Newer rider eyeing an fj-09

[suitedsevens]

Hello, just started my 2 wheel earth experience a few weeks and a few hundred miles ago on a 2002 Kawasaki ZR7S. Absolutely loving life on a bike, however at 6'5" 240lbs even though the ZR7s is decently comfortable it leaves a lot to be desired. Did a metric ton of research and it seems that the FJ is quite possibly the perfect bike for me. And although I could sink some $$$ into the Kawasaki to make it suit me a bit better it just seems a little silly to spend a couple grand fixing up a 15 year old bike with a carbureted engine rather than just buying a new one especially at such an affordable price tag. I am trying to be smart about being a newer rider so I just wanted to see what you fine FJ owners think about a rookie on one, although it is only 100cc larger than my current bike I know that it packs quite a bit more of a punch. Thanks all.

[nsmiller]

First thing I recommend you do is take a test ride at the nearest Yamaha Demo Day to you. As an inexperienced rider, the FJ-09 has a lot of power to get yourself in trouble fast if you don't respect it. Thankfully, its got features like traction control and ABS which might help save your bacon in the event you get too aggressive with the throttle. But that's not a substitute for learning to control a bike properly.
 
Normally I would recommend most people put at least 5000 miles on something a bit more learner sized, before considering upgrading to something like an FJ09. You need to figure out your maturity level honestly to yourself before you put yourself on one of these. If you were driving a supercharged Corvette, would you want to put the pedal down? Or would you keep it right at the posted 55 mph speed limit? If you're like me that speedo needle would be at triple digits in no time. Same goes for the FJ09. Easily capable of cruising way faster than is legal/safe in most places.
 
The best thing you've got going for you is you're a taller person which will help you maintain control on an otherwise tall bike.
 
If you haven't, I definitely recommend you take the MSF Basic Rider Course. And if you get the FJ-09 definitely take the Advanced Rider Course on it as well.

[nsmiller]

Consider that the ZR7 does 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in about 5.2 seconds. The FJ-09 will get you there in 3.0 seconds flat. If it doesn't sound like a lot, it is.
 

[DavidS]

And going from 60-0 mph may be a lot slower, but can be much more painful!

[koth442]

I highly (stressing the highly) recommend another stepping stone before the FJ-09. You will hate yourself if you wad up a pretty FJ.
 
I have a good friend and experienced rider who is your size. His top 3 recommendations for a new to intermediate rider are: SV650, Ninja 650, and Triumph Bonneville. An FZ07 might suit you was well, but I've never ridden one, neither has my friend.
 
The SV can be had for 2-3k and can be abused in ways best left discussed with close friends, without losing much value. Plus the SV has enough bump to really make you smile. I raced one for years, it was a hoot.
 
And, DON'T test ride the FJ. You will love it. You will tell yourself you will be good. You will buy it. You will not be good. I've seen it many times. Usually the rider lives, bike never does.

[angrygirafe]

I've had my license for two years now, and I still consider myself a new rider. 6'3" and 180lbs (no gear). I put 8000 miles on my Dad's 92 Suzuki GSX1100G (620lbs wet, 100hp) before I crashed it. Fixed it up, and bought myself a '13 Honda CB500X. Put 20,000 accident free miles on it. Loved that bike. It was small, weak, and let me figure out was I was doing. Upgraded to a '12 Triumph Tiger 800. Dropped it in the driveway within a week. Put 8,000 miles on it and never really cared for it. Bought a '16 FJ-09. I've put about 5000 miles on it and it's a blast. But the temptation to be stupid is strong, and the bike is willing and capable.
 
 
 
ETA: Crashing sucks. If you're lucky (I was), you'll walk away with some scrapes and bruises and you can fix your bike for cheap. If you crash an FJ, you may end up okay, but you won't fix it for cheap. And then you can't ride, and then you don't get more experience. Of course, I'd recommend not crashing.

[duhs10]

I agree with most of the posts in this thread. I personally wouldn't recommend the FJ as a first bike. Having said that the most important thing about choosing your bike is knowing yourself. The FJ is very fast. If you think you will have good self control with throttle (I know I couldn't, and still don't lol) then you could probably make do. However I've have always told new riders that it's not a matter of if you will drop it, but when. And that "when" is going to hurt the wallet a lot more on a FJ.
 
Go buy a used bike for 2k-3k USD and ride it until your bored with it. Then sell if for 2k-3k and upgrade.

[suitedsevens]

First thing I recommend you do is take a test ride at the nearest Yamaha Demo Day to you. As an inexperienced rider, the FJ-09 has a lot of power to get yourself in trouble fast if you don't respect it. Thankfully, its got features like traction control and ABS which might help save your bacon in the event you get too aggressive with the throttle. But that's not a substitute for learning to control a bike properly.  
Normally I would recommend most people put at least 5000 miles on something a bit more learner sized, before considering upgrading to something like an FJ09. You need to figure out your maturity level honestly to yourself before you put yourself on one of these. If you were driving a supercharged Corvette, would you want to put the pedal down? Or would you keep it right at the posted 55 mph speed limit? If you're like me that speedo needle would be at triple digits in no time. Same goes for the FJ09. Easily capable of cruising way faster than is legal/safe in most places.
 
The best thing you've got going for you is you're a taller person which will help you maintain control on an otherwise tall bike.
 
If you haven't, I definitely recommend you take the MSF Basic Rider Course. And if you get the FJ-09 definitely take the Advanced Rider Course on it as well.

 
I have completed the basic MSF course which was the route I took to acquire my M1 here in California. Probably should have mentioned before I'm turning 30 in a couple months and drive a heavily modified Golf R. I would consider myself to be a mature driver/rider, feel like I've gotten most of the stupid stuff out of the way at this point. Not saying I don't speed or anything but I have no problem chillin out and calmly rowing through the gears on a 400hp car.
 

[suitedsevens]

I highly (stressing the highly) recommend another stepping stone before the FJ-09. You will hate yourself if you wad up a pretty FJ.  
I have a good friend and experienced rider who is your size. His top 3 recommendations for a new to intermediate rider are: SV650, Ninja 650, and Triumph Bonneville. An FZ07 might suit you was well, but I've never ridden one, neither has my friend.
 
The SV can be had for 2-3k and can be abused in ways best left discussed with close friends, without losing much value. Plus the SV has enough bump to really make you smile. I raced one for years, it was a hoot.
 
And, DON'T test ride the FJ. You will love it. You will tell yourself you will be good. You will buy it. You will not be good. I've seen it many times. Usually the rider lives, bike never does.

 
I've sat on an SV650 I found it to be quite uncomfortable. I think the ZR7S is fine for now and I will likely put quite a few more miles on it before upgrading. So I should skip that test ride I was planning in a week or so eh...
 
 

[suitedsevens]

I agree with most of the posts in this thread. I personally wouldn't recommend the FJ as a first bike. Having said that the most important thing about choosing your bike is knowing yourself. The FJ is very fast. If you think you will have good self control with throttle (I know I couldn't, and still don't lol) then you could probably make do. However I've have always told new riders that it's not a matter of if you will drop it, but when. And that "when" is going to hurt the wallet a lot more on a FJ.  
Go buy a used bike for 2k-3k USD and ride it until your bored with it. Then sell if for 2k-3k and upgrade.

 
Currently riding a ZR7S I paid 2k for...

[suitedsevens]

Your previous bike is not worlds apart from the FJ in terms of performance. I moved up from the tiny CBR-250, and tested bigger bikes during my search. Demo it in B-mode at the dealer and decide if the ergonomics work for you. You want the bike to feel right... more important in my opinion than the top speed or 0-60 figures (check... check). Easy to get cought up in the numbers game... unless you're looking for a super sport, which the FJ isn't. You're tall...so you have to pay attention to windscreen options and opinions of some of the taller riders on here. Hope you pick one up and join the club.

 
Smart advice about b-mode thanks. Definitely just want something comfortable and most certainly not looking for a super sport, most bikes are a no go for me at my size.

[suitedsevens]

I've had my license for two years now, and I still consider myself a new rider. 6'3" and 180lbs (no gear). I put 8000 miles on my Dad's 92 Suzuki GSX1100G (620lbs wet, 100hp) before I crashed it. Fixed it up, and bought myself a '13 Honda CB500X. Put 20,000 accident free miles on it. Loved that bike. It was small, weak, and let me figure out was I was doing. Upgraded to a '12 Triumph Tiger 800. Dropped it in the driveway within a week. Put 8,000 miles on it and never really cared for it. Bought a '16 FJ-09. I've put about 5000 miles on it and it's a blast. But the temptation to be stupid is strong, and the bike is willing and capable. 
 
 
ETA: Crashing sucks. If you're lucky (I was), you'll walk away with some scrapes and bruises and you can fix your bike for cheap. If you crash an FJ, you may end up okay, but you won't fix it for cheap. And then you can't ride, and then you don't get more experience. Of course, I'd recommend not crashing.

 
Got some good chuckles out of this post. Very sound advice my friend much appreciated.

[suitedsevens]

Thanks for all the feedback this forum is awesome!

[norcal616]

I own the FZ-07 as well as its mature older sister FJ-09... Between the 2 bikes I got all my motorcycle needs...the FZ-07 is perfect for sticking around town, country back roads, its a bare basic no frills bike...the FJ-09 is much more suited for day/multi day long trips and 2up, better elements protection and much more comfortable than the FZ-07 after riding all day...

[BBB]

Test ride the FJ09 and get it if you like it. Wear good gear and build up to confident, fluid riding when you feel ready.
 
All bikes can go fast enough and are vulnerable enough to kill you so what will matter most is your own attitude on the road and spotting hazards before they get you.
 
At 30, the choice is yours and yours alone.