What did you do to your FJR today?

[wheatonFJR]

Rode it through Unicoi State Park, then rode it home from Helen, Ga via the RRR and Blood Mountain. Glorious.

Sounds awesome!

I have a deadline coming up so I put in a little time at the office to get the work done. I was planning on riding the FJR in, which I never do, just to make the travel a little more interesting...but Louanne is feeling more anxiety these days when I ride. I know why, and am sensitive to that, so I drove the beater into work.

So did not ride today, but made road trip plans on the way back from NAFO for NE, IA, MN, WI, IL, IN, KY, TN, NC, and Home. Seeing long lost cousins, family cemetery in NE, 2 days in SW ‘Sconnie, no interstate except I40 in NC, Moonshine burger, and Brats up dere in Cheeseland.

[N4HHE]

After they put your tires on they always take the bike out to see if everything is alright. The tech said thumbs up so I hopped on and took off. Within a few miles it felt like the tires were going to come off. I have tapered bearings and we all know they mask some issues but the bike had a wobble and felt unsafe. I came back and said there is something seriously wrong, he took it back out and I could not believe he came back and said there was nothing wrong. Man my blood boiled especially when he said, "Well Don't Take Your Hands Off The Bars" I said I am not paying you unless you figure out what was wrong. Either fix the problem or take them off the bike. Pissed is an understatement. They took the bike back in and the mechanic who did the install came out and apologized that he improperly balanced the tires and he got it right this time. Really?? Well it better be right. I told the moron tech not to take it out for a spin and took off to see for myself. The bike was about 80% better but I could always feel something off especially over 50mph. The tires very well could have had some flaw where they were never going to balance right.

I watched PJ balance the Road 5's and he was so meticulous spending a lot of time making sure they were perfect. And man what a difference. The front end is so rock solid now not a hint of anything off at all speeds. I would like to think the tires were the culprit as I again have very few other options the next time I need tires.

Sadly many can not believe “spin balance” machines can do wrong, “It’s computerized!”

The simple gravity balance tools can never go out of calibration. The bearings can bind but only the most obtuse user won’t notice. Takes more time and some skill but it is self-calibrating.

[gixxerjasen]

On top of returning home from my trip with new Road 5's I had a big box waiting for me which held my new Seth Laam seat!

One of my biggest concerns was my 30 inch inseam

Guess its time to plan another trip to break them both in

I also have a 30 inch inseam, will be very interested in a semi-long term review. Let us know.

[wheatonFJR]

I had a Seth Laam seat and it was a great seat, lower than what ive had with my Russells. I have a Russell on this 13.

Laam is about 3/4 of a Russell as far as all day comfort. Its good enough, it truly is, more my long trip days maxing out at 5-600 miles, occasionally more if in emergency mode. Laam is good if you are not in a hurry to get it, dont plan a trip a month after delivery, because...stuff happens.

[N4HHE]

I also have a 30 inch inseam, will be very interested in a semi-long term review. Let us know.

29" and I ride with seat in the high position.

[rbentnail]

To me.... Russell seats are the worst ever. I've sold 2 just to get rid of them.

[wheatonFJR]

To me.... Russell seats are the worst ever. I've sold 2 just to get rid of them.

Well, you might be in the minority...but every vote counts.

[bill lumberg]

My laam got progressively more slippery. Too
slippery for me in the hills, and downright problematic with the wife on the back. Soap and water didn’t help. So I ordered glove glu. Problem solved. Game changer.

[Blueridgerider]

My laam got progressively more slippery. Too
slippery for me in the hills, and downright problematic with the wife on the back. Soap and water didn’t help. So I ordered glove glu. Problem solved. Game changer.

I will say it is a wee bit more slippery than the comfort seat I replaced.

[D-Eagle]

Googled it. Looks like Glove Glu is modern day Stick 'Em? Does it get on your pants?

[rbentnail]

To me.... Russell seats are the worst ever. I've sold 2 just to get rid of them.

Well, you might be in the minority...but every vote counts.

Oh, definitely in the minority but there's a few of us out here. Some of us are just plain ol' tractor seat simple folk. Watch out too- we stick together like the scooter gang heading to the likker store! I thought the stock seat was fine & rode some 60K miles on it. When the hip & leg started bothering me I tried the Corbin that was fine and the Comfort that was excellent for me. That was all on my '07. On the '13 the Sargent is the way to go for me- absolute heaven. And getting the hip replaced in 2019 of course made a huge difference.

[wheatonFJR]

Well, I did nothing today except ponder whether the PR4s I bought recently for the NAFO trip will be good enough for 16 days of cross country travelin with 4 semi-hoonin days sprinkled in there from Arky, CO, and SW Cheeseland.

Im thinking im prolly buying a rear tire in SW WI, that's why I have two days dedicated to that area.

[N4HHE]

Well, I did nothing today except ponder whether the PR4s I bought recently for the NAFO trip will be good enough for 16 days of cross country travelin with 4 semi-hoonin days sprinkled in there from Arky, CO, and SW Cheeseland.

Im thinking im prolly buying a rear tire in SW WI, that's why I have two days dedicated to that area.

Surely you have past history with the PR4 to know how long they work for you?

My latest PR4GT front only lasted 6784 miles. Previous some years ago was 8700 miles. PR4GT rear tires have gone 10,943 and 10,275 miles.

I typically use 5 fronts tires for every 4 rears. T30 Evo GT is the only rear I wore out quicker than same model on the front. Made me look at my Road Trip app. Have 6,000 on rear T30 Evo not-GT. I wouldn't depart on 2,000 mile trip with it. But am thinking it is time to order something to be ready to replace on a moment's notice.

[bill lumberg]

Can’t see it. Nothing gets on our pants. Can’t tell it’s been used except that the seat isn’t slippery.

Googled it. Looks like Glove Glu is modern day Stick 'Em? Does it get on your pants?

[wheatonFJR]

More butt clenching will do it.

I have absolutely NO history with PR4s....thus I ponder.

[ice station zebra]

It was a hot one yesterday, but just couldn't stay home. Long FJR run out Lanark County way. Probably my last ride on current tires.

[bungie4]

It was a hot one yesterday, but just couldn't stay home. Long FJR run out Lanark County way. Probably my last ride on current tires.

You can feel pretty good about finishing a set of tires out that way.

[rbentnail]

Okay, as Ray points out you have a 8983 Penske. The "nut" on the reservoir is the compression adjustment. Use a 1/4" drive ratchet & 1/2" socket to adjust. All the way clockwise is full hard. Turn this fully CCW until it stops and then go back two clicks CW. That'll get us started.

Preload is adjusted via a collar that functions as the upper spring perch. Once the nylon-tipped set screws are loosened, tighten or loosen the collar for preload. Reach from LH side of bike, where the hard/soft lever used to live. Did you get a piece of 1/4" round stock with a bent end? This is the "tool" for turning the collar.

~G

Ok, I did exactly zero with this at first b/c of the contradictory information. You say "The "nut" on the reservoir is the compression adjustment. Use a 1/4" drive ratchet & 1/2" socket to adjust. All the way clockwise is full hard" but the manual says "NOTE: When making adjustments, use the full soft setting (adjuster wound all the way in against the reservoir body) as a starting point when counting the number of “clicks” to the desired setting." I am of course inclined to believe the manual so I screwed clockwise to FULL SOFT and backed it out 6 clicks. The manual says 22 clicks of full adjustment and it was already screwed out 12 and that was too harsh, like riding a hardtail bike with no rear suspension, so I stopped at 6.


No, I did not get a bent tool thingy. No biggie, I've got enough stuff laying around to make one. I then went to the rebound adjuster (red knob) and screwed it CCW some b/c the manual says "by turning the adjuster out (counter clock-wise), more oil is allowed to pass through the jet causing lighter damping forces" and since the ride is too harsh I went toward "lighter damping forces". The manual says 34 clicks of full travel so I backed off 8 or 10.

[bill lumberg]

Installed saeng quick-scan mirror bases on the main shield. Will install and try the mirrors oh dark thirty tomorrow. Peg rubber and screws should arrive tomorrow. I’ve ground my peg rubber nearly off.

May install the lowering brackets and Cee Bailey when I put the new (peg) rubber on In a day or two. I’ve done a powerful amount of mountain rambling so far this year. I feel the pull to lose myself on some distance runs.

May go see my dad Fri/Sat. If that doesn’t line up, I’m meeting some gentlemen in Waynesville….

[wheatonFJR]

I will be in Waynesville Saturday. I checked the route time to Country Vittles in Waynesville, and it is 2hours on the puter program and somewhat less on my gps...so since we are leaving from the gas station at 11 and 276at 7am, we will have plenty of time for a full breakfast before getting to Wheels thru time at 10am! Maybe Griff and I will see some fellow FJR misfits on Saturday!