Test Rode the 08 FJR.......loved it!

[Tailwalk]

Hi everybody....I've been checking out this board for a few weeks now and really enjoy all the posts. Lots of great information and cool people. I currently own a 99 Bmw F650 and have been looking to upgrade to a Sport Tourer.

I test rode the 08 FJR on Wednesday and it blew me away! I enjoyed it so much more than the BMW K1200GT and R1200RT on so many levels. First off, when I sat on it it just felt more natural to me. I love the sound of it.... that deep throaty purr and then the roar on command, very nice. When riding it feels much tighter and responsive than the beemers in my opinion. Comfort is of key importance to me along with performance and the the yamaha fit my body the best overall.

That being said, there are some changes I'd need to make to the bike for it to be optimal for me and this is where I need your advice and recommendations.

#1 I need a bigger windshield.....I'm about 6'1" 180lbs.......I'd be interested to hear your brand recommendations?

#2 My right hand doesn't like either the grip size or the location of the bars (I'm not sure if it's one/the other/or both) so I'd love to hear recommendations on grips and bar adjustments?

#3 I think my hand likes a wider grip and I know that the BMW heated grips I currently have fit my hand great....does anyone know if I can put BMW heated grips on this bike?

Thanks so much for any info and recommendations........I really love the FJR and hope I can adapt it to me, unfortunately my body is very touchy with ergonomics and I have to choose carefully if I want to ride longer distances in the future.

All the best to you all....safe riding.

David

Seattle, WA

 

[trimmantom]

There are a multitude of different windscreens, if you do a search it will bring up numerous threads.

I've got an 06 and put genmar risers on and it helped with hand position and seating you in a more upright position, it's a real easy fix.

I've got a ceebaileys windscreen +6 +3 that I use during trips and in winter riding.

I don't know that the BMW heated grips will work or not. I've got the yamaha heated grips with grip puppys over them and they work well for me.

Just about any issue you have can be rectifed to your satisfaction with aftermarket stuff, and you can probably find all your answers from somebody on this forum.

You won't make a mistake with an FJR, good luck if you decide to buy one, I've had 2.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Clicky Here for the answers to all your questions and whole lot of information.

Try This Site for some more excellent info and tech tips on the FJR.

Happy Reading.

--G

 

[madmike2]

Whew....that's a big order. There are sooooo many manufacturers and variables. Your height and how you "sit", passenger, heat in the Summer, etc., etc., etc.

You could use Google and type in: windshield site:fjrforum.com

Or you could try the separate manufacturers sites:

www.ceebaileys.com

National Cycle Vstream

CalSci

Rifle

Therea re probably more, but this will give you a start.....happy reading.

 

[Jagermeister]

I'm 6'2" 33 inseam, and this has been a sweet combo for me:

1. Rick Mayer Custom Seat (relatively inexpensive, great quality, comfortable)

2. Heli Riser Plate - Has riser blocks built-in, 2 mounting options; a HUGE improvement in ridability

3. MadCo throttle Lock - simple, quality cruise control

4. CalSci XL Windshield - less buffetting than CB flip, for me

 

[BCB]

I'm 6'2" 33 inseam, and this has been a sweet combo for me:
1. Rick Mayer Custom Seat (relatively inexpensive, great quality, comfortable)

2. Heli Riser Plate - Has riser blocks built-in, 2 mounting options; a HUGE improvement in ridability

3. MadCo throttle Lock - simple, quality cruise control

4. CalSci XL Windshield - less buffetting than CB flip, for me

I have a new 08 (1100 miles) and immediately went with a new windshield. I chose the CalSci and can highly recommend it and the guys at CalSci are great to boot! I had a CB on my BMW but was sold on the engineering of the CalSci.

 

[Tailwalk]

Everybody, thanks so much for the recommendations and information. Exactly what I was hoping for.....

It looks like I'm going to have to hold off a little longer on purchasing the 08. I've never bought new vehicle and taken the new vehicle price hit, just can't do it. I'm going to wait for a babied used 08 to surface (maybe with some farkles included).....in the meantime I'm making a list of the the farkles to customize it to me....THanks to All.

David

P.S. in the meantime I'd love to join any FJR owners from the Seattle area on some rides this spring and summer. So if you don't mind a BMW 650 in the pack I'm a go......just got a garmin vista HCx gps for my ride, can't wait for the next nice weekend because I got the perfect 500 mile ride programmed into it. Touring Southwest washington courtesy of routes recommended by "Destination Highways" book. Be Safe....have fun.

 

[Roy Epperson]

I'm 6'2" 33 inseam, and this has been a sweet combo for me:
1. Rick Mayer Custom Seat (relatively inexpensive, great quality, comfortable)

2. Heli Riser Plate - Has riser blocks built-in, 2 mounting options; a HUGE improvement in ridability

3. MadCo throttle Lock - simple, quality cruise control

4. CalSci XL Windshield - less buffetting than CB flip, for me

What position is the seat in? I'm the same measurement and considering moving from a RoadStar to the FJR.

Roy

 

[Jagermeister]

I'm 6'2" 33 inseam, and this has been a sweet combo for me:
1. Rick Mayer Custom Seat (relatively inexpensive, great quality, comfortable)

2. Heli Riser Plate - Has riser blocks built-in, 2 mounting options; a HUGE improvement in ridability

3. MadCo throttle Lock - simple, quality cruise control

4. CalSci XL Windshield - less buffetting than CB flip, for me

What position is the seat in? I'm the same measurement and considering moving from a RoadStar to the FJR.

Roy

I ride in both positions; up for LD rides, down for more aggressive local riding. My knees prefer the upper position, but I have a little better control (or feel that I do) in the lower.

Here's the simple review I did: clicky at post 10.

 

[rogerc]

Don't worry so much about the farkles, I found that I really didn't need the windshield. I am 6'3 with a 36 inseam. Ride the bike awhile and then determine what you really need.

Wind hits me just right. Love the gen mar risers.

Also look for any year FJR they are all great bikes. I have an 04 and not even thinking of trading in on a new model, she is FANTANSTIC just the way she is!!

RC

 

[Baz]

I own an 06 FJR and the only farkles I have added were a PC III (Power Commander) & a Cee Baily +4H & +1 wide windscreen.

I don't plan on much more. It's a great bike, especially if you like to burn highway miles.

 

[artistonFJR]

Just buy an 07, then you get the best bike made, AND don't have to spend the extra money getting it repainted to an actual "color". The only farkles I have on my 07 are sliders, a backrest for my navigator, a tank bag and a big Kuryakun Grandtour bag for trips. I will be getting heated grips in the fall, but none of the electronic gizmos and xmradio, bug zappers, UFO detectors, etc... I don't want all that crap in my vehicles, and I for sure don't want them on my bike. Whatever happened to "get on and ride"... I don't want some computer telling me "turn right in 3.9 seconds... scratch your balls in twelve seconds... " or anything else for that matter. Open a map at the diner, get your bearings, and let the clutch out... that is why I bought the bike.

Next thing they will have is streaming Dr Phil explaining to you "why you weren't happy with the line you took through that last turn, and how to deal with the guilt of showing off in front of Harley riders."

There are 07s available

C

 

[mcatrophy]

"... and how to deal with the guilt of showing off in front of Harley riders." C

Surely there's no guilt "showing off in front of Harley riders"? You can do nothing else simply by riding normally .