What to look for when shopping for an FJR

[gimmeit]

Fair point. However, I'm new to the bike, so I can't fully appreciate the farkles. Also, I was leaning toward the Gen II.

Having said that, I just paid about $3k more for an 07 with 16k miles than an 07 with 40k miles. (unsure of full history on either one) No particular farkles to speak of (I think the 40k mile bike didn't have a trunk on it). Other than the mileage, the 16k mile bike is a 30 minute ride/drive away. The 40k mile bike is a 4 hour ride/drive away. I spent over $8k on the bike....

Hopefully I made the right choice!

 

[bgross]

Fair point. However, I'm new to the bike, so I can't fully appreciate the farkles. Also, I was leaning toward the Gen II.
Having said that, I just paid about $3k more for an 07 with 16k miles than an 07 with 40k miles. (unsure of full history on either one) No particular farkles to speak of (I think the 40k mile bike didn't have a trunk on it). Other than the mileage, the 16k mile bike is a 30 minute ride/drive away. The 40k mile bike is a 4 hour ride/drive away. I spent over $8k on the bike....

Hopefully I made the right choice! :grin:

If you bought it, you made the right choice! It's your money, and a slimmer wallet is easier to ride on.

All we need from you in order to further reassure you... Photos!

Congrats.

 

[gimmeit]

Well, not to hijack the thread too much...I hope OP also finds (or has found) a bike!

I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow. Pics are still up from the dealer's site. That work for ya?

https://www.freedompowersportstx.com/new_galleria.asp?pov=2879493

Here's to not worrying about the purchase process and looking forward to the enjoyment!

 

[brady]

Congrats on the purchase. I'm still waiting for the right bike to come along. I'm really torn there are a couple nice 05s I've seen listed but from all I've read it seems the general advice it to get a Gen II. I would love got get some thoughts on this.

 

[someguy]

Fair point. However, I'm new to the bike, so I can't fully appreciate the farkles. Also, I was leaning toward the Gen II.
Having said that, I just paid about $3k more for an 07 with 16k miles than an 07 with 40k miles. (unsure of full history on either one) No particular farkles to speak of (I think the 40k mile bike didn't have a trunk on it). Other than the mileage, the 16k mile bike is a 30 minute ride/drive away. The 40k mile bike is a 4 hour ride/drive away. I spent over $8k on the bike....

Hopefully I made the right choice! :grin:

Are you happy????

If so, you made the right choice. Saw the pics. The bike is beautiful

Now go ride.

 

[someguy]

Congrats on the purchase. I'm still waiting for the right bike to come along. I'm really torn there are a couple nice 05s I've seen listed but from all I've read it seems the general advice it to get a Gen II. I would love got get some thoughts on this.

Looking at your profile, you are clearly a motorcycle guy

My gut is to push you into the GenII and 08 or newer

That said, I'm not paying the bill

My rationale is this:

Any well cared for FJR is a good bike. To me, A workhorse with the soul of a sport bike

You have a fairly broad experience base as did I when I moved to then FJR.

I rode some well cared for and awesome gen 1 and some earlier gen II. Loved em both.

The differences, while generally minor were there. A nuance of refinement and tune found in the gen II

Added the bugs removal , brake awesomeness, and way smoothed out throttle in 08 and newer, it made more sense for me anyway

It kinda boils down to "time"

You can choose either one and with enough time and a little Money work out the bugs, dial in the performance etc....

For me,play time is preciously rare. I want to ride. Trouble free, and generally dialed in

And there's some great deals on 4-5 yr old bikes out there. (Ok, not so much on 09s. Rare and beautiful)

Of course, this is all, IMHO

I only write because I was exactly where you are 3 years ago

Best of luck. And if you we're further east, I'd give you mine for a week That's what did it for me

I had very good friends who allowed me some meaningful time on their bikes that brought the clarity I needed

 

[Chiefblueman]

Congrats on the purchase. I'm still waiting for the right bike to come along. I'm really torn there are a couple nice 05s I've seen listed but from all I've read it seems the general advice it to get a Gen II. I would love got get some thoughts on this.

My .02 comes from the Gen1 side. The dealer I bought my 17k mi '05 from also had a 0 mi '12 that he let me ride. The '05 had a PCIII and holeshot cans. The difference between the two was very small. Rode both on an 85* plus day, heat was not an issue on either bike. I knew about the heat issue going in. Matter of fact, I rode an '04 earlier that absolutely baked my thighs, this '05 did not. Both windscreens caused turbulence and backpressure when raised fully. Both bikes were undersprung for my weight w/passenger although the new shock on the '12 was better than the worn out unit on the '12. I'm a stickler for good suspension and would have modified the new bike as I have modded the'05. Some gen2 guys talk about the gearing change between gens. The difference amounts to 120rpm @ 80mph. I've heard upwards of 500rpm but I suspect gen2 speedo accuracy is the culprit. Math doesn't lie. I did feel the '12 was a bit heavier and the '05 a little more responsive. They both handled quite nicely at speed, not as good as my FZ1 but very stable. If you're looking for a gear indicator and ambient thermometer the gen 2 is your huckleberry. After sampling several of both gens I couldn't justify the difference in cost and went gen1. BTW, I inadvertently found out who the previous owner of my bike was. I called to ask about my bike after I bought it. He had traded it in on a new leftover '10. He told me he wished he'd kept the '05 instead. This from a seasoned 60 yr old rider. I'm glad I got his gen1. Guess I'm sayin don't pass up a nice gen1. They're a helluva motor. So is a gen2.

 

[RadioHowie]

Save some $$$$...buy a Gen I and drive the beejeebers out of it for a couple of years. Then find yourself a sweet, used Gen III and save again.

 

[bgross]

Save some $$$$...buy a Gen I and drive the beejeebers out of it for a couple of years. Then find yourself a sweet, used Gen III and save again.

Most excellent plan.

And if, like me, you likely won't be able to buy another in a few years, you will still be enjoying a motorcycle that is - in any Generation - a joy to ride.

 

[fljab]

Personally I wouldn't be afraid of the miles on the bike esp if it's reflected in the price. There are many here that have 50K+ miles (I'm one of them!) on their FJRs with few issues. Different yrs had certain problems but all can be addressed either by factory recall or solutions brewed here on the forum.

I figure mine is good for 200K and then I'll look for another similar yr ('08 or '09) so the parts interchange/panel match.

FJRs are pretty forgiving, but the big one that needs to be done is the 26K valve check/adjustment. I do my own so no real records, but I do record in a notebook what the measurements are. By that I mean you should look for some proof that it's been done.

I say, if you find a 50K+ bike for a price that reflects it, don't be afraid of the mileage!

 

[gimmeit]

Save some $$$$...buy a Gen I and drive the beejeebers out of it for a couple of years. Then find yourself a sweet, used Gen III and save again.

Which is why I *almost regret not getting the less expensive 40k mile bike. (I paid more for less miles and much closer dealer)

Chiefblueman, nice to hear your good experience/comparison with the '05.

Are you happy????If so, you made the right choice. Saw the pics. The bike is beautiful

Now go ride.

Maybe...lol. My "farewell" ride on my FZ6 to swap for the FJR was certainly different and in some ways better than the return trip on the FJR. Of course, I did find the FJR tire pressure way low (28 in front, 21 in back) when I got home. I also found the handlebars in their most forward (away from me) position, so I brought them fully back (toward me). I'm not sure if that's better/enough.

Also getting some shaking at about 90 and up (haven't tried much past 90) indicated on the speedo (taking it back to them tomorrow to let them check on it). From what I've read, could be balancing, could be bearings. I'm not looking to ride 90 all day but want to be sure it's not an indication of a larger problem.

Otherwise, still trying to figure out how comfortable it is. Certainly for my passenger, it's 10 times better than my FZ6. For me, my legs feel good, but the stock seat (as most do) will probably need a change. Still not sure about the reach/position of the handlebars as well as the wind protection (I have both stock and yamaha touring screens).

 

[tuggy]

Bit of a bargain for someone.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-FJR-2009-FJR-1300-Never-Serviced-/271152532277?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3f21f34b35

 

[bgross]

Bit of a bargain for someone.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-FJR-2009-FJR-1300-Never-Serviced-/271152532277?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3f21f34b35

Wow, that's less than an hour from Radar O'Reilly's hometown.

*Never Serviced* All those fluids, just sitting there for 4+ years...

 

[fljab]

Bit of a bargain for someone. https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-FJR-2009-FJR-1300-Never-Serviced-/271152532277?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3f21f34b35

And, that's the best yr!!

 

[RadioHowie]

Bit of a bargain for someone.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-FJR-2009-FJR-1300-Never-Serviced-/271152532277?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3f21f34b35

Wow, that's less than an hour from Radar O'Reilly's hometown.

*Never Serviced* All those fluids, just sitting there for 4+ years...

'specially the oil! Not like it didn't sit in the ground for 100 million years before it made it into the bike.

Didn't know oil has only a 100,000,004 year shelf life.

Gotta watch out for that 100,000,005th year!!

But I bet the blinker fluid is shot. :finger: