Discussion
spikeyhead said:
silverian535 said:
Hi there. Bikes always seemed a little dangerous to me.
I prefer going sideways on four wheels
Welcome
I've done the sideways thing on two wheels, well, when I say two wheels I really mean one wheel and a shoulder. I'll stick to four for now.I prefer going sideways on four wheels
Welcome
but welcome anyway
Sideways on two wheels is just as much fun.
I refer the hon gentleman to my 20 mile commute, in several inches of snow, on a DR350 a couple of years ago
a
feef said:
stable currently contains:
Yamaha FJR1300
Hi feef. I live just south of Hunts and am taking my bike test in a month or so. When I pass (hopefully this time) I was thinking about a FJR, probably an early 2001 with a few miles. What are they like?Yamaha FJR1300
Assuming I do pass, are you up for some rides around Cambs?
_Voyager_ said:
feef said:
stable currently contains:
Yamaha FJR1300
Hi feef. I live just south of Hunts and am taking my bike test in a month or so. When I pass (hopefully this time) I was thinking about a FJR, probably an early 2001 with a few miles. What are they like?Yamaha FJR1300
The FJR are fantastic, from my point of view.
It handles surprisingly well for a 250kg bike, and the torque and power means it can keep up with most things, but also means it can and will spin up the rear in the wet if you're not careful. Very comfy, both solo and 2-up (I've done 11 hrs non-stop with no ill effects), and the luggage is reasonably capacious. Handling at slow speeds isn't too bad, but when your front tyre gets a bit worn it becomes a pig.
They ARE a handful to maneuver about at a standstill tho. I'm 5'8" with a 32" inside leg, and I'm on tip-toes, so can't move it about at all without getting off and hefting it with a hip into the side.
Mine has 76000 miles on the clock, and is on a 53 plate.
I'm not sure how much riding you've done before, but I'd not necessarily recommend such a heavy and cumbersome bike. I've drooped mine a couple of times in carparks, simply because, when it starts to go, there's no way you can stop a 1/4 of a ton going down.
_Voyager_ said:
Assuming I do pass, are you up for some rides around Cambs?
certainly.. there's a few of us in Cambs who often go for rides.a
feef said:
I'm just South of Huntingdon myself..
The FJR are fantastic, from my point of view.
...
there's a few of us in Cambs who often go for rides.
Thanks for the reply. The FJR are fantastic, from my point of view.
...
there's a few of us in Cambs who often go for rides.
Other than some trials and MotorX stuff I did a fair few years ago I am pretty much a novice, especially when it comes to large capacity and road use. I will only be a nancy fair weather biker though., no cold winters for me! I spend quite a lot of time in Madras (im here now) so one of my main motivators is to hire out an old Enfield and go exploring over the weekends. Everyone is on bikes over here from scooters to Enfields. No super sports or tourers though, the roads are not good enough.
I plan to spend about £4k max which should see me in the saddle of an early 40k to 50k miler which I would be more than happy with. I have kind of resigned my self to dropping the first bike I have. I have seem some mushroom shaped things screwed to the side of some bikes which seem to offer some protection anyway. Being just short of 6ft hopefully I might fair better with the toes.
I thought about getting a non-fared bike first like a bandit and then trading up but I would just get bored too quickly. Speaking to a friend who had the previous model (FJ1200) he said as I was use to the Monaro it should reduce the likelihood of killing myself by miss-judging speed etc.
What I really want is a Victory Vegas 8-ball but it is too expensive and I will definitely drop that one! I think that might be bike #2. Very cool and looking at the MCN Youtube video it looks like it can do the miles as well.
It would be great to meet up before I make my purchase so you can show me the things to look out for when I go and buy mine. I am quite familiar with car oily bits but am clueless about bikes! Also when I do get my steed I will definitely be up for some rides. I regularly do the tunnel runs, dawn raids, Northants hoon and other events but never done the biker ones (due to not having a bike!).
Is there anything happening next weekend? I am back for a few weeks so I could buy you a pint then if you are up for it?
_Voyager_ said:
Speaking to a friend who had the previous model (FJ1200) he said as I was use to the Monaro it should reduce the likelihood of killing myself by miss-judging speed etc.
I'd say the FJ isn't really a "previous model". It might be in spirit, but the FJR is an entirely different monster. It's significantly more powerful, more torque and heavier than the FJ, nor as easy to handle.I don't wish to put anyone off the bike, but I know some very experienced riders who find the FJR a bit of a handful, and its power and speed has caught me out a few times, and I'm hoping to race this year. That being said, once you've passed your test, take a trip up to Webbs and take their demonstrator out for a ride and see what you think for yourself
_Voyager_ said:
Is there anything happening next weekend? I am back for a few weeks so I could buy you a pint then if you are up for it?
I'm up to my eyeballs in stuff, race-prep for the bike, sorting out a propshaft for the boat and sorting out the house for my folks coming to stay at the end of the month. Once the weather's nicers, and it's biking weather again, I should have more time. Need to get the FJR MOTd too.a
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