New FJR Rider From Fredericksburg, VA

[RzrBak]

Just wanted to make an intro...I haven't been on a bike for some 30 years (mainly trail/dirt bikes) so, I guess I'm considered new to riding. I took the Apex riding course and got my M endorsement in early March 2014 then purchased my '05 FJR towards the end of March. Even though it's an '05 it only had 10,083 miles on it. I have already put 2,911 miles on it in a little over a month...you might say I'm a hardcore rider! How did I put that many miles on it, you ask??? Mainly, I bought the bike to commute to work which is about 66 miles one-way. So I ride over 130 miles a day and that doesn't include the weekend riding.

I'm looking forward to exploring the posts because as a commuter I am looking for other's suggestions/advise who may do the same. And yes, I'm already realizing that I have many questions about this particular FJR year and how to deal things like the super amount of heat it puts off. Cold days it's great...hot days...let's just say it's a good thing I'm not looking to have more kids I have a list of things to add/change that should make my commute a little more comfortable too.

Thanks for reading.

[wpbfjr]

welcome... i'm in the richmond area... last month i met a guy on an '05 w/hand guards on the bars. was that you?


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[0face]

Welcome Aboard!

[fontanaman]

Welcome to the nut house. I have a 09 FJR so I don't have any advice on avoiding roasted balls. The Gen II's have a design update to deflect heat away the rider. Of course after 90 or 95 degrees it is just too hot no matter what Gen xx you got.

[silverback]

There's a heat fix in which you place foam on the inside of the fairings to keep the heat away from you. I haven't done it yet.

But, if you keep it above about 120 mph, you don't notice the heat because the air keeps you cool.

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[RzrBak]

welcome... i'm in the richmond area... last month i met a guy on an '05 w/hand guards on the bars. was that you?

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Nope, that wasn't me. I'm am thinking of putting the Vstrom guards on though for extra hand protection during winter riding. Also, do you know of any local riding clubs in our areas. I have a friend who rides and we schedule rides a lot but he's an airline pilot and usually gets called out so we haven't done any long weekend rides.

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[RzrBak]

There's a heat fix in which you place foam on the inside of the fairings to keep the heat away from you. I haven't done it yet.

But, if you keep it above about 120 mph, you don't notice the heat because the air keeps you cool.

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120 mph would be an awesome fix! Unfortunately, with the DC traffic...that ain't happening. I've read some other forum posts about some DIY foam inserts in the fairings and under the tank. Do you have a web link I could take a look at?

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[RzrBak]

Welcome to the nut house. I have a 09 FJR so I don't have any advice on avoiding roasted balls. The Gen II's have a design update to deflect heat away the rider. Of course after 90 or 95 degrees it is just too hot no matter what Gen xx you got.

Thanks, My tolerable temp gauge is well below 90° and short of retro fitting my seat with an integrated ice bin, I'm curious about the design update. Where did you see that?

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[silverback]

Welcome to the nut house. I have a 09 FJR so I don't have any advice on avoiding roasted balls. The Gen II's have a design update to deflect heat away the rider. Of course after 90 or 95 degrees it is just too hot no matter what Gen xx you got.

Thanks, My tolerable temp gauge is well below 90° and short of retro fitting my seat with an integrated ice bin, I'm curious about the design update. Where did you see that?

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The gen 2 bikes have a different fairing that changes the airflow from the radiator to outside the fairing.

The documents I have on the heat fix were sent to me via email by another gracious member here. If you're comfortable with PMing me your address, I can forward them along.

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[RzrBak]

Welcome to the nut house. I have a 09 FJR so I don't have any advice on avoiding roasted balls. The Gen II's have a design update to deflect heat away the rider. Of course after 90 or 95 degrees it is just too hot no matter what Gen xx you got.

Thanks, My tolerable temp gauge is well below 90° and short of retro fitting my seat with an integrated ice bin, I'm curious about the design update. Where did you see that?

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The gen 2 bikes have a different fairing that changes the airflow from the radiator to outside the fairing.

The documents I have on the heat fix were sent to me via email by another gracious member here. If you're comfortable with PMing me your address, I can forward them along.

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Apparently I'm too new to have PM capabilities as of yet...what's up widat? Is there a possibility you can send me a PM? If not I guess it won't matter and I'll just give you me email address on here.

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[Intech]

Welcome! I am in King George. There are a few of us FJR people in this area. We have a camping trip planned for the last weekend of this month at BRMC in Cruso, NC. You can find the thread in the Southeast section.

[RzrBak]

Welcome! I am in King George. There are a few of us FJR people in this area. We have a camping trip planned for the last weekend of this month at BRMC in Cruso, NC. You can find the thread in the Southeast section.

Thanks for the heads up on the regional "stuff". I didn't realize it was sectioned out like that 'cause I hadn't had a chance to peruse the site yet; but honestly, I'm not that savvy to forums yet. I'd be interested in meeting up sometime and find out what you guys know about these beasts, what your experiences have been etc.

[Intech]

We can set up a time and place locally and get together. I have hosted two tech days in my garage. I will do it again.

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[tominca]

If you're serious about doing the heat fix, it is in two old posts:
Right side: http://www.fjrowners.com/forum/messages/6/10235.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?
Left side: http://www.fjrowners.com/forum/messages ... 20031222pm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The reflective bubble insulation is sold precut by SpeedZone http://www.jfiltd.com/SpdZn/#Motorcycle ... 0Fix%20Kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
YOu will find this kit on Ebay for $28 http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-YAMAHA-FJR1 ... 2c82bdddef" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


This is easy to do and very effective. It worked for me. Good luck.

[wpbfjr]

Also, do you know of any local riding clubs in our areas.

"richmond riders" here locally is a good group, tho mostly committed to the just finished annual "pediatric brain tumor foundation" poker run.

and a new group that left the red knights, "hands of rescue" seem committed to actually riding and being involved with the community... but, they are a 'patch' club... evidently, it is an honor to be allowed to be a "neutral" 3 patch club by the 1%'rs...

[RzrBak]

We can set up a time and place locally and get together. I have hosted two tech days in my garage. I will do it again.

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Sounds good. Sorry I missed your impromptu tech day. I would have liked to have been there and will definitely try and make the next one. I'm handy enough that I can do most automotive work myself but I typically don't have all the right tools. I want to learn to do as much as I can on the bike and having guys like yourself will be an asset! I'll add you to my "friend" list and PM you my info.

[RzrBak]

If you're serious about doing the heat fix, it is in two old posts:
Right side: http://www.fjrowners.com/forum/messages/6/10235.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?
Left side: http://www.fjrowners.com/forum/messages ... 20031222pm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The reflective bubble insulation is sold precut by SpeedZone http://www.jfiltd.com/SpdZn/#Motorcycle ... 0Fix%20Kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
YOu will find this kit on Ebay for $28 http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-YAMAHA-FJR1 ... 2c82bdddef" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


This is easy to do and very effective. It worked for me. Good luck.

Thanks. I just ordered the tank heat kit and will be looking to get it installed ASAP as the afternoon temps for the last several days here in VA have been low 90s. I think I can somewhat relate to NASCAR drivers in that the "cockpit" (pun intended) temps are well above the ambient outside temps. Hopefully no more "roasting chestnuts on an open fire".

[tominca]

I think you'll be surprised how much that insulation helps. In CA the temperatures were high enough to cause fuel to boil, but not since adding that kit. I've nearly forgotten the words to Chestnuts Roasting.

[blind squirrel]

The heat blanket helped me a lot with my 2004, but nothing helped in the summer when the gas in the tank got below the 1/2 mark.

[RzrBak]

I think you'll be surprised how much that insulation helps. In CA the temperatures were high enough to cause fuel to boil, but not since adding that kit. I've nearly forgotten the words to Chestnuts Roasting.

I got the fix done Sunday and though it was only in the low 70's yesterday, I could already tell a difference. Today will be in the low 80's so it's creepin' on up but "the boys" will be much more happy I still have to do the left and right side heat mods (maybe this weekend) to keep the fire breathing dragon from spewing it's vileness on my lower extremities. If there was a place on this earth that has a constant temp of 65, I'd pack up the fam and get the frick outta Dodge.