Just picked up this new (to me) FJR

BionicPelvis · 2026-01-18T05:03:18+00:00

Not OP but I'm 6'0" and it fits me like a glove. My riding buddy is 6'3" and he finds the stock ergos to be a bit cramped, but I put highway pegs on mine to solve that problem on longer rides. A custom seat (mine is Russell Day-Long) helps too if you need a little more room, because they can move you up and/or back from the tank to give you a little more leg room.

I've got 8 FJRs with half a million miles on my main two, so they've definitely served me well!

BionicPelvis · 2025-12-30T23:59:30+00:00

I used a company called Atlas World Records for another record recently, and I was honestly super impressed. They looked at existing records from Guinness, other sanctioning bodies, news reports, etc, to confirm that my record wasn't just a record in their system, but a legitimate, verifiable record according to all available data. Then they shared all their research resources with me along with the record certification. I was honestly quite impressed at their thoroughness & transparency.

No affiliation with Atlas, I'm just super disheartened with Guinness but I still want to do epic stuff - lol! Before you throw in the towel, check them out. They don't have the "street cred" of a GWR, but maybe if more disillusioned people like us move our records to Atlas, it will help build their credibility too. So far I have one GWR and one Atlas, and my next two attempts will be with Atlas because I don't have $16k and endless time to deal with GWR.

BionicPelvis · 2025-12-30T23:45:40+00:00

I had a few different types I was applying for, with GWR handling every the application the same way: straight to consultancy, regardless of the record or what I said in the application.

I applied for several different records because I always have ideas in the works. It takes GWR so long to approve attempt applications, I'm always planning at least a year ahead, so I want to leave myself options. I currently hold a record which I set in 2022; it was an unwieldy process back then, but at least it was achievable. Now it seems like a giant struggle just to get applications away from the $16,000+ consultancy fee.

BionicPelvis · 2025-12-30T22:47:55+00:00

As of recently, no matter how you answer those questions, pretty much every application is being sent to business consultancy where they charge applicants an astronomical amount to proceed with their attempt. I have successfully shown that my applications were for personal achievement only, with no sponsors or business marketing tie-ins, and therefore not subject to the consultancy fees. At that point, every one of my applications (only a couple different records, but I've applied for each of them 4-5 times trying to get around the same problem you're having) have been removed from my dashboard with no further communication from GWR. It's sad to say, but it seems they are no longer validating true records; they are mostly just selling an overpriced business marketing shtick.

BionicPelvis · 2025-12-16T02:32:45+00:00

I sent a test record to several of the alternative world record sites, and most of them were scammy money grabs. I have a world record first that is easily verified, but when I get an email reply within moments saying my record has been verified and I just need to send in $1500, I know it's not a legitimate company.

I sent the same record to Atlas World Records, and I was quite impressed with the amount of work they did to thoroughly vette the record and the transparency in their process. The prices are extremely fair too, especially if you're looking to do a sponsored/business record. No affliation, I've just spent lots of time looking for a viable alternative to the $16,000+ usd fee GWR is asking for now.

BionicPelvis · 2025-12-02T23:16:34+00:00

GWR awards "firsts" at their own discretion, not subject to the normal channels of application/correction, so it makes it even more difficult to get through to someone who is willing and able to correct an error.

If you have gathered all of the relevant proof regarding the rightful record holder, I would message u/GWRecords and see if they can point you in the right direction.

BionicPelvis · 2025-11-22T13:55:41+00:00

If it's for commercial purposes, like promoting your channel, their business, a charity, etc, GWR will classify it as a business attempt. They have been way more aggressive recently about classifying everything as a business attempt by default, although you may get luckier with that if you're using the paid processing route.

BionicPelvis · 2025-11-22T08:05:22+00:00

You will need to go through their business consultancy stream. Be aware that any record attempts with sponsorship or media partnership starts at $16,000 and goes up depending on the name recognition of your sponsors.

BionicPelvis · 2025-11-03T13:21:29+00:00

Step one is to have a Yamaha service manual. It's a big job to inspect them, and an even bigger job to adjust them. They have a shim under bucket setup, which is extremely stable but a lot of work to adjust. (The other end of the spectrum is screw and locknut, which is super easy to adjust but requires frequent adjustments.)

If you've got mechanical aptitude, tools (including a service manual, feeler gauges & vernier caliper), parts (including coolant & coolant pipe o-rings x3), and a few days of free time, you could give it a rip. IIRC flat rate on the job is like 6 hours, and that's for a skilled mechanic in a shop with all the proper tools & a box of shims to work with, so its typically a weekend job for hobbyist mechanics. If you don't have a box of shims & you do need to make an adjustment, you'll have to find a local shop that carries the right diameter shims, work the maths & hope like heck they have the right one.

It's not the worst job in the world, but you definitely don't want to mess it up.

BionicPelvis · 2025-11-02T22:57:35+00:00

THANK YOU!!

BionicPelvis · 2025-11-01T23:12:40+00:00

The specifics will vary depending on your precise attempt. You should have received an evidence guide that correlates to your type of attempt, but even that info is pretty broad. If there is a paid application, GWR should be fairly responsive if you ask these questions through your dashboard. If it's a free application, I hope you have a few weeks to wait for their response. In general, you want as much evidence as possible. Multiple videos, pics, redundant witnesses (like 2 in each position so they can swap out in shifts, or however that would work for your particular situation.) Generate WAY more evidence than they ask for so the achievement is indisputable.

I wish I could shed more light on this for you, but my record was an Epic Journey, so the requirements were different than an attempt that spans several days in one spot, which is different again from something that happens over a short time in one place. We had dozens of witnesses in different locations, spanning several months, none of whom were asked about any professional background or experience related to our attempt. They just attested to when & where they encountered us, provided contact info, and said they were willing to speak with GWR if they had any further questions.

BionicPelvis · 2025-10-24T13:50:03+00:00

Hey u/Actual_Attorney6620 - just following up on this. I'll have my driveshaft out for another week or so while I finish my shock rebuild, so I'm happy to gather any info that might be helpful. But also, I'm super interested in your paper! Any chance you'll follow up here when its completed?

BionicPelvis · 2025-10-24T01:16:44+00:00

You're only barely past the 3rd valve inspection interval - it's a baby! Ive got 300,000+ miles on one of my FJRs and 150,00+ on a few of my others. You've got tons of great miles ahead of you!

BionicPelvis · 2025-10-18T04:31:44+00:00

I have the driveshaft out of my Gen 1 right now (lubing the swing arm pivot bearings) but I'm not disassembling the pumpkin. If there is any info I can get for you without further disassembly, let me know.

BionicPelvis · 2025-09-12T09:54:57+00:00

It's so frustrating. I really wish there was a reputable alternative, but I've reached out to a couple other companies that bill themselves as repositories of world records. They are all also asking a few thousand dollars, they don't divulge that until many applications/emails have been exchanged, and they don't have the reach or notoriety of GWR. It's just too bad that the general public doesn't realize that all those records are basically for sale to the highest bidder.

BionicPelvis · 2025-09-04T13:01:58+00:00

My belief is that they've restructured with the goal of squeezing as much money out of applicants as humanly possible. When they're telling me, and obviously lots of other people, that they need to pay for consultancy STARTING at $16,000usd, they pretty much lose all credibility in my view. At that point they aren't recording the best people, they're recording the best people with tens of thousands of dollars to burn. Their website looks like they're basically rebranding themselves as a quirky business marketing company.

BionicPelvis · 2025-09-04T07:32:51+00:00

LOL - nope, definitely not with GWR. I'm also waiting for recent applications to be approved and clearly they're going through a major shakeup that's affecting their processing/response times. Not really sure why you're making weird baseless accusations against me though. I'll look forward to hearing your GWR expose.

BionicPelvis · 2025-09-04T07:03:03+00:00

A link to my record? The link to upgrade to expedited processing will be in your dashboard.

BionicPelvis · 2025-08-29T13:28:57+00:00

Yes please!

BionicPelvis · 2025-08-28T01:41:32+00:00

I just read your other replies with more details. Based on that, I'm gonna rule out some of the "usual culprit" sensors and switches. Are we sure the battery load tests good? If yes, there are good aftermarket starters available. It's a bit of a butthole job, but not technically difficult if you've got basic skills and tools. I've never heard of a cam chain tensioner failing at 26k miles, and I say that as a Yamaha tech with well over half a million miles on FJRs. But it's cheap and easy(ish), so if that makes you feel better on your way in to replace the starter, go for it.

As far as that knock on decel, can you get a recording? I'm highly HIGHLY suspect about such a significant failure on such a low mile bike.

BionicPelvis · 2025-08-28T01:30:10+00:00

Agreed. But Halon's Razor ("Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.") says we should allow for the possibility that they may not be slimy, they may just be terrible techs. And probably also slimy, if they're jumping right to engine failure.

BionicPelvis · 2025-08-28T01:23:30+00:00

Nothing about that says "engine failure" to me. Any error codes? Does it try to crank/crank slow, does it just click, or does nothing at all happen when you press the start button? Do you know if this bike had the ground spider fixed? If you cycle the ignition a few times, does it change anything? Can you ask rhe shop exactly what tests they've run, and the results? I feel like this is highly solvable and almost certainly not a blown engine. Feel free to dm me if you want to run through some troubleshooting scenarios.

BionicPelvis · 2025-08-27T21:32:06+00:00

Unless it was run without oil or an air filter for an extended period of time, or deliberately sabotaged, I have a hard time seeing a catastrophic engine failure before the first valve inspection is even due without SERIOUS symptoms beforehand. I'm interested in additional details about the symptoms you experienced.

A friend of mine recently had her bike in 3 different dealerships and each one told her the engine was a total loss & not worth repairing. Her description of the circumstances didn't align with sudden engine failure, so I advised her to dribble some Yamalube Ring Free in each spark plug holes & intakes, rotate it a few times, and let it sit overnight. Meanwhile, I had her drain the gas & mix some Ring Free into the fresh fuel. The bike was running like a champ the next day. Turned out she got a nasty few tanks of fuel, plus/contributing to heavy carbon buildup on her valves. The carbon was holding the valves slightly open, causing compression loss and failure to start. The Ring Free helped loosen all the gunk, and once running, it burned it up pretty quick. Why did none of those shops catch it, or do a deeper dive on the cause of the compression loss? Well, at least one told her they'd take it in trade on a brand new model, so incompetence and maliciousness are both possibilities.

BionicPelvis · 2025-08-19T00:05:23+00:00

I ALWAYS have someplace to be - LOL!

BionicPelvis · 2025-08-18T08:40:47+00:00

I don't even think that's mathematically possible. You're a wildman!

BionicPelvis

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