Short review of my new FJR

[Zak]

Hi,

I bought a new 2008 FJR and I am now at 1700km.

Here are my first impressions of the bike...

I have to say that I like it more and more, the seat is just perfect for

me and for my girlfriend, the suspension is great, the stock windshield

does its job just fine etc.

What I can't get used to:

There should be a 6th speed. I find it annoying to hear the

engine whine over 120kmh.

The shifter is 'clunky' and has a long throw. It should be much more silent

and short throw.

I did a road test on a Concours 14, and...

...the shifter is very precise and fast and it has an overdrive.

I rode it at 150km/h and it seemed like I was going only 100km/h.

I prefer the torque, handling and riding position on the FJR, but I had more

fun shifting on the Concours 14 and cruising on the highway was much

more relax.

Lets put some more miles and see...

Sylvain

 

[phil]

Much has been written comparing the 2 bikes. You made the right choice.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Sylvain - Congrats oin the new 08. I've come to the conclusion there is no perfect bike. I agree, my 2005 is clunkier than other bikes I've owned, dropping it into first at a light it sounds like I'm going to drop the tranny right there. I don't feel the throw is that bad, I've had far tighter ones on my Sport bikes though.

Keep riding it, you'll soon see far more benefits to this then the negative.

Where are you from? I see it says North America, yet you speak in km/h, is it maybe Canada?

Enjoy.

 

[Zak]

Oups!

I should have said 'mph'...

I'm from the province of Quebec, north shore of Montreal.

Sylvain

Sylvain - Congrats oin the new 08. I've come to the conclusion there is no perfect bike. I agree, my 2005 is clunkier than other bikes I've owned, dropping it into first at a light it sounds like I'm going to drop the tranny right there. I don't feel the throw is that bad, I've had far tighter ones on my Sport bikes though.
Keep riding it, you'll soon see far more benefits to this then the negative.

Where are you from? I see it says North America, yet you speak in km/h, is it maybe Canada?

Enjoy.

 

[Knifemaker]

I have a 06 and only find the shifts "clunky" going from 2nd to 1st.. shifting up or down 2-5 is smooth as butter.

And I thought the 08 models had some extra oil squiting in the tranny to smooth shifts out...

I did have to "re-learn" how to shift on the FJR as the precise timing of clutch/throttle/shifter seems to be alot diffrent than other bikes I have owned. It also got better with more miles ...so perhaps give it another 1k and see if it gets eaiser for you.

I like the sound the bike makes at 100+ mph and do not think it needs no stinkn overdrive....

KM

 

[Brody]

I am actually very impressed with the smoothness of my 08 Raven's shifting. But I'm used to the oversized parts on a Triumph Rocket III (talk about clunky,,,,,,,,,,esp when new).

I do agree it would be nice to have a 6th speed with overdrive (mainly for highway economy).

Each time I ride the feejer I like it even more. :exhappysmiley:

 

[ShawnKing]

I am actually very impressed with the smoothness of my 08 Raven's shifting.

Interesting. Like others, I find shifting to be "clunky" at times, in particular trying to get from 1st to 2nd quickly - I often hit N instead and end up winding the revs up unintentionally.

I do agree it would be nice to have a 6th speed with overdrive (mainly for highway economy).

Agreed.

Each time I ride the feejer I like it even more. :exhappysmiley:

Amen!

I'm from the province of Quebec, north shore of Montreal.

Bonjour, mes amis! (did I write that correctly? ) Welcome and enjoy the new bike!

 

[Fred W]

You guys that think the FJR shifting is clunky need to test ride one of Bavaria's finest.

Those things sound like a tractor going into gear...

 

[IBJanky]

You guys that think the FJR shifting is clunky need to test ride one of Bavaria's finest.Those things sound like a tractor going into gear...

QFT

mike

 

[Docholiday]

I used to look for a 6th gear all the time on my 03, but don't find myself looking for any gears past 5th on the 08. The higher final gear ratio of the 08 and the smoother engine make cruising at 80mph a pleasure. It is also nice to have some serious oomph available with the twist of the wrist if you start gaining altitude quickly or you need to get out of the way in a hurry. Saves time not having to drop a cog or two.

 

[JRO]

You guys that think the FJR shifting is clunky need to test ride one of Bavaria's finest.Those things sound like a tractor going into gear...

Indeed. And feels like a Massey-Ferguson going into gear. I kept reaching for the PTO, on my BrokenMotorWorks.

Many of the folks who complain about the FJR's clunky tranny, seem to fall into these catagories:

1. Owner of a new bike, who hasn't enough miles on it for the tranny to loosen up.

2. Owner wasn't quite prepared for the switch from his Vespa.

#1's should wait until they've had a few oil changes, before commenting on the tranny.

#2's have got to realize that those CVT's are just the cats meow, and a 'gear' bike is never going to be as smooth.

That said, I've found my only less-than-smooth shift, is between 1-2. It's not really worth mentioning, and it's getting smoother as the gears go by.

 

[Fred W]

You guys that think the FJR shifting is clunky need to test ride one of Bavaria's finest.Those things sound like a tractor going into gear...

Indeed. And feels like a Massey-Ferguson going into gear. I kept reaching for the PTO, on my BrokenMotorWorks.

Many of the folks who complain about the FJR's clunky tranny, seem to fall into these catagories:

1. Owner of a new bike, who hasn't enough miles on it for the tranny to loosen up.

2. Owner wasn't quite prepared for the switch from his Vespa.

#1's should wait until they've had a few oil changes, before commenting on the tranny.

#2's have got to realize that those CVT's are just the cats meow, and a 'gear' bike is never going to be as smooth.

That said, I've found my only less-than-smooth shift, is between 1-2. It's not really worth mentioning, and it's getting smoother as the gears go by.

:lol: :rofl: :taunt:

My only less-than-smooth shift is from N to 1 and it's not all that bad. Ya just needs to break in the gearbox a little. 20-30k miles oughtta do it.

 

[usetobeharley]

You guys that think the FJR shifting is clunky need to test ride one of Bavaria's finest.Those things sound like a tractor going into gear...

Indeed. And feels like a Massey-Ferguson going into gear. I kept reaching for the PTO, on my BrokenMotorWorks.

Many of the folks who complain about the FJR's clunky tranny, seem to fall into these catagories:

1. Owner of a new bike, who hasn't enough miles on it for the tranny to loosen up.

2. Owner wasn't quite prepared for the switch from his Vespa.

#1's should wait until they've had a few oil changes, before commenting on the tranny.

#2's have got to realize that those CVT's are just the cats meow, and a 'gear' bike is never going to be as smooth.

That said, I've found my only less-than-smooth shift, is between 1-2. It's not really worth mentioning, and it's getting smoother as the gears go by.

I would have to agree with you JRO. I have a brand new 2008 FJR A and I didn't find it particularly smooth shifting going up from 2nd to 3rd, and up from there. Of course this was my first impression when I first got the bike about 3 weeks ago. I just got the bike back from my initial 600 mile service and I'm finding the shifting becoming much smoother the more I ride it. And, this isn't just because I'm getting acclimated to the shifter as I do believe it's just a matter of the gearbox getting broken in too. Just like the engine, the gearbox gets smoother after a break in. Put some miles on it and I think you'll agree.

 

[TahoeBound]

Wear foam ear plugs & "pre-shift." As others have said it gets better over miles...

 

[usetobeharley]

Hi,

I bought a new 2008 FJR and I am now at 1700km.

Here are my first impressions of the bike...

I have to say that I like it more and more, the seat is just perfect for

me and for my girlfriend, the suspension is great, the stock windshield

does its job just fine etc.

What I can't get used to:

There should be a 6th speed. I find it annoying to hear the

engine whine over 120kmh.

The shifter is 'clunky' and has a long throw. It should be much more silent

and short throw.

I did a road test on a Concours 14, and...

...the shifter is very precise and fast and it has an overdrive.

I rode it at 150km/h and it seemed like I was going only 100km/h.

I prefer the torque, handling and riding position on the FJR, but I had more

fun shifting on the Concours 14 and cruising on the highway was much

more relax.

Lets put some more miles and see...

Sylvain

I own a new 08 FJR and it has just under 1,000 miles on the odometer. I'll agree the shifter was a little clunky at first but it's smoothed out considerably since new. Remember, just like the engine, the gearbox needs to be broken in too. It will improve with some miles. Also, I find the bike shifts smoother with the RPM's up a little.......over 3K RPM's.

 

[boogahboogah]

Shifting got smoother the more miles I put on the '05 bike, also the bar vibration slowly goes away too. Now, at 37k miles, bike feels like it's really just broken in... I used to think about 6th gear too... But after the Kali & back ride in '06, I'm used to 4k at 70, it feels just fine & the engine is quite happy at that RPM, and I just love being able to tweak the throttle & leave everyone far behind.

 

[Fubar]

I am a new FJR owner myself and I can't find anything yet that I don't like. I come from 20 years of riding Harleys. I'm sorry I didn't go back to Jap long ago. The throttle is a little stiff and it takes some getting used to, but I'm getting better with it. I love the way it handles. I know there are better handling bikes out there, but my guess they are not nearly as comfortable to ride. WeeeOhhhhh the power is intoxicating. I haven't got a speeding ticket in 40 years but I can see one in my future. I'm going to ask my dealer about some of the recalls I've read about on the forum. We will see how he answers my questions.

 

[black cherry]

Congrates on the new FJR! Just keep riding it. The throttle on my 07 is a tad stiff and N to 1st is a little clunky, but it is heads and shoulders abouve any other bike I've mounted in my life. Over time, you'll forgive any indiscretion she may have inlue of all that she has to offer. Enjoy!

 

[Karmak]

The FJR likes to be shifted fast. Feather the clutch (don't short shift) fast and you'll be amazed at how smooth. It's not a Harley-FJR doesn't like a slow hand.