foxtrot722 Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Trying to make a decision here and looking for some thoughts. I have a 2015 FJ09 with about 20K miles. I have owned since new, it has new chain and sprocket, tires, side bags, rear luggage rack with top case, Yamaha heated grips, and Dave custom seat. I use it for a cruiser more than a sport bike. Found a 2019 900 GT with 9k miles, looks excellent. I know I will be gaining quick shift and cruise control. Quick shift is not that big of a deal for me, but the cruise control would be nice. This bike also has the Yamaha custom GYTR seat and also stock seat. Any thoughts or comments on the upgrade. I just read some on the comment on the hate Yamaha thread. That being said, I am a hard-core Yamaha owner sine my 1972 Yamaha 250 MX, I still ride offroad on a 2020 YZ 250 two smoke 1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979 YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miweber929 Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Do you want to do a full “upgrade” or is it just a CC you are after? 20k is nothing on these bikes, for around a grand you can add a fully functional CC to your current mount. I bought a ‘20 GT a bit over 6 weeks ago and have put (unfortunately, work has been brutal and COVID kicked my ass a couple weeks) around 650 miles on it and it’s an incredible bike. Love the cruise control, I’ve got the Yamaha comfort seat, seat slope mod, top box and a National Cycle VStream sport windscreen on it along with some Pilot Road 6’s and it’s an absolute blast to ride. But if I had a solid FJ, I’m not sure it’s worth a lot of money to upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxtrot722 Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 Thanks for your thoughts, hope you have a good recovery from the COVID, that is one nasty bug. I don't have any complains on the FJ. Just get the itch to upgrade sometimes. Then often have sellers' remorse because what I had to begin with was better. One other thing I did was remove the stock windshield and an using a really short fly shield. Got rid of most of the buffering, but you get full wind from about mid chest up. 1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979 YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member 2and3cylinders Posted September 11, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted September 11, 2022 I installed a McCruise CC on my fastest red 15 now with 53k miles and a ton of other mods. If I had the cash I could have bought a nice used BMW S1000XR for what I've sunk in my FJ since I bought it new in 16. If it's only cc you want, unless you can get a super deal on the 19 and sell yours so the net cost in less than say $1200, if the 15~17 McCruise is still available, I'd keep the 15 and install a McCruise 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxtrot722 Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 Thanks 2&3, I do all my own maintenance and would be comfortable trying to install the CC. I'll take a look to check availability. Just trying to get a feel for any other advantages the GT might have. 1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979 YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted September 11, 2022 Supporting Member Share Posted September 11, 2022 I agree with the others, adding the MCCruise to the older bike will leave you a lot of money left over for tires, gas and road-trips vs upgrading to a newer bike. I personally like the larger LCD screen compared to the smaller TFT. 4 ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoAl Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 OK, I'm going to add a different thought. I have a 2020 GT. Haven't owned an FJ but there are a number of differences. Not only will you get CC but also a longer swing arm, slipper clutch and Yamaha sidecases. Sidecases are keyed with the ignition key so no need to have two different keys. The GT has traction control and ABS which I'm not sure if the FJ has or not. On top of this you get a bike with 11,000 fewer miles. If you have not has the valve clearance done yet it will need to be done soon on the FJ. Potential issues with the GT. Chains seem to not last very long - replaced mine at 11,000 miles with a DID X-Ring which is going strong at 16,000 miles on it. I'm replacing my timing chain tensioner at 27,000 miles and may have the "gronk". My bike has lot of long distance trip miles on it and has been thru some a lot with me and never let me down. The longer swingarm adds highway stability and the weave with affects some FJs seems to be non-existent on the GTs. I love the CC and use it a lot. It is great on the long rides and when going thru a small town with a 35mph speed limit is is wonderful for keeping compliant. Bought my bike new 2 years a week ago and it has almost 27,000 miles on it. Some complain about the sock suspension but I have adjusted mine. On a long trip when I'm running with full side cases and a 58 liter duffle on the rear seat plus a top case with a rain jacket and water bottle in it I'll set the preload up. It is soft if I were going to go blaze thru a canyon but on the fast 2 lane roads that are less than perfect it does a great job of being compliant and sticking to the road. Just returned from 6,500 miles in 18 days across 19 states and provinces. We saw 80 mph interstates, 2 lane roads, gravel roads (only hone I had to) and one 5 mile stretch of road construction where the road ranged from loose gravel to dirt to soft dirt! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxtrot722 Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 Thanks, PhotoAl , a lot of good information to consider. The 2015 FJ does have traction control and ABS. What seat and windscreen are you using? 1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979 YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member 2and3cylinders Posted September 12, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted September 12, 2022 I've never had instability under 115 with my better than oem shad sh36 panniers and sh46 top case, and also Installed the slip assist clutch for under 250. I did a flash, Installed a K-Tech Razor R shock, revolved the oe fork cartridges and put in .90 or .95 springs I have a custom Sargent saddle and after a couple others ended up with Renthal Street Naked bars Plus a ton of other mods you'd make on a 19 too Solid as a rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxtrot722 Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) Thanks 2&3, awesome looking bike, I've never had a problem with instability either. I was hard core on the MX track for over five years, back in the 70's. A bike moving around a little bit doesn't bother me. I'm 66 now and usually just cruise on the pavement. Still push my limits riding off road and hit the track from time to time. Photo from last December. Entered two classes, got a second & third. . Edited September 12, 2022 by foxtrot722 3 1 1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979 YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member 2and3cylinders Posted September 12, 2022 Premium Member Share Posted September 12, 2022 Great kid! Keeps us young I've got a couple years on you but a bicycle incident on 1-1-07 due to a careless bicycle dweeb not even in a group who took me out and it's been downhill since. Dropped from 20k+ just locally a season to almost nill last year. 3 surgeries later with2 to go and next year hopefully... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxtrot722 Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 6 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said: Great kid! Keeps us young I've got a couple years on you but a bicycle incident on 1-1-07 due to a careless bicycle dweeb not even in a group who took me out and it's been downhill since. Dropped from 20k+ just locally a season to almost nill last year. 3 surgeries later with2 to go and next year hopefully... Hopefully you will continue to get better and have a good recovery 1 1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979 YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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