mdisher
formerly Renegade, get used to it.
From ZX-11 to FJR
What’s wrong with me, or how’d I get here?
It all started a couple years ago when my wife agreed out of the blue to that I could get a street bike. I’ve been riding one thing or another most of my life. But since we’d been married I’d been limited to dirt bikes and things less likely to kill.
I did some research. I wanted an R1 but that wasn’t really practical. I am after all a father of 5. If I put her on the back of an R1 my motorcycling career would soon be over. I didn’t want a Wing but I did want to do some traveling. I also didn’t have a lot of money at the time. As luck would have it, a buddy was selling a gently used 98 ZX-11
This was sporty enough for me, as tourable too. So I went for it.
I did my first Iron Butt ride around Lake Michigan man style, with some poor soft luggage, and a duffle bag strapped on the back. It was basically bone stock, the ride wasn’t terrible but I knew it could be better. I spent time, energy, effort and $. Pashnit was my hero. I added bar risers, and eventually Full Givi luggage… I loved my ride.
But adding the luggage brought problems too. Handling went to hell. The added luggage ruined the aero, and I’m not sure if it was weight, or just aero, but I picked up serious head shake with the luggage that wasn’t good. I chased that with a steering stabilizer as a quick fix. I toyed with retooling the entire suspension but stopped short of spending $2k for new suspenders.
I still rode it and still loved the awesome power. I didn’t mind the ergos that much. But it wasn’t a very good 2-up machine. I’m not as svelte as I used to be and neither is my wife. The passenger seat is a tad narrow or short and the passenger really slides into the driver on that bike even with the Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat.
All hell broke loose last summer when I dropped it putting it on the center stand in the drive way. It smashed the right front turn signal. This busted a tab in the upper fairing which I repaired with an auto epoxy.
Zed also started developing some carb issues too.
After my last Iron Butt ride, on the way home, I felt something hit my foot. I looked over and my turn signal was gone. We stopped and my repaired tab had given away, this meant I was looking at replacing the upper fairing (ouch). Zed was also barely running the carbs here shot.
Cutting to the chase, I’ve had the carbs rebuilt and it didn’t run right after that, they were rebuilt again and it still wasn’t right. I’ve been riding it with a jerry rigged right turn signal for a while now and contemplating what to do. These carb issues were killing me. The carbs are a bitch to work on (get to) and damnit I want to ride.
So I started looking for its replacement. I’ve wanted an FJR for a while but hated that pre-buy BS from Yamaha. That and the fact you can’t ride one of them.
While doing some searches one turned up new by me and I struck a deal and picked it up today. ?
I put 168 miles on it bringing it home and here are my thoughts.
A) I didn’t really jump on the FJR yet, but, there will be times I’m going to miss the power of Zed.
B) I like the Ergos, this will go well with me.
C) The seat, uhm, Corbin or something. Why do all stock seats blow? Why can’t they just make a better seat from the get go? I like the grip, I like the feel, but it’s too soft.
D) I really like the windscreen. But I *wish* in the down position it would be about an inch shorter. In the up position it needs to be an inch taller. I think that’s the case with about all adjustable windscreens. Zed’s Givi screen almost ruined Zed. It took too much air off your chest and with those ergo’s you need that to keep the weight off your arms. But the bike looked too stupid with those big bags and it was nicer to tuck behind now and then. Not sure what to do if anything here yet. Up isn’t up enough, and I’m Ok with down.
E) Handling, since the ergo’s have you sitting up, you’re not encouraged to move your but. You’re not encouraged to get on your feet where you need to be. It only took about 70 miles for me to find the left peg feeler. Zed was a hog and took some finesse to get him to turn but you could do it. I’m going to have to adjust my riding style a bit with the FJR and find a more aggressive position if I want so save some wear and tear on hard parts.
F) Smooth, man the FJR is smooth and Quiet. I like it that way. I don’t need loud pipes. Zed was quiet too, but the FJR is sweet. Smoot as a baby’s butt.
G) The extras are just a bonus, the power outlet (I’ll still add one or two more). I’ve already transferred my Gerbing connector and battery tender plug tonight.
H) Saddle bags. Nice but man after having the Keyless E41’s these things are tiny, and a stupid shape. They look good but they could hold a lot more. Keyless rules. All bags should have a flap on top.
I) Throttlemeister, Zed’s doesn’t fit. I’m going to need to get a fitment kit or something and I need something.
J) Gauges are good, dash is roomy. Designers and engineers take note, we’re going to mount stuff up there. So go ahead and give us 2 RAM mounts build in or a couple studs to use. I don’t know yet where I’m going to mount anything. Nothing immediately jumps out.
K) Highway pegs. 06 is different I understand, has anyone done this yet? I need to look around. No way this was possible on the ZX, but I’m going to consider this for the FJR.
Yeah, I did good, I’m going to like this bike.
What’s wrong with me, or how’d I get here?
It all started a couple years ago when my wife agreed out of the blue to that I could get a street bike. I’ve been riding one thing or another most of my life. But since we’d been married I’d been limited to dirt bikes and things less likely to kill.
I did some research. I wanted an R1 but that wasn’t really practical. I am after all a father of 5. If I put her on the back of an R1 my motorcycling career would soon be over. I didn’t want a Wing but I did want to do some traveling. I also didn’t have a lot of money at the time. As luck would have it, a buddy was selling a gently used 98 ZX-11
This was sporty enough for me, as tourable too. So I went for it.
I did my first Iron Butt ride around Lake Michigan man style, with some poor soft luggage, and a duffle bag strapped on the back. It was basically bone stock, the ride wasn’t terrible but I knew it could be better. I spent time, energy, effort and $. Pashnit was my hero. I added bar risers, and eventually Full Givi luggage… I loved my ride.
But adding the luggage brought problems too. Handling went to hell. The added luggage ruined the aero, and I’m not sure if it was weight, or just aero, but I picked up serious head shake with the luggage that wasn’t good. I chased that with a steering stabilizer as a quick fix. I toyed with retooling the entire suspension but stopped short of spending $2k for new suspenders.
I still rode it and still loved the awesome power. I didn’t mind the ergos that much. But it wasn’t a very good 2-up machine. I’m not as svelte as I used to be and neither is my wife. The passenger seat is a tad narrow or short and the passenger really slides into the driver on that bike even with the Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat.
All hell broke loose last summer when I dropped it putting it on the center stand in the drive way. It smashed the right front turn signal. This busted a tab in the upper fairing which I repaired with an auto epoxy.
Zed also started developing some carb issues too.
After my last Iron Butt ride, on the way home, I felt something hit my foot. I looked over and my turn signal was gone. We stopped and my repaired tab had given away, this meant I was looking at replacing the upper fairing (ouch). Zed was also barely running the carbs here shot.
Cutting to the chase, I’ve had the carbs rebuilt and it didn’t run right after that, they were rebuilt again and it still wasn’t right. I’ve been riding it with a jerry rigged right turn signal for a while now and contemplating what to do. These carb issues were killing me. The carbs are a bitch to work on (get to) and damnit I want to ride.
So I started looking for its replacement. I’ve wanted an FJR for a while but hated that pre-buy BS from Yamaha. That and the fact you can’t ride one of them.
While doing some searches one turned up new by me and I struck a deal and picked it up today. ?
I put 168 miles on it bringing it home and here are my thoughts.
A) I didn’t really jump on the FJR yet, but, there will be times I’m going to miss the power of Zed.
B) I like the Ergos, this will go well with me.
C) The seat, uhm, Corbin or something. Why do all stock seats blow? Why can’t they just make a better seat from the get go? I like the grip, I like the feel, but it’s too soft.
D) I really like the windscreen. But I *wish* in the down position it would be about an inch shorter. In the up position it needs to be an inch taller. I think that’s the case with about all adjustable windscreens. Zed’s Givi screen almost ruined Zed. It took too much air off your chest and with those ergo’s you need that to keep the weight off your arms. But the bike looked too stupid with those big bags and it was nicer to tuck behind now and then. Not sure what to do if anything here yet. Up isn’t up enough, and I’m Ok with down.
E) Handling, since the ergo’s have you sitting up, you’re not encouraged to move your but. You’re not encouraged to get on your feet where you need to be. It only took about 70 miles for me to find the left peg feeler. Zed was a hog and took some finesse to get him to turn but you could do it. I’m going to have to adjust my riding style a bit with the FJR and find a more aggressive position if I want so save some wear and tear on hard parts.
F) Smooth, man the FJR is smooth and Quiet. I like it that way. I don’t need loud pipes. Zed was quiet too, but the FJR is sweet. Smoot as a baby’s butt.
G) The extras are just a bonus, the power outlet (I’ll still add one or two more). I’ve already transferred my Gerbing connector and battery tender plug tonight.
H) Saddle bags. Nice but man after having the Keyless E41’s these things are tiny, and a stupid shape. They look good but they could hold a lot more. Keyless rules. All bags should have a flap on top.
I) Throttlemeister, Zed’s doesn’t fit. I’m going to need to get a fitment kit or something and I need something.
J) Gauges are good, dash is roomy. Designers and engineers take note, we’re going to mount stuff up there. So go ahead and give us 2 RAM mounts build in or a couple studs to use. I don’t know yet where I’m going to mount anything. Nothing immediately jumps out.
K) Highway pegs. 06 is different I understand, has anyone done this yet? I need to look around. No way this was possible on the ZX, but I’m going to consider this for the FJR.
Yeah, I did good, I’m going to like this bike.
