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Canada-born, Texas-living girl just bought a 2015 FJ-09 - Coming from an R3, recommendations please!


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16 hours ago, skipperT said:

to follow up on the clutch: it sounds like you checked it out, but BE SURE the cable moves at the engine side in direct relationship to the clutch lever movement. They’ve also been known to stretch before breaking and that could also be what you’re experiencing. Try adjusting the free play up at the lever so it measures around 10-15mm at the end of the lever and see if that improves the clutch engage/disengagement. If it’s only temporary and acts up again- it’s the cable. 

....I’d look more closely at that clutch cable. 
-skip

I will keep this in mind! From the very beginning of pulling the clutch lever to bottoming it out, it actuates down there at the engine on the right side and I messed with the freeplay a bit. I'm hoping it isn't the clutch internals itself but only time will tell I guess. Insurance is sending an inspector to come see it physically on Monday evening - I guess to say "Damn yeah that pannier bag is scratched and is costly" and then watch me try putting it into gear & lurch forward a few times and stall hah. I'm honestly surprised the bar end and pannier were the only hard contact points - the front turn signals jutting out seem just fine! 
Thank you so much for checking in Skip!

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59 minutes ago, draco_1967 said:

Welcome! Congrats on the new bike and engagement! Sorry about the clutch and towing issues. 

Re: Sportyness - I have seen a couple of sportified Tracers/FJs. Try removing the windshield completely. I find I either want clean air hitting me from the shoulders up, or I want a barn door to block it all (winter).

I have these thoughts exactly!! (Also super nice to meet you Draco!) I visited Salt Lake City for the first time this May for Kilby Block Party festival and my oh my...- your state and its mountains are GORGEOUS! I appreciate your kind words too.

Maybe previously said, I've been taking my R3 into work every day since May and the airflow is essential. Maybe I wouldn't mind the huge-sized shields for 1-2 winter months I'd be commuting in the 5:30 mornings. Texas is HOT but those fall and winter mornings can be 30-45 some degrees under the high that day! Anyway yeah... tired of the strong, NOISEY wind slaps to my helmet!

"As others have said, raise the forks in the clamps, remove the 1" riser block, flip the bar clamp risers, and some lower bars. You can't go too low though. The controls will hit the tank."
A different handle bar entirely?  I have ordered the sporty Givi windshield already - hopefully its performance is good and tinting it will give me the desired look. I will ABSOLUTELY be looking for those CRG Arrows bar end mirrors. If you could and don't mind, I'll go hunting for them now but if you find yourself back in here, I'd love a URL to verify!


I'm sure everyone and their motorcycle has seen my text-walls by now. I'm just so damn antsy to be back on it and put what I've learned to use. I'm hoping the insurance viewing goes okay Monday and I hear news soon for whos footing the bill. I got the taste of 47 miles on the CP3 platform and know the visual and comfort changes I want. I'll be lurking and shopping until then! Cheers all!

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Found this Woofcraft special intriguing too.. https://woodcraft-cfm.com/collections/clipons-hand-controls/products/clipon-adapter-plate-w-std-black-bars-yamaha-fz-09-2014-17-mt-09-2018-20-xsr900-2016-2020-fj-09-2015-2016

I'm not too sure how I'd take measurements and figure the clearance I have to work with - especially as I have the aftermarket risers currently - but I may throw some money at one and toy with it when I go to overhaul this whole machine after the insurance stuff settles.
I will disappoint you all soon enough with my Fj-09 ricermobile 🥰

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2 hours ago, SpookyJade said:

I have these thoughts exactly!! (Also super nice to meet you Draco!) I visited Salt Lake City for the first time this May for Kilby Block Party festival and my oh my...- your state and its mountains are GORGEOUS! I appreciate your kind words too.

Maybe previously said, I've been taking my R3 into work every day since May and the airflow is essential. Maybe I wouldn't mind the huge-sized shields for 1-2 winter months I'd be commuting in the 5:30 mornings. Texas is HOT but those fall and winter mornings can be 30-45 some degrees under the high that day! Anyway yeah... tired of the strong, NOISEY wind slaps to my helmet!

"As others have said, raise the forks in the clamps, remove the 1" riser block, flip the bar clamp risers, and some lower bars. You can't go too low though. The controls will hit the tank."
A different handle bar entirely?  I have ordered the sporty Givi windshield already - hopefully its performance is good and tinting it will give me the desired look. I will ABSOLUTELY be looking for those CRG Arrows bar end mirrors. If you could and don't mind, I'll go hunting for them now but if you find yourself back in here, I'd love a URL to verify!


I'm sure everyone and their motorcycle has seen my text-walls by now. I'm just so damn antsy to be back on it and put what I've learned to use. I'm hoping the insurance viewing goes okay Monday and I hear news soon for whos footing the bill. I got the taste of 47 miles on the CP3 platform and know the visual and comfort changes I want. I'll be lurking and shopping until then! Cheers all!

Utah is an awesome state with amazing landscape and some incredible riding. Definitely come back sometime on two wheels. 

I mounted the CRGs using Rottweiler mounts on my handguards, but on the mirrors are designed for bar-ends: https://shop.rottweilerperformance.com/quick-flip-mirror-mount-kit-arrow-kit/

I remember reading a thread about one or two users here replacing the bars with a Rizoma bar that had less rise than the stock bar. It was a couple years ago though. Those Woodcraft bars are interesting. I bet you would need the tallest rise on them to clear plastics and tank on the FJ. 

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47 minutes ago, draco_1967 said:

Utah is an awesome state with amazing landscape and some incredible riding. Definitely come back sometime on two wheels. 

I mounted the CRGs using Rottweiler mounts on my handguards, but on the mirrors are designed for bar-ends: https://shop.rottweilerperformance.com/quick-flip-mirror-mount-kit-arrow-kit/

I remember reading a thread about one or two users here replacing the bars with a Rizoma bar that had less rise than the stock bar. It was a couple years ago though. Those Woodcraft bars are interesting. I bet you would need the tallest rise on them to clear plastics and tank on the FJ. 

When we drove to the Salt flats on one of the quieter festival lineup days (we were only in Utah for 3 days -we HAD to see it) we saw 2 people ripping up the bright sand with some dual sports and I was so. so. so incredibly jealous. My non-riding buddies had no clue why I was losing my shit!

And I'm betting that is the case, too. Seen some people say they needed the 1.5" rise minimum from Woodcraft to even work for select FZ-09's and its tank? Don't know for sure but I'll look more. I'll have to search for the Rizoma bar model around here too..

I love those bar end mirrors.. not too bad for a set to be honest.

ANYWAYS, I still have the aftermarket risers to remove, and flip the stock ones 180 degrees to move them more forward and be closer to stock.. can go from there. From the research today, I really do see the discouraging consensus that this whole ~putting the controls more forward~ on what is marketed as a beastly sport tourer is a lost-cause. But you know.. something like a naked MT-09 SP nowadays isn't what I really desire either. Maybe in a few years I can put soft saddlebags on an R9 and call it a day with that posture + carrying capability 😆 Thanks again!!

 

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After you get the handlebar risers off and adjusted you still also have the option of getting an aftermarket handlebar too. A flatter/straighter bar will feel more sporty.

Also, the Sargent seat might be contributing to the lack of "sporty" feel. I don't remember having any issues getting into a 3/4 tuck on my FJ09 when I had it, but I had the stock seat. Is it stopping you from leaning forward and getting your body over the tank? The stock seat often let you slide forward too easily and many aftermarket options and DIY mods revolved around removing that "problem".

A flat handlebar with a seat that lets you lean forward will get you very close to full tuck. I would consider that I can do a 90% tuck on my Super Duke GT with the almost flat Renthal bars that come factory on the bike.

Most importantly, and this will change the entire riding experience: did you set up your bike suspension's static sag for your rider weight?

If the previous owner adjusted suspension to their weight and riding style and they were much heavier or lighter the settings are going to be off. Grab a friend or your fiance to help you set your suspension to the proper static sag per any instructional video online. Dave Moss is the main source for suspension shenanigans, Ari Henning (the racer and mechanic now employed by Revzilla) also has a video he recently put out on setting sag. Once your sag is set properly for your weight you can go 1-click lower in the front preload to drop the front end some more for a more "sporty" stance. Then you can go 1-click up on rebound damping to compensate a bit since the FJ09 has progressive front springs from factory.

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On 10/25/2024 at 11:37 AM, draco_1967 said:

Utah is an awesome state with amazing landscape and some incredible riding. Definitely come back sometime on two wheels. 

I mounted the CRGs using Rottweiler mounts on my handguards, but on the mirrors are designed for bar-ends: https://shop.rottweilerperformance.com/quick-flip-mirror-mount-kit-arrow-kit/

I remember reading a thread about one or two users here replacing the bars with a Rizoma bar that had less rise than the stock bar. It was a couple years ago though. Those Woodcraft bars are interesting. I bet you would need the tallest rise on them to clear plastics and tank on the FJ. 

Did you mount those rottweiler mounts on the factory handguards? Debating doing that to mine but not sure if it would work.

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Hey hey, here's a quick long ass update…! Surprised?! 😅

Insurance is going to pay out a decent $600 for the right pannier and handlebar end, AND they waived my $500 deductible thank god. I am going to work on diagnosing the clutch this weekend, but I may just order that Woodcraft clip on set LOL! 
 

I thought to ask them directly —

1) if they’ve heard of any success with an FJ & the tank clearance issues for a substantial change to rider triangle

2) if I could return them, assuming fitment doesn’t work out and they are like-new

The president got back to me quite swiftly! He originally stated they can’t do returns on open product (understandable) so I expressed my hesitance to continue with ordering one. Here is what he had to say:

 

“In the up position I have never had anyone ever have clearance problems - that has only been the case when someone tries to ride it in the down position.  Over the almost 10 years we've never had a tank clearance compliant.  

If you install these in the up position and they don't clear the tank, I'll give you a full refund.  99.99% sure that you will not have a problem.  I hope this helps!

Thanks, 

Eric Wood
President
Woodcraft Technologies Inc”


I think if it worked out well I would be pretty happy, but I’m not sure as of now. I’m still stuck at a crossroads with considering the Rizoma 60mm risers for my stock handlebars, or the MA006 gold bar and find appropriate bar ends, mirrors, etc. and be done with the changes at the same time I remove the bar riser installed by the PO… decisions. 

I absolutely adore both @coachluciano and @texscottyd ‘s setups.. *drool*
Though, I've no idea the exact Rizoma listings I need to build a full handlebar using current or aftermarket levers and lines, etc.

 

Other than finally being able to work on the clutch this weekend, the Givi tinted sport screen and a revised 17+ clutch cable should be here very soon to install! Exciting!

 

Edited by SpookyJade
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4 hours ago, willb003 said:

Did you mount those rottweiler mounts on the factory handguards? Debating doing that to mine but not sure if it would work.

I had them on the stock handguards at first, then I got some Barkbusters. The stock guards required me to shim the Rottweiler mounts so the mirrors would be more perpendicular to the bike. I'll see if I can find pictures of that setup... 

 

ETA: Here are the best pics I could find:

AP1GczP-MuH31Fl3Ga0p3jKP9XKIKoAoI17bTGKZ

You can see the white HDPE spacer I used to allow the mount to work with the stock guards. It was just a ~1/2 thick piece to allow the mount to sit flush with the inner edge of the guard. 

AP1GczPC3OIgwZSMvPN2y9b_K-jV_MK6xy7VSIME

Edited by draco_1967
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2 hours ago, draco_1967 said:

I had them on the stock handguards at first, then I got some Barkbusters. The stock guards required me to shim the Rottweiler mounts so the mirrors would be more perpendicular to the bike. I'll see if I can find pictures of that setup... 

 

ETA: Here are the best pics I could find:

AP1GczP-MuH31Fl3Ga0p3jKP9XKIKoAoI17bTGKZ

You can see the white HDPE spacer I used to allow the mount to work with the stock guards. It was just a ~1/2 thick piece to allow the mount to sit flush with the inner edge of the guard. 

AP1GczPC3OIgwZSMvPN2y9b_K-jV_MK6xy7VSIME

 

Im assuming you 3d printed that spacer? Also why not bolt the mount on the outside of the handguard?(other than drops, of course).

 

Sorry for hijacking OP. Congrats on the bike.

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1 hour ago, willb003 said:

 

Im assuming you 3d printed that spacer? Also why not bolt the mount on the outside of the handguard?(other than drops, of course).

 

Sorry for hijacking OP. Congrats on the bike.

No, it's just a scrap of HDPE sheet I used for a project. It could easily be modeled and printed. I didn't want it on the outside in case of drops. The mirrors usually rotate out of the way on a drop and the handguard protects the rest of it. 

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Hi @SpookyJade - My sincere apologies for the delay in responding to your thread… this pesky ‘job thing’ has had me fairly busy over the past couple of weeks.   

I’ll get you the details of exactly what I’ve done to my FJ in an effort to shift it more towards the ‘sport’ end of the sport-touring continuum, as I also come from a long sport bike background, and found the stock FJ a bit too relaxed for my personal taste.   I’ve gradually stripped mine down a bit, to morph it back closer to its FZ9 roots.  

It’s still plenty comfy… covered 315 spirited miles with a friend on Sunday, and felt great when I got home.  

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IMG_3955.thumb.jpeg.e98593ae9c337b954eb690783db85867.jpeg

IMG_3971.thumb.jpeg.32ab42cb41aeea2ceb3be982d06c6d03.jpeg

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13 hours ago, willb003 said:

Sorry for hijacking OP. Congrats on the bike.

@willb003 Y'all, it is never hijacking! I'm so glad to see the helpful community stirring about. :) 


@robzilla No kidding, my fiancée and I were stunned to say the least! Told them I would do my own repairs, but pricing the side city bag that high was a relief. Didn't have to kick and scream. The funds are going towards an aftermarket exhaust, if I can decide on one. 🧏‍♂️ I feel if I were to replace the pannier, I would somehow scuff it, too! 😆


@texscottyd What a cool trip! West Houston must have a lot more to look at than west DFW..? Though south-west of Glen Rose has some amazing altitude changes, and their Dinosaur Valley & Fossil Rim attractions are a hoot. I'd greatly appreciate that parts rundown, given you have time to spare!!
Holding off on the Woodcraft purchase for a few days since even if their fitment and position is great, I need to better understand what OEM components I can swap one for one from my current bar, and what space-issues I may encounter. Luckily, dropping handlebars = the throttle/clutch cable lengths should be fine. :) 

More researchin' for me, I have a hunger... A NEED to rid of these wobbly tendencies caused by handguards and stock mirrors. Plus that big ass barn door buffeting away at >40mph.

~ While I'm here, thank you again @knyte ! I'm extremely excited to address that trash Vstream shield. *Shudders*
The Givi should be excellent for moving towards cleaner air.


Expect a big photo update this workshop weekend! If you know of any currently made tank grips that are decent (I see a lot having useless placement), or any AM exhausts that work with the center stand- It is greatly appreciated!!
Honestly compared to my untuned (🤫) 321cc twin and its obnoxious M4 full exhaust..  the FJ-09's stock exhaust at 5krpm and up is intoxicating!
H o w e v e r, I still want a proper 'ANGRY ROAR' sound with a DB-killer option. I know this ain't no inline-4. I'll settle for a deep growl 🥰

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