rclarkbow

5 months update:

Despite the numerous internet people telling me that riding with my 300lb. girlfriend on the back was a dumb idea; despite conventional wisdom, common sense and my own sense of self-preservation we tried it...with @bwringerthere in spirit, of course, given you were virtually the only optimistic reply I got on this topic.

We started off in an empty parking lot of a local movie theatre that has gone out of business in the last year (who can guess why?)

Well, the ol' FJ surely didn't like having that much weight high up and behind, just in the parking lot the traction control saved us from what would have been a loop (front wheel up bike falls back).

Then of course despite all of the aforementioned common sense I pretend to have, the next logical step was to take it out on the road riding two-up with my extra large cuddle buddy (omg you guys she's such a sweetheart). 

Well it went fine, we didn't' fall. The FJ had plenty of power for the weight. I needed to be careful with the throttle as not to loop it, but TCS also would have probably saved that. Brakes were adequate. Slow speed maneuvers were somewhat daunting, but of course I have mad skills so we were fine. We road about a mile, reached a speed of about 65mph and turned around and came back. 

All in all, if we want to go riding (we're still together 5 months later you guys) I agree with the majority:

You shouldn't bring your XL cuddle buddy on the back of your tacer, but (for science of course) I at least proved that you CAN (assuming you have the same mad skills I obv. have) 

Next time I'll rent a big Harley (god I hate them) as @bwringer suggested or grab her a Craigslist cruiser to learn on. 

Hope you guys enjoyed this post, tried to keep it fun and lighthearted.

Here are a couple pics of the top box! 

Yes agreed with the other poster as well that pic was taken on VT route 9 some great riding roads within 2 hours of me! 

Well, I removed the C clips and unscrewed the rubber hand tighteners. 

A quick trip to the hardware store provided me with the metric bolts needed to match the threading, as well as washers and nuts.

I tightened these down with a 10mm ratchet and, what do you know? Windshield doesn't wobble anymore!

I've obviously lost the ability to adjust on the fly, so I'm considering ordering the rubber hand tighteners and see if that resolves. Although I like my touring windshield in the lowest position, so I'm not in a huge rush to do this. 

Nothing is cracked on the frame brace part thank goodness. 

This is currently happening on my Puig Touring Windshield, but it also happened with the stock Yamaha touring windshield I had before. 

When the plastic knobs for windshield adjustment are all the way tightened down, the windshield can be "wiggled" back and fourth diagnally with two hands standing in front of the bike quite easily.

It can also be "tipped" back and fourth by using one hand and grabbing the very bottom of the windshield from the front of the bike, and moving back and fourth. 

I was thinking about just doing this mod:

However, I'm not sure this will solve the problem, as not only are the adjustres loose when tightened all the way (such as in the post above) but the entire windshield is wobbling around everywhere!

Any ideas what might be broken / loose? I've gone in there quite a bit and removed the stock front plate part, because the Puig required some modifications which were included with the windshield. The problem existed before and continues now. 

Would modifying the adjusters fix this? 

1 minute ago, bwringer said:

You haven't really mentioned your skill or experience level with passengers, or your passenger's experience. I know some couples of similar dimension who rode all over the place.

One of my wife's friends was of a similar size, and she's asked for rides and I've toted her around several times on various bikes. Haven't seen her in a while (some mysterious falling-out between the ladies; I'm better off not knowing), so I have no idea how the FJ-09 would work, but I have every confidence that it would also be fine.

No, you're not going to set any speed records, but you can go putt around a bit and the bike isn't going to break.

I'm very experienced, and my wife's friend was also a pretty skilled passenger; there's a certain set of skills required from the passenger.

Another consideration is just plain fit; on bikes with trunks, the passenger may not fit very well 'twixt rider and top box. Also, it can be pretty difficult for ladies to clamber aboard, unless they have a lot of agility. I used to pull up next to a curb whenever possible so my wife would have less of a leap.

My wife is no longer interested in riding, so I don't know much about how steerage on the FJ-09 compares to other bikes.

One last hint: never, and I mean NEVER, let a lady see you adjust preload...

Yes I'd imagine the etiquette on having her see the preload adjustment would be similar to asking a woman's weight; just don't do it.

I have experience with passengers on other bikes from 500cc cruisers to scooters. Only one of which was heavier than me, and probably closer to 200lbs. 

The FJ is unique, and especially as far as bikes I've owned it's very tall and probably not designed to have all that weight up that high and behind me (and the rated payload is under 400lbs.) 

Good news is that the girl said she might be interested in riding her own someday so there's hope there. Thanks for all your replies guys got of great info in here, hopefully could be useful to future riders as well. 

Thank you for all of your replies.

I think with the weight distribution being the issue (with lots of weight behind me and slightly higher) it probably isn't the best idea unfortunately.

I'd find a thinner gf but this one is really nice 

Solo riding for now I suppose...

I'm skinny at 160lbs. but I started dating someone who has told me she weighs 300lbs. 

We were already planning on going for a ride at some point soon, but I'm wondering is 460lbs. too much? I also have a top box installed which she wants to use for the backrest aspect, but won't be loaded with anything. 

I see the max carry weight is just under 400lbs. am I pushing my luck? Wouldn't plan any big rides with her, but could we go around town reasonably safely or is this just a bad idea? 

1 hour ago, nhchris said:

I just let some air outta my Road 5s.

I just returned from a 550 mile ride to a visit friend in CT.

After watching the Dave Moss tire pressure video I thought I'd experiment a bit.  I had full luggage and so pumped up to 42/40.   I felt every bump, expansion joint, tar snake and pebble on the highway.  When I checked the "hot" pressure and it was 48 (on a 90 degree day.)

Back to 38/36 for me, even with a load.

Did you take route 15 Merritt parkway down there by any chance? That's a fun, albeit slightly terrifying road.