rhody
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- Jan 7, 2006
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:umnik2:
Since acquiring my almost new 05 FJR with ABS about a month ago, I wanted to make a few observations about the standard seat (I had mine shaved/lowered by an inch or so, along with gel/memory foam inserted) and handlebars.
No complaints about comfort when touring, and the extra reach to the ground is great. I am 5'7ish about 165 lbs and find the cruising position just about perfect, but this is a SPORT/Touring bike, and in the SPORT mode there are a couple things after a few rides in the twisties that bother me.
First, I would love a get my butt back further when cornering/countersteering/hanging off. The forward position just does not feel right, it puts me too high up in the wind. I think a one piece seat that is made for a solo rider only would fit the bill.
Second, at higher speeds while cornering, the bars could be about an inch or two lower and an inch or two closer together to give better wind protection and a more natural feel while cornering. Would like to have a custom set of bars made that could easily be adjusted for touring or sport riding. Some folks have made theirs. I will probably buy a used pair of standard bars and farkle them in a machine shop.
This great bike has about 25 more hp and another 30 foot pounds of torque which has taken me some time to get used to from my last ride, Honda CB900F. I know, it was made in the early 80's had a crappy suspension, so don't laugh and bear with me.
I set my suspension, front: RB 7 clicks, CD 7 clicks, rear spring preload: hard, rear rebound: standard, front spring preload: standard
Sport cornering technique that seems to work for me. Assume for discussion smooth roads with mostly constant radius corners: scrub speed in corner entrance at 5 - 6K rpm in whatever gear is appropriate, shift to countersteer, make sure suspension isn't nose up or down after braking, in entrance to corner, accelerate gently/moderately/harder in corner entrance/apex/exit being really smooth with the throttle. Using this technique with moderate lean angles have never had front end push or rear wheel slide so far. My bike has standard OEM Metzlers, fairly low miles, so there is pretty good grip.
Here is my question, with all that torque lurking at around 7K rpm is it safe to be a little more aggressive with the throttle at moderate lean angles, 15 - 25 degrees ??? Second, do many/any riders regularly explore the footpeg feelers using good riding technique without bad feedback from the bike ???
I am too old to throw this great machine down the road, so I explore the available performance in stages, building on techniques and feedback from others that work.
Thanks in advance to all who read and take time to respond to this thread.......
Since acquiring my almost new 05 FJR with ABS about a month ago, I wanted to make a few observations about the standard seat (I had mine shaved/lowered by an inch or so, along with gel/memory foam inserted) and handlebars.
No complaints about comfort when touring, and the extra reach to the ground is great. I am 5'7ish about 165 lbs and find the cruising position just about perfect, but this is a SPORT/Touring bike, and in the SPORT mode there are a couple things after a few rides in the twisties that bother me.
First, I would love a get my butt back further when cornering/countersteering/hanging off. The forward position just does not feel right, it puts me too high up in the wind. I think a one piece seat that is made for a solo rider only would fit the bill.
Second, at higher speeds while cornering, the bars could be about an inch or two lower and an inch or two closer together to give better wind protection and a more natural feel while cornering. Would like to have a custom set of bars made that could easily be adjusted for touring or sport riding. Some folks have made theirs. I will probably buy a used pair of standard bars and farkle them in a machine shop.
This great bike has about 25 more hp and another 30 foot pounds of torque which has taken me some time to get used to from my last ride, Honda CB900F. I know, it was made in the early 80's had a crappy suspension, so don't laugh and bear with me.
I set my suspension, front: RB 7 clicks, CD 7 clicks, rear spring preload: hard, rear rebound: standard, front spring preload: standard
Sport cornering technique that seems to work for me. Assume for discussion smooth roads with mostly constant radius corners: scrub speed in corner entrance at 5 - 6K rpm in whatever gear is appropriate, shift to countersteer, make sure suspension isn't nose up or down after braking, in entrance to corner, accelerate gently/moderately/harder in corner entrance/apex/exit being really smooth with the throttle. Using this technique with moderate lean angles have never had front end push or rear wheel slide so far. My bike has standard OEM Metzlers, fairly low miles, so there is pretty good grip.
Here is my question, with all that torque lurking at around 7K rpm is it safe to be a little more aggressive with the throttle at moderate lean angles, 15 - 25 degrees ??? Second, do many/any riders regularly explore the footpeg feelers using good riding technique without bad feedback from the bike ???
I am too old to throw this great machine down the road, so I explore the available performance in stages, building on techniques and feedback from others that work.
Thanks in advance to all who read and take time to respond to this thread.......