FJR owners...does my Super Tenere really handle better than my FJR1300?

[lapi]

Just got back from a long ride Indiana to Utah, Ariz to N.Carolina and then back to Indiana. 14states,10days.
My first real ride since getting the SuperT. Riding the dragon was definitely a great way to close my trip. After 3 days of 13hours, 1 day of 8 hours and a final day of 13hours, the bike and I were fused and of one mind. So....

I ride the dragon 3 times. Whoa(318x3=lot of cornering) ! Even dragged pegs, something I'd planned to do on the FJR last summer but didn't happen. Came home, and jumped on the FJR to find out the truth about which bike handles better. Ok,FJR acceleration is positively mental. Why? Why is that much power accessible? I found that I couldn't enjoy the cornering because of how much speed I have to scrub from straightaways. So, I didn't enjoy riding it in the corners as much as the SuperT. It also seems like the SuperT tosses over easier particularly when you have to toss back the other way. Felt like the SuperT carries weight lower than the FJR. My FJR seemed like it was always pushing compared to the SuperT, which seems to turn in more (perhaps at a lesser lean angle) What cornering voodoo is in the SuperT? Or is it just me?

SO, a flash can wake up the SuperT to supersport insanity yeah? Would I still enjoy the open nature of the bike if I power up with a ECU flash? Thanks!

 

[lapi]

Leeeean

 

[rfulcher]

no

 

[Goldwing]

Lapi,

I hade a 2008 FJR for 3 years and the S10 is very much easier to toss around. I was always fighting the big FJR to lean over and fighting even more when I had to lean it the other way....it was even worse when I had a co-rider on the back.

I much prefer the S10 over the FJR.....

 

[lapi]

Just got back from a long ride Indiana to Utah, Ariz to N.Carolina and then back to Indiana. 14states,10days.
My first real ride since getting the SuperT. Riding the dragon was definitely a great way to close my trip. After 3 days of 13hours, 1 day of 8 hours and a final day of 13hours, the bike and I were fused and of one mind. So....

I ride the dragon 3 times. Whoa(318x3=lot of cornering) ! Even dragged pegs, something I'd planned to do on the FJR last summer but didn't happen. Came home, and jumped on the FJR to find out the truth about which bike handles better. Ok,FJR acceleration is positively mental. Why? Why is that much power accessible? I found that I couldn't enjoy the cornering because of how much speed I have to scrub from straightaways. So, I didn't enjoy riding it in the corners as much as the SuperT. It also seems like the SuperT tosses over easier particularly when you have to toss back the other way. Felt like the SuperT carries weight lower than the FJR. My FJR seemed like it was always pushing(outward) compared to the SuperT, which seems to turn in more (perhaps at a lesser lean angle) What cornering voodoo is in the SuperT? Or is it just me?

SO, a flash can wake up the SuperT to supersport insanity? yeah? Would I still enjoy the open nature of the bike if I power up with a ECU flash? Thanks!

 

[lapi]

no

Which question are you giving the no to? My thread title or the last question in the post?

 

[bmac]

OP, your experience is exactly the same as mine. The FJR carries its weight higher and resists quick side to side transitions much more so than the S10. Overall, I much prefer the handling and feel of the S10.

The engine on the S10 will never be considered strong no matter what you do. If you have a 12 or 13 get it refreshed. It does wake it up a bit.

 

[RIVA]

I have at present a 2010 FJR with 51K Klms and a 2011 XT with 69K Klms. The XT is a much easier motorcycle to throw around narrow roads. Again I suppose it's horses for courses. ::003::
::002::

 

[Derekj]

I say yes to waking her up with a flash. Look at my signature and it really makes for an unbelievable ride.

 

[Goldwing]

You can also try a new exhaust pipe to let her breath better and up the power.

Keep in mind you will never get the power out of her like you have in a FJR!

Just enjoy what you have!

 

[lapi]

You can also try a new exhaust pipe to let her breath better and up the power.

Keep in mind you will never get the power out of her like you have in a FJR!

Just enjoy what you have!

Yeah...it don't need FJR level power, just a close in the gap between them and evened out torque for and engine braking. I hear one of the flashes is great for that.

 

[rfulcher]

Which question are you giving the no to? My thread title or the last question in the post?

"No" to both
A reflash makes for a lot of improvement, for me a necessity. However it will have nowhere near supersport insanity. (Super Tenere 20,000 miles, FJR 68,000 miles)

For me...The FJR handled like a heavy sport bike with high hp and was fun to ride aggressively. The Tenere handles like a big tall dirt bike. Ride the torque curve, smooth in smooth out, not much need to hang off. Despite my feelings that the FJR handles better it also has less ground clearance and has to be ridden with good technique. I traded to the Tenere because I wanted a more relaxed less demanding ride. The FJR was fast and exciting the FJR is more fun for me and handles almost as well.

 

[dragonflyTN]

Lapi, my 2005 FJR was my favorite bike of all time, and still is though I don't own it anymore. Handling is superb for a touring bike. I think what you are actually feeling WITH THE super T is the effect of a 19" front wheel and a 60% front weight bias.

If you love your FJR, I highly recommend replacing the rear with a 190 series tire. There are several discussion threads about this on the FJR forums, but the bottom line is it make a noticeable difference in turn in quickness.

 

[SuperJimbo]

Reflash + pipe = freedom, which is a good thing.
You will like. ^-^

 

[Jagermeister]

The Gen 2 & 3 FJRs are definitely "lazy" to turn-in, when stock.

On my 2008, and now the 2014, I swapped out the dogbones to raise the rear 5/8 inch. That makes a huge difference in handling - it turns in much quicker now, but not so much that it's "twitchy".

If you try this, don't add more than an inch of height to the rear - the handling becomes too ADHD. I have a 190/55 rear to put on now, and am curious to feel the effect, combined with the +5/8" raise.

 

[lapi]

Thanks all. Worth some adjustments on both bikes!!!

"No" to both
A reflash makes for a lot of improvement, for me a necessity. However it will have nowhere near supersport insanity. (Super Tenere 20,000 miles, FJR 68,000 miles)

For me...The FJR handled like a heavy sport bike with high hp and was fun to ride aggressively. The Tenere handles like a big tall dirt bike. Ride the torque curve, smooth in smooth out, not much need to hang off. Despite my feelings that the FJR handles better it also has less ground clearance and has to be ridden with good technique. I traded to the Tenere because I wanted a more relaxed less demanding ride. The FJR was fast and exciting the FJR is more fun for me and handles almost as well.

I think you mean "...exciting the Super Tenere is more fun to me ...."

 

[Donk]

I've never owned an FJR but ridden friends '13s and 14s quite a bit as I was considering buying one to go with the S10. The S10 turns easier, it may be geometry or the wider bars. I also found that I could do U turns on small 2 lane roads that were impossible on the FJR. The FJR is a nice bike, smooth comfortable and tons of power but turning is something it doesn't like to do. I have found that common in sport touring bikes with the exception of the Triumph Sprint.

 

[rfulcher]

Thanks all. Worth some adjustments on both bikes!!!

I think you mean "...exciting the Super Tenere is more fun to me ...."

My proof reading skills suck. Yes, I intended to say the Tenere is more fun.

 

[copb8]

Owned FJR's continuous from 2004 to 2015. Had An '04 and a 13. Fully intended to keep the '13 when I got the S10 as I was a complete FJR disciple. The S10 is FAR FAR easier to turn than the FJR. I can easily do fully loaded u-turns on a 2 lane with the S10. With the FJR that required immense concentration. The Gen III was far more prone to 'flopping' into slow corners. The FJR did feel more 'planted' in fast sweeping corners and held it's line very well though. The FJR is more cramped for my 6'2" body and would become uncomfortable on my knees after long hauls.

In the end I realized I always wanted the option to go down an interesting dirt road if I saw one so I'd always take the S10. The FJR just sat. Eventually it was clear it needed to go.

 

[eram310]

The only advantage I see with the sport touring bikes is the High speed stability and the aerodynamics on the Highway. For slow speed maneuverability and slow speed corners the ST is almost like a super motard.
I owned a VFR800 before and I felt the same thing when moving to the ADV bikes.