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  • December 19, 2014
  • Dirck Edge
  • Tom Riles and Brian J. Nelson
  • 46 Comments

2015 Yamaha FJ-09: MD First Ride, Part 1

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This is a very brief first report as I prepare to leave Ojai, California following the U.S. press launch of Yamaha’s new sport tourer, the FJ-09. I rode with a group of journalists yesterday through this scenic area in frigid and damp conditions for approximately 170 miles.

As press launches go, our ride on the FJ-09 really amounted to a good test of the new machine. Based largely on last year’s FZ-09, the new FJ has a number of modifications to turn the basic naked package into a comfortable and capable sport tourer. All of those will be detailed in Part 2 that we will post shortly.

At the top of our list for this ride, we wanted to evaluate the suspension performance and fuel injection mapping to see if Yamaha had addressed the two most significant shortcomings we found when we evaluated the FZ-09. Those were the overly soft suspension, and the sometimes abrupt throttle response. The short answer is that Yamaha addressed both of these areas in the development of the FJ with great success.

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The overly soft suspension of the FZ-09 has been tightened up with significantly stiffer valving (both compression and rebound) on both the fork and the shock. This results in a dramatic transformation in the way the FJ handles (for the better).

To borrow a phrase from a famous Yamaha employee, by the name of Valentino Rossi, “the power delivery is-a sweet“.  Particularly in the “Standard” mode (like the FZ-09 you can choose from three different maps on the FJ), the transition from closed to open throttle never became an issue despite the slippery conditions encountered on the ride.

We will post a much more thorough report later today about this exciting three-cylinder model from Yamaha.  Stay tuned.

46 Comments

  1. weight? wait…..and wait…….and wait………

  2. Krisd says:

    Very cool little stubby exhaust!

  3. Corpus Frisky says:

    I got one last week. I agree with Dirk. I have ridden the FZ. The issues with suspension and throttle response are fixed on the FJ.

  4. Tim says:

    I saw one of these at the Seattle motorcycle show. I thought the bike was a nice offering, but the wind protection seemed pretty limited for a “Sport Touring” machine, especially for the lower body. I ride my sport touring bike in all weather conditions, and it wasn’t obvious that all-weather riding would be a comfortable option on this bike.

  5. skybullet says:

    OK, I have narrowed it down to the 2015 versions of the Multistrada, SMT, V-Strom 1000, R1200R and the FJ-09. Maybe I should ride them blindfolded to be objective.

    • Tom K. says:

      Don’t be ridiculous. Blindfolded, how would you be able to judge the aesthetics, or lack thereof, the beak?.

  6. Sentinel says:

    Last I heard Yamaha is on it’s third revision of the cam-chain tensioner in that engine and it’s still failing. That’s not my idea of “bang for the buck”.

  7. hipsabad says:

    The following British review contradicts Dirck’s claims about the throttle snatch being cured. Did Yamaha actually do anything?

    http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-yamaha-mt-09-tracer-review/26005.html

    • Dirck Edge says:

      He agrees, as Yamaha has stated, that the FJ has revised fuel-injection maps, so he isn’t saying Yamaha didn’t do anything. He feels there is still a problem, but “A gentle throttle hand deals with it.” We don’t have to agree, but I think part of his perception arises from just how responsive this engine is. Good riders, BTW, always have a “gentle throttle hand” IMO.

    • Norm G. says:

      re: “Did Yamaha actually do anything?”

      you betcha, they added this…

      http://tinyurl.com/kf5vaba

  8. JustANomad says:

    A Multistrada for the masses. Very, very nice. Between this, the Concours, the Tiger, the new Versys 1000LT, and the R1200RS, I will be happily dreaming in my sleep for the next 6 months. And then, when the sun finally makes an appearance in Oregon, I’ll hop on the ride I already own and enjoy it just as much, cruising up and down the rocky coastline or through green mountain passes, leaving only the gentle thrum of a large V-twin in my wake.

  9. Trent says:

    The FJ-09 compares nicely to my 8 year old modded Z750S. It’s too bad Kawasaki doesn’t offer the Z800 in the U.S. That would make a good comparison write-up.

  10. Joe Bogusheimer says:

    I’m thinking I bought a new bike a year too soon. Although, the Fazer 8 I bought last year is nicer in some ways. But it doesn’t have the longer travel suspension or quite the same wind coverage as this one. The Fazer was a steal as a leftover, though.

    • Blackcayman says:

      If it was me, I’d be lamenting the fact that it lacks the new triple motor…

      • Matric says:

        I love semi-faired bike. But the Fazer 8 is really a boring bike compared to the FJ-09. I rode the FZ-09. The triple motor is very outstanding, performance wise and what a great sound.

        Don’t get me wrong. The Fazer 8 is a good bike.

        • heinzrx says:

          Any bike is boring only if you can outride it’s capabilities which I doubt most riders can on an FZ8. The 2013 FZ8 which has upgraded suspension and better seat is no slouch and being able to get a new one for 7K (out the door including taxes) makes it one of the best kept secrets in the standard bike realm. I’ve had a Kawi ZRX1200, an SV1KS and a 2007 Tuono. Litre bikes are overrated for mere mortals. My current FZ8 floats my boat.

        • Joe Bogusheimer says:

          Some might consider it boring, but it works well for what I wanted. Certainly I find the power quite adequate, even exciting – 106 RWHP is not really “boring” and it’s plenty exciting enough once past 6,000 rpm.

          But the FJ-09 would probably suit my even better in terms of riding position and wind protection, and have the bonus of a more powerful engine with more “character”.

          On the plus side, my Fazer 8 is better finished and better looking than the FZ-09 (IMO, anyway). It doesn’t look built to a price as much as the FZ-09 or the new FJ-09

  11. LarryC says:

    My initial reaction from looking at the pictures is that it needs a *real* rear fender. These stupid things mounted on stalks are for sport bikes and only meant to be ripped off and replaced with a fender eliminator kit anyway. These vestigial rear fenders have no place on sport touring bikes. Actual protection is more important.

    • BennieJ says:

      I agree LarryC.. The first good wheelie and there goes the tail light, blinkers & license plate. Thats the main thing holding me back on this one. Would have been a nicer package if it had a rear rack as well, it seems to have everything else, not sure why they did what they did. Guess the Super Tenere or vstrom 1K will be the one if I go with an ADV tourer..

      • Blackcayman says:

        ” Guess the Super Tenere or V-Strom 1K will be the one if I go with an ADV tourer..”

        You are correct!

        This is not an ADV Bike.

      • mickey says:

        A rear rack and a trunk, plus taller windshield are factory options

    • Eric says:

      A fender eliminator kit is an absolute necessity. Many of the current Japanese bikes are a little ‘buggy’ for me but the FJ flows pretty well – until you get to that ugly thing hanging off the back.

      Fix that and lose 30 pounds somehow and I’d be talking trade-in with my Yamaha dealer.

      • Matt says:

        462 lbs wet is actually really good for this class of bike.

        That is basically the same weight as the Versys, which has 1 less cylinder and ~50 less HP.

        Only way to lose 30 lbs is buy an FZ-09 without the ABS, fairings, extra fuel etc..

        • Norm G. says:

          re: “Only way to lose 30 lbs is buy an FZ-09 without the ABS, fairings, extra fuel etc”

          CRAZY TALK…!!!

      • Norm G. says:

        that’s 2.

  12. Jeremy in TX says:

    Looks like Yamaha might have a real winner on their hands with this one. 100hp+, 462 lbs wet, standard centerstand and adjustable windshield, what looks like a spacious cockpit… As long as one isn’t opposed to a chain drive and off-road isn’t in the plans, this looks like one heck of an all-arounder.

  13. Rusty says:

    Thanks for the teaser, Dirck. I’m anxiously awaiting part 2. Please include some bad things about it. Otherwise, I’m worried that one will follow me home come spring.

  14. Bones says:

    Like.

  15. Rennie says:

    I do love my Triumph Tiger, but this could be the upgrade if it weight significantly less.

  16. Gordon Haight says:

    Proof positive that you should never buy a first year offering until all the bugs are worked out

  17. Dale says:

    Another reason why MD is the best and I tune in everyday. I will probably never move to the FJ 09, but I love the way Dirck writes his opening paragraphs. He always puts the reader right on the scene.

  18. gil moreno says:

    I have had 31 motorcycles since 1955. This could be my 32nd.

  19. Blackcayman says:

    this post was designed to keep the natives from becoming restless

  20. Norm G. says:

    he’s waiting for a complaint about the extra weight brought by all the extra content.

  21. Bill says:

    The vstrom may have to go so i can get this

  22. mickey says:

    I could potentially see this being in my garage someday. Quite a turn around considering how I felt after a test ride on the FZ09. When my ST 1300 become just too much, this bike could be on the short list along with the WeeStrom and the NC 700 X.

  23. Curly says:

    Great! Can’t wait to read part 2 Dirk.

  24. Ziggy says:

    With those two issues sorted out, it’s got potential to be the best all-rounder on the market.

  25. AreddF4i says:

    After 7 years on my 02 f4i, this may be the bike i upgrade to. Looking forward to part 2!

  26. jodyz says:

    This one is on my short-list to buy. Looking forward to the full review.

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