Time to grow up in Illinois

[Cav47]

Been lurking here and ADVenturers for quite a while. Great site with lots of great info and opinions. I am looking for a used FJR. I recently turned 40 and my current bike no longer fits my needs. Multitudes of reasons have led me to return to the FJ series. My current bike is 2001 Superhawk. Outstanding machine but my career as a teacher/coach has me looking for more of a perceived responsible ride. I went for 4 years before my players even knew I had a bike. Washing it in the driveway when one of my players rolled by clued them in. Next day at practice "Coach whose crotch rocket were you washing in the driveway?" My secret was gone. Since I always wore a helmet no one knew who it was!! Look forward to being part of the board and community. Help me find a good place for my Hawk if u can. Let me know any leads on a good used FJR. Been looking on cycle trader, craigslist, and eBay. But I know this is the best place amount the rest of he inmates. I am a member of the superhawk forum and will be putting it for sale over there. Thanks for all the effort on the site already. B

[extrememarine]

Welcome aboard! The FJR might provide that "responsible rider" persona to those who don't know any better, good luck with your search. You might want to consider dropping by a local tech day - good place to get familiar with the bike and fellow hooligans...

Also - keep an eye on the classified section on both FJR forums - first place owners looking to move a FJR is there...

Wayne

[HotRodZilla]

Do you HAVE to sell the SuperHawk? You could have two fun bikes in the geerage. There are a couple good deals on FJRForum right now. You should look. May have to get instructions as automated sign up is disabled until they get a better fix.

[Cav47]

Financially I cannot afford both bikes. Nor would I want to. I am looking for an early Gen 2 with under 35K miles. Silver is the seat looking to me. I have always felt that the looks and color of the bike should make u want to stare at it. If it doesn't, they why did u buy it? The superhawk did that for me. But the wife is not riding with me on the hawk anymore. I know she would ride something more comfortable.

What is this fix you speak of? I think I am signed up but maybe not. What should I be looking for? I am looking to spend no more than 6000 total. And that includes what I get for my bike.

[MrZappo]

"Responsible" ride ??? You just made me feel old ... My Harley friends call my FJR a "sport bike" ... Well, I guess I am sort of responsible ... But please never tell anyone that !!!

[Geezer]

"Responsible" ride ??? You just made me feel old ... My Harley friends call my FJR a "sport bike" ... Well, I guess I am sort of responsible ... But please never tell anyone that !!!

On the flip side, the local kids call my FJR an old man's bike. Until see me riding it.

[Cav47]

"Responsible" ride ??? You just made me feel old ... My Harley friends call my FJR a "sport bike" ... Well, I guess I am sort of responsible ... But please never tell anyone that !!!

Sorry about the unintended age reference. If you have seen a red superhawk in this small town full of Harley guys, u would understand the more responsible. Plus me being a teacher and coach leaves me "image" to represent. My defensive coordinator has 2 Harley choppers type bikes but he is not in the school system. Those are minor reasons for me to upgrade to the FJR. The biggest reason is the FJ Is the best bike for my overall needs and I had an Fj1200 a long time ago and it was very good to me.

Just looking for a good example to latch on to. My local dealer has one but is overpriced.

[ts3doug]

No, you were right the first time. Buncha old farts 'round here.

[fontanaman]

Hi and welcome to the nut house where we get more smiles per post than any other motorcycle forum.

You said a late early model Gen II with less than 35k miles. That s/b doable. I suggest on 08 and 1/2 newer. Some of first GEN II's had a stiff throttle (the G2 throtte farkle fixed that) and some had abrupt throttle response issue.

Also some early GEN II's had a cam chain tensioner issue. Mamaha changed the part number and fixed that. Those with a blue dot are the good ones. The cam chain tensioner was a easy fix when the valves adjustment is needed.

[Cav47]

Hi and welcome to the nut house where we get more smiles per post than any other motorcycle forum.

You said a late early model Gen II with less than 35k miles. That s/b doable. I suggest on 08 and 1/2 newer. Some of first GEN II's had a stiff throttle (the G2 throtte farkle fixed that) and some had abrupt throttle response issue.

Also some early GEN II's had a cam chain tensioner issue. Mamaha changed the part number and fixed that. Those with a blue dot are the good ones. The cam chain tensioner was a easy fix when the valves adjustment is needed.

The stiff throttle is a good heads up. I know I won't get a perfect bike but am concerned that one in my price range will be really hard to find. We got another round of snow, sleet, ice, and freezing rain today so it's not like I can be anxious.

[HotRodZilla]

It wasn't the GenII's that had the cam chain issue. It was the GenI's; like '04 and '05. I think your gonna have a hard time hitting all your targets: Silver, under 35k, and $6k total??

Issues...Only '10 and '11s are silver GenII's. They may have low mileage, but will be over $6k. Maybe significantly.

There are some silver GenI bikes that will fit color and price, but the mileage may be higher than you want.

By all means, I'm not saying it's impossible, but you may have to look a lot and hold out for exactly the right one.

Good luck.

Oh yeah...This IS an old man's bike. I'm 41 and most of the hooligans here are old enough to be my dad. Good luck keeping up with them though! Don't let the gray hair fool you!! Haha.

[fencer]

Pfft,

Stiff throttle my ass.

Some folks need to lift more than a keyboard.
40K on my trouble free 06, minus the spider bite, but the recall fixed that.

Oh, they may THINK the FJR is an old man's bike, till you twist the throttle.

Several of us have tracked the FJR, drug knees, kick stands, center stands, mufflers, etc.

Keep good rubber on it and it can probably do more than you can.

[ts3doug]

Shit, I normally have the CAT o-ring jammed in my throttle cuz I'm too cheap for real cruise control.




Please don't ask what I keep jammed in my o-ring

[fontanaman]

The least of your worries is with the stiff throttle I noted in a prior post. The stiff throttle is easy go to fix using G2 Ergos.

This may improve the hesitation issue as it open the throttle bodies slower. Some swear by Power Commanders. I choose to buy an 09 as it was without hesitation and throttle issues box stock. The 09 had the ground spider issue - inadequate ground cable - fixed on recall.

As Zilla said under 6k is mighty sporty especially this time of year - the new riding season is starting. Up your game to 8k and you will not be sorry. Give up a choosing a color - Yamaha makes one color per year. For instance 09 was black and black only and that is the way it is for all years.

The FJR is a very reliable motorcycle. They go 150k or more with normal maintenance. The weak point for me was the seat a and stock suspension. Like me many have upgraded the seat along with front and rear suspension. This is not inexpensive but worth every damn penny. Stock seats and suspension is garbage of most Japanese bikes. Euro bikes come with better suspension but then again the price is higher and often the reliability is lower or it is quirky as in the case of the Moto Guzzi Norge.

Good luck on your search.

[Cav47]

The least of your worries is with the stiff throttle I noted in a prior post. The stiff throttle is easy go to fix using G2 Ergos.

This may improve the hesitation issue as it open the throttle bodies slower. Some swear by Power Commanders. I choose to buy an 09 as it was without hesitation and throttle issues box stock. The 09 had the ground spider issue - inadequate ground cable - fixed on recall.

As Zilla said under 6k is mighty sporty especially this time of year - the new riding season is starting. Up your game to 8k and you will not be sorry. Give up a choosing a color - Yamaha makes one color per year. For instance 09 was black and black only and that is the way it is for all years.

The FJR is a very reliable motorcycle. They go 150k or more with normal maintenance. The weak point for me was the seat a and stock suspension. Like me many have upgraded the seat along with front and rear suspension. This is not inexpensive but worth every damn penny. Stock seats and suspension is garbage of most Japanese bikes. Euro bikes come with better suspension but then again the price is higher and often the reliability is lower or it is quirky as in the case of the Moto Guzzi Norge.

Good luck on your search.

Thanks for the advice from all of you. The seat is not an issue. (unless it is beyond horrible, I rode a stock SuperHawk, GXSR, CBR900RR, and others for every mile about 100k til I got a great deal on a Corbin for the Hawk.) Suspension is always tuneable. I am not a racer, the stock will work. It is not going to the track and if you ride above the suspension threshold on the roads here, I kinda think it makes you a Squid. Just me saying that. I am sure you guys are right that it can be improved for sure.

As for the riding season beginning, where do you see that light at the end of the tunnel. Sure its warming up above 32, but as I sit in my classroom before school starts, there is still 15 inches of snow yet to melt. We are easily over a month away from anything more than a quick jaunt without Arctic gear.

I hear you on the color. After more research, I am not transfixed on a Gen 2 I know there were improvements that are valuable, but my budget wont take it if I really want a Silver one. I found an 04 with some nice Farkles on it. 35K miles. For 5K and change. The guy obviously did not ride that much I am not a math teacher, but 10 years old and less than 40K miles means less than 4K a year. I have put that many miles in a month on the other bikes Ive had. Heck, one summer and one semester, I put that many miles on the CBR going back and forth to school.

Keep the advice coming. I appreciate your contributions to the forum

[silverback]

I had an 07 and it was absolutely beautiful in color. Pictures just don't do justice. Now, as of Tuesday, I have an 05. Its blue. For a guy that's red/green color blind, I liked the 07 color better. Go figure. There is a 10 hold over at the dealer here and the silver color is...well...silver. If you like it, I am sure its nice. They had an 08, and it was...black. Now, the 14, its a different color red than the 07, quite striking. However, as far as gen 1 and 2, under the paint, I think I would pick the Gen 1 (did I really say that?). My 07 was a wonderful machine, but this 05 is just different in small ways that seem to add up quickly. I really wish it was black cherry though.

No matter which one you get, you WILL NOT be disappointed. Trust me. They are excellent machines from a very long line of bullet proof engineering.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Cav47]

I had an 07 and it was absolutely beautiful in color. Pictures just don't do justice. Now, as of Tuesday, I have an 05. Its blue. For a guy that's red/green color blind, I liked the 07 color better. Go figure. There is a 10 hold over at the dealer here and the silver color is...well...silver. If you like it, I am sure its nice. They had an 08, and it was...black. Now, the 14, its a different color red than the 07, quite striking. However, as far as gen 1 and 2, under the paint, I think I would pick the Gen 1 (did I really say that?). My 07 was a wonderful machine, but this 05 is just different in small ways that seem to add up quickly. I really wish it was black cherry though.

No matter which one you get, you WILL NOT be disappointed. Trust me. They are excellent machines from a very long line of bullet proof engineering.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Silverback, Where are these bikes you speak of?? I did not see on your Signature your location.

Thanks

[Geezer]

The least of your worries is with the stiff throttle I noted in a prior post. The stiff throttle is easy go to fix using G2 Ergos.

This may improve the hesitation issue as it open the throttle bodies slower. Some swear by Power Commanders. I choose to buy an 09 as it was without hesitation and throttle issues box stock. The 09 had the ground spider issue - inadequate ground cable - fixed on recall.

As Zilla said under 6k is mighty sporty especially this time of year - the new riding season is starting. Up your game to 8k and you will not be sorry. Give up a choosing a color - Yamaha makes one color per year. For instance 09 was black and black only and that is the way it is for all years.

The FJR is a very reliable motorcycle. They go 150k or more with normal maintenance. The weak point for me was the seat a and stock suspension. Like me many have upgraded the seat along with front and rear suspension. This is not inexpensive but worth every damn penny. Stock seats and suspension is garbage of most Japanese bikes. Euro bikes come with better suspension but then again the price is higher and often the reliability is lower or it is quirky as in the case of the Moto Guzzi Norge.

Good luck on your search.

Thanks for the advice from all of you. The seat is not an issue. (unless it is beyond horrible, I rode a stock SuperHawk, GXSR, CBR900RR, and others for every mile about 100k til I got a great deal on a Corbin for the Hawk.) Suspension is always tuneable. I am not a racer, the stock will work. It is not going to the track and if you ride above the suspension threshold on the roads here, I kinda think it makes you a Squid. Just me saying that. I am sure you guys are right that it can be improved for sure.

As for the riding season beginning, where do you see that light at the end of the tunnel. Sure its warming up above 32, but as I sit in my classroom before school starts, there is still 15 inches of snow yet to melt. We are easily over a month away from anything more than a quick jaunt without Arctic gear.

I hear you on the color. After more research, I am not transfixed on a Gen 2 I know there were improvements that are valuable, but my budget wont take it if I really want a Silver one. I found an 04 with some nice Farkles on it. 35K miles. For 5K and change. The guy obviously did not ride that much I am not a math teacher, but 10 years old and less than 40K miles means less than 4K a year. I have put that many miles in a month on the other bikes Ive had. Heck, one summer and one semester, I put that many miles on the CBR going back and forth to school.

Keep the advice coming. I appreciate your contributions to the forum

The '04 was an excellent year, almost as good as the '05.

Actually, they are all good. You will be very happy with an '04. In '04 and '05 the ABS was an option that added a bit to the price. Does the one you're looking at have ABS? It will affect the value.

[silverback]

I am in Kansas...

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[Cav47]

Geezer,

Yes it does have ABS.


The list price is 5499. I need some "ammo" to get them down some. Any suggestions??