My First Ride On An FJR

[LSUBOY]

Drove up to Bikeweek to test ride an FJR and get a look at the 06 Blue and Silver.

Got there at 7:30 and the line to test ride was 25 yards long. About 15 minutes after I signed up, the announcement came that "IF YOU ARE STANDING IN LINE TO RIDE AN FJR or an R6/I think it was, WE'RE SORRY BUT IT IS FULL FOR THE DAY".

That damn FJR has a following and is revered by folks like it's a Mafia Chief or someone. After putting time in on my 97 Royal Star and 05 Venture, I came away with these assumptions:

A. This bike is nimble, unlike ANY crusier. You muscle a cruser to do things while you just flick an FJR.

B. There is some HEAT emulating from it when you snug your legs up to the tank at a light; However, jacking my legs a couple of inches off the bike would make it go away and getting up to speeds negated it. My 05 Venture does the same thing but the heat comes down by your lower legs.

C. I feel for anyone like myself coming from a strictly cruser approach to the FJR because { I thingk} the transition to the DIFFERENT riding position of the FJR is gonna be a bitch.

I wanted so badly to stretch-out my legs, they were aching at one point. And, I found changing gears with that baby spoon-sized gear shift lever to be a drill in concentration. Mah arms were killing me from having to lean froward to them small handle bars and I kept feeling as if the resting angle of my hands and wrists were in fact supporting the weight of my upper body. A cruise control will be a must.

D. The bike performs well and does things effortless. Doing 70 MPH is like yawning for it.

E. Order the bigger windshield as per I am used to NO buffeting at all.

In conclusion, I'm looking froward to getting my 06, I loved standing around the 06 demo bikes and listening to people come up and talk about the FJR like it was Elvis, I feel that it's gonna be a bitch keeping shoe marks off the top of the right rear bag and last but not least, I am gonna have to work on strengthing my legs and wrists/arms as per riding.

Eye brought an FJR hat too and have it on right now.......Bye Y'all!

 

[afterburn]

Seating position is something you will be used to after 1 day of riding. First day will hurt, second day will hurt a little bit and after the third you don't know any better.

 

[lawinter]

After coming from a cruiser my first thought

pulling into my driveway after the five mile ride from the dealer

was " I don't know if I like this motorcycle "

After a 100 mile get aquainted ride that afternoon

my thought getting off was

" I realy like this motorcycle"

The riding position is fine.

And you will get scuff marks on the luggage.

 

[madmike2]

Re: scuff marks

Learn to mount your motorcycle. Get limber, stretched out (you know, bend over, touch your toes). Remember you have hard panniers and plan to lean over and miss them. Buy a spray can of truck-bed-liner and tape off, then paint, a small area where you constantly kick your side-case.

Some report having to become accustomed to the seating position, up to a couple of weeks or the new muscle groups you will be using to become strengthened from use without complaining with aches.

Yes, a throttle lock or cruise control helps. My Russell seat is 1" taller, so I added risers to compensate. The biggest thing is the muscles you haven't used. Other than that, make the bike fit "your" style. (I suppose I was fortunate that, coming from the Concours, the seating position was close.

Now you know what we owners defend about our FJRs. Ain't they fun! Wait until you are riding yours, the smile is never-ending.

 

[markjenn]

Yes, the FJR is a barco-lounger compared to any sportbike. If you're having huge arm weight issues on an FJR, you're definitely very accustomed to the cruiser riding position. Give it some time before you try and solve a "problem" which may turn out to be something you really like. One of the reasons sport-tourers like the FJR handle so much better is because they get more weight on the front wheel and put the rider in a position to actively use body weight and use their strength to more aggressively counter-steer rather than sitting on the bike like a sack of flour.

- Mark

 

[Bugnatr]

When you get your 06 say goodbye to your cruiser buddies because you will be gone!

 

[madmike2]

When you get your 06 say goodbye to your cruiser buddies because you will be gone!

Oooooh, I dunno. I still ride with my cruiser and Goldwing buddies....sometimes. But then, my buddies really ride.

 

[gypsy]

LSUBOY,

If you find that you don't get used to the riding position there are always bar risers. Not sure if there are any for the 06 yet as it has adjustable settings so a different se-up. For me it was my neck that ached. After I got the risers it was 100% better.

gypsy

 

[LSUBOY]

When you get your 06 say goodbye to your cruiser buddies because you will be gone!

Um already gone from them. Shucks, after getting home last night I kept thinking that "I've gotta save some money up and get a BUSA next year".

 

[LSUBOY]

LSUBOY,
If you find that you don't get used to the riding position there are always bar risers. Not sure if there are any for the 06 yet as it has adjustable settings so a different se-up. For me it was my neck that ached. After I got the risers it was 100% better.

gypsy

If you guys can fugure it all out, I will probably be alright. Only problem is I gotta figure it out FAST. Let's see:

June 10-17: Rochester, Shreveport, Amarillo, Taos, Alamosa, Durango, Ouray, Monument Valley.

June / First week: Americade

June 23-26: Johnstown, Penn. and area mountains

August: Sturgis

September: Sparta and the COM

Yep, I will be doing some serious touring on that booger and knowing that you guys made it work for you is just MUSIC to mah ears. See you on tha rode guys!

 

[boogahboogah]

Hey LSUBOY,

Came from a 2000 RS Boulevard (no bags, more naked). 75HP vs 145HP.

Took awhile before the seating position became natural, but 220 miles per tank sure beat the 120-140 on the RS. After a tank on the RS the bottom of my spine had a case of the tingles I couldn't believe. 5-10 minutes to walk it off. FJR last year it was my knees (forgot the Ibruprofin trick) but the buns were OK, just a little hot (from the plastic seat, not engine heat).

Did the Russell seat this winter, in leather & had them add 2 inches to seat height.

Perfecto, no seat heat, no knee problems, just have to get off every once 'n awhile to refill gas. The biggest problem now is not getting speeding tickets...

Damn I love this bike !

 

[lotecredneck]

Yes, the FJR is a barco-lounger compared to any sportbike. If you're having huge arm weight issues on an FJR, you're definitely very accustomed to the cruiser riding position. Give it some time before you try and solve a "problem" which may turn out to be something you really like. One of the reasons sport-tourers like the FJR handle so much better is because they get more weight on the front wheel and put the rider in a position to actively use body weight and use their strength to more aggressively counter-steer rather than sitting on the bike like a sack of flour.
- Mark

Or in my case a sack of cement!

 

[Scab]

When you get your '06, if it is anything like the '05, put some risers on it, do the center throttle return spring mod, get a throttle-rocker, full-face helmet, ride with the sheild down when it's warm, TOG's, then twist the piss out of it.

 

[madmike2]

One issue that must be considered, since Yamaha has changed the bar mounting (with the adjusters) the curent bar risers will probably not fit, so it may be awhile before the "custom fitting" aftermarked products are available.

I ride with many West coast owners who have done no modifications to their seat or bars and are completely happy. There will be products available for the '06s in a short time.

Since you have so many miles planned, I would suggest that if you begin to suffer "butt burn", you get a piece of lambs wool (A seat cover from the local CSK/NAPA/whatever) to alleviate the hotspots. It wouldn't matter what bike you ordered, your tender spots will have to adapt to the new seat.

Some kind of throttle lock would also be agreat advantage, just something so you could take your hand off the throttle to stretch it and get the blood flowing. At least that's what "older riders" must do...or so I've heard.

 

[Mike-H]

Ride & enjoy 1st, repeat numerous times , only than add only what you deem you need as personalized farkles... B)

 

[FJRMGM]

get the Tank Slapper kit to protect the top of the bags from scuffing - works on mine.

And, you are correct about the FJR cruising effortlessly at 70 mph, and 80 mph..

I just got back from a three day weekend where I rode 750 miles and got 50 mpg on the first tank and 45 mpg on the last couple.

After 23,000 miles and lots and lots of smiles while riding I can truly say I own the best all-around motorcyle I have ever had and am damn glad I bought it.

 

[Pacman]

In conclusion, I'm looking froward to getting my 06, I loved standing around the 06 demo bikes and listening to people come up and talk about the FJR like it was Elvis...

What's right vs. what brings in $$ ??

Everyone with an order for an '06 should have PRIORITY testing "rights" on these caddle shoots to test ride. Then again, they've got our $ already so they are going for more. BUT isn't PDP "closed for the season"? So what's the point of allowing test rides to people who haven't ordered and will not be able to?

Dear Mr. Yamaha, THAT PISSES ME OFF !!!!!

 

[FJRottie]

Like others have said...

The FJR has ergos that you must get used to if you have not ridden anything like it.

Ride it for a while before you make changes. Besides, the 06s don't have anything for mods.

Most of the items people are slapping on 03-05s will not work on the 06.

The seat and bars are adjustable on the 06.

 

[NovaFlyer]

Appreciate the ride report LSUBOY. Being another guy coming from the cruiser world, I appreciate your perspective. I did ride a ST1300 last summer that got me back into the sport touring frame of mind, but do wonder how the day to day ride will be. Does feel weird though having purchased the Feejr not having ever ridden it.

Oh well. Bottom line is that I am a two wheel sl*t so can enjoy anything as long as it's motorized and has two wheels.

**pst. Been told my 'A' model has cleared customs so it's only a matter of weeks now ... :hyper: