bobdog

trambo, Those lights look great - how tough was the switch - what year Tenere? Did you do the rear ones, too?

Took my bike to pattonme's (AKA Forks by Matt) place and he put in 0.95 fork springs, and made the dead leg live for damping & rebound. Also installed a YA335 Ohlins with a 115Nmm spring. Matt even set the sag before I rode off. It's like a new bike! Diving under braking is gone, freeway seams not so rough any more and the bike feels planted in corners - even bumpy ones. I will take it out on my favorite twisties very soon to do the last bit of tuning - but his set up for my weight is just about perfect! Really happy with what he did for the bike. AND his prices are very competitive and he seems to be able to get rear shocks in 24 hours.

redfjniner - I'm looking at the Ohlins 30mm front cartridges and shock combo, too! Rode mine from DC to Richmond and back - got rained on, so lubed the chain and cables. Along the way, raised the CALSCI Large to the top and the water hit the top of my helmet, not the visor. (6'3" / 270) I'd been running with it in the lowest setting for the breeze. It's so much better at the top setting that I loc-tited the bolts!

Went with the Shell Full Synthetic that the Yamaha dealer had in stock for my 4K service. I will post if I see, hear or feel any differences.

Dropped mine off last night for the 4K Service and CCT recall. Should be done by this afternoon. Estimate only about 1500 miles left on rear tire. Enough for a few long day rides. redfjniner, how did you find the time to put 34K on your bike? Envious.

Just treated my Gaerne Balances to a coat of mink oil. Great boots, well broken in after a year of use. The soles are soft and grip even wet/oily pavement, including the oily spots at traffic lights with all kinds of effluvia from cars. Not great for an hours long hike, but comfortable to walk in. They already saved me from a potentially painful injury - a large rock thrown up from between a set of duallies on a truck that bounced along the road and lit against my shin. An expected hazard of riding back roads is the occasional logging truck that is dropping all kinds of crap after it gets onto the road.

If you saw a Grey FJ09 on I95 between 123 and Ashland on the 13th, it was me... Down & Back trip to drop off paperwork. Got rained on at Occoquan, blow dried on the way down.

CafeRacer, I'll try to do it next weekend. To hit it from NOVA on 66 cut thru Gainesville 15 south and take 211 across to I81 down to exit 72, I77, near Blacksburg, to 614, to 16 in Tazewell. 16 is the Dragon's Back. For you, I64 west to I 81 to I77, 614 to 16. It's almost 400 one way. Just got back; rode Skyline from Front Royal down to the BRP past 64 and cut west to 81 in Augusta County. About 400, starting in NOVA to Front Royal and return to NOVA. 150 of those miles on 66 to/from NOVA&Front Royal on 66. 10 great hours, including lunch and a fill up. 44.4 mpg, including I 81 & I66. Heavy LEO presence on I66 again.

Anyone do the Dragon's Back on Rte 33, just west of the BRP, yet?

caferacer, try Gainesville 15 S to 211 and take a right on Blue Ridge Parkway to Front Royal... once you are out of the 'burbs, it's a nice ride.

Took my 83 years young mother for a ride and then to my daughter's college graduation.http://i.imgur.com/2kC4kqY.jpg

Gents, I bought mine from Coleman's in NOVA at the Falls Church store. They charged about $60 for the TB synch. If you see a grey FJ09 on RT1, near Ashland/Richmond/NOVA with alligator eye lens covers on the headlights, it's me. Trambo, definitely going with the PR4's when I swap out, so I can ride in our new climate - rain. Wondering if I have enough tread left to head down to Deal's Gap before buying new rubber. With rain from Apr 27th until May 23rd, I haven't had much chance to ride. Only have about 3600 miles on the bike.

Have so much stuff to do this month. Watching all but the weekend of the 21st vanish into the world of obligations. Some of them are good things, so counting my blessings even if I'm not on the bike.

I wish there was a comprehensive guide for head shape. My Bell makes my forehead sore after 2-3 hours.

Put those levers on last year. They are still doing well. Cranked out all the spring play in front end, backed off two turns. Front still diving under my heavy (265) weight. Looking at Pro Pilot for a solution - perhaps the 30 mm cartridge with 1.0 Newton springs for the front... and a 40% over spring for the rear. we shall see if I want to drop 2K plus to make it more ridable in the twisties.

johan, Better than when my buddy dropped his Honda when he missed the edge of the sidewalk he chose to park on with his kickstand... & (Ahem) alcohol was involved. Much laughter, but probably not good to be riding that drunk. We both have mellowed considerably since then. Goes to survivability.

Johan/wordsmith, I have at least 3 stone to give! Foot on centerstand and passenger handhold are my method. I put a larger foot on my kickstand. Soft soil at a local winery convinced me to get it. Don't have to carry a small block of wood in the top case any more. Used to use a crushed beer can, but don't drink a drop any more when out on my bike.

n2shotokai, thanks for the linky! Ordered my sidestand foot just now.

Rode it for a couple of hours to start breaking in the new Corbin seat. Much better than the vinyl rail.

Ordered a new Corbin seat. The stocker was killin' me on long rides.

Fellow FJ 09ers, I've come to the conclusion that just about every bolt on this bike (any bike) needs to be given a dose of loctite and a good retorquing. If the button heads on the trim's 1/4 turn fasteners get loose, check the clip they lock into. It's the usual suspect...

Saw a red FJ09 in Woodbridge Va, this morning... Dealer's just down the road, so maybe a demo?

Doc, did you do this on a stock shock? If so, part # Please!

b12ty, thanks for the link to a good AGM battery. I run them in my truck off road for multiple reasons, and think the Yuasa will be pricey when I have to replace it.

I'm in NOVA - Grey '15 09. Have plenty of time to ride. Looking to ride the Dragon's Back (Not Tail) in the Shenandoahs this spring - then do the Dragon's Tail later on.