I was looking at the FJ-09, before I got my wee. I saw so many great reviews on the wee, so I stopped looking at the FJ, plus i have always had suzukis, I couldnt switch
I test rode one last week and I liked it pretty well. Definitely has the oomph and a nice growl. I'd love to hear one with a nice slip-on exhaust. Or even the full system that Yamaha has.
My test ride was decently long, and the FJ felt to me like it is the DL-650 that many have wanted. More power, much more power. Similar stance and handling, less cockpit. But overall, much more modern in brakes and suspension. I'm not saying it is miles ahead of a V-Strom, but it is a very fun and I think, similarly good all around ride. No doubt, it's a pure street bike. It was extremely comfortable for me, but I am a small guy. I noticed the roughness while accelerating too, but I cannot understand why it's there; triples are usually pretty smooth. I'd live with it. I think it's for the rider who mainly commutes, day rides on weekends, and possibly does the occasional short tour. Time will tell if it can be made a "decent" touring bike.
Considered one before I got my Wee but was nervous about a buzzy inline 2 cylinder and the still relatively newness of the motor. Nice looking bike though and some favorable reviews - have fun!!
I will come back and give a comparison. But initial impressions (only 96 miles on the FJ so far):
Motor is amazing. Very smooth (more the the glee), a ton of torque and power. I am trying to be good while breaking it in, but have crack it open to about 9k rpm and it PULLS.
So far vibrations are less than the DL650. The FJ vibrates some under acceleration, but once at speed it smooths out remarkably. Only feel it in the handlebars, but I don't think it is as much as the DL.
The suspension is 1000% better than the DL650.
Handling is lighter than the DL, and feels very good, but I have not pushed the FJ yet.
Brakes. Front on the FJ is amazing. Great feel and much more powerful than the Glee. Rear on the FJ is kinda mushy, I think the DL had a better rear brake, but the front on the FJ makes up for it.
Wind protection is better on the DL, but I do not feel the buffeting on the FJ like I did on the Glee.
I also test rode a 2015 DL1k yesterday before I decided on the FJ. To be honest, it fell short of the FJ is pretty much every way to me.
I will come back and update once I get some more miles on it. Oh, did I mention that the FJ has an AWESOME motor >
Hope you do come back and tell us how you like the FJ-09.
I sold the Wee when I bouught the Super Tenere.
While I love the Super Tenere, particularly on long multi-day trips, I find I really miss my Wee for day rides etc. So while I have been noodling getting a Wee back in the garage, the FJ-09 is really catching my interest as an alternative and a daily ride.
150 miles freeway/interstate
100 miles of dirt/gravel/2 track mild jeep trails.
750 miles of 2 lane secondary Pennsylvania back roads.
I still love the FJ 09. Since break in is complete I have been able to open up the motor. It is amazing. I'm glad this bike has traction control, or wheelie control as I refer to it. Without it the bike picks up the front wheel with little effort. With it on (it's default upon start) it does a very good job of not letting the bike get away from you.
The engine really is what makes the bike.
In B mode it is very smooth, great for rain and off pavement. I have had the bike on gravel and dirt roads and B mode makes it very controlled tires and ground clearance are the only things that hold it back off pavement.
In standard mode the motor is smooth yet has very good power. This is what I ride in most of the time. It pulls smoothly from any rpm without sputtering. I have been going 25mph in 6th gear and rolled on the throttle and it just goes. Picks up much better than the dl650.
A mode is for having full on smoke sport bike fun. Throttle response is a little jerky but manageable. If you want to do wheelies just put it in a mode and shut off the tc and it power wheelies in first and second without much effect at all.
Handling is very good. It is light and nimble at all speeds. Very well balanced. Slow speed maneuvers are effortless. Feels much lighter than the dl. Yet it is very stable at triple digit speeds.
Suspension is very good. A big improvement over the dl650 in my opinion. It is much firmer yet comfortable.
Brakes are good. Front has very good bite and feel. Better than the dl. Back is mushy with not great feel.
Instrument cluster is good. Has a ton of information. I do prefer the 2012+ dl650 to it but this is good.
Wind protection is good. I have little to no buffeting. There is a lot of wind noise but it doesn't move your head around.
Please feel free to ask any questions. I will try to check back and answer questions.
I to bought a FJ-09 after owning a 06 Wee since I bought it new in 06. I put a little more than 40,000 miles on it with zero problems, it was the best bike I ever owned. But after 9 years I got the bug to get something new and I found a new 2014 Vee in a town about 30 miles from me and I went to trade, I just knew I was riding home on a new V but all they would give me was $1500 for my Wee which felt like an insult so I said no. I had the bike for sale on Craig's list for a couple of weeks with no real offers or I wouldn't have tried to trade. A couple of weeks later I sold it but the Vee was gone. As I was looking around town for another new Vee which I didn't find, they are scarce around these parts I came across the FJ-09 and fell in love. Long story short while I miss my Wee I love this bike, to me its as comfortable to me as my Wee, nice and docile if you want it to be and a raging monster when you get on it. I've averaged 48-50 mpg which is a little less than my Wee but not to bad. So far after 2500 miles all's been great so far, time will tell how it stacks up against the legendary Wee.
The Yamaha FJ09 is certainly an enticing package. While I love my Wee I'm always thinking of my next bike. My local dealer was offering a new FJ09 for around 9 grand so I gave one a test spin. As the dealer started it up, my first impression was if you think the Weestrom has gear whine, you gotta listen to this FJ. Brand new with no miles it the gear train was significantly louder than I expected. On the road it just got louder. Even with ear plugs I found it loud. As far as power, yes indeed it had great power but I'm not one to complain about the power of the DL650. It felt much lighter and easier to move around the parking lot. I like that as the DL can feel like a pig when I'm moving it around in my garage. My overall impression was that my next bike will probably be another DL650. I love Yamaha in general but the FJ09 just didn't do it for me. Besides, I don't want to wait around to see if it will develop the same following and forum as the Weestrom.
My friend bout an FJ so I got to give it a good test ride. If you're looking for a change , try the new Triumph Tiger 800 XRX. I bought one and I think he wishes he did also.
My friend bout an FJ so I got to give it a good test ride. If you're looking for a change , try the new Triumph Tiger 800 XRX. I bought one and I think he wishes he did also.
But your friend sees you in his mirrors I bet.:grin2:
Just kidding, but I would expect the FJ does have a little more oomph off the line. I haven't ridden a Tiger 800, but I formerly owned a 1050 Sprint. I felt the FJ was not down on performance too much from my Sprint. Definitely not as smooth though as that bike though. I agree that your Tiger might be a nicer package than the FJ.
I'm pretty sure the FJ is faster than the Tiger from all I've read. I like to go fast in the curves and slow down in the straights. High speed is not my thing but when you're leaving people in the curves It's a bigger accomplishment IMO. Who can't go fast in a straight line. I'd really like to hear others compare the FJ to the Tiger .
I don't think you'll get too much commentary around here on that. From what I can tell, Strom owners are at best "meh," 50/50 on either bike. It's doubtful you'll find too many that have ridden both bikes. I mentioned I hadn't ridden the tiger, but I already think it's probably the better overall of the two.
It's not easy to come across an opportunity to test ride either one. It's worth a try if you can though.
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