bostondan

OK, thank you all for your help. This forum has been amazing and invaluable. My grip heaters work. Things I have learned: For the Kimpex/Tusk grips, two wires, direction doesn't matter. Custom LED is a great source with good customer service for the Yamaha connectors. Kimpex is 30 watts - Heat demons are 40 watts which is likely why they are not heating as much as the heat demons I did not do a heat shrink on the clutch side - very important if using Tusk/Kimpex heated griip since 30w will be a noticeable difference. If I could source the OEM in the US I would have gone that way and not saved $80 - my hands are worth it. I live in Boston and it gets very cold on the ride to work at 7am 🙂

I need some brain power to help me so this is a cross post OK, I got the right connectors from Custom LED https://www.customled.com/products/yamaha-oem-turn-signal-connectors-3-wire and I think I got the correct wire from each connector attached. The Kimpex heated grips have only two wires and they are both black, so am not sure which is + and which is ground. I suspect that it probably doesn't matter. I co0mbined one wire from each grip and attached them to one of the three wires on the Yamaha turn signal connector I purchased above. I looked at what came with the kit and there is a resistor that is to connect to the 12V power source. I don't see one with the Symtec kit (maybe built in?). Do I just need to connect it between the Yamaha connection and the grips? Which one is power on the Yamaha connectors - the black or gray? I am assuming it is just one of the three pins like in the diagram. I need help to trouble shoot. thank you!

OK, I got the right connectors from Custom LED https://www.customled.com/products/yamaha-oem-turn-signal-connectors-3-wire and I think I got the correct wire from each connector attached. The Kimpex heated grips have only two wires and they are both black, so am not sure which is + and which is ground. I suspect that it probably doesn't matter. I looked at what came with the kit and there is a resistor that is to connect to the 12V power source. I don't see one with the Symtex kit (maybe built in?). Do I just need to connect it between the yamaha connection and the grips? which one is power on the yamahe connectors - the black or gray?

Thanks - this is helpful. I am awaiting the new connectors and will try something similar to what was done with the Symtec ones. If that doesn't work I will probably just wire them the old fashioned way. 😞

I need some help. The Kimpex heated grips, that get decent reviews on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002OP5YDM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details), have two cables per grip. I purchased them and installed them together with these connectors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KGC1JYK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details. I had replaced the connector since I could not source the bullet connectors. I noticed that the pins in the connectors don't necessarily align with the connectors on the bike. I am getting some heat on the throttle side and none on the clutch side. The bike recognizes the heated grips and I can adjust intensity. Thoughts about what may be wrong? I decided to purchase these connectors with the three pins and try these next: https://www.customled.com/products/yamaha-oem-turn-signal-connectors-3-wire?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw48-vBhBbEiwAzqrZVMuDcgIgmn6XIHTAJccR6Tn32QHs-uer2acYfiZLK-nuIAd0DxoWmBoCeGgQAvD_BwE All I see on our forum is using the Heatdemons which have three wires (Kimpex has two). Any advise is appreciated. Thanks! 2015 FJ-09

Boston, MA

The ergonomics are very different and that does affect handling and highway stability. I have a 2007 VFR and have ridden the GS (not RS) versions of the 1200/1250. The 1250 does have more power and torque, but the 1200 is not lacking. The power delivery could not be different - the BMW is a tractor and when I rode it the riding was between 3-6k rpm. The Yamaha likes to rev and feels sportier and more nimble. The BMW is much better in stability on the highway. The true old school sport touring bike (RS, VFR, etc) have more lean and more weight on the front end which makes them more stable above 70 mph. They are different. I would consider the RS1200/1250 as a more "mature" bike. If you have not ridden a boxer you should try and see if you like it. I find it is a very different riding style - much more time spent in lower RPM's.

I just spent 1740 miles in British Colombia on a rented 2022 R1250GS from EagleRider. I also spend 1800 miles x 2 on a 2019 Tracer 900 in PNW (rented both times). The GS is a terrific bike. It is very different from my "original" 2015 FJ-09. Bear in mind that my bike has extensive excellent suspension modifications. The GS is one if not the best selling motorcycle in the world (>500 cc) and for a good reason. BMW keeps improving it every couple of years. I strongly considered getting a USED one (<$$$) as an ADV bike but ended up with a new Aprilia Tuareg which I really like. I am lucky to have a few bikes in my stable (2013 Multistrada 1200S, 2007 VFR, etc..). I loved the GS. It is stable and planted on the road. The wind management is amazing - it is probably the best on the highway from all the bikes I have ridden. For the 549 lbs wet weight is it remarkable well balanced and the center of gravity is low. You don't feel the weight unless you are pushing it in your garage. Even if it tips over, the boxer cylinders which stick out and typically covered with protection make the angle of picking it up not hard. I am only 5'7" and was worried about the stock height so had the seat in the low position initially. After about 500 miles I switched it to the high position - it was that easy to ride and manage. It's as economical as the FJ-09 and has no issues lugging the engine. ESA transforms it from Enduro to Sport in seconds. The FJ-09 is a great bike. It is a comfortable sport touring bike. Flickable and nimble with an engine that has torque but also likes to rev. It is more fun in the twisties for sure. Maintenance and reliability is likely cheaper and easier. As a one bike solution the R1250GS is very hard to beat, but it is very expensive. It also keeps its value very well. When I thought about everything, I decided to get the Tuareg instead of a used GS setup for ADV mostly because I have my other bikes. If I was restricted to a one bike garage, I think that I would end up with a GS.

Thanks. The link says that the engine guards should fit both under the description of models it fits. I know the later ones are different as I rented two of them and put a total of 3700 miles on them 🙂 I think the original FJ-09 is a little more nimble, maybe because of shorter wheelbase. Given that I have a 2013 Multistrada, I wanted something smaller and that would be easier in the city. I am 5'7"

Oh, and if anyone in the Boston, MA or New England area is interested in the Trex cage I am happy to let go of it for small $$$. It's this one: https://www.t-rex-racing.com/Yamaha-Tracer-900-GT-Engine-Guards-p/n76-19eg.htm

Hi, I just picked up a red 2015 FJ-09 with some nice suspension mods (GP front forks, Ohlins rear shock). It has some other customization bits: givi soft rear bags and a Trex front cage/skid plate. I will take the cage off and probably the rear bags off as well since I prefer that look. I may end up putting a GIVI trunk for commuting purposes. I have been riding for 20 years or so and have other bikes in the stable (a couple of VFRs, a 2013 Multistrads, a scrambler). I was on the fence between this bike and a 2015 Hyperstrada, but decided to go with the more sensible choice. 🙂 So far I love it. Dani

Thanks for the response. I understand they are somewhat similar. It seems that the FJ-09 is a smidgen smaller than the Tracer 900(?) with a shorter wheelbase, so maybe the better choice given that I will keep the MTS. This is why I am also considering other bikes that are a little smaller like the Hyperstrada, MT 07/09/Triumph trident/Tiger sport.

I just sold my monster and am looking at getting something a little better for commuting. Of note, I also have a Multistrada 1200S which is going nowhere. I'm looking for something a little smaller for city commuting and putting around. The MTS is a little big for me for that but is amazing out of town (I'm 5'7"). I read the differences between the two. Has anyone upgraded from the fj-09 to a tracer 900 and can chime on real life differences? Also considering a used 2015/16 hyperstrada and maybe splurge for a new Tiger 660 sport. Thanks for any feedback!