Thinking of moving to the FJR

[Mortenk]

I bought an ES expecting to get approximately the same degree of suspension management as I experienced with a BMW RT (boxer motor). Maybe I'd get if the front suspension could be changed as the back suspension is. Hard frost heaves and similar "bangs" from road are still as hard and abrupt regardless of whether the suspension is in "two up with bags in marshmallow mode" or "hard core racer mode" settings. Which makes idea of a well set up after market suspension attractive.

I'm in no way debating here your findings on your bike however my experiences with the ES suspension changes, and if I may speak for a couple of others also, are just the opposite of yours. As someone who lives locally with pot-hole infestation and degrading roads, has made his way often up to New England via smoother slab for riding opportunities and once there got an education in frost heaves, I find the ES and the changes it offers very rewarding. I'll switch it around several times during such rides and can always feel a noticeable difference. Again you know your bike better than anyone else but is it possible your ES isn't operating as it should? I believe there's a fairly recent thread here about such an issue with another member's bike.

Ah, found it: https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/176452-no-damping-on-rear-suspension-2018-as/

I totally agree. If you come across a manhole cover that's 5 inches deep, I agree that no setting will make that experience very comfortable. However, for the "minor" things that are part of many urban streets, going Soft makes a huge difference to me...

 

[RBEmerson]

Re ES suspension: First, correcting a typo, the sentence should read "I bought an ES expecting to get approximately the same degree of suspension management as I experienced with a BMW RT (boxer motor). Maybe I'd get it if the front suspension could be changed as the back suspension is."

Second, to clarify, The ES system does work on the rear suspension, going from "marshmallow comfy" to "kick your butt". However, unless I've totally misread everything written about the ES' management of the FJR suspension, the front end stays as it was setup mechanically. Or... the back end changes, the front end doesn't. By comparison, the RT can be reduced to "almost disconnected from the road" front and back (very disconcerting to not have any distinct road feel).

Regional road quality, crappy roads are where you find them. I encountered a stretch of AZ road that was milled but not repaved. Compared to the majority of AZ roads I've met, that milled bit was the smoothest stretch of the lot. Rough is where you find it.

 

[mcatrophy]

ES (in my case AS) suspension does (should) change the front suspension as well as the rear, note the two electrical actuators on the tops of the front suspension, one side does preload, the other damping.

 

[RBEmerson]

OK, I will admit to being a total idiot re: front and rear end adjustment in the ES.

All of that said, here's a quote from the March '16 Cycle World review:

"For 2016, there are two versions of the FJR1300 available: the A model with traditional suspension and the ES model with electronic suspension. The former uses new KYB (rather than Yamaha’s own) suspension components this year, yet retains the clever Hard/Soft lever that effectively changes the shock spring rate to compensate for carrying a passenger and/or luggage. The latter features a high-tech system that lets you change suspension settings at the touch of a button. Damping (compression and rebound on the fork, rebound only on the shock) can be adjusted on the fly, and you can choose between Standard, Hard, and Soft settings with +/-3 for each. Shock spring preload is four-position adjustable via the familiar helmet/luggage dash display, and you must be parked to adjust it."

Since I'm close to the end of the warranty (no YES), how do I verify that all of this working to spec? Without heading to the shop and a more than overnight (sarcasm) wait for service?

(at what point should this go to its own topic instead of thread-jacking this topic)

 

[Mortenk]

A few quick tests:

1) start your bike. Set pre-load to one helmet. Now change it to two helmets+luggage and observe the rear of the bike. It will raise itself some. Put it back to 1 helmet afterwards (or whatever setting that matches your load)

2) Find a fairly rough road - not full of major potholes, but some fairly uneven pavement. In Seattle this is very easy

. Set damping to Soft -3 and go ride the selected road at say 30 mph. Change damping to Hard +3 and go ride the same road at similar speed. You should feel a significant difference

Not sure if that covers all, but it Soft feels a lot smoother than Hard, your system is probably OK...

 

[RBEmerson]

I just finished a 320 mi ride, using 2 up (thought I'd picked two up & luggage - oops) and soft. There is a distinct difference but frost heaves, tar ridges, etc. still came banging through. But enough of what's definitely OT.

My error about misstating whether or not the front end is adjusted.

 

[MCGMB]

...Yeah, my wife loved the ST rear seat, especially once I bought the Russel Day Long.Especially with the rider backrest integrated with my Russel (a feature I intend to repeat on whatever I buy) the ST was pretty much at her front-to-back comfort limit.

I still can't go with the wing, but have expanded my horizons to a couple of BMWs (the R1250RT and the K1600GT). I'm going to try to ride all three - hoping the FJ will be in her comfort zone. It's still my first choice.

It's been awhile since your last post here, curious if you've tried out the other bikes and compared to an FJR?

FJR still the first choice ?