Owner from Hell.

[plug]

Changing the oil and filter on an FJR has got to be the easiest job in motorcycledom and that`s good as it`s about the only maintenance that gets done. I have to change the rubber a couple of times a year but as the rear wheel removal rivals my Honda VFR for ease and quickness that`s not a problem. Plus the tires come back from the shop already inflated so I don`t have to worry about tire pressure until the next change. It`s not as if I don`t fix things along the way, Just last week I replaced the headlamp bulbs after the second low beam burnt out, and i`m going to change the air filter during the off season.

The thing is I bought the FJR to ride and if the last 50,000mls on her or all the miles I`ve done on my other Japanese bikes over the years is any indication she is not likely to break down any time soon. I even had a `96 Ducati 900cr that I am ashamed to say I sorely neglected and she never once let me down

I think what I`m trying to say is if you would rather be riding that wrenching than go for it. What can happen?

plug

 

[FJRBluesman]

At least you have good taste in bikes. I too had a 96 Duc 900SS-SP, loved it! Ran like a champ all the time no issues at all.

The FeeJ is doing the same. No bike is perfect, something may happen, but it's not the end of the world.

Ride often, ride safe, and enjoy.

 

[frito1]

I think what I`m trying to say is if you would rather be riding that wrenching than go for it. What can happen?

Why bother changing the oil? PM is *so* over rated.

 

[pcarnut]

Sorry, gotta disagree with you. I see my bike and I as a team. I take care of her and she takes care of me. The maintenance is just another way to spend time getting to know her.

 

[fjrchooser]

I really don't enjoy tasks on the FJR quite the way I do on the KTM.

Mostly it's the lack of response from the FJR, it just doesn't seem to degrade in performance nearly as quickly so any maintenance typically only shows minimal improvement. I feel better knowing it was done but it just kinda shrugs it off and keeps on truckin.

The KTM is easier to work on but oil changes are messy, involved and frequent. 2 screens to clean, 2 filters to change, two filter wells to partially charge with oil while the bike lays on its side and the very real risk of stripping out one of the screen retaining socket head bolts each time. But it likes its oil clean and shows you it appreciated it.

Same with valve adjustments which have to be checked at each oil change which happens every 10-15 hrs. of operating time.

All in all, I enjoy working on the KTM because it needs it, responds to it ,and rocks at what it does.

The FJR rocks too, but just kinda rolls its eyes and taps its foot while you do your maintenance thing.

 

[Crash Cash]

Mostly it's the lack of response from the FJR

Well, I have to say my SV-650's a hell of a lot easier to work on (remove seat - ta daa, valves!) but the FJR does notice your effort.

If I change the clutch fluid, do a TB sync, or refresh the fork oil after a couple years, it's a noticeable improvement. A valve adjust isn't so noticeable, but I like the clicking going away and the feeling "it's been done right"

But yeah, when I start going "how much plastic do I have to pull?" at the start of a job, it is a bit discouraging, and especially "I have to DRAIN THE COOLANT to remove the valve cover!?!" is just bad design IMHO. That's just wrong.

Still, there's worse. I could be working on a Ducati, a Harley, or a Goldwing. Jesus H. Christ... not a Goldwing ever again, please!

 

[user 17287]

Plus the tires come back from the shop already inflated so I don`t have to worry about tire pressure until the next change

Am I misunderstanding this...you never check tire pressure between tire changes????

That is more important than oil changes.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

True Dat! Hell I got smart and threw my air filter away so I didn't have to clean it, never have had the oil changed either. Don't have to, it burns about a quart every 300 miles and I just keep adding more. And not that fancy smancy synthetic stuff, i use the re-cleaned $.99 stuff. My maintenece time is almost zero. My bkie hates me. not sure why.

 

[wabill]

Put a set of these valve stems on you bike at the next tire change and it'll make checking the air pressure a lot easier.

 

[pcarnut]

Put a set of these valve stems on you bike at the next tire change and it'll make checking the air pressure a lot easier.

A set of those were my first farkle, love em.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I think what I`m trying to say is if you would rather be riding that wrenching than go for it. What can happen?

plug

You're asking a bunch of mechanics?

The Feej is darn near car-like in being able to keep going without much attention but you're kidding I hope. I love to go on a nice long ride into West Virginia and once smoking into a curve find that the brakes need to be replaced, my tire is sliding out due to pressure after I picked up a nail, the oil fill cap has vibrated loose, the steering head bearings are loose, the bike needs water because the front threw a stick into the radiator, I dropped a side box, my footpeg is loose, etc.

h34r:

 

[Geezer]

So, you guys who change your oil, why do you do that? Didn't they put the right stuff in at the dealer when you bought the bike? :dntknw:

 

[Crash Cash]

So, you guys who change your oil, why do you do that? Didn't they put the right stuff in at the dealer when you bought the bike? :dntknw:

Your dealer put oil in your bike? Isn't that an extra charge?

 

[maddad]

How much maitenance you do I think should highly relate to how hard you ride. If you like to push the bike hard, brake pads, break fluids, tire pressure, bearings, etc. are all under more stress and also have a direct link to whether you live or die.

If your riding style really babies the bike, then less maintenance isn't so risky.

If you ride hard and don't understand the relationship between maintenance and safety, well then, I doubt you are going to add a great deal to the intellecatual value of the human race, so go have a great ride.

NOTE: When bike returnd from the shop with a new tire ALWAYS check the pressure. I've not once seen it returned with enough air unless I specificly instruct them.

 

[pcarnut]

How much maitenance you do I think should highly relate to how hard you ride. If you like to push the bike hard, brake pads, break fluids, tire pressure, bearings, etc. are all under more stress and also have a direct link to whether you live or die.

If your riding style really babies the bike, then less maintenance isn't so risky.

If you ride hard and don't understand the relationship between maintenance and safety, well then, I doubt you are going to add a great deal to the intellecatual value of the human race, so go have a great ride.

NOTE: When bike returnd from the shop with a new tire ALWAYS check the pressure. I've not once seen it returned with enough air unless I specificly instruct them.

+1

 

[plug]

.... I doubt you are going to add a great deal to the intellecatual value of the human race, so go have a great ride.

And your contribution would be what? You can`t even spell INTELECTUAL for **** sake. Get a sense of humor you dumb Canadian. :dribble:

plug

 

[Ignacio]

.... I doubt you are going to add a great deal to the intellecatual value of the human race, so go have a great ride.

And your contribution would be what? You can`t even spell INTELECTUAL for **** sake. Get a sense of humor you dumb Canadian. :dribble:

plug

You both need to take it down a notch. :angry2:

Thread has run its useful course. Closing.

The Management