Hello
My name is Dave, I recently purchased my first motorcycle beginning of January this year. I bought it from a friend who was the third owner . The bike came from Edmonton, Alberta but had a short stay in Winnipeg, before being loaded up in the back of my friends truck just after Christmas and hauled a cross three Provinces ending up in my garage.
It's the middle of winter for us Canadians I can't wait for spring to ride this motorcycle, I'm a little nervous it's been Twenty some years since I rode a bike .I don't want to drop this bike its that mint. I just got my learners and will be taking a two day course in May .
Welcome Dave , :hi:
A 20 year break in riding will make you a little rusty so take it easy at first . The FJ is a heavy bike so low speed maneuvers can be difficult until you get used to it.
If it is gonna sit for a while but some fuel stabilizer in the tank and run the engine for a bit so it gets into the fuel bowls . Gummed up carbs come spring would not be a happy surprise.
Have a look at all the great info in the archives on this site and soon you will know your FJ inside out.
It is gonna be a long winter for you ,waiting till spring to ride your new FJ. :empathy3:
Wow ! Welcome to the group David. We have a lot members in Canada, where are you located. There might be someone close than give some pointers. Take your time with the FJ it is a handful of power until you get use to it. Ask questions here as you go. There is lots of help here online.
George :drinks:
Congrats Dave on your 93 FJ! You're a wise man signing up for a rider safety course, get a good helmet and riding gear and have fun! Lot's of FJ'ers in Canada too. :yes:
Thanks everyone ,
I think I'm lucky to have found this motorcycle. My friend Jeff insured me this was a great bike. I think he put me into a special bike . I can't wait to learn all I can , looking for a lower belly fairing mine is damaged that is all this bike needs for now .
Quote from: Dhauk on January 24, 2015, 11:11:54 PM
Thanks everyone ,
I'm think I'm lucky to have found this motorcycle. My friend Jeff insured me this was a great bike. I think he put me into a special bike . I can't wait to learn all I can , looking for a lower belly fairing mine is damaged that is all this bike needs for now .
Welcome, Dave,plenty of room in the FJ pool for another. Guess that's not the best metaphor for you frozen north fellas. We also consider this forum our digital campfire. So pull up a chair and your favorite beverage and enjoy.
How badly damaged is your lower fairing? The plastic can be repaired for less than a new one. And after market ones can be found if you chose to go that way.
Hi Dave! :hi:
I'm in the same boat with the lower fairings, as I have two that need the left rear portion fixed. There's some threads on ABS plastic repair, and some magical stuff called "Plastex" that I'm preparing to experiment with.
We all have lots of projects, but love to hear about others, too. Photos help.
Are you going to show up at any of our rallies? They're fun!
Steve
That's a lot of bike for a novice rider. Any chance of getting something (much) smaller to hone your skills on, and to take a few drops?
As a former riding instructor I would recommend it.
Ya I've been thinking about getting a smaller bike , I will see in the spring after I take the safety course. I had to buy this FJ first as it wouldn't of been available when I was ready. There are so many vering opinions out there, I watched every video on YouTube , read every article . There was nothing but good to say about this motorcycle. I just new I had to buy this bike. My friend Jeff who sold me the bike insured me this was the bike for me. I mentioned my concerns of weight and power, his reply was just because you can get there first don't mean you have to. I know I'm a novice and if I think this bike will be to much for me I will buy a smaller bike because I DO NOT want to drop this bike .......EVER.......... Lol
Buying a smaller bike isn't a bad idea either ..... I can get my boys into the sport and have some one to ride with...... The only problem is convincing my wife ........ As it was almost divorce when I bought the FJ.
She thinks I'm going through some mid life crisis or something . Ha ha!
I think it can be ok as your first bike. I would highly recommend addressing any stearing head bearing issues that may exist. It can make a world of difference in handling the bike, especially at low speeds. It really helped my confidence in maneuvering the bike after getting rid of the stickiness of old bearings.
Dhauk,
So, when does this mid-life crisis get over and done? I think mine started at age 16, and about fifty years later, I still have (ride) several bikes, and still fly hang gliders (only about 40 years there, started flyin' HG in 1975). :yahoo:
One more vote for a smaller bike for you to start with, really. The FJ is quite capable of leaving, no matter if you are still in the saddle or not. :yes: Find some local bike instructors, and ask every one if the FJ is a wise choice for the first-time rider. Have a spec sheet handy, in case these guys do not know the FJs. Here comes the hard part: listen to the advice that you get from them. A smaller bike is not an extra expense, there. You will probably buy and sell it for about the same prices, so call it an investment in your health. Stay healthy, my friend.
Best wishes,
Red
I knew this was going to be a mistake letting everyone know I'm a newbie in all aspects........
But I get it....... I wouldn't want some novice getting hurt and wrecking this bike either.
Any suggestions on a quality starter bike , open to any makes , models and years.
But would like to stick with Yamaha or Honda . I want quality and a more upright sitting position.
And what motorcycles out there in new models compare to the FJ 1200 not so much in horse power but quality ?
See if you can find it's younger brother, an FJ600. I regret letting mine go, but it didn't take much to transition to the bigger bike, seriously.
If I might add...a set of engine bars (crash bars, case guards, whatever you want to call them) are a must have piece of kit. Randy with RPM has Renntec bars available: http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=91%2D93FJEB. (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=91%2D93FJEB.) Speaking from recent personal experience, the price of the bars is a bargain compared to potential replacement engine parts! By the way, my "other" ride is an '07 Honda CB250 nighthawk...yea, I know, but it's just about perfectly suited to my frame (5'6",160#) and my daily 4 mile work commute...240 miles to a tank of fuel to boot! An example of a great little standard bike...my unsolicited 2 cents. Good luck dude, you've got a great looking FJ!
chris
Quote from: Dhauk on January 26, 2015, 12:35:06 PM
I knew this was going to be a mistake letting everyone know I'm a newbie in all aspects........
But I get it....... I wouldn't want some novice getting hurt and wrecking this bike either.
Any suggestions on a quality starter bike , open to any makes , models and years.
But would like to stick with Yamaha or Honda . I want quality and a more upright sitting position.
And what motorcycles out there in new models compare to the FJ 1200 not so much in horse power but quality ?
I've been mostly Honda and Yamaha but I will recommend a couple of others. Firstly the Kawasaki GPX/ZZR250. My wife had a GPX250 until recently and I rode it a few times, short and long distances. Its a brilliant performer, you can flog it or just sruise it. its a hoot in the twisties.The engines have been around for years and can take a hiding. Like was mentioned a previous post, they can be picked up cheaply and sold on for much the same price.
For something a little bigger I'd recommend Suzuki GS500. Same reasons as the Kawasaki, plentiful parts, solid motor, cheap to buy. Both of the above are uncomplicated twins and easy to service
But all this could be irrelevant if they are not as common in your market as they are in Oz.
Quote from: Dhauk on January 26, 2015, 12:35:06 PM
I knew this was going to be a mistake letting everyone know I'm a newbie in all aspects........
But I get it....... I wouldn't want some novice getting hurt and wrecking this bike either.
Any suggestions on a quality starter bike , open to any makes , models and years.
But would like to stick with Yamaha or Honda . I want quality and a more upright sitting position.
And what motorcycles out there in new models compare to the FJ 1200 not so much in horse power but quality ?
I don't or at least try not to get to judgmental on want bike to ride or learn on etc. It wasn't a mistake letting anyone know that you are new to motorcycling. I do know if you are learning you will or stand a good chance of a soft drop or bumping it around. A smaller bike is easier to deal with for learning. If you have to acquire a motorcycle endorsement then a small bike is easier to handle during the skills test. I am on the frugal side so my opinion most always go's in that direction. If it were me and just starting out I would keep the FJ and go to Craigslist or Kijiji and shop around for a small light weight, low seating position (nice to learn on) bike in the 250-500cc range. If you have any friends or co workers that ride they might be able to help you out in the shopping. There are a lot of inexpensive used street bikes out there. Buy one with the mind set that after what ever time it takes to get your license and to feel comfortable then sell the small bike to someone else. Transition to the FJ.
Where in Alberta are you located approximately?
George
Quote from: Dhauk on January 26, 2015, 12:35:06 PM
I knew this was going to be a mistake letting everyone know I'm a newbie in all aspects........
But I get it....... I wouldn't want some novice getting hurt and wrecking this bike either.
Any suggestions on a quality starter bike , open to any makes , models and years.
But would like to stick with Yamaha or Honda . I want quality and a more upright sitting position.
And what motorcycles out there in new models compare to the FJ 1200 not so much in horse power but quality ?
Don't sweat it , It shows wisdom in years lived to know when to ask for help.
You stated before that you used to ride long ago , so the FJ is just gonna take some getting used to . Put some crash bars / engine guards on it.
It is usually easy to find some tore-up little bike to get back up to speed . A honda Rebel 250cc is a good one to use , cheap bike and cheap parts and you will get your money back when you sell it .
I have a nephew who did the 2 day riding course in California and all they did was ride in a parking lot for the whole time . His first bike is a honda shadow 1100 and he has dropped it about 6 times so far in 3 months. Pretty much all low speed drops and overshot corners.
You already bought a great motorcycle when you got the FJ , So hang in there and soon the wife will be happy with the afternoon rides you take her on.
You can buy an aftermarket seat made by" Corbin" that has a removable backrest and helps the passenger feel safe and comfortable .
Welcome to the forum, :hi: great looking FJ.
Another option on a smaller bike that should work for getting yourselve back into the swing of things is the YX600 radian. They are great naked bikes and can be had for less than $1200.00 in great shape. Plus it would be a good candidate for a first bike for your son.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YX600_Radian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_YX600_Radian)
Fred
Hi David,
Welcome to the fourm from the previously lonely Albertan (I think)....If you get down this way be sure to look me up.
Regards,
Jeff
Dave, as you should be able to tell by now, you are getting support and advise intended to keep you safe. Whether you fall hopelessly in love with your FJ like the rest of us, or not, we are all here because we love to ride. Getting hurt or fed up when riding well may prevent you from finding your Kookalooo. This the most supportive and knowledgeable forum you will find, we got your back. :drinks:
Quote from: Dhauk on January 26, 2015, 12:35:06 PM
I knew this was going to be a mistake letting everyone know I'm a newbie in all aspects........
But I get it....... I wouldn't want some novice getting hurt and wrecking this bike either.
Any suggestions on a quality starter bike , open to any makes , models and years.
But would like to stick with Yamaha or Honda . I want quality and a more upright sitting position.
And what motorcycles out there in new models compare to the FJ 1200 not so much in horse power but quality ?
It was no mistake... people here are just concerned in a good way...... nothing bad about receiving words of caution. pay attention in class especially the part about riding within YOUR limits no sense trying to keep up with more experienced riders on more sophisticated machines.... every vehicle combined with every operator has limitations, just make sure you ease into things, and get lots of miles on uncrowded, slower speed roads.... this FJ is definitely a machine that will offer you plenty of room to advance...SAFE TRAVELS.just because this bike will allow you ride like a "squid" does not mean you have to :good2: :good2:
Nice bike!
FJs were developed when the Japanese motorcycle industry was smack in the middle of discovering Horsepower. They discovered Brakes part-way through the FJ's tenure as well, but Handling was still a ways off.
Consequently, what you have is a big, heavy motorcycle that makes a lot of power and stops okay, but can be a bit of a handful to turn. Experienced riders can ride around these relative shortcomings. Thoughtful modifications can eliminate them. But you will want to pay attention to your maintenance in order to help reduce them, and you will want to pay more attention to your riding to help avoid them.
So, 1) make sure the steering bearings (as mentioned above) and brakes and tires are in good shape. Tires, particularly, will make a huge difference; worn ones and/or under-inflated ones will give you a motorcycle that "Oh my God this thing WILL NOT TURN!!!!" as you run wide off a fast corner. Good tires, properly inflated, will give you a bike that corners predictably. Good brake pads on freshly bled brakes will give you a bike that you can confidently slow down if your speed and a corner combine to surprise you a bit. 2) ride carefully and be mindful of the fact that a stock FJ has great power, decent brakes, and semi-decent handling, so that you don't surprise yourself a bit. Choose very carefully the circumstances where you pull the trigger on all 100 horsepower.
If your riding skills are rusty (or for any new riders out there) a smaller lighter bike may be worthwhile. This can be something you ride for a month or two to get back into riding, or you might keep it because a 300-ish lb motorcycle is all kinds of fun, in a way no 600-ish lb motorcycle can ever be.
- A 250 Ninja is a bit more than half the weight of an FJ1200 and is significantly smaller and easier to handle. It has a small fairing, but a very upright (nearly "standard") riding position rather than a leaned-forward sportbike riding position. Very comfortable, can be used for a 300 mile day or a 1,000 mile weekend easily, will do nearly anything an FJ1200 will do except carry a passenger all day in comfort or top 120 mph while you pass pass six cars at once. In normal riding, a Ninja 250 it is more than powerful enough to keep up with / ahead of traffic, and in twisty road riding it is more than capable enough to allow you to ride at a very brisk pace. (Ask anyone at the 2010 / 2011 east coast rallies.) They were made essentially unchanged from 1988 through about 2007, so nice ones are still nearly "new" and are very reliable. Sorry, Honda or Yamaha sold nothing like it in the USA during that time (maybe you Canadians got something) and the only thing that came close was a Yamaha SRX 250, which honestly didn't even come close. They made it more modern-looking a few years ago and Honda made the CBR250 to capture some of that market.
- A 500 Ninja / EX500 is a good halfway point between an FJ1200 and a Ninja 250. Still small and light, although not as small and light as a 250, it is similar to the FJ1200 and Ninja 250 in a lot of ways - dates to the 1980's, was made a long time unchanged, has a small fairing and a basically upright / all-day-comfortable riding position, has a steel frame and so-so handling from the factory but can be ridden fast enough to keep up with FJs and other quick-ish bikes during normal sport riding. (Ask anyone at the 2012/2013 east coast rallies.) There were other bikes that were in the same league in terms of size/power/performance during the decades this bike was in production, but they are generally too large/heavy/fast (SV650) or too rare and valuable (Hawk GT) to be real competition; maybe the GS500 Suzuki twin comes close, and it's still kind of tall and awkward at parking-lot speeds.
In short (pun not intended) I still think the 250 Ninja is one of life's perfect motorcycles, a good first-bike for anyone who doesn't want or need a small cruiser, and I still think the 500 Ninja is another of life's perfect motorcycles, not too small and not too big but usually "just right." Both of those bikes are priced like FJs, where US$1,500 will buy you a scruffy but adequate one, and $2,500 to $3,000 will buy the nicest one on the planet. Difference is, with a small Ninja you can sell it to the next beginner for about what you paid; the market for an FJ is a bit more limited because most of us who really love them already have one (or two, or several.)
I take exception to the handling comment. Yamaha knew how to get around a road race track a long time before the FJ joined its line, and while that knowledge didn't find a home in a lot of its street bikes, the FJ certainly got its share.
The FJ's are fine handling motorcycles, though admittedly big, heavy and a hand-full at slow speed. Keep it vertical at walking speed or below. It can very easily get away from you.
Practice putting the bike up on its center stand until you are confident in that task. That will give you valuable muscle memory and increase your confidence in your ability to save the bike from a low-speed tip-over.
Spend some time in a parking lot doing low speed maneuvers. There is no substitute for time in the saddle for building skills and confidence. Confidence is a huge factor both in control and enjoyment of the bike.
Get a manual. Make one of you first tasks setting the ride height. If you can't get the front-end ride height correct with the pre-load adjusters you need new fork springs (almost all used FJ1200's need fresh fork springs). Replace them if needed and while you are in there put in fresh fork seals.
My impression is that you are a very sensible fellow who will respect his mount and you will absolutely love this wonderful motorcycle - a true classic.
You got a beauty - I'm happy for you.
I'm going to second Bill's recommendation of the 250 and 500 Ninjas. I have one in the garage along with my FJ and I honestly wouldn't dream of putting an inexperienced rider on a FJ 1200 until they have gained some competence on something smaller, especially a very good condition FJ. Just my $.02, YMMV, offer void where prohibited by law.............
Quote from: Burns on February 07, 2015, 01:12:24 PM
I take exception to the handling comment. Yamaha knew how to get around a road race track a long time before the FJ joined its line, and while that knowledge didn't find a home in a lot of its street bikes, the FJ certainly got its share.
The FJ's are fine handling motorcycles........
I agree with you Burns. I have said here many times that I had homed in on a sweet spot with the handling that made me wonder why so many people complain about it. This was with standard suspension and a couple of tweaks. My only complaint was it was a little hard in the rear unladen, but that's it.
This is from comparisons to modern large capacity bikes, not just getting used to the FJ.
In an ironic twist, I just spent a small fortune on new suspension and lost it.
Noel
when you say "lost it" I hope you don't mean a crash.
Quote from: Burns on February 07, 2015, 10:04:23 PM
when you say "lost it" I hope you don't mean a crash.
Haha, no, the sweet spot. Although the first ride was a bit scary, it's new reluctance to turn in had me turning in late which had me going wide, that was a little unnerving. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wished now I taken some measurements.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on February 07, 2015, 09:35:06 PM
Quote from: Burns on February 07, 2015, 01:12:24 PM
I take exception to the handling comment. Yamaha knew how to get around a road race track a long time before the FJ joined its line, and while that knowledge didn't find a home in a lot of its street bikes, the FJ certainly got its share.
The FJ's are fine handling motorcycles........
I agree with you Burns. I have said here many times that I had homed in on a sweet spot with the handling that made me wonder why so many people complain about it. This was with standard suspension and a couple of tweaks. My only complaint was it was a little hard in the rear unladen, but that's it.
This is from comparisons to modern large capacity bikes, not just getting used to the FJ.
In an ironic twist, I just spent a small fortune on new suspension and lost it.
Noel
So.... What are your impressions on the new suspension Noel.
Quote from: ribbert on February 07, 2015, 09:35:06 PM
In an ironic twist, I just spent a small fortune on new suspension and lost it.
Noel
Oooh do tell Noel. Did you end up getting an RPM rear? I'd be interested to know, my front is sorted fine thanks to Randy, the rear, it
tries to keep up, but........
there's a saying " if it ain't broke, I ain't through workin' on it" (well that's my version).
I have to wonder why you (of all people) would want to modify a bike that was in your sweet spot already.
IMHO loop:
Suspension set-up is like tuning up a band. The "A" doesn't have to be 440 cycles but it has to be the same on all of the instruments. i.e it is a matter of harmony and there is no one set of metrics that is right for everybody. It is a matter of dialing it in to your personal "sweet spot"). Changing one thing changes everything and "different" is not always "better".
It is so subjective and frankly rave reviews for the newest and coolest components are about as trustworthy as an election promise.
The FJ is a solid platform right out of the box. The "bang for the buck" for the vast majority of riders is to simply get everything fresh and with spring rates that work for the way you ride.
Close IMHO.
Quote from: Burns on February 08, 2015, 12:17:36 PM
there's a saying " if it ain't broke, I ain't through workin' on it" (well that's my version).
I have to wonder why you (of all people) would want to modify a bike that was in your sweet spot already.
IMHO loop:
Suspension set-up is like tuning up a band. The "A" doesn't have to be 440 cycles but it has to be the same on all of the instruments. i.e it is a matter of harmony and there is no one set of metrics that is right for everybody. It is a matter of dialing it in to your personal "sweet spot"). Changing one thing changes everything and "different" is not always "better".
It is so subjective and frankly rave reviews for the newest and coolest components are about as trustworthy as an election promise.
The FJ is a solid platform right out of the box. The "bang for the buck" for the vast majority of riders is to simply get everything fresh and with spring rates that work for the way you ride.
Close IMHO.
Most of my money is in the suspension as well. Except for the 17" rear wheel that is.
CraigO
Quote from: ribbert on February 07, 2015, 10:36:22 PM
Quote from: Burns on February 07, 2015, 10:04:23 PM
when you say "lost it" I hope you don't mean a crash.
Haha, no, the sweet spot. Although the first ride was a bit scary, it's new reluctance to turn in had me turning in late which had me going wide, that was a little unnerving. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wished now I taken some measurements.
Noel
Add some air to the front tire and it will turn in Quicker ... try 39 or 40 psi. I am not trying to be funny , just trying to help.
If you are already at that psi , you will have to raise ride height in the rear or drop the front .
If you just messed around with the rear suspension you already know what you gotta fix. Never too late to start taking measurements now. :mail1:
Quote from: X-Ray on February 08, 2015, 06:07:29 AM
Quote from: ribbert on February 07, 2015, 09:35:06 PM
In an ironic twist, I just spent a small fortune on new suspension and lost it.
Noel
Oooh do tell Noel. Did you end up getting an RPM rear? I'd be interested to know, my front is sorted fine thanks to Randy, the rear, it tries to keep up, but........
I felt your pain. When the rear goes, it goes in a big way (not that they were very good out of the box). My rear shock blew up and acted more like a screen door plunger than a 550lbs motorcycle shock. I was amazed at how nice that Penske made her handle again. I'll bet that the RPM shock is better.
CraigO
Yes, tires and their inflation make a HUGE difference. Even on stock suspension, mine always seemed to do okay with ~40 psi front and rear, and it got "better than just okay" with radials also inflated to close to 40 psi.
I have had two different FJs that were new enough to have the OEM tires (Dunlop A330/K330.) I can't imagine what else Yamaha tried and rejected that was worse than those, but I couldn't get either bike to turn with those tires. I used up the first bike's stock tires and then wore out an ME33/ME99 combination, which was a lot better. I had nearly-new ME33/ME55 on there at 9,000 when it was stolen.
The replacement FJ had only <1,600 miles, so those tires were OEM, and I remembered "Oh yeah, it's a horrible horrible motorcycle with these things; fortunately they'll be gone in 2,500 more miles." Similarly, I had Dunlop K591 "Sport Elites" on that bike which were terrible, and I once had a dual-compound Bridgestone S-11 that was the worst tire I have ever tried on a motorcycle. Once radial tires came along, life got a lot better, as long as I keep the pressure up and replace them when they get worn in the middle.
For someone who hasn't ridden in 20 years and just got a clean FJ1200, like the OP, my recommendation is "fill the tires to within a couple PSI of their max sidewall pressure." If the tires are worn in the middle, replace them. It will make a huge difference, especially if the replacements are good sport or sport-touring radials. That way, you will at least have a bike that can be cornered fairly hard fairly consistently. I found a sweet spot with Metzler radials and with the forks raised 1/2" in the triple clamps to drop the nose a bit and steepen the front geometry.
If you get into changing hardware, there are really good suspension options front and rear, including rear shocks(I have one) and rear wheel swaps (I have one) and front fork damping upgrades (I have one.) Also, you can replace the front forks and wheel with better forks and a wider wheel from a sportier bike. (FZ1, CBR600.) I have found another sweet spot on my FJ with cartridge-emulator valves in the stock FJ forks, and a Penske shock that has height adjustment, and a 17x5 rear wheel. It's pretty responsive this way, but even the $1,500 worth of suspension parts is worth only maybe 40% of the improvement over stock; the other 60% is mostly from keeping good radial tires on it.
TL;DR: Good, new, properly inflated tires will make the biggest difference in how an FJ handles. Suspension upgrades can make another huge improvement, but tires made a bigger improvement than what I have experienced with my suspension upgrades. With OEM or similar (crap) tires, I will argue that no, the FJ does not handle well - it is unresponsive and difficult to lean into a corner at speed, it gets *more* difficult to lean into a corner as you lean harder or go faster, and it stands up and runs wide under braking. Good tires make a world of difference, and good suspension / wheel upgrades make almost as big a difference as tires.
+1 on what Bill posted .. start with good tires with correct psi. :good2:
I agree if you are not comfortable on a bike that you will probably drop it.
Now on the other side of the coin I had not been on a bike in 12 years and the first bike I bought after that hiatis was....wait for it ....a Goldwing. Now that is a big heavy beast. It took me about a week of riding to get used to riding but then it was like I had never stopped. I think the main reason was that I felt confident but needed to relearn the physical skills of how to ride if that makes sense.
Thats my story but as I said to start with you have got to feel confident on a bike. If that means starting off again on a small bike then that is the way to go.
FJ's are addictive. Enjoy.
Quote from: Mark Olson on February 08, 2015, 03:29:11 PM
+1 on what Bill posted .. start with good tires with correct psi. :good2:
+ 2
it's the rubber more than the rubbee.
Quote from: Burns on February 08, 2015, 12:17:36 PM
there's a saying " if it ain't broke, I ain't through workin' on it" (well that's my version).
I have to wonder why you (of all people) would want to modify a bike that was in your sweet spot already.
Haha, yes, I have a similar saying.
The sluggishness to turn, squirrelling through corners and slight tendency for the front wheel to tuck in are just unanticipated consequences of fitting new suspension, it has altered the steering geometry and changed the overall height and the F&R relative to each other and
is not a flaw of the components.
I understand suspension upgrades give the least bang for buck (just under $2000) and improvements are only ever going to be incremental, assuming your current set up is in good serviceable condition, but the one issue with my previous set up, which I had mentioned many times, was that rear end was a little too hard for general riding and when backed off, adversely affected handling. At around 15,000km of country riding each year, avoiding freeways and straight roads where possible, this is not an insignificant point as comfort over those distances is important and at times a safety issue.
It has been observed many times by people familiar with both countries that our roads here are on average much worse, particularly our secondary roads which I spend nearly all my time on. I spend a lot of time with my arse in the air.
Having little else left to improve on my bike, other than hard luggage, I thought I would bite the bullet.
My expectation was that I could achieve a more comfortable ride without compromising handling.
That is why I changed it.
Noel
(Usual Disclaimer: no squirrels were hurt in the...........etc)
Well, I'm all about dialing the bike in for the way it is ridden, so I understand the perpetual modification syndrome. Everything comes down to a compromise in practice. The "sweet spot" on the straight line stability vs maneuverability and the suspension comfort vs tautness continuums is very much a factor of the surface and straightness of your path. Which is constantly changing.
Since there is no universal sweet spot suspension adjustability is a consideration.
Air caps on the front forks give you spring rate variability to close to zero cost, other than the GL shocks has anybody put an air bag on the rear end?
I put an air bag on the rear end once... She screamed so loud, I had to get rid of her. Now I have someone that likes Kookalooo...
Noel, I have missed the thread detailing your mods. What have you installed, and how is it set up?
Generally, making the fork angle steeper will cause it to tuck a bit but will also make the bike easier to turn in. If you are having trouble turning in but it still tends to tuck, I would ask how new the tires are and what pressure you're running front and rear.
If the bike hobby-horses in a long corner, that could also point to underinflation, as well as mis-alignment between the front and rear wheels (maybe uneven adjustment of the chain tensioners from one side to another, or maybe play in steering head or swingarm bearings.) Notchy or stiff stem bearings make things non-linear, and so do forks that are not parallel with each other.
General consensus is that the stock FJ springs are way soft, and the damping is still inadequate even for the too-soft springs. Heavier springs up front coupled with heavier / more fork oil are the biggest bang for the buck up front, but fork valves are pretty reasonable. For the rear, I don't know of anything effective other than "a pricey aftermarket shock." It may seem ridiculous to put a shock on your bike that costs 1/3 to 2/3 what your bike would sell for without it, but a proper spring rate along with proper control of the suspension movement must be tried to be believed. It is both more comfortable and better controlled at the same time. (Worn out factory stuff is the opposite, both too soft and too harsh at the same time.)
People who know more and write better than I do have written about proper spring rates and preload to give you proper sag (laden and unladen.)
Rear shocks with ride height adjustment will allow you to raise the ride height without needing a ton of preload. I find my bike is pretty easy to turn in when I have the ride height set up so that the rear tire touches the ground even with the bike on the center stand. I should experiment with the front fork position; I have the front end dropped about an inch, and that may be too much.
Before I had any of this stuff dialed in, the bike was a bit of a handful. "Hey, I should be awesome-fast, I have all this new hardware." {Ralph, John The Beer Scientist's step-dad, rides away from me on Deal's Gap, and the only time I catch up at all is when slower traffic is holding him up.} "Hmmm.... Guess I have some work to do."
Quote from: Bill_Rockoff on February 09, 2015, 11:01:25 AM
Noel, I have missed the thread detailing your mods.
Ha, no you didn't, there wasn't one.
Thanks for taking the time to run through all that, many things to think about.
Thanks
Noel
Quote from: FJmonkey on February 09, 2015, 10:31:03 AM
I put an air bag on the rear end once... She screamed so loud, I had to get rid of her. Now I have someone that likes Kookalooo...
my wife married an airbag.