Yamaha FJR 1300

[psomsen]

Just traded my R1100S in and bought a brandnew black Yamaha FJR 1300 with sidecases.

This bike has all the pro's of an R1100S with added comfort (seating position and lack of vibration and better suspension & adjustable screen) and last but not least 145HP.. It just rips.

I just wanted to express my thanks to all the guy's here for their entertaining- and good info on the R1100S.

I think this is by far the best BB I've come across sofar for any type of bike, except for that time when those Buell guys interfered, but of course you can't blame them for looking for something to do while their bikes were in the repairshops.

Keep up the good work here

Peter Somsen

[zx9rmal]

Peter,

NICE bike. Good luck with it.

Mal

[JustAnotherSquid]

Killer bike!

When you say it has all the features of the S, does that include heated grips and ABS?

JAS

[Chris Canning]

Interesting choice Peter,after haveing three FJ 1200's over 15 years and got fed up waiting for Mr Yamaha to come up with a replacement i bought my S with some regrets but progress just passed the old FJ by,i would have thought you'd have gone for the 1000 Fazer,all the best i'll give you a wave when i squeeze through the traffic on the way to Assen WSB in two weeks time!!!

[markjenn]

Congrats on the new bike. I've been intriqued by this bike too, although there is still no word whether it will come stateside this year. Honda just annouced the 2002 ST1100 with no changes, but it was annouced later than the rest of the unchanged models, suggesting that perhaps they're getting ready for a spring launch of a new bike.

If either the new ST or FJR are available in the states, I'll be tempted and I probably can't justify too big sport-touring rigs. But while both have more comfort and power, the S should keep a 75-150 lb weight advantage and it has the Telelever so I don't think S drivers will have anything to fear when the roads turn tight and/or bumpy.

- Mark

[motoman]

This is really supposed to be the Next Great Bike. I will be interested to hear how it rides and handles.. stick around and report back!

Signed,

Motoman, unfortunately a resident of the USA where you cannot buy an FJR1300. (But you CAN buy an Aprilia Futura! or a Ducati ST4s!



[This message has been edited by motoman (edited 08-25-2001).]

[dfaber]

Don't want to rain on the Yamaha parade, but i would rather have a K1200RS than the Yamaha for a big toury bike. It doesn't compare to the "S" at all. Luckily, I don't need a big touring rig.

[roger albert]

Hi Peter and all,

Always sad to see someone go, but glad for someone to find something they like better. That bike is on my shortlist too (just on paper, I've never ridden one)

I can't recall from old articles right now, so fill me in;
1) are heated grips available
2) is the motor counterbalanced.

If both of the above are true I'd seriously consider it. I like my S, but like for Bob and some others, the vibes keep it from being a true love affair, or at least from being a great tourer. I don't know if I'd give up the telelever (and question the FJ having better suspension) but I certainly would like to give one a try. It seems like the most compelling value-competitor the S has. (the ST4S is great too if you don't mind the time and/or money budget for valve adjusts and the Futura if you can handle the go-bot styling)

Enjoy and post back some impressions after you've had it a while longer. I for one am anxious to hear.

good luck
roger

(long an FJ11/12 fan, but ironically, anti Yamaha due to their worst-in-the-industry parts support -- at least for bikes more than 5 yrs old)

[Neil Paterson]

Roger

Log onto the following site and put fjr 1300 in the search at the top. Loads of info.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/

[Chris Canning]

As i was still a member of the FJ owners club at the begining of this year i got an invite when they had a test day,i'd seen it at the bike show in november but seeing it in real life so to speak came as bit of a shock you can look at it anyway you like it's a big old bus and in true Yamaha tradition a softly sprung one at that,every Yam i've had over the years(and thats quite a few) have been the same,if your in to Pan's RS BM's and alike or barn doors in general!!! the FJR may suite you but it's an absolute world away from the S

[psomsen]

Well, after my first 1000kms;

The FJR IS a world away from the S, it's maybe not the best looking bike around, but it's certainly the best bike i've ever ridden. (and I like to keep an open mind)

The power is truely a world away from the S;

I quote the german MOTORRAD Magazine
( who, by the way think this is the best bike they have ever tested, and they are thourough!)

0-100kmh (62mph) 2.9 sec S 3.4sec
0-200kmh (124mph)9.8 sec S 14.0sec

more important:
60-100 (37-62mph) 4.0 S 4.7 CBR1100XX 5.1
100-140 (62-87mph) 3.9 S 5.2 4.7
140-180 (87-111mph)4.5 S 5.8 5.1

This is all solo, if you take a pilion the FJR from 60 -180kmh out-accelerates even the Kawa ZX-12R and stays witin 1 second of a Suzuki GSX-R1000 from 60kmh till 180kmh in top gear and is the equal of the R1. (nuf said)
The engine has 2 balance shafts and emits only light vibrations compared to the S.
( alittle more than the CBR1100XX)

In Europe heated grip are available but not standard, but that's the same with the S overhere. ( costs;240US$, variable heat adjustment)

ABS is not available yet , but according to yamaha europe will be from model 2002. ( the police in europe is very intrested in the FJR and they won't order any bike without ABS.

The list goes on;
compared to the S;

Starting, no choke, all automatic

Clutch; much better

Gearbox; much better

Straightline stability; same

Stability in corners; same

Steeringprecision; same

handling; slightly heavier on Mezeler me-z 4 tyres

Suspension; same

With pilion; better

groundclearance; comparable with stock S with centerstand, otherwise S better

Brakes: New EVO brakes on S foolproof but it's hard to brake with some feling, FJR lots of feeling, but a little more force needed R1 brakes but the bike is heavier.

Comfort; Bye bye BMW, not the sit up and beg of the R1100RT, more ST1100, slightly sportier but soooo comfortable.
Electric screen better than ST1100 but R1150RT is better still, but I love it ( I owned an ST1100 and A R1100RT, and testdrove a R1150RT only weeks ago).

Light; 4 times as much as the S

Range; incl reserve 270 miles excl reserve; 220 miles this is in backroad mode.
Loading capacity 201kg same as S.

2year waranty, inspection every 6200 miles

I've read 3 comparo's between the K1200RS and the FJR and it's no comparo...
The K is tons heavier in the handling department, vibrates a lot more is not as sporty in the engine and suspension department and is way more expensive and is not nearly as comfortable.

What i really like is the bottompower, the suspension and the comfort,
What I don't like is the heat coming from the engine on a hot day( is nice when it's colder though and not terribly annoying) and I think the S has more character when it comes to looks, but what a small price to pay for such a magnificent allrounder.

Usually when I buy a bike I have a shortlist of modifications ready, On this bike? maybe play around with different tyres like the BT010/020 or the new Metzeler Sportec, which don't have the constant radius of an ME-Z4 and would improver the already great handling.

I'm a happy man.

[Rapt]

I think its clear that our tastes are different. I HATED the RT screen... Really bad for me. Not enough protection, too much turbulence when down and too "in the way" when up.

[Huggy70]

I rode the FJR for 250 km.
My findings compared to the S:
Plus:
Steering is very light
Engine is amazing (high torque trough the whole rpm)
Very lightweight feel
Minus:
Windprotection was sh*&^t. I have to say of all the bikes I have driven the S is the best..
Seating is too upright, especially the steer
Fuel tank has a denting feeling when breaking hard, and it's too wide for my taste.
When putting my feet down I touch the fairing with my shin.
Lack of character (the engine that is)....
After I traded my S in again I thought what a slow vibrating mule...but after a couple of days it made me smile again...

Hugo