FJRiders.com

I’m in the market for my 5th FJR. I don’t want convincing of any other bike models.
I retired this past June and have been riding ever since (About 50k since June) I have fallen behind in research and need a quick refreshing.
History:
‘05, ‘08, ‘09, and ‘18 FJRs
I’ve never owned an ES. Opinions?
My ‘18 had initial recalls. Did they straighten issues out in later model years?
Updates since the ‘18 model?
Any info would be appreciated, as I am sort of rushed.
BTW: I will post up a story of my ‘18s demise. It was only the 2nd brand new bike that I have purchased in my life. I purchased it left over and had to wait for a build from the crate for $9,999… so yes, I was spoiled with that one. It became my primary LD bike 2 years ago and had only 142k on it.
Thanks again for some updates and opinions.

Congrats on your retirement!

Hopefully Scooter will see this and help answer your questions.

If you're looking for a Gen II, there's a low-mileage 2010 available here that'd be a nice fly-n-ride for you.

And I saw your post on FB about your '18s demise - YOWZAH!

Yeah, saw that too.

For those not on FB - Tony had a deer try to hitch a ride in his lap...

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

BikerGeek wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 1:59 pm Congrats on your retirement!

Hopefully Scooter will see this and help answer your questions.



And I saw your post on FB about your '18s demise - YOWZAH!

Does Scooter even ride anymore?

I have a 15 ES and like the adjustability of the damping on the fly. It is a very noticeable change, and is quite handy. What you really need is a nice 21 R1250GS Rallye.
viewtopic.php?t=7671

Pathfinder wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 3:27 pm

BikerGeek wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 1:59 pm Congrats on your retirement!

Hopefully Scooter will see this and help answer your questions.



And I saw your post on FB about your '18s demise - YOWZAH!

Does Scooter even ride anymore?

He's more into collecting these days.

There’s a nicely farkled ‘17ES with a RDL seat for sale in Winnipeg,Mb at Headingly Sports for $9,999 CDN…it’s had the 2nd gear recall done at a reputable dealer.

The 2nd gear recall is affected for bikes from 2016 until February 2020. Many have had it done with ZERO issues. Personally, if I owned a recall bike, I'd get it fixed and hope for the best. But I purposely bought post 2/2020 so as not to go looking for it.

The ES suspension is good. The shock is a bit undersprung, but that can be fixed easily. Like Ed, I like beging able to adjust dampening on the fly.

Other changes since your "18 are: Slipper clutch (easier pull), LED Headlights, LEG cornering lights (which are useless IMO), and the color change.

Glad you were not hurt seriously in your accident. Heal quickly and get back out there.

gixxerjasen wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 4:52 pm

Pathfinder wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 3:27 pm

BikerGeek wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 1:59 pm Congrats on your retirement!

Hopefully Scooter will see this and help answer your questions.



And I saw your post on FB about your '18s demise - YOWZAH!

Does Scooter even ride anymore?

He's more into collecting these days.

Ouch and ouch!!!!

Pants almost got it right.

2nd gear recall was on all model year FJRs from 16-20. So starting with model year '21 FJRs they are good from the factory. Also, all the other improvements he mentioned started in 2016. So the FJR has not changed at all since 2016. Except last year of the 'A' model was offered in 2019. (Except for police model FJRs I think)

Lots of various opinions on the ES suspension. Many will poo-poo it but I like it. But I also like my FJRs with custom standard suspension. And the Gen 3 'A' suspension is the best yet from the factory although not as good as custom. Did you have your high $$$$ suspension on the crashed bike? Is it salvageable? I think the ES is a great suspension. IMHO, those who will not like it are those that weigh a lot and load the FJR up really heavy two-up with luggage, and those that ride very aggressively and know how to set up a $$$$ custom suspension. But with just me on it I really like the ES, even riding aggressively. I love how you can easily change damping on the fly or pre-load while stopped with the flick of a button.

It seems so far that practically no maintenance is required on the ES USD forks. ES shock is $$$$. A couple have gone out but you can get them rebuilt (with a stiffer spring if desired) for a few hundred $$$ at EPM Performance. But removing and installing ES shock is now a lot more difficult.

IIRC you never ride two-up. And your LD riding shouldn't overload the ES suspension. And unless things have changed in retirement you ain't a fatty. So the ES suspension should work fine for you. Also, I know regular maintenance ain't your thing. Did you ever service your '18 suspension in 142k miles? So, pick your poison.

And don't hit freaking deer!

Hey Scooter!
My ‘18 had all recalls and no suspension upgrades.
I have a rebuilt Penske (Not installed since the rebuild)
Sitting in the garage. I had the ‘09 bags on the bike in the deer strike, so the ‘18s bags are sitting at home having only been on the bike for the ride from St. Louis when I purchased the bike.
The bike is sitting in Iowa (As am I) I’m going to fly back to Florida, pick up my truck and tools and return to strip it down. The front end is trashed. Wiring was ripped out, and brake lines were severed… The rest of the bike sustained a dropping on grass at under 2 mph. Farkles will transfer.
I am near a decision, and it looks to be going with a 2023 or a 2018. Going to make a call to Traxxion and get their input on the suspension.

Not to belittle a point, but I’m pretty sure the transmission recall was for bikes manufactured between 12/9/2015 and 2/2/2020. I believe (don’t quote me) that Yamaha also recalled some later 2020 bikes for a reprogram on the ECU only (bikes made after 2/2/2020 had the newer 2nd gear.

I took notes of these dates when I shopped for my current bike. I don’t care for the 2022/2023/2024 color. I was liniting myself to a post 2/2020 or 2021 model.

[quote=Hppants post_id=208737 time=1730420340 user_id=1474
I don’t care for the 2022/2023/2024 color. I was liniting myself to a post 2/2020 or 2021 model.
[/quote]

Were all three years blue?
2020 black ?
2021 gray ?

Hppants wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 8:19 pm Not to belittle a point, but I’m pretty sure the transmission recall was for bikes manufactured between 12/9/2015 and 2/2/2020. I believe (don’t quote me) that Yamaha also recalled some later 2020 bikes for a reprogram on the ECU only (bikes made after 2/2/2020 had the newer 2nd gear.

I took notes of these dates when I shopped for my current bike. I don’t care for the 2022/2023/2024 color. I was liniting myself to a post 2/2020 or 2021 model.

While I don't know specifics on build date, I feel extremely confident of my model year assertion as I got that from a *excellent* source. An all-knowing and powerful type of source. And as far as I know, EVERY FJR that had the 2nd gear recall performed had a reprogram of the ECU.

[quote=Hppants post_id=208737 time=1730420340 user_id=1474
I don’t care for the 2022/2023/2024 color. I was liniting myself to a post 2/2020 or 2021 model.
[/quote]

Pathfinder wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 8:43 pm Were all three years blue?
2020 black ?
2021 gray ?

2016 A and ES were Cobalt Blue
2017 ES only and was Raven (Black - same as 2008/2009)
2018 A and ES were Matte Blue
2019 ES was Matte Blue and I believe the 'A' model was Liquid Graphite
2020 and 2021 ES models were Liquid Graphite
2022-2024 (as well as 2016, 2012, and 2006) are all Cobalt Blue

And don't listen to Pants. He has bad taste. The Cobalt Blue is awesome and anyone who would ride a Liquid Graphite FJR must not have had much of a mother! JSNS!

Oh, and you never answered my question you mile-munching jackwagon! Did you ever service the suspension on your 142k mile '18 you so recklessly ran into a deer? Forks ever serviced? Suspension linkages every serviced? Nothing to service on the stock shock so you get a pass on that one.

Something else to think about: Buying new (or used less than 1 year old) you can get the 4-year Yamaha Extended Warranty. That could be good for somebody like you and the miles you put on. It would pay for any ES suspension issues.

I got the 4 year Y.E.S. on my 2023. Glad I did. For some f***ing inexplicable reason the heated grips stopped working at 6k miles. The warranty I got paid for itself as replacing them was not cheap.

SkooterG wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:39 pm Something else to think about: Buying new you can get the 4-year Yamaha Extended Warranty. That could be good for somebody like you and the miles you put on. It would pay for any ES suspension issues.

I got the 4 year Y.E.S. on my 2023. Glad I did. For some f***ing inexplicable reason the heated grips stopped working at 6k miles. The warranty I got paid for itself as replacing them was not cheap.

I’ve considered that. It also would take away the urgency in getting another bike, as there are quite a few 23/24 new models available. The suspension appointment with Traxxion was GOING TO BE after Kansas and Missouri state ride arounds. $18.2k seems to be the price most dealerships are asking. (?)
I’ve been riding so much these past 2 years. I think my ‘18 has seen 120k in 2 years even with hip replacement last November. The state rides are nice, but come with a bigger risk of creature encounters.
The YES is strictly time based with no regard for mileage(?)
Sounds like a possibility!

4 year Y.E.S. is time based with unlimited miles. Typically, you can extend it another 2 years to get a total of 7 years of unlimited miles factory warranty. If you decide to go this route contact me and I'll give you the contact info on the dealer I bought mine from. IIRC, it was $375?

You should be able to do better than $18.2k, especially on a '23. There are dealers that will deal. I can think of four off the top of my head you could contact. Two in West Virginia, one in North Carolina, and one in Oregon. These are the dealers that were selling '23 FJRs for about $15.3k a year ago. No doubt any dealer with a '23 FJR on hand is motivated to get rid of it. Especially with the announcement of the '25 FJR imminent. I would be surprised if Yamaha doesn't have some sort of incentive given to dealers to sell 2023 FJRs.

If you don't go new there is always something like this?


https://albany.craigslist.org/mcd/d/cox ... 33866.html

Congratulations on the retirement part, and sorry to hear about the ‘18’s demise.

Hppants wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 6:07 pm Other changes since your "18 are: Slipper clutch (easier pull), LED Headlights, LEG cornering lights (which are useless IMO)

Hmmm, my ‘16 has all of those.

SkooterG wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 8:51 pm

Hppants wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2024 8:19 pm Not to belittle a point, but I’m pretty sure the transmission recall was for bikes manufactured between 12/9/2015 and 2/2/2020. I believe (don’t quote me) that Yamaha also recalled some later 2020 bikes for a reprogram on the ECU only (bikes made after 2/2/2020 had the newer 2nd gear.

I took notes of these dates when I shopped for my current bike. I don’t care for the 2022/2023/2024 color. I was liniting myself to a post 2/2020 or 2021 model.

While I don't know specifics on build date, I feel extremely confident of my model year assertion as I got that from a *excellent* source. An all-knowing and powerful type of source. And as far as I know, EVERY FJR that had the 2nd gear recall performed had a reprogram of the ECU.

That is my understanding as well - every FJR that had the trans recall also had the ECU re-flash. However, it is also my understanding that some 2020 models (post 2/2020) that did NOT get the trans recall got the ECU re-flash ONLY. It's like they changed the gear to a harder material, but took some fuel (power) out of the motor in that gear just as a pre-caution.

I always thought it "wierd" that only the 2nd gear had this issue. I wonder if different vendors were used for the different gears? What would drive the process such that only the 2nd gear would get inferior material?