Top heavy?

[airportcop]

Does anyone out there think that the FJR is top heavy with the factory or aftermarket trunk installed? Especially if it has gear in it! I have dropped mine 3 times with the trunk on in a parking lot setting! All three times almost no forward momentum and the bars all the way to the stops while turning. Is it just me or what? Thank goodness for TOGs and sliders!

 

[Old Michael]

...I have dropped mine 3 times with the trunk on in a parking lot setting! ... Is it just me ...?

It's NOT YOU, airportcop.

.......It's me.

 

[majicmaker]

Yes Airportcop! It's Top Heavy! You'll have to get used to that Real Quick or you'll Also Drop a Lot of $$$ on Tupperware.

When You Do, You'll be Chiming in about How this is the Best F@#King Bike EVER!! :yahoo: In the Meantime, ENJOY!

 

[garyahouse]

Hey Airport. Every one of us has had to put a HARD foot down to keep her up once in a while. Personally, the only reason I haven't dropped mine has more to do with luck than skill. I've had a couple close calls. Then again, maybe its the CT on the back. I don't even use the kickstand any more :yahoo:

Gary

darksider #44

 

[dcarver]

You don't lean an FJR at 0.1 mph.. vertical, vertical, vertical.

 

[noire]

Keep that power going to the back wheel and you should be good. When you think she wants to fall over on you Power-- power-- power

 

[Ken45]

I don't have the trunk but the FJR is a LOT easier to handle than a Goldwing

There is a series on one of the GW boards about practicing circles and turns with the GW. Third gear, let it idle, leave the clutch engaged, adjust with the rear brake. They say you can even scrape the pegs. The GW will not stall at idle in third and I would guess the FJR engine is similar. I haven't tried these exercises yet with the FJR.

 

[FJR Bill]

For me with a 29 inch inseam the FJR is ponderous when manuevering at slow speeds where a foot must be down ie pushing back from a parking spot or doing slow full front wheel deflection parking lot turns. I consider this my weakness not the FJR and I pay close attention to doing it right and not loosing foot traction. So far even in tough gravel situations I've kept her upright, but I have to be careful. Once the bike is rolling it has great slow speed characteristics. So just be careful and learn to love the bike like I have.

Short legged Bill

 

[Zorlac]

"All three times almost no forward momentum and the bars all the way to the stops while turning."

That's pretty much a recipe for disaster on any motorcycle. :blink:

 

[kevins]

They had burger on sale ($2.59/ lb for 93%lean) so I bought 50 lbs. Put the burger in the top trunk with my other gear. A little top heavy.

 

[rfespinosa]

I don't think the FJR is top heavy. My previous bike was a BMW K1200 RS, now that bike was top heavy with not bags on, it was a handful at parking lot speeds all the time. By comparison, the FJR feels like a bicycle. So I guess a lot depends on your other experience.

 

[wfooshee]

It ain't the top case that makes it top-heavy. It's 650 pounds of other **** that makes it heavy, period. If you're leaned over and slow, you better be right on top of that friction zone balancing act!

And like my BRC instructor said: "We make you do the figure-8s to prove you can turn the bike. It ain't a life-saving maneuver the way looking through a turn or stopping cleanly or keeping an escape route is. Out in the real world, do a 3-point turn so you don't fall on your ***!"

 

[majicmaker]

It ain't the top case that makes it top-heavy. It's 650 pounds of other **** that makes it heavy, period.

OK, This Pretty Much Says it All!! I Don't Need to say Anything Else! :clapping:

 

[Eric L]

Never brake hard at 5mph with the front wheel turned on the FJR. I dropped it once in a gas station like that. Saved it a few times. You get used to it.

 

[airportcop]

Well, hopefully as they say, "Third times a charm!" And hopefully the last time! I have removed the trunk except for two up riding and longer trips. Thanks for the advice.

 

[FJR_Mikey]

Never brake hard at 5mph with the front wheel turned on the FJR. I dropped it once in a gas station like that. Saved it a few times. You get used to it.

Almost did that myself at a gas staton. Rode past the driveway exit when something caught my attention. Grabbed the brake and turned the wheel quickly and I immediately felt the weight of the bike. Threw my leg down and muscled it for all I was worth to keep it upright and just saved it. I looked across the street and there was about six or seven pirates getting ready to pull away from a grill on their Harley's. I took the time to thank God for not dropping the bike in front of them. Somehow, I think that would have made it even worst!

 

[majicmaker]

Well, hopefully as they say, "Third times a charm!" And hopefully the last time! I have removed the trunk except for two up riding and longer trips. Thanks for the advice.

Once you get the hang of it, You can ride that thing with the Top Case on All Day Long. No Problem! :clapping:

Like Wfooshie Said, It Ain't the Case! Happy Trails!

 

[RaYzerman19]

Bunch of *****'s... First, you ain't had top heavy unless you've owned an ST1300 with a full tank. Second, never turn even slightly any bike and hit the front brakes at low speed or you're on your way down. Practice using rear brake only in parking lots and you'll be amazed at the control you have.

 

[chivvalry]

frame sliders FTW... Came out of a roadside shop after buying some beef jerky inside and found a harley dude checking out my bike and after chatting a bit he pointed at my sliders and said 'whut ur those thingies fer?' I replied that 'they're to keep my tupperware from getting scratched when I drop the top heavy tall seated ***** in the parking lot...' he chuckled and pointed at his lowrider's engine guards.. 'yepper, thas why i got them thar too'.

Of course when he sat on his bike he was completely flat footed and had his knees bent vs. my tip toes...