fjray

11 hours ago, fddriver2 said:

After 40 years of street riding. I have found that we break down into 4 very vague groups of people. 

Cruisers. Just because you ain't on a HD doesn't mean you ain't a "cruiser".  People just out and about having fun. Never really pushing it.

Riders. People who spend a good bit of time on their bikes. Can and sometimes do go fast and push it a bit. But mostly don't.

Pushers. Young (mostly) riding the latest go fast bikes (mostly) always pushing it. With varying degrees of success/survival.

Pro's/Trackday's. Many/most of these people are truly fast. They can outrun you on almost anything. Their opinions on how to go fast should be listened to. 

Their opinions on tires should be taken in the context of the projected usage. 

As always YMMV

  You got it! 

On 3/29/2021 at 6:09 PM, PhotoAl said:

There is a slot under the drain plug so looks like I could loosen or tighten the drain plug with the skid plate in place.  I have not changed the oil since installing it so will have to see how that goes.  When I put it on I presumed would need to take it off for an oil change but maybe not.  I was thinking would just drop the plate off the brackets so not a full install even if I do take it off.  If left in place wold probably get some oil on it from draining so would have a little more cleanup.  Even if I have to take it off will be less effort than taking the fairings off my CBR600RR which I had to do for an oil change.

 

Pulled out of my driveway the other day, we have valley gutters so there is a dip when leaving or entering my driveway.  Normally pull in or out at a slight angle but doidn't and slightly scraped the skid plate.  Surprised me and although I don't ride off road it 's nice the have the skid plate.

That, or it takes up some ground clearance. 

I used to ride with yamajank but now he's probably too fast for me. JK. Jeff, you must show me the trail braking way.  We discussed at a stop once that we didn't do it but we knew we should. 

3 minutes ago, Clem Fandango said:

I live in Oregon's Willamette Valley, where we get just a bit of rain and ride year round.  No real complaints on the OEMs, but then I'm no internet GP racer.  Of course finding a superior aftermarket replacement isn't hard, but not wearing the factory rubber out before replacing them is just a waste of money IMO.

I say it's cheaper taking the rim protectors off than purchasing new bodywork, for both me and the bike. Plus I hate pain, and not riding.  You should use yours up if you want to. 

On 9/16/2020 at 5:17 PM, DavidS said:

Corbin seats - I bought one for my original FJ-09, and another when I got my new Tracer 900 GT.

Can't tell you how much better a Corbin is than stock. Also, no fumbling around with the  silly rubber block under the seat. Oh, I have  one for sale for the first generation  FJ09. 

On 5/20/2015 at 3:45 PM, leedavis said:

1640 miles to clean off the rear and that's fairly typical for a performance tire on the twisties where I live in western North Carolina.  The front is still OK at 2500.

I want to ride with you! 

On 1/24/2021 at 7:12 AM, johnmark101 said:

The stock Dunlop D222's on this bike are decent.  I don't know why people gripe about them.  Chucking them off before they are worn out is a waste of money.  Yes,  the tires you can get in the aftermarket are better but the OEM tires are not bad.  I rode them pretty aggressively and they performed well with plenty of grip for deep lean angles at speed.  Had no issues keeping up with the local sport bike riders in the twisties.  Once they were worn out I replaced them with Dunlop Roadsmarts.  Last couple of sets have been Metzeler M7 RR since I was able to get them for cheap.  

Just for fun I am thinking about running a set of the Pirelli Rosso Corsa 2 this summer.  I know they will not last but they are incredible performance tires and will allow me to really explore the limits of this bikes handling with added confidence.  After that I will probably stick with sport touring tires.   

I know you would like the Bridgestone  Battle Ax S22's then. 

On 3/29/2021 at 6:13 PM, Drafter said:

I've been trying to find out the dimensions on the stock handlebars on my 2019 tracer 900 and so far my internet searching has come up short (though I did find some good discussions about different bar mods).   

I know they are 1 1/8" to 7/8" taper and the bar width but have not been able to find out the specs on the; rise, heigth, sweep, etc. 

Managed to find the dimensions for the FJ-09 but I know Yamaha changed the bars on the 2018/2019 tracer.

Anyone comes across these specs?   

Thanks

-N

I'm wondering what you are trying to  accomplish?   I'd love to  swap you or anyone  mt stock 2019 handlebars for a first gen sized one.  I would like to have more leverage than the  new shorter bars give me. Thanks in advance for any  info.

On 3/27/2021 at 5:32 PM, Yamajank said:

Went for a ride to see if my new skills from YCRS would transfer to a street ride.  I'll transition my review to the Riding School thread for those interested.  Spoiler alert.  Thumbs up.

I'm jealous.  And now, how will I ever keep up with you? 

On 6/14/2015 at 9:42 PM, hotboot said:

And the lever on the handlebar is a BRAKE lever.
. . . BREAK is when a part or bone is subjected to forces beyond design causing failure.

This. Get it right.

On 3/13/2017 at 11:10 PM, BentAero said:

I'm dating myself here, but as a teen I watched Roger DeCoster, Brad Lackey, Chuck Sun, Jimmy Wienert, and a host of other greats race at Red Bud. -And a couple young punks in the support class named Bob Hannah and Marty Smith. 
 
Back when men were men and women were glad of it.

I was there for those early races too. Saturday night used to be insane.  

On 2/19/2021 at 8:50 AM, Mirror_Image said:

Hi Guys, only to share my mod list,

I recentely purshased and pe-owned 2017 Tracer 900, many of these mods were made by previous owner

- Yamaha OEM Quickshift
- Yamaha OEM heated grips
- Yamaha OEM Led Blinkers 
- Ohlins Springs on front forks
- Swap of back suspension with Kawasaki ZXR6 Showa
- Ohlins Steering Damper
- SW Motech Kobra Handguards
- Ermax Sport light smoke windshield
- Puig 3.0 Aluminum Levers
- Super Teneré Rubber Footpegs
- Cosmo Radiator protector
- Givi Crashbars
- Givi M8B Base + Givi Trekker TRK52 Topcase 
- Custom confort seats by JN Seatcover
- Mobile phone holder
- SW Motech bar raisers (+2,5,cm) (Removed)
- SW Motech Side Stand Plate
- Puig Racevalves
- Tail Tidy

Honestely, there are not much more to do, if some of you want some informations or pictures in detail let me know

https://www.instagram.com/testudinesontheroad/

 

Doesn't seem like the previous owner was much of a rider but a good installer.

I'd swap someone my 2019 handlebars for a set off a first gen FJ.

Make it worth your while for the answer?  So forget every tip you've picked up from others.  

23 minutes ago, johnmark101 said:

The OEM tires seem to be an issue for some.  I am a former track day junkie and ride a pretty aggressive pace at times.  I have never been impressed with any OEM tire and have owned about eight new bikes.  The Dunlop D222 were actually decent for OEM and I pushed them to some pretty deep lean angles at speed and they worked plenty good enough for the street.  Once the rear was down to the wear bars I got rid of them. 

Any tire you replace them with from any of the major brands will be a lot better, but I did not think they were bad enough to throw away before using them up.  Seems a waste of money to do so. 

 

I could bring you  my Dunlop  front tire with 165 miles on it.  Or anyone,  $75.  

On 1/12/2021 at 12:00 PM, roy826 said:

I am 5'9" tall, 32" inseam, 140 lbs tops and the suspension is fine on my 2020 GT. I did adjust it along the way during the first 2500 miles as I got used to the bike. Pretty much dialed in now on it. Could it be better, yes if you have ever had the 'good' stuff on a motorcycle. But having said that it is pretty decent for my size right out of the box. I won't be upgrading it anytime soon.

I have the OEM touring screen which is ok this time of year for me in the low setting. The stock screen is kind of noisey but I don't really mind that too much used during warmer months. I have a smoke Puig racing screen I have yet to use. Will use that during dead of summer months. Seat forward slope was a slight discomfort early on but not so much now after 2500 miles on it. No issues with the foot peg locations don't have big feet at a size 9 boot.

My only complaint with the bike to date is the crappy OEM dunlop tires it came with. Just junk for a $13k price point motorcycle! Wobbly front end at 40 mph and I am certain with a quality front tire going back on that wobble will be gone as well. They have literally no reliable edge grip either. I have not noticed the so called jerky throttle as much as others maybe it is the elevation where  live or maybe the fuel I buy here is better. I did add the Full exhaust Akrapovic on it but kept the baffle installed. Can't remove the baffle anyway it was installed at the factory with interference of the set bolt hole so it'll never be removed unless I drill the bolt out. Then I'd have to flash the ecu or add a external fueling device. No fueling issues before or after header install.

Couldn't agree more about the crappy stock tires. I took my front tire off at165 miles.  I took them off the FJ09 two years ago at under 500 miles. I was really hoping to use them up this year but turns out they were worse than I remembered.  Other than that, this may be as much fun as my 1972 Kawasaki 750 two stroke triple was back in the day. 

9 hours ago, tktplz said:

Now that's funny there I don't care who you are!

Wasn't trying for laughs, just disgusted with the original tires on these bikes. I've had two new ones now and both times have taken the rim protectors off after only hundreds of miles. 

Sold

I have a  black leather Corbin that  fits the  FJ09.   Wish it would  fit my Tracer but it doesn't.  I would  sell it for $200, you pay shipping.  Non heated.

On 3/18/2021 at 1:35 PM, rlambke19 said:

This is a subject that I think about all the time.

It may very well be another "what oil do you use" or "what tires are best" type of thing as it seems there are 2 camps.

Folks who spray cleaner or foam all over their bike and then power wash/rinse it off and then air or blow dry it. The fact that you don't end up scrubbing and rubbing dirt into the paint or clear coat is a bonus. The fact that water can get into crevices that you will never see or be able to dry with a cloth or blower is a bad thing as far as I am concerned. I know bike mechanics who say the same thing.

But to be honest, I may try the spray method this season as I am tired of how thin and delicate the finishes on modern vehicles are and how easily they scratch/marr. 

@Waldo Jeffers - what did you use to rinse your bike off after using the S100? 

What are others using? I've seen battery powered "power" washers - which are much lower powered (~300psi) than standard electrical washers. Something like this:

20V Hydroshot Portable Power Cleaner | 320 PSI (WG620) | WORX

---

 

 

Would be interested to hear others thoughts on cleaning their bikes?

And please no "I don't waste time cleaning my bike - I just ride it" comments. This is a thread on cleaning bikes and we admire your approach - but some of us have OCD that needs satiating! 😉

Cheers,

Rob

Bonus points for using the word satiating.

I have a second set of wheels ready to go with  new Battleax S22's. mounted and balanced. Good thing too because the  original  Dunflops on these bikes aren't  even  good at protecting the rims.  Maybe  in a showroom.

If you'd been  driving a semi heavily loaded for  years  like I did, you'd leave a lot of following distance in front of you.   Drove a charter bus too and  there they want you to  leave a 4 second  following  distance.  But  everyone should do the 2 seconds, and I don't  see that very often out there.

Ever let someone  ride your bike for a few days and then  they  went  back home to Germany and  bought one? Me too!  Nice bike. 

4 hours ago, Yamajank said:

Getting her shined up. Hopefully for a ride tomorrow with @fjray and his new goo. 

Getting her shined up so we can get them dusty? Should be fun. 

8 minutes ago, johnmark101 said:

Looks like a great trip.  The Barber museum is a must see for all motorcycle enthusiasts!!!

Next time you are in north Georgia, be sure to ride the south side of Blood Mountain from the bottom up.  

Love me some  Blood Mountain.  Roan Mountain is  pretty  fun too  when we stay in Erwin TN.