Thoughts on selling

[rwortman]

My '12 is the most comfortable bike I have owned. (Never had a full tourer) OTOH I don't think there is a bike made that I can do consecutive 600 mile days on and not be sore. Hell, I don't think I can do that in a car.

 

[RaYzerman19]

Lowcountry Joe's suggestions are good. Grip buddies to pad and increase the diameter of the grips, TBS, definitely the throttle unwind so you're not gripping so tight. IMHO stock seat sucks. If you're thinking Tenere, better go ride one, it has vibes of its own...... but the riding position may be better.

 

[maggot]

Heeding Joe's suggestions... got grip puppies. Don't think the TBS does anything off idle from what i'm reading.

Seat is ok, sure a RDL would be better, but not an issue at this point. Will do throttle unwind tomorrow, also checking on peg lowerimg kits.

The Tenere is something i'm considering. Not sure on seat height, but would like a shaft drive, Yamaha is a plus.

I'm not giving up, I have some 3rd world problems going on for sure.

Gonna do a Lake Erie loop trip with the adjustments.... we'll see.

 

[JRF]

When I brought mine home from Toronto, the throttle bar buzz was so bad my hand was numb after 20 minutes. It killed the ride & I was convinced there was something wrong with the bike. A throttle lock helped a great deal, but what really addressed the buzz was adjusting the front suspension. Sounds silly but there in no buzz at all in 5th at 100kmph & at 120 it is negligible.

 

[maggot]

The bike is not going.... I have never touched the suspension but I can adjust a little.

Throttle spring is done, got a throttle lock. I lifted the seat and that would help the knees a little, but then I was leaning more... So not sure which way to go. Maybe move it mid day.

Still considering lowering the pegs.

5th at highway is comfortable, but it's the consecutive days of several hundred kms adding to a couple thousand kms is what takes it's toll. Only 2up.

Got another 3 day trip coming up around Lake Ontario, not Erie. And will check. Not sure there's a better bike for what i'm doing.

We'll see....

 

[Titanium17]

There is a better bike for what your doing....its called a 2014/2015 FJR....

 

[DaJudge]

There is a better bike for what your doing....its called a 2014/2015 FJR....

I'll chime in and suggest a Gen3 as well. With the electronic cruise, you can log many, many miles with just your index fingers resting on the grips. I used to get some hand buzz on longer trips when I had my '05 and '07, but it's a non-issue with the '13.

Having your stock seat re-done by Seth Laam is a great improvement.

 

[Uncle Hud]

DaJudge posted: I'll chime in and suggest a Gen3 as well. With the electronic cruise, you can log many, many miles with just your index fingers resting on the grips. I used to get some hand buzz on longer trips when I had my '05 and '07, but it's a non-issue with the '13.
Having your stock seat re-done by Seth Laam is a great improvement.

+1 on the cruise control. It even helps in stop-and-go traffic: set it at 30 mph, flick it on, and give your right hand 30 seconds of rest. (It won't engage until you're in 3rd gear, however.)

Don't underestimate the effect of heated grips and better weather protection via *allegedly* improved fairing and windshield. All the little things help reduce on-the-road fatigue.

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BUT, only you know what's best for yourself. Make an honest assessment, throw in a little emotion (especially that bit about, "I am NOT getting too old!"), and make your decision. There are Spyders and convertible cars if you really are addicted to the wind in your face .....

 

[GPRIDER]

Maybe you're overdoing it on the first day out. That would hurt me the first day, but I'm an old fart.

GP

 

[John d]

Maybe it's the camel packs and your daughter leaning onto to you for support. You say it's only 2 up in post 24. The stock seat will push the passenger forward into you resulting in more pressure to your wrists and legs. I would say, stop using the camel packs and get an anti-slip pad for the passenger seat. That and a few more rest stops. Hopefully that's all it is.

 

[maggot]

Guys thanks for the replies. Thinking every day, made adjustments in suspension which felt like a different handling bike but still not helping the knees.

The pushing from behind of my daughter was an issue, and that goes along with biting so much off, especially not only for me, but for her. Won't do that again on what should be a relaxing ride. Not going the Spyder route yet.

Seat is fine and the only other thing i can think of adding is the fwd peg placement. I have high and out pegs mounted on the canyon cages but i'd like something to put me in a dirt bike position.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

The FJR is probably the least comfortable bike I've owned, besides a lowered mean streak that was a chiropractor's wet dream. I love it, but a an RT, nomad, RK, or F6B is a world better ergonomically. For me. I really enjoy my FJR, and have no problems doing high miles with helibars and MCL peg lowering brackets installed, and I've run grip buddies on my primary bikes for years. All three, individually, each make a huge difference, though your mileage may vary (no pun intended). I fully intend to keep mine until I hit 100K, which at my normal rate, should be late summer 2019. But I don't know that I'd choose these ergos again. Won't know until the time comes to replace it. Good luck.

 

[Madmudder]

I found to relieve the buzzing tingling feeling in my throttle hand that I just had to keep my wrist above the bar & not in a lazy relaxed position. It was mentioned to me by a woman who had carpel tunnel from typing with her hands in the same way.

 

[Scooper]

The fact that you mention dirt bike position and helping your knees brings me to this .

Try a Tenere.

I have a 2012 Tenere and a 2013 FJR that I traded a 2004 FJR in for.

My son has a 2007 FJRAE sitting in my bike shop so I ride it too.

I have had all of them long enough to have an idea what might help you.

That said what my post is worth what you paid for it.

The Tenere will give you some knee relief as you will feel like you are standing more like the Strom did.

I love my FJR and will say it is my favorite bike but the Tenere may what you need.

I have run 750 miles in one day on the Tenere and 1060 in one day on my 2004 FJR.

The Tenere has a stock seat that sucks to me but not as bad as the stock seat on a FJR.

Had to buy a Sargeant seat for my FJR.

Test ride a Tenere and see if it helps

Done rambling and hope this helps

 

[roger dodger]

Custom seat (RDL, Laam, Mayer, are all good) (used are cheaper for me)...

Bar risers and/or peg lowers...

Larger windshield and quieter helmet (I use tissue in my ears w/ Shoei helmet)...

Did 1400 miles in 2 days (twice) going to Colorado and never got tired or sore (much). (Ride faster and sing songs) YMMV

 

[Jack D]

The FJR is probably the least comfortable bike I've owned, besides a lowered mean streak that was a chiropractor's wet dream.

My FJR is one of if not the most ergonomically incorrect bikes I have owned also. It is also top heavy and requires more counter steering effort in corners than I think it should although it is much better than the Concours 1400 IMHO. The bars are too low and too far forward even though I have the Helibars triple clamp. The footpegs are too far back causing my knees to be bent too much. I have both stock seats and Russell seats. The Russell moves me higher and farther back which aggravates the reach to the handlebars. When I sit on the bike in the garage I tell myself that I have to get rid of this bike as it does not fit me. But interestingly when I ride long days (500 miles is a short day) my wrists do not hurt, my knees do not hurt and with the Russell seat my butt does not hurt. Go figure!

 

[mcatrophy]

... requires more counter steering effort in corners than I think it should ...

This is a sign of the front tyre being inadequate. There are only a few tyres that remain good throughout their life on an FJR, the one I've been most pleased with is the BT023GT. One of the worst is the BT021.
With the 023 at 39/41 psi in the front on my 2006 and 2010 FJRs I got neutral cornering, such that once set into a corner I could virtually take my hands off the bars.

My '14 is still on its OEM 023F, started out ok, not as good as the 023 now it's towards the end of its life. I shall replace it with the 023.

 

[wheatonFJR]

My FJR is one of if not the most ergonomically incorrect bikes I have owned also. It is also top heavy and requires more counter steering effort in corners than I think it should although it is much better than the Concours 1400 IMHO. The bars are too low and too far forward even though I have the Helibars triple clamp. The footpegs are too far back causing my knees to be bent too much...

I think those comments point more to what bikes you have ridden mainly in your past...but different strokes for different folks.

For myself, I have taken risers off an FJR I purchased, think the pegs farther forward would be weird in the curves, and have taken multi-thousand mile trips to the northwest and the west coast. I'm not a great rider, but I do enjoy my FJR. The ergos seemed a little weird at first ownership twelve years ago, but at speed everything works right.

Best bike I have ever owned. As long as I am alive and can ride on two wheels, there will be one in my garage.

 

[rwortman]

The FJR is probably the least comfortable bike I've owned, besides a lowered mean streak that was a chiropractor's wet dream.

When I sit on the bike in the garage I tell myself that I have to get rid of this bike as it does not fit me. But interestingly when I ride long days (500 miles is a short day) my wrists do not hurt, my knees do not hurt and with the Russell seat my butt does not hurt. Go figure!

This is because the bike isn't designed to sit on and watch TV in the garage. Sport bike riding positions are insane sitting in the garage. At high speed on a twisty road, they feel perfect. My FJR is a couch compared to the VFR800 I was riding for 7 years before this one. When I ride any cruiser, it feels all wrong. Feet to far forward, butt too low, arms out too wide and too high. Probably feels great sitting in the garage.

 

[maggot]

Thanks for keeping this going. I have no issue with the seat and have kept the stock seat on every bike I've owned. No monkey butt or lower back pain.

The shield is a Cee Bailey and larger and wider. Very clean pocket.

According to the ergo site, Ideally I would like the handlebars another 2in higher and the footpegs an inch or two fwd.

A Toronto Yamaha rep brought a 2015 non ES to me last week to try. Awesome bike in a lot of ways and probably better for me.. But the engine....

I'll post the report...