Gen III Handling - Opinions

[raYzerman]

Rod, agree it is not truly progressive... dual rate is more like it since it has the two springs of differing rate. Definitely crappy overall design with only Hard/Soft, always has been. Single spring gives you more coils and will be more plush but able to take your load. I find the OEM rear fine for me, for now, but I know it is no substitute for the RaceTech I have. Before I sold the '07, I finally figured out how to dial it in properly (well, that took a couple of years!).

As for the forks, the left Gen3 fork cannot be modified. You'll notice they did not machine the lower compression adjuster boss, so even if you put a Gen2 cartridge in, you won't be able to adjust compression... need a Gen2 lower fork leg also. Keep an eye out for a set of used Gen2 forks..... although so far, I'm OK with the Gen3 set, they seem to work OK. Work on the R1, so why not the FJR.....

I do see the day I will change springs...... I am curious about the HP's, maybe that's my next step. I see they have two, one is heavy duty, I'm just hoping they will tell me this time what the spring rates are instead of giving me the marketing speech.... BTW, the next progression may be to use the straight rate ES springs (1.0 rate), although they are a bit too strong (I should have 0.95) and about 70 mm shorter than the A's springs (I'd prefer more coils like the A or that aftermarket springs have). The ES springs are cheap at $25 each though, for play money.

Yamaha seems to have this obsession with any weight reduction they can find. I'd say leave it alone or put it back, saving a couple of pounds on a 650 lb. powerful sport touring bike means diddly to me.... and we end up with weak stuff, like the rear subframe and a paper thin mirror stay..... but I digress.

[Redfish]

Ray, I fall into the category of those that don't know that much about suspension and no, I am NOT offended. I know I don't know.

What I do know is that the Gen 3 "A" rear shock is head and shoulders above the Gen2 rear shock. It is astonishing how much better Dad's '07 is with that Gen3 shock.

It does not matter whether my ES is better or not, I am unable to ride to the bike's potential anyway.

At least I know this and I am not too proud to admit it.

[OldButNotDead]

To all who believe the Gen III shock is better than previous versions, I totally agree. IMO that is because the springs on the previous version were made for some feather weight without any gear. Beefing the springs up in Gen III really helps. So does replacing the BT023's. Most of us don't come close to being suspension experts. That is a dark art developed over years of hands on experience. My experience on FJR's is that balance or not, putting a good aftermarket shock on without much fiddling at all makes you feel like a race track super tuner LOL. An example, if you zoom over a rise in the road which drops off quickly on the other side, almost all stock shocked FJR's will wallow when it sets down. Not dangerous but an indicator that your setup needs work. With my HP461 shock it just settles in and there is no wallow at all.

[Hppants]

echoing the sediments (or lack thereof) on the Stock Bridgestone tire. Replacing with any of the Michelin PR-series will result in an improvement, IMO.

My former Gen 1 bike was stock and traded in at 68K with a shock that was getting tired. I like the stiffer spring on the Gen III, and the slightly longer wheelbase results in an improved straight line ride, without too much compromise in the twisties, again IMO. I played around with front and rear settings on my Gen III, only to go back to the factory settings and leave it there.

It's a 650 pound motorcycle (much more than that when loaded with my touring crap), so my "handling" expectations are congruent with the machine.