The touring side of things...

[krashdragon]

I generally don't ride above +10 of the limit. Although I can see that riding out west on some of those long stretches would probably change my attitude on that.

riding out west is a whole nuther ballgame than riding back east....

Instead of 126 idiots, three stoplights, six bluehairs and fourteen stop signs per mile,

out West ( not counting southern California...! <G&gt

For every 100 mile stretch....you get 14 cages, 123 semi's, 13 rv's, 6 groups of straggling Harley riders going way too slow ( Hey, I own one, I can say that!), 7 speeding sport bikes , and a couple of sport touring bikes that are riding very conservatively....below 130 mph!

Seriously, if you've never been it west.... GO!

Mary

 

[doctorJ]

When I was comparing sport-touring bikes I decided on the FJR because it fit me right and I liked the way it looked. I also liked some of the performance aspects such as abs etc. I also live in Harley country, being near York, and just didn't want to be part of that herd. I know the FJR is considered more of a SPORT-touring bike, but I'm really just a touring type guy. Boring I guess. Reading some of the posts in this forum about top-end speed etc., I'm wondering if I'm really in the minority here. This is also my first motorcycle in quite a few years so I'm staying well within my learning curve. My wife and I plan on hitting the road for some long getaways next summer. Anyone else on the touring side of things here? BTW - great bike! and btw I know it's Friday. :lol:

I know of a bunch of people who do long distance rides, iron butt rides and rallies on the FJR. It seems to them to be an excellent long distance bike so sure it can be a touring bike. I've not had one bike that I've not had to modify to fit me from windscreens, seat, bar risers etc. so figure the FJR is no different. I will be getting an 08 black beauty soon, so will find out for myself I guess and see how it stacks up alongside my ST1300abs. I should have the sport touring niche kinda covered, huh.

JDP

 

[UKDave]

First, I have to say that, after I had fixed the seat, the rear shock, the windscreen and the bars, my FJR is a great tourer. My touring is mostly long distance, often across Europe and always two-up and fully loaded. On the other hand, it can be ridden like a sports bike if you want and, even two up, can provide an exciting ride. Handling is good enough to use ALL the tyre tread. Compared with Honda STs and BMW LTs, not to mention Goldwings, it is a lightweight. Compared with supersports bikes, it is a bit heavy and slow steering. Which is why it is called a "sports tourer"!

We are often in the European Alps where, at the top of every mountain pass, you will find anything from overloaded GL1800s to Ducatis and R1s and everything in between, including the occasional moped. Is the Ducati rider who has nothing more than his leathers and a credit card not a tourer when he has travelled 1000 miles to get to the pass along the same roads as the GL1800. The point is, you don't have to be loaded with camping gear to be touring nor is there any reason why you shouldn't tow a camping trailer if that is your thing. Touring is an activity and is not defined by the bike but by the rider. If you feel happy to be on your bike and you're on the road, that's all that matters. It is always dangerous to try to classify a motorcycle or to ask other people's opinions because there are as many different tastes in motorcycling as there are people.

I first crossed Europe on a home built Triumph/Norton with high level pipes which had to be bump started because it had no kick start (it got in the way of the rearsets) but I sure as hell was touring. Just enjoy the bike and the trip!

UKDave

 

[Spook]

I also do not use the power to FJR to the limits.
I enjoy taking some long trips on the bike. Earlier this year I had a nice run from Reno, NV to Tulsa, OK and loved it. About a month ago I managed to get some free time for a trip from Reno, NV to Seattle, WA and enjoyed it also.

The stock seat lasted me about 20K before I was not having fun. Since then I have had Spencer redo my seat for more comfort.

I am in the process of adding a trailer to the FJR to carry a few extra things and a ice chest for camping with the wife. I ride solo most of the time as I ride daily to work. The FJR is a perfect fit for me to ride daily. For the few times a year Michelle is with me I will use the trailer.

I am thinking of having Spencer do mine this winter during down time. How is yours working out? You get the LD mod?