What did you do to your FJR today?

[Cav47]

Not only am I jealous of ~G's super slick suspension but I am really envious of Cav47 getting 11k on a set of PR4 GTs. I only get 6-7k on the same tire. Hey Josh is that kilometers?

Jim, that was only the front. It was a PR4GT if that makes a difference. The rear RoadSmart 3 is going to run its last 600 miles this weekend. Down to Toters for a final wrap up of 6,200 miles. I am bringing a take off with me to change down there.

I tried my best to get a good tire choice shipped to Toters, but they had nothing without paying another $80 on top of some already high prices.




I got my tire patch plugged from the inside of my local car tire shop. They usually won’t touch moto tires. But the shop guy was a former student of mine and I cut him plenty of slack back in the day. It cost me $20 bucks and he gave me 6oz of black stick on wheel weights free for balancing. I had been using some ugly white ones.






Bike is loaded and ready to rock Thursday AM.

[BkerChuck]

Not only am I jealous of ~G's super slick suspension but I am really envious of Cav47 getting 11k on a set of PR4 GTs. I only get 6-7k on the same tire. Hey Josh is that kilometers?

Jim, that was only the front. It was a PR4GT if that makes a difference. The rear RoadSmart 3 is going to run its last 600 miles this weekend. Down to Toters for a final wrap up of 6,200 miles. I am bringing a take off with me to change down there.

I tried my best to get a good tire choice shipped to Toters, but they had nothing without paying another $80 on top of some already high prices.




I got my tire patch plugged from the inside of my local car tire shop. They usually won’t touch moto tires. But the shop guy was a former student of mine and I cut him plenty of slack back in the day. It cost me $20 bucks and he gave me 6oz of black stick on wheel weights free for balancing. I had been using some ugly white ones.






Bike is loaded and ready to rock Thursday AM.

Josh, you still had some more life in that front tire......Here was mine at just over 13k miles.

[wheatonFJR]

Chuck, watch out. The tire tread Nazis will brutalize you over bike tread porn like that. JSNS!

[N4HHE]

I doubt very much I could like the ES suspension either. Japanese do not know how to do suspension. Triumph, KTM, BMW do know.

Well, KYB makes top drawer stuff in the off-road market.

[Cav47]

Chuck,

Prob would not last very long given what I plan on riding the next 5 days. And with rain in the forecast. That is impressive given your mileage reports.

[BkerChuck]

Chuck,

Prob would not last very long given what I plan on riding the next 5 days. And with rain in the forecast. That is impressive given your mileage reports.

I will tell you that tire near the end was strictly used commuting for work. Benefit of owning more than one bike. I would have changed it sooner but was able to push a little further than my normal comfort zone.

[fontanaman]

I doubt very much I could like the ES suspension either. Japanese do not know how to do suspension. Triumph, KTM, BMW do know.

I agree Ray yet I am at a point now where I fear anything I where the manufacturer decides what settings are good for me. A BMW R1250 R is in that category and will it work for me? I don't know. Triumphs same thing. BMW GS same thing.

Certainly quality components help, but if the user can't adjust it then it's just another problem.

It is to the point where I would rent a bike for for a day or two and try it out.

[Toter]

I believe BMW gives you Dynamic Pro and Enduro Pro (GS only) modes that allow you to customize them to your liking. Not as granular as manual clickers, but customizable. Also allows ABS and ASC changes. Rain and road modes I would leave to their settings. The preload has Min, Max, and Auto, instead of helmets and bags. Auto seems to work well for me.

[raYzerman]

The three I mentioned put real springs in their suspensions. I was very impressed with my buddy's 2023 Tiger900, front is ES independently adjustable preload and damping. Rear shock has a great spring and is preload and damping adjustable, I think damping is done by ES....... this is ideal, user has total control, unlike the FJR ES that decided formulas for you and didn't offer independent adjustments, including rear springs that are too weak.

I should let the BMW guys comment on theirs, not quite the same. KTM has great suspension on most of their offerings from what I read.

KYB is a recognized suspension manufacturer who provides suspensions based on what the OEM told them, mostly for that touring guy who never pushes his suspension.

[Toter]

The three I mentioned put real springs in their suspensions. I was very impressed with my buddy's 2023 Tiger900, front is ES independently adjustable preload and damping. Rear shock has a great spring and is preload and damping adjustable, I think damping is done by ES....... this is ideal, user has total control, unlike the FJR ES that decided formulas for you and didn't offer independent adjustments, including rear springs that are too weak.

I should let the BMW guys comment on theirs, not quite the same. KTM has great suspension on most of their offerings from what I read.

KYB is a recognized suspension manufacturer who provides suspensions based on what the OEM told them, mostly for that touring guy who never pushes his suspension.

Triumph has really turned up the heat on the other ADV bike mfgs., and are producing some great motorcycles these days.

[gixxerjasen]

I should preface my previous comments with this. I'm the guy who crosses his arms and stamps around complaining that he can't adjust his individual settings and then hops on the bike and rides it like it is and never touches anything. Heck, I did a lap at the track with no damping in the rear, just a spring. I DID notice a difference when the bike tried to throw me off of it though.

I'm also the guy who says "I need a tuner for my truck, look at all the HP I can get for little $$$" and then when I turn on my truck I set it to ECO mode.

[SkooterG]

Y'all a bunch of ES bigots!

I my ES!

[gixxerjasen]

Y'all a bunch of ES bigots!

I my ES!

You are a whore, you'll ride any FJR you can.

[Spininprop]

Packed the FJR ready for a Thursday launch south to Totar's place Friday.

[fontanaman]

+1 on SkooterG riding any FJR that comes his way (for a very low price I might add!)

Anyway I rode my FJR today and even messed with the suspension settings to maximize comfort and performance. It is nice to mess with it.

Today was a weird day. The first odd thing that happened today was I heard an engine noise and looked up. A yellow crop duster biplane flew about 100-150 feet over my head and then touched down on a gravel runway just 20 feet adjacent to the road I was on. That sure would have made great shot but the camera was in my tank bag and not my hand. Oh well I have great memory. It is great fun to watch the crop dusters, but I don't want to be too close when they drop their load.

Next odd thing was a coyote running in an empty field and heading for the road I am on, so I slow down, and the critter never broke stride, crossed the road and kept on trucking.

Next odd thing was a male pheasant was strutting around in the road as I approached. He didn't flee but continued to strut with his tail and head erect as I passed by at a reduced speed. I think it is mating season and he thought my FJR was a competitor.

The purpose of today's trip was to ride the Tucanon River road a because don't think I have been there before.

Along the way I found myself on Hwy 261, once again, oh darn!



Tried a different angle.



Further down Hwy 261 there is a nice location for a photo so I stopped again. The road drops down to the Snake River and does not waste time doing it.



It is more dramatic in person.



Along the Snake River.



I arrived at the Tucannon River road a 28 mile down and back affair. Eleven miles in the road turns to gravel. Humbug. I later learn the entire 28 miles used to be paved, but like so many places, the road maintenance has gone from good to bad over the last 20 years.

My trip cut short I head for the town of Dayton Washington and enjoy a gyro sandwich.

It was a lazy ride home enjoy a few nice roads on the way.

It was a good day to be on the FJR.

[wheatonFJR]

Awesome once again!

[FJRPittsburgh]

Great ride report! 261 looks amazing. Thanks for sharing your ride.

[gixxerjasen]

Eleven miles in the road turns to gravel. Humbug. I later learn the entire 28 miles used to be paved, but like so many places, the road maintenance has gone from good to bad over the last 20 years.

Wish this would happen around here, they are doing the opposite to all our good gravel roads.

[fontanaman]

Eleven miles in the road turns to gravel. Humbug. I later learn the entire 28 miles used to be paved, but like so many places, the road maintenance has gone from good to bad over the last 20 years.

Wish this would happen around here, they are doing the opposite to all our good gravel roads.

Sorry I can't like this post. Interesting though Texas is "improving" the roads when many other place the road maintenance budget is sorely lacking. I was on a county road last week. It was in need of repair to the extent I will find a different way next time.

One difference between Texas and other many western states is Texas doesn't have a lot of public land. I am not say this is bad or good, it just a difference, and it has consequences such as limiting recreation opportunities including dual sport and adventure bikes. I have in-laws in Llano Texas, the heart of Hill Country, and nearby is Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. It is a nice hike to the top of the rock but it is very crowded there. Years ago when I first saw the signs along the road advising Park entry is sold out - well I that was that was unusually odd. Today the Texas State Park web site it advises: "Advanced reservations for day passes and overnight stays are required on weekends, school breaks and holidays. While not required on regular weekdays, we usually reach capacity every day."

These days I am getting used to the idea of timed entry to National Parks. Timed entry starts at Mt. Rainier this year. My response is screw it and I won't return as I have been in Mt. Rainer Park since was was a child. My Grandfather had a place in the last little town before entering the park.

It's gotta be tough to own an adventure bike in Texas or at least a long ride to get to a good gravel road.

Oh I fixed the duplicate images from my last ride post.

[Hppants]

Jim - that "hwy 261" picture is your calendar shot, and it's most assuredly got my vote!! JSNS....