Bulldog9
Well-known member
Well, Ive been riding my new (to me) 2005 FJR whenever possible for the last 3 months and figured it was time for an update and my impressions.
I'm basically running stock (no risers, throttle lock, Tech Mount, or large windwhield anymore, I took them off). I do have the Corbin Yamaha Seat and teh Two Brothers Exhaust. Pretty much been running solo, but this weekend I took my wife (AKA SWMBO, or She Who Must Be Obeyed). Here are my impresions.
1. Anyone who complains about the FJR being buzzy is either: A. Riding a bike with a problem B. Hasnt taken the time to align the mounting points of engine, handlebars and foot pegs C. A total whimp........ The FJR is butter smooth with a few zones of buzz in the RPM range, but nothing to mention.
2. The Suspension settings recommended by Jeff are a great starting point. I initially set it up with his, but have changed the front by decreasing (turned the adjuster back in to create more resistance) 2 clicks on rebount and 1 click for compression. This is perfect for my riding style and body weight. May still adjust further after I can really start canyon carving. I'm still finding my seat and reflexes after almost 20 months of not riding and the roads here in Colorado seem to be havens of rocks and sand just where you DONT want them....
3. I really dont like the Metzler Z-6's and look forward to the day I will switch them out to Dunlop Road Smarts. They feel numb, and the bike feels clumsy untill they warm up. True the old owner had flat spotted the front and rear tires, and this creates some of the sensation, and they have 6K miles on them but I've always ran Dunlops or Avons, just seem to like them.
4. Smooth Effortless Power..... Well, this is one fast bike that doesnt feel fast, and the higher tourque of 1300 CC's lets you cruise through turns and fly down teh road at speeds much faster than you "feel" Perfect example is while blowing through some turns at a moderate pace, my wife leans up and shouts, (why are you going so slow??) I laugh and point to the speedo which says 60-65, as we are passing a 30 yellow, and she says "ohhhhh....wow....... this is very smooth. ;-) I was feeling the same and because I wasnt pushing it I was in 3rd gear, maybe 4th some times just plugging through I fixed that by staying in 2nd. Top gear Roll Ons on teh Highway that take you from _00 to _40 are impressive to say the least and this bike is incredibly stable. I am really going to have to watch my speeds, and 90+ seems to be a natural sweet spot. The bike is much faster than it feels, and I like that it doesnt build power like a shotgun, but like a turbine. Smooth linear, refined, predictable.
5. I want a 6th gear Overdrive or a Light to tell me I am in top gear........ (take it further if you want :yahoo: ) Fuel mileage seems to be 35ish..
6. The Yamaha Corbin seat ios OK one up and SUCKS two up. She slides forward and it makes her lean forward and while I like the closeness and 'bumps'
my upper body was TIRED after 6 hours. I dont have the backrest and think that If She had it she could lean back against it instead of forward. I do still have the stock seat, how is this? My put it on for our next ride, but that wont be till Labor Day. Any experience here? I can afford a new seat/backrest financially, but not maritally if you know what I mean....... just exploring options before I drop $200 + on a backrest for a seat we may not keep.
7. OK, DONT flame me here, but my C-10 Concours was better two up than the FJR.... I say that mainly because on the C-10, I couldnt tell if I had a passenger or not, was fully loaded or not, but on the FJR turn in lane changes quick swerving/transitions are slower and you clearly have more weight. The Concours just seemed imprevious, or is this just my bad memory from 6+ years ago?? I'm not saying it is bad, or unstable or dangerous, or unpredictable, just slower to respond and the extra weight is noticeable. This may be a tires thing too.
8. Saddle bags and Liners are great, But it would be nicer to have a push button rather than use the key every time.
9. The initial 'tick' I had went away for the most part over the last few months, I wonder if it was a matter of the PO's oil choice and that it sat for a while? Either way, things sound normal and it has the Yamaha valvetrain clatter you expect. Such noisy things.
10 The Two brothers sound is growing on me, sounds a little farty around town at certain rev ranges but love the tone at speed and when you get on and off throttle in turns, etc.
11. Headlights...Nice and wide... but no where near the distance I want. Will add these as winter farkles. ANd while I am writing a book, here is my list:
- Send the silver (middle) body fairing, rear fender, and back plate of backerst to Gaurald (sp?) for matching paint
- Heated Hand Grips
- Driving lights
- Power socket
- Batter Tender
OK, I'm done, sorry for the book!
Bottom line.... I am very happy, and look forward to MANY years with this beastie.
I'm basically running stock (no risers, throttle lock, Tech Mount, or large windwhield anymore, I took them off). I do have the Corbin Yamaha Seat and teh Two Brothers Exhaust. Pretty much been running solo, but this weekend I took my wife (AKA SWMBO, or She Who Must Be Obeyed). Here are my impresions.
1. Anyone who complains about the FJR being buzzy is either: A. Riding a bike with a problem B. Hasnt taken the time to align the mounting points of engine, handlebars and foot pegs C. A total whimp........ The FJR is butter smooth with a few zones of buzz in the RPM range, but nothing to mention.
2. The Suspension settings recommended by Jeff are a great starting point. I initially set it up with his, but have changed the front by decreasing (turned the adjuster back in to create more resistance) 2 clicks on rebount and 1 click for compression. This is perfect for my riding style and body weight. May still adjust further after I can really start canyon carving. I'm still finding my seat and reflexes after almost 20 months of not riding and the roads here in Colorado seem to be havens of rocks and sand just where you DONT want them....
3. I really dont like the Metzler Z-6's and look forward to the day I will switch them out to Dunlop Road Smarts. They feel numb, and the bike feels clumsy untill they warm up. True the old owner had flat spotted the front and rear tires, and this creates some of the sensation, and they have 6K miles on them but I've always ran Dunlops or Avons, just seem to like them.
4. Smooth Effortless Power..... Well, this is one fast bike that doesnt feel fast, and the higher tourque of 1300 CC's lets you cruise through turns and fly down teh road at speeds much faster than you "feel" Perfect example is while blowing through some turns at a moderate pace, my wife leans up and shouts, (why are you going so slow??) I laugh and point to the speedo which says 60-65, as we are passing a 30 yellow, and she says "ohhhhh....wow....... this is very smooth. ;-) I was feeling the same and because I wasnt pushing it I was in 3rd gear, maybe 4th some times just plugging through I fixed that by staying in 2nd. Top gear Roll Ons on teh Highway that take you from _00 to _40 are impressive to say the least and this bike is incredibly stable. I am really going to have to watch my speeds, and 90+ seems to be a natural sweet spot. The bike is much faster than it feels, and I like that it doesnt build power like a shotgun, but like a turbine. Smooth linear, refined, predictable.
5. I want a 6th gear Overdrive or a Light to tell me I am in top gear........ (take it further if you want :yahoo: ) Fuel mileage seems to be 35ish..
6. The Yamaha Corbin seat ios OK one up and SUCKS two up. She slides forward and it makes her lean forward and while I like the closeness and 'bumps'
my upper body was TIRED after 6 hours. I dont have the backrest and think that If She had it she could lean back against it instead of forward. I do still have the stock seat, how is this? My put it on for our next ride, but that wont be till Labor Day. Any experience here? I can afford a new seat/backrest financially, but not maritally if you know what I mean....... just exploring options before I drop $200 + on a backrest for a seat we may not keep.
7. OK, DONT flame me here, but my C-10 Concours was better two up than the FJR.... I say that mainly because on the C-10, I couldnt tell if I had a passenger or not, was fully loaded or not, but on the FJR turn in lane changes quick swerving/transitions are slower and you clearly have more weight. The Concours just seemed imprevious, or is this just my bad memory from 6+ years ago?? I'm not saying it is bad, or unstable or dangerous, or unpredictable, just slower to respond and the extra weight is noticeable. This may be a tires thing too.
8. Saddle bags and Liners are great, But it would be nicer to have a push button rather than use the key every time.
9. The initial 'tick' I had went away for the most part over the last few months, I wonder if it was a matter of the PO's oil choice and that it sat for a while? Either way, things sound normal and it has the Yamaha valvetrain clatter you expect. Such noisy things.
10 The Two brothers sound is growing on me, sounds a little farty around town at certain rev ranges but love the tone at speed and when you get on and off throttle in turns, etc.
11. Headlights...Nice and wide... but no where near the distance I want. Will add these as winter farkles. ANd while I am writing a book, here is my list:
- Send the silver (middle) body fairing, rear fender, and back plate of backerst to Gaurald (sp?) for matching paint
- Heated Hand Grips
- Driving lights
- Power socket
- Batter Tender
OK, I'm done, sorry for the book!
Bottom line.... I am very happy, and look forward to MANY years with this beastie.
