COFSTA

Other people on the innerwebs getting theirs and the glowing feedback finally got to me - couldn't take it any more. I picked up an FJ-09 - in Albemarle of all places. Crossroads Yamaha had one in stock and with a little negotiating a good OTD price. I didn't get the bike home and unloaded from the pickup truck until a little before 5:00 so tomorrow's the day to start cipher'n how it works. Fun stuff!

Hot damn! Sweet looking machine--congrats! Still have the FJR?

Need any help farkling?

I'll put the FJR up for sale.

The main farkle needed is luggage and there's nothing much available. Though they look nice the stock side cases aren't all that practical and I want to use my Givi top case but there's no Givi compatible mount for the FJ-09 yet. I think Yamaha will sell a lot of these bikes so hopefully some aftermarket luggage options start showing up.

What about this?? Looks like the perfect platform to attache a Givi monokey plate....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Yamaha- ... 1589583264

Might work but I think I'd rather have a complete Givi rack like the one on my FJR. We've got some more winter to endure before my need starts getting critical so I'll be patient for a while and see what comes along.

Givi makes one for the FZ-9. Is the rear sub-frame the same?

http://www.giviusa.com/my-motorcycle/ya ... ack-detail

As I understand it - the FJ and FZ main frames are the same but the sub frames where most things attach are not. Still, if Givi makes a rack for the FZ then it stands to reason they'll do one for the FJ.

Sure looks like the other one.....maybe call Givi in Charlotte and ask if they've tried it. Maybe they just need a guinea pig bike and will cut you a deal on a new rack if you take yours over there! Nice folks over there.

That's really sharp, Lee ...look forward to hearing your impressions.

Congrats!!! Nice looking bike, Lee. I am very interested in your impresssions. Also, I may have a buyer for your FJR, if I can talk him into moving up to a heavier bike. Rides a Wee-Strom now. Keep us informed on your Farkle exploits.

WhaHoooo! Fantastic! Ohhh and Ahhhh!
Seriously cool! Yamaha does it again!

Way to go Lee! Nice looking bike. Looks like the kind of bike you will have no trouble getting the front wheel off the ground.

Yeah, they say 3rd gear wheelies are the thing with this 850 triple.

It was a gorgeous day so I took the bike out in the foothill twisties around Lenoir. It easily satisfied and sometimes exceeded my expectations.

Whatever suspension problems plague the FZ version are remedied with the FJ. No diving, pogo-ing - none of that - very composed and nothing I did bothered it. Suspension should be fine until it eventually wears out.

I put the seat in the high position and the ergos are very similar to the FJR so in that regard it's like being around an old friend. The footpegs might be slightly further back.

A 140 lb weight loss from the FJR matters. The bike is so quick to turn and handle for a touring bike. I had to make a u-turn and zipped around like it was the DRZ.

The jewel in the crown is the 850 triple. It doesn't seem they should be able to get the low end torque, and at the same time quickness and speed, out of an engine with this displacement but they are. It startled me several times today with its' performance. I'll get accustomed to the engine but for now it's amazing.

As for bad things, there aren't many I noticed . The windshield isn't much more than a sliver but that's personal preference the aftermarket will address. Some say a current touring bike should have cruise control and the FJ doesn't. The seat is the usual minimalist Yamaha offering but I didn't feel discomfort...a long day in the saddle could be different.

Bottom line: I like it!

Excellent! Sounds like a great choice. I'm a bit skeptical regarding it replacing the FJR but would love to be proven wrong. [THUMBS UP SIGN]


I might be out riding my Super Tenere'

I think rather than replacing the FJR, the FJ expands the sport touring category further into sport bikes. For someone who wants more protection from the elements or plush ride or lots of long distance touring or 2-up riding the FJR is still the preferred choice.

Probably a good idea to hang onto the feejer for a while, see how it pans out over the upcoming riding season.

Congrats on the new ride. Looks sharp ! Where did you post your FJR - Craigslist ? I might know a couple of guys who might be interested.

Nice!! The reviews in the magazines are really good. I bet you will love it.

way cool Lee congrats

Great choice. Can't wait to see it in action on a group ride. I would imagine the aftermarket will provide for all you desire in the upcoming months, including luggage, wind protection, etc. As already mentioned, I recall the FJ having a different rear subframe than the FZ. Hopefully, you can use your old luggage on the new bike with a few brackets.

I imagine 2-up sport-touring in the twisties would be better on the FJ due to improved cornerspeed, which should make up for any loss of power. Of course the FJR would win on any highway touring, but who wants to do that, anyway? I am curious to see if someone will make some dual-sport wheels for the FJ or if you can install some dual-sport rubber and see if it has some adventure ability built in.

I've had the FJ out several times now and it's an absolute peach - almost as if they built it to my specification.

There was a pair of FJR luggage cases on Ebay for $300 - a deal too good to pass up so I purchased them and will paint the lids to match the FJ. The FJ and FJR inside case parts and subframe mounts are identical. The lids are the only difference with the FJR lid slightly deeper than the FJ. I installed a 15A outlet for heated gear and mounts for GPS, radar detector and radio yesterday. Short of a bigger windshield and Givi top case rack things are shaping up for touring duty.

The FJ's low weight should make for a passable result on gravel roads and with dual sport rubber it might border on pretty good though I don't intend to try it. It won't surprise me if Yamaha comes out with a longer suspension travel, adventure version leveraging the same basic platform.

GPS, Radio, RD

Fantastic Lee!! Sounds great I can't wait to see it!

Today at Timberwoods Phil who lives in Statesville showed up on his new Arrest-me-Red FJR-09!!! Hohhot and Ahhhh! And he allowed me to take it for a short ride! It only had 58 miles on it when I rode it. Damn, I wish he had not allowed me a demo ride! That is VERY nice... Quick and agile... Quite impressive! yes he had the dealer put TKC-80's on it right away!!! They look mean on it. He didn't have any trouble hustling it through the curves today! we did ride 231 miles today.
Anyone want to buy a 1999 Suzuki SV650?

Also there was Virginia Lackey with her brand new Polaris Slingshot! Looks cool... I got to sit in it but not "drive" it.
Saw 71 degrees today! Fantastic!


I might be out riding my Super Tenere'

TKC80s? After riding it for a while the FJ is all sorts of fun things but it ain't no dual sport. I got into some washboard dirt the other day and the suspension tried to beat me up.

I painted the Ebay FJR luggage cases to match and they turned out nice.

Nice job with the side cases, Lee. The FJ is looking good. I'm interested in the tail bag (the one in the above photo) you are using. What make and model is it as I am looking for one like that for the FJR.

Lee, bags match perfect. Is it paint or plasti-dip?

It's nothing more than Rustoleum semi-matte finish black but a dead ringer for the black pieces on the bike. I glazed imperfections in the lids, wet sanded, dried, dusted with a tack cloth then applied 2 full paint coats 15 minutes apart.

I haven't tried Plasti-dip but from what I've seen online it would probably do a good job, though less permanent.

yamadog wrote:I'm interested in the tail bag (the one in the above photo) you are using. What make and model is it

I had to go downstairs and look. It's a Dowco Fastrax Tail Bag which came from the shelf of the stuff-purchased-for-some-forgotten-reason department of the shop. It's a nice bag but will likely go back in reserve when Givi makes a top case rack.

Damn Lee that is looking good! BTW I was contacted today by an MSTA member who lives up by Abingdon, VA. He wanted to know if he could contact the friend who has the FJ. I told him I would ask and suggested he get on the forum. So I Googled FJ-09 Forum... dn there are a bunch of forums for that bike!


I might be out riding my Super Tenere'

Thanks, Lee for the run downstairs and the bag info. I will begin my quest.

Your bike looks great and I can't wait to see it. Hope the GIVI stuff shows up soon. Post a pic.

Brick wrote:Damn Lee that is looking good! BTW I was contacted today by an MSTA member who lives up by Abingdon, VA. He wanted to know if he could contact the friend who has the FJ. I told him I would ask and suggested he get on the forum. So I Googled FJ-09 Forum... dn there are a bunch of forums for that bike!


I might be out riding my Super Tenere'

Sure, he can contact me if he wants. The best FJ forum I found is http://fj-09.org/ Lots of good info there

yamadog wrote:Thanks, Lee for the run downstairs and the bag info. I will begin my quest..

Quick quest-->>
http://www.revzilla.com/product/dowco-f ... e-tail-bag

beemerbob wrote:

yamadog wrote:Thanks, Lee for the run downstairs and the bag info. I will begin my quest..

Quick quest-->>
http://www.revzilla.com/product/dowco-f ... e-tail-bag

Bob, that's fancier than what I got. Mine is simple - here it is https://dowcopowersports.com/fastrax-va ... -50104-00/ Other vendors have it cheaper.

LeeDavis wrote:

Brick wrote:Damn Lee that is looking good! BTW I was contacted today by an MSTA member who lives up by Abingdon, VA. He wanted to know if he could contact the friend who has the FJ. I told him I would ask and suggested he get on the forum. So I Googled FJ-09 Forum... dn there are a bunch of forums for that bike!


I might be out riding my Super Tenere'

Sure, he can contact me if he wants. The best FJ forum I found is http://fj-09.org/ Lots of good info there

Thanks Lee I sent him your info. His name is Micky Tyler.


I might be out riding my Super Tenere'

Thx Bob and Lee. I'm looking for cheap and the Dowco Value Series is my choice. $42.79 at Motorcycle Superstore.