FJ-09 vs Multistrada???

[Corb]

In my opinion, the F-09 is a CRf230. The Multistrada is a CR500. For just a big ole boat, it had me doing wheelies through intersections in Santa Barbara (thanks for the test ride, Carlin). If I had the moolah (The Fabulous Moolah), I'd have a Multi. If money is a big consideration, the Yamaha is a screaming deal for 110 hp or so.

No doubt, the Duc is the better bike, as it should be at double the price. However, I think you are selling the FJ way short with that comparison. A crf has half the hp of a cr and weighs more. The Yamaha is lighter than the multi and still makes decent power and torque

 

[Smash Allen]

Not anymore it seems.

I stand corrected; bummer

 

[GAJ]

Yamaha would be the best first choice...

Multi is sweet, but could be moved to later.

This.

I have a feeling FJ09's will hold their value well.

 

[Hooli]

Anyone who thinks the Multistrada 1200 handles like a tractor hasn't drive a tractor... or a Multi. Thanks to the big wide handlebar, my Multi feels even more nimble than my GSX-R750 when ridden through the Santa Cruz mountains. It turns so easily, in fact, that I had to reduce the force of my steering inputs in order to avoid oversteering... It does feel heavier when pushing it around the driveway but between the engine, brakes, and handling you absolutely don't notice the weight on the road.

+1

Until my learning curve caught up I was over-steering into corners while I was getting acquainted to the Multistrada. Those wide bars, tall CG and narrow engine makes it drop into corners more eagerly than any supersport bike I've ridden short of an R6...it's like riding a hippo that's been taught ballet. I have no problem staying with sportbikes in the mountains and if I'm really feeling like a dick I toss the topcase on the rear rack to really demoralize them. I've had fellow riders scratch their heads as to just how a bike as ungainly-looking can maneuver like it does.

And as a bonus I feel more refreshed by an order of magnitude whenever I get home from a ride on the Duc. No hunting down the ibuprofen after parking the bike up.

 

[CurveSurfer]

you can get a used 2010 Multi with Ohlins, luggage, and all the recalls done for under $10k.

same bike that held the outright motorcycle record for Pikes Peak.

i've put 20k miles on mine with no mechanical problems other than recalls. never left me stranded. never had a tank replaced (yet). service at an independent shop isn't terribly expensive: oil every 7500 miles, valves checked every 15k.

and i haven't spent a dime on suspension upgrades. (well, i did buy the Ohlins SCU but that was for fun, not to solve a particular issue.)

 

[Wormwood]

Based on feedback from multiple FJ owners I would take it over the multi as an owner.

I would happily take the multi out and give it a good thrashing.

 

[89fj]

the original suspension wasn't too bad after I had Jim at catalyst reaction adjust it but the shock spring was too soft of a rate. K-Tech components transformed the ride. I'm spoiled with aftermarket suspension

 

[Smash Allen]

the original suspension wasn't too bad after I had Jim at catalyst reaction adjust it but the shock spring was too soft of a rate. K-Tech components transformed the ride. I'm spoiled with aftermarket suspension

I'm waiting on an email back from Jim about having him install a fork piston kit and my penske double clicker on my fz 09. Glad to hear he has experience sorting the 09 series

 

[RightCoastBias]

I'm waiting on an email back from Jim about having him install a fork piston kit and my penske double clicker on my fz 09. Glad to hear he has experience sorting the 09 series

Shock swap is really easy. If you don't have the tools, rent a lift at Moto Guild.

Cartridges are a little bit harder, but forks are easy to take off and a good way to save $100.

 

[Smash Allen]

Shock swap is really easy. If you don't have the tools, rent a lift at Moto Guild.

Cartridges are a little bit harder, but forks are easy to take off and a good way to save $100.

This is true, although Jim is going to be much better than I at setting up suspension as well as installing it

 

[U26A1]

Anyone who thinks the Multistrada 1200 handles like a tractor hasn't drive a tractor... or a Multi. Thanks to the big wide handlebar, my Multi feels even more nimble than my GSX-R750 when ridden through the Santa Cruz mountains. It turns so easily, in fact, that I had to reduce the force of my steering inputs in order to avoid oversteering... It does feel heavier when pushing it around the driveway but between the engine, brakes, and handling you absolutely don't notice the weight on the road.

Haha guess I should've clarified: the 1200 felt like a tractor compared to the FJ (not to mention compared to my old MTS 620). The FJ-09 is what, 70 pounds lighter? Part of my impression was also undoubtedly down to the characteristics of a big grunty twin vs a triple, as well. The FJ's motor, while not as bananas as the triple in my MV (which is probably frankly a good thing, in a touring application) still wails pretty decently.

The more recent incarnations of the Multistrada have clearly been aimed at prying away dollars from the R1200GSA hegemony, and it very much shows. Not saying it is a bad bike -- if I wanted that sort of thing, a recent model Pikes Peak edition would be at the very top of the list -- but I wanted something smaller and lighter.

That's the question I think OP needs to answer before making a choice; both bikes are lovely, but very different.

 

[U26A1]

Just fyi, not only did the Japanese invent the genre, It was Yamaha that did it with the awesome and very popular in Europe TDM 850 [later TDM900] way back in 1991.
They imported the first gen in US but poor sales [ I suspect] made them discontinue it after only few years.

Random google pic of TDM 900

Holy shit. I fully admit I had never, ever heard of this bike before. That is equal parts awesome that it exists and frustrating that they couldn't figure out how to market it here.

Also I was going to bring up the Cagiva Gran Canyon as well . . . but that's even more Italy.

 

[wakked1]

Just throwing this out there: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/5321551381.html

Ride for a year, sell it for what you paid.

 

[89fj]

I'm waiting on an email back from Jim about having him install a fork piston kit and my penske double clicker on my fz 09. Glad to hear he has experience sorting the 09 series

I've had Jim work on stuff for four of my bikes. They all rode much better afterwards. The other tech that works at his shop also rides an FZ-09, just a little fyi there

 

[kamaji]

Just throwing this out there: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/5321551381.html

Ride for a year, sell it for what you paid.

I sat on one at the dealer, and it felt small... That and the looks are not quite my thing.

Thanks for the mention, though. Seems like a good deal for whoever snatches it up.

 

[Zerox]

Holy shit. I fully admit I had never, ever heard of this bike (TDM850) before. That is equal parts awesome that it exists and frustrating that they couldn't figure out how to market it here.

It sold poorly here, ahead of its time apparently. Overseas, it got even wilder...that TDM engine was used by Yamaha to make a Ducati copy called the TRX850.

Suzuki invented the bird beak on motorcycles before the BMW GS line though.

 

[fubar929]

The FJ-09 is what, 70 pounds lighter?

The FJ is 45-50 pounds lighter than the Multistrada. Then again the FJ is 70 pounds heavier than a GSX-R750, so it's not exactly a light-weight. Coming from the GSX-R, both the FJ and the Multi feel pretty porky when you're pushing them around the driveway. While the Yamaha triple is nice, it's 104HP and 60 lb-ft of torque doesn't compare well with everything else in its class. That motor is a much better match for the Yamaha FZ-09, which is 70+ pounds lighter than the FJ.

 

[kamaji]

Thanks all, maybe it's time for an update. I really appreciate the answers I got here, they made things a lot clearer to me (after getting me all worked up in indecision hell).

In the end, what I read is that people like both as far as performance/fun is concerned.

The argument against the Ducati, besides price, is that you have to keep taking care of the bike, which has many problems. On the other hand, I also see that the FJ is a bike you buy with the understanding you will somewhat have to change it - everybody says the suspension will need changing; the "Abrupt" throttle mode requires me to ship the ECU to somebody to flash a fix - no thanks; cruise control (which I need) is a $800 semi-ugly add-on from mccruise; the seat seems 50/50 as far as comfort goes; what else?. Once I take care of all this, I still don't have the adjustability of riding modes/etc the Ducati gives me, the extra torque, etc. So the more I think about it, the more the Ducati makes sense, even price-wise - it is a much more complete package that comes ready to go. Poke someone (ok, Hooli ) who says he would probably have bought an FJ were it available, and he will tell you how much he likes the MST.

The only remaining real problem with the Ducati, from all I read, seems to be the expanding tank. When/if that happens, I'll get a Caswell'ed replacement, and it's done. Ah, and a screen protector for the self-scratching touch screen. Buying one when it was launched was a gamble, but it is a known quantity now.

There is no wrong bike here. Both seem great. But for me, the Ducati it is.

Thanks all! Now to make it happen...

 

[Toast]

The FJ is 45-50 pounds lighter than the Multistrada. Then again the FJ is 70 pounds heavier than a GSX-R750, so it's not exactly a light-weight. Coming from the GSX-R, both the FJ and the Multi feel pretty porky when you're pushing them around the driveway. While the Yamaha triple is nice, it's 104HP and 60 lb-ft of torque doesn't compare well with everything else in its class. That motor is a much better match for the Yamaha FZ-09, which is 70+ pounds lighter than the FJ.

The fact that you can even compare the FJ to something like the 1190 or Multi is impressive. It doesn't have the power of some of the other bikes but it's engine is 300-400cc's smaller then a lot of those bikes and costs anywhere between $2,000-$10,000 cheaper and still performs similarly to the top tier bikes is incredible.

Is it the most amazing bike evar? No but it can hang with the big boys like the S1000XR, 1190/1290 and Multistrada and costs half as much and has a much smaller engine.

The engine is already great and the chassis is too, add in an ECU flash for another 4hp, go all out and spend $2,500 on high end AK-20 cartridges and Penske triple clicker shock and you'll have a ridiculously performing bike with low maintenance that costs as much as a new V-Strom 1000. If you want more throw in a nice exhaust for an extra 5hp for 115hp 65lb/ft (to the ground), some Brembo radial monoblock calipers for $700 and an R6 radial MC and you're pimpin.

 

[Hooli]

Brembo radial monoblock calipers for $700 and an R6 radial MC and you're pimpin.

Keep in mind to balance the system...check the MC piston size vs. the caliper piston sizes. IIRC that Brembo that Yamaha (and some other manufacturers) source usually has a smallish 16mm piston.