I know, use the search but...

[madjak30]

I've been riding since May 2010 and just can't get enough. After crashing in September 2011 I've been playing the repair game with my MT-01 and have realized that I like touring more than just joy riding, so I have been considering a touring bike through the winter. It's just a matter of time before I make the purchase to buy a touring bike, but which one? The Connie is nice and so are the Beemers, but they are a little fancy (too much electronics going on...and the BMW's are $$$), the Honda ST1300 is a nice bike, but I don't think I need the 'Goldwing Lite' quite yet...maybe when I'm in my 50s...so that makes the FJR the front runner. It seems to be the perfect blend of touring, sport & maturity...

So which years do you avoid, or are they all good. It seems like Yamaha hit a home run out of the box and has been refining it as the years go by...

Any thoughts?

Later.

 

[RadioHowie]

Expect to be inundated with a few answers, but MANY opinions!

If all the recalls have been done, any Gen II FJR, i.e., 2006-2012, are great bikes, and naturally are newer with probably fewer miles.

However, if recalls are outstanding, expect a few disappointments, and possibly some time on the hard shoulder many miles from home. 08 and newer have much fewer problems than the 06 & 07 models, but are not immune from electrical issues.

The 03, 04 and 05 Gen I bikes have been reported to be much hotter than the Gen II bikes, but it is mostly a rider opinion as to whether they're "TOO" hot. The only difference between the 04 and 05 are the colors. The 03 Gen I has a softer suspension, smaller front brakes, no glovebox, a VERY loyal following among 03 owners, and will kick the **** out of any later model FJR in the "how quickly can I achieve FJR Nominal Speed" department.

Edited to add: Gen II bikes have 100 watt higher output charging systems than Gen I bikes, but have flakier electrical systems to compensate. :lol:

You can only get ABS on an 04 or newer, but ABS was optional until 06, when it became standard equipment, along with linked brakes, i.e., one piston of the 4 piston front brake setup is linked to the rear brake.

The auto-clutch FJR became available in 06, but Yamaha dropped it as an imported feature after 2009.

Take a look HERE for the model year comparison chart.

You really can't go wrong with either Generation FJR. It's an outstanding motorcycle.

 

[wfooshee]

Wow. Useful information but still got his Gen-II dig in. Respect, sir!

I'm one of those '03 guys. I'll stop riding it when it burns to the ground.

RadioHowie is secretly an '03 guy! His motor in his '04 came from an '03. So we let him pretend to be in our club.

As far as "in my 50s," shut yer pie-hole. RH is VI-ty-something, and I myself am a double-V.

Except for the gen change in '06 and some very minor tweaks, the model year differences are color. Period. There have been way more recalls on Gen-IIs, so make sure those are done or can still be done before you buy. Call any Yammy dealer with the VIN number.

 

[juniorfjr]

Wow. Useful information but still got his Gen-II dig in. Respect, sir!

I'm one of those '03 guys. I'll stop riding it when it burns to the ground.

RadioHowie is secretly an '03 guy! His motor in his '04 came from an '03. So we let him pretend to be in our club.

As far as "in my 50s," shut yer pie-hole. RH is VI-ty-something, and I myself am a double-V.

Except for the gen change in '06 and some very minor tweaks, the model year differences are color. Period. There have been way more recalls on Gen-IIs, so make sure those are done or can still be done before you buy. Call any Yammy dealer with the VIN number.

I would avoid the 2000-2002 model years. Other than that, they are all great.

 

[fljab]

I would avoid the 2000-2002 model years. Other than that, they are all great.

+1

Gen 2's are more common and usually lower miles, better condition, etc.

On the recalls - run the VIN to see if it's been done (ignition switch, ground spider), if not I'd bet it would be covered.

The electrical issues are known and can be dealt with so don't let that put you off.

Get the best one that you like for the least money regardless of yr or generation would be my advice; do consider what farkles and/or accessories you desire and look for ones that have some or all of them already installed.

Of course, it's well known that '09A's are the best yr!

 

[wfooshee]

Methinks fljab sorta missed the funny.... You know, what with the US not having any 2000-2002 FJRs....

 

[IAGeezer]

Try to get parts for a '99!

 

[fljab]

Methinks fljab sorta missed the funny.... You know, what with the US not having any 2000-2002 FJRs....

No, I got it, and agreed! (+1)

 

[madjak30]

Sounds like the Gen I is the safer bet, which is good for me...the price range I'm shopping in doesn't seem to bring up any Gen II bikes...and being in Canada, I'm thinking the 'heat issue' is more of a selling feature...

And thanks for the advice...no pre-import bikes, and definitely avoid the pre-production models...CHECK!!

I may be heading out this week to pick one up...an '03 or '04, since they seem to be available in my price range and still have quite low mileage...I don't think many guys ride a lot here in Canada...8yo bike with only 25,000kms~15,600miles...that's about two years riding for me, not eight...

Later.

 

[phroenips]

I'm still shocked that RH gave a very thorough and accurate answer and even painted the Gen II in a decent light!

 

[Goodman4]

RadioHowie seems to have summed it up almost perfectly with his post, from what I know and what I've read here. The heat issue is a real factor if you are riding in stop-and-go traffic in the summer. The dark cherry is the prettiest color, or at least that's what the guy that sold it to me said.

It's probably something I'm supposed to have read to pass my forum entrance exam, but I never knew the 03 had more get up and go. Is it raw HP, throttle adjustment, or something else? What was the story with changing that?

 

[phroenips]

RadioHowie seems to have summed it up almost perfectly with his post, from what I know and what I've read here. The heat issue is a real factor if you are riding in stop-and-go traffic in the summer. The dark cherry is the prettiest color, or at least that's what the guy that sold it to me said.

It's probably something I'm supposed to have read to pass my forum entrance exam, but I never knew the 03 had more get up and go. Is it raw HP, throttle adjustment, or something else? What was the story with changing that?

It's due to gearing and lower weight

 

[RadioHowie]

RadioHowie seems to have summed it up almost perfectly with his post, from what I know and what I've read here. The heat issue is a real factor if you are riding in stop-and-go traffic in the summer. The dark cherry is the prettiest color, or at least that's what the guy that sold it to me said.

It's probably something I'm supposed to have read to pass my forum entrance exam, but I never knew the 03 had more get up and go. Is it raw HP, throttle adjustment, or something else? What was the story with changing that?

It's due to gearing and MUCH lower weight

I've followed wfooshee with him on his 03 and watched him do unplanned lane changes in a 5 mph cross-wind.

It's like the difference between this

and this

Not quite the 200 pound dry weight difference, but certainly enough to make a difference in acceleration. Dry weigh difference between an 03 and an 08 is like 72 pounds. That's a bunch when you factor in the gearing changes and the belief that the 03 ECU was less strangled for emissions, i.e., making the motor more responsive. I've never seen specific verification of the ECU differences, but it IS a commonly held belief among the FJR cognoscenti.

 

[dcarver]

Most Gen 1 owners are way older, and thus weigh 45.35% more than svelte, good looking, handsome, and, uh, more endowed Gen 2 Owners.

No wonder they need 'shorter' gearing and 'quicker' shifts to reach 'top end'....

:****:

Hugs n' Kisses

 

[Goodman4]

The things you learn here!

 

[carlson_mn]

Dry weigh difference between an 03 and an 08 is like 72 pounds. That's a bunch when you factor in the gearing changes and the belief that the 03 ECU was less strangled for emissions, i.e., making the motor more responsive. I've never seen specific verification of the ECU differences, but it IS a commonly held belief among the FJR cognoscenti.

According to that matrix it is 62 pounds. But I'd be VERY surprised to see if an 03 FJR is truely 521 lbs. Not sure how a glovebox and 20mm larger rotors equates to that 16lb difference between an 03 and 04 non-abs. Hell, when I was mucking around with the ABS on my 04 it sure didn't feel half of 16lbs either.

I gotta find an 03 to race now! :lol:

 

[RadioHowie]

Dry weigh difference between an 03 and an 08 is like 72 pounds. That's a bunch when you factor in the gearing changes and the belief that the 03 ECU was less strangled for emissions, i.e., making the motor more responsive. I've never seen specific verification of the ECU differences, but it IS a commonly held belief among the FJR cognoscenti.

According to that matrix it is 62 pounds. But I'd be VERY surprised to see if an 03 FJR is truely 521 lbs. Not sure how a glovebox and 20mm larger rotors equates to that 16lb difference between an 03 and 04 non-abs. Hell, when I was mucking around with the ABS on my 04 it sure didn't feel half of 16lbs either.

Looking back at the matrix I see I compared to an AE...yeah, 10 pounds more than an A. Oops.

I gotta find an 03 to race now! :lol:

Like the old saying goes "be careful what you wish for." h34r: :

 

[beemerdons]

I'm still shocked that RH gave a very thorough and accurate answer and even painted the Gen II in a decent light!

The case of syphilis Bustanut joker gave RadioHowie for Christmas last year is finally starting to rot his brain!