betoney

@Henchman Sorry to hear about your encounter, I hope you are OK. It sounds like you and your bike fared better than I did, me and my bike went tumbling down the road and my bike was a total write-off.

I was going to suggest the same thing. From your description, it sounds like the caliper is working fine, until you install it back on the bike. This video ---> might offer some maintenance tips to go over the rear caliper from every angle.

I think I will do the same, what can it hurt, right? ...and I just had everything torn apart last week to clean the air filter.

Why not going with the YME-FLB2F-00 instead? From the photos, they dont look like they would fit the FJ correctly, (round mount vs. oblong mount) they look like they are made for the FZ.

Is there anything else that needs to be done for the bike to "learn" the increased airflow? I already have the flash for stock exhaust. Is the increase actually noticeable by real world riding or mostly on a dyno?

@Panther6834 - Sounds like you are ready to go, just in time for Summer.

I am also considering the Tenere front signals, post up your impressions of them after you get them installed.

@kiwicanuck I also have a seat from Rich's. Remember that if you aren't 100% pleased they will alter it for free for up to 1 full year. I have been back twice for minor tweaks and adjustments, no questions asked.

Yamaha offers up to an additional 4" rise? I cant imagine that ANY of the cables would work with that much of a difference. As a reference, the SW Motech or Helibar risers are 1" rise.

Thats awesome news. Something so insignificant can have a drastic impact. After the ECU flash you'll have to do another "stability trial", just to be certain.

@texscottyd Clever, good job. Enjoy the ride w/o the batwings. If I remember correctly, dont the hand guards add a combined 5"-6" width?

If you can custom build a computer, then you can read a manual. Get the manual, read the specs, you can do this! And at the very least, remember: GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND!!! If it has been thought of, it is on Google. Another source of instruction is YouTube videos, - they show you how to do basic maintenance, oil and filter change, chain adjustment, handlebar and lever position adjustments, brake pad replacement etc.

Take it in? just change the oil and filter and check the tightness of nuts and bolts around the bike.

Yes, I have ridden that route many times, awesome riding!

@nsrrider - Love me some Central/Eastern Oregon riding. Two big thumbs up buddy!! I'm going to ride the Pendleton/ John Day/ Mitchell/ Fossil/ Heppner area on Thursday and Friday.

I'm sorry but the Battle Ax has nothing on the Michelin Road 5. In wet and dry weather it is really THAT good. May very well be my first 10k+ miles bike tire I've ever owned. Two COMPLETELY different classification of tires. The Road series are advertised as a sport touring tire with emphasis on wet weather handling and performance, the Battleax S21 is a sport tire pure and simple, comparable to the Dunlop Q3.

That's on there so I can monitor suspension travel. I generally followed advise described on this website.Ha, I just noticed that as well, I run my zip tie on the right leg also...

Ive ridden both the Gen I and Gen II VMax, it is indeed a monster. If Yamaha can get it to lean like the videos of the Niken and maintain the 200hp punch - Look Out!! A face lift wouldn't hurt either, the Gen II was HIDEOUS.

@estell I have the first edition of that book. If one were to move to the area looking for suggestions on "where to start", this book offers some great ideas. Highly recommended.

Sorry for laughing, but when I read that I envisioned skeeter and bubba wrenching on "ol' blue", while its up on blocks in the front yard. Fixing their car-bu-ray-tor with bailing wire and fresh chewed bubba-licious bubble gum. Um - never mind... sometimes I just think funny thoughts.

I can second this. Keyword is west. Eastern Oregon is seriously desolate. The S.E. part of the state is fairly desolate, but the N.E. part of the state has some truly phenomenal scenery and amazing riding. I spend a LOT of time riding that corner of the state. If you start in John Day, you will find great riding in every direction.

If you can get away from the I-5 corridor (some of the most horrific traffic in the nation), there is truly some spectacular riding and jaw-dropping scenery in the Pacific Northwest - To include Washington, Oregon, Idaho as well as Canada.

I hit 20K this morning while on a 2-Day road trip. I have had the bike almost a year and a half. In the first year of ownership I hit 16k, I hope to get close to 30k this year.

I took a vacation day and went for a 2-Day, 800 mile road trip to the North Cascades Highway. Diablo Lake, 84 degrees. Just before heading over North Cascades Pass 20 minutes later I got stuck in a torrential down pour as I got near the summit at 5,500ft and the temperature had dropped from 84 to 46 degrees! Its all part of the adventure, the payoff was worth it. On the other side of the pass in Omak, it was 92 degrees!

That's a great explanation. clear and concise. Thank you