08-21-2015, 12:46 PM
I've ridden the FJ-09, FZ-09, a 2012 Super Tenere, and owned a 2005 FJR1300. I'd be interested to see if the newer FJR felt much difference. Certain the ES model would. Same for the S-Ten ES. The 2012 S-Ten was a nice bike, but felt rather agricultural. It was like a giant KLR, thought not necessarily a bad thing. It wasn't as powerful as I was expecting.
The FZ-09 would be a terrific little hooligan bike if it had suspension sorted out for a big guy. I rode a 2014 model which had the really snatched throttle response. There is supposed to be a free software update to fix those and the 2015 software is good to go. For me, it would end up costing another grand or more for proper suspension. At that point the price delta is too close to the FJ-09 to ignore the better wind protection, bigger tank, rider aids, and decent enough suspension out of the box.
Which is why I really like the FJ. It checks all the boxes for me. If I were to decide to thin the herd, that would be in the running. I also want to demo a V-strom 1000. Funny coincidence happened last weekend. I ran into the guy who bought my old V-strom 650 from me. We were both at the motorcycle shop and he was checking out the FJ-09, FJR, and V-strom 1000. He wanted more power, particularly for 2-up riding. Great minds must think alike.
I also really dig the FZ-07. Too bad the bike feels awkward. The ergos look good on paper, but my knees don't fit around the tank well and it makes the bike feel very cramped. Maybe the XSR700 will be a better fit.
The FZ-09 would be a terrific little hooligan bike if it had suspension sorted out for a big guy. I rode a 2014 model which had the really snatched throttle response. There is supposed to be a free software update to fix those and the 2015 software is good to go. For me, it would end up costing another grand or more for proper suspension. At that point the price delta is too close to the FJ-09 to ignore the better wind protection, bigger tank, rider aids, and decent enough suspension out of the box.
Which is why I really like the FJ. It checks all the boxes for me. If I were to decide to thin the herd, that would be in the running. I also want to demo a V-strom 1000. Funny coincidence happened last weekend. I ran into the guy who bought my old V-strom 650 from me. We were both at the motorcycle shop and he was checking out the FJ-09, FJR, and V-strom 1000. He wanted more power, particularly for 2-up riding. Great minds must think alike.
I also really dig the FZ-07. Too bad the bike feels awkward. The ergos look good on paper, but my knees don't fit around the tank well and it makes the bike feel very cramped. Maybe the XSR700 will be a better fit.