Gen 3 or Gen 4

[Jalingo]

Hi La famille FJR
Hope everybody is healthy safe and doing great

The subject say it all !!

I might pull the trigger on a new younger darling and I would like some honest advises please

I’m eyeballing 2 gen3 from 2015 : all stock with normal suspensions , very low mileage
and one gen 4 from 2016 with recalls up to date , stock , low mileage , Non ES , etc …
All the bikes adult owned of course

Honestly does 6th gear generations are still bulletproof ?
That second gear recall made everybody drop sweat and tears !!

I would like to have some opinions on gen4 mostly

Thanks to all

[N4HHE]

2016 is not a "Gen 4".

[SkooterG]

2016 is not a "Gen 4".

To many it is. Though, not I. I like to call the 2016+ models the Gen 3.6.

As for the OP. You can't go wrong with either, though I prefer the ES model. I own both Gen 3 and 3.6 models. I prefer the 5-speed. Advantages of the Gen 3.6 are slightly better fuel economy and less rpm at highway speeds. The best part of the Gen 3.6 is the LED lights and slipper clutch.

What color do you like more? I think the 2015 grey is the most hideous color to adorn a motorcycle and would rather ride a Harley trike than that abomination, but that is me.

[LKLD]

I’ve owned a ‘13 and currently on a ‘16, so my opinion may be biased for those two years.

Like Scooter, I prefer the 5spd over the 6spd, mainly because I feel the 2nd gear ratio has more pull in the 5spd.
That said, the slipper clutch in the ‘16+ can be a real money saver. I bent my shift fork on second gear, on my beloved’13, which I feel wouldn’t have happened had I had the slipper clutch.

There are plus and minus’s, from most everyone’s perspective, for each year’s iteration, however, the soul of an FJR is present in all years.

Good luck with your search.

[Mossyrocks]

2016. with all the pluses and you get progressive springs in the front

[Festus]

2016. with all the pluses and you get progressive springs in the front

Did they change something in 2016? I was almost certain my '13 had progressive springs in the front.

[raYzerman]

All A models '13 and up got progressive springs. Ditch them, get straight rate.
You can retrofit a slipper clutch into any FJR...... a coupla years ago that would cost you about $400 in parts.