texscottyd

I like you already... So what's it been like to live with? I was right on the verge of buying one, but ended up buying a new Speed Twin instead (Odd cross-shopping list, I realize).

Quick update: After a couple of months and a few hundred miles, I’m really happy I bought this garden tractor… It is 100% functionally inferior to the FJ, the Speed Twin, a mid-1970s CB750, etc… and I couldn’t care less. 😀 It is just silly, stupid fun to ride. I definitely wouldn’t want it as my only bike, but it has fit beautifully into the three bike rotation so far.

Don’t force the key, as it absolutely will twist off in the lock if you overdo it. Don’t ask me how I know this… ☹️ Two thoughts: 1) Press down firmly on the front edge of the seat while simultaneously trying to unlock… you want to reduce any pressure you can where the lock clicks into that tab on the seat base. 2) If you’re feeling adventurous, file a little bit of metal off the bottom edge of the cutout on that metal tab. It shouldn’t take much to get the fit snug, but not bound-up tight.

This might explain why my attempt to lose some weight has only been marginally effective… 🤷‍♂️ But this is one of those deals where ‘getting there’ is the real reward. I’m a lucky guy

No pics, but a good day. Covered about 175 miles on the FJ yesterday, with an amazing long lunch break for barbecued crab on Galveston island. And today was early morning breakfast tacos on the Speed Twin, and I’m about to take the XR out for an afternoon coffee run. Three fun bikes; all running… life is good 😀

Today, I ride. For the first time in 2023, the weather and my schedule have aligned… I’m taking the FJ and heading to the beach to meet a friend for lunch.

I must say, that turned out really well! Great job aligning with that flat part of the upper frame spar... it ties it all together very nicely. I'm impressed!

Out of sheer boredom, I went back and did a quick search for music released in 1985. I would have been 20 at that time. Let's just say that in retrospect, it was a somewhat bleak period for popular music... 😳

I 100% concur with this: Doing just the rear will actually tend to load the front a bit more, which compounds the under-sprung/under-damped problem with the forks. Springs are cheap, and while they won't address the harsh (what that hell was Yamaha thinking?) damping, at least it will balance out the bike on the springs.

Thanks @maximNikenGT - This further validates my theory that the factory service manuals actually discourage people from doing their own maintenance. At first glance, that's three pages of details that look intimidating as hell..... The exploded parts diagram is an especially nice touch. But once you read through it and process the content, it's super easy: remove radiator cap unbolt & flip over coolant tank to drain remove one drain bolt from water pump housing drain coolant reassemble in reverse order fill with coolant and ride Good luck, and let us know how it goes. -Scott

The exception that proves the rule... you just never know. The nature of an internet forum is that you tend to hear more about problems and anomalies. Maybe there are more that are 'in spec' than we tend to believe, but we just don't hear about them? Regardless, enjoy your good luck and your $400!

Similar to my Texas gulf coast swelter, I suspect. For the most part I have year-round riding weather, but haven’t been taking advantage of it like I should… ☹️

Nice ratio, and I’m jealous of the consistent year-round riding!

@Ziggy105- Welcome! Lots of knowledge to be found here, in a refreshingly non-dramatic Internet forum. Congrats on the T9… it looks like a spectacular motorcycle.

I don’t know if applies to our bikes, but apparently many vehicles don’t fire the ignition until multiple parameters are met during the starting cycle. So a certain minimum rpm threshold on the starter, AND a minimum voltage to trigger the coils & ignition. My wife’s Lincoln MKX did exactly what you described, and replacing the apparently ‘good’ battery cleared it up. Interestingly, I ran that same battery in my old analog F150 for another 2 years without issue. Modern electronics are amazing and mystifying… 😀

It’s interesting to look back at the evolution of the CP3 lineup: I bought my FJ as a slightly more responsible/practical version of the FZ9. It was a bit rough around the edges, but a fun hooligan/sport/tour package to build upon. Oddly, as the generations have become more refined & sophisticated (900 GT; the stunning new T9) they actually appeal to me less. Great bikes, well targeted to their market, but just not for me. I would also seriously consider the new-gen MT09 as a replacement for the old faithful FJ09, if the day ever comes…

I don’t have the Powervision programmer, and the Target-tune seemed to be running pretty rich, so I temporarily removed it and put the stock narrow-band sensors back in. It’s running so well now, I’m tempted to just leave it alone. It’s a weird guilty pleasure to ride this thing: There is no rational explanation for what makes it so fun…

Exactly the arrangement I’ve settled on. The Speed Twin is hugely entertaining in bite-sized chunks: 150 miles with a stop or two for fuel & snacks. It seems to be a magnet for conversations with strangers (although the new-to-me XR1200 seems to be even more so), and puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. Great choice, and I know you’re going to love it.

Good to know. My Sargent has started doing the same thing, and I’ve been debating on what to do about it.

@duhg- Congratulations! I’ve really been enjoying mine, although I haven’t exactly been wracking up the miles. About 1,000 miles on mine since July, but I am spreading miles across three bikes. Are you keeping the FJ, and this is an addition?

Yeah, after re-thinking this, maybe later afternoon rides are in order for early in the week. The morning lows are a bit chilly for thin-blooded me, but sunny and 50+ works…

10 days off work, and I’m REALLY wanting to log some serious miles. It’s looking like Wednesday may be the only solid option… ☹️

@dazzler24 - So, there is always the option of sacrificing an accessory power outlet just to scavenge the plug… given my aversion to cutting up the factory harness, I would 100% do that. I don’t know if Yamaha still sells the accessory power outlet as a parts option, but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen cheap copies online… eBay, I suspect. Cut off the plug you need, and throw away the accessory… EDIT: Is it worth $30 to get the right connector? 🤷‍♂️ https://www.ebay.com/p/1437326037

Thanks @gerrychuck, and to everyone else who has shared XR knowledge with me in this thread… lots of great information, and it reinforces what I assumed about the XR owner demographic not being the typical Harley Guy. So yes, part of what really attracted me to this bike are the upgrades that have already been done. It has the long Ohlins piggyback reservoir shocks you spotted, plus the upgraded X Model forks with Andreani cartridges. That exhaust, of course, and tons of little stuff: Galfer brake rotors and stainless lines, Sato racing shifter, some sort of target tune fueling thing (haven’t investigated yet), almost new Michelin Pilot Roads, etc. It does still have the stock wheels for now, but that was next on the mod list before the prior owner reconsidered the overall project. It has less than 6K miles on the odometer, and runs perfectly. I couldn’t be happier. I bought the bike from a good friend who intended to keep it as a long-term retirement bike. But, after all the suspension modifications, it’s just a little too tall for him to ride comfortably, and he went back to riding his R1200 BMW instead. I mentioned I would be interested in the XR if he ever decided to sell it, and a few weeks later we put the deal together. Great bike for me, and he’s happy that it’s going to a good home (where he has full visitation rights). Just one of those ‘meant to be’ situations…

Folklore suggests that Texas is the sole state that has the constitutional right to unilaterally secede from the union. As with so many things, the myth is way better than the reality (ie: we can’t, actually… that pesky ‘one Nation, indivisible’ thing) It’s still a pretty good place to live and raise a family, although there are compromises here, just like anywhere else.