FJ-09

[yamaha fj rider]

Friday I took a demo ride on one of the FJ-09. Spent over an hour and put over fifty miles on the demo. First off, it is not my 1200 but I don't want another 93. If you went to buy a new car to replace your twenty plus year old one and the salesperson showed you the same car you were replacing how happy would you be? Twenty plus years and no changes or improvements? The 09 doesn't look like, ride like or feel like my 1200. It handles better, is effortless to ride and feels so light. You sit in a more upright position, I find this very comfortable. This is a bike I can ride for hours comfortably. It is deceptively fast, has torque that needs to experienced. I still love my 1200 and I don't think the 09 could ever replace it. Having said this the 09 would make a great addition to anybody's collection. I strongly believe that 09 carries the FJ name well. It doesn't detract from our beloved 1100/1200 but brings the FJ label in to the 21st century. I have now ridden one over 250 miles and the more I get to know it the more I like the FJ-09. Having said all this, now there are two FJs in my garage. WARNING test riding could affect your finances!!!!!!!!

Kurt

[X-Ray]

Wow! so you bought it. Nice!  I've got to say it would be great to have and own a current tech bike like that, while still keeping the FJ of course. Sounds like you will certainly enjoy it.

[yamaha fj rider]

Had to have this picture. On the right side of the display, the zero is for zero miles.




I could not get this to post to save my life. It is good to be married to the person who handles the IT for the SLC division of the corporation she works for.

Kurt 

[FJ1100mjk]

They ARE a nice bike, and they're a bargain for what you get. I expect Yamaha to sell a good number of them.

I wouldn't doubt it if your 93 starts collecting a coating of dust.

Have fun!

[CatTomb]

Beautiful Bike! 

Congratulations, Kurt!

Keep updating and let us know how your relationship grows. 

Jeff

[Firehawk068]

I really want to test ride one of these things!

[FJ1100mjk]

Hey, what's this that I'm reading online about the NA'n FJ-09 being limited to 115MPH?

Does Yamaha think that the aging motorcyclists who they're targeting, and who don't want to go the cruiser route, also don't want to go fast anymore!?!?!? 

[TexasDave]

Hey, what's this that I'm reading online about the NA'n FJ-09 being limited to 115MPH?

Does Yamaha think that the aging motorcyclists who they're targeting, and who don't want to go the cruiser route, also don't want to go fast anymore!?!?!?  

The single biggest complaint on the FJ-09 forums.  They are already trying to find someone who will remap the ECU for a higher top end. Looks like Yamaha blew it there along with limiting the 2013 FJR cruise control to 80mph which they corrected on the 2014 FJR. The second biggest complaint is no cruise control. The FJ-09 people hope this will happen on the next years model. To add insult to injury the cruise control spaces on the handgrip have been covered as it is the same grip used on the Super Tenere with cruise control. Give me a good paint color and cruise control I might be interested.  Dave

[Pat Conlon]

Kurt, did you also get the side cases?

The FZ09 forum will be a great resource. You've got to understand these FJ09 and FZ09's are sold at bargain prices. Lots of things you can do to customize them to your individual needs.

115mph limit? I wonder their (Yamaha's) reasoning. I know the coefficient of drag plays a big part on bikes running in the triple digit zone.
I know my FJ's are rock stable at 160mph....the front end just squats down, unlike other bikes I've ridden where the front end starts floating..

The FJ09 looks like a tall bike....Perhaps the body work or suspension (or both) was not designed for high speed?

At this stage of my riding career 115mph sounds reasonable to me....sometimes....ok, most of the time...

[aviationfred]

Congratulations on the new FJ. 

Great looking in the grey. I like the last photo. The New FJ and the old FJ mirrored in the glass

Fred

[Country Joe]

The FJ09 looks like a tall bike....Perhaps the body work or suspension (or both) was not designed for high speed?

At this stage of my riding career 115mph sounds reasonable to me....sometimes....ok, most of the time...

Pat,
I think you have probably hit the nail on the head. A tall, draggy bike is not going to set any top end records anywhere safely. I was drooling over a red FJ 09 last week at our local Yamaha shop. I could see one of them being a lot of fun.
Joe

[yamaha fj rider]

Hey, what's this that I'm reading online about the NA'n FJ-09 being limited to 115MPH?

Does Yamaha think that the aging motorcyclists who they're targeting, and who don't want to go the cruiser route, also don't want to go fast anymore!?!?!? 

I read that also but it was not a deal breaker. The demo get to 110 mph with ease. I was on the 09 forum and they are all ready working on reprogramming the ECU. This will void the warranty, next year for that mod. I will test the 115 limit after some more miles. Also need to check in all three modes. Just ridding 60 to 70 mpg no problem as per the display and confirmed by the first fill up.

Kurt

[yamaha fj rider]

Kurt, did you also get the side cases?

No, but will soon. Just wanted to get the bike for now. Also Yamaha is out of the graphite color, more to come. I bought it now to get the best price.

Kurt

[Pat Conlon]

Kurt, after break in....what's the intervals between valve adjustments?

[yamaha fj rider]

Kurt, after break in....what's the intervals between valve adjustments?

Owners manual doesn't list an initial valve adjustment, only says every 26,600 mi or 42,000 km. During delivery the tech said "first service was change the oil and synchronize the throttle bodies".  I just confirmed this with my dealer.

The 09 has under bucket shims. Valve adjustment will not be fun.

Kurt