Handling comparison between old bike and FJR1300
Thread Starter
What is this crap?
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 23,180
Likes: 57
From: Minneapolis, MN
Handling comparison between old bike and FJR1300
my old bike cornered great with the right rider on it. but it didnt give very encouraging feedback when leaned over, actually it felt like it was going to buck and throw you off AND just lay over on its side - somehow it did this all at the same time. the FJR lays over smoothly and tracks straight as an arrow, maintaining the line.. and the chassis doesnt indicate its about to snap or bend in half...
the zr-7s had a flexy steel chassis and long easy to reach handlebar. the handlebar was kind of wide compared to sportbike clipons - and it turns out that is not just for comfortable ergos. it also helps you turn the bike, because you really have to apply a lot of force to keep the bike leaned over..i mean really leaned over to carve a good corner. actually you're pretty much fighting the bike to ride a good line. which is fine for the experienced riders who know how to do it, but for a novice like me, having to fight the bike like this is daunting. i dont know how far i can push it cause the thing is pushing back on me saying "i want to stand up i want to stand up!"
The FJR rides straight and true, then you can crank it over and it settles into the curve, you can come in hot and trailbrake, you can come in slow and blast out, you can come in just right and smoothly motor on out. its all fun. every time i ask it to do something, it does it. if i ask it to do something stupid, it lets you know in a subtle way its a bad idea before things get out of hand. i am learning to trust the feedback the front end gives when riding agressive. its not sportbike sharp, but its a hell of a lot closer to sportbike handling than i thought.
Motorcyclist magazine hit it when they said the ergos of the bike are touring level comfortable, but the bike is built such that as you're sitting there enyoing the ride, the bike is sitting under you saying "lets go faster!"
Me and the new FJR are getting along just great!
the zr-7s had a flexy steel chassis and long easy to reach handlebar. the handlebar was kind of wide compared to sportbike clipons - and it turns out that is not just for comfortable ergos. it also helps you turn the bike, because you really have to apply a lot of force to keep the bike leaned over..i mean really leaned over to carve a good corner. actually you're pretty much fighting the bike to ride a good line. which is fine for the experienced riders who know how to do it, but for a novice like me, having to fight the bike like this is daunting. i dont know how far i can push it cause the thing is pushing back on me saying "i want to stand up i want to stand up!"
The FJR rides straight and true, then you can crank it over and it settles into the curve, you can come in hot and trailbrake, you can come in slow and blast out, you can come in just right and smoothly motor on out. its all fun. every time i ask it to do something, it does it. if i ask it to do something stupid, it lets you know in a subtle way its a bad idea before things get out of hand. i am learning to trust the feedback the front end gives when riding agressive. its not sportbike sharp, but its a hell of a lot closer to sportbike handling than i thought.
Motorcyclist magazine hit it when they said the ergos of the bike are touring level comfortable, but the bike is built such that as you're sitting there enyoing the ride, the bike is sitting under you saying "lets go faster!"
Me and the new FJR are getting along just great!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 1
From: the big brown truck is my daddy
Re: Handling comparison between old bike and FJR1300 (falconGSR)
Glad you're enjoying the fjr. I think you're being too kind to the zr7. I actually got mad at the dealer salesman for insisting that I test ride it. What a piece. Course that's just me. It was worth it to get a ride on the 1kgix though.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: South, Jersey
Re: Handling comparison between old bike and FJR1300 (falconGSR)
I was gonna tell you that the new issue had the FJR in there. Either way, seems like youre enjoying it... dont worry, you made the right move selling the zr7 and pickin up the FJR 
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AllstateLinebacker
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Jun 15, 2004 02:06 PM
