Life with the 2014 FJR - good stuff!

[Fred W]

I very commonly have to park my '13 facing downhill to open the gate and enter my property. And then again to close it after I pass. The bike is in gear and (of course) not running in both cases. Many dozens of times and never a problem.

That sure sounds like a giant pain in the *** (having to manually operate a gate). I hope that you continue to have no problems. But couldn't you get a power gate operator? I know I'd be looking into one. Can't be much more expensive than a garage door opener.

Me... I'll continue to park with the nose of my bike up-hill (or at least on the level) to guarantee those results.

YMMV

 

[twisted]

I also have a slight downhill driveway. I back out of the garage, and then park across the driveway with the sidestand on the uphill side. Works great that way, but YMMV.

I get it started warming up while I get ear plugs, helmet, and gloves on. After that, I figure I'ts warm enough and off I go. Never had a drop (knock on wood).

 

[Fred W]

I also have a slight downhill driveway. I back out of the garage, and then park across the driveway with the sidestand on the uphill side. Works great that way, but YMMV.

Yes, you do have to be a little careful parking that way too. If the hill is severe enough the bike can be too close to vertical with the sidestand down, then when you lift your *** off the seat... crash! The big girl will flop over amazingly quickly for her size.

Same kind of thing will happen on the (right) side of a crowned roadway. The slope down to the gutter may be too much to allow you to parallel park the bike and you'll want to back the rear tire into the curb instead. Makes you wonder why all bikes come with the side stand on the left side of the bike?

Say... maybe those Brits have that driving side thing figured out correctly after all?

I get it started warming up while I get ear plugs, helmet, and gloves on. After that, I figure I'ts warm enough and off I go. Never had a drop (knock on wood).

I used to go through that ritual. Lately I've been more of a mind to say "to hell with a warm up." Get completely geared up and ready to go, thumb the starter button and ride off at high idle. I figure the engine will warm up just as well while also moving me down the road. Just take it easy for the first 5-10 minutes to let the engine and oil come up to temp.

I will note that my superior first gen bike has never had any propensity for stalling when cold or warming up. I don't think that is universally true for all 2nd gen bikes, as they did lower the cold idle speed somewhat to accommodate the YCCS (auto clutch) models.

 

[bergmen]

Lately I've been more of a mind to say "to hell with a warm up." Get completely geared up and ready to go, thumb the starter button and ride off at high idle. I figure the engine will warm up just as well while also moving me down the road. Just take it easy for the first 5-10 minutes to let the engine and oil come up to temp.

That is what I've been doing as well. Also previously with my C10 Concours as well. I want to be in command when the engine is running and with the Gen III EFI, it is ready to go right off the bat. I do let it idle for 1/2 a minute or so mostly to get the oil everywhere it needs to be before pulling away.

It is 1 1/2 miles down a country road to the 101 freeway so that is a good distance to get warmed up for gently getting on the freeway and setting the cruise.

Dan

 

[trapperdick]

Lately I've been getting in the habit of putting the kickstand down with the engine running in first gear........it shuts off the motor and locks the bike in gear., no rolling problems.........td

 

[2Alpha]

Definitely cooler than my '03. The warmest it's been since I picked it up is only around 26C - already noticed the difference though.I haven't had it out on the highway yet, I imagine the cruise control is a pretty nice touch - really the only reason that I upgraded to this bike.

I've noticed that the speedo reads about 7km/hr high compared to my known GPS - I wonder if that can be calibrated?

Good call on the garage sale in the winter - the only downside would be that all that crap would still be in there afterwards. -30C doesn't make for a good turnout - frickin' wimps!

Red Deer huh? Maybe a Western Canadian FJR rally is in order this summer - we have two bikes already...

Still waiting for the trunk to arrive - the dealership thought they'd have it within two weeks of when I purchased it, still nothing.

I am in for a Red Deer meet up.

 

[Canada Dan]

I am in for a Red Deer meet up.

Sounds good 2Alpha.

I can't make it this weekend, but let's keep in touch - I have family in Calgary so I'll be through there this summer as well.

Dan

 

[CA G-Man]

I won't be around for the next couple of weekends but other than that feel free to drop me a note if you're passing through (this is to any forum members).

 

[Heat42]

I also have a very nice new black 2014 and agree, the side stand does not seem to extend as far forward as my other bikes in the past. As far as the garage remotes are concerned, Home Depot sells a small one that fits a key ring. Works great. I'm located in Calgary and would be up for a ride if we can get together some time.

 

[Canada Dan]

I'd definitely be interested in a 'meet and greet' in Red Deer or Calgary - I'm on vacation for the next two weeks. Name a time and a place and we'll make it happen. The only time that I wouldn't be available is from Saturday until Tuesday - taking my youngest daughter through Saskatchewan River Crossing, Golden, Invermere, Canmore and home.

I took my oldest daughter through Saskatchewan River Crossing, Columbia Icefields, The Jasper Skywalk, Jasper, Maligne Lake and home last weekend - nice ride except for the rain.

The new bike is really good - cruise works flawlessly.

Hate that the speedometer reads way high - you'd think that for all of the technology and engineering they crammed into the bike, that they could make the thing register the correct speed. I spoke with the service manager at Alberta Cycle about it - he says that there is a 'fix' that can be purchased from somewhere or other - ugh.

The seat is a sore point as well - literally. My wife purchased two Airhawk II seat cushions for it a couple of days ago - we'll see if that helps.

Dan