Too Late to change my mind

[aroostook]

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: Finally! Today was the first time I have ever driven a FJR......WOW......Let me just say that cornering proved to be difficult because my woody kept getting in the way!!!!!!! I put 145 miles on it today. Power to spare, smooth power through all 6 gears (Kept looking for the 6th), and my ass wasnt burning. I will post more tomorrow when I have more time....I need to go out in the gargage and gauk!

 

[RPrice]

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: Finally! Today was the first time I have ever driven a FJR......WOW......Let me just say that cornering proved to be difficult because my woody kept getting in the way!!!!!!! I put 145 miles on it today. Power to spare, smooth power through all 6 gears (Kept looking for the 6th), and my ass wasnt burning. I will post more tomorrow when I have more time....I need to go out in the gargage and gauk!

I spend hours in the garage, gawking at mine too!!

The wife sometimes wonders................

 

[03HiYoSilver]

aroostook,

Loved hearing about your first ride. This is a remarkable machine and always inspires.

Any questions about changing your mind?

Many more Happy Miles & Smiles to ya...

 

[aroostook]

Well I did another 100 miles today and I must say I absolutely love the machine. Few things I have noticed though and any suggestions would be helpful...my throttle hand falls asleep/tingles quite a bit. It may be because I have a death grip on it but I dont think so. I definately need to do something about carrying things. The side bags really arent practical to throw your wallet of other small items in. I'm thinking either a tank bag or a rear case. Not crazy about the looks of the top case but if I could find something pretty small and if it sits close to the bike I might consider it. Other than that a tank bag might be the answer.

The other question I have is the risers. After market risers will give me more of an upright postiion???

The other thing I noticed is that my helmet sucks badly. It's quieter with my shield up than down.

I'm worried if I get in a more upright postion, then my wind shield may not be tall enough.

Any help would be appreciated and of couse sarcastic digs are welcomed.

 

[madmike2]

.....any suggestions would be helpful...my throttle hand falls asleep/tingles quite a bit. It may be because I have a death grip on it but I dont think so.

Yes, most likely. We've all been-there-done-that and I still have to consciously tell myself to relax my grip. It does make a difference.

Some of us have heavier bar-end weights and have changed the grips to something softer. Some wear gel gloves, Some of us are a little "long-of-tooth" and suffer pre-carpal tunnel issues to we're careful regarding wrist issues.

I definately need to do something about carrying things. The side bags really arent practical to throw your wallet of other small items in. I'm thinking either a tank bag or a rear case. Not crazy about the looks of the top case but if I could find something pretty small and if it sits close to the bike I might consider it. Other than that a tank bag might be the answer.

I have a tank bag and top case. My tank bag is wired for and holds my electronics (autocomm, charge cord for my cell, etc.) and also carries my baseball cap, extra gloves, plastic cleaner and rag for my face shield, etc., my top case is for commuting duty.

If you are just looking for something to hold small incidental items, you might consider a tail bag usually seen on sport bikes. I've done that before and they are quite handy. Linky thingy: https://www.newenough.com/parts/luggage/tail_bags

The other question I have is the risers. After market risers will give me more of an upright postiion???

Yes, they will rotate you more vertical. You might try adapting your sitting posture and style: Master Yoda site:fjrforum.com

The other thing I noticed is that my helmet sucks badly. It's quieter with my shield up than down.
I'm worried if I get in a more upright postion, then my wind shield may not be tall enough.

Yep.....that's the dilemma. Once you start down the slippery slope into "farkle-itis" it becomes an all encompassing disease that can be fatal to your savings account.

Try ear plugs or a different helmet. I like my Shoei but they fit me and my RF1100 suits me fine. As with all personal apparel, YMMV.

sarcastic digs are welcomed.

Soooooo....you've met Bustanut Joker.......

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Grip Puppies work well:

https://www.casporttouring.com/store/mercha.../Yamaha_FJR1300

plus the Spring Unwind:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=18322

 

[exskibum]

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: Finally! Today was the first time I have ever driven a FJR......WOW......Let me just say that cornering proved to be difficult because my woody kept getting in the way!!!!!!! I put 145 miles on it today. Power to spare, smooth power through all 6 gears (Kept looking for the 6th), and my ass wasnt burning. I will post more tomorrow when I have more time....I need to go out in the gargage and gauk!

I bought mine off a dealer's floor 5 years ago next Friday (4/9/05) and picked it up 6 days later on my birthday. I still vividly remember riding away on it. I've had a few motorcycles over the decades, mostly pretty nice ones, and I had a no-slouch Blackbird already, but . . . no motorcycle ever hit me so immediately as absolutely, totally, in every way right and perfect like the FJR did. Crazy thing is that it's never lost that feeling and I just don't have any desire to upgrade to the latest thing (not common for me and toys, BTW). Congratulations, and enjoy the ride.

I understand the garage gawking, too. My Blackbird may actually be the prettier bike, but the strange truth is that I probably go to the garage to ogle my FJR much more often.

 

[Bostonfan2]

When my wife and I realized we needed a top case and a better seat i was worried about

not messing up the look of the bike, but thanks to good advice here, we went with the GIVI 46

and russel seat, neither of which make the bike look any better, but we bought it to ride it and those

additions have been crucial to our enjoyment. We dont even think twice about how it looks now,

we just enjoy it. Have fun with it !

 

[highcountry]

The other question I have is the risers. After market risers will give me more of an upright postiion???
The other thing I noticed is that my helmet sucks badly. It's quieter with my shield up than down.

I'm worried if I get in a more upright postion, then my wind shield may not be tall enough.

Any help would be appreciated and of couse sarcastic digs are welcomed.

Relaxing your hand and wearing a gel glove help with the buzz and you can add weights to the end of the bars which absorbs vibration too. Also adjusting your suspension to the settings recommended on this board also helped me with vibration as well.

An upright position is very important to me, and I have pretty much achieved it with risers that allow infinite adjustment front and back, peg relo kit, highway pegs, and for comfort, a Sargent seat. Moving the bars back some will give you a more upright position. My bike also came with a Givi E35 top case and National Vstream windshield. The Givi provides a backrest for a pillion and the Vstream does a good job of keeping the wind off of me.

For wallet storage, etc., don't forget about your glovebox on the top left side of the cowling. I use it all the time for my wallet and registration.

Enjoy your new FJR!

 

[Fred W]

The very easiest means to relax your grip is to learn to use a throttle rocker.

Some people can't seem to get used to them. Me? I can't ride without one now.

It allows you to ride with an open palm if you want.

Other areas to consider are how tight your arms might be, and how much of your torso weight you are supporting on them. Ideally you want to support your forward leaning weight on your legs and feet, with no weight on the bars. This will reduce the tension in your arms greatly, which also helps loosen the death grip.

Of course, this time of year, we northern New Englanders get to deal with the road ravages of winter past (frost heaves), so a bit of a grip on the bars is prudent on the back roads.

PS - As to the avatar, it appears that you must come from a very close family.

 

[aroostook]

bags connectection engage

Just wanted to drop a quick note of thanks. I have appreciated everyones advice. I am going to buy the grip puppies and the Engage Tank bag from Bag Connection...it's a little pricey but I like it. In addition I think I'll get the bar end weights. I'm hoping that these along with the yoda position will help. I will say that this bike is very comfortable. I fell of my ladder about 3 years ago and received 4 compession fractures of the vertabrae. In addition I just had shoulder surgery 3 months ago...I mention this becuase none of those areas cause me any discomfort on this bike...believe me when I say I would have noticed by now.

I have one more request, would anyone be willing to give me a call (or I could call) I have many questions about electronics, music, bluetooth ect. Ive looked on the forum and I see a lot of info but I think I'm not getting the basics so much of what is in here goes right over my head. Thanks

 

[aroostook]

The very easiest means to relax your grip is to learn to use a throttle rocker. Some people can't seem to get used to them. Me? I can't ride without one now.

It allows you to ride with an open palm if you want.

Other areas to consider are how tight your arms might be, and how much of your torso weight you are supporting on them. Ideally you want to support your forward leaning weight on your legs and feet, with no weight on the bars. This will reduce the tension in your arms greatly, which also helps loosen the death grip.

Of course, this time of year, we northern New Englanders get to deal with the road ravages of winter past (frost heaves), so a bit of a grip on the bars is prudent on the back roads.

PS - As to the avatar, it appears that you must come from a very close family.

Good one on the close family....it is a freaky avatar isnt it! Thanks for the reply. I have a question about the throttle rocker. I like the idea but can it be used with the grip puppies and if so any idea what size I need. The other question I have is with the trottle rocker on, will I still be able to wrap my thumb around the bar or will the rocker prevent me from doing that. Thanks Fred

By the way, are you going on the chowder run in Maine

 

[Fred W]

To answer your question in reverse, no problem wrapping a thumb under the grips with a throttle rocker. You generally position it to the extreme outboard end of your grip so that it rests under just the heel of your hand under your pinkie. Here's 1000 words (not my bike, so no comments about the grips):

I do not use grip puppies, but I think it may be more difficult to get a throttle rocker to be (and stay) properly aligned with the thicker foam on the grips. The latest generation of "Throttle Rocker" brand devices use velcro for attachment, like this one. Those may work OK with grip puppies.

The type that I prefer do not use Velcro for attachment. They are just a curl of plastic that clips over the grip. This is how the original Throttle rockers were made before they switched to the Velcro. Here is a similar one called the "Cramp Buster"

What makes these type desirable is that they can easily be rotated clockwise on the grip, but when you attempt to rotate it CCW it self tightens like a Chinese finger trap and gives you the increased leverage to open the throttle. This allows you to adjust the angle of the dangle on the fly. While that may not seem important, I find that using different gloves in combination with various jackets puts a varying size lump of material behind my wrist that can effect the throttle engagement.

 

[Reble9mm]

Can't believe no one brought up a Corbin Smuggler. I have one and love it when I am riding alone which is almost always. Amazing how much it will hold.

Corbin smuggler

 

[72Duster340]

Congratulations on the new bike! We just came back from Fort Kent. Yes you do still have snow, and ice on Eagle Lake as of Saturday am. Glad to hear you are enjoying the bike. I am currently trying the Cramp Buster throttle rocker, need to put some more miles on, but happy with it so far plus it was only $11 at the local dealer. Have fun!

 

[aroostook]

Congratulations on the new bike! We just came back from Fort Kent. Yes you do still have snow, and ice on Eagle Lake as of Saturday am. Glad to hear you are enjoying the bike. I am currently trying the Cramp Buster throttle rocker, need to put some more miles on, but happy with it so far plus it was only $11 at the local dealer. Have fun!

Yea I'm going to try the Cramp buster and as you said, its only 11 dollars. I actually drove through on Friday with 2 friends who live in Eaglelake. Saw a snowmobile zipping up the lake Not sure I wouldve been doing that. Look me up if you should ever decide to come up with the bike. YOu going to the chowder run?

 

[exskibum]

I'll also endorse the Crampbuster as a nice farkle -- a REALLY nice one if price is also considered.

When I'm working a bike, like in a twisties strafing session, I ride with the throttle gripped in the web between my thumb and forefinger. Learned to do it that way a loooong time ago. That allows me to cover or use the brake lever with two fingers (indes and middle) and at the same time feather the throttle in either direction or grab a handful of it. I'm noting this, because I've heard people say that the Crampbuster interferes with their throttle hand operation. NOT SO!!! As Fred W said above, it's out at the end of the grip where I can use the heel of my palm on it, but it's out of the way when it's time to get serious or need to make very fine throttle adjustments.

 

[aroostook]

I'll also endorse the Crampbuster as a nice farkle -- a REALLY nice one if price is also considered.
When I'm working a bike, like in a twisties strafing session, I ride with the throttle gripped in the web between my thumb and forefinger. Learned to do it that way a loooong time ago. That allows me to cover or use the brake lever with two fingers (indes and middle) and at the same time feather the throttle in either direction or grab a handful of it. I'm noting this, because I've heard people say that the Crampbuster interferes with their throttle hand operation. NOT SO!!! As Fred W said above, it's out at the end of the grip where I can use the heel of my palm on it, but it's out of the way when it's time to get serious or need to make very fine throttle adjustments.

Thank you, what you and others have said makes sense to me. I'm ordering mine tonight. Thanks again

 

[chivvalry]

Can't believe no one brought up a Corbin Smuggler. I have one and love it when I am riding alone which is almost always. Amazing how much it will hold.Corbin smuggler

smuggler looks awesome... but IT'S $800!! Ouch.

 

[aroostook]

Ive been meaning to drop everyone a line but have been a little distract (its black and has 2 wheels). I just want to thank everyone for thier suggestions. I did end up getting the sliders so it the even I do something fairly stupid. I also ordered a tank bag (the Engage) which should be here tomorrow. I will say however that the best farkle I have got so far only cost 8 bucks....the throttle rocker has made my riding experience so nice. I have totally eliminated the fatique that I was experiencing. For those of you who suggested that, thankyou.

What can I say about the bike other than I continue to be amazed at the power, and the smoothness of the ride. I have changed the oil at 400 milies and will be doing the drive oil this week. I am also making my tool to sych the throttle bodies so wish me luch on that one. I just cant see paying someone else to do it. Besides I get worried that my bike will come back with scratches