Need some perspective

bvail · Aug 31, 2006

Bliz said:
A Goldwing is about the last bike I would ever own. Too unmanuverable. Don't need a bike that's sewing machine smooth but don't want another Concours that would leave you numb from the waist up after an hour. I also tried putting rubber between the handlebar mounts and top triple clamp on the Concours with 0 effect. Foam grips did help though. Still, overall I liked the Concours.

Have you ridden the GL1800? I think you might be surprised as to the manuverability. It's quite fast also. Does have a bit of vibes, but nothing like my FJR which vibrates much less than previous bikes (Harley, Matchless, XS750D). I installed Throttlemeister heavy, disconnected the main throttle spring and used FoamTubing grip covers. I was going to put some FoamTubing on the Wing, but seems like they might be out of business. The website www.foamtubing.com doesn't work anymore. TBS helps, as does a good pair of gloves, but all in all, I don't think that vibration is a big issue.

EDIT - p.s. the GL1800 might be too unmanuverable for you, but check out this guy: YELLOW WOLF He will make a video of you riding the Dragon. To do this, he uses a GL1800 with 3 cameras. He will keep up. If you visit his website, check out Killboy's site also for some awesome photos.

chickey191 · Aug 31, 2006

compared to the connie - there is no comparison

compared to the honda - I'd say that the fjr is a tad LESS vibratory

compared to the V-Strom -- I don't know.

compared to a GL1800 = the feejer definitely has a buzz to it

compared to K1200LT - the feejer definetely has a buzz

compared to a R1100RT or R1150RT or GS or any other BMW R bike - the fjr is vibration free

My K12LT was pretty smooth. Vibrated at stop signs and somewhere around 5000 rpm it felt like it was going to fall apart - but below and above that it was pretty smooth

I would charaterize the vibration as a high end buzz - very light, but there. It makes me want to reach for another gear probably because on the LT when I hit that vibration zone I was ready to shift. So, it might just be a learned behavior for me. It isn't fatiguing at all.

As others have pointed out - removing a throttle spring - doing a TBS and perhaps new grips and you are good to go. I will say that the Yamaha grips righteously SUCK. They are hard and I don't like the texture. I'll switch them for BMW sport grips, soon.

chornbe · Aug 31, 2006

Bliz said:
A Goldwing is about the last bike I would ever own. Too unmanuverable.

Clearly you're not that familiar with them. Not bashing, but, the GL1800 is *not* what it appears.

Still, overall I liked the Concours.

You will find the FJR too "refined" and far, far, far better engineered. It's like comparing a huffy 10 speed to Lance Armstrong's bikes. Really.

RonBB · Aug 31, 2006

I put over 30K miles on a 2000 Concours & so far have put 22K on an 05 FJR ABS. I think my FJR vibrates a little less than the Concours. Still some, but I don't think the FJR is as bad as the Concours was. I faithfully follow the recommended Throttle Body Sync. schedule on the FJR & I think this helps keep the vibs under control. I actually use the same throttle rocker on the FJR that I used on my Concours along with the same Givi E360 (or is a E460?) trunk-different mount. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Fencer · Aug 31, 2006

I have an 06 and don't notice vibration. I rode my friends 06 V-strom 1000 and as far as vibration vs the FJR a woman would REALLY like the V-strom

boogahboogah · Aug 31, 2006

I was 'annoyed' by the vibration the bike had when it was new (June '05). I read the forum hints & bought bar end weights. Helped some. Seems like the more the bike got broke in, the less vibration there was. Seriously, it seems to have worked itself pretty much out by this time. There is a teentsy weentsy bit of vibration on my bike at around 5200, but I have to think about it to notice it anymore...

Nowadays, after 22k miles, I have to say : What vibration ?