SICK of this bike!!

[Gerry.GEG]

Wow, nothing you could do would change your mind. I agree, sell the ***** and move on. I had a VStrom 650 and loved it before this bike. Problem with it is, it becomes light in the front end when you load it for a trip. So, no bike's perfect and the FJR is a BIG bike with lot's of weight. At least the WeeStrom is 200 pounds lighter.

Good Luck. I'm sure you'll have no problem selling the FJR since they didn't change the bike for 2010.

 

[bikesniffer]

Absolutely sick to death of this bike!! She is hitting the road next Spring if I can sell the *****. I’ve never loved or hated a bike so much in my life. Have dropped her twice because the ***** stalled on take off but the last straw happened last weekend. I have her lowered and worked extremely hard to dial in the suspension. We go on the first 3 day weekend ride and I load her up with about 30 extra pounds. Totally changed everything!! Tightening the shock did nothing. Worst ride I’ve ever experience on a bike in my life. Bounced around corners; impossible to hold a line. Scared the living HELL out of me!! Ruined one of the best loops I’ve ever been on. Hundreds of miles of twisting turns. Who in gods name would have thought a few extra pounds could have made such a difference. She is the 6th bike I’ve owned and I’m sick of messing with her. She is history as soon as I can make it happen. Good luck to the rest of you and hope you enjoy yours.

Same bike here, no problems

what else is going on in your life? Looks like the FJR is the perfect scape goat...

that's the only conclusion one can draw from your rant. How much do you want for the $*****? :dribble:

Alfredo

 

[Mcgyver74]

Okay, I've been riding for 15 years. I have taken the beginner, the intermediate, and the advanced courses. I have put 9,000 miles on the FJR since she was purchased last year. 30,000 on the Suzuki I just sold. 15,000 on the FZ1 I sold before I purchased the FJR. I could go on and on but I'm getting tired of defending myself. So go ahead and keep saying I'm inexperienced and need confidence if it makes you feel better. I guess that is a lot better than admitting that the FJR sucks.

Lets' get a few things straight, First off I'm not attacking you, I am trying to be helpful, I did NOT say you were inexperienced I merely said a course may help, (again, trying to HELP not bash) If the FJR isn't for you then it's not for you, case closed, that is a LOT different then saying the "FJR Sucks"

I apologize for trying to help or be nice, I can see it was a wasted effort with you

Good luck on whatever bike you wind up with and please ride safe!

Oh and PS, at my ERC this past weekend, one of the rider coaches rides an 08 FJR, She is about 5 foot 4 and mabye 100 lbs soaking wet and has no issues with the FJR.

 

[Warchild]

I'm done with this site and will not look at it again so your little digs will be a waste and what talent there is to waste. YEAH right...

Like I said:

[SIZE=18pt]GOOD LUCK TO YOUR HUSBAND![/SIZE]

Wondering if we have any responsibility to contact the sheriff in Hamilton and notify him/her of a soon-to-be battered male in serious PMS induced danger?

Since the OP was checking her thread only 30 minutes ago, perhaps she is not quite "done with this site" as she claims.

"Good luck to your husband"... shyeah, you got that right, exskibum! Being stuck with such an angry, bitter woman, I'm guessing the poor guy is simply doomed... :glare:

 

[Loki]

At the risk of NOT following the dogpile thats going on here, it would seem that while our FJR's don't "suck" for us, her FJR definitely "sucked" for her. There are many variables that have made this a reality for her. While obviously height is a huge contributing factor for her, many have successfully lowered their FJR to make it easier to touch the ground with the shiny parts still up in the air. I don't know how many are 5'4"? I for one am a bit challenged in this area at 5'7", and while I have not lowered the FJR, it has occurred to me I might want to do so. Obviously, we all are a bit biased in that we love our FJR's, but let's cut the crap, she's a pig at low speeds (the bike). I have had the utmost in confidence in her at speed, but in my own gravel driveway...that's another story.

As for the stalls....I can't say I have ever experienced that, nor remember reading of others having that problem at all. Let's not assume that its rider error though. I for one think (hope) someone with 15 years experience probably knows how to work a clutch. Maybe there is some idle setting that is off, or she's got too much water int he gas tank. Who knows.

And as for the 30 pounds of weight changing the handling, you have to admit something is definitely wrong there if she is experiencing that. The only problem is, she is not looking for solutions, and seems to have already made up her mind about the bike before posting, and probably well before that. It would be informative to have another experienced FJR rider test ride her bike to see if these problems can be duplicated, but I think we are well beyond that. The truth is, it sounds like this just wasn't the right fit for her, and although the complaints that she has likely have a logical explanation and solution, she is too far biased against the bike to want to find them. This could end up being a good deal for someone looking for an 08. I'll take it off her hands for $200.

 

[ahchiu]

I just figured what the problem is, the problen with the 6 bikes you owned the common denominator is you..not the bike

 

[sporto]

Any gal that throws a leg over an FJR is A-OK in my book. Doesn't surprise me she is a bit spirited and has the mouth of a sailor to complete the package.

Good luck finding a new ride. We are very fortunate to have so many different types of bikes to chose from.

 

[wheatonFJR]

At the risk of NOT following the dogpile thats going on here, it would seem that while our FJR's don't "suck" for us, her FJR definitely "sucked" for her. There are many variables that have made this a reality for her. While obviously height is a huge contributing factor for her, many have successfully lowered their FJR to make it easier to touch the ground with the shiny parts still up in the air. I don't know how many are 5'4"? I for one am a bit challenged in this area at 5'7", and while I have not lowered the FJR, it has occurred to me I might want to do so. Obviously, we all are a bit biased in that we love our FJR's, but let's cut the crap, she's a pig at low speeds (the bike). I have had the utmost in confidence in her at speed, but in my own gravel driveway...that's another story.
As for the stalls....I can't say I have ever experienced that, nor remember reading of others having that problem at all. Let's not assume that its rider error though. I for one think (hope) someone with 15 years experience probably knows how to work a clutch. Maybe there is some idle setting that is off, or she's got too much water int he gas tank. Who knows.

And as for the 30 pounds of weight changing the handling, you have to admit something is definitely wrong there if she is experiencing that. The only problem is, she is not looking for solutions, and seems to have already made up her mind about the bike before posting, and probably well before that. It would be informative to have another experienced FJR rider test ride her bike to see if these problems can be duplicated, but I think we are well beyond that. The truth is, it sounds like this just wasn't the right fit for her, and although the complaints that she has likely have a logical explanation and solution, she is too far biased against the bike to want to find them. This could end up being a good deal for someone looking for an 08. I'll take it off her hands for $200.

I've never had a problem with people discussing problems on their bike...that's why there is a forum section on that.

I get pissed when people post up that "your fooking bike is fooked and you're a stupid fook if you can't man up and admit that you ride a fooking crappy bike."

Enough. Just say bu bye and be done with it if yer gonna rant like that.

 

[Intech]

Man! I read through this thread and wondered "what is her point?" My first reaction to a lot of what I read was that I thought it was over the top. After further consideration and more rants by the OP I think her original point was that she couldn't figure out the problem and she was going to take it out on the rest of us.

Good riddance! geesh!

 

[FJR Steve]

I was gonna make an offer on the scoot...but she dropped it (right?)

 

[JuiceMcGoose]

To the OP, you said you had a Suzuki. Have you ridden a SV650? On the SV forum the guys kid it's a girls bike because so many girls own them. I have one with a Corbin seat that gives it a low seat height. Exceptional bike and a lot of fun.

 

[BikerGeek99]

Best.

Thread.

EVER!!

:jerry:

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

To the OP, you said you had a Suzuki. Have you ridden a SV650? On the SV forum the guys kid it's a girls bike because so many girls own them. I have one with a Corbin seat that gives it a low seat height. Exceptional bike and a lot of fun.

Bbbuutt..., she's experienced..., she's owned 6 (six) bikes..., and hubby rides a fizzy1.

And..., everybody knows -- you can't tour on anything less than (at least) 1000cc.....! :blink: :huh:

 

[manwhoride]

I'm thinking she woke up this morning after having an all night fight with her kids or husband fueled by alcohol and losing on all fronts, wanting to win one making her feel vindicated. After all, she did get the last word after provoking how many of us into her fit of anger. The way I see it, she succeeded in getting exactly what she wanted. And that was, in her mind feeling like the victim, and again in her mind winning (her) dignity back by having the last word. Nothing to do with the FJR, just some place to vent and get into a fight she could control....and win! How dare she use our beloved FJR as her scapegoat because she feels inadequate as a person...! A tricycle is her best bet. That's the way I see it.

Brian

 

[Geezer]

I know I couldn't keep up with a well ridden FZ1, and if I tried I'd be scraping hard parts. How can someone with a lowered FJR, where the parts are even closer to the ground, keep up?

I think we've been trolled.

 

[Bounce]

YES, she is too big for me as every bike I have ever owned has been too big for me. Unfortunately they really don't make them for a woman my size so I've had to adapt or give up and I'm NOT giving up. All my bikes have been lowered. None have stalled on take off as much as this one. None have been near as temperamental as this one. I did my research. I asked lots of questions on this site about lowering the FJR. I made damn sure the forks were lowed the same as the rear. I spent an entire day on highway 12 dialing in the suspension after reading every post I could find on this site about the subject. Had her dialed in so well my husband could not lose me in the turns on his FZ1. Wonderful, or so I thought. If a little weight can throw her off this much, to hell with it. Awful, AWFUL rider!!

sounds to me like you be better served, long term, by fixing things this way.

if you're dead set about getting a bike to fit you instead of learning how to finesse bigger bikes, perhaps this might help.

or better yet

 

[radman]

34 posts in and she's history-do we have a record of sorts here? And after being dissed by white bread Wheaties no less-that HAS to be a record.

 

[Jer]

After reading this post, I just had to add my comments. I have trouble understanding how someone with 15 years of riding on 6 different bikes could have so much trouble riding the FJR. I personally think it is like a golf club that gets blamed for a bad shot when in reality it is the operator's fault. I guess the OP will never read this, but hopefully proud FJR riders and members of our great forum will. First time I have joined a dogpile and I must say it feels good.

 

[Big Sky]

Yeah, her anger is probably misplaced. Makes me kind of embarrassed to also be a Montanan.

I, too, have a little experience - 33 years on a broad assortment of bikes, including 1100cc & -plus road bikes since 1983 (loved my Blackbird XX). I have had some good ones, but never put over 33,000 on one of those bikes...except the FJR, which I just turned over 56,000 in my seventh season, most of it riding two up and loaded with the stock suspension (rear shock was swapped with a fresh stocker at 34,000). The FJR does not handle as well when carrying 400 pounds of rider and gear as it does unloaded and solo, but it handles pretty well and very acceptably. Wife and I just did 1,400 miles all over Wyoming last week including the Shell Canyon of the Bighorn Range, which is nothing but good twisties. There was almost no traffic so we strafed it pretty hot, downhill, touching the pavement feelers a little now and then, using way more brake and gears than I like, but... The bike handles fine. I'm even running semi-worn out BT020s (44 PSI rear, 39.5 PSI front), but it fairly railed the turns, never a sphincter clench. The weight is not a (the) problem.

My guess is she had an undetected issue with tire pressures. Didn't check 'em? Faulty gauge? Maybe she was totally lost with the suspensions setups and settings and had everything backward.

In my seven years on the Feej, I've never dropped it. With its substantial torque, it's hard to stall. The clutch engagement is a little more abrupt than on some other bikes and can take someone unfamiliar by surprise. If you have the steering to the locks, begin to pull out and into an immediate low-speed lean...and kill it, it WILL fall down.

Incidentally, my '03 goes into the shop next week for a major service: everything. I will spend quite a bit on it because I like this bike so much, I plan to ride it at least three more years (to about 80,000 miles), then I might get something else...or I might just keep riding it.

It is the best built, most durable, most utilitarian motorcycle I have ever owned. If I could (or wanted to) buy anything out there brand new right now, it would be another FJR.

My 2¢ only.

 

[HaulinAshe]

Done with the FJR. Done with us. Done with the site. Wow!!!

Please come back long enough to post the Ebay or Craigslist thread.

It's unfortunate the FJR was not the bike for you. It is a wonderful bike for us.