Looking to buy an FJR - Pre-purchase/inspection advice please!

[HWSoCal]

Greetings!

I just sold my 900 lb. bagger/cruiser and have a huge empty spot in the garage (plus a pocket full of cash from the sale). A used FJR is at the top of my short list. Hoping all you veteran FJR owners here can provide some advice on things to look for and watch out for when selecting my next bike!

My target price is around $10-12k – which seems to put me in the Gen4 2016-2020 territory. The bikes I see for sale seem to be in one of two camps – either high mileage (50k+ miles – probably used as a commuter) or very low miles (the weekend warriors). I personally am leaning towards buying one of the high mileage bikes. I fall into the weekend warrior riding group so would only add a few thousand miles per year to the clock, so not too worried about tapping out the gas-to-noise converter anytime soon. Also – the high mileage bikes are priced waaayyy better than the low mileage counterparts.

So…regarding those high mileage bikes – anything specific to look into or watch out for (aside from evidence of routine maintenance)? I understand that well maintained models easily run for 100k+ miles – what I’m looking for is that FJR-specific gremlin that only a prior owner might know about. (e.g., be sure the discronificator was adjusted every 10k miles and that no blinker fluid ever leaked on the flux capacitor….).

Also – any known issues with non-engine/transmission parts (switch gear, ES suspension, dash displays, windshield motor, luggage, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

 

[Dan Cooper]

Buy, at any price, the very first FJR you find with a flux capacitor!!!

Otherwise, there are very few recurring problems with the 2016 and up scooters as long a regular maintenance is kept up.
However, the ES suspension will be more expensive and more labor intensive when it comes time for replacement, rebuild, upgrade.
Look for a scooter that already has some of the farkles you may want already installed, other than electrical devices.
Windshields, seats, trunks, etc. are some things to look for.
Some people do remarkably sloppy work when it comes to electrical add-ons that you may have to troubleshoot.
A scooter that is as close to stock condition as possible probably hasn't been altered in ways that may be problematic or dangerous.

No widely reported cases of blinker fluid or muffler bearing leakage or the jim being jammed.

BTW most owners do not consider 50,000 miles to be high mileage for the FJR. Some owners consider 50,000 miles to be high mileage for the owner!

Do not under any circumstances buy a scooter from SkooterG or Joel the Mole!!!

YMMV

dan

 

[Whooshka]

An alternative to the 6 speeds is the '013-015 Gen 3's. (The '013's do have a cruise control limit of 83 MPH, none on the later models). But you'll save a lot of money for road trips. But if you are set on a 6 speed the main thing is to ask is if the 2nd gear recall has been done. And if so how many miles were put on it afterward. If there are a couple of hundred miles on it at least then you can assume the recall was fixed properly.

Mileage is not a big factor, FJR's regularly go 100K+ with regular maintenance.

 

[Rogue]

The Gen 4 had a 2nd gear & a brake light switch recall. No matter what year you get you should have a Yamaha dealer check the vin for recalls and if they were done.
I had a Gen 1 and now have a Gen 4 and I think the 5 speed was much smoother shifting and that 6th speed isn't really needed.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Already good advice. Check maintenance records and overall condition of the machine. If it looks trashed, it probably has been. FYI, you can check recalls yourself by going to YamahaMotorsports and entering VIN in NHTSA Recalls link on bottom of page.

Good luck and happy hunting!

~G

 

[infrared]

Never tell anybody how much money you have available for the new bike.

FJR Comparo
Download the Comparo file and zoom in repeatedly. Pick the factory equipment that you want, by the year of manufacture.

Tire age: Click the link and scroll down.
Tire Age

Electronic (ES) suspension is very costly to repair or replace, when the time comes. Manual components there will give you more options for handling.

I would prefer a five-speed over a six-speed transmission, because the five-speed is stronger, and the six-speed just puts six gears where the older FJR has five, with little change to the bottom and top gear ratios. Six gears can be somewhat better, but not much. I would not recommend converting a five-speed to a six-speed, to be done by local dealers.

You can download FJR manuals on-line. Previous Owner gets points for having manuals and service records, even a hand-scribble list of when (by mileage) work was done on the bike.

In the USA, have your VIN in hand, and you can contact the Yamaha mothership directly, by phone or on-line:
Factory Recalls
OR by phone: Yamaha customer service 1-800-962-7926 Real people, real chatty.
They will have the recall records for your FJR, and whether they are done or not.
Happy hunting.

 

[Shuey]

Well, let's see . . .
- 2018 ES Gen3, no cruise control limitations
- Low mileage, you can add the miles needed to bring it up into the range you've targeted.
- $9k price (low for the bike alone, plus another several thousand of value for extras)
- Yamaha Service Manual and file of receipts included
- All "Recall" notices completed

Alas - NO Flux Capacitor! (if I would have known it was an option, I definitely would have gotten it.)

So, maybe this bike is worth considering?

Shuey
IBA#423

https://www.fjrforum.com/threads/2018-fjr1300es-9-000.182275/

 

[FJR30FAN]

I plan to sell my 2019 soon perhaps you might be interested…

 

[spectreman]

Might I offer my 2015 to you?
https://www.fjrforum.com/threads/my-2015-fjr1300a-f-s.182276/#post-1471523

https://treasure.craigslist.org/mcy/d/stuart-2015-yamaha-fjr1300/7823223595.html

Lee

 

[SCJazzCat]

The Gen 4 had a 2nd gear & a brake light switch recall. No matter what year you get you should have a Yamaha dealer check the vin for recalls and if they were done.
I had a Gen 1 and now have a Gen 4 and I think the 5 speed was much smoother shifting and that 6th speed isn't really needed.

It is less buzzy at 75 mph! Enough to make me go for the 6 speed. But the FJR will always be buzzier than a 900 pound bagger, right?!

 

[SkooterG]

It is less buzzy at 75 mph! Enough to make me go for the 6 speed. But the FJR will always be buzzier than a 900 pound bagger, right?!

Have you ridden the 5-spd much? I have. And the 6-spd. And I have found your assertion that the 6-spd is less buzzy at 75 mph to be not very accurate. Minimal difference.

 

[SCJazzCat]

Have you ridden the 5-spd much? I have. And the 6-spd. And I have found your assertion that the 6-spd is less buzzy at 75 mph to be not very accurate. Minimal difference.

No, just enough to evaluate and compare prior to purchasing a 2016.
I only use the 6th gear when running at speeds over 65. On the bike I own, it makes an appreciable difference, albeit not huge.
I never evaluated the potential gas savings either.
Correct me if I am mistaken on this additional detail, but it seemed like the 6-speed transmission is slightly narrower than the 5-speed?