New to me, 2003 FJR1300

[HalfCentury]

I recently purchased a 2003 FJR1300.

My XJ1100 project is still in the works to fit a Vetter fairing and saddle bags. The FJR purchase makes the XJ1100 project not so critical to the 2016 riding season.

The FJR just needs new tires which are on order.

[Prisoner6]

I recently purchased a 2003 FJR1300 ...

Ahem ...

Pics, please ...

[Bonz]

Loved the ride I took on one a few years back. Awesomely quick, fast and smooth, kinda like the XS. Only a whole lot more fast! What tires are you getting?

[HalfCentury]

Tires on order are Pirelli Angel GT. The tires on it now are Michelen Pilot Road 2 and they are horribly worn flat in the middle and flat on both sides for a very nice truncated pyramid. I was considering Pilot Road 4 GT.

Lighting was not good in the garage.

I have to say that it is a thrill to have stainless steel exhausts. I used a shop towel with nothing but elbow grease and the exhausts shine beautifully.

[HalfCentury]

The hard luggage is off to make it easier to pull in and out of the garage. Local riding with just the rear trunk is fine. The backpack fits inside.

Turning corners feels like steering a barge compared to the XJ1100.

[Bonz]

Really like the black tank grips and the red line trim!

Only negative I have heard about the pre-2006 bikes is they waft a lot of heat up at the rider on hot days.

The FJR is the best looking of the sport tourers by a long ways when when the side cases are removed. It looks "normal" to my eye. I had an ST1300 and was butt-ugly with the cases removed. However, loved the V4 engine cadence and manners.

[HalfCentury]

Really like the black tank grips and the red line trim!

Only negative I have heard about the pre-2006 bikes is they waft a lot of heat up at the rider on hot days.

The FJR is the best looking of the sport tourers by a long ways when when the side cases are removed. It looks "normal" to my eye. I had an ST1300 and was butt-ugly with the cases removed. However, loved the V4 engine cadence and manners.

I have read about the heat. There appears to be a fix that can be fabricated at home and installed.

The bike looks better every time I walk by it. It sits much taller than the XJ1100. Backing it up is a chore and backing it uphill into the garage is a major chore.

The ST1300 was on the shopping list but I found an FJR close to home at a good price.

Your ZRX is on the short list of bikes that I would want to at least ride if not own. The decision for the FJR was based on wanting luggage and fairing as well as fuel injection. No carb disassembly for the FJR!

[Bonz]

The main reason I went with the ST1300 was the bike fit me better as a taller person, and with a seat raising kit and peg lowering kit from MCL, the riding position was perfect. Riding position felt tight on the FJR I rode, and the ST was a better fit stock, so it was be even better with the above additions.

The ZRX is a great bike. With the mods I have done it weighs in right around 500 lbs, and puts 135 Hp and 85 ft/lbs to the pavement. I have built up the seat, lowered the pegs and put a taller bar with risers on the bike. Great riding position.

[Prisoner6]

Very nice ... I've always thought the FJR looked great in Silver.

Congratulations on the new acquisition!

[tomcos67]

Good Luck!With new bike.!!!She's pretty!!!!! Ride safe.!

[HalfCentury]

The new tires have arrived. I also purchased replacement bearings and seals for the front and rear wheels. I have zero maintenance history so I must assume that zero maintenance was performed.

[Bonz]

Are wheel bearings a known issue with the FJR?

[HalfCentury]

Are wheel bearings a known issue with the FJR?

Not that I am aware of. Since the wheels are coming off for new tires, I figured that making the bearings new will help with my piece of mind.

All the bearings were less than $100 total on eBay for Pivot Works parts in sealed OEM packaging.

If the old bearing are in good shape, I will clean and re-pack them and put them on the shelf for emergency spares.

[Bonz]

Sounds like a plan. In the grand scheme, I typically would keep the new ones on hand and repack the existing ones if they are in good shape. Just my way of doing it though.

The Colorado Rally is taking place this summer again. Wanna stretch the legs on the mighty FJR and come out this way?

[HalfCentury]

Sounds like a plan. In the grand scheme, I typically would keep the new ones on hand and repack the existing ones if they are in good shape. Just my way of doing it though.

The Colorado Rally is taking place this summer again. Wanna stretch the legs on the mighty FJR and come out this way?

The tire change and bearing replacement will happen at a local shop. The labor to clean and repack all the old bearings will probably cost as much as the new. At this moment I do not have tire tools and the garage work area is occupied by the venerable XJ1100.

This shop worked on my Magna and is an excellent shop. http://www.ironworksmc.com/

When its time to swap rubber on the XJ1100, I will obtain the tools and learn how to do the bearing and rubber maintenance.

Thank you for the invite. I am planning to attend the September SE rally in NC. Will you be at that one?

This year I really want to explore western NC which is now my back yard. I lived in MD for many years. NC is so much less congested. Rush hour is measured in minutes here.