alquimista

Hello,

I have an FJ-09 2016 that I got 2nd and in 2017 (the model 2018, was the last sold in the country where I live). What I love of this bike, and maybe the only reason I keep it so far, is the CP3 motor; yet the suspension, is not good for me: too harsh and hard; after a long trip, its tired and you start not to get the fun of the bike, after 2 hours driving. A couple of years ago, a supposed suspension "specialist", sold me the idea that Racetech would improve significantly the driving experience, and calibrated springs for my weight (275lb) were to be used. So, front springs with gold valves, and rear shock spring, were changed. Result, no improvement at all; was indeed, a  frustrating experience.

Now, I'm considering to go full Ohlins, as I have read reviews that with this suspension, the experience of the FJ-09 is a whole new world of improvement. Its an important quantity of money for me, yet, out of some small issues with ergonomics, I think that with a comfortable, soft and functional suspension, the bike will be the perfect high way ship for me.

The parameter I have of comfort in a suspension, is the softness of multipurpose bikes, like the old Tenere xt660z or the  Honda XRE 300, which are very soft and comfortable; imperfections on the road  are very good absorbed. I'm aware that these suspensions have a larger travel that the one in the FJ-09.

Here, some questions for those of you that now have Ohlins (rear shock and spring, front springs, valves...):

1- Being 0 the worst, and 10 the best in comfort, how Ohlins qualify for you, in your FJ-09 ? (for me, the OEM suspension of the FJ-09, its a 4)

2- Do you consider that it is worth the money for the results you got on Ohlins, being this brand I think, the most expensive of all suspension options ?

3- In 2 years from now, my bike will be 10 years old (I don't use it that much, so I keep it in very good condition); from your perspective, is it worthy to pay Ohlins, for an old bike like this? Or you'd rather consider buying another newer bike? (even when the CP3 experience, is kind of unique).

4- Bottom line: are you much happier with Ohlins, in your FJ-09?

Thank you!

Hi!

I have an FJ-09 2016; stock suspension was very stiff for me,and uncomfortable in bumpy roads; a specialist in bike suspension recommended me Ohlins or Racetech springs, calibrated to my weight (275lb). I just installed Racetech springs and Recetech gold valves for the front bars, and "valved" the rear shock, adapting a Racetech spring there as well. When testing after I did not experience any improvement; was the same sensation as the OEM suspension.

The parameter I had of comfort, was the soft suspension of multipurpose bikes, like the Tenere xt660z or Honda XRE 300, which are very soft and comfortable; I have been told the hardness is because the FJ has a sports nature and cannot be as soft as a multipurpose. Maybe my expectation was too high? Any thoughts? specially those of you that have had a change like this.

2 hours ago, betoney said:

Before having a suspension shop change things, have you adjusted the stock suspension?  (spring preload and rebound damping)

Setting the sag (hundreds of online articles and youtube videos available to you) will tell you if you have the correct spring rate but at 130kg (over 285lbs) I think you would benefit from a higher rate springs. 

Thank you 

When I got the bike 4 years ago, indeed I did some adjustments on the front and back suspension. Maybe my body changed or I'm getting older, as those adjustments are not being effective any more. As you said, maybe will be good to change the springs, front and back. 

For the front bars, I'm being recommended Race Tech FRSP S3627100 springs + Spacers 

For the back shock spring, Race Tech SRSP 5815125

For the back, not sure if with the new spring will be enough to get the comfort I'm looking for, or I should aim to a full shock replacement by the Wilbers or the Hagon. 

Any advise will be wellcome and appreciated 

I have 2 bikes,  an fj-09 2016, and a Honda xre 300 multipurpose. The FJ09  It's my second bike of use. On the Honda,  the suspension is very comfortable for me. I used to have a Tenere xt660z, and same, very soft and comfortable. I'm 1.91mts, 130 kgms. The suspension of the FJ-09 is just too stiff for me on secondary roads; here in Mexico, these roads are bad quality...and after a while of riding there on the FJ-09, you just get tired and fun fades away. 

I use the FJ-09 maybe once or twice a month, with a long distance travel maybe once a year, hence I would not invest much in a sophisticated suspension upgrade. The specialist recommends :

1. Springs upgrade in the front bars, and rear shock with Racetech springs. Only springs, not oil valves. 

2. If I want more, then change the oil system in the front, and replace the back shock.

Based on this background, would you think the only change of springs, can be bring a happy difference? I just want to be more comfortable on the bike. 

8 minutes ago, betoney said:

I would compare feature by feature to see if they are equal.  What was the 3rd shock option?  There are many shock options available for the FJ09/Tracer.

The 3rd option was Race tech, the most expensive one 

Hi, 

For my FJ-09 2016, I have been offered 3 options for the back shock replacement. The German Wilbers is in the middle price range, and the English Hagon, the lowest (half the price). Wonder if the Wilbers offers the double of quality and comfort than the Hagon? 

Thank you all for your answers 👋

Took it to the shop today. Turned out to be the clutch sensor, in the left side of the handbar. Was very difficult to remove, as small screws there were extremity tighten from factory. Maintenance was done with anticorrosive liquid... And that's it. 

Hi 

I have an FJ09 2016, 28,000 kms. Yesterday, on city commute, when stopping the motor for any reason, and trying to turn it on again, the switch was not working. No action at all... After trying 2 or 3 times, switching off and on the key, it worked back again. As if maybe the turn on button could have a false electric contact... 

Any ideas? 

On 2/2/2020 at 3:22 PM, HGP61 said:

It would probably be a bit of a waste with the aftermarket sargent seat you have but on my last bike when i went on longer tours I used an airhawk seat cushion. I found the extra few inches of leg room it provided useful on longer hauls, I didn't tend to use it on a day to day basis. (also doubled as an extra pillow for the camping tours)

I got the Airhawk seat cushion. Additional to reducing butt pain for a long trip, it gave me one or a  bit more of a centimeter higher on the sitting position... Was a good difference. Thank you, HGP61

Hi. For tall people like me (6'2"), the bike is ok for the first hour of driving, yet after that time, you start to get tired... The sitting position from the wrist up, it's fine as I did got handle bars risers. I have a Sargent seat, in the upper position. Yet as my legs are long, I have them too bent, and with the foot pegs a bit behind, like the usual sports bike. I miss the ergonomics of the old tenere xt660z... Was a tall bike for tall people, very comfortable. Any one of you with the same situation, has any suggestion on a possible modification or accessory in the FJ-09 to have it a bit more comfortable?

Hi, 

I know that fj-09 and T7 (tenere 700) are different machines... Yet wanted to know if any of you have tested the T7 in high way. 

Even when the FJ-09 has a beautiful motor in terms of power and fun, the new T7 is taller and with  an excellent riding position for us that are tall (1.91 mts) and it's CP2 700 cc motor is very torquey, with up to 200 kms / hr max 

Hi 

I have an FJ09 2016... Excellent conditions, 27,000 kms. In the last year, I have not used it much. I changed oil last July 2019 with Motul full synthetic... I heard that it can last around 10,000 kms. Yet, if I don't use the bike too much, viscosity is in degradation any way? Since last change I have had only 4000 kms, in around 6 months. Should I change the oil? Or wait until around 10,000 since last change? 

Hi 

My FJ-09 2016 just turned 25000 kms this weekend. I just saw the rear sprocket and the possible need for change. Wear signs are already there. How long a rear sprocket last in kms? I had a tenere xt660z for 4 years, and sprockets were still well at 25000 kms 

On 9/27/2019 at 9:19 AM, texscottyd said:

@alquimista - My FJ picked up a pretty strong vibration in the front starting around 90 mph (which equates almost exactly to your 145 kph) as my previous set of Michelin PR4 tires were nearing replacement time.  My assumption was a balance problem, thinking that it had most likely thrown a wheel weight off somehow.  Since I was planning to replace the tires anyway, I didn't put much effort into searching out the root cause... 

Fresh tires (mounted and balanced) cleared up the problem completely, and I've been fine for the 3,500 miles or so I have on this set of PR5s.   What you're describing absolutely sounds like a wheel balance problem, and if it started when you mounted the fresh tire, that just further suggests it needed to be balanced.  

@texscottyd

I just came back from the highway, after having the front wheel balanced. It was indeed, the solution. At 170 km /hr, the bike was flying smoothly... Fully recovered. Lesson learned, after changing a tire, balancing its a must. 

I'm happy 🙂

Thank you for the tip! 

14 minutes ago, piotrek said:

Did they check that the wheel is balanced? Does the front end feel light at that speed? Just poking for more clues.

In a car when you change the tire for a new one, balancing is necessary. I mentioned it to them and they said was not needed for this bike, even when I just changed the tire recently. How truth is it? 

Yamaha has reviewed it. Bearings are fine, Calipers were adjusted, bar suspension are fine . I tested the bike and I feel the same. I asked someone that has the same bike here in my town, even newer model... He feels worst, and says he have heard of others with the same issue.... I wonder if it's the wobbling many people have talked about. Yet I feel this is more a vibration than a wind wobbling

On 9/16/2019 at 4:32 PM, chitown said:

How did your rotor get bent? Could that have also bent other items? Rim etc?

Warped (bent) rotors IME have only ever made me notice under braking -- but my experience is limited and that could vary by how badly it's warped. While there may be other issues/causes seems like getting that squared away first is logical. 

Not sure I could find a Yamaha dealer that would (or that I'd want to) try to diagnose an issue that only happens at 90 mph  

 

I got the bike at 5,000 Kms; the bent was there already. I had been planning on buying a new one. Yet, in the past (couple of years ago), I recall running the bike with this situation, at 185 Kms / hr (ECU speed limit) and I don't remember this vibration.

Already called the Yamaha dealer; they mentioned several factors... Bearings, suspension bars maintenance, the new tire, etc. Hope they get with the cause

Hi, 

Yesterday I took the bike (fj 09, 2016, 24,000 kms) for a Sunday ride. On the highway I accelerated at 170 kms / hr. Starting around 145, I felt a vibration in the front... And you could see how the right hand bar vibrated a bit more. Just below 145 the bike is perfectly stable. It is not the wobbling people have reported. It was a vibration where the dashboard was showing it. It is not a motor produced vibration... It's clearly just frontal suspension 

Things that I think should be considered are : I recently changed the front tire for a continental trial attack 2. And second, is that the right front wheel disk has a little bent that you can feel when you press the front break. Wonder if this is a factor that may produce this vibration at high speed. .. Feeling it more in the right side of the front 

Taking it tomorrow to the yamaha shop. 

Any deas? 

I have had this bike for 2.5 years now. I very much like its esthetic, love the motor, it's power, the sound... It's a good ship to feel and drink the feeling of power on the road 

I have installed a skid plate, mirror raisers, hand bar raiser, Sargent seat... And adjusted the suspension. Before this one I had a tenere xt660z for four years. I consider the FJ09 as a basic, elegant machine, fun for my senses. Not perfect, but it's a very good toy, for a 51 years old guy that smiles riding it

There are several posts on this forum regarding vibrations. For me was a pain to find after several months of doing research etc., that the cause was very simple: chain tension. 1 to 1.5 inch slack must be measured you being ON the bike, specially if you are heavy weight . With the proper tension and slack, vibrations disappeared for me. Motor softness can be even improved if you use full synthetic oil, like Motul 

On 2/22/2019 at 4:33 PM, thepmh said:

if the sargent seat is adjustable, place it in the lower setting to sit up straighter instead of tall. raising your butt height will lean you more into the bars. lowering it will have you sitting more up-right

I'll try it. Yet having the seat in the lower position will bend more my legs... I'm 1.91mts tall

Planning to buy the 2 inches raiser. The taller, the better. With this size, the only adjustment is still the break cable? 

8 hours ago, betoney said:

Many people here using a bar riser (myself included) and haven't heard of anyone needing to replace their cables. 

As @jdavismentioned, you will need to loosen the clamp holding the brake line to provide a little slack.  Trace it backward from the front brake reservoir, it will be very obvious what part needs to be loosened.

What raiser do you use? Any specific brand and size you recommend? 

32 minutes ago, jdavis said:

I put risers on my 15 model, the brake line has to be loosened at the fork yoke, thats all.

What size of raisers did you use? 

1 hour ago, betoney said:

Maybe try Helibars Handlebar Risers - 25mm up and 25mm back.

I have read that cables are not that long in this bike, for handlebar raisers?