potential buyer has question, how reliable is the fjr.

[okmac]

I presently ride a 1997 BMW R1100RT, and am contemplating purchase of a new bike. I am one of these that is not interested in tinkering with the bike, i just want to ride it.

My BMW had a chipped valve at 17k, covered by warrenty. A transmission bearing go out at 78k , BMW covered parts and half of the labor. I just had the relay go out on the windshield and got it fixed. I now have 119k on the bike and other than normal maintenance have had no other problems.

I would like to hear from people that have got some serious miles on the fjr and what , if any, repair problems they have had.

Thanks ahead of time as this will probable be the deciding factor on a new purchase.

By the way, I am a newbie to this forum as this is my first post, Hi everyone.

 

[radman]

06, jury still out, too new to know. Older ones, if they didn't suffer from a exhaust guide problem which is well known amongst owners, but is overblown frankly, will last literally forever. Maintenence is important, of course, but well documented here, and easily done. The only real issue has been the guide problem, Yam has repaired many out of warranty, and is supposed to be solved permanently on the 06, after several failed fixes. Percentage of bikes affected is at roughly 7% of production.

 

[gr8eyes]

I agree with Radman, Unless you have had a valve guide problem, the bikes are almost bullettproof. A few of the 01's in europe had some bad shaft seals but that was fixed in subsequent years. Other than that nothing of note.

Glenn

 

[Ignacio]

We all know that bikes are generally becoming increasingly reliable as time goes by. We dwell on some exceptions and ferret out weaknesses of bikes. That said, I get the impression that BMW rear-ends seem to explode a bit more than everybody likes, some clutch wear issues, and the occasional broken alternator belt.

That said, the FJR's biggest weakness appears to be valve guide wear. Supposedly (and personally I think likely) fixed with a valve seal change in later '05 and supposedly for sure in '06. Even IF it continues we haven't heard anybody being stranded because of a valve issue. It's been a case of recognition and then some people put 20,000 miles on the bike before they get it fixed.......under warranty or even not under warranty at the discretion of Yamaha.

Very reliable platform my friend. Buy the YES 4 year extended warranty. It's a no-brainer and not at all a typical extended warranty. For $400 it's a steal.

Even die-hard BMW rider and long-distance rally phenom, Jim Owen, has moved over to the FJR.

 

[FJRMGM]

28.7k miles on my '05 FJR and only issue I have had was with premature valve guide wear. Yamaha repaired with no hassle and no charge at 18.5k miles.

Bike is running strong and silent now. Very easy to work on and I am damned glad I bought it. It's my daily commuter vehicle.

BTW - I had a BMW K-75s two bikes ago. Nice bike but not in the FJR league.

 

[FJRocket]

I have an '04 and have had ZERO problems with it. Doubt if any of the models are going to be any problem at all. If in doubt, get the YES extended warranty. No worries!

Welcome!

 

[gulag]

Howdy,oakmac. I had a new Beemer RT,once. I won't bother you with all the problems I had.At least one on every trip I took on it. Dumped(sold) the piece of junk at 28,000 miles. My wife calls BMW the "Big Mistake on Wheels". I had 2 Honda ST1100s. Never had ONE problem with either. Great bikes. A friend is a consultant for Toyota. During a conference with auto engineers he was told by American engineers that they could not duplicate,on mass production scale,engines of Jap quality. The only example they gave was Yamaha engines.Make of that what you will. Good luck!

 

[twowheelnut]

Biggest problem they have is 'TOS' - Tip-Over Syndrome. No known fix.

 

[Mike-H]

Biggest problem they have is 'TOS' - Tip-Over Syndrome. No known fix.

TWN is pulling your leg....the fix is called "training wheels".....

 

[Cal24Master]

I presently ride a 1997 BMW R1100RT, and am contemplating purchase of a new bike. I am one of these that is not interested in tinkering with the bike, i just want to ride it.
My BMW had a chipped valve at 17k, covered by warrenty. A transmission bearing go out at 78k , BMW covered parts and half of the labor. I just had the relay go out on the windshield and got it fixed. I now have 119k on the bike and other than normal maintenance have had no other problems.

I would like to hear from people that have got some serious miles on the fjr and what , if any, repair problems they have had.

Thanks ahead of time as this will probable be the deciding factor on a new purchase.

By the way, I am a newbie to this forum as this is my first post, Hi everyone.

I sold my 03 with 84,000 miles. I had one warranty claim, for a broken lever on the shock. "Normal" maintenance on an FJR is a fraction of what it is on a BMW. If you got 119,000 on your RT without grenading the rear end, your doing way better than most. I know people that have blown up two rear ends in that mileage.

Unless you get one that's been crashed, you will have no problems.

Tom

 

[SkooterG]

72,000 on my 04 FJR, and not one problem or issue.

 

[Ignacio]

72,000 on my 04 FJR, and not one problem or issue.

....other than a loose nut holding on the handlebars.