Yamaha FJR1300 Tourer.

**oldrider** · 24th June 2006, 13:18

Has anyone on here bought or road tested Yamaha's latest FJR1300 tourers?
I am currently reconsidering what I want to do for my future bike requirements.
I have never seriously considered anything other than Honda before but realise there are some very good "other brand" bikes on offer out there now.
What do KBr's think of the FJR1300AS yccs gear shift system? I have ridden Suzuki's 650 Bergman scooter and was impressed with the user friendliness of its auto system.

I am even seriously tempted to look at BMW's R 1200 GS, I feel like a rabbit with a dog up it's arse at the moment, totally confused.
Don't know what I really want anymore, perhaps it could be the winter?
I am sure this phase will pass soon!

Cheers John.

**Edbear** · 24th June 2006, 14:17

Sorry, can't help on the FJR, haven't ridden one, but you said you'd ridden the Burgman. How'd it go as a bike? Did you have a good ride on it? Heard they're much like a mini Gold Wing. I like the idea, just a bit of the old, "but it's a scooter!"

**Blackbird** · 24th June 2006, 14:26

An old friend of mine in the UK has had an FJR 1300 since they first came out. He and his wife have toured with it all over Europe and it's been absolutely bullet proof. There are a few FJR owners websites around which should make good reading. I'd seriously look at one if I gave up sports tourers.

Geoff

**Edbear** · 24th June 2006, 14:33

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I'd seriously look at one if I gave up sports tourers.

Thought it was a sports tourer? Funny how bikes are categorised, eh? Re: the Thread about splitting off tourers! I guess the Blackbird is a "Sports" sports tourer and the FJR a "Touring" sports tourer!

**Hitcher** · 24th June 2006, 16:01

The FJR1300 is a seriously nice motorcycle. I haven't seen any of the latest models around. But Sawyers in Wellington have an ex-Yamaha NZ bike with 4,000km on it for about $20,000. Not too bad a deal. Until recently these have been overpriced new compared with the Honda ST1300. I will be interested to see the price point Yamaha picks for the new model, once they decide to sell some.

One of the few advantages the FJR has over the ST is that it still looks good without its panniers on. And an inline four sounds better than a v4, at least with the stock cans on. The ST also has an 18" front rim -- makes tyre shopping a bit of a chore. The ST has vastly superior instrumentation.

If you buy one, you won't be disappointed!

And despite what the Bird and Busa boys say, both the FJR and the ST are the real "sports tourers". What they ride are "fat sprotsbikes"...

**terbang** · 24th June 2006, 17:10

Originally Posted by Hitcher

What they ride are "fat sprotsbikes"...

There is a term Hyper-tourer that is getting used regularily to try and categorize Busas ETC. However Fat Sprotbike is fine by me for the Busa and others, just as Overwight, wouldnt pull a sailor of yer sister, grandad bikes fits the ST & similar.

Different strokes for different folks..

**Blackbird** · 24th June 2006, 17:50

Originally Posted by Edbear

Thought it was a sports tourer? Funny how bikes are categorised, eh? Re: the Thread about splitting off tourers! I guess the Blackbird is a "Sports" sports tourer and the FJR a "Touring" sports tourer!

Hahahaha - errrr...quite. I don't really know what the heck I ride and probably haven't worried about it either. I would have to agree with Hitcher having seen one of the guys on the Southern Cross drifting an ST through the corners on the dirt road out at East Cape

. It probably fell into the Motocrosser category on that occasion.

Vive la difference

**Edbear** · 24th June 2006, 17:59

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Vive la difference

Well said! I guess it's how you ride, too! From some of the postings on this Forum, there're a lot of bikes used outside their design brief! I'm thinking of a couple of GSX1400's that are ridden like sportsbikes! My bike goes well on gravel, too, but the suspension travel's a bit short on the corrugations... Hammers the fairing, too!

Everything I've read and heard about the FJR since Yamaha fixed the problem of heat on the riders legs, has been very complimentary.

**Edbear** · 24th June 2006, 18:01

Ps. I've even heard of ST1300's being used as bulldozers....

**Blackbird** · 24th June 2006, 18:01

Originally Posted by Edbear

My bike goes well on gravel,

I fall off on gravel

**Edbear** · 24th June 2006, 18:06

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I fall off on gravel

I was very timid on gravel until a mate took me pillion on my T500 back in the old days and showed me how to ride. Mainly being able to relax and let the bike move around a bit, making its own way confident it won't fall over. I still ride like a Nana compared to some, but don't panic overmuch.

**rogson** · 24th June 2006, 19:06

Oldrider, in the not too distant past I would never say this - but try the BMW1200GS!

I am also looking (not particularly hard at the moment) for a two-up long distance tourer that has strong highway performance but if required could handle a gravel road. I haven't found it yet but I have tried the ST1100, ST1300, FJ1300, ZZR1200 and a 1100GS. Of these the 1100GS was the best allrounder - comfortable, agile, smooth and rough road capable. The principle downside was the power was considerably weaker than the others. I haven't tried the 1200GS yet but I understand its 30 - 40kg lighter and considerably more powerfull than the previous versions. Could be the way to go!

**paturoa** · 24th June 2006, 19:11

hey OR,

cold down your way???

found a review http://www.motorcycledaily.com/26may...ha_fjr1300.htm

Seems a nice mount, but sounds and looks heavy for my likes.

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th June 2006, 23:46

Ive been lucky enough to test ride a few of these lovely bikes.
For me they are everything you can ask for in a bike.great handling ,great brakes and fantastic accelleration.

**oldrider** · 25th June 2006, 16:04

Originally Posted by Edbear

Sorry, can't help on the FJR, haven't ridden one, but you said you'd ridden the Burgman. How'd it go as a bike? Did you have a good ride on it? Heard they're much like a mini Gold Wing. I like the idea, just a bit of the old, "but it's a scooter!"

Edbear,
Well yes I felt the same about the Bergman being "just" a scooter but shit it impressed me with it's performance, especially away from the lights etc.
I was told that by a guy who used to race bikes too, he said I would be surprised and I was.
The other thing that put me off it was it's short fuel range which I think would be worse than claimed.
Mainly because you can't resist gunning the damn thing just because it is a scooter and you like surprising other drivers who you know, are thinking just that, it's "just a scooter!"
I took it back to the shop when I realised I was just starting to look for opportunities to have someone on!

Very "user friendly", very naughty behaviour, but such fun!

Cheers John.