Minnesota Owners

[carlson_mn]

On my car forum we have a MN Owners forum thread for rolling (random) discussion rather than starting a new thread. No need to stay on any particular topic.

On that point, I got some cool weather gloves by Teknic called Thunder WP (waterproof). Pretty nice gloves...goat hide and 150g of insulation. Went for a 30 mile drive tonight at about 28 degrees. Tips of fingers got a bit cold but pretty good for no grip warmers or hand guards (yet). Real nice gloves should be perfect for 40-60 degrees.

It was the first ride on the new PR2s. Balance job by Shane was perfect. Real smooth, no wobble on decel. Tires seem really nice although I did not push them much through the sandy cold roads. Saw the PR3s at Motoprimo and I have a feeling all those new sipes in them are going to make for a noisy tire and it takes away contact area too. I've never had an issue riding in the rain anyways, I take it easy on wet roads.

Will do the 15 mile commute to work tomorrow morning for the first time this year. I will probably be freezing in the morning but the ride home should be near perfect in the low 40s. Plus, two guys at work ride BMWs so bragging rights will be mine...

 

[mr.paul]

You go get 'em!

I am waiting for the next rainstorm to take my FJR out. The last snow we got, they spread a considerable amount of salt on the road by my house. I am hoping the rain this Thursday will take care of that and then the Feejer will be out.

I keep thinking I need a new pair of gloves. Very interested in how those prove to work for you. Do you have heated grips? I do have them and love them so much I can't see not having them. In our climate they get used often.

I am usually the hardcore rider where I work, but in the last year there have been some worthwhile challengers. I already saw a cycle there this year and a couple of bicyclists. But they don"t travel very far so that is only a limited bragging right.

I ran a few sets of the original Metzeler Z6's on my 2006 and then switched to the PR2"s for the last couple of sets. I liked the Z6's but get a little more milage out of the PR2's.

mr.paul from Minnesota

 

[Gramps]

Nice gloves Matt, but like mr.paul said heated grips really do help make cold weather tolerable along with heated gear. I just picked up a Powerlet heated jacket on closeout from Premier Cycle for $200 shipped including all necessary wiring & controller.

I'm on my second set of PR2's & love them. I keep coming back to Michelin's, they seem to be the best for the way I ride.

I take mine in today for a valve clearance adjustment & I'm getting my rear shock rebuilt. I think I mentioned it at Shane's last Saturday, Race Tech now makes a rebuild kit ($165) for the '03-'07 FJR's. It does require some surgery so I'm having MotorSports Plus do the work. I'll report back on how it performs.

 

[carlson_mn]

Let us know how the shock feels after a rebuild. Mine has 37k and I probably wouldn't know if it's worn out until I hop on another FJR with a good shock. The price of aftermarket shocks is just ridiculous.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Let me know how it performs in the cold AND the rain.

I have a Tourmaster glove that worked in the cold well enough (for not being heated gear) but supposedly waterproof (it did do well in the bucket test). However, in October of 2009 on my ride down to the MO/AR TBA with murph...it failed in the storm we rode through that dumped 6 inches of rain in some spots. Nothing worse than upper 30s and drenching rain.

It has become a "hand me down" winter glove for my son, David.

I've since bought the Tourmaster Winter Elite gloves...clicky...and will use them as cold weather gloves on my ride out to Kali in May. Although, I hope I don't test them to extremes on this trip...I hope they perform well.

 

[carlson_mn]

^Now that's a beefy and nice looking pair of gloves there.

 

[carlson_mn]

Ordered up a set of Hot Grips grips today. Hands were perfectly comfortable riding in 40 degree temps on the way home yesterday though, but a bit chilly again today towards the end of my commute to work (18 degrees). A Mini Cooper wanted to dance around keeping up with through traffic today with me.... he lost, but they do fit in tights spots well for a car.

 

[carlson_mn]

If anyone is interested in meeting up to ride to Monticello tomorrow morning, there is an open house at Moon Motorsports there with test rides of bikes. Since I have a thing going on at about noon, I'm thinking about heading that way around 9am, it should be nice out. If anyone is interested, gimme a call at 952-210-9145 anytime tonight or a PM. A bunch of concours and st1300 guys are meeting up at a Perkins in Hopkins at 8am before riding out there, so that could be an option.

 

[carlson_mn]

Well, saw 5 FJRs at Moon Motorsports, talked to one of the guys briefly, I think his name was Mark on a 08 Maroon. Didn't see any of the other owners though. Unfortunately I had to leave before any of the open test ride slots were available. I kinda wanted to try an ST1300 or new FJR.

 

[carlson_mn]

Although I'd rather ride than look at bikes most nights, I'm going with a co-worker and his BMW down to Dulono's for the First Thursday Bike gathering down there... I imagine it will be a good showing since the weather is great (upper 50s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I will be down for a ride around the cities afterwards as well.

 

[mr.paul]

Although I'd rather ride than look at bikes most nights, I'm going with a co-worker and his BMW down to Dulono's for the First Thursday Bike gathering down there... I imagine it will be a good showing since the weather is great (upper 50s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I will be down for a ride around the cities afterwards as well.

Should be a great night for it. Shoot, I already made plans with the wife for tonight or I would meet up with you at Dulonos. 'nuther time I suppose.

mr.paul

 

[mr.paul]

Well, saw 5 FJRs at Moon Motorsports, talked to one of the guys briefly, I think his name was Mark on a 08 Maroon. Didn't see any of the other owners though. Unfortunately I had to leave before any of the open test ride slots were available. I kinda wanted to try an ST1300 or new FJR.

I happen to have both a 2006 FJR and a 2005 ST1300 in the stable. The ST is da wife's bike. Very nice bike. Very confidence inspiring. Deceptive though. You are actually going faster than you realize. I know I would get more "performance awards" on the ST if I rode it more, even though the FJR is more powwerful. Twice on the ST I entered the freeway thinking I was at about 75mph only to look down and see I was over 100mph. I think it is a combination of how solid the bike is and the relative lesser feedback you get from that smooth bike. Nice touring mount.

mr.paul

 

[Gramps]

Although I'd rather ride than look at bikes most nights, I'm going with a co-worker and his BMW down to Dulono's for the First Thursday Bike gathering down there... I imagine it will be a good showing since the weather is great (upper 50s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I will be down for a ride around the cities afterwards as well.

If it wasn't for a prior commitment I would be down there.

Cya on the 30th Matt.

 

[mr.paul]

Ordered up a set of Hot Grips grips today. Hands were perfectly comfortable riding in 40 degree temps on the way home yesterday though, but a bit chilly again today towards the end of my commute to work (18 degrees). A Mini Cooper wanted to dance around keeping up with through traffic today with me.... he lost, but they do fit in tights spots well for a car.

When I ordered my 2006 FJR, I ordered the factory heated grips (way over priced!) I did so because I had just picked up my wife's ST1300 on a cold (27 degree) day and couldn't believe what a difference those Honda grips made. I originally thought I would use them just for those very cold days. Well, after living with them now for 5 years, I can tell you I was a little wrong. I use them way more often! I have used them into the 60's even. Especially in the rain. It is one of those things that once you have them, and they are variable, there is no longer a good reason not to use them. I am thouroughly hooked. I have barely even used my winter gloves in the last couple of years. Even on a cool day they are running. And the factory grips vary thier output depending on speed, so when you come to a stoplight they go down to about 10% power, so I never worry about them draining the system. Gen II FJR's have more charging power anyway, so I heat an electric vest/jacket and the grips with no problem. If you don't have an electric vest yet, boy, there is another avenue you should explore. Another one of those things that once you have it, you won't want to give it up.

mr.paul

 

[mr.paul]

Let me know how it performs in the cold AND the rain.

I have a Tourmaster glove that worked in the cold well enough (for not being heated gear) but supposedly waterproof (it did do well in the bucket test). However, in October of 2009 on my ride down to the MO/AR TBA with murph...it failed in the storm we rode through that dumped 6 inches of rain in some spots. Nothing worse than upper 30s and drenching rain.

It has become a "hand me down" winter glove for my son, David.

I've since bought the Tourmaster Winter Elite gloves...clicky...and will use them as cold weather gloves on my ride out to Kali in May. Although, I hope I don't test them to extremes on this trip...I hope they perform well.

Cool looking gloves. Love the self storing rain cover. Are they thick on the palm side or thin? For many years I have carried the Aerostich Rain Gloves https://www.aerostich.com/off-and-riding/gloves/rain-glove-covers/aerostich-triple-digit-rain-covers.html

They have worked amazingly well for me. All day rains and dry hands. They work as impromptu windbreakers also. Just a little slippery on the grips but not bad. They store small, folded up in a jacket pocket and can be deployed quickly. Looks like the gloves you have use a similar concept.

mr.paul

 

[wheatonFJR]

If all goes well, I will be riding with you guys on April 30th and staying overnight at gramps...I'll bring those gloves along. I haven't used them yet to know whether they are all hype or not...but the features look pretty good.

 

[carlson_mn]

Nice it would be nice to meet you and good excuse for a road trip. That'll be at least three '04s there.

 

[wheatonFJR]

...That'll be at least three '04s there.

Best year of course.

Dana/opt8low would still have one if he wasn't in such an all fired up hurry to get down the hill into Gays Mills, WI.

 

[Cruzin]

...That'll be at least three '04s there.

Best year of course.

Dana/opt8low would still have one if he wasn't in such an all fired up hurry to get down the hill into Gays Mills, WI.

I haven't seen a corner yet he wasn't in a hurry to get through