Has the "test ride" been done yet? 
I'm starting to understand how this bike only has 7k miles on it...
I'm starting to understand how this bike only has 7k miles on it...
70-80 MPH and over fish tail feeling
- Thread starter Ronny
- Start date
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FJRBluesman
Some call me... The STIG!
Rider - I'm joking with you, we all make a boo-boos now and then, read some of my silly posts.
Even though a reputable shop did your tires doesn't mean they were done right for balancing, just sayin'. If you are absolutely sure they are good then we'll move onto other things.
A couple more thoughts:
1) Were the spacers on the axles installed incorrectly, wrong order or side? The rear axle does have that little washer that must be on the correct side of the rear caliper, just sayin'.
2) Did you hit anything recently, a large hard object on the road, or nice pot hole that could have done some damage to a rim/tire?
Good luck, keep us posted and get that test ride in.
Ronny
Member
What tires do you use?Oh Lord...........
you just committed the biggest of cardinal sins. Some serious repent is now in order
Ronny
Member
I did look at the Michelin Pilots but was shyed away from them.
I did a test on my FJR and it feels better. Before I rode off. I bounced my rear suspension and it seemed too mushy for the rear. I switched the lever to firm and I believe that is/was my problem (soft settingon rear shocks). It rode very straight and didn't notice any fishtailing. I had it cruising at 85 when I noticed a State Trooper eyeing me from the opposite lane. I figure that was enough for today.
Thanks a bunch
https://www.mcnews.com/mcn/features/200710-fjrsurvey.pdf For an owners survey.
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Unless you weigh a lot having the rear suspension set to soft shouldn't have made your bike weave or wobble, unless maybe your front is setup poorly.
But if you are claiming it is now fixed the things that were done were:
Rear shock on hard
Lowered front end (raised fork tubes in the clamps)
Raised from tire pressure from 36 to 40 psi
Other things not mentioned
We may never know which (if any) of these things actually changed your situation.
If you are looking at that for the tire use survey, don't pay too much attention to it. That article is 4 years old. There are much different (some better) tires available now than there were back then.
But if you are claiming it is now fixed the things that were done were:
Rear shock on hard
Lowered front end (raised fork tubes in the clamps)
Raised from tire pressure from 36 to 40 psi
Other things not mentioned
We may never know which (if any) of these things actually changed your situation.
If you are looking at that for the tire use survey, don't pay too much attention to it. That article is 4 years old. There are much different (some better) tires available now than there were back then.
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fjr vfr
Well-known member
Sorry I haven't read all the comments here. I just wanted to note, I've had nearly every brand of tire on my bike at different times and every one has a slightly different feel to it. That is why most everyone here has a different opinion about tires. Everyone has their favorites and ones they will never use again. It sounds like you don't like the one you now have. What I did several years ago was to buy a second rear wheel off Ebay. That way I could have a new tire ready for any extended trips and not have to trash a tire with some use still on it. Basically what I'm saying is, try another brand. I'm pretty sure your issue will go away.
Rogue
Well-known member
It's an 05 with the stock shock, it's only got 7k on it but I'll bet the shock is going out.
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
Rogue
Well-known member
Ronny
Member
You could be right, as I said in one of my prior replies. That I got on my bike and bounced up and down on it. What it did was the bike went an extra bounce to stop. I thought what good are shock settings if you can't put them in a medium position. I read somewhere that that is a sugestion to get a better shock for it when they are even new.
RadioHowie
I Miss Beemerdons!
I've been reading crsp stuff like this on the forum for 6 years...stock shock wearing out in 5-10-15k miles. What a pant-load!
Granted, the stock shock ain't no Wilbers or Ohlins, but worn out in 7k miles? ONLY if it's a Gen II. :finger:
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
That sounds like you need more rebound dampening dialed in. (The knob at the bottom of the shock.) The lever is for pre-load, or I think more accurately it changes spring rate on the FJR. The 'bounce test' is used to determine how much rebound dampening to dial in or remove.
He says he only weighs 145, (double amputee? Asian? Have I insulted everyone by now?), so I'm not sure he needs to run at the upper end of the recommended pressure ranges, does he?
Regarding the windshield, I tried a +3+6 windshield on my '05 for awhile a few years ago and it sometimes did funny things to the handling. It seemed to depend on the speed and direction of the wind, but in certain situations it made the bike weave a bit at higher speeds. Going back to the stock shield completely eliminated the 'weavey' feeling.
Ronny
Member
You do have a point. I have ridden this at a $1 + and it went very straight with the stock windshield. I was cruising at a $1.20 and no problems. Since I have put the oversized Yahama windshield on I haven't ridden on the highway too much. Since I get clues from the FJR Forum what to do, it seems to have helped. Thanks.
bigdaddy78
Member
my oversized windsheild causes wobbles at higher speeds.
Ronny
Member
Patriot
Isabella is Lazarus
on mine, it's the stock trunk
much better when my Nelson Rigg daypack is strapped to nthe passenger filling up the space
Blue Crab
Well-known member
I have the same problem with my Yamaha trunk and no pillion. Bike seems very "wobbly" or "jittery" at 60+ MPH. Remove the trunk or add a pillion and the problem goes away.
petey
Well-known member
Howie, it can/does happen.. <_< I had a gen1 and the stock shock went south at 9K miles. :huh:
