Overloading the FJR

[mfletch69]

Just rode 5100 miles, two up packed HEAVY for two with laptop, etc.

Cruised in the 90's a lot. Top speed reached...124. Twisties, sweepers...no problems.

 

[ML-FJR13AE]

Can't even ride my bike with my trunk case. Put 200 miles total on the bike with all three cases; then took of the trunk case affraid of my life. The bike shakes, rattles, wobbles and is crying when I've tried. Tried every possible combination of suspension settings to make it work - forget it.

But then again; it does it without the trunk case too. The case just makes if worse. Touring bike? Hell no - I don't tour my bike outside of the drive way. Needless to say I thought my wife and I was going to get killed one time we tried to be on the bike both of us. Did I mention we way about 330 lbs combined?!

The bike is in storage now; I'm pursuing with a lemon law case.

Sucks; because besides all I love that bike.

 

[daveski]

Well, the wife and I, total about 400 lbs, and pack gear in the bags, topcase, and tank bag. We have scooted along at 100 plus on the highway with no problem.

Must be a individual bike problem.

 

[ML-FJR13AE]

I think so; I don't even have the energy to tell you how much I have done to figure out what the problem is. Let's just say: 14 times in 4 different Yamaha shops included a RTA from Yamaha coming down to look at it.

Key here is that Yamaha blamed the poor handling of my bike on the trunk case being attached with the saddle bags - when I proofed them wrong; they blamed the Sirius radio on my steerring; when I proofed them wrong on that one; they told me there was nothing more they could do (???!).

So, I told them today: Lemon Law and retained an attorney after 1.5 year of argueing with them and after asking roughly 25 FJR owners about their experiences with mounted stuff on steerings, trunk cases, trailer hitches, wheel bearings, steering bearings etc.

This sucks; I love my FJR but I can't ride it.

 

[Draggon Rider]

Thanks, you guys answered my question in a different thread.

Do you pay attention to the load limit recommendations?

05 Owners Manual page 8-9 states for a FJR1300A (I assume the A is for ABS)

Total Weight of rider, passenger, cargo and accessories is 425 lbs. (CAL)

My passenger and I bare *** naked is about 450 lbs.

I just started riding 2 up and the only difference I can tell is in the stopping.

Also the engine complains alot...

I haven't tried it with any cargo added to the mix.

But am thinking about takeing a weekend trip soon.

So you guys seem to think it's Ok?

 

[daveski]

I would, but I would at least wear a helmet :lol: :lol:

 

[Fubar]

Well, the wife and I, total about 400 lbs, and pack gear in the bags, topcase, and tank bag. We have scooted along at 100 plus on the highway with no problem.
Must be a individual bike problem.

Only 400lbs? :blink: I've got a little more than that. Looking at upgrading my shock in the near future. I've spent so much this summer on the bike. GPS/PCIII/etc. don't think the Wife will let me buy a shock... :glare:

 

[ML-FJR13AE]

I was the owner of a 1992 Yamaha FJ1200 - the younger brother to the FJR1300.

I had it fully loaded with all the bells and whistles imaginable included trunk case, side bags, tow hitch w/ trailer, etc. I never had one single problem except for the day a friend of mine drunk as can be decided to steal my keys and hit a concrete wall with 120 miles an hour on 405 S in Los Angeles. That was the end of that bike... Do I need to tell that I never touched the suspension settings or even knew what a suspension was at the time. I just installed everything and rode it. I put well over 70.000 miles on the thing doing nothing but changing oil, chain, and tires ! - I miss that bike.

Based on having had 18 bikes and despite all my problems with my FJR; I think it's fair to say that a bike this size should be able to carry two average weighing adults (400 lbs + some), 50 lbs total weight in the back, 15-20 lbs on the tank and still handle somewhat reasonable. Surely it will be a little heavy in corners and dip a bit deep on the suspension but it shouldn't shake, wobble or anything the like. That's regardless what the manufacturer tells us; they are just covering their *****. I think Yamaha states not to place more than 5 or 10 lbs in the trunk case. Well, what the heck would we need the trunk case for then; airfilled balloons to lift up the weight of the trunk case it self?

That all said; it might be worth setting your suspension up to match your load needs

 

[ML-FJR13AE]

... I forgot to tell you; I have a 2007 Kawasaki ZX10R. Obviously a completely different kind of bike set up for race. Guess what; I'm able to load the sucker with so much junk that it's actually kind of funny - without having any kind of problems roling it around the corners.

 

[Ken C]

Just rode 5100 miles, two up packed HEAVY for two with laptop, etc.

Cruised in the 90's a lot. Top speed reached...124. Twisties, sweepers...no problems.

Hi.

How do you secure those duffels on top of the saddle bags??

Ken C

 

[phil]

There have been many previous posts regarding handling with big loads. I can assure you that high-speed handling is greatly affected: I have had several runs above 140, with no problems. But with Givi tail bag, side cases, plus 2 other bags, I had a severe headshake at 140, with new Michelin PR2s. On the same trip, I stopped off at Bonneville, removed the 5 bags, and ran 154 on the salt with a perfectly smooth front-end. I don't know if it was weight bias or aerodynamics, but there is something to this.

 

[mdisher]

There have been many previous posts regarding handling with big loads. I can assure you that high-speed handling is greatly affected: I have had several runs above 140, with no problems. But with Givi tail bag, side cases, plus 2 other bags, I had a severe headshake at 140, with new Michelin PR2s. On the same trip, I stopped off at Bonneville, removed the 5 bags, and ran 154 on the salt with a perfectly smooth front-end. I don't know if it was weight bias or aerodynamics, but there is something to this.

I concur, but it's rare that you exceed say 110 fully loaded, especially 2 up for more than a short period of time, and it handles fine up to that point.

 

[428Cobra]

I think so; I don't even have the energy to tell you how much I have done to figure out what the problem is. Let's just say: 14 times in 4 different Yamaha shops included a RTA from Yamaha coming down to look at it.
Key here is that Yamaha blamed the poor handling of my bike on the trunk case being attached with the saddle bags - when I proofed them wrong; they blamed the Sirius radio on my steerring; when I proofed them wrong on that one; they told me there was nothing more they could do (???!).

So, I told them today: Lemon Law and retained an attorney after 1.5 year of argueing with them and after asking roughly 25 FJR owners about their experiences with mounted stuff on steerings, trunk cases, trailer hitches, wheel bearings, steering bearings etc.

This sucks; I love my FJR but I can't ride it.

[SIZE=12pt]Ya know I do feel sorry for your situation with you piece O' crap fjr but you been whinnin all over this board about it. <_< [/SIZE]

No one else has these problems. I hope you get your money back, sue for millions, whatever man.

You reply to a thread and start crying about how F'd up your bike is. You have a thread telling us how screwed up it is. We got it. **** happens...sue the world...I've heard enough. :angry:

 

[Ignacio]

But then again; it does it without the trunk case too. The case just makes if worse. Touring bike? Hell no - I don't tour my bike outside of the drive way. Needless to say I thought my wife and I was going to get killed one time we tried to be on the bike both of us. Did I mention we way about 330 lbs combined?!

Quit hijaaking this thread. :angry: We know from your other thread that you're unhappy, but don't spill over into this one. Stick with that thread.

 

[RoadGlide]

Just rode 5100 miles, two up packed HEAVY for two with laptop, etc.

Cruised in the 90's a lot. Top speed reached...124. Twisties, sweepers...no problems.

Mike is lying!!!!!I personally saw him somewhere north of 130 in Kansas (may we never have to go there again). I did notice with my rear Givi and side bags loaded it was a little squirely in the triple digits.

 

[mfletch69]

Just rode 5100 miles, two up packed HEAVY for two with laptop, etc.

Cruised in the 90's a lot. Top speed reached...124. Twisties, sweepers...no problems.

Hi.

How do you secure those duffels on top of the saddle bags??

Ken C

One Flat bungee cord wrapped around the orange, waterproof bag and attached to the grab rail, one from the front of the bag to the bracket where the side case attaches. One from the back of one orange bag to the other.

Works great and really adds a bunch of space

 

[BugR]

If you can put the heavy stuff in a tank bag. It's just about the best place to put weight.

Chris

 

[mcatrophy]

If you can put the heavy stuff in a tank bag. It's just about the best place to put weight.
Chris

Well, not too sure about that . I'd agree it helps to keep the front wheel down :exhappysmiley: , but it puts weight high, I already find the FJR just a liddle tiddly bit on the top-heavy side hno-smiley: .

And, particularly when on my own, whenever I leave the bike, even to go pay for fuel, I carry the tank bag (and my Tomtom) with me. There are too many of the ungodly :devil: :devilsmiley: :evilsmiley02: around to risk some of the things I do carry in my bag (camera, binoculars, chargers for phone and camera battery, water bottle, snacks ...). Don't like it if it's too heavy.

I always put heavy stuff in my side bags.