Noise/Turbulence for '06 FJR1300

[too_many_hobbies]

I rode my GL1800 Goldwing 16,000 miles in two years and then sold it and bought a 2005 Hayabusa which I have only put 3,500 miles on in a year now. I am going to sell the Busa and buy something that I will get more use out of. I considered putting a deposit down on a 2006 FR1300 before the first of the year, but decided not to due to the lack of rider reports. Has anyone actually ridden the '06 and/or are there any magazine articles or other tests available yet? I think the power/handling/ergos of the FJR1300 would be satisfactory and I am mainly interested in the amount of noise and turbulence behind the new windshield setup.

I rode an ST1300 during the demo rides at the Honda Hoot a couple of years ago and was dissapointed when I could not tell any significant difference in power in the ST1300 and the GL1800 I had just gotten off of. I did love the electric windshield on the ST1300 though. I was surprised to be able to adjust the screen to have equal protection to the Wing but with less turbulence.

At 46 with some back problems, I want a practical motorcycle with at least saddle bags and enough power to be somewhat satisfying. As my hair falls out, I have came to the conclusion that at the end of the day, one of the most important aspects of enjoying a motorcyle is how much noise and turbulence is generated by the fairing/windshield.

Since I have missed the PDP, I will probably end up with an ST1300 or another GL1800, but I am still hoping that the '06 FJR has a pleasing windshield system and that I can find one to purchase at a dealer somewhere. I have a small plane that I use for my business that I would consider traveling to a location where I could ride one. Any information on upcoming events that I would have a chance to ride an '06 FJR?

Thanks in advance for any insight or comments,

too_many_hobbies

 

[Bounce]

none available to test ride yet.

hold off on the st or gl. there will be models available outside of the pdp based on past years. people will have situations change and back out at least occasionally.

 

[gRed04]

Since I have missed the PDP, I will probably end up with an ST1300 or another GL1800, but I am still hoping that the '06 FJR has a pleasing windshield system and that I can find one to purchase at a dealer somewhere. I have a small plane that I use for my business that I would consider traveling to a location where I could ride one. Any information on upcoming events that I would have a chance to ride an '06 FJR?

I believe dealers will still take a order as the PDP was 12/31 and/or a certain number sold. Which the quota was not met.

In addition almost every dealer I called has had someone cancel ( wink, wink ) on a existing order.

 

[Toecutter]

At 46 with some back problems, I want a practical motorcycle with at least saddle bags and enough power to be somewhat satisfying. As my hair falls out, I have came to the conclusion that at the end of the day, one of the most important aspects of enjoying a motorcyle is how much noise and turbulence is generated by the fairing/windshield.

Well, power satisfaction is a relative term, but I consider my bike scarey fast. If 0-60 in three seconds, 11 second 1/4 miles and 150+ mph top speed is boring to you, look elsewhere.

As for turbulence, none to speak of with my tuned CB windshield. Never ran with the stock one. As for noise, better have some earplugs unless your helmet is a lot quieter than my Shoei RF-1000.

In stock trim, an FJR can be made more comfortable, but YMMV. I have added handlebar risers and a custom saddle to achieve more than enough comfort to sit through a full tank of gas.

Not sure where you're from, but there's a small airport in my locale (Central CA) where I could meet you for an FJR introduction.

 

[jjsC6]

I know this is going to come across badly - but I can't put it any other way. I own both a Goldwing and a ST1300. If you couldn't tell the difference in power (meaning acceleration), then you need to check you "meds". There is a huge difference. And just to show that I'm not dreaming this up, look at the performance figures from many major magazines.

1/4 mile times:

Goldwing - 12.7 @ 103

ST1300 - 11.4 @ 118.

 

[ronjrieth]

Your concerns are valid about the windshield on the FJR. On the models up to 05, IMO the stock windshield lacked....and the turbulence is annoying. On my 05 FJR I put a Cee Bailey +2+4 that gave added wind protection and greatly reduced the turbulence. In the summer I also purchased a CalSci vented windshield that was even better, although without a plug for the vents would get you wet in the rain. No bike I have had gives the protection of the ST 1300 (with Cee Bailey) that I owned.

One of the limitations of the FJR was the limited range of the windshield which appears to have been corrected on the '06. In terms of wind protection you should easily be able to find a "happy shield" for the 06.

Ride Safe,

Ron

 

[vinnie]

As has been discussed ad nauseum here, the diff between the ST and the FJR are a matter of riding styles: the ST giving a bit more comfort on the long trek and the FJR being a lot more FUN!

I put a slightly higher, and slightly wider, CeeBailey with a flip on my 05 and it made a great deal of difference. The shield on the 06 looks like it has gone through a distinct change and seems wider and higher. Which should be very nice.

I have the OEM seat and have done rides of 300-400 miles and the gas stops have been enough for the tingle on the buttocks to dissipate.

I'm 57 but I have all of my hair (don't know what that's about) but after a few minor changes: shield, gel grips and a throttlemeister, I think it is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden -evertyime I get on it.

Here's something you might relate to: one of the magazines reviewed several sports tourers and upon crowning the FJR, called it "the love child of the GWing and the 'Busa."

Wait for it to show up at the dealership showroom (since you missed the PDP) then BUY ONE! You'll never be sorry!

:agent:

 

[FJRottie]

It all boils down to the rider and his/her personal preference.

The FJR really suits some and not others.

The 06's will be available for some test rides sometime in the spring.

They are totally new to consumers and different than previous years.

No one knows what they are like yet.

I wouldn't be hasty and would try them all, to find the right bike.

Your choice.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

too_many_hobbies  Posted on Jan 8 2006, 02:22 PM<snip>I considered putting a deposit down on a 2006 FR1300 before the first of the year, but decided not to due to the lack of rider reports.

ronjrieth  Posted on Jan 8 2006, 06:42 PM<snip>Your concerns are valid....

Consider: the poor slobs that bought '03s sight unseen with only some vague Euro-reports to go on.....btw, at a couple dealerships I went to; when inquiring about the availability of '06s, even the "greenest" young guy on the show-room floor admitted to (in hushed tones) the existence of some "dealer" '06s.

Sounds like the end of the PDP to me.....?

 

[jjsC6]

too_many_hobbies   Posted on Jan 8 2006, 02:22 PM<snip>I considered putting a deposit down on a 2006 FR1300 before the first of the year, but decided not to due to the lack of rider reports.

ronjrieth   Posted on Jan 8 2006, 06:42 PM<snip>Your concerns are valid....

Consider: the poor slobs that bought '03s sight unseen with only some vague Euro-reports to go on.....btw, at a couple dealerships I went to; when inquiring about the availability of '06s, even the "greenest" young guy on the show-room floor admitted to (in hushed tones) the existence of some "dealer" '06s.

Sounds like the end of the PDP to me.....?

I'm not sure of your point. There have always been FJR's on some dealers showroom floors - they just order them under someone's name. I know a dealer in Houston who has three unsold 2006's on order.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

jjsC6  Posted on Jan 9 2006, 01:53 PMI'm not sure of your point. There have always been FJR's on some dealers showroom floors - they just order them under someone's name. I know a dealer in Houston who has three unsold 2006's on order.

So....what's the purpose of the PDP? To add another layer of complication/paperwork for the dealer? Please explain....why does it exist? ....and why, then, has it ended? :blink:

 

[Bounce]

jjsC6   Posted on Jan 9 2006, 01:53 PMI'm not sure of your point. There have always been FJR's on some dealers showroom floors - they just order them under someone's name. I know a dealer in Houston who has three unsold 2006's on order.

So....what's the purpose of the PDP? To add another layer of complication/paperwork for the dealer? Please explain....why does it exist? ....and why, then, has it ended? :blink:

The purpose is one thing. The dealerships that falsify PdP forms using ghost customers is another.

 

[markjenn]

I doubt the 06 FJR's shield system will be enough different to radically affect the noise/turbulence issue. And it's such an individual think anyway, I'm not sure reports would have much applicability to your personal tastes.

In any event, there's tons of aftermaket support, so almost any shield problem is solveable, so it would never affect whether I bought a bike or not. I've never had the slightest issue with any windshield on the six or eight bikes I've owned that had them. The tall ones had better protection and more turbulence and the short ones has worse protection and less. Seems almost like a linear tradeoff to me. Maybe I'm easy to please.

- Mark

 

[jjsC6]

jjsC6   Posted on Jan 9 2006, 01:53 PMI'm not sure of your point. There have always been FJR's on some dealers showroom floors - they just order them under someone's name. I know a dealer in Houston who has three unsold 2006's on order.

So....what's the purpose of the PDP? To add another layer of complication/paperwork for the dealer? Please explain....why does it exist? ....and why, then, has it ended? :blink:

Why do you say it has ended? That would be news to me. I just ordered one under that system.

 

[fjr]

Just a hunch but from what you have said I think an R1200RT might be more to your liking. Have you tried one of those?

 

[madmike2]

I doubt the 06 FJR's shield system will be enough different to radically affect the noise/turbulence issue.

Though nobody has ridden one yet, the nose piece and windshield are noticeably different on the '06. From my observations at the Alice's Restaurant unveiling, the nose piece is "taller" relative to the seat, the windshield is wider and supposedly operates in a different plane, i.e., closer to the rider.

For me, most of the turbulence is because of the distance from the rider's helmet to the windshield, thus the success of a tunning block or homemade spacer, which changes the windshield angle, but also changes the angle of the windshield in relation to the attack angle to the ambient air, and the placement of the top of the windshield in relation to the rider's helmet.

I believe I'd wait and ride an '06 before deciding whether or no to replace, or the need to replace, a windshield. There was a difference from '03 to the '04 model (an increase in the size of the windshield) but nothing like the redesign of the front of the FJR. I think the engineers have heard that many riders want more wind protection and have attempted to solve the problem. There will always be riders like myself, who are tall and wide, but that's our problem to solve. For the 90% riders, Yamaha may have solved most of the turbulence issue. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

jjsC6  Posted on Jan 9 2006, 07:24 PMWhy do you say it has ended?

The original poster said that (and, I think it was said elsewhere here?).

too many hobbies:<snip>Since I missed the PDP....

And, two, (my point): since so many dealers are abusing the PDP program I don't see what merit it has for anyone and how it can possibly be of any value to Cypress?

 

[JSimon]

The PDP would be useful to Yamaha as the dealer would be responsible for that inventory. The idea behind the PDP is an order for every unit produced.

JS

 

[madmike2]

The PDP would be useful to Yamaha as the dealer would be responsible for that inventory. The idea behind the PDP is an order for every unit produced.
JS

Yep! There are dealers that ordered under Phantom Names that still have '05s for sale. They took the risk upon themselves to floor the FJR rather than Cypress telling them they must . That's what the PDP is about: Building to fill orders. Everyone who wants one gets one. Even some who missed the PDP, though they might have to pay a premium. Aaaaand, in my case, when my '04 was totalled 2 yrs ago in Sept., I was able to call my dealer and reserve one of the "Phantom Owner" bikes and was riding an FJR again in 2 weeks. Hey, it worked for me, so I'm not about to badmouth the dealer for ordering extra.