What did you do to your FJR today?

[danh600]

My days of vigorous hiking ended in the 1970s. For me, the top is where the road runs through the gap.

Wheaty the last time I hiked up Blood Mountain was on a family vacation. I was to meet my wife and MIL for dinner. So time was short. I hoofed it up at a good pace. There is no flat on that trail. Got to the top and enjoyed the scene for a few minutes. I was walking down and passed a young guy on the trail. He asked me if it was raining on top off the mountain.

I had to tell him nope that is just old man sweat.

[N4HHE]

I rode mine for a couple of errands. Today, I got the T30
Evo rear tire I ordered. I prefer premium tires, but am experimenting with mediocre rear tires paired with primo fronts. I wear through rear tires faster.

The T30 is heavier, looks larger, and has far stiffer sidewalls than the PR4GT’s and R5GT’s I usually use. I am not sure I’ll be able to mount this manually as I do with Michelin. But I’m going to try.

If T30 is not premium then you should have purchased a T31!

Got 7500 miles on rear T30 Evo GT, 10,300 on current PR4GT which is due. 10,900 on previous PR4GT.

Swapped friend’s FJR rear PR4 at 10,950 miles today for a new PR4. I need to cut a cross section from his tire because there is a ghost image of center tread but carcass feels paper thin. Will have a PR4GT to cut for comparison when I swap mine soon.

T31GT front went 9700 miles, 1000 more than my 2nd best using a PR4GT. Loved the way the T31GT rode to the end, never have liked PR4GT at EOL. Replaced with PR4GT and do not like it new as well as I liked the T31GT worn.

T31GT rear puncture at 3000 miles, couldn’t get it to hold air, mounted my current PR4GT. Years ago didn’t like handling of RS3 set, too light. T31GT set is similar light but when T31GT front is paired with PR4GT rear it hit a sweet spot for me. The PR4GT might be mushy but it is a nice mushy with the T31GT front. Not the too mushy as with PR4GT front.

At the moment RockyMountain has PR4GT rear $170.88, PR4 is more expensive at $179.49. Front is $132.88 for GT, $139.64 not. The T31 rear is same GT or not $128.88, front GT is cheaper, $107.88 vs $110.88.

Say $50 (lowball) to mount+balance then $107.88 + $50 = $157.88 for 9700 miles vs $132.88 + $50 = $182.88 for 8700 miles the T31GT front is clear winner.

For rear PR4GT $170.88 + $50 = $220.88 for 10,250 miles is $0.0215/mile. T31GT $128.88 + $50 = $178.88. Have to get 8300 miles to best the cost of the PR4GT. T30 Evo GT front wore 8000 miles vs T31GT front 9700. Don’t know if that would apply to the rear.

If your cost to mount is greater then a high mileage tire will be a better value. At current prices Michelin and Bridgestone seem to cost about the same to ride.

[bill lumberg]

I generally prefer Michelin GT’s. I have not cared for the bridgestones that were on my bmw, or the ones that came on my FJR’s. But those aren’t fair representations. Good to hear positive impressions on the T30. If this is mountable without machinery, I’ll be testing it Saturday. I think I used the last of the R5GT rear yesterday. And boy was it fun.

[fontanaman]

It is winter in Spokane. My FJR is collecting stuff I put on the seat and rear rack. Today I checked NHTSA web site for recalls on my 2017 FJR. Nothing yet.

It is a balmy 41°and temperatures will remain above average for a few days warm enough work on the bike so I may remove the front forks and change the fork oil. Nuts to what Yamaha says about fork oil replacement. Oh that's right they don't say anything do they!

[Powerman]

Cleaned the garage so I can tear apart the FJR. Mid 30's today, 58 tomorrow.
Plan to tear it apart after the adventurous EOM and stalling. Change the TPS, clean out the MAP sensor, and check the wiring connections after riding all night in the Monsoon.

Need to find the $600 multimeter still in the box that fell somewhere in my work van, rained today. Been working some serious hours, just me and my son because the rest took off both Holiday weeks. Nice 6 hrs of double time Sunday morning, because I'm on call.

[escapefjrtist]

It is winter in Spokane. My FJR is collecting stuff I put on the seat and rear rack. Today I checked NHTSA web site for recalls on my 2017 FJR. Nothing yet.

It is a balmy 41°and temperatures will remain above average for a few days warm enough work on the bike so I may remove the front forks and change the fork oil. Nuts to what Yamaha says about fork oil replacement. Oh that's right they don't say anything do they!

FWIW Fontanaman, and you know I'm all for experimenting, for ES USD forks I'd recommend sticking with the Yamaha M1 oil. I bought mine through RMATV. Not cheap but you'll end up with the same performance you started with. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/part ... sion-oil-p

With your '17s low miles, the fork oil will likely be very clean.

~G

[fontanaman]

It is winter in Spokane. My FJR is collecting stuff I put on the seat and rear rack. Today I checked NHTSA web site for recalls on my 2017 FJR. Nothing yet.

It is a balmy 41°and temperatures will remain above average for a few days warm enough work on the bike so I may remove the front forks and change the fork oil. Nuts to what Yamaha says about fork oil replacement. Oh that's right they don't say anything do they!

FWIW Fontanaman, and you know I'm all for experimenting, for ES USD forks I'd recommend sticking with the Yamaha M1 oil. I bought mine through RMATV. Not cheap but you'll end up with the same performance you started with. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/part ... sion-oil-p

With your '17s low miles, the fork oil will likely be very clean.

~G

Is 30k and four years too soon?

[raYzerman]

Two ES's I've done with approx. 50k had fork oil that looked like new. Unlike an A, there is no bushing in contact with/rubbing up and down inside an aluminum tube to put aluminum particles into the fork oil. ES bushings are inside the upper tube, only the chrome tube travels inside them, and wear is negligible after 50k (all Teflon intact)... my vote, leave it for another 30k.

[bill lumberg]

Yesterday, I cleaned up from the previous day’s riding on filthy roads in the hills. Then I wrestled with a tire that would flake off rubber at the slightest touch of a spoon. Was going to just toss it in the trash, but ended up having it machine mounted. I’ll check this morning to see if it is holding air. I won’t run another of this brand, but I hope to at least get a little use out of this one. A trusty PR4GT awaits, and hopefully will be waiting a while
. I’m not in possession of the intelligence, skill, or patience to tolerate another T30 mounting ritual. But I look forward to seeing how this one feels.

The underside of the bike was so munged up from whatever was on the roads Thursday that I spent an extra hour, easily, just trying to scrape, spray, and wipe crap out of books and crannies, and trying to get the rear brake assembly looking like separate pieces again, instead of one blob. I’ve never done any Alaska stuff, but I’ve been on some nasty roads/paths and done long days in the rain. This is/was easily the most crud I’ve accumulated from one day of riding.

[mcatrophy]

Rode it back from my dealer after he serviced it and gave it its MOT test. Probably illegal to have got it with our current Covid lockdown restrictions, but it's better sitting in my garage than the dealer's for however many weeks/months this is going to drag on. Got Daughter to take me after a long discussion about support bubbles and the definition of a "necessary" journey.

It started to snow as we got to the dealer, luckily it didn't settle, temperature between 2C and 3C (35-37F). I was all prepared with my heated vest for the temperature, but I don’t "do" snow.

Passed a stationary police car on the way back, possibly on a mission of revenue collection from lockdown miscreants, but he took no interest in me (or daughter as she went by him).

But my toy is back in its rightful place, re-fluided, recalled, tested, and waiting for a visit to Spain towards the end of May. I hope I don't have to disappoint it.

[Red]

Yesterday, I cleaned up from the previous day’s riding on filthy roads in the hills. Then I wrestled with a tire that would flake off rubber at the slightest touch of a spoon. Was going to just toss it in the trash, but ended up having it machine mounted.

Bill,

Sounds scary, there. What is the date code on that flakey tire?

Decode tire date codes (Click and scroll down)
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech ... ?techid=11
,

[Uncle Hud]

Inspired by Mr. Lumberg, (cough, cough) I rode to Bell Mountain ...





... and Neel's Gap. Rode through the parking lot for Byron Reece trailhead, but didn't see Mr. Lumberg's photo spot, so I rode down to Walasi-Yi (Mountain Crossings) and the 100 or so bikers that are always hanging out on good riding days.



Saw a blue FJR northbound on GA 400 near the Outlet Mall at Dawson Forest Road around 1:30. (Saturday)
jwilly? Bill? Anybody?

[N4HHE]

. I’m not in possession of the intelligence, skill, or patience to tolerate another T30 mounting ritual. But I look forward to seeing how this one feels.

I have done 1 each T30 Evo GT, T31GT, and now T30 Evo rear. T30 Evo Friday, day after mounting a PR4 rear.

T30 Evo GT and T31GT fronts were not any trouble worth noting.

Issue I had mounting the PR4 was that everything was so well lubed that the parts done kept trying to come off. (2) Yellow Things helped to keep on the rim what was on the rim. Nearly mounted the tire by pushing Yellow Things around. Finally used a Nomar lever in the middle then the sides started slipping over the rim.

Was dreading the T30 Evo. It tried to live down to my expectations. When it appeared impossible to get the last 25% on I stepped back to wonder why. Not enough was on to lever in the middle as I did with the PR4 the day before. While the near side bead appeared to be down I didn't think it was centered on the valley of the rim. Leaned on it and it dropped another inch then the 180°opposite went right over like it should.

Next time will try the zip-tie method. Stand on the tire holding left and right beads in contact then secure with zip ties. This way when the near side beads are held in the rim valley the far side should slip right over the rim as easily as the first bead always does. Then cut the zip ties.

[danh600]

Inspired by Mr. Lumberg, (cough, cough) I rode to Bell Mountain ...





... and Neel's Gap. Rode through the parking lot for Byron Reece trailhead, but didn't see Mr. Lumberg's photo spot, so I rode down to Walasi-Yi (Mountain Crossings) and the 100 or so bikers that are always hanging out on good riding days.



Saw a blue FJR northbound on GA 400 near the Outlet Mall at Dawson Forest Road around 1:30. (Saturday)
jwilly? Bill? Anybody?

Bell Mountain is really cool. Not even on my radar till Bill Lumberg took me there.

Ride with a local.

[bill lumberg]

I swore I was going to use the zip tie method on the T30, but got lazy, and paid for not following through on the zip ties Great post.

. I’m not in possession of the intelligence, skill, or patience to tolerate another T30 mounting ritual. But I look forward to seeing how this one feels.

I have done 1 each T30 Evo GT, T31GT, and now T30 Evo rear. T30 Evo Friday, day after mounting a PR4 rear.

T30 Evo GT and T31GT fronts were not any trouble worth noting.

Issue I had mounting the PR4 was that everything was so well lubed that the parts done kept trying to come off. (2) Yellow Things helped to keep on the rim what was on the rim. Nearly mounted the tire by pushing Yellow Things around. Finally used a Nomar lever in the middle then the sides started slipping over the rim.

Was dreading the T30 Evo. It tried to live down to my expectations. When it appeared impossible to get the last 25% on I stepped back to wonder why. Not enough was on to lever in the middle as I did with the PR4 the day before. While the near side bead appeared to be down I didn't think it was centered on the valley of the rim. Leaned on it and it dropped another inch then the 180°opposite went right over like it should.

Next time will try the zip-tie method. Stand on the tire holding left and right beads in contact then secure with zip ties. This way when the near side beads are held in the rim valley the far side should slip right over the rim as easily as the first bead always does. Then cut the zip ties.

[bill lumberg]

Nice looking bike. Great photos. Next, visit the chilhowee overlook, far above the Ocoee. Obscure and a great little road. Dan took me.

Inspired by Mr. Lumberg, (cough, cough) I rode to Bell Mountain ...





... and Neel's Gap. Rode through the parking lot for Byron Reece trailhead, but didn't see Mr. Lumberg's photo spot, so I rode down to Walasi-Yi (Mountain Crossings) and the 100 or so bikers that are always hanging out on good riding days.



Saw a blue FJR northbound on GA 400 near the Outlet Mall at Dawson Forest Road around 1:30. (Saturday)
jwilly? Bill? Anybody?

[kieefjr]

I took some stuff off my 2017 Super Tenere and cleaned it up for a future owner. Looks like we will seal a deal next weekend, I'm swapping my ST for his nicely loaded 2016 FJR.

Looks like I'll be back on a FJR and revisiting the forum.

[Red]

Inspired by Mr. Lumberg, (cough, cough) I rode to Bell Mountain ...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/507 ... 5a07_c.jpg

Uncle Hud,

What exactly is that top box there on the back? Looks really functional. How is it mounted?
Thanks.
.

[bill lumberg]

I have that pelican/Storm case. Two, in fact. If I could figure out a secure and easy way to mount to my sr357, hell, I’d run one. They look great and are tough as nails.

Inspired by Mr. Lumberg, (cough, cough) I rode to Bell Mountain ...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/507 ... 5a07_c.jpg

Uncle Hud,

What exactly is that top box there on the back? Looks really functional. How is it mounted?
Thanks.
.

[rbentnail]

Met up with a couple locals and we rode about 170 miles east for some bbq. Then we rode home. 43*F and foggy when we left, not my favorite riding but rain gear kept me warm and dry. Stayed overcast but warmed to 64-ish by lunchtime. Good day, unusual even for us down here for a January ride.