2017 Yamaha FJR 1.3L Petrol · PL17 YEB

A 2017 Yamaha FJR with this kind of MOT ledger is about as straightforward as used-bike paperwork gets. Four consecutive passes spanning from October 2022 through December 2025, with zero advisories or defects logged at any of those tests, points to a machine that has consistently met roadworthy standards without the inspector needing to flag a single component for attention. The December 2025 pass confirms that the most recent scrutiny of brakes, tyres, lighting, suspension, exhaust, and structural elements found nothing of concern, and there is no historical drift to suggest any area is quietly deteriorating between tests. In MOT terms this is a clean, stable record. What is more striking than the test outcomes is the mileage profile. At roughly 11,676 miles over nine years, this FJR has averaged only about 1,300 miles annually, which is unusually low for any motorcycle and particularly low for a sports-tourer designed to eat long distances. The gap between the February 2024 test and the March 2025 test, combined with the relatively short interval to the December 2025 retest, suggests the bike has been used sparingly and likely garaged rather than left exposed to the elements. Mechanically, low annual mileage on a modern Yamaha usually means the engine internals, gearbox, and final drive have seen minimal wear, but it does carry the usual implications of a motorcycle that has spent long periods stationary. Rubber components, lubricants, and brake hydraulics do not benefit from dormancy, so the lack of any flagged items on the MOT is reassuring, but it should not be taken as proof that every consumable has been refreshed on schedule. For a buyer taking this on, the absence of recorded advisories means there are no specific components to chase down, but the low usage profile dictates where attention should be concentrated during inspection. Check the date code on both tyres, as motorcycle rubber hardens and loses grip well before the tread is gone, particularly on a bike that may have covered only a few hundred miles a year. Inspect the brake discs for surface rust pitting rather than just the pad wear, and operate the front and rear brakes to confirm firm lever and pedal feel with no sponginess, as caliper seals and master cylinders can seize after long idle periods. Look under the bike and around the centre stand area for any signs of oil seepage from the sump, final drive, or fork seals, all of which can manifest after extended storage even if not severe enough to have been flagged at test. On the test ride, listen carefully for any clutch drag or gearbox notchiness from cold, confirm the throttle response is smooth through both twistgrip openings, and check that the sidestand and centre stand retract cleanly. Pay particular attention to the suspension: the FJR is electronically adjustable on later models, and a bike that has stood for long stretches can develop sluggish or unresponsive damping. Run the bike through some uneven surfaces and listen for any clonks from the linkage or rear shock, as pivot points and bearings can develop play if they have not been worked regularly. Confirm the ABS and traction control warning sequences behave as expected on ignition, and verify the instrument cluster illuminates fully without flickering, which can indicate connector oxidation after years of limited use. With this MOT record behind it, the bike has earned the benefit of the doubt on its basic roadworthiness; the rest comes down to a careful physical and dynamic check.