salemons Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 I've been looking at a 2016, all stock, with 14000 miles on it. Well maintained, owner was dealership mechanic. Should be around $6000. Also looking at the new gt. Currently have a 2008 goldwing. Planning to sell. I'm turning 69 and don't do much touring anymore, but would like to. The wing is overkill just riding in town and 1 to 3 hour rides. All riding is just me. Would want to put hard removable panniers, maybe not stock yamaha, on the 2016 and probably heated grips. Thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Money is an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted March 8, 2019 Supporting Member Share Posted March 8, 2019 1 hour ago, salemons said: I've been looking at a 2016, all stock, with 14000 miles on it. Well maintained, owner was dealership mechanic. Should be around $6000. Also looking at the new gt. Currently have a 2008 goldwing. Planning to sell. I'm turning 69 and don't do much touring anymore, but would like to. The wing is overkill just riding in town and 1 to 3 hour rides. All riding is just me. Would want to put hard removable panniers, maybe not stock yamaha, on the 2016 and probably heated grips. Thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Money is an issue. A set of Shad side bags with mounts should be less than $600 and Yamaha factory heated grips are less than $300. If you can get the '16 for $6k + less than $1k in add-ons, you are over $6k ahead of buying the GT. (MSRP is $13k) Since you say that money IS an issue, I think you have found your answer. Don't get me wrong, the GT is a fantastic machine that checks a lot of boxes for me, but that $6k difference will buy you some AMAZING suspension and ALOT of sticky tires!! I have a '15 FJ set up just like a current GT, the bike is versatile enough to handle a day of aggressive canyon carving or a week-long road trip and will be much lighter and agile than the Goldwing. If you have never experienced the CP3 motor then you are in for a treat, it will bring out the young hooligan in you in a hurry. I haven't ridden the Tracer GT but most on here will tell you that the FJ, especially the first 2 years will benefit greatly from an ECU flash to smooth out the jerky fueling. Whatever you decide to buy, get yourself a radiator guard and some premium tires.- Enjoy the new ride!! ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koth442 Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 I don't have anything additional to add to Betoney's post, so I'll just second it. '15 FJ09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member DavidS Posted March 9, 2019 Premium Member Share Posted March 9, 2019 Agree with Betoney as well.... My only suggestion would be skip the heated grips, and get heated riding gear (gloves & jacket). I installed the heated grips and found the heat to be very harsh, even if you set it at low. The heated gear provides much more comfortable heat, and you can take it to another bike easily. Cost for both the jacket and gloves was around $300-350, a little higher than the grip, but much better for riding, and you can take them with you when you upgrade to a new bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted March 9, 2019 Supporting Member Share Posted March 9, 2019 22 minutes ago, DavidS said: Agree with Betoney as well.... My only suggestion would be skip the heated grips, and get heated riding gear (gloves & jacket). I installed the heated grips and found the heat to be very harsh, even if you set it at low. The heated gear provides much more comfortable heat, and you can take it to another bike easily. While I have a heated vest vs. jacket, it does have a heated collar! - PRICELESS I cant praise heated gear high enough, it has saved many rides that otherwise would have been ruined, I keep my vest in my side bag - just in case. ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salemons Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Thanks for the replies. The idea of the 2016 is growing on me. It's not the newest but 2016 sure isn't old. Weather permitting I'm going to take it for a test ride. I'm in northwest indiana and it's still winter here. Might have a warm day coming without rain. Hadn't even thought of heated gear. I have a really old heated vest and chaps made by Widder. Might be a good idea to check out the newer tech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockinsv Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Salemons, Thursday looks like a great day for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhchris Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I came to my 2016 FJ from an ST 1300 and have never looked back. It was exactly the right move for me, a 70-year-old rider. FJ is easy to manage at speed and in the parking lot. And though it is not as comfortable as a BIG touring machine, I'm not going to Alaska or California from New England on it (although some owners do!). I like the idea of buying a well-cared for used machine. Mine was owned by the service manager of a power sports dealer and had 3,500 miles on the clock when I bought it. Very well cared for and completely stock except for Yamaha hard bags. He upgraded to a Multistrada. There is a bit of an adjustment required to move from a large heavy tourer to the FJ, but after the first 1k miles I bet you'll wonder why you waited so long to make the move. I did. Good luck and happy riding. cb 1968 Triumph Bonneville 650 1971 Norton Commando Roadster 2002 Harley 1200 Sportster 2003 Honda ST 1300 2016 FJ 09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salemons Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 As far as the adjustment from a wing to the fj shouldn't be too bad. Last April I picked up a 2009 triumph t100 bonniville. Had a Bonneville many years ago and wanted to try a more modern version. In May I came down with double pneumonia. Took all summer on lots of oxygen to recover so only got to ride either bike, with portable oxygen along in tank bag, for a month and a half before winter like weather set in. The Bonneville has a tighter riding position than the fj I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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