Buying help please? And Ticking?

[jayde13]

Looking at 2 FJR's......an 04 ABS with power commander with 9000 miles/15000kms on it, asking $11,000; and an 05 non-ABS with 24000 miles/40000kms asking $8600. As there is no changes between model year, is the 04 worth $2400 more than the 05 for having ABS, power commander, and 15000miles/25000kms less? Andd what is the ticking issue I have heard about these bikes....is it more prominant on an 04 or 05? At 24000 miles, what significant repairs am I looking at on the 05 (brakes, valves, bearings, etc)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ignacio]

A Power Commander is about $400 and ABS was about a grand at MSRP. Seems like the '05 is a better deal to me and the '04 is high. Your value on ABS is the question.

You want to know about ticking and mainteance...you REALLY should read the New Owners Read This thread you promised you would when you signed up.....about an hour ago. Both of these are well covered there along with other year-to-year comparisons.

 

[RsvlFeej]

Looking at 2 FJR's......an 04 ABS with power commander with 9000 miles/15000kms on it, asking $11,000; and an 05 non-ABS with 24000 miles/40000kms asking $8600. As there is no changes between model year, is the 04 worth $2400 more than the 05 for having ABS, power commander, and 15000miles/25000kms less? Andd what is the ticking issue I have heard about these bikes....is it more prominant on an 04 or 05? At 24000 miles, what significant repairs am I looking at on the 05 (brakes, valves, bearings, etc)? Thanks in advance.

I have an '05 and love it. That being said, I've always preferred the '04 color and after almost 4 years and 54K miles with an ABS bike, I cannot recommend the ABS strongly enough. ABS can save your life, but I think the price difference new was only about $1,000. That said, $11K seems pretty steep to me - Are there more farkles than just the power commander (bar risers, custom seat, custom windshield, after market suspension, throttle lock, new tires, upgraded grips, bar-end weights, GPS, superbrace, etc.)? If you're in the lower 48 (except California), you can pick up a brand new '08 for $500-$4,000 more than that (if I'm remembering the noob posts correctly). If you go to the classified ads on this board, there's an '05 with a bunch of gadgetry already installed for less then $10,000 (See first link below).

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showuser=303 for a LOADED '05 (Check his list of farkles) for $9,990

Or, if you're really into low mileage bikes:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showuser=13502 for an '07 with <1,000 miles for $11,300

The only advantage to the lower mileage bike that I've seen is you need a valve adjust at roughly 26K miles, so the '05 is almost due. My '05 actually got stronger and fuel economy got better as I passed 10K, so the '04 isn't really fully broken in yet. There are FJRs with well over 100K miles, so the 15,000 mile difference isn't that significant.

 

[SPORT]

Welcome,

Last June I bought an '05 w/ABS, Givi Top box, heated grips, sliders, RAM mounf (for my GPS), wiring for battery tender, V-Strom hand gaurds, and a few other farkles for $9,500. Oh, and she only had 2,300 miles on her.

After reading the Frequently Asked Questions and Bin-O-Facts for Gen I and the like, it seems only about 30% of the Gen I bikes (2003-2005) have had ticking issues and Yamaha has Warranteed most if not all with ticking. From what I can find, Yamaha seems to have also covered bikes that have had multiple owners.

In regards to the prices you gave, I'd say the 04 is too high and the '05 might be about right. Be sure to check KBB.com and NADA.com for bike values.

Sport

 

[mmonroe]

Looking at 2 FJR's......an 04 ABS with power commander with 9000 miles/15000kms on it, asking $11,000; and an 05 non-ABS with 24000 miles/40000kms asking $8600. As there is no changes between model year, is the 04 worth $2400 more than the 05 for having ABS, power commander, and 15000miles/25000kms less? Andd what is the ticking issue I have heard about these bikes....is it more prominant on an 04 or 05? At 24000 miles, what significant repairs am I looking at on the 05 (brakes, valves, bearings, etc)? Thanks in advance.

I paid $11,750 for my 2007 back in April of 2007. It was brand new and still on the floor. I would suspect that a 2008 could be had today for about the same or slightly more. Personally, I would expect to pay far less than $11,000 for an 04 with 9000mi - far, far less.

Random thoughts..

Mark

 

[jayde13]

Thanks everyone.....

Ignacio, I did read the majority of the gripes and info on the New Members list......just confused about the whole matter as this is the first I've heard of it. We are coming through tri-cities on a tour this July overnighting in Kennewick....maybe meet and buy you a cold one?

I guess I should clarify a few things.....I am in Canada, Edmontonn Alberta, where everything costs about 30% more than in the USA, and a new 08 is on sale for $18,000. New ST1300 here are $18,500 after the $1500 rebate from Honda Canada. Used FJRs are a rare find.

Since learning of the ticking issue, I will mention the 05 is a US import. As such, no dealer here will touch it on warranty or recall.

Is Yamaha's repair on this issue only on bike carrying warranty, or is it more of a recall issue where they will fix it if the bike demonstrates it?

And yes, the 04 has the power commander, sargent seat, rear yamaha trunk, throttle meister as well

Thanks

 

[keithaba]

I guess the canadian premium on things hurts.

I certainly would opt for ABS, although the price on the 04 is really high.

Many bikes with excessive valve guide wear have been fixed out of factory warranty and even without the extended service warranty. If you get a good dealer, Yamaha will really pick up the ball.

I'd make a lower offer on the 04, and just wait him/her out.

 

[FJRottie]

I am a Canuck with an 04 and I think mine is a great bike.

The 04 you are looking at has low mileage and a few extras. Insurance companies list the 04 at around $11000 right now in Canada. I don't know what banks list it at and I don't have a Blue Book...call your bank and ask if they will give you a value. You would have to give the bike a good look and check it over.

The 04 in good condition in Canada is selling right now at $10000-12000. The latest trend has the 05 selling for less...I don't know why (well I do, but I am prejudice having an 04). A low mileage, good condition 04 seems to be worth more because it had many changes from 03 and appears to be semi-nostalgic. The 04 is a classic model year.

Here is a few examples.

Alberta - 2004 Yamaha FJR1300, 14,500kms, c/w bags, shop manual, cover & handlebar risers, mint cond, $12,800 obo.

Ontario - 2004 Yamaha FJR1300 offers a significant level of features, long distance comfort (for two), power and performance. It is not intended for novice or inexperienced riders. Grey w/ hard-bags & liners, low-miles, excl.cond. (Sudbury) 20,600 km. $11,995

Ontario - SAVE $1000. List $11999.99, less the GST -5% -$600.00, less Brantford Motorcycles etc. discount -$400.00, Now $10999.99. 2004 Yamaha FJR1300 in mint condition.

[SIZE=10pt][/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt][/SIZE]It is up to you. The 04 and 05 both have the potential for ticking. If it happens, call a reputable dealer and Yamaha may foot the bill. Do the reasearch on it on this site. Take a good listen to that bike. If you are worried about the tick, get an 06 or later. The 08 will run $18000-$20000 in Canada but seems to have improvements over 06 and 07.

In any case, your choice.

Caveat Emptor.