Hi

[Daf]

Always like the old FJ's, but I have a GTS instead which is clearly a far superior bike.
I joined cos I believe some FJ bearings and bits are common to the GTS so intend raping your site for info.

[higbonzo]

Always like the old FJ's, but I have a GTS instead which is clearly a far superior bike.
I joined cos I believe some FJ bearings and bits are common to the GTS so intend raping your site for info.

Daf,

Hello and Welcome    

The GTS may have been superior in technological advances, but I would not say it was a superior motorcycle.  For one, how many years did they make the GTS, three?  The FJ had a 10+ year run, and the engine is still being used in the XJR1300 model overseas today.  The FJ out performed the GTS by nearly a full second in the 1/4 mile and would out run it at full throttle.  And as far as ride confort they were probably not that far off each other, and you can go nearly two hundred miles before you have to hit the reserve on the FJ, but the GTS doesn't have a reserve, does it?  Plus you can fill the tank without getting off the FJ, can you do that on a GTS?  Also, you should see some of the modifications you can do to the FJ's, I think you are limited to getting panniers as your only mod on the GTS, oh and induction and exhaust systems.  Don't get me wrong, I like the GTS, it is a Yamaha, and it was a very innovative motorcycle, but to say it is "far superior to the FJ" is not a factual statement.

Your bike actually has more in common with the FZR1000.

Later....

[Daf]

Just shaking the tree, both have their merits. I raced an FJ lump in a sidecar and it was astounding what abuse it would take, we had it glowing red on a number of occaisions.
The GTS is easy to mod to release the hidden horses and other than losing weight is as good as any modern tourer.

[higbonzo]

Just shaking the tree, both have their merits. I raced an FJ lump in a sidecar and it was astounding what abuse it would take, we had it glowing red on a number of occaisions.
The GTS is easy to mod to release the hidden horses and other than losing weight is as good as any modern tourer.

Ya, I figured.  Though I had to say something.  The GTS is a sweet looking bike, love to have one, but you are always stuck with the front suspension, and that is one of the reasons it didn't carrier on because there was no real advantage over some of the other bikes, that and they were so damn expensive.  I did see one with a single sided rear swing arm and that looked very cool.

Once again.. welcome.

Later....

[TRoy]

I have a GTS instead which is clearly a far superior bike.
I joined cos I intend raping your site for info.

Dude your bike sucks,  I hope you find nothing but misinformation.

Welcome 

[threejagsteve]

Hello, Daf, and welcome!

I had to Google 'Yamaha GTS'; then when I saw a pic I thought, "Oh, yeah, that one."

Let's see... Less power than an FJ. Less brakes than an FJ. More weight than an FJ.

How does that add up to "clearly a far superior bike"? That misbegotten front end?
I heard the engineer that designed it got canned, and now works for a manufacturer of, um, 'marital aids'.

May the kookaloo be with you, that you might see the error of your ways and find a good FJ.

[Marsh White]

Now, now guys...take it easy on the guy!  He was just stirring the pot - AND being honest about his intentions here at the same time - which is honorable.  I've always liked the GTS myself - mainly from an aesthetic / historic perspective.  I actually looked at buying one before I bought my first FJ - I'm pretty sure the reason I didn't was because all of them that I could find were a couple of thousand dollars over my budget at the time.

Anyway - welcome Daf!

[threejagsteve]

Now, now guys...take it easy on the guy!  He was just stirring the pot - AND being honest about his intentions here at the same time - which is honorable.  I've always liked the GTS myself - mainly from an aesthetic / historic perspective.  I actually looked at buying one before I bought my first FJ - I'm pretty sure the reason I didn't was because all of them that I could find were a couple of thousand dollars over my budget at the time.

Anyway - welcome Daf!

Sure, Marsh, I belong to a number of other bike forums as well, and I'm always honest that I've joined to look for parts to upgrade my FJ, and for new ideas.
But when you stir the pot, you have to expect to get splashed!

[FeralJuggernaut]

Local riding buddy has one of those GTS machines.   Has the exact same rear brake as the FJ1100.   

I went to the GTS rally at Gunnison a year or two ago.  They hold their rally once every FIVE years.  Clearly inferior to our 3 per year!  muwhahahahaha

I got to meet Mr Parker and see some of his latest  front suspension work.   He has it designed to mimick a GXR geometry on his race bike testbed and gives it to racer types to help refine it.    It is substantially lighter and has hopes and dreams to get it into motoGP to prove it is a valid design.  What racer wouldn't like the same handling front end that is 10 lbs lighter...??!?   

Welcome to fray!   

[waricle]

Be nice guys, our children will always look best to our eyes.

Here's a banana for your monkey- whoops

[Harvy]

Local riding buddy has one of those GTS machines.   Has the exact same rear brake as the FJ1100.   

I've not seen a GTS in the flesh myself, but that swingarm looks very like a ThunderAce/FZ1 swingarm?

Harvy

[SlowOldGuy]

I've not seen a GTS in the flesh myself, but that swingarm looks very like a ThunderAce/FZ1 swingarm?
Harvy

I'm "fairly sure" the GTS has a shaft drive.

Nice bikes, way too expensive when they came out.  The GTS sales failure is directly responsible for Yamaha's cold feet in bringing the FJR to the US.  Always amazes me how they conduct all these studies and still come up with the wrong conclusion.  Do they still require buyers of the FJR to pre-order them?

DavidR.

[rktmanfj]

I'm "fairly sure" the GTS has a shaft drive.

DavidR.

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_gts1000_abs.htm

Randy T
Indy

[Harvy]

I've not seen a GTS in the flesh myself, but that swingarm looks very like a ThunderAce/FZ1 swingarm?
Harvy

I'm "fairly sure" the GTS has a shaft drive.



DavidR.

Dave, I can see a rear sprocket in the pic in that link Randy T posted.
oh....and the text says chain drive.

OLDtimers setting in mate?

You can buy an FJR off the showroom floor here in Aus.....

I too was considering a GTS when I bought my FJ.......so glad the FJ came along!  

Harvy

[SlowOldGuy]

That's why I said "fairly sure" I guess my rememory isn't so good.  :-)

The one thing I DO remember about the GTS is that they got their faulty ABS pumps recalled.  And even though it was the same pump used on the FJ, very few of those were replaced by the factory.

DavidR.