troll Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Well, I guess I should wrap-up this tale... It's taking almost as long to write it up as it did to ride it. Kennecott is a pretty cool historical site in a stunning area of Alaska... well worth exploring. http://i.imgur.com/tt7MXZk.jpg http://i.imgur.com/h118hqx.jpg http://i.imgur.com/01ruRbi.jpg http://i.imgur.com/s8JXxlX.jpg http://i.imgur.com/rU9kY9o.jpg http://i.imgur.com/FvfKjfd.jpg and like Dorothy said in the "Wizard of Oz"... "there is no place like home Toto" After leaving Kennecott the FJ and I got a nose for the barn... the weather was forecast to change so we headed for home. Back in Yukon and only two hours from home. http://i.imgur.com/pwAiFg9.jpg Dirty and tired, 3600km with hundreds of km of dirt, gravel and construction... I now have some pretty solid opinions about the FJ... and a high degree of respect for it's capabilities. http://i.imgur.com/7lkK33N.jpg Coming to you from the frozen wastelands of the barren north Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cthruu Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 "Dirty and tired, 3600km with hundreds of km of dirt, gravel and construction... I now have some pretty solid opinions about the FJ... and a high degree of respect for it's capabilities." Which are? How does it compare to the super tenere you used to have? What would you change on it? Thanx 2015 FJ-09 2004 KTM 525 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troll Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 "Dirty and tired, 3600km with hundreds of km of dirt, gravel and construction... I now have some pretty solid opinions about the FJ... and a high degree of respect for it's capabilities." Which are? How does it compare to the super tenere you used to have? What would you change on it? Thanx I traded the Super Tenere for the FJ due to the weight and size of the ST, and I am really happy for the weight reduction. Where and the way I ride the ground clearance has not been an issue. I am short so the ST was really a handful and more so when loaded. I like the engine better on the FJ, very smooth and gobs of power anywhere in the RPM range. It will pull up it's socks and move along in any gear from 2000 rpm. Torque everywhere. In "B" mode on flat ground I can idle off from a dead stop without any additional throttle. Have I said I love this engine yet... and of course we all know what happens in "A" mode! The chassis handles rough conditions better than I thought it would considering how short the wheelbase is and the tire size... particularly the 17" front. The damping could be a bit less sharp on both ends, and with a touring load it is certainly ride able on poorly maintained gravel roads. I would like the rear set a bit more forward and I wish I had more cable length so I could raise the bars. I ride standing or off the seat a fair amount. On good road surfaces the bike is a pure joy, it is fast, agile and predictable. Have I said I love this bike yet? I don't think anyone should be worried about putting traction rubber on this bike and touring it as an ADV or heading out anywhere for days at a time. It is a small bike so doesn't have a bunch of room for gear and I wouldn't think of it as a two-up touring machine. The short story... I think this is an awesome bike and a very capable solo touring all-rounder. I'm 5' 6" tall with a 28 5/8" inseam. 210 lb. in full riding gear and on this trip was probably carrying 70 lb of gear. Coming to you from the frozen wastelands of the barren north Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db5304 Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Awesome as always troll, glad you got the FJ just so I can see your pics and read of your exploits. Recently hit up laurel highlands myself, and will be going deeper next time when I get a chance. Our hills are no match for those mountains, but there is something about the greenery and slopes that I enjoy. Keep up the ride reports, they are awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troll Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 Awesome as always troll, glad you got the FJ just so I can see your pics and read of your exploits. Recently hit up laurel highlands myself, and will be going deeper next time when I get a chance. Our hills are no match for those mountains, but there is something about the greenery and slopes that I enjoy. Keep up the ride reports, they are awesome. Thanks db5304, being out in nature is sublime no matter how tall the hills are or how deep the valleys. We live on a pretty incredible little dirt ball... give us a few pictures and a report Coming to you from the frozen wastelands of the barren north Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member fanowater Posted July 3, 2015 Premium Member Share Posted July 3, 2015 Great ride! Apparently worries about the oil drain bolt and oil filter location might be exaggerated. I drove from Anchorage to Glenallen in April many years ago to go climbing in the Wrangell's. Stunning country, even when completely covered in snow. People were almost translucent though. A bit freaky for us from sunny California. Cheers! 2015 FJ-09 2006 Triumph Daytona 675 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troll Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 Great ride! Apparently worries about the oil drain bolt and oil filter location might be exaggerated. I drove from Anchorage to Glenallen in April many years ago to go climbing in the Wrangell's. Stunning country, even when completely covered in snow. People were almost translucent though. A bit freaky for us from sunny California. Cheers! I did the low profile Mazda drain plug mod and the filter was so covered in dirt that nothing could get to it. we used to call it "fish belly white" Coming to you from the frozen wastelands of the barren north Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member fanowater Posted July 4, 2015 Premium Member Share Posted July 4, 2015 "we used to call it "fish belly white" Ha Ha. I'll grab that Mazda drain plug - good call. Hope you had a good Canada Day. Off to enjoy the 4th down here. Cheers 2015 FJ-09 2006 Triumph Daytona 675 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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