I've been saying I'd buy an FJR for the last 3 years. I stumbled across a low mileage 05 for a reasonable price (wanted a gen II 06 +). I rode my 919 down to test ride it and wound up buying it.
I rode it all weekend and it's definitely different than the 919 but I don't "love" it like I thought I would. For all of the praise I heard about the handling it still takes effort to turn that thing. I hopped on my 919 Monday night and it felt like a dirt bike!
I'm gonna keep them both for a while but I may not keep the FJR long.
Hey congrats on the buy.
I have been shopping fjr's for the last month or so. Although I had a 919 for a bit I usually ride 80's stuff so I'm used to the heavier bikes.
I'm guessing spending all day on the fjr will be more comfortable than your other bike though so maybe plan a day trip or two? Maybe that'll make you love it more.
Congrats on the FJR! I'm on my second one, had an '07 2nd gen, now have an '04 1st gen. Mine took a while to grow on me, at first it seemed big and heavy, but as you get used to the size it will feel much more nimble and maneuverable. They do handle well but you have to use a firm hand, they turn in easy at low speeds but at higher speeds it takes a bit more pressure on the bars. The best thing about FJR's is that they're all day comfortable, can cruise down the highway at 100mph easily, and even though it's a lot bigger than your 919, it still isn't nearly as big and heavy as other comparable touring bikes.
Give it some time, I think you'll really grow to love it. I put a California Scientific windscreen on mine, greatly improved highway wind protection. Also installed Helibar handlebar risers, makes for a much improved riding postion (I'm 6'3", 185lbs). Installed R&G frame sliders as well, but other than that I haven't done much else to this one, although I do have a new set of Michelin's waiting to be installed. I've been tempted by the Dale Walker Holeshot complete exhaust system and a PCIII, just haven't convinced myself to drop the $$ yet. The complete system is supposed to really help with the heat issue by removing the cats, which you'll find that the 1st gen does put off a fair amount of engine heat although I don't find mine intolerable.
Let me know if you have any questions, one thing you might want to do is set up your suspension to fit your weight, it's fully adjustable front and back and it made a huge difference in how mine rides and handles. Here's a how to from the FJR Riders forum: Suspension 101 - FJR Riders Forum
Here are a few pics of my FJR, first one was taken this year down in Brown County, second one shows my 1st gen and 2nd gen, last one was last summer on a 1000 mile round trip to northern Michigan.
Now get out on that thing and ride it like it was meant to be ridden, take off and go somewhere far away, I bet you'll come home with a whole different attitude!
I've been saying I'd buy an FJR for the last 3 years. I stumbled across a low mileage 05 for a reasonable price (wanted a gen II 06 +). I rode my 919 down to test ride it and wound up buying it.
I rode it all weekend and it's definitely different than the 919 but I don't "love" it like I thought I would. For all of the praise I heard about the handling it still takes effort to turn that thing. I hopped on my 919 Monday night and it felt like a dirt bike!
I'm gonna keep them both for a while but I may not keep the FJR long.
Just about anything is going to feel like a heavy pig after the 919.
The 919 is so well balanced.
The FJR is a awesome bike, just can't compare it to the 919 in the handling department......................now on the open road, the FJR will make most bikes feel like mopeds.
Amchev - it's been 10 more days. Any more love for the fjr?
Here's a pic of my '05 I just bought last Tuesday. It's missing the bags so he had difficulty selling it. I flew there and rode it home 300 miles. I really like it.
You have the same thoughts I do on the KRS! It's good at what it does, but, we ain't instant buddies like me and Lil Red were, and are still. Red feels like a toy when I get on, but, still has the roar of a beast when her tail gets twisted!! Keep both.
PS: Nice ride, I love the color.
Youre gonna have to go on a 2-3 day trip to enjoy that, if you're looking for the hooligan hop back on the 9er. wanna ship it to me I need to run to dallas I promise a full detailed report, hell I'll even wash it......
[QUOTE=gpzTurbo;401079]Amchev - it's been 10 more days. Any more love for the fjr?
I do like the FJR but I don't love it enough to part with the 919. (I've put 963 miles on it including a 220 mile day) The Honda stays. The FJR is definitely better for 2 up, my wife won't get on my 919 with me but she loved riding on the back of the FJR (had to crank the windshield all the way up so she didn't get buffeting).
I'm gonna "casually" try to sell it. List is on craigslist and see if anyone wants it.
P.S. gpzTurbo, if your bike doesn't have the "cromeit heat mod" done, do it. I didn't think the Gen 1 heat issue was that bad but that little mod definitely reduces the heat at the ankles and it only takes 30-45 minutes to do it.
I had a fjr myself, it is a nice bike its just wasent sporty enough for me, its heavy,gets REAL HOT and sounds like a sewing machine while going down the highway...lol
Another thing I dident like the bike was I felt real cramped on it. And even after I rode my freinds bmw touring bike I just figured there all like that. I like the wind in my face and thats what made me get a 9er
I went from fz1 to fjr to 919...........I like to ride naked
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"You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people do in a lifetime" - Burt Munro
I sold my 919! Hadn't really planned to but found a guy that really wanted it badly and was willing to give me a fair price.
FJR sale is pending.
So to try and strike a balance between the two I'm getting a Triumph Sprint ST this weekend. I was tempted to wait for the new GT but a low mileage ST is going to cost half as much as a new one and I'm cheap!
My wife says it's ok as long as I don't lose money... so far I'm only out some title fees and taxes. I consider that 2 months rent. It sucks that it takes about a month and 1K miles to decide if a bike is "the one" for me.
two months of the fjr is pretty much all I had it for to.......I think if I was in my 50's it would be a great bike for me.
Good luck with the triumph, I was torn between that and the 9er and went with the 9er only because of the smokin deal I got it for....but im VERY HAPPY with this bike and dont see ever selling it.
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"You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people do in a lifetime" - Burt Munro
I've had my fjr for about a month or so and put about 1000 miles on it. I don't think it could be my ONLY bike but it definitely makes a nice addition to my other stuff.
I couldn't find a Sprint for the same price and also decided the Sprint's peg & handlebar locations weren't opposite enough of my other bikes - I was looking for something with all-day comfort and got it in the fjr. I'm really thinking about adding a turbo over the winter but we'll see. I've had those ideas about other bikes before and sold them before getting started.
My 919 was awesome for jaunts into the city but didn't provide the wind deflection I prefer on the freeway or at high speeds. (and I wanted more power ) The guy who bought it is very happy with it as his only ride.
I loved the 919 no doubt about it. I kept it longer than any other bike I've owned. The FJR was TOO touring for me, the Sprint ST seems to be a good compromise between the 919 and the FJR. Time will tell, I do love the character of the 1050cc Triple though...
The Sprint is definitely somewhere between the 919 and FJR with leanings toward the 919. It handles very well and the suspension is better than the 919 so I have more confidence on it when there is rough pavement in the curve. It is noticeably easier to steer than the FJR and the riding position is perfect for my size. I was constantly fiddling with the adjustable windshield on the FJR to try to get rid of buffeting. No issues at all on the Sprint.
The riding position is more sporty than either the FJR or the 919 but I found a post about proper posture and that's really a non issue if you use your core muscles to hold up your weight instead of your arms.
After the same amount of time and miles on the Sprint as the initial FJR post I can say this one is definitely "the one". I'm loving everything about the Sprint with exception of the headlights possibly. If I rode at night a lot I might have a complaint there.
As for heat, there is a little right at the feet but my bike has the "heat kit" (which is standard after 06) and the heat from it is not as noticeable as the 05 FJR with heat fixes.
I also have the Triumph Off-Road exhaust... that triple growl is awesome!
Mine is a 2006 but it has the higher bars from the 2007-current models. I think they are about ideal for handling and comfort. The 05 and 06 came with much lower and forward bars. Pre 05 generation bikes were even lower. I disregarded the Sprint in 2006 when I got my 919 for that very reason, I wanted a Speed Triple badly though.
Some guys add 1.25" GenMar risers too but that's a bit too much for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sml2727
What year is your Sprint? it seems every year they make it more upright seating.
Ohhhhhhhhh. I'm liking that bike. Awesome looking serious sport touring rig.
Very nice. Throw out some info after a couple thousand miles. I, too, dig the three.
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"One would think that the Secret Service was smart enough to get serviced secretly."
) The guy who bought it is very happy with it as his only ride.
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