2016 Yamaha FJ-09 First Ride

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LANGUAGE WARNING! My first ride of the 2016 Yamaha FJ-09.
/ motochooch

[@olderwiser2080]

This is a '17, not a '16. Windshield is adjustable. It's not an "adventure bike". With "zero miles", the brakes you're whining about aren't bedded. I had to stop listening, because you don't know what you're talking about.

[@stonehands0249]

Older&Wiser. I agree... couldn't watch and listen to this guy anymore.

[@SteveSweetz]

LOL some idiot at this dealer installed the hand guards on the wrong sides. The painted part should be on the top, not the bottom. Also that's an insane markup on the price. MSRP is $10700

[@MotoChooch]

SteveSweetz that explains a lot LOL. Didn't get any warm and fuzzy feelings from them to be honest.

[@JP1970]

Thanks for the video...I found a 2015 with under 1,000 miles that I'm buying in the next week to upgrade my MT-07, and I can't wait! This was a great video--subbed!

[@MotoChooch]

Thank you!

[@69HotRabbit69]

handguard installed in the wrong way and the windshield is adjustable

[@ReynevanNarrentum]

I have the 2015 version. Awesome bike!!

[@sallashwin]

Excellent camera.! Nice vid

[@ThomasOzOsburn]

Nice information. Good video.

[@Mr67Stanger]

This is the bike I really wanted, but insurance was too high, so I settled for the Versys. I don't regret it. The Versys 650 is a great bike, but I dream about someday owning an FJ.

[@17405pop]

I used to own a 650 Versys. One of the best bikes I ever had. I travelled all over the UK and Ireland on it and a big chunk of Europe as well. No bother for the we bike and held its own in much more exotic company. Here's the 2nd part of one Euro trip heading ove Grossglockner Pass in Austria.kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKiThaRtrceLis0

[@thechicanes]

Could be wrong but as a 2015 FJ 09 owner, it appears to me that the Handlebar fairings were installed on the wrong sides. Hence, they're backwards/upside down, and do look odd. Just saying.

[@gerasischristos8750]

Chris...for sure its wrong

[@imso_tavo]

Totally true, they are upside down and because of the color is not a 2016 but a 2017

[@urbansherpa]

As a VERY experienced rider in my mid-fifties, I’ve been looking at the XSR900, but keep hearing the adjective “INSANE”. I wonder if this FJ09 might be a better buy. Looks like the bikes are near identical, mechanically. I’ve watched your excellent videos of the other CP3s. How do they compare for comfort, performance, and value? I’m mostly a weekend rider and want to do a few over night trips. I’m really interested in your opinion. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

[@bigsby6bender]

I liked the slow-speed testing you did. This is a real world performance issue that most reviewers gloss over.

[@MotoChooch]

Don Dwyer thank you!

[@pauljohnson8794]

You can do 60mph in 1st, fun bike. , the factory bags are great and makes the bike look better.

[@msdottechnology8930]

i like blue also...its pretty color

[@Pmason718]

Wow did anyone see the 05 636 in the background on the side walk?

[@wheelsdeal]

You cant really comment on brakes on a brand new-0 miles bike.That was literrally the first time the pads touched the disks.They definately need couple of thousand miles to start settle in.Same goes with the motor it needs to be fully break.Some engines get smoother after the break in period some get worse.

[@MotoChooch]

That is an excellent point. There are definitely "first ride" type reviews and I've heard before that some engine characteristics will change as break in progresses. I will make a note to note that in any future ride reviews I record. Thank you!

[@wheelsdeal]

They need at least 4-5k km to reach their full potential depending on the size of the engine.I've seen it with several brand new bikes of mine.Brakes gets more efficient after pads/disks settle in.Most engines feel snappy/jerky and kinda "short" at first and after the break in they get smoother,longer and feel a bit stronger.You get a bit more top speed also.The noise changes as well both of the engine,sounds more grunty and the exhaust where the insulations kinda gets burned

[@17405pop]

The 'jerkiness' noticed on the MT-09 Tracer (FJ-09) isn't due to the engine being new. It's fuelling and will remain jerky unless you do a fix. The fix is a re-flash of the ECU. I had mine done and it's transformed an already good bike into a much, much better one. It also removes the top speed limiter on 5th and 6th gears and reduces engine braking. Power at the rear wheel's increased marginally and overall the bike rides better. With regard to new brakes. The old breaking-in period no longer applies. With modern day materials a good hard 'break-in' is the key to sharper, better breaks. Get yourself a good open road with no traffic and from speed, brake hard, accelerate away and repeat. Forget gentle braking for 200 + miles, you'll only glaze over your pads and make them much, much less effective. Modern engines need no special treatment either. You'll do yourself no favours moddy-coddling a 21st century motorcycle engine for 500 - 1000 miles these days. Ride it normally, don't labour it and keep it out of the red-line, you'll be fine.

[@paulguillemot2613]

that little "menu" switch at the front on left bar that you say doesn't do anything, is for toggling between modes when the Yamaha heated grips are installed. I have the 2017 model. I don't have any vibration at speed whatsoever.

[@metallicknight2]

@Boe Padgett heated grips, yes. You have 2 options for cruise control... McCruise unit or a throttle lock. The new Tracer 900 GTs come with factory cruise & heated grips.

[@markheinig]

If you have to think real hard to answer the question "Would I trade?", the answer should probably be no. Your next bike should always be one you look forward to, if possible.

[@MotoChooch]

Mark Heinig exactly. Check out my Tiger 800 XRT vid. ;)

[@Tritamer]

Which bike did you finally settle on?

[@MotoChooch]

Tritamer right now I'm looking at either getting the Honda as a commuter and keeping my bike or trading for a Triumph Tiger 800 XRT. Don't know yet.

[@michaelottesen5062]

$12,999.00? Even here in CA you can get them all day long for $10,999. I would think Texas would be cheaper, I was wrong.

[@rb3782]

I have an FJ09 and a Street Triple R. In terms of overall refinement, I agree there is no comparison. With the STR, I feel a direct line between my brain and the bike. I just think it and it's done. With the FJ... it just feels cheaper in every conceivable way (and it costs about the same). I'm always thinking things like "I know the bike WANTS to... but will it falter if I push it?" On the FJ, the throttle is twitchy, the suspension is total garbage, stock tires need to go, exhaust note reminds me of Fran Drescher. HOWEVER. It's damn good for a cheap bike. As bone stock, it's a VERY capable jack of all trades (master of none) that is actually comfortable enough for my wife (she'll only join me on the Triumph for an hour or two). Loads of power, fantastic engine, great seating position and overall ergos. And I think if I threw another $800-$1000 at suspension, tires and maybe an ECU flash, I could turn it into a mean, canyon carving sport tourer. Not sure if I will though. The FJ is my "Ridin' with wifey" bike. Still, I probably wouldn't complain if I wasn't used to riding the Street Triple, which I feel is a TRULY special motorcycle. You know? How can Dominos ever be good enough after you've been to Naples.

[@MotoChooch]

You really hit the nail on the head. Thank you for the comment! I'm going to be sad to see my StripleR go, but the Tiger just brings that Triumph refinement and a LOT more to the table.

[@jasontoner1]

Let’s ride I live in Lewisville

[@Nine_883]

Windscreen is adjustable.

[@msnyder622]

Handguards are upside down lol

[@lucasgraham4762]

OMG! You have followers?

[@sv7017]

Why not trade!?!?!?

[@MotoChooch]

Twil I found something else I liked better. Tiger 800 XRT :)

[@earlharvey7659]

Trying to be cool with F-bombs is just asinine. Why don't you try it at speed in A mode? You're freaking clueless. I've ridden this bike for several months now, and the bike's front brakes are awesome. Combined with engine braking, they're as good as you need. Vibration? It's called torque....

[@JayYarbroughMusic]

Too cutsie for me.

[@SparshRaj1991]

Just a suggestion: you should do some homework on the bike before releasing videos. Everything seemed hurried and half-baked.

[@MotoChooch]

Sparsh Raj professional reviews are all over KZbin if you want that type. My reviews are intended to be from the perspective of an average or newer Rider not a pro journalist. I agree that I have a long way to go before mine appear more professional but at the same time I don’t want to lose the perspective I have. When I was researching myself I valued the opinions and impressions of real world riders over track and press release riders. Closer to what I could expect in the real world. This is why my channel is the way it is. Thank you for the comment!

[@SparshRaj1991]

I agree on and like the real-world and first-time review style. And honestly it is much appreciated. I was just suggesting some factual errors can be ironed out before-hand while retaining the style you mentioned. E.g. the adjustable windshield. My $0.02 as a viewer hehe.

[@MotoChooch]

Sparsh Raj oh absolutely. I’ve moved on to include specs and other facts inserted after the fact to ensure proper information is conveyed. Trying to stick to impressions over informational. Of course there are and will be mistakes as at the end of the day this is just a hobby. I definitely won’t be quitting my day job LOL.

[@SparshRaj1991]

Hahaha i am with you on that one.

[@sunnygxracer]

This is NOT a fucking 'adventure' bike !

[@redbear1935]

test drive on strait American roads doing 60 mph, do not show true potential of this bike .