The feel of my "new" FJR

[YamahaPilot]

Hey all,

Very new to the forum, and very new to the FJR. My newly-acquired 2005 model arrived this evening after being shipped across the country. Just for some background, I've been riding the FJR's less mature kid-brother, the FZ1 (a 2002 Gen1 model), for several years and have absolutely loved that bike.

My '05 FJR has ABS (which the seller failed to mention...interesting), and just clicked over 52,000 miles. The tires are decent (front is better than the rear) and before my first ride I double-checked the pressures and all was good. My first impression as I drove around my neighborhood was how "heavy" the handlebars felt in the corners. The bars seem to want to fall into the turn and it takes a fair bit of "push" on the inside handlebar to keep the front wheel from turning sharper.

My question is...is this normal? I ask because the turn-in tendency on the FZ1 only shows up at very low front-tire pressures (20-25 psi). With normal tire pressure, the FZ1 handlebars seem to simply stay wherever I put them...I can ride a one-handled slow, tight turn with no problem.

Anyone else experience this? Might just be something to get used to, but I just want to make sure there's nothing funky going on in my front end. Thanks!

 

[Ignacio]

.... before my first ride I double-checked the pressures and all was good. My first impression as I drove around my neighborhood was how "heavy" the handlebars felt in the corners.

..... I ask because the turn-in tendency on the FZ1 only shows up at very low front-tire pressures (20-25 psi). With normal tire pressure, the FZ1 handlebars seem to simply stay wherever I put them...I can ride a one-handled slow, tight turn with no problem.

And what was that pressure specificially? If it was 20-25 psi....then it wasn't good.

Try something more like 40 psi.

 

[YamahaPilot]

I simply went off the sticker numbers (36psi up front, and I think I had 38psi or so in the rear) when I pulled the FJR off the truck tonight.

The 20-25psi event on my FZ1 happened because the bike sat for about a month. I jumped on and headed down my street and quickly realized the handlebars did not feel normal at all. Front tire pressure was the culprit.

Just wondering if the heavier feel of the FJR handle bars is normal.

 

[garyahouse]

Hey Brandon,

Looking at the list of bikes at the bottom of your post, is this the heaviest bike you've owned? Concerning the steering feel at slow speeds, I noticed the same thing when I first got my 05... and yes, to some degree, it's normal. There are factors that can alter this somewhat, like suspension settings and tire pressures and wear (google search the forum to learn more), but the FJR does have some weight. Like any new bike, you'll get used to it. One last thought: there was a big change in the slow speed steering effort when i darksided the bike. See this thread clicky to view my original post about it. However, remember that darksiding is not for everybody... don't make any quick decisions about it until you've gotten thoroughly familiar with your new bike and done MUCH research on our own darkside thread.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Donal]

I simply went off the sticker numbers (36psi up front, and I think I had 38psi or so in the rear) when I pulled the FJR off the truck tonight.

The 20-25psi event on my FZ1 happened because the bike sat for about a month. I jumped on and headed down my street and quickly realized the handlebars did not feel normal at all. Front tire pressure was the culprit.

Just wondering if the heavier feel of the FJR handle bars is normal.

The 'consensus' on tyre pressures seems to be 39 psi front & 42 psi rear. I would try that before you do anything else

Don

 

[Ken45]

I agree about the 39psi.

I don't know about your other bikes, but a Nighthawk seems to oversteer at slow speeds. My 92 tends to "fall into" the turn. Maybe that's what you are used to?

BTW, coming from a Goldwing, the FJR seems incredibly light to me

Good luck with the new bike.

Ken

 

[seventyss]

What brand of tires? How many miles? If you search here you will find more posts on tires than you will care to read. New Michelin PR2 tires made a night and day difference in the way my bike handled.

 

[Fred W]

Yep. This is a case where the sticker is just wrong. The bike handles like a Mack truck with 36 psi up front. BTDT.

Interestingly, the 2nd gen owners manuals and stickers all say to run 40 psi front and 42 psi rear (on essentially the same bike).

When I run those pressures the handling is much lighter and the tires last a whole lot longer.

Try it, you'll like it.

Oh, and congrats on the new bike

 

[03HiYoSilver]

...The bike handles like a Mack truck with 36 psi up front...

...so true and believe it or not, a Low Pressure Rear Tire will make the Front feel like a Truck or a Flat.

 

[dcarver]

Interestingly, the 2nd gen owners manuals and stickers all say to run 40 psi front and 42 psi rear (on essentially the same bike).

True confession time. I run even higher pressures than what's listed in above quote. Works for me, but most peeps are afraid to experiment.

I think you're real issue is worn tires. Wait till you get a new set then pressure up.

 

[fjrsochs]

Interestingly, the 2nd gen owners manuals and stickers all say to run 40 psi front and 42 psi rear (on essentially the same bike).

True confession time. I run even higher pressures than what's listed in above quote. Works for me, but most peeps are afraid to experiment.

I think you're real issue is worn tires. Wait till you get a new set then pressure up.

I just bought an '05 and had the exact same issues. Tire pressure plue suspension settings have changed my perception. Although the need to counter steer at slower speeds is still heavier than my former bike. Getting my tire pressure up to 40/40 and using HaulinAshe's suspension settings. Has made the bike easier to handle.

Read my last few posts (read them all really) at

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=14779

 

[moto2wheelin]

Yes sir, I have had 3 FJR's now and they all feel this way to me in a fairly short time after new tires. I don't know why, but this bike will let you know very soon when the tires start to fall off, much more than my last bike, C14. I do like the FJR better, but have noticed this with all of them.

 

[FJR_Mikey]

40 front & 42 rear for me. If the tires even get slightly below these numbers, I can feel it. Both slow turn-ins and to some degree at highway speeds. The bike just tends to feel a little sloopy when the pressure goes down. Sears has my compressor on a recall right now. They better hurry up with it. I sure miss that convienence!

 

[FJR Bill]

I bought my 2009 with 4800 miles on the OEM tires and had the same experience. The front tire had many more miles left on it but I bought a new one (PR2) pumped it up to 39 PSI and have been happy ever since. The weight of the FJR takes some time to get used to. For me its only a concern during turn arounds, parking, backing etc. Once rolling she handles sweet and the heaviness seems to go away.

Bill

 

[Fred W]

I bought my 2009 with 4800 miles on the OEM tires and had the same experience. The front tire had many more miles left on it but I bought a new one (PR2) pumped it up to 39 PSI and have been happy ever since.

Very good point, Bill-san.

Although the tire on the newly purchased bike may look like it is only half worn out (or less) if all of that wear occurred at the operator manual recommended pressures, it quite likely has already worn into a bad shape. Being a cheap ass frugal Yankee, I'd just let those tires run their course (properly inflated they may actually improve) knowing full well that when you put your first set of new tires on, you will have an FJR epiphany!!

 

[zed88]

Even my wife can tell on the back when the tires are getting worn due to the handling and lack of smoothness. Get new tires and get your pressure up. Also check all the suspension. If its original at 52k it's probably shot and that's not helping either.

 

[YamahaPilot]

Hey all, thanks for all the advice.

I boosted the tire pressures to 40/42 and it definitely helped. I guess the rest is just me getting used to the heavier bike. This is the biggest I've owned so far.

 

[ionbeam]

...Being a cheap ass frugal Yankee, I'd just let those tires run their course (properly inflated they may actually improve) knowing full well that when you put your first set of new tires on, you will have an FJR epiphany!!

True dat. It will be almost like a different motorcycle.

 

[bluesdog]

...Being a cheap ass frugal Yankee, I'd just let those tires run their course (properly inflated they may actually improve) knowing full well that when you put your first set of new tires on, you will have an FJR epiphany!!

True dat. It will be almost like a different motorcycle.

+1

New BT23-GTs made a huge difference.

On my '11, both tires are inflated slightly above the sticker/owner's/service manual recommended 39psi front, 42psi rear