fjrpittsburgh

9 hours ago, flyfifer said:

I don't agree with that at all !

Not all hard cases are created equal and the side opening Givi's on the GT are a pain !

I'm not sure how they would be a pain.  Do you have the inner bags for the side cases?  You pull the inner bag out, get what you want and put it back in.  If you are just jamming stuff in the side cases willy nilly, I see how it could get to be a pain.  Nothing better than having a nice bag in your Givi side cases which remain dry as a bone no matter what the weather.

Givi also makes top loading side cases if that's your thing.  I think those types of side cases look better on a true adventure bike.

Once you have hard, waterproof side cases, you never settle for less.

6 hours ago, bikerdup said:

I had this problem on my right side mirror.  My solution was to drill a 5/64" hole through the outer mirror sleeve and inner stalk, effective welding the two together (make sure you have the mirror properly adjusted before you do this).  Solid as a rock now, and the roll pin can be easily driven out if the need arises.

Can you take a picture of exactly where you drilled the hole?  I need the same fix on my right mirror.  Really a simple idea that my pea brain didn't think of.  Thank you!  I hope my drill bit snaps off after drilling hole so I can use it as a pin.

I just acquired a set of FJR side cases from a bike that was in an accident.  The bags are fine except for some scuffs and scrapes from an accident.  I'm going to clean them up and most likely vinyl wrap them with glossy carbon fiber.  I'll then have an extra set of bags for longer trips that hold over 10 liters more per bag.

Some GT owners are even looking for just the lids of the FJR bags which have the domed shaped lids to allow for more storage.  You can drill out the rivets on the hinges,  finish the FJR bag lids as you like, and re-rivet the hinges onto the GT bags.  Used FJR bags and lids are harder to come by since they can be repurposed on FJ-09s and Tracer GTs.  I'm glad I was able to score the FJR bags since I do a fair amount of long distance touring.

No wobble on mine either.  🤘

11 hours ago, betoney said:

It is amazing what a difference it makes just swapping tires.

Or just having any new tire.

15 hours ago, frankycello said:

Life is too short for mirrors, never look back

You don't need to look back to see back.  You just need the mirrors in the proper location.  😏

15 hours ago, frankycello said:

Comfort seats are for bums.

Agreed!  Break in your butt before buying a comfort seat that really ends up not being all that comfortable over time.

I have the same extenders.  They work well!  @Coopsuggested using a start washer to help them stay in place with more bite.  I haven't done that yet, but love the idea.

That isn't the nut you mess with to add an extension.  That nut on both mirrors is righty tighty.  Clockwise tightens it.  You remove the mirrors at the base to add a mirror extender.  Hope this helps.

If you think the GT seat is uncomfortable on long trips, you should sit on the FZ-07 seat.  I bought an FZ-07 to add to the fleet 2 weeks ago.  The FZ-07 seat is only good for about 100 miles before it gets hard and uncomfortable.  I just ordered the Seat Concepts kit for it and will give that a shot.  It has to be better.  I added Givi V37 side cases and a V46 trunk with Admore lighting on all cases.  I haven't finished the installation of the side case lights yet, but will accomplish that task soon.  I can live with the stock GT seat.  It's just fine for now.

Recommended front tire pressure is 36 psi.  The experienced FJR crowd runs 42 to eliminate premature tire scalloping and longer life.  I run 42 psi in the front tires of all my bikes and am pleased with the results.  At 36 psi we found that we were supporting tire manufacturers way too much.  I had my doubts on higher tire pressure also.  I was wrong.  42 psi is just better.  This pressure is measured on a cold tire.

Thanks for the honesty @chitown.  42 psi in the front tire works incredibly well for me and has for many years.  Everyone I know on the FJR Forum which includes literally thousands of riders from all over the world do the same since it's a proven tire pressure.  To each their own.  I ride more than many.  Definitely a rider and not a poser.  I also own an FZ-07 and a Honda CTX 700 DCT.  Same tire pressure among all bikes.  It just works.  With an FJR, a GT, and an FZ-07 in the stable, we ride a lot of hard, fast miles.

I always have my tires front and rear balanced on a professional spin balance machine.  So Important.  Good point @nhchris

With my Yamaha stock side cases and a Givi top case high up on the back, I don't even notice that they're there.  Then again, the Givi top case is much more aerodynamic than a cooler.  I have side cases and a top case on all 4 of my bikes.  3 of us in the family ride and we do a lot of long distance touring.  I can't say that I ever take my hand off of the bars as there's no reason to.  Some of that Givi stuff is pricey, but worth every penny of it.

4 hours ago, BBB said:

42 psi up front is waaayyyyy too high, that’s  a rear pressure.  Original manual says 36, but I run 33.

I have no idea how long you've been riding, but all 4 of my bikes for the last 20 years have been at 42 psi for the front tire.  I used to run mid 30's psi like the manual says years ago.  I learned from experienced riders long ago that those lower pressures will cause your front tire to scallop more quickly.  You can certainly run whatever tire pressure you like on your bike and that's fine.  It's your money.  Your claim that 42 psi is way too high is fake news.  😀  Your manual says 36 and you run 33?  LOL

Yeah, I've seen a few bikes wobble with no hands on decel.  Sometimes it's the bags or windshield, but's it's almost always a worn front tire.  Keeping 42 psi in the front tire does help considerably.

You'll get used to the fuel gauge.  You have about 25 miles remaining once the last bar starts flashing.  No biggie.

The directions for turning off the QS are in the manual.  You really don't have to figure it out.  😋

@wordsmithMuch, much better on the location of the lights.  I really like that setup and am quite jealous.  Really nice work!  Congrats!

It's when she's home that you really have to be concerned.

@wordsmith  Nice work!  They look so much better!

On 7/16/2019 at 3:42 PM, estell said:

I have been researching high-end lithium-iron batteries like the Pulse IPT from Full Spectrum Power. I was almost convinced to go with the P.4 when my original 2015 battery wears out. The smaller P.4 will free up space in the battery area for more storage and it is nearly idiot-proof. But for $26, the battery in your link is hard to argue against unless I really want a little more storage (or I want to treat the battery like an idiot). 

 

I'd say if you want more storage, invest in a trunk and side cases.  Not any storage to speak of in the battery compartment.  I think you'll be pleased with the BatterySharks replacement batteries.  Good luck!

I wouldn't worry about the warranty after an ECU flash.  No big deal at all.  Your bike 's acceleration will be much smoother and eliminating the jerky on /off throttle will make the bike more rideable.  There are great reviews from three different companies on this forum.