FJ-09 questions, potential new owner

[themyst]

Hi guys!

Strongly considering a 2015 FJ-09, everything about it sounds good except a few things:

I've dug real deep into this potential 110-115 mph speed wobble, although I won't be hitting those speeds all that often (if ever). I've never seen anything conclusive about what the fix would be, I'm seeing people post suspension adjustment settings to changing the windscreen, was it ever discovered if there was a certain build defect that resolved this issue?

Also, looking for suggestions on windscreens to eliminate head buffeting, as I've also read that the windscreen is one of the first things that'll need to go.  

Otherwise, the bike looks fantastic for what I'd want it for.  Thank you in advance!

[peteinpa]

Welcome to the forum. Find a used one yet?

Any high speed wobble is mostly rider induced. Bike starts wobbling and rider grabs bars harder. Fight that instinct, hold bars very loosely, grab tank with knees, and it cycles away.

First years of FJ have quick steering. Tracer years it's slower with a longer wheelbase.  I like the quick steering.

[Your_Boy_Yuriy]

Well, I actually have a 2020 tracer 900 GT. In stock form I did not get any speed wobble at 130 MPH absolutely no wind or any other cars around. Then I installed a madstad windshield and I get speed wobbles around 110ish MPH with little to no wind and no cars around. However, on the highway around 80 MPH semi's really upset the bike with my madstad windshield also my side and top cases are installed. However, if remove my top case, sides cases, and windshield then the bike is fine at high speeds (130MPH). And much more lively. 

Just remember... there's a speed limit.

 

 

[themyst]

53 minutes ago, peteinpa said:

Welcome to the forum. Find a used one yet?

Any high speed wobble is mostly rider induced. Bike starts wobbling and rider grabs bars harder. Fight that instinct, hold bars very loosely, grab tank with knees, and it cycles away.

First years of FJ have quick steering. Tracer years it's slower with a longer wheelbase.  I like the quick steering.

Actually I did, hopefully it goes through!  It's a clean absolute bone stock 2015.  

[themyst]

15 minutes ago, Your_Boy_Yuriy said:

Well, I actually have a 2020 tracer 900 GT. In stock form I did not get any speed wobble at 130 MPH absolutely no wind or any other cars around. Then I installed a madstad windshield and I get speed wobbles around 110ish MPH with little to no wind and no cars around. However, on the highway around 80 MPH semi's really upset the bike with my madstad windshield also my side and top cases are installed. However, if remove my top case, sides cases, and windshield then the bike is fine at high speeds (130MPH). And much more lively. 

Just remember... there's a speed limit.

 

 

I'm glad you mentioned the Madstad windscreen, I was looking to get one of those, now I can cross it off my list.  

[knyte]

Welcome

How many miles on the soon-to-be-new-to-you FJ?

I've had mine up to ~160 km/h (~100 mp/h) with no issues whatsoever; using a VStream touring windscreen.

 

[themyst]

12 minutes ago, knyte said:

Welcome

How many miles on the soon-to-be-new-to-you FJ?

I've had mine up to ~160 km/h (~100 mp/h) with no issues whatsoever; using a VStream touring windscreen.

 

7500 miles, bone stock.  The only thing on the bike is a phone holder.  I wish it came with the OEM side cases but oh well.  Not the most important thing in the world to have for now.

[HGP61]

I have only experienced a steering wobble  once also combined with tingling vibration through the bars and it was the day I picked up the bike from the dealer. I put that down to holding the bars a bit to tight because the bike was new to me. I haven't had a problem since that day three years ago and regularly have sat at 85 to 90 mph on motorways with occasional overtaking forays probably up to 110-115 mph. You will certainly want to change the stock generation one screen if it's still on the bike, that was my first modification and I went for a puig touring screen. If you go for the Tracer I am sure you will not regret it once you have made it yours.

[bwringer]

Or just take the dang screen off... mine came with a Madstad, but I'm livin' la vida desnudo...

Pretty much everyone hates the screen on the stock bike, but as you can see on this thread there are many possible solutions. Same for the gawdawful stock seat.

No idea about any speed wobble. Never experienced it, and never really noticed a trend in my own pre-purchase research.

My cam chain tensioner was still fine at 24,000 miles but YMMV, and I did install a manual version from APE just to eliminate that worry. I checked the valves just after purchase at 23,000 miles, and all needed attention. The original chain is pretty low-rent and was also roached at 23K (all factored into the price).

As far as luggage and protection, shortly after purchase my Visa went out and hurt itself on Givi goodies at  https://tourandride.com/collections/fj-09-15-17 -- fantastic service, and a great source for Givi/Kappa goodies at a discount. (Yes, the side bags are a set of kinda beat-up E21s I've had for years on other bikes...)

I also quickly removed the beyond stupid-looking stock handguards. My bar-end weights are a set of Manic Salamanders; sadly, no longer being produced. I had to improvise a bit with the mounting hardware and spacers, but they're basically each a pound of stainless steel solidly mounted for protection and vibration reduction. I don't know of anyone producing similar weights now, but maybe they're out there somewhere.

 

[themyst]

3 hours ago, bwringer said:

Or just take the dang screen off... mine came with a Madstad, but I'm livin' la vida desnudo...

Pretty much everyone hates the screen on the stock bike, but as you can see on this thread there are many possible solutions. Same for the gawdawful stock seat.

No idea about any speed wobble. Never experienced it, and never really noticed a trend in my own pre-purchase research.

My cam chain tensioner was still fine at 24,000 miles but YMMV, and I did install a manual version from APE just to eliminate that worry. I checked the valves just after purchase at 23,000 miles, and all needed attention. The original chain is pretty low-rent and was also roached at 23K (all factored into the price).

As far as luggage and protection, shortly after purchase my Visa went out and hurt itself on Givi goodies at  https://tourandride.com/collections/fj-09-15-17 -- fantastic service, and a great source for Givi/Kappa goodies at a discount. (Yes, the side bags are a set of kinda beat-up E21s I've had for years on other bikes...)

I also quickly removed the beyond stupid-looking stock handguards. My bar-end weights are a set of Manic Salamanders; sadly, no longer being produced. I had to improvise a bit with the mounting hardware and spacers, but they're basically each a pound of stainless steel solidly mounted for protection and vibration reduction. I don't know of anyone producing similar weights now, but maybe they're out there somewhere.

 

Sweet bike!  My first set of mods are going to be protection related, then after that's done, spend a few bucks on an ECU flash, QS hardware and possibly a new seat depending on how my ass responds to the stock one.  Looking forward to getting some great feedback here! 

[themyst]

I have a few new questions in further digging:

If I get an ECU flash, QS can be "enabled".  Will that require QS hardware or is it a feature enabled within the ECU?  I saw vcyclenut and 2wddyno as the popular options.  

Can anyone direct me to possible leads (or sites) that sell the OEM heated grips or an aftermarket solution that plugs directly into the bike?  

 

[Wintersdark]

I thought the older FJ had a stock quickshifter?

As to speed, my 2019 is perfectly happy at well over 200kph; no wobble anywhere along the line.  However, the Tracer's (2018+) have a longer swingarm which results in increased stability at the cost of a bit of tip in speed.  If you DO have some issue, try removing the handguards just to see if that corrects the problem.  The '19's have wider handlebars and the handguards can grab the wind a bit.  And as others have mentioned, if there's a non-stock windshield, you can try removing that (if that corrects the problem, then a different aftermarket windscreen will probably be ok too).  The stock windshield won't make it wobble, but it's also kind of garbage.  

[betoney]

26 minutes ago, themyst said:

If I get an ECU flash, QS can be "enabled".  Will that require QS hardware or is it a feature enabled within the ECU?  I saw vcyclenut and 2wddyno as the popular options.

 

9 minutes ago, Wintersdark said:

I thought the older FJ had a stock quickshifter?

The FJ09 did NOT come with a factory quick shifter.  You can buy the oem QS unit (if you can find it for sale) but must have the feature enabled in the ECU and then it is up-shift only, no auto-blipper for clutchless downshifting. 

BTW, I would highly recommend getting the ECU flashed to smooth out the fueling and un-restrict the power, especially on the 2015 model.  In addition to the ECU flash, the best modification I have done to my 2015 is suspension, it is both much more comfortable on the highway and unbelievably more improved in cornering and sporty riding.

[1moreroad]

Like OP said, it is affected by suspension and wind. Wide handlebars with deflectors, bad aerodynamics (all of the buffeting we riders experience), quick steering, less weight on the front end, OE suspension at a price point.

It happened to me once at about 90 on a rough road. Get your suspension set up right, and pay attention to not overload the back end at extra legal speeds so the front end doesn't get light.

I do know it happens, but I think it's rare. Wouldn't stop me from owning this bike. 

[DR_DR3I]

Interestingly, the stock windshield seems to work just fine for me. It's set to the middle notches and I'm 5'11, haven't experienced buffeting or wobble at high speed. 

I would double-check tire air pressures and make sure those are correct. I've also heard some front wheels are difficult to balance when installing new tires. I do think the extra accessories on the bike increasing drag can interfere with aerodynamics, so I'd keep them off unless using them.

Still wanting to replace the OEM shock/spring combo with a nicer unit, maybe in time for next year's riding season. I highly recommend the FJ-09, it's a great bike that does so many things very well.