Split: Weight limit for ES Model?
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MCRIDER007
Well-known member
The weight limit for the ES or any other FJR is around 440 lbs. However, at that weight the rear sag on the ES will be around 60-62mm which greatly slows the steering, far too much in my opinion. If you are going to load an FJR to its limit, you will get better results by using a after market shock with a much larger spring and adjustable preload.
If you only ride double on day rides and do not load it up with trunk and luggage, the ES can handle 380 lbs pretty well.
Not saying this is not correct, just curious if that sag was measured or calculated, and if you took into account the added preload of going to preload level 4 (2 up plus bags).
MCRIDER007
Well-known member
Good question, it was measured at a dealership with preload level 4, saddlebags OFF the bike, with an estimated 175, 225, and 390 lbs. Actual sag measurements were 17, 24, and 49mm, estimated sag with empty saddlebags at those weights would be 21, 28, and 53mm. Estimated sag at 450 lbs was 62mm. We did not have a scale to verify rider weights and measuring mm is a bit subjective so other's measurements may vary but should be pretty close.
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Thanks. That seems pretty thorough. I guess the next thing we need to figure out is if anyone wants to make a heavier replacement spring for the ES. But then the damping may not be well matched.
MCRIDER007
Well-known member
General rule of thumb is that you can go up two spring sizes (100lb) without having to revalve, the ES with it's 21 different damping positions may be even more flexible (I don't really believe that, I can't tell much difference between soft -1 and Hard +3 on my ES but there are those who report a huge difference in damping on their ESs). Either way, a 100lb bump in spring rate should go a long way in resolving the fully loaded sag problem.
Another possibility to fix the excessive sag would be to just add more of a spacer on top of whatever the electrically operated preload adjuster provides.
The rear wheel stroke is 125mm and the shock stroke is only 63mm, so the relay arm amplifies shock motion by nearly 2:1. So to raise the rear 10mm across all 4 preload settings would only require a 5mm spacer on the shock. That should work as long as the spring won't become coil bound at maximum preload and full suspension stroke.
Another alternative would be using different dog bones to raise the back end up.
Edited to add: None of the above except spring replacement would stiffen the suspension to deal with the added weight. It would just restore the ride height and steering.
The rear wheel stroke is 125mm and the shock stroke is only 63mm, so the relay arm amplifies shock motion by nearly 2:1. So to raise the rear 10mm across all 4 preload settings would only require a 5mm spacer on the shock. That should work as long as the spring won't become coil bound at maximum preload and full suspension stroke.
Another alternative would be using different dog bones to raise the back end up.
Edited to add: None of the above except spring replacement would stiffen the suspension to deal with the added weight. It would just restore the ride height and steering.
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MCRIDER007
Well-known member
I think a 5mm spacer would be a low cost simple solution but should be approached with caution since it would, as you said, raise the seat height 10mm across all 4 preload settings and the higher seat height might be too tall for some riders when they ride solo. The only mechanical question is whether the stepper motor is strong enough to compress the spring an additional 5mm in Level 3 and 4. The current (total) compression is 2mm in Level 2, 6mm in Level 3, and 8 mm in Level 4.
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Viper Pilot
Well-known member
Fred, not to hijack this thread, but you mentioned for the 16ES the relay arm ratio for the rear shock is 2:1. Would you happen to know what it is for the Gen 1 05' since you used to have one?
The ratio is a function of the dimensions of relay arm. I calculated the ratio based on the specs for wheel travel and shock stroke.
2014 ES
Rear Wheel Travel: 125mm
Shock Stroke: 63mm
Ratio: 1.984 : 1
All other FJRs, all years:
Rear Wheel Travel: 125 mm
Shock Stroke: 60mm
Ratio: 2.083 : 1
eflyguy
Well-known member
Although the seat is closer to the rear wheel than the front, it's only about 2/3 of the distance between the wheel centers, so a 10mm rise at the rear would only be 6-7 at the lowest part of the seat.
I suspect it would work fine. Although the owners manual advises to only adjust the preload with no weight on the seat, I have done that with my wife and I seated on the bike at a stop light with no apparent ill effects.
Joel S.
Well-known member
if soft -1 and hard +3 feel the same either your roads are amazingly smooth, or your bike needs some major service. guessing the later, because braking will show you a huge difference in nose dive also.
on my 16 i can tell the difference from hard +1 to hard +2 and the change made,
Free download at www.yamahamotors.com Click on motorcycles then scroll all the way down, you'll see it.
MCRIDER007
Well-known member
Actually I can feel a difference when in soft-2 or soft-3 because there is insufficient rebound damping in the shock, after that very little change all the way to Hard+3 (some change but not much). Its been that way since new. One of my friends, who actually gets paid up to $500 a day as a track instructor, rode it for 100 miles on all kinds of surfaces and his impressions were the same as mine except he added that he felt there was slightly less front fork dive under hard braking in the Hard position. Maybe my bike is different than most but I am very satisfied with the ride quality as is and am not going to try to change it.
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