Rider
Well-known member
A lot of the below is just me blathering on about me…but to get to the point, I’m looking for all the information about the FJR1300A (2009 models+) that come off as negatives. Mostly considering the ride feel, comfort, and reliability, and other nuances one would not know until they owned one and figured out what they were missing. Not so concerned with hair splitting performance differences like HP, torque…one comment I’ve read is that the bike feels heavy to turn and can’t really be slung around the curves very well. I was able to sit on one and felt the handle bars were a little low, but I have not ridden one yet.
Anyway…
A couple years ago I bought a Honda Shadow cruiser, but before I bought a bike, I did a lot of research into what I felt was important, stuff like reliability, ease of maintenance, and price was a big factor…
But after riding the bike for a while, I just can’t seem to get comfortable and I learned about all the reasons that I don’t like the bike. Sitting back and getting jolted on every bump, feet forward and unable to “stand” and that sort of lack of control, and having to hang on to keep from getting blown off…it is actually more about the riding position than anything else about the bike, but the bike needs tons of stuff like saddle bags, a windshield (don’t really like that look though), and maybe different pegs (floorboards, highway bars…) or other comfort odds-n-ends…plus it is a lot slower than I was expecting.
And then I realize that I could just spend that money on a bike that already has all that. So I’m looking for something else and I think the FJR1300A is the one.
First off, I thought I’d be over my youthful lust for adrenaline, but that isn’t entirely so. I really don’t want a sport bike though because I will be doing more commuting and weekend rides on the twisties or into the city, or other explorations within the state. I might take a long trip here and there and will have a passenger for many of these excursions. I’m also tall (6-2) and just want something more comfortable without my knees jammed up to my elbows or feet out front like I’m water skiing.
Out of all the Sport Touring bikes, the FJR seems to have the right mix of design objectives. Not too soft and big and not just a re-worked sport bike, plus it seems to perform well in a variety of conditions. (I was considering something like a V-Max, but I ‘m thinking that would be just a go-fast-straight sort of bike).
Some history – I started riding dirt off and on as a young teenager a 50, 175 and 185. Then got into the following street bikes, a CB185, 350, 500, 750, XS650, 850 triple, MagnaV45, 65. I liked the Magnas the best probably because they were in the best shape and were more modern…and is probably why I went toward a cruiser. I quit riding for about 6 years after getting pushed off the highway on the Magna – it was no fun playing footsie with a suburban…
Anyway…
A couple years ago I bought a Honda Shadow cruiser, but before I bought a bike, I did a lot of research into what I felt was important, stuff like reliability, ease of maintenance, and price was a big factor…
But after riding the bike for a while, I just can’t seem to get comfortable and I learned about all the reasons that I don’t like the bike. Sitting back and getting jolted on every bump, feet forward and unable to “stand” and that sort of lack of control, and having to hang on to keep from getting blown off…it is actually more about the riding position than anything else about the bike, but the bike needs tons of stuff like saddle bags, a windshield (don’t really like that look though), and maybe different pegs (floorboards, highway bars…) or other comfort odds-n-ends…plus it is a lot slower than I was expecting.
And then I realize that I could just spend that money on a bike that already has all that. So I’m looking for something else and I think the FJR1300A is the one.
First off, I thought I’d be over my youthful lust for adrenaline, but that isn’t entirely so. I really don’t want a sport bike though because I will be doing more commuting and weekend rides on the twisties or into the city, or other explorations within the state. I might take a long trip here and there and will have a passenger for many of these excursions. I’m also tall (6-2) and just want something more comfortable without my knees jammed up to my elbows or feet out front like I’m water skiing.
Out of all the Sport Touring bikes, the FJR seems to have the right mix of design objectives. Not too soft and big and not just a re-worked sport bike, plus it seems to perform well in a variety of conditions. (I was considering something like a V-Max, but I ‘m thinking that would be just a go-fast-straight sort of bike).
Some history – I started riding dirt off and on as a young teenager a 50, 175 and 185. Then got into the following street bikes, a CB185, 350, 500, 750, XS650, 850 triple, MagnaV45, 65. I liked the Magnas the best probably because they were in the best shape and were more modern…and is probably why I went toward a cruiser. I quit riding for about 6 years after getting pushed off the highway on the Magna – it was no fun playing footsie with a suburban…