What to look for when shopping for an FJR

[brady]

I have questions for the masses.

When looking at FJR's what do you feel are the most important things to look at maintainace, mileage, ect.? (I dont care as much about farkels, I like doing those myself) The reason I ask is as I'm looking for an FJR I've come across a variety of different bikes that meet what I am looking for. Is it better to get a bike that has some miles on it? or does it even matter? I found a bike that looks like a good deal and I would be able to do a fly and ride its an 08 that has less then 7k miles on it. But I've also found an 07 thats closer but has 35k on it.

So my main questions are...

What's your opnion?

Are the changes between 07 and 08 that significant?

Do miles matter at all?

Does a bike that has only seen 1700-1800 miles per year pose any risks?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Bustanut joker]

It's a solid platform, so unless it's been neglected there aren't any real problems to look for..

You can have my 04 for cheap but I don't think you want to fly an ride from here right now..

 

[RedPorscheKilla]

Like Bustanaut stated, the FeeJay is rock solid. When I went scouring the web for a decent bike, I landed a deal with a '07 with 14k back when on the clock. I also could have had a '08 yet it was then a few hundred bucks (I'm under stating, actually almost 2k bucks) more expensive with a similar milage on the count..... I went to this forum and found out that a FJR isn't really Brocken in with my milage and still considered new. A few fellas have 200k on the clock.......I think that says it all.

As to my knowledge the '08 is not much different than the '07 for what I could find out, only the yearly change in color would be worth to be mentioned. Basically the GenII (06 - 12) was the improved GemI and all whoopsies there been figured out in a GenII....35K is still a low number. I did choose my '07 and spend the saved greenbacks on a suspension upgrade, which is worth now more to me that a year younger bike.

Good luck finding the right ride for you

V

RPK

 

[garyahouse]

You didn't give a lot of info here. All things being equal, miles trumps age every time in my books. Miles are a better indicator of the amount of wear and tear on a bike than the bike's age. However, rarely are all things equal. It's been said on this forum before that most farkles are only worth half (or less) of their original cost when you're considering added value. Who owned it and what kind of owner was he? Maintenance records? These answers are huge factors.

I bought a 05 with 3800 miles on it 2 1/2 years ago. It's got about 26k on it now and still runs like a top. Glad I bought a lower mileage (but older) FJR. It was the right choice for me.

Difference between model years: FJR comparison matrix CLICKY

Gary

darksider #44

 

[majicmaker]

I'd say its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. Between those two, I'd ask what color do you like better. Although, they did fix the jerky throttle on the '08 unless the '07 got the G2 throttle installed. You can't go wrong either way. Mileage on this bike means nothing! Enjoy!

 

[brady]

Thanks Gary. ive spent a fair amout of time looking over that matrix. Its great information but I also feel that there is a real life element that is important to consider as well. For me getting feedback from fellow riders is very valuable. It puts some contest to the data.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Enough improvements to make the '08 a better bike.

What's your opinion? -- Go with the newest low mileage bike you can afford.
Are the changes between 07 and 08 that significant? -- Yes, improved tranny, fueling, ABS system to name a few...

Do miles matter at all? -- Already mentioned, a solid platform if maintained and not abused.

Does a bike that has only seen 1700-1800 miles per year pose any risks? -- Not many if it's been in covered storage, definitely change all the fluids

Good luck with the search and be patient. There's a lot of good buys out there.

--G

.

 

[07FJRVegas]

I have an 07 and really like it because of the colour. I bought it with 10K mileage and in very premium shape. It does have a snatchy throttle, that I'm about to mitigate.

My buddy just bought an 05 with 17K mileage and in good but well used condition.

I've driven both and they are really both excellent. My buddy paid half of what I paid for my 07 for his 05; comparatively to what I've seen advertized, I gota good deal on my bike. My buddy stole his ...

The Gen II has a few things on the instrument panel that the Gen I doesn't (eg: gear indicator). Both are rock solid platforms.

It really boils down to how much you want to spend and what condition of a used bike you wil accept.

IMHO, I'd look for the newest FJR possible within your budget with reasonable mileage.

 

[Patriot]

get the color you want...it's a GREAT ADVANTAGE if buying used to get one from a

forum member (not a newbie) in the "for sale" section

fly and ride or whatever...you will get an honest assessment, a fair price, and be guaranteed it was well taken care of

I purchased my '04 in late '07 from a forum member with 70k miles on it...it now has 165k

I've never regretted it or ever looked back...I'd do it again in a second

now, personally, I don't want a bike that has sat for months or years...they are made to run and go...seals, gaskets, metal parts, rubber boots, oriffices, fluids...don't do well sitting idle for months at a time. So, I don't want too high a miles, but I don't want a thousand or less miles a year either. I want documented valve checks per maintenance schedule already done.

I do want (mainly) quality: fresh tires, fresh MF battery, no accident damage, and all stock accessories (bag liners, keys), all recalls done. Good fluids and brake shoes.

bonuses are the things I deem necessary for the riding I do...admittedly mostly touring...

improved seat, improved windshield, trunk, sliders, highway pegs, risers, throttle lock, electronic cruise

additional braking lighting, illuminating running lights

heated grips

Best of Luck,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[TheZsdad]

FWIW.

I look at it this way. If something happens and I need to sell the bike tomorrow, which would be easier

to get my money out of and sell the fastest. Condition, mileage, model year are what the majority looks at.

People are use to seeing bikes with low mileage. While I maybe comfortable buying a higher mileage

bike because of my knowledge I can't count on the next buyer being familiar with the fjr's rep.

 

[garyahouse]

Good point Z. Lower mileage, though we would all agree is not as much a factor on an FJR as it would be on say, a sport bike, is a huge factor when attempting to sell to an uninformed public. Whenever ya buy something , ya gotta ask yourself if there's a chance ya might need to sell... sooner than you'd planned.

My bike was only ridden, on average, less than 700 miles per year when I bought it. I took a chance. But the price was right, it was SO nearby, and the man who owned it was a decent honest sort. He explained why he'd bought it (riding with wife), why he was selling (wife was scared), and how he'd started it up once a month for years. As Bust said above, it's a solid platform. I cleaned it up, changed all the fluids, fixed most of the cosmetic damage, farkled it out, and OH YEAH, WHAT A MACHINE.

+1 on Patriot's recommendation of buying from a forum member if you can. You'd be helping "the cause," and on average, you'll get a machine that's owned by an enthusiast who's taken extra good care of it; there seems to be an extra measure of integrity with forum members. Maybe that's cause any forum member in his right mind would NEVER sell damaged goods on the forum for fear of the dreaded forum dog pile...

Gary

darksider #44

 

[leedavis]

Yep, the public tends to think that anything over around 50k miles is high mileage. If you think you'll keep the FJR for that many miles then the mileage when you get it doesn't really matter. Unless you don't ride much or trade bikes every 2-3 years, mileage is gonna get you for resale purpose no matter what you do.

Don't be put off by the fly-and-ride if it's a really good deal though. I did that, fly Raleigh to Atlanta then ride back, to get my FJR in a single day. Long hours, but not unpleasant.

 

[deanw]

The only difference to me would be potentially neglected maintenance (valve check at 26k miles and how many oil changes?) on the bike with 35k miles.

At 7K miles, all the maintenance that should possibly have been done is a couple oil changes and a throttle body sync- it's still got 19K miles before you have to worry about having the valves done. I'd be more worried about whether it still had factory tires, and the condition of them if it did.

Either way, coming into a used bike, no matter what the previous owner said- I, personally, would change the oil, final drive, brake and clutch fluid, forks oil, and probably coolant. If you get the tank up, spark plugs and a throttle body sync wouldn't hurt. Then you're sure of where you are, for safely under $100.

If you're not comfortable having a go at that on your own, I'm in Salem; ride it down some morning and two of us could knock that list out in a few hours.

 

[odot]

I'd make sure it has two wheels and a gas tank.

 

[Knifemaker]

You should buy a new one. Get a loan if need be and buy a new 2013......they're all the rage now....

 

[odot]

I'd wait a year......the 2014s will have a cruise control that has no speed limit.

 

[brady]

The only difference to me would be potentially neglected maintenance (valve check at 26k miles and how many oil changes?) on the bike with 35k miles.
At 7K miles, all the maintenance that should possibly have been done is a couple oil changes and a throttle body sync- it's still got 19K miles before you have to worry about having the valves done. I'd be more worried about whether it still had factory tires, and the condition of them if it did.

Either way, coming into a used bike, no matter what the previous owner said- I, personally, would change the oil, final drive, brake and clutch fluid, forks oil, and probably coolant. If you get the tank up, spark plugs and a throttle body sync wouldn't hurt. Then you're sure of where you are, for safely under $100.

If you're not comfortable having a go at that on your own, I'm in Salem; ride it down some morning and two of us could knock that list out in a few hours.

deanw-When I get a bike I will certainly take you up on that.

 

[Chuck35]

I'd make sure it has two wheels and a gas tank.

and a new battery

 

[brady]

Can someone explain what the diffenrence between CBS and UBS is related to ABS brakes?