FJ_Junkie

I haven't seen those two compared together but that'll help knowing what bikes to test. Did you any 2-up with the Versys?

I really appreciate all the honest opinions on this topic. The writing is clearly on the wall and I'm just gonna looks more towards the FJR type for 2-up touring. I still love the FJ body style and riding position so maybe in the future, I'll sell the FZ and replace it with one.

Yesterday I rode the FZ with the wife and couldn't wait to get home. This morning I rode into work solo and didn't want to get off. I think I'll keep the FZ for me and get another bike that's built for 2-up. We're gonna take the advice and rent the three bikes and go from there. We're gonna try the FJ, FJR and the Versys. Thanks for all the help people.

Sneaky little bastard (the bike). When I Googled FJ-09 GT, Tracer 900 GT kept coming up so I figured that it was only available in Europe. A Cycleworld review set me straight as it mentioned they dropped the American FJ namesake for the Tracer 900. I wish it was 2023 so I could afford the 2019😁

Last time I looked, I thought the Versys was ugly looking to me but the 2015 is really, really cool looking and that's the only year I'd be able to afford with either bike. But, it's $1000+/- more than the FJ so I'd have to save up a bit longer. For 2-up, does anyone know if the Versys stock suspension is any better than the FJ? If not, I'll just stay with the FJ and spend the $1000+ on the suspension.

So I ride very conservatively even in the twisties of the Smoky Mountains and country back roads and have miles of chicken strips on my FZ. I'm not scared to lean in hard, it's just not my style. I like fast acceleration in the straightaways and long sweeping corners but take it easy in tighter turns. If 300lbs of combined rider weight isn't going to fair well based on my riding style, I'll either have to consider the FJR1300 (which I'm assuming is capable of carrying the weight) or hold off for a long while until I can save the money to get the FJ and a beefier suspension package. Although the FZ is mushy with us both on there, I've never bottomed out or had any close calls so wouldn't the FJ have a little bit more support verses my bike?

Great reply and great example. Couple questions now. 1) Give or take a few bucks here or there, what did those front and rear upgrades cost? 2) Is there a chance that our combined 50lb lighter load (no offense) would work with the stock suspension or like betoney said, the bike is typically set up for an average 170lb person? I ask because it might be a while before I could do suspension upgrades to any FJ-09 I buy unless I find a wife that kicked her husband to the curb and fire-sales his precious ride. Even though I guess I could keep the FZ and do suspension upgrades, I just like the riding position so much better on the FJ and would think if the wife is already okay with her comfort on my bike, that she would be even more comfortable on the FJ. It's me that's annoyed by the ride. Lastly, keithu, what's typically lacking for the back seat rider when people say "passenger accommodations aren't the best"?

Hi All, I'll finally be picking up an FJ-09 this fall or winter. My current ride is a 2008 FZ6 and is the first bike I've owned. At the time of purchase last November, I did the research and found a bunch of 2-up reviews and riders generally enjoyed the experience. I had $3000 max to spend including all the start-up gear for both of us and found that the FZ6 was very affordable, had the widest back seat for a sportbike and plenty of power for a first bike. There was just no way an FJ was affordable at the time and standard bikes and cruisers don't appeal to me. After 9 months of me riding 2-up with the wife, I hate it. I even got a Corbin that's actually shaped just like their FJ-09 model seat and holy crap is that thing uncomfortable for me. For the wife, she loves it. Now, I LOVE the FZ6 when it's just me but even with me being 5'-10'' @195lbs and the wife at 5'-1'' @110lbs, the 2-up ride is very mushy in the curves and in normal city riding, braking is super-mushy. I know for some people, the bike works for two people but for me, I just dread getting on the bike with her and no, I don't want to leave the old ball and chain at home.😁 So I want to stay with Yamaha and love the FJ-09 as I feel it's just my size of bike. I looked into the FJR1300 for a quick minute since my friend has one but, it's just too bulky and heavy for me and I don't need that much power with only nine months of riding under my belt. I've seen a few comparisons where people say the FJ-09 is fast like the FZ6 but way more comfortable and I am hoping this is true. I still want the power that my FZ6 has and even more so when the wife is on the back and that's what I'm here to find out. Thank you.