Touring/ Highway Mods

[andyb]

The point was the things you need for comfort will be different depending on who you are.  I've got good knees and have never, ever wished for more legroom on any motorcycle that I've ridden.  A friend of mine immediately looks for a taller seat and lowering pegs no matter what he rides, because his knees give him troubles.

I've needed a throttle lock to keep my hands awake on some bikes, but not on others.

Some bikes have really needed a seat, some have not.  For me, the FJ needed something, but after getting a corbin I'm not sure it's the right answer, as it makes me sit back too far compared to the stocker.  I'm not saying that I'm the only answer, but I am saying that I don't think it's the right answer for me.  Still an improvement over stock as far as buttcomfort, but then the bars need to come up or move closer a bit, and that still won't solve the rearward weight shift.  Probably depends on your height and limb length, as well as what you consider comfortable.

But you don't learn these things by asking other people   Ride the thing and see where the problems are for you, then look for specific fixes for that. We all are built differently and have different problems, and we all have bikes that act a bit differently too.

(And yes, I'm a boring old man too.  I realized early on that the whole point of being young was going out and doing stupid crap so that you'll have good stories when you're too decrepit to do those things anymore.  As I age, I've realized the easier way is to just lie.... also known as growing wiser, because a lot of the stupid stuff ends up turning out badly, even when you're young!)

[Capn Ron]

The point was the things you need for comfort will be different depending on who you are. 

Oh....I definitely got your point on the first pass.  And it's a good one!  Some solution that works great for one guy isn't the right solution for the next...or maybe it is.  I forget what it was like to not know all the options available to me on the FJ...or riding gear that's out there...or riding techniques that will make for a more comfortable day.  It's very accurate to say, "just get out and ride the thing!", but it's also nice to know when you're doing that riding to have in the back of your mind what solutions are out there.

I didn't even know Corbin existed until I bought my FJ and the previous owner threw a brand new one in on the sale.  I rode with it for a while and found it lowered my ride position and I didn't really like that (long legs)...and quickly sold it off on Ebay.  A dozen years later, I'm still hearing that they are the best thing going...Really?  I borrowed another one last month and it's fine, but just not for me.

Somewhere in the middle of my ride report, I was barking about all the rain in Canada and Ribbert (Noel) PM'd me and gave me all sorts of life experience on how to stay dry on a bike!  I was touched that he put so much well-thought effort into the weak link in my riding gear.  I was also shocked that half the things he was suggesting...I had never even thought of!!  Just some really good sound advice from someone who never lets rain stop him from riding.  Would have taken me another year to just figure that out on my own.  Priceless! 

None of us are ignoring your suggestion to just get out and ride to find out for yourself...that's definitely the best way...but even for those of us who have sorted out most of the performance/comfort/safety issues...who have spent 85 days in a row in the saddle...having put most things to the ultimate real-word test...I'm picking up some new tips here that I might put into play.   

Cap'n Ron. . .

[GhostMerc]

Having these extra ideas will definitely help figure out what's best for me while riding.  Some things here reinforce my thinking, and others are things I didn't really think about.

The first part of the trip I was riding a little fast (oops), 80 - 90 in the fast lane. When I stopped for gas after 50 miles my hands and feet were beyond numb, almost painfully so.  I slowed down the rest of the trip and it got better.  As long as I remember to take my wallet out of my back pocket the seat is good for me.

[Country Joe]

Sounds like the Vibranators would be worth looking into, as well as foam grips and gloves with gel pads in the palms.

You can also replace the  footpeg washers and bolts for the rubber backed washers from the later model FJs. Those parts are available at www.rpmracingca.com
That will make a significant improvement in  the buzz getting to your feet.
Joe

[andyb]

And a carb synch.  Particularly one one at cruising rpm where you tend to settle on long runs.

[Dazza57]

Been enjoying this thread. Agree with Andy when he says you just gotta go out and ride to see what you need to "fix" to make it more comfortable.

For me riding town most days, first on the list was risers to help my old back, bought and fitted the LSL kit, then the foamy grips.

Where I live, a 900 km day is a short one. From here to Perth is 1550 kms, so I try to break it up these days.

For my 5,500 kms trip last year I bought an Airhawk seat cushion which I covered with a bit of sheeps wool. Also fitted a throttle lock, a Go Cruise, which works by friction against the brake lever.

A couple of months prior to the trip I fitted a set of Tarozzi rear set pegs which I was concerned might be a bit too far back for touring, and I was also concerned about vibration, as they weren't rubber mounted.

I do have a dicky back and dicky knees, and hadn't done long trips on a bike for over 30 years, so it was all a bit "up in the air"

I had a couple of 200 km rides to check everything out, and it all seemed to work OK, so off I went. I can now ride 2.5 hours without stopping for a bum/body rest.

The rear sets were actually very comfortable, and the vibs were less than the standard pegs, even my knees didn't complain.

Years ago I swore on my throttle lock to be able to chew kms without stopping, it is a must have to be able to rest the right hand.
Speaking of hands, mine suffered a little from the vibs, think I need to do the engine mounts.

There is only one thing I would like to change on the FJ, and I really don't know why Yamaha didn't do it sooner was to make it shaft drive. I owned a  Suzi GS850G and GS1000G, and having a shaft drive is just so much nicer to live with. Oh well, you can't have everything.

The FJ is an awesome beast, I just love cruising along at about 140, and rolling it on, watch that speedo rocket up to 200 so quick, kookaloo!

Anyway, that's my 2c worth, cheers, Dazza

[Burns]

The GP grips used on old Brit bikes (Norton, BSA, etc) do wonders to quell bar-vibes.  They are a bit hard to find, but their cousin the GT's (same shape but stiffer) are almost as good and a lot easier to find.

Personally I think they look great on the FJ, but I am rarely consulted on matters of style.  I have GP's on my '89 and don't use the stock bar-end weights at all.

[TexasDave]

The GP grips used on old Brit bikes (Norton, BSA, etc) do wonders to quell bar-vibes.  They are a bit hard to find, but their cousin the GT's (same shape but stiffer) are almost as good and a lot easier to find.

Personally I think they look great on the FJ, but I am rarely consulted on matters of style.  I have GP's on my '89 and don't use the stock bar-end weights at all.

Back in the late 60's early 70's I put GP grips on all the 2 strokes I rode and they were great. Can't even find them now. I think everyone went to foam grips just for the looks.  Dave

[Burns]

I've got GT's on the FJ right now; they are easy to find and I'd say 85% as good as the GP's. 

This style grip was designed for paint-shaker vertical twins. They are a "balloon" design - vastly superior to foam grips for vibration control - and the contour fits the curve of the hand and so requires less squeeze to hold the throttle open, which translates into less muscle fatigue of the hand.

I just ordered a set of this style grip from an English firm.  It doesn't call them "GP" but they are the right shape and are advertised as "squishy".  I'm hoping they are like the GP's. They'll be here in a couple of days and if the meet my expectations I'll report back and send a picture of them mounted.

Like I said, even with the GT's, which are much harder than the GP's I don't need the bar-end weights.

It's low-tech and old-school, which is cool with me.