GTS 1000
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mattster31
Well-known member
Try the Smithsonian............ 
I've never actually seen one on the road.
I've never actually seen one on the road.
madmike2
Shtirrenuppenmeister
I've seen 3 or 4 on the road: 1 @ "vintage" japanese motorcycle gathering in Squaw Valley about 7-8 years ago, another on the way home from WFO-3. When I took the Streetmaster's Cornering Workshop a few years ago, one of the riders in my group (of 4) was riding one.
One assumes you've done your Google search. There is quite an avid group of owners.
One assumes you've done your Google search. There is quite an avid group of owners.
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charismaticmegafauna
Well-known member
I have an acquaintance who just bought one -- he lives a few hundred miles away; but, if/when he gives me a report -- I'll pass it on.
I think Yamaha would probably like to forget the episode (and, the financial repercussions)?
Too bad -- it certainly looked progressive. Motorcyclists can be so hide-bound, sometimes. :huh: :blink:
markjenn
Well-known member
I was in the market for a new one when they came out in 1993 and took extensive rides on two dealer demos. I also looked pretty hard for a used one around 2000 and rode three examples before giving up my quest. It was only made for US production two years - 1993 and 1994 - and most used models you see are 1993s because Yamaha overproduced heavily and 1994 was mostly clearing non-current inventory. I believe a couple thousand were made in 1993, but only a few hundred in 1994. Sales were so poor, Yamaha pulled the plug after two years and rumor is that Yamaha's experience with the GTS was the reason there were so hesitant to import the FJR. The 1994s have some nice refinements and are more sorted, so these are more desirable.
It's a neat bike, but very quirky and maintaining it might be a bit of a challenge. The motor is standard inline-four FZR-type power - good for its time, but not overwhelming now. Early FI system, but I haven't heard of any huge problems with it. The RADD front end has some nice benefits at high speed (no brake dive, great compliance), but the bike has extremely odd and very heavy low-speed handling so low-speed tipovers are very common. You have to ride one around the parking lot to know if you're Okay with this - some are and some aren't.
The OEM luggage was made by Krauser, looked like crap, and worked poorly. Most of the bags have become unrepairable by now so these bikes often don't have bags. I don't think there is any way to get new bags.
The bike's Achilles heel in the ABS system. It was one of Yamaha's first ABS attempts and it has its share of problems. And it takes a fancy (and now vintage) piece of test equipment that almost no dealers have to diagnose serious issues. On the used bikes I rode, only one of them had properly functioning ABS systems on both wheels and the others simply locked up the wheels with no warning lights or diagnostics. Any model you look at, you'd want to confirm proper ABS function and grill the owner about fluid changes. If he gives you a blank stare, walk.
So this is one of those bikes that would be very cool to own as a collector machine that you lavish love on, figure out all the quirks, and come up to speed on all the odd maintenance issues associated with owning a bike that essentially was a limited production model with extremely sophisticated electronic systems. But as a general rider for touring, the FJR is probably a better overall bike and will be a lot easier to maintain.
- Mark
It's a neat bike, but very quirky and maintaining it might be a bit of a challenge. The motor is standard inline-four FZR-type power - good for its time, but not overwhelming now. Early FI system, but I haven't heard of any huge problems with it. The RADD front end has some nice benefits at high speed (no brake dive, great compliance), but the bike has extremely odd and very heavy low-speed handling so low-speed tipovers are very common. You have to ride one around the parking lot to know if you're Okay with this - some are and some aren't.
The OEM luggage was made by Krauser, looked like crap, and worked poorly. Most of the bags have become unrepairable by now so these bikes often don't have bags. I don't think there is any way to get new bags.
The bike's Achilles heel in the ABS system. It was one of Yamaha's first ABS attempts and it has its share of problems. And it takes a fancy (and now vintage) piece of test equipment that almost no dealers have to diagnose serious issues. On the used bikes I rode, only one of them had properly functioning ABS systems on both wheels and the others simply locked up the wheels with no warning lights or diagnostics. Any model you look at, you'd want to confirm proper ABS function and grill the owner about fluid changes. If he gives you a blank stare, walk.
So this is one of those bikes that would be very cool to own as a collector machine that you lavish love on, figure out all the quirks, and come up to speed on all the odd maintenance issues associated with owning a bike that essentially was a limited production model with extremely sophisticated electronic systems. But as a general rider for touring, the FJR is probably a better overall bike and will be a lot easier to maintain.
- Mark
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JRO
Well-known member
3 years ago, I nearly bought one from a pal who owns a dealership. I passed, because the price was just going to add up to turn it into a usable ST. Yamaha did have to replace the ABS brain (or whatever) - this was subject to some kind of recall. If there are problems with the system, and you have a good dealer, you can push Yamaha to step up to the plate, which will save you $1,800.
The bike is very fast, and very smooth. You will notice some difference between slow speed handling and anything above... 40mph or so, compared to a conventional front-end. It's really cool, however, and nothing very different from a normal bike. You can't beat the wow factor of a bike with a front end built like aircraft landing gear. It feels very stable, and it gets attention. It's a shame Yamaha didn't stay with the design.
My other friend/classmate, with the Yamaha dealership, said maintaining one wasn't bad, atall. He sold two or three of the things, new, but they didn't jump off the showroom floor. He loved the bikes when they came out, and was likewise disappointed they were so short lived. I still wish I'd taken his advice, and went ahead and got the thing from my other bud.
The bike is very fast, and very smooth. You will notice some difference between slow speed handling and anything above... 40mph or so, compared to a conventional front-end. It's really cool, however, and nothing very different from a normal bike. You can't beat the wow factor of a bike with a front end built like aircraft landing gear. It feels very stable, and it gets attention. It's a shame Yamaha didn't stay with the design.
My other friend/classmate, with the Yamaha dealership, said maintaining one wasn't bad, atall. He sold two or three of the things, new, but they didn't jump off the showroom floor. He loved the bikes when they came out, and was likewise disappointed they were so short lived. I still wish I'd taken his advice, and went ahead and got the thing from my other bud.
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Haven't ridden one, but had many a beer talking over one at the Utah 1088 with Dave Biasotti. He swears by his so much that he's even done an engine rebuild to keep it road-worthy, had his swingarm signed by the inventor, and still runs it competitively in events including a 9th in the 2008 Utah 1088.
His comments were it's in some ways an older brother to the FJR1300, but different in others.
His comments were it's in some ways an older brother to the FJR1300, but different in others.
MCRIDER007
Well-known member
I test rode one in 1994 and was impressed with the very responsive and smooth engine but the rest of the bike left me scratching my head because it didn't seem to have a market. It was way too heavy to be a sport bike, even by 1994 standards, and not nearly as comforable as my ST1100 so it seemed a poor choice to use as a sport-tourer...and the $13,000 price tag, try converting that to today's dollars.
TruWrecks
Still chewing thru the Restraints
There's one running around my neck of the woods. I got a couple of pictures of it. The owner said it was a really good bike for most types of riding.
+1 on markjenn's comments. Rode Roger Van Santen's (who also owns an FJR) about 4 years ago. I owned a R1100RS at the time so the motor felt strong. After owning an FJR I'd say it's slightly under powered for a 600 plus pound machine. The front end is dead-nuts stable but would require a weightlifting program for me to get used to. The Telelever on the BMW was much lighter and almost as stable.
The $1000 I spent at GPSupension doesn't replace an alternative front end, but it's a big improvement and the FJR is a much better sport-tourer than the GTS ever was. Until BMW fixes their final drive problems (I REALLY want a K12/1300GT), I'm sticking with the FJR.
iicr Sparky Lawrenson had one. Large turning radius due to the center-hub steering. I was on hand to help him pick it up after a tumble at slow speed (see above comment).
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