FJR Damage Spots

Here are some things to look for when your FJR takes a fall:

On the back side of the bike, check the muffler for scratches. The swingarm may be susceptible to damage, but I've been fortunate that the muffler has taken all of the impact from those situations each time from that side of the bike.

From the front, look for damage to the mirrors, handlebar ends, levers and turn signals. The handlebars may distort. If you have risers, those may become damaged, too. The upper and lower fairings often show damage on their extremeties.

I had mounted a pair of PIAA 1100X driving lights under the upper fairing. Obviously, it was completely destroyed in this lowside.

Even with thousands of dollars in damage,
the FJR can still strike a pose!

Check the windshield for scratches. Debris kicked up from a slide will scratch it. Same goes for the headlight. Take the upper fairing off on the side of the impact and inspect the headlight for broken tabs. (This is an indication you will have to replace the headlight). Check for smooth operation of the windshield. If it does not travel in the middle of its openings at all time, then either the lifting mechanism is bent or the subframe (which is more likely) is bent. Heavy aftermaket windshields may cause more damage in a lowside. My first lowside sheared all the plastic screws and sent the shield skimming down the road. The FJR has two subrames in the front of the bike; I've destroyed both of them. One holds the windshield, the other the battery.

You can see the frame slider bent and wore away. This bugger saved my jeans-wearing right knee from becoming one with the asphalt. I can still walk, thanks to this. Those guys that think these are for saving plastic don't know what a truly excellent investment these are.


Not shown: The upper and lower fairings were hit so hard, they pushed into the gas tank and chipped out some of the tank's paint. This happened because a small support behind the battery that connected the frame to the upper fairing failed. There are a few small tabs on the upper fairing that are easily broken but impossible to find without pulling the plastic.

I found a little road rash under the front fork. This is common on all laid-down bikes.

I hit some serious gravel. The evidence on the tires shows a telling story. See the "Merry Christmas" top picture.

On the left hand side, the clutch basket will take damage. Also check the kickstand, centerstand, shift lever, brake pedal and foot pegs for abnormal wear.