1moreroad

Really? The one I had in Jackson, MS... could only give McD's a run for its money. Hardees was far superior to Whataburger.

I've always been told that the typical life expectancy of a moto shock is 25k. Many (all?) aftermarket shocks can be rebuilt unlike the OE shock. Don't know if the rear end of the Niken is the same as the FJ09, but there are a lot of aftermarket shocks out there for the FJ. Generally all of them are an improvement over OE and the more $$ you spend, the better you get. There are price premiums for Penske and Ohlins name brands.

Thanks. Visual inspection looks like the bead is consistent all the way around the rim. Tire pressure is 34 which is what I set it to. Stem bearings were checked by a shop I trust about 10 months ago when they installed new fork springs and declared good. I'll get the balance sorted then I'll see about a bad tire.

I think I know the answer, but I need confirmation or disagreement. Just finished an 1100 mile ride. At speeds over 75 I get a shake in the handlebars. The faster I go, the more it shakes. It's a visible shake, not just a vibration. I think the front wheel wasn't balanced well enough. A new front tire was installed 500 miles ago, but this was the 1st time I had the bike over 75 since then (all commuting on 65 mph or slower roads). When I picked up the wheel, I noticed fewer wheel weights than before and in a totally different position but it was a Dunlop Qualifier instead of a Roadsmart so I figured it was the different tire. I installed a new skid plate at the same time. I replaced the oil pan 400 miles before that. So... I'm figuring the tire wasn't balanced well enough. It was installed at Cycle Gear and I've had good experience with them before but they had a new machine (don't know if they got a new balancer or new bead breaker or what). I think it's just the front wheel out of balance. From this forum and techs asking me when I get new tires installed, I know the front wheel takes a lot of weights to balance. Anything else I should consider? I haven't done anything else to the front end except front tires in 7000 miles/10 months. TIA

No moto in the pic, but she did bring me to this spot - Anglers' Inn on the White River in Arkansas. The bridge is Highway 9 leading to Melbourne. Good road.

1. The consensus on this board is that, at least on the road when you're not at redline all the time, octane probably doesn't matter on this bike. I'm not recommending 87, but it probably won't hurt. 2. In the US, 93 is high octane. Some places only have 91 or 92.

Tried many different kinds. Liking the Oxford 39 db right now because they're a little softer than the Howard Leight. Air is clean behind my little fly screen, just loud.

Air flow was a revelation after you recommended a shorty at the end of last summer. I cut down my original windscreen to just above the plastic mounting bracket. I've also got a double bubble about the same size as the OE and a Givi touring. Only the OE buffeted me badly. But... noise over 65 mph is terrible with my homemade fly screen. I had a 3+ hour freeway drone (commute from a job site after my company reassigned my company vehicle) and I was exhausted by the end and my ears were ringing into the next day. It's so pleasant in town and on backroads, but I might not commute with the moto again (125+ miles daily commute to work sites) until the Givi touring screen goes back on in September.

IIRC not on an FJ but yes on a Tracer. It definitely doesn't on a 2015 FJ speaking from personal experience.

SKIDPLATE! Changing the oil just got more involved...

If I was doing more commuting and less trips, I could have nursed them at least a few hundred more miles, but not thousands. I'm more surprised that the rear RS3 lasted longer than the front. I'm generally happy with 8k-9k. 5k would have been short on sport tires on my Ninja. No idea why it last such little time.

New front tire. Last one was down to the wear bars, about the same tread depth I always replace at. Lasted much less time. Reattempting the 1000 mile weekend cut short last month. OE - 8600 mi Roadsmart 2 - 9600 mi, 9000 mi Last Roadsmart 3 - just 5000 mi I got 6400 miles from a rear Roadsmart 3 a couple of years ago. Last tire was over the winter so it wasn't a heat thing. I did have new, stiffer springs installed in the fork. I'm surprised that the tire lasted so much less mileage. Cycle Gear had a Qualifier Q3+ in stock and it was convenient to get the tire changed (nearest shop that can change tires is over 45 minutes away), so I got it. I'm expecting sportbike mileage from the sportbike tire.

Ride in rain. I spent 80 miles in hard driving rain. At least the front end of the bike is absolutely, bead blasted spotless. (the tail half is covered in sand kicked up off of the road). Funny thing is a buddy was following for about 60 of the 80 miles in his ambulance coming back from a patient transport. He even took a picture. He did offer to load the bike on the stretcher and drive me home. 😄 Lastly, jackets are NOT waterproof if you thought you zipped up the vents but left a 1/2" at the top open by accident.

@Garybinnyc - already shipped back. Should arrive back at Revzilla tomorrow. I order a lot from them, too. @nhchris - Wondering the same thing as you, but... I bought the 2 piece (actually 3 piece) skidplate. It's got 2 frames and a belly pan. The rear of the frame in the bike right side is bent inwards. On the bike this would be bolted to the belly pan. I'm betting (hoping?) that would be a rare hit. I also don't know an alternative since I plan to keep the bike.

I like the lack of buffeting when I stand up so I tried Dremeling the OE screen down almost as short as possible. Without some screen it just looked unfinished to me (did a track day that way). I followed the same lines as the original screen then rattlecanned it. I need to do a little trimming, round it off a little better, and at least another pass of paint.

I've had one since March then added a Sena communicator to a Klim TK1200. Even with both of those, the Klim still weighs less than some helmets. I agree with @2and3cylinders - you really don't notice it. The balance point of the helmet is slightly different, but that's it.

Thanks. Wasn't sure what "adhesive" was safe to use. Managed to balance them just right and not disturb them while I manipulated the headers into place.

At least it's the tail and not the airbox.

Installed the new oil pan. Lowered the exhaust onto the centerstand without removing the centerstand. Hardest part was lining up exhaust while keeping the copper rings from falling out while putting everything back together. Very much appreciate the how to's on this forum. Still have to wait for a skidplate - my 1st SW Motech 2 piece was badly bent shipped from Revzilla.

Based on this recommendation and on ADV Rider, I bought a pair of these. I like my Bose but they are showing a lot of wear and tear in 2 years. They definitely reduce noise, but there is no way they reduce it 37 db for me. My Pinlocks which claim 24 db noise reduction are quieter than these. With my phone, sound quality is good. With my Sena, I got a lot of feedback and noise. Not sure why. YMMV. I was told years ago by an audiologist that I have a strangely shaped ear canal so I may need just the right earbuds. I think I like the Shures for the office better than my Bose so I'll get use out of them, just not on the moto. They're on sale at the Shure website for $80. I really need to follow up with the local university audiology department.

No record of hooliganism, but I have a track day photo from a couple of years ago. NEXT photo - an FJ or Tracer with roadside sculpture like a roadside dinosaur or a metal sculpture in front of a muffler shop.

SW Motech makes 2 skid plates, a flat plate with a curl on the front and a 2 piece plate that sort of looks like a belly pan. I liked the looks of the belly pan so I ordered that. Or Rattle can? Plastic dip? Wouldn't recommend vinyl wrap on a skid plate.

Yes from experience. Carried a work laptop in pouring rain with no problem.

AD1s don't come with hip armor. I originally reused foam pads out of my RC but upgraded this year to the Transit armor holders from Aerostich and the same armor bought through Revzilla. Aerostich TF5 Hip Armor Sleeves Sleeves with integrated hook & loop to allow TF5 Hip Impact... Look at ebay and the BMW Owners' List and ADV Rider for used Aerostich gear. You can get some good discounts for gear that will still last 10 years or more. One example (not recommending, just an example): For sale - Aerostich AD1. Pants | Adventure Rider Ad1 pants, in really good shape. Size 42 r. Inseam is 34. Comes...

Looks like the engine case is torn open and the bike will be totaled. It's a big enough hit that a skid plate might not have mattered but it can't be worse than a hole in the engine.