FJ-09 First Impressions

[FJ_Hooligan]

Stopped by the local dealership today and they had an FJ-09 sitting on the floor.  No test rides (it's way too cold outside).  I spent about an hour looking it over and sitting on it.  Over all impression is not all that positive.

I've ridden an FZ-09 and it is a bike with impressive performance so I'm sure the FJ will be comparable in that department.

What I didn't like:
It's way too tall.  I'm 5'11" with a 35 inch inseam and I was on tip toes.  Even the Tenere sitting next to it had a slightly lower seat height.

After putting it on the centerstand I got a better feel for the ergos.  There is a lot of distance to the footpegs but they are way too far back.  So far back that when I pull my foot back from the shifting or braking position (balls of my feet resting on the pegs) my heels got stuck under the passenger footpeg brackets.  My shoe size is a 9 and I was wearing tennis shoes.  It would have been much worse in riding boots.

I also didn't like the handlebar.  It looked fairly standard for a one piece bar, but the angle of my hands just didn't "feel right."  Probably something I could get used to if needed.

Finally, the seating position was too upright and the tiny windscreen didn't seem like it would provide much protection.  The upright position combined with the backset pegs was just a little too awkward for me.

Overall, it's a nice bike and I hope they sell tons of them, but I don't think I'll be one of those owners.

[Mark Olson]

I did not find it appealing either .

[spsmith_fj1200]

There were two at the International Motorcycle Show in DC today.  I sat on one and determined that my 31 inch inseam was not adequate to be able to flat foot the motorcycle at a stop. I decided that maybe I needed to look at the Slingshot instead.

[simi_ed]

+1