You are sure you have the ABS model? The silver pucks on the front brake calipers? You say the ABS has never actually engaged. Have you locked up a wheel? Easier to do on the rear. For the front, easier to do in gravel.
It is not uncommon for the ABS unit to fail on the older Gen I FJRs. Most likely due to lack of proper maintenance. If it has failed, you may lose the ABS function on the rear, or the front, or both. The light will not come on as it is not an electrical failure.
There is also a procedure you can do to activate the ABS pump to see if it is working. You need a jumper, or some alligator clips. A search of the forum should locate a thread where this procedure is explained in detail.
When riding various Gen I FJRs I have experienced the failure of the ABS pump, or unit. Usually it's the rear that I am able to lock up and the front has worked fine. But, it could be any combination.
If you ABS unit has failed you are really kind of screwed. I am not sure a new one is even available from Yamaha anymore. If they are they are REALLY expensive. You could try to get a used one off ebay but then you would be rolling the dice. And swapping one out would be a BIG job.
Just remember if your ABS pump has failed your brakes will work fine, you just won't have the ABS function essentially turning it into a non-ABS FJR.
