RE: touring bike

I think what you're seeing is that most people do not push their FJR the way
that many VFR riders push their bikes. My guess would be that most people
who buy an FJR lean more towards the "touring" side of the ST equation,
therefore they are simply not riding as hard and do not need suspension of
the caliber that a more aggressive rider needs. So to most, the FJR is a
great two-up ST bike, heavier on the "touring" end, lighter on the "sport"
end than the VFR. It has the power to blast up the freeway onramps, and that
is enough for many riders who are not looking to explore the farther reaches
of lean angle. So if you ask an FJR rider whether the FJR is a better ST
bike than the VFR, the answer really needs to be qualified with what the
rider wants the bike to be capable of in the first place. The FJR is simply
targeted at a different market, and expecting it to perform like a VFR with
better load handling is going to lead to disappointment.

Mike Powell

Chris said:
>Interesting comment. I've been with a couple of people who have 2-up
>toured on the FJR and they had no problems and the bike didn't look
>loaded down.

And QAM said:
>Yeah, well that's probably the biggest reason it is NOT in my garage any
>longer. I bought the FJR for a trip from Ohio to California and back and
>it worked out good for that. However, I purchased a Givi top mount kit and
>when I put the trunk on with just a light load, it became downright
>dangerous, wanting to oscillate and wallow, and the front would hop when
>cornering. I tried adjusting the front suspension to compensate with no
>luck...I ended up leaving the topcase at home for my trip. I LOVED the
>power, (one of the fastest 0-60 bikes out there) but I wasn't willing to
>put lots of $$ toward the bike to make it better. Add to that the Heat
>issues, The awful turbulence from the windscreen (no matter what position)
>the limited lean angle, handlebar buzz, and the extra weight, and my FJR
>was sold quickly. The VFR is a much nicer machine for most things, except
>for the more aggressive riding position. Don't get me wrong, the FJR is a
>great machine, and it's fit and finis!
> h are superior to the VFR, and it has fully adjustable front forks. It
>just needs a lot of refinement, and it is definitely much more of a TOURER
>than sport compared to the VFR. Perhaps the latest generation FJR is much
>better??

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