Sports Cycle

2015 Yamaha FJ-09 Review

2015 Yamaha FJ-09 Review

In case you're asking why I'm investing so much time saying the FZ-09 in an article about the 2015 Yamaha FJ-09 press presentation, the answer is straightforward: The FJ-09 is the overhauled 2015 FZ-09 with the additional items you'd anticipate from an endeavor styled game visiting bicycle. We knew this bicycle was desiring a while before it was declared (look here, here, here, and here). Still, the prospect of Yamaha taking a cruiser that we adored a year ago, finishing the harsh spots (which I'll get to later), making some decently set increments, and providing for us an opportunity to (at long last) ride it, makes the MO staff all in all dewy looked at.

Thus, snatch yerself a hot cuppa joe, take a seat, and let me get down to the matter of letting you know about the new bicycle convey one of our most loved Triples.


We cherish the FZ-09's motor, calling it "an extraordinary motor with heaps of torque and a lot of character." E-i-C Kevin Duke opined, "If Yamaha could block out the brutality of throttle application, this Triple would be one of my most loved motors ever." And there's the rub. Yamaha's designers, being the keen people who composed the FZ's 847cc Triple, left it mechanically the same. Rather, they concentrated on tweaking and growing the hardware bundle.

While Yamaha's PR sorts were snappy to say the ECU's progressions were steered at the contrasting necessities of the FJ's game visiting versus the FZ's donning parts, the response to the inquiry everybody has had since the FJ was reported at EICMA is: yes, the hinky off-to-on-throttle issues were focused being developed. The Drive Modes hold the same names A, Standard, and B – with Standard and B conveying around 30% less power than the mode above it – however any similitudes with how the modes feel contrasted and the FZ's energy conveyance end there.

Since visiting riders have a tendency to ride more miles in more fluctuated climate conditions, footing control was added to the FJ's best stuff. In the period of ride-by-wire, we wouldn't be amazed to see TC move over to the FZ in some future cycle. While we're on innovation the FJ wears that the FZ (right now) doesn't, the FJ likewise profits from ABS. Dissimilar to the FJ-09's TC, its ABS can't be turned off.


The main changes to the skeleton were those fundamental for the movement to game visiting obligation. The fork offers the same KYB segments however with internals overhauled for the extra weight of visiting. Moreover, the progressions were intended to moderate the damping profile of the suspension. The fork now has 1.5 times the layering damping of the FZ and 2.5 times the bounce back damping. In the back, the KYB stun has 2.5 times and 2 times the layering and bounce back damping, separately. The expressed objective was to "quiet the ride down a considerable amount." The stun holds its preload and bounce back customizability, while the fork's bounce back just modification changes from turns to clicks.

The fundamental casing is the same control-filled pass on thrown unit from FZ-09, and the motor holds its focused on part. Notwithstanding, the subframe was stretched out and beefed up to convey the extra baggage that most FJ purchasers will include. The extra room takes into account changes to the seat and the rider housing. To begin with, the seat is currently a two-piece development that is longer for both the rider and traveler. The seat is less forcefully situated, importance it is compliment and diverse froth is utilized for solace amid long spells. The seat stature increments to 33.3 in. (also can be balanced 0.9 in. higher), denoting a 1.2 in. development from the FZ. Nonetheless, the front of the seat is narrower to compensate for the expanded elevation. Likewise, the edges of the seat are more bended for expanded solace.

Awhile ago, we've doubted why a maker would offer a game visiting cruiser without the packs to really visit on them. Yes, we realize that everybody needs the MSRP to be as low as could reasonably be expected, however no gear on a game visiting bicycle? Truly? Thus, to get the FJ-09 with gear to really convey stuff with you on your visit, you'll have to purchase the Hard Saddlebag Mounts ($94), the Hard Saddlebags ($400 every), and a 3-Lock Set ($80).

Our test bicycle likewise incorporated the tasty Grip Heaters ($284) and a Rear Rack ($171). When we add these to the $10,490 MSRP, the cost of the 2015 Yamaha FJ-09 – as tried – comes to $11,919. That is route beneath the Fjr1300a's $15,890, underneath the $12,799 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT and the $13,999 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS Adventure, or more the littler Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ($8,699) and Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS Adventure ($10,049) – all of which incorporate hard sacks in their MSRP. For an alternate correlation, the Honda Interceptor DLX retails for $13,499 (DLX for the ABS and TC) and $14,479 with packs.

While conceivably not hitting the same value sweet spot as the FZ-09 in its class, the FJ-09 still feels to be a can hope for what it offers in removal and execution. Accessible in either Candy Red or Matte Gray, Yamaha FJ-09s are coming into merchants in the not so distant future. Time for an alternate game visiting shootout, methinks