The touring side of things...

[Nate]

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:

 

[ponyfool]

IMO, a stock FJR is the middle of the herd when it comes to the sport vs touring aspect. I've always considered the ST1300 to be much more touring than sport, the new Kawi C14 much more sport than touring, and the FJR a very happy mix of both.

I have never been, and will never be, the type rider than will take my FJR to it's limits. I've only scraped pegs a couple times, and to be honest, don't like to. But, I do love that it gets up and goes when I want it to and I like that it's handling capacity far exceeds what I'll put into it.

On the touring side, I can sit on my FJR with stock seat for an entire day with very little problems. I've been told a new seat will add to it, but I have just never had an issue with the stocker. The only thing I've done to my bike is add a throttle lock (will be adding a cruise control later), and handlebar risers. The rest (sat radio, gps, etc) are things I'd add to any bike.

As to whether or not you are in the minority or not, well, that's just too subjective. There are countless hundreds of people on this forum who have their FJR for the sole purpose of doing long distance trips that want more excitement when doing it than a Goldwing or ST1300.

 

[ngarider]

A number of IBR/LD guys ride this bike (our own Iggy just won the SPANK rally a few days ago). Only a few have done track days with it. What more can you ask for?

If you do cross country 2-up, get a Wingabago. The FJR doesn't hold a candle to the wing for that purpose. But, the wing isn't as much fun in the twisty stuff. If you hate twisty stuff, you may have bought the wrong bike.

I love the fact I can ride 4 hours, do 2 or 3 in technical twisty roads, and ride 4 back home without thinking about my wrists, back......

Good luck.

 

[kulwen]

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.

 

[ShawnKing]

I know the FJR is considered more of a SPORT-touring bike, but I'm really just a touring type guy. Boring I guess.

Not boring at all.

Reading some of the posts in this forum about top-end speed etc., I'm wondering if I'm really in the minority here.

Maybe, maybe not. What's wrong with being in the minority? You wrote you didn't want to be part of the "Harley Herd".

Anyone else on the touring side of things here?

I just like to ride - I don't care if it's all day touring or a quick spin through whatever twisties I can find or a slow charity ride through town or a run to the store to get groceries (of course, I go to the grocery store that's 50 miles away ) - I just get out and ride and don't think about whether I'm in a minority or not.

 

[FoolJustRide]

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:

Nate,

Welcome to the Pa. group of FJR riders.

You will find that the FJR does both the SPORT and TOURING duties very well. Even if you don't exercise the outer limits of the FJR.

You will find the touring aspects of the bike very rewarding after you take a few longer trips. My S.O. and I have been to Lake George NY. and out to Butler Pa. this summer and she likes the ride and comfort better than the 1150RT that I traded for the FJR.

Take a few longer rides and you will discover which Farkles you need to install to make the bike right for you.

And isn't nice to know that when you need some GO it's just a throttle twist away.

 

[shokdimn]

I'm really just a touring type guy.

Strictly a recreational, fair weather, pix taking, and some would say restrained, type of rider :bike: here. Although, I would like to be more of a touring rider. Just not good at accumulating long days in the saddle I guess.

Boring I guess.

I’ve read many interesting ride reports posted by riders on tour.

 

[big ears]

If you like it enjoy it. It don't matter what.

 

[Bigtime]

I don't measure the "sport" side of the bike based on the engine size or top speed; I measure the "sport" side by weight and "flickabliity". To me the recently discontinued Ducati ST line (I owned the ST3) and the triumph ST is more sport, and the FJR, BMW K1200GT/R1200RT, Kawi K14 (yes, k14 included) are more on the touring side of the ST class.

The Ducati and Triumph are very light weight (<500lbs) flickable bikes. These bikes are not setup for heavy two-up riding, optional luggage (trunk bag), have smaller side bags, much tighter gearing, moderate sport riding position, etc. You'd have to be pretty dedicated to take one of these on extended 500 mile day, two-up touring. These bikes are not out of place on for a track day and can match a lot of sports bikes.

The latter class are heavy, curb weight approach/exceed 700 lbs. They're also very agile, but I wouldn't call them "flickable". They are designed for fairly heavy two up distance touring, are comfortable for all day riding and have plenty of power to haul a very heavy load. While they have incredible power and have excellent acceleration, they're geared very tall and are very relaxed rides. Sure you can take them to the track, but they will draw the wtf? look.

When I bought the ST3 I was looking for a sport bike with bags, less radical riding position then sport, and decent wind protection. When I bought the FJR I was looking for a more serious tourer that was up to the task of comfortable long distance touring.

Call it what you will, but it's perfect for what you intend!

 

[Wild72]

The guys I ride with are a mixed bunch. Some, (me included) are content taking in the scenery, grabbing some pics, and sticking within about 10mph of the posted speed limits. Others, enjoy opening things up from time to time, and I just let them go, and catch up with them later.

Just last weekend, a few of us rode together, and at the end of the trip, my maximum speed was well below triple digits according to the GPS, and I had a blast.

I had a five year break from riding before buying my FJR, and quickly regained the confidence in both myself and the bike to go scraping pegs etc., but I just don't feel the urge these days.

Since you are fairly close, why not join us sometime?

PS: I refer to the area as Barbell Country. Much better use of American Iron than that other lot down the road!!!

 

[Jagermeister]

From the factory, the FJR was a little too "Sport" oriented for me to do serious long distance rides.

Aftermarket seats and windshield (Rick Mayer and VStream, for me currently), plus the HeliBar made my FJR a great Tourer. Did 330 miles today, and I'm not even a little sore. 980 miles is my 1-day record, so far; many IBA riders here laugh at that. Wife and I ride together frequently - 500 miles/day is usually her limit.

Ultimately, you must decide for yourself what type of riding you'll do most. The FJR is no Goldwing. But then, the Goldwing is no FJR.

 

[2006FJR]

I bought this bike for sport-touring. I have a foot in both camps and love the balance of the FJR. We spent another 10 hours in the saddle today riding two up from Coos Bay, OR to Mendocino, CA along some real twisty stuff and the bike handled it like a champ. When we turned off the 101 to the 271 there was about 35 miles of 1st and 2nd gear turns. I had the bike grinding pegs all the way through the turns and loving every bit of it.

If you like touring this is a great bike. The only reason why I personally would step into a "Wing" is for my wifes comfort and I would buy her, her own bike before I did that. Climbing through some of the twisties on the FJR rolling on and off 4th gear always brings a smile to my face. Good luck.

 

[dcarver]

Any bike can be a 'touring' bike.

[SIZE=8pt]Friend of mine rode an 84 Honda XR500 around the states for 11 months, said that mounting street tires made it a touring rig. [/SIZE]

Not all bikes can be a 'sport' bike.

[SIZE=8pt]Any bike providing long distance comfort is overweight, undersprung and is like dating a big fat girl. You pay a penalty for performance, that penalty is comfort. Get over it.[/SIZE]

Few bikes make a good 'sport-touring' bike.

[SIZE=8pt]HP, gas mileage, suspension, ergo's, lean angle,... Many try, most fail.[/SIZE]

Even fewer bikes make a GREAT 'sport-touring' bike; the compromises are too great to overcome.

[SIZE=8pt]No offense Smitty, but Wings and Ultras etc just don't flick good enough.[/SIZE]

I rate the FJR between good and great on the sport-touring compromise, stock.

[SIZE=8pt]But cheap entrance fee, as compared to other marques in the class.[/SIZE]

Throw some $$ at it (seat, hi-way pegs, hydration system, HID lights, wind screen, bar riser/setbacks, suspension) and the compromises become much less, and still cheaper than a BMW or full dress Harley.

[SIZE=8pt]Not sure of the dollar/performance ratio to get a Wing flickable. Need to ride some other contenders, don't have $$ to purchase. Please send me your choices and I'll ride then decide. [/SIZE]

 

[HYCLE]

Terri and I took the long way home from NAFO, about 2000 miles. 500 mile day was no problem.

I don't know if this is touring mode or truck mode.

 

[Bigtime]

From the factory, the FJR was a little too "Sport" oriented for me to do serious long distance rides. Aftermarket seats and windshield (Rick Mayer and VStream, for me currently), plus the HeliBar made my FJR a great Tourer.

The seat and windscreen are just ****** components, they are not sport oriented by design. Handle bar height requirements are driven by the size of the rider, the FJR handle bar position is not close to a sport bike riding position.

 

[madmike2]

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 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.

What is your definition of touring? Does a 3500 mile trip to NAFO (Sacramento, CA to Golden, CO) and back, 10 days of mountains and desert, twisty canyons and flat straights, enjoying family, friends and roadway adventures and breathtaking scenery.....and never having to explore the performance limits of my FJR count as "touring"?

Sure, I ran some "high speed" across the desert expanse (like 85 mph in a 75 mph zone...for miles and miles and miles and miles of Utah Hwy 24 and Hwy 50 in UT and NV) and I certainly pushed the speed a bit when passing slower vehicles (IIRC, I did hit 100 mph on one stretch of CO Hwy 285 when passing a group of cars and trucks) but I didn't touch a peg feeler the entire trip.

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 don't think you should worry about anyone's label or definition. I bought my FJR because I wanted one, not to fit into a "category" of motorcyclist. I've met some wonderful people along the way and have made some great friendships, all centered around this motorcycle.

If you meet and ride with different groups within this forum you will find that there are more folks like you. Yes, there are those who can and will push (and some will exceed) the potential of this bike, but most just enjoy riding.

Resistance was futile, you have been assimilated!

 

[Bigtime]

Terri and I took the long way home from NAFO, about 2000 miles. 500 mile day was no problem.
I don't know if this is touring mode or truck mode.

Great picture, where do you put the humans? That is a fine example of the FJR's touring side.

 

[Nate]

Hycle the way you loaded that bike up was impressive. Thanks for the replies. I guess part of what I meant by touring was riding at a reasonable pace and taking in the scenery. Perhaps someday 3500 miles or more will be in the playbook.

I fully appreciate this bikes capabilities and enjoy giving the throttle a good twist now and then. My comfort level with the FJR is increasing rather quickly and I expect at some point I'll be meeting up with some of you. 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.

I'm not concerned about being in a certain category. I was more concerned with keeping up with you guys. I'm sure it won't be a problem.

 

[Jagermeister]

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.

The FJR usually does change attitudes on that.