roadscum Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I'd like to have a FZ but couldn't live with the poor suspension and traction control would be nice but not a hard requirement. Sure, the FJ has those but I don't need another touring bike. My dilemma is this... do I buy an FZ and put the money into a suspension upgrade or just get the FJ..... seems for the cost of a quality suspension upgrade for FZ I could have an FJ with so much more content. Anyone here with FZ experience now on an FJ? I'd like to hear about the differences in how the bikes handle, the effects of the extra weight and higher COG of the FJ, and about any suspension work on your FZ. Please share your experience. THANKS. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eatpasta Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 @roadscum i would say it boils down to how tall you are and what kind of riding you're into. Im 6'3 and a much better dirt rider than street so I automatically feel more comfortable upright and can ride safer and faster that way. I have a Speed Triple and that's about as leaned over as I care to be, which isnt really leaned over at all.... If you aren't super tall and/or enjoy sportbikes and that seating position, go with the FZ and just be prepared to do some suspension work. Even the FJ I think most of us once we get one are going to be prepared to at least replace the rear shock and of course once you've done that, all it does is expose how bad any fork is so then you have that done too. But in the end if you're happy with the result, who cares? What's $1000 spent on suspension if every time you get on your bike, you're giddy?? Money well spent IMHO. It's also a styling thing - the FJ is kind of an Adventure touring bike....which is polarizing to say the least. in motorcycling like in life, you have to do what it takes to make yourself happy. Screw everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FigJam-OhNine Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 @roadscum I hear a lot about people trying to take an FZ and turn it into an FJ by adding things. Really, other than the throttle mapping, suspension and ergonomics, there isn't a lot separating these bikes in terms of performance and ride feel. I'm really curious to see what happens when the mod community starts to address these items, and make the FJ start to feel a lot more like the FZ. Lower handlebars? Rearsets? Lower seat? Gutting weight? Smaller windscreen? Who knows what we'll start seeing people do. The one thing I know for sure, with my conservative "break-in period" riding style, is that this bike is sporty as hell. You don't hug the gas tank like a supersport, but this thing GOES! I also feel like you can corner better upright with wider bars, and with the sticky tires that come stock, it almost feels like you'd be grinding the engine on the ground in a turn before they lost traction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eatpasta Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Im goin the other way if/when I get mine. Crash bars and panniers! O_o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fj09addict Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I test rode a FZ09 in Orlando back in October, fell in love with it. I've had a FZ1 (03) for 12 years now, also still have a 2008 C14 (for sale). My new FJ09 only has a 100 miles on it but the rear suspension seems really stiff on the road. I don't remember that on the FZ09, maybe the road was just smoother. As previously stated, I'm not really loading the engine yet, but this thing feels just as strong as the FZ09. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eatpasta Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I test rode a FZ09 in Orlando back in October, fell in love with it. I've had a FZ1 (03) for 12 years now, also still have a 2008 C14 (for sale). My new FJ09 only has a 100 miles on it but the rear suspension seems really stiff on the road. I don't remember that on the FZ09, maybe the road was just smoother. As previously stated, I'm not really loading the engine yet, but this thing feels just as strong as the FZ09.Well the suspension on the FJ has been completely redone for the FJ09 after all the whining they got about the budget feel of the FZ09. The internals of the suspension have also been completely re-worked. The fork springs are now progressive units, which get more firm as they're engaged. Yamaha claims the compression damping has been increased by one and a half times, and the rebound by two and a half times. The rear shock is the same unit, but Yamaha increased the compression damping by two and a half times and doubled the rebound. Im very curious to see how this bike feels under me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I'd like to have a FZ but couldn't live with the poor suspension and traction control would be nice but not a hard requirement. Sure, the FJ has those but I don't need another touring bike. My dilemma is this... do I buy an FZ and put the money into a suspension upgrade or just get the FJ..... seems for the cost of a quality suspension upgrade for FZ I could have an FJ with so much more content. Anyone here with FZ experience now on an FJ? I'd like to hear about the differences in how the bikes handle, the effects of the extra weight and higher COG of the FJ, and about any suspension work on your FZ. Please share your experience. THANKS. Paul Hey Paul, Why not buy an FZ that has already been sorted? They pop up for sale every so often. I picked up one this past fall but I am still making the move to the FJ for the additional leg room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsquared Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I rode an FZ09 when they first came out and I really liked that engine, but couldn't get past the suspension. Also, the bike seemed more like a Super Moto due to it's size. So when th FJ came out and the reviews started coming out, I knew I had to see it in person. I ended up buying one the next day. The size is more in line with what I was looking for, as well as the wind protection and larger tank. The suspension is okay and will be for a while. The bike handles very well and has a very neutral feel when you tip it into a corner, which I really like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadscum Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 bmac... Yes, I've been checking cycle trader, craigslist, and the FZ-09 forum for a used FZ. No luck in my part of the world.... Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deersSlayer Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 bmac... Yes, I've been checking cycle trader, craigslist, and the FZ-09 forum for a used FZ. No luck in my part of the world.... Paul Here's one in ON, Canada: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-bikes/oshawa-durham-region/2014-yamaha-fz-09-in-showroom-condition-extras/1044371577?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true Cdn $7,300 is about US $6,200 A local dealer had a new 2014 leftover for Cdn $8,000 (US $6,800.) I considered it, because adding a new Elka excellent sorted suspension would total still about Cdn $1,000 less than an FJ-09. But I want the bigger gas tank, ABS, center stand, better gauges, etc... MSRP for the Canadian 2014 FZ-09 was Cdn $9,000 (US $7,650.) FJ-09, 690 Enduro R. Back Roads. Period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamboa Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Im goin the other way if/when I get mine. Crash bars and panniers! O_o I'm with eat pasta but I am from Louisiana and we eat most anything! My Versys had SW Motec engine side bars, aux. lights, air horn, panniers, trunk , two sets of highway pegs, lowered rider pegs, sump guard, alot of this is for the look cause all the Versys ever saw was maybe an occasional Gravel road. 2015 FJ-09 matte gray 2013 Honda CB1100 2004 Triumph T100 Bonneville Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eatpasta Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Im goin the other way if/when I get mine. Crash bars and panniers! O_o I'm with eat pasta but I am from Louisiana and we eat most anything! My Versys had SW Motec engine side bars, aux. lights, air horn, panniers, trunk , two sets of highway pegs, lowered rider pegs, sump guard, alot of this is for the look cause all the Versys ever saw was maybe an occasional Gravel road. I mostly like the idea that during the event of the inevitable tip over (ESPECIALLY in the dirt when it's just unavoidable sometimes) you're not going to be pissed that the side of your bike is totally screwed. This bike isn't in the "pretty" category to begin with - it's already got a tough look started, why not finish it off with crashbars and boxes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamboa Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 I like eccentric looking machines so when I will ride my Scout I will really feel like I a riding a different motorcycle, same with Bonnie and CB1100 air/oil cooled in line 4 2015 FJ-09 matte gray 2013 Honda CB1100 2004 Triumph T100 Bonneville Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadscum Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 Here's one in ON, Canada: http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-bikes/oshawa-durham-region/2014-yamaha-fz-09-in-showroom-condition-extras/1044371577?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true Cdn $7,300 is about US $6,200 A local dealer had a new 2014 leftover for Cdn $8,000 (US $6,800.) I considered it, because adding a new Elka excellent sorted suspension would total still about Cdn $1,000 less than an FJ-09. But I want the bigger gas tank, ABS, center stand, better gauges, etc... MSRP for the Canadian 2014 FZ-09 was Cdn $9,000 (US $7,650.)Thanks deerslayer but I live in SW Florida and Canada's a bit further then I'm willing to travel for a fly drive during the winter season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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