Jump to content

Magnum099

New Member
  • Posts

    13
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Personal Information

  • Location
    Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Bike
    2015 FJ-09

Recent Profile Visitors

The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.

Magnum099's Achievements

20

Reputation

  1. I just moved from my 2015 FJ-09 to a 2017 Africa Twin for the exact same reasons, and I must say, the AT is much, much better 2-up and I am happy with my choice. I don't think you would regret swapping bikes to something a bit larger/heavier for 2-up riding. While I thought it might be possible to make the FJ tolerable 2-up, the amount of money spent to get it there would not be with it (to me). The stock suspension and size of the bike make it much less suited to multi-day trips 2-up. I have met a couple of other riders who ride 2-up long distance on the FJ/Tracer, but it is not for me. Also, I feel the engine character is a little too exciting/exhilarating/nervous for relaxed touring, whereas the AT feels comfortable cruising around at a more relaxed pace. Even though the CP3 engine is awesome, I have found that I like 2 cylinder or 4 cylinder engines better for 2-up riding. I was also considering the Versys 1000LT and Vstrom 1000, and I think they would have been good choices as well if I didn't find the Africa Twin. Good luck with whatever decision you make!
  2. I know that issues with the FJ-09 Windscreen have been discussed endlessly on this forum, but I haven't seen much information about a particular issue I am having with my bike regarding a couple of specific windscreens. I thought it might be good information for anyone considering either of these. My bike is typically set up using the GIVI D2122S screen with a SHAD SH39 Top Box for commuting/daily riding/etc. I leave it in this configuration at least 80% of the time. It works well with just me on it riding alone, and I don't notice any annoying amount of buffeting or anything like that. It can easily run 80mph+ if desired without issues. However, I ride 2-up with my wife sometimes, and I like to use the top case for short rides, or I will combine it with my Yamaha Side Cases for longer rides. Unfortunately, when I ride 2-up with her going ~60mph or greater in either of these configurations, I often get helmet buffeting using either of these windscreens. This is especially noticeable on the interstate. The wind will grab my helmet and jerk it left or right, often going back and forth. I am 6'3" and use a Shoei RF-1400 helmet. This also happens using the CalSci Tinted Shorty when riding 2-up. I rarely use this windscreen anymore though, I personally think the bike looks kind of goofy using this windscreen with a top box or side cases installed. A couple of interesting notes: 1) This issue does not happen using the Yamaha factory windscreen. I may have found the only good use for the factory screen. 😀 2) This issue doesn't seem to happen with only the Yamaha Side Cases riding 2-up. 3) This issue happens both with and without the factory hand guards installed. 4) This happens with the screen in the lowest or highest position, although it seems ever so slightly better in the high position. 5) My wife said her helmet doesn't buffet around like mine does, but she can see my helmet jerking around. I have a feeling this is caused by the location the wind is directed on the bike due to the windscreen design. Questions (some of which I will try to answer with further experimentation): 1) Would a Puig Clip-On Wind Deflector or something similar fix this issue? I haven't purchased one of these yet, but I am considering it. 2) Is my helmet the issue? I have a Bell Qualifier Helmet I will try also. I am curious if a different style/shape helmet (such as a dual sport) might resolve this. 3) Would a different top box fix this issue? Perhaps the aerodynamics of the SH39 are not ideal for 2-up. It is annoying to the point that I will not go on rides over ~30minutes in this configuration 2-up, instead I will go with only the side cases or change back to the Yamaha factory windscreen. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this or something similar?
  3. Over the past couple of weeks, I have noticed my clutch feeling "off" and I could not seem to get it right no matter what adjustments I made on either the engine side or the handlebar side. Also tried lubing it, but to no avail. It seemed like it was getting harder and harder to engage the clutch. After reading about the clutch cable issues on 2015 FJ-09s, I decided it would be best to go ahead and order the updated cable Yamaha released just in case. So I stopped by my local dealer on the way home and ordered it. Low and behold, as I pulled onto the road I live on, the clutch cable snapped when I was changing gears. It broke right at the place where they redesigned the new cable, near the lever. Luckily, I was able to easily ride it home since I was so close. Timing is everything! I got lucky on this one, it could have happened at a much worse time.
  4. Hmm - I should try painting the rear reflector on mine, I agree it doesn't help the looks much. I did already remove the stickers. Actually was planning on adding the FJ-09 stickers that go on the front plastics of the bike to the Shad cases also, I thought that might look cool.
  5. For anyone interested, here is a comparison between the Yamaha OEM side cases and the Shad SH23. I originally purchased the SH23s, thinking I would be happy with them. I was never completely happy with how they looked. When I came across a nice used set of Yamaha cases on eBay, I couldn't pass them up. Yamaha Case Notes: -Seem to have a bit more space than the SH23 (perhaps my imagination) -Look better (in my opinion), especially from behind -Easy to remove, mounts are unobtrusive and barely noticeable once removed -My left case fits a bit looser than the right side case and wobbles a bit when you shake it, but no actual issue, just annoying Shad Case Benefits: -Top opening is awesome, I don't understand why all cases don't open this way. -Easy to remove also, but not a huge fan of how the mounting hardware looks A couple of more notes, both the SH23 and the Yamaha side cases cannot comfortably fit my 14" laptop. It will actually barely fit in both of them, but you must put it at a weird angle, and you really don't want to have to force it in. They might fit a 13", but that would be the absolute max. Get a top case or backpack if you plan to carry a laptop regularly (I went with the Shad SH39 for a top case, which I am happy with). I also wish both of them had a way to open the cases without using a key, so you could leave them unlocked but latched shut on trips for easier access, then lock them as you desired.
  6. I actually did check before I purchased the bike and all the recalls were taken care of. They provided documentation to me showing they had been completed when I purchased it. Funny you say that though, the handlebar holders/risers were actually one of the issues I had when I purchased the bike from this dealer. I noticed in the showroom that the handlebars seemed a bit tilted to one side. I mentioned it to the owner of the shop (who also was the salesman) - his reply: "Sometimes you need to shake the handlebars back and forth a few times when you ride and they will straighten up." At that point, I knew I would probably not be getting stellar service, so I knew what I was getting into. The strange thing is, this guy owns at least 50 motorcycles, many of which are displayed in his shop. Several of them are highly desirable, somewhat rare motorcycles, and he drag races a couple of his bikes on the weekend also. Overall, just a really interesting guy, but I would not recommend him as a motorcycle dealer. Lol. His mechanic also left a lot to be desired - he supposedly took the bike for a test ride to make sure everything was good before handing it over to me, but when I got on the bike, the handlebars were still tilted to one side. There is no way he didn't notice this, so I figured they just didn't care at this point. After I took the bike home, I found that one of the riser bolts was loose. I adjusted the handlebars to the correct position and tightened it and all has been well since then. Also, while showing me how to work everything on the motorcycle, he tried to show me how to adjust the seat up and down using the plastic piece under the seat. After 20 minutes or so of struggling to figure it out, he couldn't get the seat back into place. He finally got it to lock in somehow and I just figured it out when I got home. These are the reasons why I do not plan to bring them my bike for anything. I do have a really good dealer only about ~20 minutes from me that I would trust to work on my bike though. I will not purchase another bike from them obviously, and this was my first new motorcycle purchase, so I really didn't know what to expect. In retrospect, I probably should have complained more about the issues. Unfortunately, bikes were in high demand and it was hard to find one I wanted at the time. I was upgrading from several older motorcycles - 1996 Honda CBR1000F (still have this one and love it), 1980 Suzuki GS1000G (sold), and a 2002 Honda ST1100 (also sold) and I was used to fixing things myself instead of taking bikes to the dealer. I was originally planning to get a more sensible Versys 650LT, but when I found the FJ-09 for less money than a new Versys, I decided to go for it. I do not regret it, as the FJ-09 suits me perfectly, as I tend to ride like a hooligan sometimes, and I don't think the Versys would have quite done it for me.
  7. Update - I had Autozone test the battery and it showed up as bad. Since this seems to be the issue, I will replace it with a new battery (I think lithium-ion) and move on from here.
  8. Thanks for everyone's comments - I do have a multimeter and will be checking more of the items mentioned once I get time, plus going through the service manual. I checked the battery, and it has a manufactured date of 200328, which I assume to be 3/28/2020, so not too old. However, the "lid" of it seems to be swelled/lifted up in one corner a bit, so perhaps that is of concern. It read 12.72 volts on the meter when it wasn't hooked up to the bike. My genius self didn't realize the battery sat in the battery tray sideways, so when I put it back in this morning to check the voltage when the bike was running, I installed it the wrong way and hooked it up backwards... 🙄 It blew the 50A main fuse and 7.5A fuse - I have already ordered replacements. I won't make that mistake again, it seems I am not the first to learn that the hard way.
  9. It is good to hear of a positive experience with the battery. I will check the manufactured date on mine. I do not have any accessories hardwired, except for the harness that goes to the battery tender. I will do some troubleshooting with the multimeter and report what I find out.
  10. Thanks! Yes, it did seem to start after I washed the bike. I thought if water were the issue it would be temporary as you mentioned.
  11. Hi All, I bought a brand new, fastest color red, leftover 2015 FJ-09 in May of this year at a nice discount (yes, it is hard to believe there were any new ones left from 2015). I have put ~3500 miles on the bike so far, including a 470 mile trip this weekend. When I bought the bike, the dealer put in a new battery (seeing as how the original one was ~6 years old and had never been used). The one he installed was a Parts Unlimited Battery (#2113-0089 Non-Spillable), and from everything I can tell it is identical specification wise to Yuasa YTZ10S (which is OEM from my understanding). I am having a strange issue with starting the bike and was hoping for a little insight, so here is the story. Wednesday night I washed my motorcycle and prepared it for our weekend trip (clean/lube chain, tire pressure, tool kit, etc.). I always use S100 motorcycle wash followed by Motul wash and wax, and then dry it with a cordless leaf blower and microfiber rags. I wash it carefully and do not use a pressure washer, just a standard spray attachment for a water hose. Thursday morning I had to go into work, and I commute on my bike also (I work from home but go into the office as needed). I went to try to start it and it turned over slowly but never actually started. After a couple of tries, I realized the battery was dead. I hooked up my charger to it and jumped it off, and it started right up. I rode to work and home later that day with no issue. At this point, I chalked it up to not being kept on a battery tender, as I ride at least 2-3 times per week, so I saw no need to use the maintainer until winter time. I put it on the battery tender overnight and prepared to leave on Friday. Friday comes, the bike started fine when we left on our trip and didn't exhibit any noticeable issues that day. Saturday morning, however, when I started the bike for the first time it seemed to struggle a bit. And throughout the day Saturday when we would stop, it would struggle to start back up. The longer we stopped, the worse it would struggle (at least that is how it seemed). Luckily, it did not leave me stranded, but I need to figure out this issue before it does. I find it strange that a battery only ~5 months old is having issues like this already. I have 3 theories: 1) Maybe the dealer installed an old/bad battery (although it does look new) 2) The battery is just bad (even if it was new) 3) Washing the bike caused this issue (seems like a long shot though) Does anyone have any insight or advice on this issue? At this point I am considering installing a Lithium-Ion Battery and seeing how that goes. I was planning to do that in the future once the battery needed replacement, but I did not expect to do it this soon. Another note, I do not particularly trust the dealer I bought it from regarding mechanical work. I can elaborate on that in another post, but I have a couple of reasons to not really want to bring it back to them. I bought the factory service manual online and did my own service at 600 miles (however I did skip the throttle body sync) and plan to continue doing that in the future. I have had no issues with the bike up until now and so far absolutely love it. Photo added also just for fun
  12. This looks awesome! I have a 2015 in metallic red, so I would probably be better off having a professional do mine. I think it really enhances the look of the bike.
×