too heavy for a geyser?

[ian]

I've been doing some work on my 2004 FJR before an extended trip to the SE in September and have been riding my FZ1 for the last few weeks. I got the FJR buttoned up and rode it to work today. I was amazed how heavy it felt after the FZ. I'll be 67 in a couple of months and am wondering about a lighter bike but I hate to give up the audiovox cc, relatively good wind protection (aftermarket screen) and music thru Westone in ear speakers. I've ridden the FZ on short 3-4 day trips to AR. Any other old guys toured on an FZ or have other suggestions? TIA Ian, Iowa

 

[SacramentoMike]

Did you mean a BIG geyser, like Old Faithful, or one of the little ones? I don't think it really matters for most geysers, since they have them fenced off. You can't even walk up to them, let alone ride a motorcycle. Still, I'd probably use the lightest motorcycle I could find if I wanted to ride real close to a geyser.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Bearly Flying]

Exactly What is your Point?????

You lost me at doing some work on your 2004 FJR???????

If after 152 posts on this forum, and you still haven't figured it out.......

"Hello Troll....."

 

[madmike2]

I suspect you meant "geezer" (as in: old geezer).

I know TurboDave has done some Iron Butt rides and rallies, including a Border to Border (Mexico to Canada) last year. At somewhere North of 63, does that qualify?

At NAFO we had a breakfast for the "senior" members of the community. IIRC, the oldest in attendance was 78 and still riding his FJR.

Of course the FJR is going to feel heavier than the FZ-1, because it is! It's a bit less "flickable" in corners but is also a bit more stable in heavy winds and for just touring down the highway. YOU are the one who has to decide what is the best motorcycle for you and the model that fits your needs and requirements. If you enjoy the weather protection of the FJR and the panniers, etc., plus the farkles you've done...well, your decision is made. If you prefer something lighter and easier to flick in tight twisty corners, you can add Givi side cases to the FZ-1 and tour on that bike.

There is no "right" answer that will come from the committee that is the FJR Forum. The right answer is the conclusion YOU reach for yourself. Besides, we are slightly biased toward the FJR.....

 

[Nice Rumble]

"Hello Troll....."

Nice... :angry2:

 

[Last Chance]

Exactly What is your Point?????
You lost me at doing some work on your 2004 FJR???????

If after 152 posts on this forum, and you still haven't figured it out.......

"Hello Troll....."

Even with his spelling of geezer, I was able to "decipher" his "point" as you say. I cannot see where you get off calling him a "Troll". I found his question/concern to be perfectly natural and acceptable for an older person to pose. I found your response to be entirely rude and ill mannered. JMHO :dribble: YMMV The requisite "just kidding" moticons....wouldn't want to hurt YOUR feelings.

Oh my response to his question is I'm anxious to get a GW as my second bike and I could never ride any distance all cramped up..... I can barely stand the FJR with risers, custom seat, highway pegs, after-market windshield, lowering links and cruise control. But then I've abused my body and circulatory system for going on 63 years now. Now if I could afford 3 bikes I would like a lighter, sportier and "quicker" bike than the FJR for "around town" use.

LC

 

[wheatonFJR]

Hi Ian,

Don't know anything about FZs, but you could ask yer buddy petey when you do the AR ride with him in Sept. I know he has had FZs...I don't know if he has toured with them or not...

 

[Bigtime]

Ian,

Your post makes perfect sense. I know what you’re feeling; weight is one of the first specs that I look at on bike. I have a S2R Monster which is stripped to the bone and light as a feather. My S2R has a comfortable riding position. The seat is far more comfortable then my stock FJR rock; I have more leg room; wind noise and buffeting on the monster is less than the air dam blast that comes over the to of the stock FJR wind screen. But that does not make the Monster better for long distance touring. Note that I’m still all stock on my 08, these can all be fixed. You’re not going to be able to “fix” the FZ so it’s better suited for distance than the FJR.

The FJR has taller gearing, making it less “tight” especially at slower speeds. The suspension is softer on the FJR; you'll feel every bump on the road on the FZ. Weight helps with stability in wind or around trucks. The FZ suspension is not going to be comfortable under a heavy load. I also doubt that you’ll be able to set up the FZ to carry the gear you require to make any long distance trip bearable.

I also owned a Ducati ST3 which was probably the lightest of the STs. But I have the same comments for the ST3, it was a good mid-range bike but suspension, gearing, carrying capacity did not make it an ideal bike for the long distance. An eight hour day on the FZ and you’re to feel like you’ve had your ass whipped. Don’t fear the weight of the FJR, it is your friend. Enjoy your two bike stable, but realize each bike has its strengths.

 

[dsmack]

Ian~

From one old geezer to another (I'm a couple of months older than you), I can understand your concerns. I am coming off a '91 Kawasaki Zephyr 750, and the 06 FJR I recently bought is a handful because of the added weight!

The thing I enjoy about the Feejer is that once I click it into first gear and let out the clutch, the extra weight seems to melt away and it becomes very manageable for me. It is manuvering it around the garage/driveway where the extra weight scares me... The longer wheelbase prevents me from easily turning it around in the driveway the way I was used to doing with the Zephyr, and I'm concerned that I will drop it while putting it away after an enjoyable ride.

I've only put about 400 miles on it so far, but the smile just won't leave my face. My fanny, on the other hand is somewhat less impressed!! I hope to take some extended trips in the next few years on the Feej, but am thinking that I will need to get a good aftermarket seat before I'll be happy on rides of over a couple of hundred miles at a stretch.

I just completed my work week this morning, and am looking forward to more (s)miles on the Feejer in the next three days off... We have some excellent twisty bits in this neck of the woods, and the traffic is less during the week, especially now that most families are getting the kids ready to start back to school. Should make for some really enjoyable 50 - 100 miles treks in the next few days.

I hope you figure out the minor changes you might have to make on your bike so you can enjoy it to it's fullest potential.

Ride Safely,

Don

 

[ian]

Thanks for the replies (esp you BF, you were very helpful). I'd read on one of the boards about someone that just finished 2500 miles on an FZ but couldn't find the thread-you'd think after 152 posts I'd have figured it out. Sorry about the geyser/geezer, must have been another senior moment. Ian, Iowa

 

[Capt. Bob]

[quote name='ian' date='Aug 24 2008, 12:45 PM' post='476686

Sorry about the geyser/geezer, must have been another senior moment. Ian, Iowa

****'um Ian if they can't take a joke

 

[S76]

Exactly What is your Point?????
You lost me at doing some work on your 2004 FJR???????

If after 152 posts on this forum, and you still haven't figured it out.......

"Hello Troll....."

Even with his spelling of geezer, I was able to "decipher" his "point" as you say. I cannot see where you get off calling him a "Troll". I found his question/concern to be perfectly natural and acceptable for an older person to pose. I found your response to be entirely rude and ill mannered. JMHO :dribble: YMMV The requisite "just kidding" moticons....wouldn't want to hurt YOUR feelings.

Oh my response to his question is I'm anxious to get a GW as my second bike and I could never ride any distance all cramped up..... I can barely stand the FJR with risers, custom seat, highway pegs, after-market windshield, lowering links and cruise control. But then I've abused my body and circulatory system for going on 63 years now. Now if I could afford 3 bikes I would like a lighter, sportier and "quicker" bike than the FJR for "around town" use.

LC

Second rude response in 24 hours, that dudes on a roll....... :angry:

 

[Scab]

Well, everyone will tell you either this, or that. Most information will be based on some sort of actual logic. But, really, it comes down to personal preference and personal comfort. While some's logic on why an FJR makes better sense long-distance is sound, I find it doesn't apply to me. I find my little, tiny FZ6 immensely more practical for me. It's not a logical thing, but more of a convenience thing. (if that makes any sense) While I do miss the storage capacity of the FJR, I am just more comfortable tooling around on the FZ. Short ride or long, it makes no difference. As for the storage capacity, I have a plan to cure that.

 

[S76]

Well, everyone will tell you either this, or that. Most information will be based on some sort of actual logic. But, really, it comes down to personal preference and personal comfort. While some's logic on why an FJR makes better sense long-distance is sound, I find it doesn't apply to me. I find my little, tiny FZ6 immensely more practical for me. It's not a logical thing, but more of a convenience thing. (if that makes any sense) While I do miss the storage capacity of the FJR, I am just more comfortable tooling around on the FZ. Short ride or long, it makes no difference. As for the storage capacity, I have a plan to cure that.

A fellow I know just traded in his FJR for an FZ6 because he was having a hard time wrestling with the Feej in the garage and parking lots etc. He said he got some kind of luggage with it. I haven't seen it yet. I don't know if it's Yamaha luggage or aftermarket? But he seems happy now.

I do know with a bad right shoulder and a bad left elbow I am a menace to myself trying to wrestle this bike around. A couple of hundred pounds less sounds appealing to me. But once the clutch is out all is forgotten.

 

[ctfjr]

Hey Ian

My son rides an FZ1 (4 years old). He & I met in Carlisle, PA last weekend for some fun riding in the mountains. There is no question the weight diffference / smaller bike makes a big difference in the real twisties. He & I have taken some long rides together (>6000 miles) and he does fine on it. Just remember tho - I'm in your age group & he is 33.

 

[Mooseonagoose]

FJR too much bike for a geezer, ...strikes me as an odd statement since I kinda see the Goldwing as the ultimate "Geezer Bike", reverse gear & all that Caddy-like plushness. Actually, a ride on a friends FZ1 [a sweet ride in it's realm, I agree] was what initiated my gravitation toward the FJR.

I can also see what several of you have said about garage/driveway manuevering & slow speed handling but I think that comes w/ a little time and is essentially bike-specific technique, I'm finding it becomes easier as I get used to this machine.

I sure don't think I'd trade for the FZ for any extended periods above 20mph! Recently running across I90 in South Dakota bucking a 30mph diagonal crosswind [continually for about 300mi] was a perfect example; I was certainly happy to have the heft of the FJ.

Having a 62yr old body myself with all the attending issues from years of athletic injuries [more disfunctional joints than funtional ones], & toss in having been whacked open down the center for a triple 'n' a valve a year and a half ago, ...if I ain't a geezer yet I'm sure working on it!

 

[Foxhuntr]

I'm a 65 year old and sold my FZ1 when I bought the FJR. I really enjoyed the bike, but on a 6 day trip I wasn't as comfortable as I am on the FJR, and I had a custom seat, risers, and a tall windscreen on the FZ. It was better suited to day rides and the occasional 2-3 day trip.

 

[mmonroe]

Look around at the ages of some guys riding Goldwings and big dressed out Harleys. I dont think that age is really the deciding factor as much as a persons physical conditioning. From a fitness and health perspecitive, I know of several men (and women) in the 80'ish range that can out work, hike, bicycle, weight lift, etc many people half their age.

 

[Bogey907]

Look around at the ages of some guys riding Goldwings and big dressed out Harleys. I dont think that age is really the deciding factor as much as a persons physical conditioning. From a fitness and health perspecitive, I know of several men (and women) in the 80'ish range that can out work, hike, bicycle, weight lift, etc many people half their age.

That's the ticket! Keep the Feej and ride it to the gym! :yahoo: