exploring/carolina

Purchased my FJ used, so previous owner already installed crash bars and sliders. No issues with any of the gear, so far. In a previous post saw the crashbars mounted on my FJ. Front axle sliders are easy to remove when removing front axle. Have not used a rear paddock stand with the rear sliders since the FJ has a centerstand.

Agree, I have used No-Mar and it is easier to use. Don't install as many tires as I did 10 years ago, so Cycle Hill is working fine for me. Used to go on all day twisty rides using plenty of tires. The FJ's front Pilot Power should show up late today, plan to install it before getting a state inspection next week.

Changed oil & filter earlier today. Waiting on a front Michelin tire to show up to balance & install. Here's the No-Mar Cycle Hill changer and No-Mar static balancer used on the FJ's rear tire:

Hello! Ride out of Denver NC. Ride on & off pavement around Mortimer, Pineola, Marion, and Morganton.

I need to ride that soon. Headed to Tellico one week from today for March Moto Madness and plan to ride all of the great roads there in the mountains, hopefully we make it there as well!!! We like camping at Cherohala Mountain Trails at Tellico Plains TN. Ride on & off pavement, have another bike for fire road riding. Plenty of fire roads in my normal ride area around Linville Falls/Pineola NC area. Another road is NC Rt. 181 between Pineola NC and Morganton NC, plenty of sweepers. Probably find Youtube ride videos on NC Rt. 181, RT. 226A, and Rt. 80. My avatar was taken on NC. 181.

The bike looks nice, but the road looks spectacular! The Texas Gulf Coast is sadly lacking that type of terrain... Thanks! Here's a link for NC Rt. 80 Devil's Whip and NC 226A Diamondback, both fine twistys!!!! https://tailofthedragonmaps.com/diamondback-226/

Matte Gray on NC 80 "Devil's Whip" North Carolina

Run our FJ around 1.5" slack without issues.

Installed the APE CCT last week and reused the original OEM mounting bolts, too.

I always ran that combo on my 'Busa, and they generally wore out at the same rate. Good all 'round setup. I bought PR4s for the FJ9 this time, still not through the set yet, so no long term judgements. I do like them though. I was happy to get the FJ out today after a couple of months of neglect due to crappy weather. Agree, great tire combo and both tires last about the same mileage. Trying a PR4 on the back of a Vstrom right now, fine tire.

betoney, I'm OK with standard stems. Brick, Just going with a new cam chain tensioner, not chain. gotfz1, The new chain & sprockets make less noise than the original on my FJ.

I'm replacing the cam chain tensioner with an APE tensioner today!!!! Will post photos when done.

Brick, Since buying the FJ last month noticed the original drive chain/sprockets making extra noise compared to my other chain driven bikes. The original rear tire had 3000 miles on it. Could have gotten additional miles on it, but also replaced the front/rear sprockets and chain yesterday. I'm going with 20 to 25MM chain sag on the new JT sprockets & DID chain. Going with a Pilot Power on the front in a couple thousand miles. DID calls for 20 to 25MM chain sag unless OEM recommendation is different, I went with DID recommendation: The original front sprocket had phenolic collars on both sides of the steel sprocket: Not sure about this, but chain noise may have been coming from chain contact on the collars on the front sprocket: JT sprockets:

Very nice. I ran PR2's on my SV a few years ago, I loved them. Excellent grip rain or shine, and I got 8-9k miles+ out of the rears easily. Very well behaved tire with no unusual or unpredictable habits.Thanks, When I ordered PR2 for the FJ, it surprised me I could still find PR2s. Always liked them, ran a PR2 on the rear of a Aprilia Dorsoduro and Pilot Power on the front, nice combo with 1 hour ride to and from the twistys.. (rofl)

Installed & balanced a rear Michelin Pilot Road 2 on the FJ today :

Appreciate all the good information in this thread. Just purchased a 2015 FJ-09 last month with less than 3000 miles. Could hear a noise and after reading this thread, helped me understand what the noise is. Clint, Just ordered an APE tensioner this morning. Thanks,

Have used a set of GPI paddock stands on sport and sport touring bikes. Just bought the FJ09 last Friday, so tried the stands out on the FJ tonight. Used a 20MM pin on the FJ triple tree bearing stem and the stands worked fine lifting both tires off the ground at the same time. The horizontal pin that secures the vertical 20MM pin contacted the horn, so left the pin out that secures the 20MM pin and the front stand worked fine. The 20MM pin has a large enough OD to fit the stand without slipping through the smaller ID hole in the stand. Front adjustable height paddock stand with horizontal pin installed securing vertical 20mm pin. In this photo the 20MM larger step cannot be seen that prevents the pin from slipping through the stand hole with the horizontal pin removed. Paddock stand with FJ front wheel in the air, without horizontal pin securing 20MM pin. If the horizontal pin is left installed, it will contact the horn: Used the rear stand without spool lift: