Got the FJR itch!

[2WheelDave]

Hello from BC, Canada!

I've been riding for 45 of my 60 years, the first 25 or so on sport bikes. My wife and I did a bunch of touring on a 2005 R12GS before I decided to boil my garage down to one bike, a KTM 890 Adventure R. Previously I had a road bike and a dirt bike or two for irresponsible fun. A riding buddy is trying to convince me to get another more long legged bike so we can do some multi day tours together, and an FJR has always been on my bucket list, so I am in information collection mode. Forgive my inane questions please!

 

[RossKean]

Welcome from the east coast. You got questions, we got answers!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Welcome from metro Seattle! You've come to the right place for all things FJR.

~G

 

[xphacktor]

Hello from BC, Canada!

I've been riding for 45 of my 60 years, the first 25 or so on sport bikes. My wife and I did a bunch of touring on a 2005 R12GS before I decided to boil my garage down to one bike, a KTM 890 Adventure R. Previously I had a road bike and a dirt bike or two for irresponsible fun. A riding buddy is trying to convince me to get another more long legged bike so we can do some multi day tours together, and an FJR has always been on my bucket list, so I am in information collection mode. Forgive my inane questions please!

Welcome from Texas. Your and I are alike. Except I still need to clean out the garage. I was looking for a bike that could compare to my long gone 2008 Kawasaki C14, so I picked up a new 2024 FJR in Oct and love it. Lots of easy mods available. Grab one before they are all gone!

 

[tschutter]

Welcome to the Forum. Lots of FJR-Smart guys here - I'm not one of them, but it's fun to watch...

 

[fastpappy]

Welcome from the Big Apple.

 

[MotoMike]

Welcome from Moncton, NB!

 

[bonami00]

i m not smart too, but i beat clever guys with my FJR welcome here

 

[Cyclepath]

Welcome from snowy Edmonton.

 

[Stevecham]

Hello from BC, Canada!

I've been riding for 45 of my 60 years, the first 25 or so on sport bikes. My wife and I did a bunch of touring on a 2005 R12GS before I decided to boil my garage down to one bike, a KTM 890 Adventure R. Previously I had a road bike and a dirt bike or two for irresponsible fun. A riding buddy is trying to convince me to get another more long legged bike so we can do some multi day tours together, and an FJR has always been on my bucket list, so I am in information collection mode. Forgive my inane questions please!

Until recently I had only a 2022 Tracer 9 GT which is a fantastic bike and keeper. I too had my eye on the FJR and I found a preowned one in September, a 2016 with 12k miles on it. Perfect condition, all service records. Wonderful machine that complements the T9GT. Previous owner loaded it with crash bars, extrafront lights, plush seat and Givi top case. I've taken a couple of 500 mile trips on it so far and I cannot imagine wanting another bike for distance, comfort and sportiness. You won't regret owning on of these. But act soon, I see they are becoming scarcer all the time.

 

[bombay199]

congrat man

 

[2WheelDave]

So I have my eye on a couple bikes.

Specimen 1 is a 2016 ES all stock with less than 8000km on it, dark grey.

Specimen 2 is a 2019 with just under 18,000 km on it, it has a tall windscreen, Sargent seats, a Kappa rear case, newish rear tire and a brand new, uninstalled front tire. It is the satin blue colour they came in at the time. The OEM seat and screen would come with the bike as well.

The 2016 is priced a little lower than the 2019, $300.00 or so and is in better shape cosmetically. The 2019 has been tipped over once and lives in a small garage so it's got a couple scuffs on the bags that from things getting bounced off it accidentally. Services and recalls are up to date on both bikes.

I think I am right in saying that there have been no updates to the FJR between 2016 and 2019 so functionally they are the same bike. In terms of resale, I think I'd be better off with the newer bike. The upgraded seats, trunk and tires also have some value. I just have to figure out the cost of replacing or refinishing one of the mirrors and getting the side cases repainted.

The 2016 lives about 45 minutes from me, so easy to go have a peek. The 2019 is about 5 hours away, so if I go to have a look, I'm going to either take a trailer with me or talk one of my riding buddies who owns a big van to go for a day trip so I can bring it home if I can strike a deal. It's winter here so riding it home isn't really an option.

Which bike would you buy?

 

[sapest]

The 2016
ES suspension.
Not a fan of the satin paint.
8000km? Its not even broken in yet !
Resale value is moot, its $300 difference now and it probably will stay that way.
Accessories typically have zero (or close to it) resale value if left on the bike.
If the 2019 has a broken mirror stay, thats a big pain the butt to fix.
Sargent seats are polarizing, either love or hate, so that seat may have no value to you.
Depending on your height, same for the tall windshield.

The ‘16 is an easy quick look see, so go have a look.
Everything else aside, answer these two questions -
Do I want ES suspension?
What color do I want to live with?

Good luck with whichever you choose.
-Steve

 

[jpwarden]

So I have my eye on a couple bikes.

Specimen 1 is a 2016 ES all stock with less than 8000km on it, dark grey.

Specimen 2 is a 2019 with just under 18,000 km on it, it has a tall windscreen, Sargent seats, a Kappa rear case, newish rear tire and a brand new, uninstalled front tire. It is the satin blue colour they came in at the time. The OEM seat and screen would come with the bike as well.

The 2016 is priced a little lower than the 2019, $300.00 or so and is in better shape cosmetically. The 2019 has been tipped over once and lives in a small garage so it's got a couple scuffs on the bags that from things getting bounced off it accidentally. Services and recalls are up to date on both bikes.

I think I am right in saying that there have been no updates to the FJR between 2016 and 2019 so functionally they are the same bike. In terms of resale, I think I'd be better off with the newer bike. The upgraded seats, trunk and tires also have some value. I just have to figure out the cost of replacing or refinishing one of the mirrors and getting the side cases repainted.

The 2016 lives about 45 minutes from me, so easy to go have a peek. The 2019 is about 5 hours away, so if I go to have a look, I'm going to either take a trailer with me or talk one of my riding buddies who owns a big van to go for a day trip so I can bring it home if I can strike a deal. It's winter here so riding it home isn't really an option.

Which bike would you buy?

A little hard to say without seeing the damage on the 2019 but I would be leaning towards that one as well. Maybe they will come down $300 or so to make the price the closer given the damage?

 

[RossKean]

Which bike would you buy?

As you said, the bikes are functionally the same. The biggest issue is if you like the Matte Blue and the extent of paint "rash". For $300 difference, the price wouldn't enter into the equation, but probably a better resale because of age. Seats and trunk will make little difference in resale.
Is the 2019 also an ES model or an "A"? Electronic suspension is a big deal for some. You can add a quality aftermarket suspension but it doesn't come cheap.

The mileage is nothing in either instance. I sold my 2007 with more than 10x the mileage of the 2019 without ever doing ANYTHING to the drive train other than maintenance and valve clearance checks.

 

[2WheelDave]

As you said, the bikes are functionally the same. The biggest issue is if you like the Matte Blue and the extent of paint "rash". For $300 difference, the price wouldn't enter into the equation, but probably a better resale because of age. Seats and trunk will make little difference in resale.
Is the 2019 also an ES model or an "A"? Electronic suspension is a big deal for some. You can add a quality aftermarket suspension but it doesn't come cheap.

The mileage is nothing in either instance. I sold my 2007 with more than 10x the mileage of the 2019 without ever doing ANYTHING to the drive train other than maintenance and valve clearance checks.

I forgot to say, both bikes are ES models, and Merry Christmas!

 

[RossKean]

As mentioned by @sapest , make sure that the mirror stay is intact. If the mirror has been banged or the bike, dropped, the internal cast metal support for the mirror can easily break. Expensive and tedious to replace. Some people have been able to do a satisfactory repair in situ, but it might depend on the location of the fracture.

 

[2WheelDave]

As mentioned by @sapest , make sure that the mirror stay is intact. If the mirror has been banged or the bike, dropped, the internal cast metal support for the mirror can easily break. Expensive and tedious to replace. Some people have been able to do a satisfactory repair in situ, but it might depend on the location of the fracture.

Is the mirror stay known to break in a zero speed tip over?

 

[RossKean]

Is the mirror stay known to break in a zero speed tip over?

Yep.

 

[sapest]

Is the mirror stay known to break in a zero speed tip over?

Some might say at speeds of -1 mph.
If the mirror wiggles at the mounting bolts and is missing paint, there is reasonable chance the the stay “ear” is broken on that side. Visual inspection is, I think, the only confirmation.
One 2016 possible negative, it may be caught up in few recalls, including the major transmission gear replacement. I am not sure if the newer bike is unaffected. A call to a dealer or mother Yamaha with the VIN should be part of your research. There was a ECU reflash and a frt brake switch recall, all three about the same time. The reflash was the final step in the tranny rebuild.
-Steve