The FJR's Stock Suspension SUCKS!
- Thread starter SkooterG
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Auron
FJRForums' Red-headed stepchild
Plenty of books and professional instructors out there that completely defy the "Twist of the Wrist" philosophy. It's probably the safest way to ride, but hardly the most fun, or rewarding.
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Yes, in a racing situation, on a bike prepared and setup for that kind of riding, trail braking can weight the front tire, alter steering geometry and quicken turn-in desirably.
But, this is clearly not a race prepared bike that we are talking about here. We're talking about a stock 2nd gen FJR1300 street bike that is already running out of cornering clearance. Many street riders that think they are trail braking in reality are just coming into corners too hot, so they stab at the brakes (too much, too late) and end up losing what little cornering clearance they had. Mid corner braking doesn't sound like a great idea in that situation.
You all can do whatever you want, but if you are looking to increase cornering clearance during a turn on a bike that is starved for it already, then trail braking is not "the answer."
It may be old school thinking but, "in slow, out fast" makes a lot of sense to me, and seem especially applicable on the street.
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Auron
FJRForums' Red-headed stepchild
Fair enough.
We have all had those magical experiences on our motorcycles that become part of who we are as a riders. Each of us enjoy riding in different ways for different reasons, but as long as you are having fun, trying to improve, and riding safe, nothing else really matters.
We have all had those magical experiences on our motorcycles that become part of who we are as a riders. Each of us enjoy riding in different ways for different reasons, but as long as you are having fun, trying to improve, and riding safe, nothing else really matters.
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+100 Best post you've made yet! :thumbsup:
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Wow. Poor Keith Code. He's been training riders for over 30 years, has at least two books published on the subject, plus videos. The list of champions he has trained is too long to list and his California Superbike School is busy making money. And yet now we find out he doesn't know how to ride. I feel sorry for him.
So the FJR suspension is too soft. According to Auron it is sprung for a 130 pound rider. Wow. I call B.S.
If the FJR is sprung for a 130 pound rider, is that taking into account fully loaded luggage? Is that with or without a top box? What size top box? Aftermarket or factory?
Wait, the FJR has a passenger seat doesn't it? Does that mean that Yamaha's engineers only planned for a 65 pound rider and a 65 pound passenger? Oh, wait, back to the luggage capacity again. Now that we have a passenger distributing the weight differently, are we still able to carry any luggage? We don't want to exceed that 130 pound capacity!
So the Yamaha engineers know that this is a heavy bike and will be ridden by all sorts of different folks who are going to load the bikes in all sorts of different ways and ride the bike with all sorts of different styles. They build a "one size fits all" suspension. How on earth can anyone determine that suspension is sprung for a 130 pound rider?
Yes, the suspension can be improved upon. No it is not perfect. I am at a loss as to how it could be "Perfect" for everyone of us.
So the FJR suspension is too soft. According to Auron it is sprung for a 130 pound rider. Wow. I call B.S.
If the FJR is sprung for a 130 pound rider, is that taking into account fully loaded luggage? Is that with or without a top box? What size top box? Aftermarket or factory?
Wait, the FJR has a passenger seat doesn't it? Does that mean that Yamaha's engineers only planned for a 65 pound rider and a 65 pound passenger? Oh, wait, back to the luggage capacity again. Now that we have a passenger distributing the weight differently, are we still able to carry any luggage? We don't want to exceed that 130 pound capacity!
So the Yamaha engineers know that this is a heavy bike and will be ridden by all sorts of different folks who are going to load the bikes in all sorts of different ways and ride the bike with all sorts of different styles. They build a "one size fits all" suspension. How on earth can anyone determine that suspension is sprung for a 130 pound rider?
Yes, the suspension can be improved upon. No it is not perfect. I am at a loss as to how it could be "Perfect" for everyone of us.
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
I'll admit that I don't always agree with Keith. He can be kind of ******* sometimes. But I live in a glass house, so...
Thinking about stuff is seldom a bad idea.
Not thinking and just blurting out stuff that we think we know everything there is to know about the topic seldom works out. For any of us.
So... think about that.
Thinking about stuff is seldom a bad idea.
Not thinking and just blurting out stuff that we think we know everything there is to know about the topic seldom works out. For any of us.
So... think about that.
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Fred - when was the last time you took any kind of advanced training class? Not digging, just wondering. Because taking advanced riding classes has really increased my understanding of 'riding theory' and has provided *huge* improvements in my actual riding. Much more so than just reading a book.
Trail braking is a legitimate technique for the street. Granted, it is an *advanced* technique, but it works. There are many ways to skin a cat. I was slow to jump on the trail braking bandwagon for street riding, and I don't use it a lot, but it has advantages even for 'street' riding, one of which is to tighten the line of a turn. Not because you came in too hot, but because you want to.
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SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
And now, can we please stay a bit more on topic....... while riding technique is loosely related, this thread was not meant to be an ad nauseum riding technique discussion. We can start another thread for that mental masturbation.
Wut?
The topic was (paraphrasing): The stock FJR suspension sucks because I grind my hard parts when trolling around the parking lot at less than 30 mph.
I (and some others) suggest that maybe you shouldn't brake during cornering since that will reduce your cornering clearance by compressing your (OEM soft) suspension.
How much more on topic can we be here?
BTW - I'll not respond to your ad hominem question. Let's just stick to what is being discussed, eh?
The topic was (paraphrasing): The stock FJR suspension sucks because I grind my hard parts when trolling around the parking lot at less than 30 mph.
I (and some others) suggest that maybe you shouldn't brake during cornering since that will reduce your cornering clearance by compressing your (OEM soft) suspension.
How much more on topic can we be here?
BTW - I'll not respond to your ad hominem question. Let's just stick to what is being discussed, eh?
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Auron
FJRForums' Red-headed stepchild
Get over it. Call Traxxion Dynamics and ask how much weight the stock FJR springs are suited to support, go ahead. If you are going to say I'm full of s___ you're going to have back it up. And quote me where I said Keith Code doesn't know how to ride, I said his teachings take the fun out of riding. Your dislike for me is getting the best of you.
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SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Really? You are smarter than that. But just for you, I'll repeat: This thread was not meant to be an ad nauseum discussion on riding technique.
And when did I ever say I was on the brakes when I was scraping pegs? Answer: never. Some folks it seems also assumed (incorrectly) that I was not using body position (hanging off) to increase my ground clearance.
And your statement that braking during cornering will reduce cornering clearance by compressing the suspension is an oversimplification and not accurate with regards to trail braking. The whole *point* of trail braking is to keep the suspension movement to an absolute minimum.
I'll ask again - when was the last time you actually *took* an advanced riding class?
And no, this really has nothing *specifically* to do with the stock suspension.
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08FJR4ME
-WYNPRO-
We are suppose to brake going into a corner? Dam you learn something every day. I gotta try that sometime.
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Auron
FJRForums' Red-headed stepchild
Hold on there friend. If everyone starts braking in the corners we're going ot have a lot less members around here real quick. Skooter said it's an "advanced technique" that can be uses in certain situations. It's also very dangerous if you don't know what your'e doing. Get proper instruction, then start thinking about doing it.
Ideally what you want is to use engine braking to load the front as you are diving into a corner. It's the best feeling there is on a motorcycle without your lady on the back and her hand down yer pants.
Ideally what you want is to use engine braking to load the front as you are diving into a corner. It's the best feeling there is on a motorcycle without your lady on the back and her hand down yer pants.
I'm all done.
08FJR4ME
-WYNPRO-
You and I have to go for a ride. I was actualy just being the court jester.Hold on there friend. If everyone starts braking in the corners we're going ot have a lot less members around here real quick. Skooter said it's an "advanced technique" that can be uses in certain situations. It's also very dangerous if you don't know what your'e doing. Get proper instruction, then start thinking about doing it.
Ideally what you want is to use engine braking to load the front as you are diving into a corner. It's the best feeling there is on a motorcycle without your lady on the back and her hand down yer pants.
Dave
bluejag
Well-known member
C'mon Fred... Mr Auron was just trying to give Mr Dave some proper instruction (he clearly needs it) (right Dave??)
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