I traded my 2013 FJR1300A for a 2017 FJ 09 Shoutout: My favorite Yamaha Dealer Sport Durst Power Sports in Durham, North Carolina: www.sportdurstpowersports.com/
I couldn’t agree with you more- I traded my 2009 fjr1300 in on a 2019 Tracer 900GT. It is like going from a Mercedes to a Porsche. Thanks for the video!
I retired my 1989 Harley after 100,000 miles for a 2015 FJR 1300 ES. I had to learn how to ride again because the FJR was so sensitive in the curves. I had to wrestle the Harley through the twisties. On the FJR, it was like I could just think about where I wanted it to go, and it would go there. I love that bike. I just got back from a 2500 mile 5-day trip, and I still love it. Yes, it is heavy, but it's scary fast. I had it up to 135 a couple of months ago, and it was effortless. The only thing that was changing was the scenery going by. It still had a lot left in it. I have to use cruise control on the highway because it will ease up to 100 before I know it. Maybe I'll give the 09 a try to see what it's like, but I can't imagine leaving my FJR.
When I got my FJR, I imagined myself taking long trips on it. A couple of years passed and 250 miles was the longest trip I had taken. What I discovered that I liked best were 2 to 3 hour rides on back country roads. I think that the FJ 09 will be better for this - for me at least. I do agree with everything you say about the FJR - it's a wonderful bike.
The FJ09 has almost exactly the same power as the original FJ1200, but with ~100 pounds less weight( FJ1200 @ 575 lbs. wet vs. FJ09 @ 463 lbs. wet). Once upon a time I had a 1989 Yamaha FJ1200 & later a 1996 Kawasaki GPz1100. One of the things I learned from those bikes was I wanted something lighter.
Pat I have a 2013 FJR1300a model. Bought it with 2832 miles on it, and am now coming up on 60,000 miles. I love it Pat. I installed bar risers and a Sargent saddle. I've taken several 450 plus mile trips, and two multi-day trips. 5671 miles, and 7835 miles. I believe it to be the best touring bike. I've ridden a Goldwing also. To me, if you're going to own a wing, you may just as well drive a car. Too big and cumbersome to have fun on, in my opinion, and I think my FJR is just as comfortable. At the age of 56, during my 7825 mile trip, I had a 740 mile day, and a 952 mile day. I know a lot of people touring on cycles, and don't know anyone that'd consider that on a wing. Fast...... I covered 80 miles in 45 minutes, through Wyoming. That's an average 106mph. It felt like a walk in the park. I just love my FJR. If I was to get anything else, it would be in addition to this one, and it'd be a Tracer 900 GT.
I also bought my 2015 at Sport Durst new in Feb 2017. I have about 8500 miles on it now. Absolutely love it ! Yamaha cut a few corners here and there to keep the costs down but overall this is a wonderful bike ! My other ride (2006 Honda VFR800) has probably only seen about 20 miles in the last year since buying the FJ. Glad to see another local FJ rider in the Raleigh/Durham area. :)
I'm loving mine too. Only 3500 miles on it since late June but I'm a fair weather rider and, as you know, the weather has been anything but fair this winter.
Thank you Daniel. I consider selling my FZ1 and get a FJR but aftyer watching your video and test rode a FJR I decided to stick to my FZ1. It's much more easy to handle.
Like your videos Daniel, I've been riding for 53 years now, 70 years old in a few months, I also have an FJR1300 on which I do about 20,000km per year, great touring bike. But after watching your video I have also bought a MT09 Tracer a few days ago. After riding it for a few days I cant see me riding the FJR so much now. The FJR is great at high speed touring, but always feels heavy in the service station, garage, parking lots etc and I have to be extra careful all of the time. On the other hand The MT09 Tracer feels very light and nimble, very easy to handle and no need to worry about it falling over while wheeling it around anywhere, evne done a bit of off-roading on it. Thanks again for your videos Daniel
Ahh another NC FJ rider! I’m 20min from Hillsboro in Burlington. Let me know if you ever want to ride up to the parkway! Love the FJ! One note, the recommendation on the chain slack is definitely too tight, if you go to just under an inch, the bike is even better!
A trip to the parkway sounds great. I agree about the chain slack. I made the dealer adjust it before I took delivery. The other mystery is the torque spec for the oil drain bolt. I forget exactly what the manual says but it's something like 35 ft lbs which everyone agrees is way too tight.
I've had my fj-09 almost a year now and I really like it. Traded a Versys 650 for it, but I was looking at the FJR and the Concours, shaft drives, but I'm also an older rider and those bikes are too heavy. The light weight, power and sound is what I like most about the fj-09. I did replace the windshield and seat. Swapped the OEM hand guards for Barkbusters with weighted bar ends and the vibes went away. The fj-09 is a great bike, enjoy and ride safe...
Watching your videos was one of the main reasons I switched to the FJ-09. I've only had it a couple of weeks and 800 miles but love it so far. Thanks for your videos - I really enjoy them. By the way, did you get the Sargent Performance or the Performance Plus seat?
I'm glad my videos were useful to you and that you're enjoying your fj-09, I really like mine, got about 6000 miles on it. September will be one year and I'm planning an in depth review. I got the Sargent seat, directly from Sargent, but only the rider seat, since I don't carry a passenger. I also run a lambs wool cover that I got from Alaska Leather. Together, it makes for a pretty comfortable ride. Ride safe my friend...
This is the exact video I needed!! I am debating trading my FJR1300 in for a Tracer 900. And forever I thought that the FJR1300 was my dream bike! It feels so bulky... and I road 20,000 miles on a Harley Road King this past summer. I know exactly what you mean by the tight/weird knee angle on the FJR1300
Nearly three years with the FJ-09 and no regrets and no knee issues! I like the FJ-09 so much that I've even lost interest in thinking about other bikes.
How about fuel economy? I am getting barely over 30 mpg on the FJR even when I calm down a little. And how is high speed highway riding? Can it handle 100mph without straining? I rarely go that fast, but there are some wide open highways that allow it, in WV for example.
@@adammiller9179 I get from 48 to 52 mpg which means 200 no-worry miles before looking for a filling station. I've had mine up to 90+ on a few occasions and am sure that 100 would be no problem whatever for the bike. I don't like riding on the slab much but when I do, 75 is completely comfortable.
@@dnlgrhm Wow! That is great gas mileage! Thanks for the info. I cant believe my FJR does so poorly. I have never gotten 200 miles on a tank in the few months of owning it.
I am 67 and just traded my 900 pounds Royalstar tour deluxe for a 2017 FJ09. I luv this bike! Easy to handle and fun to ride...I think that gone give me an extra 5 years on motorcycle!
Gaby I rode out west, from Atlanta on my FJR1300a in 2016. Along the way I met a group of retiree couples, riding Harleys. The youngest was 75. The oldest, a young 81. I felt like a "punk kid", at 56. That trip, I covered 7835 miles in 20 days. From Atlanta to northwest Montana. To Seattle to visit my son. Camping on the Olympic Peninsula. All the way down the coast to L.A., then back through the desert southwest. It was in late August. I rode through the Mojave at mid-day. 108 degrees. I just drank plenty of liquids.
I thought that truck on the back of the tow truck was coming towards you in your lane. A lot of what you say led me to the Honda NC700. I like it, but some more power would be nice.
Mike Webb was the sales person. This was under the new ownership and, in fact, the new owner was visiting the dealership the day I bought the bike and I met him.
I went from the FJR1300 after 130,000 miles to a new Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS and this lighter weight sport tourer is just what the doctor ordered, very happy
Absolutely. I'm 6' tall with 30" inseam and have the VStream Sport Touring (middle sized, lightly tinted) windscreen in the lowest position. The air hits the very top of my helmet and the outside of my upper arms - clean air without turbulence and no problem.
I'm guessing that the Tracer 900 won't be available in NC until July so I'll have a lot of time to reconsider but right now I'm not really tempted. I absolutely love mine and don't care much about cruise control - I never used it on my FJR - and don't like hard side cases. It will be interesting to see how much the suspension changes improve the ride and how much more all the new features add to the price tag.
Looking to sell my VTX 1300s this year for a FJ-09 also. How is the FJ-09 at 80mph freeway speeds? Due to getting up in age also and need a lighter bike. Like your videos.
Thanks. It's fine at 75mph which is my normal speed on the slab. I've got the VStream Sport Touring windscreen from National Cycle and the air flow is good at that speed.
I know of a dealer about an hour north of me that only charges taxes and license. NOTHING else, ever. And they make sure people know that is there policy and has been for decades. They are a family owned dealership.
I am 71 years old, 6'1"and a pudgy 230 lbs. I have two bad knees, a bad hip, and a bad shoulder (high mileage Army career), but I can pick up my FJR. I will concede that I am always aware of the road surface, especially if it isn't paved.
On level ground, I could pick mine up too. My problem was more one of worrying about dropping it. But heck, if I were as young as you, I'd probably still have it. :-)
Do you experience the 6th gear whine? Mine kicks in around 48 mph and gets more annoying until about 68 mph and then fades away around 69 mph and faster. Now that I've noticed it, I'm tuned into it. That's my biggest gripe otherwise I'm happy.
It came down between the FZ 09 and the FJ 09 this summer and after riding both motorcycles I had to have the FZ. I do agree with you that the FJR is a great bike but as I get older, the top heaviness of the motorcycle does bother me. The 900 cc engine in the FZ and the FJ are so powerful and the bikes do feel light, at just around 425 to 450 lbs. Enjoy your new ride.
I really liked the FZ09 as well. Same great engine and so much in common. I hope it's warm enough to ride where you are. Here in NC the high today was 28 degrees,
Absolutely. I have a 33.5" inseam and after 3 years and 148,000 miles on my FJR I just decided that between the knee pain and the weight it was just becoming unenjoyable and downright painful to ride anymore. Test rode an FJ with the seat on high and my knee fell in love. Bought a leftover 2015 about 4 months and 18,000 miles ago and haven't looked back once. Love the bike. Quick. Responsive. Agile and just flat out fun. If it only had Cruise Control and a 5.5 or 6 gallon tank.
I'm in the process of buying a 2015 FJ-09, and I can't wait to start riding it. Thanks for the video, sir. Subbed!
I couldn’t agree with you more- I traded my 2009 fjr1300 in on a 2019 Tracer 900GT. It is like going from a Mercedes to a Porsche. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the review.
I retired my 1989 Harley after 100,000 miles for a 2015 FJR 1300 ES. I had to learn how to ride again because the FJR was so sensitive in the curves. I had to wrestle the Harley through the twisties. On the FJR, it was like I could just think about where I wanted it to go, and it would go there. I love that bike. I just got back from a 2500 mile 5-day trip, and I still love it. Yes, it is heavy, but it's scary fast. I had it up to 135 a couple of months ago, and it was effortless. The only thing that was changing was the scenery going by. It still had a lot left in it. I have to use cruise control on the highway because it will ease up to 100 before I know it. Maybe I'll give the 09 a try to see what it's like, but I can't imagine leaving my FJR.
When I got my FJR, I imagined myself taking long trips on it. A couple of years passed and 250 miles was the longest trip I had taken. What I discovered that I liked best were 2 to 3 hour rides on back country roads. I think that the FJ 09 will be better for this - for me at least. I do agree with everything you say about the FJR - it's a wonderful bike.
The FJ09 has almost exactly the same power as the original FJ1200, but with ~100 pounds less weight( FJ1200 @ 575 lbs. wet vs. FJ09 @ 463 lbs. wet). Once upon a time I had a 1989 Yamaha FJ1200 & later a 1996 Kawasaki GPz1100. One of the things I learned from those bikes was I wanted something lighter.
Pat I have a 2013 FJR1300a model. Bought it with 2832 miles on it, and am now coming up on 60,000 miles. I love it Pat. I installed bar risers and a Sargent saddle. I've taken several 450 plus mile trips, and two multi-day trips. 5671 miles, and 7835 miles. I believe it to be the best touring bike. I've ridden a Goldwing also. To me, if you're going to own a wing, you may just as well drive a car. Too big and cumbersome to have fun on, in my opinion, and I think my FJR is just as comfortable. At the age of 56, during my 7825 mile trip, I had a 740 mile day, and a 952 mile day. I know a lot of people touring on cycles, and don't know anyone that'd consider that on a wing. Fast...... I covered 80 miles in 45 minutes, through Wyoming. That's an average 106mph. It felt like a walk in the park. I just love my FJR. If I was to get anything else, it would be in addition to this one, and it'd be a Tracer 900 GT.
I also bought my 2015 at Sport Durst new in Feb 2017. I have about 8500 miles on it now. Absolutely love it ! Yamaha cut a few corners here and there to keep the costs down but overall this is a wonderful bike ! My other ride (2006 Honda VFR800) has probably only seen about 20 miles in the last year since buying the FJ. Glad to see another local FJ rider in the Raleigh/Durham area. :)
I'm loving mine too. Only 3500 miles on it since late June but I'm a fair weather rider and, as you know, the weather has been anything but fair this winter.
I was just watching your video again. I know the route... Cutting over from old US 1 to hwy 42 . :)
Thank you Daniel. I consider selling my FZ1 and get a FJR but aftyer watching your video and test rode a FJR I decided to stick to my FZ1. It's much more easy to handle.
Nothing beats discovering what you already have is best!
Like your videos Daniel, I've been riding for 53 years now, 70 years old in a few months, I also have an FJR1300 on which I do about 20,000km per year, great touring bike. But after watching your video I have also bought a MT09 Tracer a few days ago. After riding it for a few days I cant see me riding the FJR so much now. The FJR is great at high speed touring, but always feels heavy in the service station, garage, parking lots etc and I have to be extra careful all of the time. On the other hand The MT09 Tracer feels very light and nimble, very easy to handle and no need to worry about it falling over while wheeling it around anywhere, evne done a bit of off-roading on it. Thanks again for your videos Daniel
Thanks very much for the kind words, It is a treat not to worry about dropping it.
I love your watching your video just for the countryside scenery
Thanks very much.
Ahh another NC FJ rider! I’m 20min from Hillsboro in Burlington. Let me know if you ever want to ride up to the parkway! Love the FJ! One note, the recommendation on the chain slack is definitely too tight, if you go to just under an inch, the bike is even better!
A trip to the parkway sounds great. I agree about the chain slack. I made the dealer adjust it before I took delivery. The other mystery is the torque spec for the oil drain bolt. I forget exactly what the manual says but it's something like 35 ft lbs which everyone agrees is way too tight.
I've had my fj-09 almost a year now and I really like it. Traded a Versys 650 for it, but I was looking at the FJR and the Concours, shaft drives, but I'm also an older rider and those bikes are too heavy. The light weight, power and sound is what I like most about the fj-09. I did replace the windshield and seat. Swapped the OEM hand guards for Barkbusters with weighted bar ends and the vibes went away. The fj-09 is a great bike, enjoy and ride safe...
Watching your videos was one of the main reasons I switched to the FJ-09. I've only had it a couple of weeks and 800 miles but love it so far. Thanks for your videos - I really enjoy them.
By the way, did you get the Sargent Performance or the Performance Plus seat?
I'm glad my videos were useful to you and that you're enjoying your fj-09, I really like mine, got about 6000 miles on it. September will be one year and I'm planning an in depth review.
I got the Sargent seat, directly from Sargent, but only the rider seat, since I don't carry a passenger. I also run a lambs wool cover that I got from Alaska Leather. Together, it makes for a pretty comfortable ride. Ride safe my friend...
Ha ha, riding a Versys 650 is like holding on to a blender on liquify mode.
This is the exact video I needed!! I am debating trading my FJR1300 in for a Tracer 900. And forever I thought that the FJR1300 was my dream bike! It feels so bulky... and I road 20,000 miles on a Harley Road King this past summer.
I know exactly what you mean by the tight/weird knee angle on the FJR1300
Nearly three years with the FJ-09 and no regrets and no knee issues! I like the FJ-09 so much that I've even lost interest in thinking about other bikes.
How about fuel economy? I am getting barely over 30 mpg on the FJR even when I calm down a little. And how is high speed highway riding? Can it handle 100mph without straining? I rarely go that fast, but there are some wide open highways that allow it, in WV for example.
@@adammiller9179 I get from 48 to 52 mpg which means 200 no-worry miles before looking for a filling station. I've had mine up to 90+ on a few occasions and am sure that 100 would be no problem whatever for the bike. I don't like riding on the slab much but when I do, 75 is completely comfortable.
@@dnlgrhm Wow! That is great gas mileage! Thanks for the info. I cant believe my FJR does so poorly. I have never gotten 200 miles on a tank in the few months of owning it.
Today Yamaha had demo ride, and I rode the FJ09 two up and it was amazing it was a lot of fun.
That's great - I've never had a passenger and wondered how it would be.
I am 67 and just traded my 900 pounds Royalstar tour deluxe for a 2017 FJ09. I luv this bike! Easy to handle and fun to ride...I think that gone give me an extra 5 years on motorcycle!
Well spoken - I feel exactly the same way. (Maybe 10 years?)
Gaby I rode out west, from Atlanta on my FJR1300a in 2016. Along the way I met a group of retiree couples, riding Harleys. The youngest was 75. The oldest, a young 81. I felt like a "punk kid", at 56. That trip, I covered 7835 miles in 20 days. From Atlanta to northwest Montana. To Seattle to visit my son. Camping on the Olympic Peninsula. All the way down the coast to L.A., then back through the desert southwest. It was in late August. I rode through the Mojave at mid-day. 108 degrees. I just drank plenty of liquids.
@@letitrest4662 That is what I am going to do.
I got mine this spring and it sure is a good bike.
Amen!
I thought that truck on the back of the tow truck was coming towards you in your lane.
A lot of what you say led me to the Honda NC700. I like it, but some more power would be nice.
Daniel, Who did you work with at Durst? Was it Chris by any chance ? or was it the previous owners.
Mike Webb was the sales person. This was under the new ownership and, in fact, the new owner was visiting the dealership the day I bought the bike and I met him.
I'd buy an FJ-09 today, but.... I'm hoping the 2018 will have cruise control and maybe even a quick-shifter! Fingers crossed. ;-)
Maybe even a better suspension! But then you miss a year's fun. :-)
I went from the FJR1300 after 130,000 miles to a new Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS and this lighter weight sport tourer is just what the doctor ordered, very happy
Great! I too am having no regrets.
Daniel, you must live pretty close to me. I've ridden that route in your video 100 times.
Yes, I'm less than 15 miles from the intersection of Beaver Creek and old US-1. We're lucky to live in such country and have bikes to go exploring.
I agree. I'm looking at the FJ-09. Can you take yours on the highway, and ride 70-80MPH, without too much trouble with wind?
Absolutely. I'm 6' tall with 30" inseam and have the VStream Sport Touring (middle sized, lightly tinted) windscreen in the lowest position. The air hits the very top of my helmet and the outside of my upper arms - clean air without turbulence and no problem.
Now you can trade in your Fj09 in for the 2018 GT model and get all the goodies that one should have had!
I'm guessing that the Tracer 900 won't be available in NC until July so I'll have a lot of time to reconsider but right now I'm not really tempted. I absolutely love mine and don't care much about cruise control - I never used it on my FJR - and don't like hard side cases. It will be interesting to see how much the suspension changes improve the ride and how much more all the new features add to the price tag.
Looking to sell my VTX 1300s this year for a FJ-09 also. How is the FJ-09 at 80mph freeway speeds? Due to getting up in age also and need a lighter bike. Like your videos.
Thanks. It's fine at 75mph which is my normal speed on the slab. I've got the VStream Sport Touring windscreen from National Cycle and the air flow is good at that speed.
Kept the FJR1300 and complimented it with a 2017 FZ-10. Best of both worlds...FJR for touring and the FZ for a complete adrenaline rush.
That's cheating! ;-)
I know of a dealer about an hour north of me that only charges taxes and license. NOTHING else, ever. And they make sure people know that is there policy and has been for decades. They are a family owned dealership.
What's the name/location of the dealer?
www.larsonscycle.com/index.htm
I am 71 years old, 6'1"and a pudgy 230 lbs. I have two bad knees, a bad hip, and a bad shoulder (high mileage Army career), but I can pick up my FJR.
I will concede that I am always aware of the road surface, especially if it isn't paved.
On level ground, I could pick mine up too. My problem was more one of worrying about dropping it. But heck, if I were as young as you, I'd probably still have it. :-)
Do you experience the 6th gear whine? Mine kicks in around 48 mph and gets more annoying until about 68 mph and then fades away around 69 mph and faster. Now that I've noticed it, I'm tuned into it. That's my biggest gripe otherwise I'm happy.
To tell the truth, I never shift into 6th until about 65 mph so I haven't really noticed it.
The whine is the bike saying go faster or downshift. It isn't happy in sixth at 48 mph.
Wish I could see the bike!
There are pretty good views of the bike in czcams.com/video/EMXJYYyg96o/video.html
It came down between the FZ 09 and the FJ 09 this summer and after riding both motorcycles I had to have the FZ. I do agree with you that the FJR is a great bike but as I get older, the top heaviness of the motorcycle does bother me. The 900 cc engine in the FZ and the FJ are so powerful and the bikes do feel light, at just around 425 to 450 lbs. Enjoy your new ride.
I really liked the FZ09 as well. Same great engine and so much in common. I hope it's warm enough to ride where you are. Here in NC the high today was 28 degrees,
Why I sold my FJR and bought the FJ also. My knee couldn't deal with the FJR anymore.
I hope your knee is liking the FJ as much as mine!
Absolutely. I have a 33.5" inseam and after 3 years and 148,000 miles on my FJR I just decided that between the knee pain and the weight it was just becoming unenjoyable and downright painful to ride anymore. Test rode an FJ with the seat on high and my knee fell in love. Bought a leftover 2015 about 4 months and 18,000 miles ago and haven't looked back once. Love the bike. Quick. Responsive. Agile and just flat out fun. If it only had Cruise Control and a 5.5 or 6 gallon tank.
It is!! Several 300 mile days ... with out any real knee pain.