Who's dropped their FJR?

[Redfish Hunter]

I have dropped it enough that I stopped replacing them. :blink:

So, ever think about working on getting past that? Not to pick on anyone, but from the viewpoint of an instructor that spends more weekends on a range than weekends riding...
Uh, Dean this " :blink: " means that was a joke. This whole thread is about dropping the FJR. I make one comment about dropping another brand and I am the one that needs help? I would never consider myself a great rider but I am very proud of my sense of humor. I ask that you work on yours a little.

The English police officer died from a weave, rear swingarm induced. That issue has been resolved, just like the ground spider and ignition switch issue on the Gen 2. Unfortunately, a good man died to demonstrate there was an issue. The police versions carry their weight differently and there are specific differences between civilian and police versions in the pivot bolts and and swingarm mounting shims.

I don't know about design differences, but the weight distribution and aerodynamic profile factors I can back. When Oregon State Police were going rounds with Honda about the issue, the Honda line was said "there's nothing wrong with the bike as delivered". Yeah, but that's not how they get ridden, is it? Add the radios, lights, siren, larger windshield, etc. and the high speed handling changes a lot.
And the swingarm issue may be resolved, but the high speed instability- for kitted police bikes- has not, or if it has, nobody around here is willing to risk it. C14s in police trim are becoming the popular alternative to BMWs.

I am NOT foolish enough to start defending a Honda ST1300 on a Yamaha FJR forum. The issue has been fixed. I am not trying to sell the bike to you or anyone else, I could really care less if Honda ever sells another one.

 

[TouringRider]

So, ever think about working on getting past that? Not to pick on anyone, but from the viewpoint of an instructor that spends more weekends on a range than weekends riding...

A lot of times when a bike gets dropped, it's because the rider stopped unexpectedly with their head turned or looking down.

If your head's turned, probably the bars are too, which means if your feet aren't already down, the bike has some small degree of lean angle when it stops moving.

If your head is down or turned, it takes longer for you to realize you're off balance, a combination of no horizon reference and your inner ear being in a bad place to recognize you're unbalanced.

So the solution is to spend some time being focused on stopping with your head up and looking straight ahead. Go ahead and look for cross traffic at a stop, but before the bike stops rolling you need to be eyes front.

That won't remove the possibility of a low speed drop- but it should reduce it quite a lot.

I agree 100% with your statement. :thumbsupsmileyanim:

 

[azitlies]

It seems to me, that the OEMs should be able to engineer in crash protection for low or no speed drops. Mirrors that fold rather than break, plastic that does not hit the ground, levers and handlebars that survive, are just a few of the considerations that could be addressed at little or no additional cost. Why not?

My ST1300 has that whole issue solved with those horribly, hideously, indescribably ugly tip over wings on the lower fairing. The drawback is that they are so ugly most folks would rather do without them. At around $17 replacement costs, I am OK with ugly. Anyone who has seen my wife knows that ugly does not bother me!

Gonna disagree with u here... not on the wife thing! that's been addressed

But the st1300 does not look that bad at all. Actually, most people won't even notice the "wings" sticking out to the sides! I put 16k miles on my ST1300 and never tested the "wings". But for something that most don't notice, and only 16 bucks (or so) to replace...

no, the st1300 works damn well in that regard.

Now... does the fat ass (80 lbs heavier than the feej!) track well at high speeds? Ask the cop that died in the UK passing a lorry that went into a tank slapper on that one...

Not to derail this thread but...

I like my ST1300. Alot. But I always say and everywhere Dad and I go, the FJR is by far the better looking bike. Only once have I ever been complimented on the looks of my ST, Dad gets compliments all the time. I have been asked several times, "What are those goofy/ugly looking wing things on the side?" I have dropped it enough that I stopped replacing them.

The English police officer died from a weave, rear swingarm induced. That issue has been resolved, just like the ground spider and ignition switch issue on the Gen 2. Unfortunately, a good man died to demonstrate there was an issue. The police versions carry their weight differently and there are specific differences between civilian and police versions in the pivot bolts and swingarm mounting shims. I have never ridden mine past an indicated 130 but it was quite solid at that speed. It is documented on st1300us.com that the ST will reach and hold 150mph indicated or 142 gps mph.

okay, don't want to derail this either, but a couple of quick points:

1) u said the tip over wings were hideous, my comments were in ref to that, not the overall look of the bike you are now referring to? For the record, I prefer the look of the feej too. But those tip over wings are extremely functional. Just ask anyone that has had to buy new plastic for a feej.

2) Honda was the one that said the prob with the ST was fixed. But even after this, and all the other things Honda did, the UK police still banned the bike. They obviously were'nt convinced by what Honda said. 2ndly, I owned an 05, and yes many owners had the bike up to high speeds, but an issue with it becomes apparent (for many owners, some say no) when at high speeds in "dirty" (behind a Semi etc) air. Mine certainly had this issue, and no amount of adjustments ever changed it.

Personally, I believe it's the very agressive rake and trail, in combination with the very wide fairings, dirty air, and we have the makings of a bike with the front wheel getting very light and the clipons flicking back and forth. Close to a tank slapper unless u slow down.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program...

 

[Redfish Hunter]

My goodness! Now that I know my ST is unstable at high speed and the FJR is going to fall over if I go too slow, I am scared to ride! I will have to drive the truck everywhere now.

 

[azitlies]

For you Bro... that might be the best choice

 

[odot]

Good point, dude......good point.

 

[n7myr]

I hope this is not someone we know. It does not look good.

not sure if it has been posted or not. I could not find it

https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1c7_1354378358

 

[FJR Bill]

That definitly qualifies as a "Drop"!!!

Bill

 

[escapefjrtist]

Already posted in the Images section...definitely a FAIL!

--G

 

[DENCOUCH]

...add me to the list!

My bike as only 2 days old & I was moving it back & forth in the garage & the side stand retracted without my knowledge. Happened in ultra slow-motion as I leaned it over once I had it where I wanted to park it.

Probably a great new topic would be "how many have picked up their bike after dropping it!"

 

[Usul]

I hope this is not someone we know. It does not look good.

not sure if it has been posted or not. I could not find it

https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1c7_1354378358

Whew! That was close. He damn near hit those trash cans!

 

[James Burleigh]

That one time up in Petaluma a few months ago, when I was parked against a curb and pulled away sharply to the right, in some gear other than first. The bike kinda lurched and then went down.

 

[airboss]

Zero mile and hour drops are nothing. Dropping at speed now that takes talent.

 

[odot]

That's not too bad......when I dropped mine the front wheel was in two pieces.

 

[Excaleng]

Stream of consciousness...

This just made me question why I always feel this compulsion to immediately right the fallen bike when inevitably gravity wins her stupid game of bike balancing.

It's like "Oh shit!" BOOM! and then instantly jump to the task of picking it up (in the appropriate back to the bike technique, possibly straining muscles and with no regard to what body parts are bleeding or no longer fully functional). Before... what?

We humans do some amazingly silly stuff sometimes.

I once crashed an XS750 and, as you do, jumped up to lift the bike only to discover I'd broken a collar bone! Didn't feel it until then as I was so focussed on picking my bike up. Even forgot about my fiance "resting" in a ditch! We divorced 8 years later.

 

[FJR Bill]

I hope this is not someone we know. It does not look good.

not sure if it has been posted or not. I could not find it

https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1c7_1354378358

According to Motorcycle.com, this was supposed to be a professionally made video in France of the new FJR. Professional rider too. That's why the camera's were rolling. He hit his sidebag and took the plunge. I hope he's ok. Bill

 

[tyronewildman]

Well, I didn't drop it with it on the side stand cause it's always in 1st gear when I turn it off. It is a little more trouble when I want to put it on the centerstand but it is worth it. Last year I left Nashville in 28 degrees and rode 2 hours before stopping but that wasn't the cause of the drop. My top box and bags were loaded to the hilt but that wasn't the cause of the drop. My 2004 has over 60 k mi but that wasn't the cause of the drop. I'm a fat guy but that wasn't the cause of the drop. I'll be 75 next week but that wasn't the cause of the drop. As I turned into a parking lot a pickup backed out right into my path and I had to turn right quickly at low speed to avoid it but that wasn't the cause of the drop. While leaned over to the right a little old lady walked out between 2 cars right into my bath but that wasn't the cause of the drop. I dropped it because I just couldn't get it straight and put my foot down quick enough. My Moko frame sliders saved everything up front but it does have a few scratches on the bag lid. Yep, frame sliders right away for my new 2013 FJR...Later,,, De