My new FJR

I've been a member of this forum for a long time, but mostly read other posts about maintenance, etc. On October 17, I traded my 04 FJR that's never had a wrench turned on it except for maintenance for a 2018 1300ES.

All I can say is WOW. Why did I wait so long? If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Cruise control alone was a good enough reason to trade. All the other goodies, ABS, TCS and adjustable suspension just made it better.

I have only one question right now, does Yamaha honestly call a screw driver and an allen wrench a tool kit? I know you have to have some good tools, and I do, but my old bike had a pair of pliers, spark plug wrench and a few other items that could be used if necessary,

The first thing I've done is install a K&N filter. I'm sure more will follow.

Congrats on the new ride!

You didn't happen to see a 2019 in the showroom did ya?

Welcome to the asylum,

Dave

Congrats on the new bike! I really like the look of the matte finish - looks fantastic in bright daylight IMHO.

I was thinking about a new one to replace my high miles '07 but I got too good a deal on a used 2011 instead. I'll just wait for the NEXT generation.

(Never a fan of the K&N air filters. No power gains to be had and I'm not convinced that they remove particulates as well as OEM.)

Congrats! Except it didn't happen unless you have pics.

Congrats on the new '18...and yup, there's been a few changes!

~G

Wait until you go out when it's dark along an unlit, narrow, winding road. The LED lights are well worth changing for.

RossKean said:

Congrats on the new bike! I really like the look of the matte finish - looks fantastic in bright daylight IMHO.I was thinking about a new one to replace my high miles '07 but I got too good a deal on a used 2011 instead. I'll just wait for the NEXT generation.

(Never a fan of the K&N air filters. No power gains to be had and I'm not convinced that they remove particulates as well as OEM.)

Click to expand...

I agree on ^^^^ comment about K&N air filters.

I went from the very awesome 2003 to the new 18 and put on 23,000 km this summer.

Pros;

- Electronic suspension rocks

- Heated Grips

- Redesigned fairing offers much better protection

- Cruise control is neat

- I find the two power modes useful

- Anti lock brakes are nice

- Lighting is exceptional

- More juice for electric goodies

- The matte paint looks sweet when all cleaned up

- Traction control allows for more stupidity in less than ideal conditions

Cons;

- The seat plan sucks

- Still not convinced that I see the 6 speed trans as an improvement

- Be careful with the matte, theres no buffing out little marks

Canadian FJR

Congrats!!

Canadian FJR said:

I went from the very awesome 2003 to the new 18 and put on 23,000 km this summer.
Pros;

- Electronic suspension rocks

- Heated Grips

- Redesigned fairing offers much better protection

- Cruise control is neat

- I find the two power modes useful

- Anti lock brakes are nice

- Lighting is exceptional

- More juice for electric goodies

- The matte paint looks sweet when all cleaned up

- Traction control allows for more stupidity in less than ideal conditions

Cons;

- The seat plan sucks

- Still not convinced that I see the 6 speed trans as an improvement

- Be careful with the matte, theres no buffing out little marks

Canadian FJR

Click to expand...

On the cons, I hope Yamaha does not continue with matte paint. I would like to buy one more FJR before I retire from riding but i will not buy one with matte finish.

The factory cruise control is reason enough to move into the Gen III territory.

Congrats on the new FJR!!! Yes, there has been a significant amount of refinement over the years.

Funny how these things go though. I have a '16 ES, a '14 ES, an 09, and an old worn out 04. Yet these days I find myself primarily riding the 04 because I enjoy it more. Vista Cruise is good enough. Five speed is good enough. Sure, when I ride my '16 ES my brain tells me what a cool bike it is because of all the features, improvements, and refinement, but I simply enjoy my old worn out 04 more and really don't miss that other stuff. I'm getting old. Brain must me going to mush.

SkooterG said:

Congrats on the new FJR!!! Yes, there has been a significant amount of refinement over the years.
Funny how these things go though. I have a '16 ES, a '14 ES, an 09, and an old worn out 04. Yet these days I find myself primarily riding the 04 because I enjoy it more. Vista Cruise is good enough. Five speed is good enough. Sure, when I ride my '16 ES my brain tells me what a cool bike it is because of all the features, improvements, and refinement, but I simply enjoy my old worn out 04 more and really don't miss that other stuff. I'm getting old. Brain must me going to mush.

Click to expand...

That's why I have a pristine 04 with 19k sitting in the garage. I like the simplicity of the gen 1, it works with my simple mind.

Congratulations on the FJR. I had an 05 and traded it in on Goldwing in 07 because of the heat and I could not get used to the riding position. 10 years later I took the plunge on a 16 ES and it is the best bike I have ever had. I went with the Yamaha comfort seat and larger windshield. This version didn't need bar risers for me, it just fits..

The only con I have is it feels like my right knee is bent more than my left knee. Go figure.

FJRay said:

SkooterG said:

Congrats on the new FJR!!! Yes, there has been a significant amount of refinement over the years.
Funny how these things go though. I have a '16 ES, a '14 ES, an 09, and an old worn out 04. Yet these days I find myself primarily riding the 04 because I enjoy it more. Vista Cruise is good enough. Five speed is good enough. Sure, when I ride my '16 ES my brain tells me what a cool bike it is because of all the features, improvements, and refinement, but I simply enjoy my old worn out 04 more and really don't miss that other stuff. I'm getting old. Brain must me going to mush.

Click to expand...

That's why I have a pristine 04 with 19k sitting in the garage. I like the simplicity of the gen 1, it works with my simple mind.

Click to expand...

Where do you live? That pristine 04 might just disappear in the future......

FJRay said:

SkooterG said:

Congrats on the new FJR!!! Yes, there has been a significant amount of refinement over the years.
Funny how these things go though. I have a '16 ES, a '14 ES, an 09, and an old worn out 04. Yet these days I find myself primarily riding the 04 because I enjoy it more. Vista Cruise is good enough. Five speed is good enough. Sure, when I ride my '16 ES my brain tells me what a cool bike it is because of all the features, improvements, and refinement, but I simply enjoy my old worn out 04 more and really don't miss that other stuff. I'm getting old. Brain must me going to mush.

Click to expand...

That's why I have a pristine 04 with 19k sitting in the garage. I like the simplicity of the gen 1, it works with my simple mind.

Click to expand...

Yeah, and it has a gen2 shock on it so it isn't pure.

jammess said:

FJRay said:

SkooterG said:

Congrats on the new FJR!!! Yes, there has been a significant amount of refinement over the years.
Funny how these things go though. I have a '16 ES, a '14 ES, an 09, and an old worn out 04. Yet these days I find myself primarily riding the 04 because I enjoy it more. Vista Cruise is good enough. Five speed is good enough. Sure, when I ride my '16 ES my brain tells me what a cool bike it is because of all the features, improvements, and refinement, but I simply enjoy my old worn out 04 more and really don't miss that other stuff. I'm getting old. Brain must me going to mush.

Click to expand...

That's why I have a pristine 04 with 19k sitting in the garage. I like the simplicity of the gen 1, it works with my simple mind. unk:

Click to expand...

Yeah, and it has a gen2 shock on it so it isn't pure.

Click to expand...

Shock is still in the box. I've been lazy.

Good luck with the new bike. I traded my 2006 for a new ES back in 16. The old one didnt last one day at the dealer. A mechanic bought it as soon as I brought it in. Ride it in good health.