Picked up bike and got info from D&H

[waldmana]

Today I picked up my bike from D&H. First let me say that they are a class act and great people. The mechanics gave us (another person was there pickiing up their bike as well) a run down on the bikes and some helpfull hints if we do any of the service ourselves.

First, they highly recommend using Kawaski 20W50 oil in the bike after the 600 mile service.

Also, they said that they do not recommend doing a TBS until 10K miles. They said that the TB will not be perfect from the factory but they should be in spec. They said that a TBS at the 600 mile service is not recommended cause the bike is not done being broken in.

As for the oil drain plug. They said that the toque in the manual is wrong. It is to high. They said to turn it till it is snug and then a final 1/4 turn and that is all it needs.

After the mechs went over everything I finally got to take the bike home. I rode it 658 miles from D&H to Tampa Fl. What a bike! I am coming off a BMW R1150RT and this FJR just blows it away. I can't get over how smooth it shifts and accelerates. I was doing 80 in 5th and just gave the throtle a bit of a twist and I was at 110 in no time flat. The torque is incredible. I now see how under powered my BMW was. I had no problems with it stalling like others. No issues with vibrating mirrors. Truthfully, I had no issues at all. She runs absolutely great and handles like a dream. Now, if I could just find a woman like that. Well, I now have my bike and I hope to meet many of you at WFO in July. See you all there.

 

[Ric in Sac]

Wow. I am glad to see you are having fun! I look forward to meeting you at WFO.

IMHO - the advice about the 20/50 oil is seriously wrong. It is too heavy for the tight tolerances of this engine. First, read your manual, then read the oil threads in this forum.

See you in July.

 

[waldmana]

Wow. I am glad to see you are having fun! I look forward to meeting you at WFO.
IMHO - the advice about the 20/50 oil is seriously wrong. It is too heavy for the tight tolerances of this engine. First, read your manual, then read the oil threads in this forum.

See you in July.

I know what you mean, but this is what they put in each of the bikes when they change the oil. They said that this oil is much better than the yamaha oil and it is great for the bikes. Just passing on what the mechs told me.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Search oil threads and learn what you don't already know.

 

[FJRay]

listening to bike owners offer advice on what oil is best is as much fun as listening to boaters argue about which anchor will work the best. have fun!!

 

[skyway]

After the mechs went over everything I finally got to take the bike home. I rode it 658 miles from D&H to Tampa Fl. What a bike! I am coming off a BMW R1150RT and this FJR just blows it away. I can't get over how smooth it shifts and accelerates. I was doing 80 in 5th and just gave the throtle a bit of a twist and I was at 110 in no time flat. The torque is incredible. I now see how under powered my BMW was. I had no problems with it stalling like others. No issues with vibrating mirrors. Truthfully, I had no issues at all. She runs absolutely great and handles like a dream. Now, if I could just find a woman like that. Well, I now have my bike and I hope to meet many of you at WFO in July. See you all there.

I know what you mean about the R1150RT. I was 2 up following a freind on his RT during a long desert run. I later came to find out that his bike was pegged flat out with the oil temperature gauge in the red, and hitting the rev limiter for good measure. We were just cruising behind not realising he was maxed.

I guess it should be said that the RT only makes around 100hp? and is no match for the in-line 4 from Yamaha.

 

[Bugnatr]

On your way out to WFO get off the super slab on some lonely western highway and run the FJR up to 7grand in 5th for 5 or 10 miles. The bike and you will love it!

Kids: don't try this at night or at home in any state east of the Mississippi.

 

[C&C]

First, they highly recommend using Kawaski 20W50 oil in the bike after the 600 mile service.
Also, they said that they do not recommend doing a TBS until 10K miles. They said that the TB will not be perfect from the factory but they should be in spec. They said that a TBS at the 600 mile service is not recommended cause the bike is not done being broken in.

As for the oil drain plug. They said that the toque in the manual is wrong. It is to high. They said to turn it till it is snug and then a final 1/4 turn and that is all it needs.

I got a problem with three things they said.

First I agree with the other, subsequent to your post, poster that 20W-50 may be too heavy.

Secondly, if you're doing the TBS yourself, it will make fairly big differences by doing multiple TBS's between delivery and 10,000 miles. (Yamaha states one should be done at 600 miles, in any case.)

And finally, their advice about 1/4 turn, after contact, is sound as long as you replace the crush washer at the oil change. If you turn a 1/4 turn after contact, and you don't change the washer, you'r definitely over torquing.

 

[Scab]

If you are doing the TB sync yourself, it is a simple enough procedure not to wait. My '05 has 11,300 miles and I have sync'd 3 times already. Granted, all within spec each time, but others here have reported otherwise. It's just too easy to check and keep perfect. And once you spring for a set of gauges, it's FREE each time you want to check!