Gonna Go Pick it UP

[MikeRocchio]

OK I've been lurking for a while and I have one question...

Do any of you have anything bad to say about this bike?

I'm currently riding a 1998 YZF600 that recently rolled 60,000 miles (all mine baby!), and I'm strongly considering a switch over to the FJR. In fact I have one Brand Spankin' New 05, on hold ready for pick-up tomorrow

Basic question: Am I going to regret this purchase?

Please someone br brutally honest and tell me the dirty little secret that you all regret. It probably wont change my mind but I would like to know it up front.

Thanks in advance!

Dirty secret about the YZF Cold air induction tubes fall out of the head near the exhaust tubes and rattle at low RPM.

 

[Rogue]

I love mine but what I have read is........

The heat is soo bad you will burst into flames if you ever ride one!

Mine is cooler than my old Connie, mine must be a fluke.

Your right hand will fall off from the incredible effort it takes to twist the throttle unless you pull off the throttle springs.

???, I didn't do this mod.

You will die if you don't get an ABS bike.

???, 04' non-ABS, Still alive.

If you ever try to use the side stand the bike will jump off it!

Never use the center stand, never had a problem.

The bags will just fall off while riding, you need to drill holes and install pins to hold them on!

I make sure mine are correctly mounted and they haven't fallen off yet.

Some "TICK".

Max estamates I've seen are 15% and Yamaha seems to be handleing this under warrenty.

This is what I've seen and experienced.

seriously,

1) There are "TICKERS", they are being repaired under Warrenty.

2) The FJR does get hot but its not bad considering that as a (sport) touring bike its blocking a lot of air flow and putting out 125+ rwhp.

3) The alternator is undersized for a (sport) touring bike.

 

[Windjammer]

Please someone br brutally honest and tell me the dirty little secret that you all regret. It probably wont change my mind but I would like to know it up front.

The real secret is this forum, and the wealth of knowledge offered to help support the FJR, which, like any machine, can have a few quirks depending on how lucky you get. But it is essentially a decent, reliable motorcycle.

Do any of you have anything bad to say about this bike?

Sure. Nothing's perfect. There were some things I was initially unhappy with, but they were corrected with help I found here. Your experience will undoubtedly be different, depending on your preferences. The things I didn't like may very well be the features you prefer.

Basic question: Am I going to regret this purchase?

No.

 

[lawinter]

I rode mine home from the dealer got off it and thought

" I don't know if I like this bike"

Went for a 50 mile get aquainted ride and when I got off

I thought " I really like this bike"

It's an "03

no regrets.

 

[SkooterG]

No dirty little secrets. Like any bike it's not perfect. It has its quirks and niggles.

But.........you will love this bike. You have the SkooterG guarantee you will not regret it. Seriously.

 

[Bike Effects]

Welcome to the fold! You are going to love it, just like the rest of us. I have an R1 as well, and used to ride an FJ1200. I guess that Yamaha has got me for a customer.

 

[zorkler]

i have to agree with all the others . the bike grows on you . from a 600 to the 1300 your going to love the long hwy . rides . also this is my first yamaha and its a keeper.

 

[JimLor]

I've got a 99 and a 04 Honda Accord. Great looks, great power, great brakes, great interior, great reliability, AND absolutely no SOUL - very vanilla!! If either of my cars were pushed off a cliff I'd be pissed that I had to buy a new car. If my FJR got trashed, I think I'd cry! No, it isn't perfect - that's part of what gives it a soul. Working to improve those "weak" areas on the bike are also what makes it YOURS!

 

[brazos parker]

I sold a 2002 YZF600 to get the '05 FJR w/ ABS. I loved this bike from day one and never had a problem w/ the transition.

This bike, like all bikes has it's quirks...

1. Gives off a lot of heat on the left leg but not unexpected (or unbearable) for a 145 hp internal combustion engine.

2. Stock seat for me is uncomfortable.

3. Stock shield is only semi-OK for me at 6'2" tall, 34" inseam.

4. Clunky tranny.

5. Grip vibes around 4000 rpm's.

Having said that, most of the above problems are easily fixed w/ aftermarket products or mods you can find on this/other sites.

I have no regrets abt purchasing this bike and love to ride it. And, for an added bonus, you can get lots of info/help/smart-a$$ remarks from the folks who frequent this website. Since I'm somewhat mechanically and electrically challenged, I depend on people here for help in mod'ing this bike to personalize it for me.

Did I say I love this bike???

 

[twowheelnut]

Piece of **** FJR, actually uses every friggin' drop of gas I put into it! Hate that! Oh and don't get me started about all those honey-do's that never get done...

 

[3dogs]

The four cylinder FJR motor while powerfull and smooth has no "character/good vibrations" --say like any V-twin (SV650, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Aprila, Harley). If you have riden any of these you'll know what I mean. If you have never owned a motorcycle with a v-twin engine you won't understand.

 

[MikeRocchio]

Thanks for the input. I just got back from my initial 35 mile ride from the dealer back to work . It seems like I mey learn to really enjoy riding this thing, unfortunately I couldn't get a real feel for it as it was raining and I do have NEW tires, so I was taking it pretty easy.

Oh and for anyone else that wants to know the DIRTY LITTLE SECRET... it's insurance! YZF600 $41/month........FJR1300 $108/month :blink: OUUUUUCH!

 

[jaybird]

Be sure to check around on the insurance - apparently many companies rate this bike differently. I ended up at GEICO for about $50 bucks a month. It varies by state, your age, etc. But I found BIG differences in quotes.

The bike is great -- hot at times, maybe -- unbearable, absolutely not. The only problem I have is trying to get the smile off my face when riding :lol: its sort of like having a coathanger in my mouth...... Cheers, Jay

 

[ahamlin01]

Oh and for anyone else that wants to know the DIRTY LITTLE SECRET... it's insurance! YZF600 $41/month........FJR1300 $108/month

When I got mine I transferred the insurance from a V-Star 1100 to the FJR, and Progressive changed my premium from 300 to over 900 a year!

Then, I called Dairyland, and it is about 400.00 per year (I have collision, plus a loan on it)

But 400 is WAY better than 900!

Shop around!!! And wait til you ride it on dry pavement with the tires worked in - wow - you may never go back to another bike - I don't think I ever will.

The heat does not bother me unless it is over 90 degrees out and I am moving slow - the stock seat is very comfortable for me, the stock windshield is fine, the power and handling incredible - have done some very long rides on it and have had no regrets whatsoever. Enjoy it. I may never buy a different bike, and I have had my share in the past.

Allen

 

[Pepperell]

My son has a YZF600, which is a fun little ride, I must say. He felt that the front of the FJR felt a little light or maybe less planted than the YZF, but that may be due to the different riding position as much as anything.

I hadn't ridden his bike for about a year after I got the FJR, but when I did, I found myself keeping the revs up around 6-9k when cruising just to get the normal 2500rpm acceleration level of the FJR. You don't notice how strong the acceleration is on this bike after a while.

If you think the FJR is hot on your legs, take the hood off a Civic, sit on the fender with your legs on either side of the engine, and have the wife take you for a ride. Puts a whole new perspective on the heat issue. (Be sure to wear a helmet...)

Pepperell

 

[FJRocha]

There are very many things that you would want the bike to have when you first get it (i.e. a larger windshield, softer grips, cushier seats, louder horn, more electrical power, cup holder, ash tray, etc), but believe you me, there is absolutely nothing in bike that you may regret.

Wants, many, regrets, none. At first I thought that I could have regretted not getting it earlier; but because I waited, I got the best and fastest FJR ever: the 05!!! With all the 03-04 bugs worked out and without the bling-bling-pimped-out-trailer-queeen widgets of the 06. :bleh:

Word unk:

 

[radman]

The four cylinder FJR motor while powerfull and smooth has no "character/good vibrations" --say like any V-twin (SV650, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Aprila, Harley). If you have riden any of these you'll know what I mean. If you have never owned a motorcycle with a v-twin engine you won't understand.

I have, do, and still don't unnerstand.

 

[FJRocha]

The four cylinder FJR motor while powerfull and smooth has no "character/good vibrations" --say like any V-twin (SV650, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Aprila, Harley). If you have riden any of these you'll know what I mean. If you have never owned a motorcycle with a v-twin engine you won't understand.

I have, do, and still don't unnerstand.

Me neither... +1

 

[black mamba]

Me either....+2