2013 FJR1300 revealed

[Huron52]

I've spent many hours trying to get the rear where I like it. I set the sag, then go for a ride and adjust by how it feels. Maybe I'm not doing it right, but I'm at 42K miles on the bike, with 24K on a second OEM shock, and it's starting to wallow again. Had the forks rebuilt with heavier weight once already, it's ok. I just can't seem to get the rear set up properly. If you have suggestions above that, I'm all ears.

What you should have done was come to the EOM in Hendersville and talked to the Ohlins tech...(we got a plant tour)
your bad for not  hanging out with more FJR owners/ events

[mcrider007]

Man you're easy.  



I've spent many hours trying to get the rear where I like it. I set the sag, then go for a ride and adjust by how it feels. Maybe I'm not doing it right, but I'm at 42K miles on the bike, with 24K on a second OEM shock, and it's starting to wallow again. Had the forks rebuilt with heavier weight once already, it's ok. I just can't seem to get the rear set up properly. If you have suggestions above that, I'm all ears.

The OEM FJR shock is a dual spring shock with 2 different spring rates depending whether you pick the "soft" or "hard" setting.  In spite of what you might read from Yamaha, the soft/hard lever does not compress the spring (s), therefore it is not a preload and you can't adjust the sag....you have 2 different non-adjustable sags.  The soft setting is very soft, about a 460 pound spring rate, maybe suitable for a 150 pound rider and empty saddlebags, the hard setting is 690 pound spring that would work pretty well for a 200-225 pound load (rider plus luggage).  Unfortunately, the damping seems to be set up for the soft spring setting so you are always going to get a harsh ride when using the hard setting.  The OEM shock is Yamaha's attempt at one size fits all and the end result is a shock that fits very few.

[Smoker]

The OEM FJR shock is a dual spring shock with 2 different spring rates depending whether you pick the "soft" or "hard" setting.  In spite of what you might read from Yamaha, the soft/hard lever does not compress the spring (s), therefore it is not a preload and you can't adjust the sag....you have 2 different non-adjustable sags.  The soft setting is very soft, about a 460 pound spring rate, maybe suitable for a 150 pound rider and empty saddlebags, the hard setting is 690 pound spring that would work pretty well for a 200-225 pound load (rider plus luggage).  Unfortunately, the damping seems to be set up for the soft spring setting so you are always going to get a harsh ride when using the hard setting.  The OEM shock is Yamaha's attempt at one size fits all and the end result is a shock that fits very few.

Interesting. I didn't know that, thanks. What I get from this is to tell the OEM shock to piss off and "spring" for a Penske. (They're 20 minutes from me)

[bungie4]

Regardless, the stock rear shock is usually pretty much toast and needs replacing after about 30K anyway.

[mcrider007]

Interesting. I didn't know that, thanks. What I get from this is to tell the OEM shock to piss off and "spring" for a Penske. (They're 20 minutes from me)

That's what I would do.....I have a Wilber's on my FJR but Penske is a better option.....and that's what I have on my C14.

[Huron52]

Regardless, the stock rear shock is usually pretty much toast and needs replacing after about 30K anyway.

If it lasts that long!

[SkooterG]

That's what I would do.....I have a Wilber's on my FJR but Penske is a better option.....and that's what I have on my C14.

Why do you feel the Penske is a better option?

[mcrider007]

Why do you feel the Penske is a better option?

Penske has a much larger dealer network than Wilbers (who only has 1-2 dealers in the US) and I think they are lower cost if you want to have both compression and rebound damping adjustments.  The Penske comes with ride height adjustment (an option on the Wilbers) and a spring preload design that not only makes it relatively easy to manually change the preload, it is also easy to change the spring without a spring compressor.  Penske also seems to do a better job of selecting the spring size for the rider weight and their springs are the size advertised.  I think my Wilbers (which lacks compression damping adjustment) is a big improvement over the OEM shock (after GP Suspension bumped the spring size from 644 pounds to 800 pounds) but is not as good as the Penske setups I have compared it to.

The only negative with the Penske is that they do not have a remote preload option so if one switches from solo to 2-up riding on a frequent basis that should be part of the purchase decision.  If it were me, I would stick with the Penske with a spring size appropriate for 2-up and change the compression damping when riding solo.

[st2sam]

I'm looking to replace my C14 this winter and the FJR is looking mighty fine.
It has all the right stuff, kinda like the Three Bears, not to little, not to much, just right.
I also think Yamaha made the Three Bear changes, just right, and for me all the changes (and additions) important to me. They kept the cost down and most important it lost weight.
If I can believe what I'm reading it'll be about 40-50lbs lighter than my C14...

I stopped by my local dealer and was told Yamaha is only releasing 500 bikes. They said most dealers won't get one and weren't sure if they would get one.   Ya right.
Anywho, I've got first dibbs on one when it arrives later this month.
We'll see..........

[Carbonero]

Sam, your dealer is a lazy SOB. They're going full production, full release. They've never had a problem moving these bikes since they hit these shores in '04. The updates are welcome and expected, and as you noted, right in line with the community. Not too much, not overly laden with technology, and it retains all the stuff that makes it, IMO, one of the greatest machines ever built.

 

[st2sam]

Sam, your dealer is a lazy SOB.

That dealer would be N.A. Warhorse.
I have two other dealers I'm going to visit this Sat., one 20mi. North the other 20mi. South.
It'll be interesting hearing what they have to say about the "2013 Limited Edition Production Yamaha FJR".  

[Bouts]

Oh no, just when I thought I had sorted out the Moto Guzzi, Kawa C14 options to replace my C10, Yamaha does this!!!!   Well, back to the 3 possibles I guess!!

[1KPerDay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM67Ibry664&feature=g-u-u

MCN quick ride/report with some nice footage

[Silverbird]

One of the reasons I'd like to have a Penske is to raise the bike up a litle bit.  I've lowered the pegs and love the extra room, but naturally having some clearance problems.  Anyone in a similar situation?

[Smoker]

I have clearance issues with the pegs in the stock position. I'm tempted to take the centerstand off when I'm riding with the Flying Pig crew too.

[f6rider]

Everyone's touched on the more substantial issues but damn...couldn't they have changed that ugly, pointed, spacy rearend. From what I can tell in the pics in this thread, it looks like no asthetic overhaul to it. Everytime I give mine the once over, I think...good lookin bike. Then...I see that ugly backend. But when I hop on it...

[mcrider007]

I have clearance issues with the pegs in the stock position. I'm tempted to take the centerstand off when I'm riding with the Flying Pig crew too.

Your clearance issues are probably the result of the under sprung suspension that is loading too much when you brake or go through a corner.......get a Penske with the right spring rate and your clearance problems will disappear.

[Cablebandit]

He'll make them re-appear soon enough.  

[Silverbird]

Hmmm, yeah probably.  I was also thinking able doing something about the pegs themselves. I really like them but a thinner peg or grinding off some aluminum would also net me a few centimeters.

[Cablebandit]

Body positioning would pay bigger dividends than grinding your pegs away.