FJRiders.com

I am new to this forum. I'm from Louisvilie , Ky . 60 yrs old and have been riding since age 12. My current ride is a 2002 BMW R1150 GS . I would like to get a used FJR for long distance riding and was wondering if any one year was better than another and for what reasons. Any help would be appreciated !

I would get a 2008 or newer. Gen 1 models, aka 2002 - 2005 dumped heat on to the riders legs. However many still love their 05 models.

2006-2007 Gen 2 models had minor fuel injection issues and a small throttle cam leading to an abrupt response and stiff throttle.

The 2014 has the FJR community jazzed as it features many electronic controls such a suspension (ES model), cruise control, traction control and fly by wire throttle. You can get a used one for around 12,000. The suspension on these models is very good where as the Gen 1 and 2 benefit from after market suspension.

Welcome. Fontanaman covered it pretty well. Of course the '07 Black Cherry is the fastest and best handling of all the years. JS

Intech wrote:Welcome. Fontanaman covered it pretty well. Of course the '07 Black Cherry is the fastest and best handling of all the years. JS

I once thought that until I upgraded to an 05. Now, I'm pretty sure they're too close to tell. The 07 had nicer gauges though...

Welcome OneLane.....As you may be aware, you will likely get as many different answers as the number of people answering. I have had an '03 and an '05, I loved them both.....the '05 has ABS so I consider that an advantage. I have considered a Gen3 myself but I can't see spending that much money for the minor improvements over what I have now. I'm too fat for the ES suspension to be an advantage, and I figure it would be like a new toy that got played with for a while and then left alone.

Good luck on your searches, things that I know of that you need to keep in mind:

First Gen bikes had ABS as an OPTION for '04 and '05 and I believe it became standard in '06

Second Gen bikes had the spider issue and it seems the first couple of years had a twitchy throttle issue as well. There was also an ignition issue that has a recall I think.

They only made the best color 1 year....that's the 2005 Galaxy Blue Pearl.

Hi. How much you looking to spend? Knowing that would help us zero in on a target for you. I have a 09 FJR and have farkled the hell out of it. It is now so perfect for me that upgrading to the 2014 or 2015 ES model is not of interest. Hell I only have 63k on the sucker and it will go for 90k more miles.

This might help: http://fjrforum.com/files/fjrcomparo.pdf

Find yourself a 2012...because it looks just like my 06 (best color)...but newer. Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Welcome aboard! We can give more indepth FJR advice at FODS in WV next month. So, come on out with that GS (my buddy will be on a 2000 model) and play. All the cool kids are doin it!!!