of my daily commute on HOV lanes of the highways which in the mornings makes me go pretty much at any speed I want to. At 80mph on the speedo (60 permitted + assumed 10% speedo error + the gravity of my ego bending hyperspace) it runs just about 4k RPM. I wouldn't mind if it was 1k lower because at these speeds I get only about 30mpg. On the other hand the true fun with this engine starts at 5k RPM and with the current gearing it is just about perfectly balanced between responsiveness and culture going at the mentioned 80mph.
FJRPittsburgh
Rally Addict
Congrats on the new ride. @ 4000 rpms in 5th gear, you'll get more than 30 mpg. I get at least 40 mpg at those speeds. It's @ 8000 rpms in 5th gear that you'll burn a little more fuel.
samamoto
Well-known member
Sounds like I have something to work on. Tech meeting would be so handy now...
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
Hang in there samamoto...it's just around the corner!
Does your '06 have a power commander? Might explain the poor mileage. Running the speeds you are, the bike should easily get mileage in the high 30s to low 40s.
--G
samamoto
Well-known member
No power commander. I just bought and poured the sea foam to start with. Over the weekend I'll make a preventive oil change and clean the air filter (hopefully it's OEM). At the same time I'll lift the tank and see what'she the status on the block off plates. It rides and I don't feel any bad signs that would make me consider parking it. Little by little I'll bring her to the proper condition.
The mileage of low 30s was from the computer, I'll be following it now old school way to see what error it may have.
The mileage of low 30s was from the computer, I'll be following it now old school way to see what error it may have.
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AdamK
Well-known member
Congrats! I remember looking at that bike. The rack and backrest are what I remember most. I was like a little kid climbing all over on that the ST and the RT couldn't really get a good look at it because they park them so close together. How do they do that?
RoadTrip
Well-known member
Congrats on the AE. I love mine hope to see you at the tech meet.
