Road Trip

[81Delorean]

Well, headed out tomorrow on my annual trip from Arkansas to Eastern Tennessee/NC for a week. First time out on the FJ. I've only got a couple hundred miles on it since I did the carbs and everything else, it's running well, can't wait to see how it does. So far I'm at 41.5mpg which surprised me a little. I thought with the larger jetting that it would go down but I did change the gears to a 18/38 so maybe that helped. Got my tank bag, soft side cases and my large duffle al ready to go, just need to add a few last minute things in the morning, strap it down and head out. It's about a 10.5hr ride there for me, stopping when I need or want to. Got my Go-Cruise on for when I just need to give the right hand a break for a minute, some energy bars, Powerade, turkey sticks and a little candy for when I stop just to energize again. Let you know how it went when I get back. See if the bears like the FJ or not. So far they've been interested in the other bikes I've ridden there. Was hoping to get a picture of a cub sitting on it one time but so far they've only stood up with their feet on the seat, haven't gotten on a bike yet.

[FJ1200W]

Have a blast, great roads there and back!

[81Delorean]

So far so good....well at least for me. I did have to adjust the air/fuel screws, my idle was hanging up an dropping slow. Got that taken care of.

Not so good for my buddy and his bike. Turns out there is a bear here that apparently doesn't like BMW's. Woke up this morning to his 2022 1250 RS on the ground with a bear chewing up the seat, broke the side cases, and since it's a boxer motor it cracked the engine side cover, lost all the oil.  Can't locate a replacement yet so we're hoping the JB Weld will hold for a while. He has a 500 mile ride home Saturday.

[gumby302ho]

 Yet another reason why the bavarian motor bikes dont work for me, try working on them, thats if one could afford one.I dont buy into german engineering like many, sure hitler and his team came up with some sharp ideas but just like metallica they are overrated. Those boxer motors in the offroad bikes if your in some serious mud your heads get covered in it and need to be cleaned off before they start to cook, I wonder what the ring gaps on those pistons are. Yes germany has done some excellant engineering with some odd car and bike gems but overal they are overated and over priced. I hope they work for you who own them. Long live the FJ.

[Pat Conlon]

Glad you're having a good time Jason. That's what FJ's are all about!

JB weld putty is good stuff (as long the prep is done) it will get you home.

Have fun

Pat

[81Delorean]

Made it back home, bike ran flawless except for having to adjust the air mixture screws and the idle which was no big deal. I did have to shut the bike off while sitting in traffic or road construction so it didn't cook. I was quite surprised at the amount of people who asked me about the bike, had one guy yell from his car while I was getting gas, "nice FJ!" and then took a picture. Same gas station a couple days later a couple of older guys straining their necks to look at it. Everyone seemed to have a "I remember" story about one.

My buddies JB Weld held up for the week and he was able to make it home 500 miles today also. I'll post a couple of pictures of the bike with the bear if you want to see it. Not gonna happen tonight though. I'm tired.

[Millietant]

We definitely want to see it and loads of photos of your trip please     

[81Delorean]

Here's the bear that knocked the bike over off the center stand. I have video of her moving the bike on the ground like it was nothing. She had two cubs with her and she wasn't going anywhere. After she got done chewing on the bike some, she went to a car that was parked and opened the door and got inside and found some food in there. They obviously didn't have their doors locked and they said later on that they had no idea that bears could open doors. We've seen them go to about every car in the parking lot and try every door before.

I don't take a lot of pictures of my trips, I usually just ride and don't stop a whole lot. Most of the pictures I get are before we start or after we're done riding for the day.

[86FJNJ]

Wow pretty crazy, great pictures.  Def a great advertisement for engine protection bars!

[81Delorean]

He was thinking an advertisement for JB Weld

[Pat Conlon]

I knew there was a reason I take all my soft luggage off my bike at night....

When mama bear learns how to open my hotel room door, I'm screwed......

[81Delorean]

Yes, take everything off the bike if your going to leave it out there for any length of time. He didn't have any food in the side case but he did take some leftovers back in them. 10 minute ride, she still smelled it 12 hours later.

Haven't seen a bear open the door on the room yet. The do use round knobs for that reason. Have seen someone leave their foot open and a bear walked in and grabbed some sausage off the counter and walk out. The people were sitting in the living room and had no idea until something was said to them.

[Millietant]

Excellent photos, thank you.