[tscoe]

So, looking to move on from my SV1000S to something more comfortable. Even with HeliBars, the SV1000S is just too uncomfortable for day trips (for me anyways). I'm mainly looking for a fun commuter bike that I can ride for 200 or so miles on the weekends which would be some interstate and some backroads.

I test rode the GSX-S1000F the other week and thought it was exactly what I was looking for. It had plenty of power, was smooth and comfortable, etc... Then CycleWorld came out with a comparison test this month and rated the FJ-09 above the Ninja 1000 and GSX-S1000F which they rated last.

I'm not interested in the Ninja for the most part but wondering if anyone has rode the FJ-09 and has any thoughts on how they compare. I doubt I will be able to test ride a FJ-09 unfortunately. Thanks!

 

[CaptainSlow]

I test rode the FJ-09 and I didn't like it as much as the GSX-S1000F. First, the riding position is too upright. I mean you are completely upright. I prefer to be slightly bent forward, not as much as on a super sport, but not completely upright either. Second, while the FJ-09 had a lot of torque down low, it didn't have the same top end power of the GSX-S1000F. And third, I just couldn't get past its looks. I've always preferred the sport bike look over the ADV look. I also felt the FJ-09 was too tall (and I'm over 6').

The FJ-09 is quite a bit cheaper though. 11k for the Yamaha vs 13k for the Suzuki here in Canada.

Another bike you might want to consider is the Honda VFR800. Although it was originally priced too high, I have seen brand new unsold 2014 VFR's going at significant price reductions. It's a bit slower than the FJ-09 and significantly slower than the GSX-S1000 though.

I haven't yet had a chance to ride the Ninja 1000 so can't comment there.

 

[slothman]

I would just ride both and see what you like. But ....I bet you will like the GSX more =)

 

[Thumper07]

I agree with CaptainSlow in that Yamaha manufactures a fantastic motorcycle, there's no arguing that, but their design team needs much improvement. In my opinion, Yamaha's styling is the worse out of the 4. I had the first FZ1 model and, although it was a fantastic bike to ride, I nearly vomited every time I got off of it and looked at it. Or caught a glimpse of it walking out of the restaurant. In the end, I had to trade it in because it was giving me nightmares. The GSXS is beautiful. I get so many compliments, even from the Harley guys, and it turns into a conversation piece where the party has now moved to the vicinity of where my bike is parked. I don't know about the F though, I don't like the looks of the fairing. It doesn't look like it belongs. It looks like an after-thought where Suzuki just came back and slapped some plastic on so that they could say they had a full-faired version. But everyone has their own opinion of what does and doesn't look good. None are right or wrong, just different. If you like the Yammy though, by all means get it. Don't listen to anyone else because you are the one who is riding it. Anything from either of the Japanese 4 are all good.

Funny how I've never noticed this before, but if I look down at the list of bikes I've owned over the years, its been mostly Suzuki. So I guess I prefer Suzuki styling over any of the others.

 

[DJ99]

I was looking at the FJ 09 as well before picking up the GSX. I rode them both, and I preferred the GSX ergonomics, stability, power and everything all around.

I went into the test rides for both bikes after reading about what people thought were the negatives. The GSX complaints were snatchy throttle and bad rear shock. The FJ 09 complaints were mostly a high speed wobble.

I rode the FJ 09 first. I found the throttle very touchy to the point where I was worried about riding the GSX. Figured if the FJ 09 was this bad, then how bad is the GSX that everyone is complaining about? The FJ 09 was more like a dirt bike riding position as well, but that was to be expected for a somewhat ADV style. The front end seemed very light when riding two up. I had my wife get off and I rode it around myself. It seemed a little more planted with a single rider, but then I was thinking about how it would be when the bags are loaded and two up. Even solo though, the front end just didn't feel 100% right to me.

I rode the GSX about 40 mins after the FJ 09. On the GSX, yeah the throttle is a little touchy but I still don't find it bad. The shock was sufficient for my riding style. I found the bike much more planted riding single or two up. I much preferred the riding position of the GSX to the dirt bike style of the FJ 09. I figure for dirt bike riding, I will ride the dirt bike. I wasn't looking for a ADV per say. I originally looked at the FJ 09 more as a mini FJR.

After riding both I pretty much decided on the GSX. The FJ 09 was still in the back of my head because of the hard bags though. The last part that did it for me was that in the U.S Yamaha has the FJ 09 electronically limited to 115 MPH. They won't say why, but a lot of people have speculated that it is due to a high speed wobble. I don't ride that speed a lot, but if you have to limit a modern bike to 115, that to me says something is wrong. I don't think they limit any of there other bikes that much, but I could be wrong.

A lot of people love the FJ 09 though, so I would try to find one for a test ride so you can have a personal feel for both of them.

 

[Thumper07]

What? They limit the speed of a sport bike to 115? That for me is a total deal killer.

 

[DJ99]

What? They limit the speed of a sport bike to 115? That for me is a total deal killer.

Yeah, some guys on the FJ 09 forums where saying they just went and got an ECU re-flash, but to me the real question is why are they doing this?

They don't do it on the FZ 09, so it seems strange they do on the FJ 09.

There was a lot of speculation that there is a problem with the aerodynamics and weight distribution of the FJ 09. Some people reported the high speed wobble over 90 MPH and and others claimed no issue with the re-flash up to 130 MPH.

Either way though, something is off with Yamaha having to do this. With as light as the front end of that bike seemed, I could really see wobble being a concern.

 

[toppo]

I tested both to and came home with the gsxs 1000 but naked one . Much better bike

 

[slothman]

LOL @ speed limiter

 

[CaptainSlow]

115 mph = 185 kph it's faster than I will ever ride on the street. Do you guys really go that fast? Here in Ontario if you go 50 kms over the limit they impound your vehicle, suspend your licence, and give you a $2000 fine.

 

[DJ99]

115 mph = 185 kph it's faster than I will ever ride on the street. Do you guys really go that fast? Here in Ontario if you go 50 kms over the limit they impound your vehicle, suspend your licence, and give you a $2000 fine.

They have to catch me first. >

Seriously though, no I don't go that fast very often. There are places where there are big open flat spots where you can see for miles and really push for a top speed. I used to run through Montana when they had no speed limit. It was "reasonable and prudent" for the vehicle and conditions. Get caught doing 100 MPH in a Gremlin and your getting a ticket. In a Corvette, your getting a wave.

My biggest concern is why did they feel the need to limit the bike at this speed. They don't do this for their other bikes, and I haven't heard of anyone else limiting their bikes like that in N. America. My question is more, what is wrong with the bike?

 

[DTM74]

I haven't ridden a FJ-09 but I ride a FZ-09 as my daily commuter and they share alot of similarities. First, I will say the motor is fantastic. I love the down low-mid grunt of that triple. I know the Suzuki is quicker but just the seat of the pants torque wants me to be a hooligan and loft the front wheel on the 09. The FJ-09 does have a speed limiter of 115mph, same as the FZ-09. But I had my ECU flashed by VCyclenut (who does alot of FZ, FJs) and had the speed limiter removed, also the fan comes on at a lower temp and the engine braking is gone, which I never minded the engine braking on the Yamaha, on the Suzuki the engine braking is downright annoying...but whatver.

You sit very upright on the FJ but sit "in the bike" on the Suzuki. Honestly, ride both bikes. I love my FZ-09 but the Suzuki is just a better bike that checks every box...but I am a fan of Yamaha and what they are doing.

 

[rcannon409]

I'm way more annoyed about a speed limiter being there than I need to be. Seriously, these high bar bikes suck at much over 100.

I wonder if its a way to put cheaper tires on something.

 

[slothman]

I like yamaha as well, but the s1000 beats the fz09 in every category

 

[Bennyblanco]

The ride is smoother on the gixxess
I am starting to miss the triple but the stock suspension on the suzuki is wayyyyy ahead and I am faster on it...
And it's so stable at highway speed..night and day..magic carpet ride!

 

[adrianpeds]

How about the xsr900? Looks great. But the GSXS is just awesome

 

[DTM74]

^^ the XSR 900 is slowly slowly growing on me...only the silver one. It's still ugly...not as ugly as the FZ-10 though.

 

[Jaked]

115 mph = 185 kph it's faster than I will ever ride on the street. Do you guys really go that fast? Here in Ontario if you go 50 kms over the limit they impound your vehicle, suspend your licence, and give you a $2000

You are mistaking road rules with motorcycle capability. A modern litre bike, even a naked, should be able to easily crack 200 to remain competitive with the class big boys.

 

[adrianpeds]

^^ Yeah, to me Its not all about top speed. 45+ km p/h laws here is Oz now days are similar. However, having a 1000cc bike tuned for street just makes it so effortless to ride everywhere. Especially with this state of tune. You can go till red line and still feel all that urgency if you want, or just ride the fat torque. I have had a Street fightered Busa once. Cracking 200 was not very fun for the neck.

 

[slothman]

plus the busa is a heavy elephant, lol