Excited:Dream bike within two weeks;Questions!

[lapi]

Yup after years of riding. 2008-15. And two bikes #1 WeeStrom traded for #2 FJR1300 its time to add the SuperT to the FJR. Every test ride I've taken has me dreaming for days of the big Yamaha, literally wake up thinking about it. Its time. I'm out of time on many of my dreams so this one can finally come true. The last test ride, surprise, I didnt like the bike as much...but I still woke up thinking about it and wanting to ride it more than my much smoother FJR. The SuperT was loud, torquey and windy...I didnt remember it having so much of that. It was also not quiet as comfortable as I remember.
Went back to the dealer to inspect the bike, third party heated grips, windshield bracket and some leftover flash( so I believe) that adds spunk. And yes, the handlebars had been rotated ever so slightly out of my comfort zone...easy fix. Time to upgade my helmet to a full face anyway, last summer's 11 state run on the FJR got loud towards the end. So, I'll tame some sound with a Shoei. With the bracket in highest position and the SHoei, I should be able to leave the seat in the high position. So that leaves the last few issues to tame.

1.Upgrade seat comfort FJR has a sargeant)

2.Vibration

yeah, after the smooth FJR..I'm more aware of the vibration.My initial SuperT experience was after the WeeStrom. Oddly, one of my favorite feelings in biking is that day-long buzz as my skeleton continues to vibrate after a long ride. So, maybe there is no fix necessary. But I'm curious if anything besides that clutch basket thing has worked.

3.Gear-saddle bags.

OK, I can do it but I'd love to spend 1k on something else. Can I get away with Nelson-Rigg soft bags for my N.C. to New Mexico run? I only need side cases. I have the Givi top case for the FJR and only need a mounting bracket for the SuperT. Bags...my girlfriend thinks the silver ones would make me look like the local food delivery guy. So, perhaps black. Are the Yamaha side cases undesirable. I'm an off-road wanabee, nothing serious and technical, just fire road and open fields(crossing the median when traffic wont let me make it in time(I'm getting older)) I have read tons of luggae threads but would love any updated viewpoints. aerodynamics,can the case be opened from sitting on the bike,weatherproff issues, or etc.

4, Bike has about 10k miles. Any tips or tricks due for this milegae marker?

Been reading the forum for three days now, most of the threads were older. Seeking updated info. Thanks a million.

 

[chwhnd]

Seams like you have all the info needed already, as been seen on here many times ::021::

 

[lapi]

Oh

 

[Dogdaze]

Welcome and congrats.
Firstly, don't be too worried about the vibration, compared t the weestrom, which I believe one of the smoothest V-twins out there (I just sold mine), the clutch issue is only an issue if you let it become one, ride the bike and see for yourself, it only occurs in certain revs. Also, compared to the weestrom, it sounds like an WW2 Junkers bomber starting up.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Not sure if my vibe went away or I got used to it.

I have a set of Nelson rigs bags I have used with the Tenere, works great.

 

[lapi]

Not sure if my vibe went away or I got used to it.

I have a set of Nelson rigs bags I have used with the Tenere, works great.

I couldnt judge the size of the bags from the website. How do they compare to the OEM sizes or the size of an FJR's OEMIif you are familiar with those).

 

[lapi]

and the hard start thread has me worried. I noticed the weak startup everytime I've started a SuperT. Haven't made it through the entire thread. so far 1)use kill switch 2) let the bike warm up completely if you start it. no quick on/off. Hope this is sorted out. 40 more pages to go!

 

[shrekonwheels]

I couldnt judge the size of the bags from the website. How do they compare to the OEM sizes or the size of an FJR's OEMIif you are familiar with those).

I have the large sportbike Nelson Riggs which I kept after selling my zx6r, so probably different than you are looking at. They look a wee bit smaller than what I assume you are going to get but hold nearly everything that my happy trails panniers do. To be honest if I did not already have the the panniers I would be just fine with the bags.

 

[Bushyar15]

It seems this issue is hit or miss or something like that. I've tried to recreate this issue on my bike based on what others say have happened to theirs and mine has always started. I did it as I wanted to know if I had that problem and last thing I wanted was to experience it solo at some remote location. One time it failed to turn over a couple times after it was on it side, but I did what I normally do when believing my bike is flooded by holding the throttle WFH and hitting the starter. It burbled and fired up…

The guys I ride with 3 to 4 others have never mentioned any hard starting issues. I'm sure it happens but just based on my experience and numbers its probably a pretty low number...

and the hard start thread has me worried. I noticed the weak startup everytime I've started a SuperT. Haven't made it through the entire thread. so far 1)use kill switch 2) let the bike warm up completely if you start it. no quick on/off. Hope this is sorted out. 40 more pages to go!

 

[FrontRangeRider]

Vibration - I added a set of Manic Salamander handlebar weights and that made a positive difference.

Bags - I went with Jesse cases and am very happy with them.

Hard start problem - I have tried to recreate the problem with no success. The one time the bike did not start instantly, I added a touch of throttle and engine started immediately.

 

[lapi]

Vibration - I added a set of Manic Salamander handlebar weights and that made a positive difference.

Bags - I went with Jesse cases and am very happy with them.

Hard start problem - I have tried to recreate the problem with no success. The one time the bike did not start instantly, I added a touch of throttle and engine started immediately.

Thanks! I'll check those out!

 

[lapi]

Never notice the cutout in the left side boxes to accomodate the exhaust system. So, when adding third party boxes..hows the aero? for boxes that are equal size on both with brackets exteding far enough for both boxes to be the same size that is? Bike handle in differently?

 

[bnschroder]

I have symmetrical Pelican 1550 cases on Hepco Becker racks from Caribou. The left case sticks out about 1/2 " more than the right one and unless you look really closely you can't tell the difference. The overall width is still less than the handlebars and there is no feel of uneven weight distribution.
I personally don't like the asymmetrical cases (i.e. exhaust cut outs)

 

[Checkswrecks]

Never notice the cutout in the left side boxes to accomodate the exhaust system. So, when adding third party boxes..hows the aero? for boxes that are equal size on both with brackets exteding far enough for both boxes to be the same size that is? Bike handle in differently?

Having a cut-out or smaller bag to accommodate the exhaust is pretty common in many bikes. The benefit is to keep the overall bike width about that of the handlebars and mirrors, so you are less likely to catch a box on something. Like the BMW 1200GS, the Tenere is rock solid with pretty much any imbalance. I've had a guy bigger than me on the back really moving his body around as a judge during the bicycle portion of a triathlon and it was no problem at all.


Don't forget that their are some really good soft bag options if you are going off-road a lot. This example is the size of what the FJR has:
http://wolfmanluggage.com/products/rocky-mountain-saddle-bags

 

[lapi]

I have symmetrical Pelican 1550 cases on Hepco Becker racks from Caribou. The left case sticks out about 1/2 " more than the right one and unless you look really closely you can't tell the difference. The overall width is still less than the handlebars and there is no feel of uneven weight distribution.
I personally don't like the asymmetrical cases (i.e. exhaust cut outs)

1/2" and still "inside' the mirrors sounds within spec. Thanks

Having a cut-out or smaller bag to accommodate the exhaust is pretty common in many bikes. The benefit is to keep the overall bike width about that of the handlebars and mirrors, so you are less likely to catch a box on something. Like the BMW 1200GS, the Tenere is rock solid with pretty much any imbalance. I've had a guy bigger than me on the back really moving his body around as a judge during the bicycle portion of a triathlon and it was no problem at all.


Don't forget that their are some really good soft bag options if you are going off-road a lot. This example is the size of what the FJR has:
http://wolfmanluggage.com/products/rocky-mountain-saddle-bags

Those look nice but as I think through it. I need cases that I can leave on the bike, disappear into a store/business/restautrant and not worry about the security of my gadgets and gear. Soft bags seem easy to compromise. At least for a couple years my off roading will be so lite that most people wouldnt call it off road.

 

[bnschroder]

What sold me on the Pelican's are the fact that they are nearly indestructible and completely waterproof. In the very unlikely (they recovered completely intact 1550 cases after an airplane crash) event that they break, they have an unlimited warranty. And if you follow some threads on how to waterproof some of the riveted aluminum paniers, having a waterproof case doesn't seem to be guaranteed.
They ain't pretty, but my wife thinks the Tenere is ugly too

 

[shrekonwheels]

There is no way my Happy Trails were waterproof.

The top box "Seal" did not even come together on one box.

Now I drilled new holes in the boxes for the Happy Trails mounting system for the Tenere ::009::
They are covered in Duct Tape.

To be fair I only wanted something that would withstand a rainstorm and keep the dust out.

The TEnere is not a Canoe ::015::

 

[snakebitten]

Chose Happy Trails immediately after the PDP bikes arrived. Tough, secure, and I've never had moisture invade them. Admittedly not very sexy, but I like the traditional RTW no nonsense look.

 

[lapi]

What sold me on the Pelican's are the fact that they are nearly indestructible and completely waterproof. In the very unlikely (they recovered completely intact 1550 cases after an airplane crash) event that they break, they have an unlimited warranty. And if you follow some threads on how to waterproof some of the riveted aluminum paniers, having a waterproof case doesn't seem to be guaranteed.
They ain't pretty, but my wife thinks the Tenere is ugly too

Good testimony. I like the Cariobu/pelican design. I like the look of the black on blue...for my future ugly bike! I may go for the Nelson Riggs and then Caribou/Pelican. I have a promise for the OEM cases for around $800(with mounting)...just wonder if they are durable,waterproof as Caribou and have handles for easy hotel entry/exit. Thanks!

 

[Goldwing]

What year are you buying? If its 2013 or older, changing the clutch would help reduce engine noise. Also the windshields are not as quite as the 2014 and newer.