What did you do to your FJR today?

[Cav47]

Rear shock is 685, and obviously undersprung. The ES suspension is a compromise... you'll have to crank the preload up to two-up and whatever, then adjust damping a touch softer and hope you hit a suitable balance. Unfortunately damping is not separately adjustable front and rear.

This what I had to do coming off of my Penske set up on the 04. It was such an improvement in the whole bike, that the suspension was a little overlooked at first, but I feel like I have it dialed in to what I like. I believe that I can ride better than I could on the 04 and a few that I have ridden with both on the 04 and now on the 15ES have commented that I look smoother and quicker from before. Maybe that is just them being nice, but I felt the same way before they mentioned it. Oh well.

On the gear discussion, I will review the Klim Induction that I got from Alex at BH moto very soon. It came UPS yesterday and I tried it on, but did not get to ride with it yet. Planning to fix that today. The fit is perfect for me. I ordered a Large and will have just enough room for a T-shirt and heated jacket if needed. I really do not believe that I will be using heated gear and this at the same time often. I bought it for the Dual Sport mostly, but after talking to Alex, he said the jacket would be great for the FJR on really hot/humid days when I did not want to wear the Kodiak for local recon. The Kodiak will always be my tour jacket because of its waterproofing. I wanted a DS jacket that was full protection yet flowed the maximum amount of air. I have a chest protector and set of elbow and knee pads, but that will not stop the road rash in other places if I went down on some rock surfaces. Alex said the Induction would fit the bill for both needs. That's why I like having him on the white phone and appreciate he gives us a pretty decent price break.

[raYzerman]

CAV, the likely reason you are "quicker" is the ass end is higher due to the increased preload, this gives you speedier turn-in. Similar to adding a 190/55 rear tire or raising the forks in the triple tree ~10mm.... basically changing the geometry, keeping the bike at least level or higher than what it was designed for (nominal, lighter weight rider in the 685lb. spring category).

[Cav47]

CAV, the likely reason you are "quicker" is the ass end is higher due to the increased preload, this gives you speedier turn-in. Similar to adding a 190/55 rear tire or raising the forks in the triple tree ~10mm.... basically changing the geometry, keeping the bike at least level or higher than what it was designed for (nominal, lighter weight rider in the 685lb. spring category).

So I have done both, I often have used a 190 tire on both the 04 and 15ES. Adding that preload would further raise the rear. I do have some tip toe moments when using the 190 and adding the 2 helmets and bags preload setting especially when riding solo. Makes sense what you are saying.

[ice_station_zebra]

Too nice a day to stay at home...burned a tank and half by 3pm!

[bungie4]

Too nice a day to stay at home...burned a tank and half by 3pm!

Tsk tsk. So close, and you didn't stop at the Wilno tavern at the top of your loop for genuine polish food. They have the best Cabbage rolls I've ever tasted.

[wheatonFJR]

Unplugged connectors and unscrewed screws.

[fontanaman]

Thanks Ray for the technical advice. Today I road my FJR 370 miles. It was a great day riding up Hwy 395 going over several passes, zipping along a river, enjoying breath taking scenery with wild Lavender and Arrow Left Balsam root blooming with hillsides all lush and green. All on smooth pavement, no challenge for the under-sprung ES, set to 2 helmets with the rebound set to Standard at 0.

The only time the ES loses composure is on choppy pavement on a tight twisty roads in the apex of the turn. It is simply not planted, not on rails, like the Penske (850# spring)/GPS setup I had on my 09. No smile on my face, just a bouncy big girl, taking me along for the ride.

I thought a lot about this today. The ES is lacking performance I once had. The ES is good at providing a comfortable ride, if not pushed, and has excellent ease of adjustment.

Today I set preload to two helmets with damping set to Standard 0. It was a bit harsh on the smooth pavement, the stability was there, but the pavement was mostly smooth. On the county roads in SE Washington the pavement was uneven chip seal with scenic sweeping turns. The ES ride was harsh and jiggled a lot. I stopped to reset the preload to one helmet with luggage with damping High 0. This setting was better for these roads.

Will contact Cogent tomorrow.

Stopped at the Honda, Yamaha, CanAm, BMW dealer to pickup a part today. Looked longingly at BMW R1250RTs. Wife said go for it.
Will give this some thought. I always have said if money was no object I'd have an RT.

[fjray]

Danger Danger!!! Don't drink the koolaid.

[wheatonFJR]

Danger Danger!!! Don't drink the koolaid.

Yeah. He should buy a six cylinder KZ1300.

[bill lumberg]

The RT is superb, if you have a second bike, and if you have enough dough that you don’t sweat maintenance and repair costs. I still miss mine. I don’t miss an average of a month a year with it not running. Nearest bmw dealer here went tits up last month. I’m not sure how close the next one is. The bikes are superb. Just not the reliable sewing machine that the fjr is.

Thanks Ray for the technical advice. Today I road my FJR 370 miles. It was a great day riding up Hwy 395 going over several passes, zipping along a river, enjoying breath taking scenery with wild Lavender and Arrow Left Balsam root blooming with hillsides all lush and green. All on smooth pavement, no challenge for the under-sprung ES, set to 2 helmets with the rebound set to Standard at 0.

The only time the ES loses composure is on choppy pavement on a tight twisty roads in the apex of the turn. It is simply not planted, not on rails, like the Penske (850# spring)/GPS setup I had on my 09. No smile on my face, just a bouncy big girl, taking me along for the ride.

I thought a lot about this today. The ES is lacking performance I once had. The ES is good at providing a comfortable ride, if not pushed, and has excellent ease of adjustment.

Today I set preload to two helmets with damping set to Standard 0. It was a bit harsh on the smooth pavement, the stability was there, but the pavement was mostly smooth. On the county roads in SE Washington the pavement was uneven chip seal with scenic sweeping turns. The ES ride was harsh and jiggled a lot. I stopped to reset the preload to one helmet with luggage with damping High 0. This setting was better for these roads.

Will contact Cogent tomorrow.

Stopped at the Honda, Yamaha, CanAm, BMW dealer to pickup a part today. Looked longingly at BMW R1250RTs. Wife said go for it.
Will give this some thought. I always have said if money was no object I'd have an RT.

[fontanaman]

Thanks for the feedback Bill. The RT is off the table. I read this in a Cycle World review.

"The nicely integrated in-dash BMW Navigator VI GPS unit ($949) provides a wealth of map functionality, one of my favorites being an option to choose between quickest or curvy routes. Despite the crystal clear Sirius Satellite Radio reception, the fairing-mount speakers lose out to road noise at freeway speed. I tried pairing a Cardo Bluetooth headset to the bike without success, later learning that BMW-specific headgear is required."

Oh really? This won't pair with my Sena 20S? And paying $949 for a Garmin? I have issues with Garmin as it is, but a BMW branded Garmin might push me over the edge toward insanity.

[raYzerman]

It's a glorified 595.... doesn't Beemer have a special sound system on that rig you have to pair with??

[ericboutin]

Rode to work! It's great riding it to work but putting all these interstate miles has sure flattened out my once roundy tires! I almost can't look at her from behind anymore!

[Canadian FJR]

Day run around the Cabot Trail that included a visit up to Meat Cove.

http://fms.ws/1K4Zwp/47.02633N/60.55927W

Canadian FJR

[bungie4]

Day run around the Cabot Trail that included a visit up to Meat Cove.

http://fms.ws/1K4Zwp/47.02633N/60.55927W

Canadian FJR

Sounds like you left with both testicles. A successful visit to Meat Cove.

[bill lumberg]

Rode with a work friend over Blood and up Bell mountains. Great weather. Tried his fancy versys 1000. If the FJR and Tenere are to Yamaha what the RT and GS are to BMW, and there is any handling comparison between the Tenere and the Versys, (because I bleed blue) I may have to test ride a Tenere.... (and it’s not you, that was not logically linear. I’m all hopped up on Medaglia D’Oro).

Since this was a sedate 5 hour ride instead of an all day conjuring, it was a good day to try my new reax mesh pants (worn as pants, not overpants) and new rev’it gt-r 2 jacket. Man. Could not have fit better or have been more comfortable.

[ericboutin]

Rode to work!

[fontanaman]

Yesterday I measured the ES rear shock sag. It made me sad.

[bill lumberg]

Saw your related thread. Great info. You may start a 750# spring revolution.

Yesterday I measured the ES rear shock sag. It made me sad.

[El Toro Joe]

Rode it to work...