dedsxy47

Put nearly 20,000 miles on a set purchased from Amazon for around $10, no issues. Then one day I clipped the door frame of my motorcycle storage shed going about 4 mph and one snapped clean off. Would rather replace the peg than damage the bike, but for adventure riding or standing trail riding, I could go with something more robust like Clem Fandango said. Perhaps, the Factory Yamaha FZ-6 ones are more trustworthy. I have seen enough people fall off their motorcycles on YouTube and it does not look fun.

My first full-sized sport touring bike was a 2005 FJR, which I managed to put 24K miles on in only two seasons here in MN. From there, I went to a 08’ Ducati 1098, managing 33K miles on that bike before the dealer screwed up the third major service, forcing me to unload it as they would not claim responsibility for their error. After a few more bikes, I eventually ended up with a 2016 FJ-09, 20K miles in 2 ½ seasons. My total lifetime miles on two-wheels are 227K, so I feel I can contribute to this posting. The FJR remains one of those bikes I should not have parted with. The features I miss the most are the electric windshield and weather protection, and, the hard bags. I never really managed to tour on the FJR as I had intended, rather spent most miles commuting and hotrod-ding around rain or shine. After spending so much time on sportbikes, I rode the big bike in much the same manner leading to one of my dislikes, the soft front suspension. Riding an FJR like an R1 will cause the worst front tire cupping. So bad, when the dealer emailed pictures to Yamaha corporate, a tech came out to see the bike. When the technician saw me coming off the freeway, he instantly knew what the problem was. My comment to the tech, “hey, Yamaha FJR1300 Sport Touring bike.” His response, “big touring, little sport.” Our solution involved stiffer Progressive springs and heavier weight fork oil which help to handle and nearly eliminated cupping. Future bikes saw a stiffer suspension as others complained of similar problems. My longest trip in a single day was Minneapolis to Lincoln NE and back, around 820 miles. As others stated, the seat to peg height is short, causing cramped hamstrings. But the thing powered through the miles rain or shine with no issues. Fast forward to 2016 and the FJ-09, zippy, triple engine fun, very easy to ride, almost too easy. Steering force was almost effortless, making the bike too twitchy, in my opinion, especially at higher speeds. However, my first trip around Lake Superior dubbed the Lake Superior Circle Tour saw 1600 miles in 4 days with rain all four days. Weather protection is poor with hurricane-force water guided directly onto one's feet like the engineers spent their entire budget on water channeling vs. the worthless windscreen. I did change the screen out for a tall touring and rode from MN to Boise ID, 3250 miles round trip in 6 days. The ability to stand up and stretch while riding made this trip very enjoyable. I would like to combine the weather protection of the FJR with the ease of riding the FJ-09. My current stable pony is a 2018 KTM 1090 Adventure R. Yamaha could take a Q from WP on how to do a proper suspension set-up. Weather protection is poor, but then again, big dirt bikes are not meant for riding in the rain, especially on knobblies. I managed to demo a BMW K1600GT and instantly fell in love, the sound, the feel, supreme power on rails. But that price, ouch. Some teased me, “you know what BMW stands for don’t you? Break My Wallet.” The FJR was a bargain back in the day, but at 18 grand now, it’s touching R1250RT territory. A future job may have me commuting nearly 80 miles a day so the BMW would be a great mount. We will see where life takes me. If more distracted people keep trying to run me over, I may just opt for a new or new/used Corvette so there’s a bit more plastic and metal between me, the road, and all those idiots out there.

Beak it, especially the black one. Makes it look Tough! Long gone now, but I did like the look the Beak gave it.

After 2 1/2 years and 20K miles, I took my final ride and we parted ways around noon. I have several fond memories of my time spent with the trusty FJ-09 including a few multiday solo trips across or out of the country. Hopefully, the new owner will find the adventure and enjoyment I have experienced over the decades and appreciate the versatility and simplicity of the 900cc triple. Now I turn my attention to the challenges of adventure riding aboard a 2018 KTM 1090 Adventure R and the camaraderie of like-minded individuals of the Twin Cities Adventure Riders group. I wish all riders of this forum safe and happy travels and will miss reading the wide variety of posting and shenanigans I have come to enjoy over the last few years. Parting shots - warming up for the last ride and looking good, awaiting its next owner.

2018 KTM 1090 Adventure R

Well, after three days of polishing, waxing, armor all-ing, and RRR of the headlight/instrument bracket, the bike looks practically new again except for a few love marks from the various roads and bugs that decided to leave their permanent mark. The new RS IIIs feel great and the bike is ready for the next adventure. Unfortunately, this will be with a new owner as I have made the move to an adventure bike while I am still young (49) and strong enough to handle such fun (or frustration). This was a fun bike to ride and it re-inspired me to enjoy motorcycling again after suffering through a boring sport bike for a few years. I managed to complete the Lake Superior Circle tour and also a 3250 mile trip to Boise Id. and back in nine days last year with the bike performing the solo runs flawlessly. Life has changed for me and I have chosen to seek adventure in my own backyard (state) with a few select out-of-state rides here and there. I have also joined an adventure riding group to be around more like-minded people as I miss the camaraderie of group rides. An interested buyer has offered $5K for my 2016 with 19,850mi. with the tall touring V-Stream windscreen, Givi crash bars, Fz-6 rubberized foot pegs, new tires, new-ish chain, Beak, and pre-wired for GPS/phone.

All that stuff is out of my wife's suburban. She treats it like a storage closet. Then it ends up in my garage and she treats my garage like a storage closet. Big no no. Hard to work on the bike with all that crap that should NOT be there.

I finally have time to give the bike the attention it needs. The windshield and instrument cluster had begun to shake late last year and I feared the support bracket was cracked; I was right. I knew the taller touring V-Stream would put some stress on the stock bracket as I regularly travel at 80mph + rain or shine. Going for the re-weld option as a neighbor is a fellow biker and professional welder. Tires were also shot but I managed to get 13K miles out of the front to two rears last season on RS IIs. The rear was cooked due mostly to commuting, unfortunately. I opted for a set of RS III as I have done very well on RS II in all weather and road conditions where I ride up here in MN. I will follow up with a posting of everything put back the way it should be and pics of the tire wear if anyone is interested. I doubt anyone will be fitting RS IIs as they are no longer being produced. The fairing bracket made it 16K miles with the tall touring windshield before corrosion at the weld and fatigue/cyclic stress caused its demise.

I've been running the Shoei GT air for the last 2 seasons and as a whole, it is a decent helmet. I would like better airflow as I run most of the time with the visor cracked in the first detent. The fighter pilot style recessed tinted shield is great since I usually go into work when it is sunny and leave around midnight, plus I wear Rx glasses so this way I do not need to carry extra sunglasses; I already carry enough crap.

Thought I might try a ride Tuesday or Wednesday this week, just looked at the weather and I think I'll l pass

Went from a Kiwi S21 to an Arai James Adomo replica (got a super deal), then to the Shoei series. I have owned 2 RF1200's and felt they were probably the best helmets I have owned. At the time I was putting 12k miles a year on various sportbikes and they always did great rain or shine. My last Shoei had 56K miles on it and with the new FJ and a new job working days, nights, and afternoons, I opted for the GT Air. Love the integrated tinted fighter-pilot style tinted shield, but the ventilation stinks compared to other Shoei's I have owned. Funny thing, it performs better when riding a sportbike compared to the upright riding position of the FJ. Money no object, I would love the Hayden addition Arai. The visor-crack is a very important feature many people overlook. I basically ride with the thing cracked all the time unless it is raining or below 60 degrees F. Once the GT Air wears out, I will probably look at an adventure style rig; Shoei and Arai both make some nice helmets in that category.

Central Minnesota a few days ago Thank goodness I found a bike that will get me through the white stuff without difficulty. 40,50,60's here for at least a few days more though. I need 400 miles to get in 10,000 for the riding season. May have to put that on the potential new addition. Hey, my birthday is in a few days, would make a great 49th Birthday present.

I honestly haven’t tried any variations yet to see if it makes a difference. I found that same ‘cone of silence’ with the stock screen, but I had to be standing way up on the pegs to get into the clean airflow. My initial feeling is that this new screen is going to be just about the perfect compromise for me. I’m 6’1”, have the screen at the lowest setting, the seat in the tall position, and wear earplugs 100% of the time (on any bike, not just the FJ). This screen clearly doesn’t have the wind protection of a larger touring screen, but for me the air seems clean and reasonably quiet. I’ll give additional feedback after I’ve logged some more miles. I have the V-STream tall touring windscreen and stand on a regular basis. This came in handy on my trip from MN-ID and back. Obviously, much more air hitting your chest with such a small screen compared to the tall one. At one point I stood for 10 miles doing 80+ in South Dakota to get some air through the body (very hot out) and the speed limit is 80mph (or 129 km for our friends across the pond) so no worries concerning Jonny Law.

Put on a set of GIVI crash bars. Almost needed them prior to installation the other day hot rodding around in the rain. Will not make that mistake again. Bike remains intact.

I really like the look of the beak on our FJ's, I just really dislike the price.I agree with you price wise and aesthetics wise for sure. Fortunately, I procured one at less than half price by a loyal FJ-09 forum patron. My wife said "trying to make your bike look BAD-ASS huh?"

going to give the "Beak" a try and yes, for those observant folks, it is an aftermarket horn.

I had replaced the first set of stock tires at 4600 miles before my Lake Superior Circle tour trip. This is the first time I have ever changed my own motorcycle tires and it went much better than expected. You will definitely need some elbow grease for that rear though. The front was a piece of cake. Since I have changed the rear two more times. The front currently has over 13K miles on it and will be cooked by the end of the season up here in MN. I have found the RS II tires to perform very well, at least to the limit of the suspension and also do extremely well in the rain. Also, at 179.00 for the set, they are a real bargain. I have been contemplating a set of Pirelli scorpions for the next set as I may try some light adventure riding. We will see how things go as the cold weather sets in.

Made my bike the star in a short video, enjoy that triple sound

This is the standard model. At first, I felt like it was too small, but after removing the grab rails and utilizing my bungee cord trick it settled in nicely. It does come with securing straps (more than what is pictured) but I felt like they would not do the job I needed. I also never carry passengers so I am not worried about frequent removal. The first shopping trip I put a 5 gal. jug of oil, a quart of oil, can of WD40 plus a few other necessities and still managed to close the lid without difficulty. Bought mine from Amazon, 2 Orange Harley LLC and it was here in no time plus they had the best price. Link: www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0041QFOWI/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Hit the gravel roads just after a hard rain to see how the bike would do. What it did was get quite dirty, kept the shiny side up though Tomorrow I will post a post-wash pic

Changed oil after a 150-mile ride and thought I would share my clever mounting of the Saddleman Sport Tunnel Bag. and PICTURES! because it happened.

My military boots gave out a few years ago and I invested in a pair of $150 Firstgear Kili WP boots. The first ride in the rain started out great, however, after 14 minutes of riding in medium rainfall, my feet were completely soaked. What a complete disappointment for a decent pair of comfortable boots. This year I pulled the trigger on a pair of Dainese Nexus D waterproof boots. Last night on the way home from work at midnight in the best downpour of the year they did not leak at all; very encouraging after spending this amount of money. But when you spend this much time in the saddle, good gear is worth its weight in gold. https://www.amazon.com/Dainese-Nexus-Sports-Motorbike-Motorcycle/dp/B018UIY6KS/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1525885979&sr=1-3&keywords=dainese+race+boots

Installed the D.I.D. 525 VX Gold chain Now, time to get out and ride the darn thing!