Gonna Test Ride an FJR...

[Scooper]

The 2008 to 2014 have had an improved tranny so hopefully the shift dog will not pose a problem but you are right it's good to check for it.

 

[hppants]

Radiohowie brings a good point - the 1-2 shift is the longest throw, and the most likley to have a shift fork problem.

As for splooge - my pinion seals were junk at about 7K, I wasn't the first. I fixed it on my shop bench using a "how to" thread on a forum, a handful of ordinary tools (nothing special), and about $40.00 in parts. IIRC, the quart of Yamalube was by far the most expensive thing. Look under the bike where the driveshaft meets the pumkin - there's a weep hole - if you see a smidge of oil there, splooge is inevitable. I agree it's a rare thing, but let's be honest, with the FJR - just about everything is rare. These bikes are mileage eaters - hit the switch and go.

Another thing I just thought of - you might find the shifter and the rear brake pedal a little rough. The rear brake pedal may even stick just a tad. The factory put very little grease on these parts - you can fix it with a teaspoon of waterproof grease and about an hour.

Now I'm grasping at straws....

Seriously, if you know the difference between a screwdriver and a wrench, you can maintain this bike quite easily for next to nothing.

 

[garyahouse]

When you first start it, it will idle quite a bit faster than it's normal 1100 rpms. If you take off just using the clutch w/o hitting the throttle, it's a good way to check if the clutch is pulsing. This IS INDEED a common problem with many FJRs. Not a major item, but a clutch soak fixes it just about every time. FJR clutch plates don't run in an oil "bath," but rather a sort of mist that they pick up indirectly... if I've understood this forum correctly. So dry clutch plates can and do develop a kind of pulsing that you can easily feel when just holding the clutch in while slowly accelerating from a stop, do so at just above an idle at say 2k rpms or so. Deal breaker? Not at all. But something to watch for.

Also: well known around here: FWIW, DO NOT tighten the oil drain bolt to factory specs: WAY TOO TIGHT. Many have stripped because of this. Why the factory doesn't change this we don't know...

RECALLS. Find out about the recalls your bike should have had done in the Bin o facts. CLICKY HERE

Finding stuff on this forum: google search the forum's name and what you're looking for... for example -- site:fjrforum.com recall

Gary

darksider #44

 

[karnal]

Don't panic about the god awful sounding "Clunk" putting it into first from neutral. We all hear it and it's been there since day one. It's normal. Well.... It's Yamaha normal. You will fall in love with this bike in 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Read somewhere else that performing the following process helps with the clunk:

1. In neutral pull in clutch

2. rev to 2-4k (blip)

3. revs settle back down close to idle; shift to first

The clutch pack sticks a bit when pulling on the clutch; the quick rev loosens the pack a little and slows down the internal revs to where it's just a light "click" after that. I find myself doing it automatically now; only takes a few seconds off of ready-to-roll time.

 

[Fullchat]

Could I make a suggestion?

When addressing the recalls issue dont ask if X,Y and Z have been done (closed question) because the answer will probably be "Yes" from a salesperson. Armed with what recalls should have been done ask "What recalls have been completed?" (Open question) This should indicate the quality of salesmanship and dealer knowledge.

An issue we have in the UK is lack of servicing of the suspension linkage and dogbones. Whilst its on the service schedule its a big job for a dealer and they tend to ignore and just give a tick on the service sheet. This area is subject to all the carp spun off the back wheel and if not serviced properly can seize/shear with potential dangerous consequences. This need checking out if it has some miles on it.

 

[08FJR4ME]

Sit on the bike, put up the kick stand put in first if it isn't already, pull the clutch in and then start the bike. AMAZING eh, no cluck.

Good day,

Dave

 

[killbilly]

This is all seriously good and helpful stuff. I really appreciate all of the info/assistance - especially the advice about the final drive.

With regard to the recall stuff, the dealer I would be purchasing the bike from is not a Yamaha dealer. They used to be, but they haven't been for a few years - which means they won't have access to the recall database. I should be able to call any local dealer and give them the VIN, though, and they would be able to tell me what, if any, recalls have been handled. Since those are not on my dime anyway, I'm not worried.

It's funny how history repeats itself. 16 years ago or so, I had a Ducati M900 Monster. And I liked it okay - it was a cool bike, but I wanted something a little more comfy and...civilized. I ended up trading that for a '98 YZF600R - going from the Duck to the Thundercat was like switching to an electric bike - it was so smooth and comfortable compared to the Duck. But also a bit more...boring. And maybe that's so, but I do think the FJR is better suited for my needs these days than the Tiger.

I'm sure the Tiger'll make someone happy...

 

[garyahouse]

Sit on the bike, put up the kick stand put in first if it isn't already, pull the clutch in and then start the bike. AMAZING eh, no cluck.
Good day,

Dave

+1

I do this most of the time when I'm out and about.

 

[killbilly]

Made the appointment for Thursday morning to test ride it. So we shall see what happens!

 

[Grey13]

good luck! and have a good time!

 

[killbilly]

#$*#&^@^!!!!!!!

Ugh.

I called the salesman at the dealership this morning and left him a message that I was running late, because I got shanghai'd into waiting on a package delivery for my wife.

He called me a few minutes ago and let me know that it was sold.

At least he saved me a trip, but I'm bummed. It was a 2008 with only 6000 miles on it.

There are others around for sale, but haven't seen one with that low mileage yet. Oh well. Guess it wasn't meant to be on that one.

 

[RossKean]

That is extraordinarily low mileage for an '08 but don't sweat the mileage (within reason). If 50,000 miles or less with evidence of regular maintenance, I certainly wouldn't give it a second thought. Might get a better deal on one with a few more miles and it won't matter to you unless you put a LOT of miles on it per year. I don't know whether I have heard of any FJR that was simply "worn out" due to distance travelled.

 

[killbilly]

There is another one nearby - similar - with 49K on the clock. I don't honestly know how many miles I'm going to be putting on it, but I'd like to put on as many as possible. 49K seems like an awful lot. I know it's not much on a FJR, but there is a (probably totally irrational) level of worry that at that mileage I'm buying someone else's problem. I dunno.

The best news, I guess, is that they can be found. So that's good. Just have to be patient.

I hate being patient.

 

[TripperMike]

Your patience will be rewarded grasshoppa.

About a month ago I test rode an '05 non-abs for a buddy of mine. Had just a tick under 40K and that bike felt like new. Looked like new as well. The seller took great care of the bike and it had several nice farkles to boot. My buddy did end up buying it for around 5100. IMHO it was a good buy.

There are great used bikes out there owned by caring riders. You just have to be diligent in your search.

 

[killbilly]

Your patience will be rewarded grasshoppa.
About a month ago I test rode an '05 non-abs for a buddy of mine. Had just a tick under 40K and that bike felt like new. Looked like new as well. The seller took great care of the bike and it had several nice farkles to boot. My buddy did end up buying it for around 5100. IMHO it was a good buy.

There are great used bikes out there owned by caring riders. You just have to be diligent in your search.

Yeah, I know, evenetually, it will.

I'd like to get a test ride on one before I commit to a purchase.

I did take a look at the one with 49K, and it looked good, but I think I can find one with lower miles (even if it's a year or two older) for less money - fundamentally, it seems like there is no difference between an '07 and an '08. So I'll be patient and wait and the moment will come when the right bike arrives with the right balance in my bank account and all will be well.

 

[Intech]

I found mine on ebay. It was April of 2009. The bike had 2100 miles on it. I had to drive to Philly to pick it up. I put it in the back of my truck without even riding it. I have 83k on it now. Except for some normal scratches that come from use it still looks damn good. Having performed regular maintenance the bike still runs like it did when I bought it. Damn does it eat tires, though!

 

[killbilly]

I found mine on ebay. It was April of 2009. The bike had 2100 miles on it. I had to drive to Philly to pick it up. I put it in the back of my truck without even riding it. I have 83k on it now. Except for some normal scratches that come from use it still looks damn good. Having performed regular maintenance the bike still runs like it did when I bought it. Damn does it eat tires, though!

That's pretty cool - I'm happy that it worked out for you.

I really only have two concerns about the FJR, and one of them is fairly minor:

1) How good would the wind protection be? I have heard stories from "This sucks! Worst Wind Protection Ever! It's like riding in a jet engine!" to "It is so quiet I was brought to tears by the Yo-Yo Ma concerto playing in my helmet speakers." I realize that wind protection is totally subjective, and luckily, there are as many aftermarket windshield options/configurations as I am willing to burn cash figuring out. (awkward sentence - sorry.)

2) My knees were engineered by the same people who built the Yugo. I suspect that a higher seat and lower pegs (in that order) would be necessary, but I'm just not quite sure until I get a chance to ride one. 'Tis true that the best ergo improvement I've ever made is popping an Aleve before I go riding, but I think I can do better.

What I suspect is that I'll ride it, whack the throttle open once and turn into a gibbering fool as I hand over the money and go deaf to words like "tires" and "insurance" and "divorce attorney" but it's just one of those things I'll have to live with.

 

[Intech]

I found mine on ebay. It was April of 2009. The bike had 2100 miles on it. I had to drive to Philly to pick it up. I put it in the back of my truck without even riding it. I have 83k on it now. Except for some normal scratches that come from use it still looks damn good. Having performed regular maintenance the bike still runs like it did when I bought it. Damn does it eat tires, though!

That's pretty cool - I'm happy that it worked out for you.

I really only have two concerns about the FJR, and one of them is fairly minor:

1) How good would the wind protection be? I have heard stories from "This sucks! Worst Wind Protection Ever! It's like riding in a jet engine!" to "It is so quiet I was brought to tears by the Yo-Yo Ma concerto playing in my helmet speakers." I realize that wind protection is totally subjective, and luckily, there are as many aftermarket windshield options/configurations as I am willing to burn cash figuring out. (awkward sentence - sorry.)

2) My knees were engineered by the same people who built the Yugo. I suspect that a higher seat and lower pegs (in that order) would be necessary, but I'm just not quite sure until I get a chance to ride one. 'Tis true that the best ergo improvement I've ever made is popping an Aleve before I go riding, but I think I can do better.

What I suspect is that I'll ride it, whack the throttle open once and turn into a gibbering fool as I hand over the money and go deaf to words like "tires" and "insurance" and "divorce attorney" but it's just one of those things I'll have to live with.

Wind protection is a very subjective item. There are so many factors. Your height and riding position, what windshield you are using, even your helmet. I run the stock screen during the warm weather and all the way down. I like the wind. I run a VStream +4+2 in the colder weather that, when fully raised, pretty much takes the wind off of me. I also run a Shoei Qwest helmet with Sena SMH10. With the windscreen up I have no problem enjoying Yo Yo Ma with clarity. In the wind the Shoei is the quitest helmet I have owned, but there is still wind noise. I can hear the music enough to know what is playing.

Knees? Yeah, age has a lot to do with that. I just changed to a Russel seat that puts me up higher. Just that slight change in my knee angle makes a huge difference. Again VERY subjective. I am 5'7" with a 30" inseam. I was running a Corbin which is slightly lower than stock and really comfortable for me everywhere except the knees. It wasn't terrible, just meant that I had to change position and stretch them out more often. Keep in mind that a higher seat also means it is further to the ground. I am now on the balls of my feet on flat ground with the Russel.

As for your last sentence, I agree with everything except the divorce. The FJR is an excellent and very capable 2-up platform. Take her along. There is nothing like it. Just be careful as if you have a neutral pillion like I do you can get carried away in the twisties and scare the crap out of her. DAMHIK!

 

[Twigg]

That's pretty cool - I'm happy that it worked out for you.
I really only have two concerns about the FJR, and one of them is fairly minor:

1) How good would the wind protection be? I have heard stories from "This sucks! Worst Wind Protection Ever! It's like riding in a jet engine!" to "It is so quiet I was brought to tears by the Yo-Yo Ma concerto playing in my helmet speakers." I realize that wind protection is totally subjective, and luckily, there are as many aftermarket windshield options/configurations as I am willing to burn cash figuring out. (awkward sentence - sorry.)

2) My knees were engineered by the same people who built the Yugo. I suspect that a higher seat and lower pegs (in that order) would be necessary, but I'm just not quite sure until I get a chance to ride one. 'Tis true that the best ergo improvement I've ever made is popping an Aleve before I go riding, but I think I can do better.

What I suspect is that I'll ride it, whack the throttle open once and turn into a gibbering fool as I hand over the money and go deaf to words like "tires" and "insurance" and "divorce attorney" but it's just one of those things I'll have to live with.

I just recently bought one, so I'll try to help. I am 6 feet tall with a 33" inseam, 180 lbs. Screen is a V-Stream, standard size.

On my early rides I thought I could use a higher seat and lowered pegs .... Maybe I still could, but on a 32-hour ride recently my knees and hips were not too bad, it was my back and shoulders that hurt probably because I am not yet accustomed to the slight lean forward. Fitness will take care of that. I have the Helibar (Gen 1 version) risers that help. I have a Russell seat. The highway pegs are next to useless and I'll relocate them to Canyon Cages eventually.

Wind protection is fine. When the screen needs replacing I'll get slightly higher because at the top it's only just above my eyeline, and slightly wider to help my wife when she is on the back. I wear a Vega Summit 2 helmet. It's fairly noisy normally and I have a SENA SMH10. With foam earplugs it is quiet, and they help the Sena produce the bass tones. The headset is perfectly listenable for decent quality music, phone and intercom. Without earplugs the Sena is tinny and nasty. I also have Shure earbuds. They are brilliant, but after a couple of days my ears begin to dislike them and they are fiddly to use.

I also rode through several hours of moderate rain. In my Olympus Airglide 3 suit, liner installed, I stayed perfectly dry.

Like you, I tend to pop a couple of Ibuprofen as the ride gets up towards 24 hours. That relieves the shoulders and does wonders at preventing those "stress headaches".

Hope that helped.

 

[killbilly]

Great info, thanks guys. If I had a nickel for every good, helpful piece of info I've gotten from a bike forum I could afford a new FJR!