SleepyC

Interesting Thread. I am starting to HATE the FJ-09. I traded my S10 for a equally valued FJ-09 last year and was pretty happy for a little while. (Short rides, it was Novmber) Winter hit and it sat all prepped and ready for this season Took it out, and it roared to life I was ready to go. Set off on some 2 - 6 hour rides over the past few weekends. The more miles I put on the bike the less I like it. It's nimble and quick, but the love affair ends there. I have 3 seats all from different manuf and they all suck. The seating position is sportbike lower and WAY upright upper, so your never completely comfortable. When I finally feel like I'm getting far enough back on teh seat to "get in the pocket" my ass is 2 inches on the pillion seat. And then the worst of the worst is the engine vibration from 3800 - 6500 rpms. Holy hell It's so annoying I find it so bad I'd rather not ride the bike. I thought maybe it was just my bike, but no.. this is a common problem with 200,000 threads on it. 50% sold the bike because of it 50% say they like it as it feels like power. (dumb) I have quite a few bikes currently and have owned probably 100 bikes over the last 35 years of riding, and I never felt this weird throbbing as bad as the Fj displays, even on the Thumpers I have had. (My Husky 610 was not as bad!!) Also, the "drop an anchor" throttle roll off is no help either. All modes, doesn't matter, roll off and it's like you slapped the brakes on, so rolling back on is a jerky situation and then BAM your back into the vibrations. I made the wonderful mistake of picking up a Kawasaki Z900RS for the twisties and that bike is so frigging smooth,(yes I know 4 VS 3.. but damn) it made my opinion of the FJ-09 even worse. I really wanted to like this bike, I think it looks nice, and it has power, the storage space, but riding this thing for any amount of extended time just plain sucks. Now I'll probably have to take a huge hit, sell this thing to a lady who's lonely and wants a vibrating companion and start the search for a sportish touring road going adv looking bike again.

Gonna try both. (Been a while since I had a chain, had a Super T for a long time)

This has been on my radar. Chain is getting long in the tooth. It doesn't look terrible, but I think i'll try some new sprockets and chain, they probably have 10K+ on them.

Hey guys, does anyone have a clue what this could be? When riding every once in a while I can feel a what i can only describe as a thump-bump bump bump... that sends vibes into my right footpeg. I've checked all the things and nothing is loose. I thought maybe it is the center stand, but the spring seems to hold it tight to the bottom of the bike. Anyone have any ideas?

Yes getting 100% gas works 99% of the time, but if yiou have an area of high humidity (like end of wionter when teh temps goes up and down quite a bit) the fuel additives help repel water and condensation which can help a bike start i the spring.

I go to a gas station that sells 100% gas. If you get that and add any of these solutions you should have a normal start up in the spring. 100% burns better, stores better, smells better.

Went out on my first decent ride yesterday. I love this bike. So Smooth.. Did 250 miles, started at 6am, it was 34 deg F, bit chilly 🥶, but the heated grips kept it civilized. Hit the Rock Hall before heading home... fun day!

My 15' FJ-09 came with Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 cartridges in the forks, Penske 8983 res shock in the rear - sprung for 235lbs. In 35 years and probably 40 different bikes, I have never had "real" suspension. It's pretty amazing what we put up with, with the stock shocks... real suspension is amazing. Congrats, I bet you are happy as a clam!

I got my 15 FJ-09 yesterday and so far I agree with you, It's a different kind of beast. I traded a Super Tenere for mine, and the power difference is nuts. The S10 is a GREAT bike, but the FJ is a fun bike. i was accidentally doing power wheelies in 3rd gear!! Congrats on the bike!

Cleveland Heights, Ohio USA! Great roads around here and amazing roads a little further south in Ohio. If you have heard of the Dragon, Ohio has the Triple Nickel. RT555. 438 insane turns (off camber, 90 deg, sweepers all amazing) in 63 miles. AND it was just repaved this year. AMAZING.

HAHAHA! Yes, that's my youngest daughter.. she named my bike Straberry Muffin... NOT sure I'm gonna roll with that name..😆 And I agree. I'm an ATGATT kind of guy. Been riding for 35 years, always wear the gear. Back when I was much younger and the 900rr Fireblade was my choice I was much dumber and did a lot of "interesting" riding... and went down at 105 mph.. broke my collar bone but had no other injuries. Shoei Helmet was cracked and scratched and mauled, Vanson jacket was almost through, but it kept the road out. I got lucky with my pants and shoes as back then I wore jeans and sneakers... But that lead me to always take safety gear seriously. I always wear a GOOD quality helmet and now I'm more of a touring gear boots, pants, jacket kind of guy. The FJ-09 I'm pretty pumped about. My Super Tenere was seriously laid out and a great bike but due to many injuries over the years and a replaced hip (I'm only 49!!) I can't ride off road any more. It hurts my bones too much. So I traded it for this FJ straight up. But this FJ is laid out as well. I got 3 seats (stock, saddle man and Sargent) It has Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 cartridges in the forks and a Penske 8983 shock in the rear sprung for my exact weight. The guy gave me 5 windscreens including 2 Givi's, and a puig and the stock and one other larger touring screen, It has really nice LED turnsignals and a tail tidy etc. And all the stock parts to go back to stock. So far the power compared to the S10 is insane. I did "accidental" power wheelies in 3rd gear yesterday.. I need to get used to that. Thanks for the welcome, I'm sure I'll have some questions for you FJ pros...;)

Hello... I traded my 2013 Super Tenere 1200 for a 2015 FJ-09 today! I can't ride off road anymore.. to many bad joints, so this was a smooth transition back to a speedy road bike with a great riding position.