My honest impressions of the 2015 Yamaha FJ-09

When Chris Poirier of Yamaha offered me a chance to do a day long demo ride on a new Yamaha FJ-09, I jumped at it as this has to be one of the most talked about new bikes for 2015. Take last year’s hottest FZ-09, add some extras for touring including a center stand, bag mounts and a bigger more comfy seat and you have the FJ-09.

Well ok, there are some more changes, but you can read all about the details in all of the bike magazines. Every mag lately has a full test of the bike, so no point retelling what you have probably already read. The basics are that it has an 850cc three cylinder engine with around 110 horsepower and street/sport touring sized wheels and tires, ABS and good dual 4 piston front brakes. It is styled a lot like an adventure touring bike with hand guards, adjustable mini front screen and a tallish seat.

You definitely sit up higher than a traditional Sport Tourer like the Honda VFR800 or BMW F800. The handlebar is also taller than a sport tourer.

The demo bike only came with the smallish soft bags from Yamaha but I am told the full size ones from the FJR can be mounted too.

I like analog gauges on my bikes, however this bike uses an all digital dash. I found adapting was easy, as I could read all the dash functions in any light. A big gear indicator and road speed with an easy-to-read tach make it easy for those not used to digital. It has 3 adjustable power settings and wheelie control. I tried all settings and they aren’t a lot different from each other.

Special mention about the centre stand. Yes, it comes with a center stand! Yamaha have put the best centre stand I have ever used on this bike. Better than any of the bikes I have owned in the last 20 years or so. No wrenching my back trying to pull the bike up onto the stand. The wonderful centre stand makes up for the side stand. My pant leg would catch on the footpeg feeler thing which sticks down way too far to be of much use. Not a problem as they could be removed in minutes.

Next special mention is the mirrors. Wow I can see behind me with these mirrors. No more looking at my shoulders. No more shaking mirrors that blur the scenery beyond my shoulders. Please someone at BMW use these mirrors on your bikes!

The power from the triple motor was good with perfect carburation. No stumble or lean spot off idle like some bikes tuned to meet noise or emission standards. Ride it at 4500-5000 rpm and it feels about the same as my F800 BMW. Rev it above 6500 rpm and the triple makes big power and the sound of the three cylinder ‘wail’ is pretty nice.

I know it looks a bit too much like an adventure touring bike with the handguards and high wide bar, but it isn’t too tall to throw around through the twisties. The neat wind deflectors that are part of the handguards do seem to be a good idea without cramping my hand movement. My 30.5 inch inseam doesn’t much like tall bikes but I could put both feet down with the FJ. It only looks too tall!

For the most part, I loved the bike. Good power and a seat that was comfy enough for an all day ride. The passenger seat was big enough for a real bum and not just a child’s. What would I change?

The saddle bags and heated grips are optional. A sport tourer needs these to be standard! I know, I know…bike built to a price. The handlebar was a bit high and wide for my sport and sport touring riding style. I loved the leverage of the big bar, but something a bit lower would suit me better. I know the bike was barely broken in but a tooth smaller rear sprocket would give it a bit more top end zip.

If you always coveted an adventure touring bike but rarely if ever go off road, this is the bike for you. If you want to do some sport touring, but a huge or expensive sport tourer is just too much bike for you, this is the bike for you. If you are ready to move from a cruiser onto something that handles, but is still comfy, yes this bike is for you.