My 2008 FJR1300 that I bought new in 2009, is the best motorcycle I have ever had, bar none. Zero issues, maintain it and it will go the distance, no problem.
I bought an FJ1100 in 1984 in Halifax, Nova Scotia when I was 19 years old. I spent most of the previous winter drooling over the glossy brochure I had picked up at the dealer the previous Christmas. I remember the smooth engine and the beautiful body lines and how it turned heads everywhere I went. I recall once I parked illegally on a sidewalk to make a quick errand, just out of sight from the bike. When I came back a cop was waiting and just about to write me a ticket. He looked at me and smiled and said "if you let me sit on it and start it, I won't write you a ticket". Easy win for both of us.
As a Aussie owner of the 86 FJ1200 still in red and white , agree that look and sound not to mention incredible torque and acceleration , was like a UFO on the roads .
I just bought an '04 with 40k miles for $2500. Few scuffs from PO dropping it once in driveway, but other than that its fantastic. Slightly top heavy with a touchy-ish throttle only negatives. Love the power windshield and just THE POWER. Best used bike value out there period.
I fell in love with the FJ 1100 back in 84 and also the FJR when it came out been wanting one ever since then ! Finally got one in 2019 absolutely love it !
I just bought a Gen 2 FJR. I'm 42 years old. I love it! Powerful, smooth, handles very well for a heavy bike, and is very comfortable to ride. It serves a purpose. I use it to commute 56miles (90kms) every day to and from work. Screen up, 5th gear, 60 to 70 mph, glorious. She purrs along at 3500rpm. It's a bike I will keep, far too good to sell. She'll be the wise old girl in the stable of R1s and TZRs😂🎉
I love my 2013 FJR1300A. It’s a beast They have moved on to 6 speed and updated lighting. I’ve taken mine from PA to NC and the tail of Dragon. No problem. Lot of Mid East rides PA MDva NC and Tennessee. Won’t give her up. Test rode a lot of bikes with check book in my pocket. I keep getting back on FJR.
I’ve never ridden an Fjr 1300, but it is very appealing. I’ve mostly ridden cruisers for the last 20years, but do 😢like to ride a spirited bike when I can. Many believe that the laid back cruisers are the most comfortable, but on longer rides an upright or slightly leaned forward position will allow you to ride further with less discomfort. It puts your weight on your bit and upper thighs and not so much on your tailbone. Many complain about bikes that don’t get massive changes as the year models progress. When something it right it don’t need change. Many of the long time models have changed to the point that they suck with all the modern gadgets. From what I’ve seen of the FJR, it has all the things you might need to enjoy the road. I hope to ride one soon. It might be my next bike.
OMG❤this is what I look for! I’ve been riding Gen2 for a while, but I’ve just got last Gen 2022 brand new. This is the first time for me to buy same bike. Truly great motorcycle for me at least. Love you! And ride safe!
Love my 17ES, I've been all the way to the arctic circle and covered thousands of miles through Europe. Best bike I've ever owned and a great upgrade from my 2008 model. Excellent video.
I've had my 2015 FJR 1300 since I rode it home as my Christmas present to myself that year. Before this bike I owned the short-lived electric shift FJR. Both bikes were essentially flawless, performance wise but the latter did have some issues with the electric clutch. The 2015 has no such issues and wants nothing more than tires and typical fluid maintenance. It still turns heads in 2024 and, aside from the slipper clutch and 6th gear of the later models, I couldn't be happier.
Had a 2012 ZX14R..Loved that bike but as I live down a long gravel road I got tired of cleaning the chain and also being 71 wanted more amenities..Bought a 2015 FJR and love it..Yes I gave up a fair amount of horsepower but it doesn't really feel like it as the motor is so well tuned for torque and horsies..Have Yosh slip ons with power commander..Dyno tuned at 134 at wheel so plenty of go..Shaft drive..Yea! Cruise control, electric windscreen and heated grips..Keep fluids changed and bike is bullet proof..Have 63000 care free miles so far with not one hiccup..
Great thoughts, thanks. The FJR is unpretentious and does most everything well; I do nothing to them but oil and tires. I now of three of them: an 07, 09, and a 2010. I started sport touring in 1986 when I started reading about the FJ1200, so I bought it new in May 1986. I still have it in perfect condition, but ride a 1987 slightly rough FJ12 as the one I put the miles on. While amazing for their respective original times, both the FJ and FJR are still remarkable designs for fun today. I live in W-CO and since last fall I have been to NoCal, then to AZ/NM/W-TX, and then to VA/SC, etc totaling 15k miles on the FJRs. They gobble up miles [I made it from SC to W-CO in 2.5 days, and had to crank out 952 miles from W-TX in 14 hours straight to beat a March mountain storm]. The bike is effortless to me, even at age 68. And fun is an understatement to me, all from 25 year old technology that I paid $4-5k each for and only 20k miles used. I simply don't like the looks of many of the bikes from the last couple decades, but the FJR is timelessly beautiful to me. [P.S. - I have 3 dirt bikes and 2 TransAlps to satisfy that dirt itch ...lol, 10 bikes so my out-of-town buddies just show up to ride]
I started my FJR journey with a blue 1992 FJ1200 Then on to the 2014 FJR1300. I would not even consider riding a different bike. Getting ready to buy the 2023 model. Awsome bike.
Similar journey. Owned an FJ1200 (1987). Bought a 2007 FJR 1300 5 years ago. Such an incredible bike. Rock solid and reliable. I’m thinking of trading up to a 2023 FJR. Did you get your ‘23 and if so, how do you like it.
Thanks for a great video, well narrated! I was curious about the history of this model and found your video. I own an FJR1300/A from 2004, so one of the earlier models, the first with ABS. I've had it for 6 years now and it's really a keeper. Never had any issues with it whatsoever. So easy on maintenance due to the shaft drive. I change the oil and filters and fluids myself incl the shaft drive oil, it's easy. I love driving this bike as intended, I enjoyed hearing the design philosophy of a daily commuter bike that is also fun to drive in the weekend. That's exactly how I use it and what I love about it. Great for a fast and smooth commute with cases on during the week and in the weekend I take those off and enjoy driving more sport style on the curvy mountain roads. Absolute best bike I ever had and there is nothing on the market even in 2023 in my opinion that offers the same performance and rideabilit. I also agree with the downside, you do feel the weight a lot on twisty roads, I've ridden other bikes that are more easy to handle in fast corners, but hey, this is a big bike. I love the low end power and smooth delivery of that as well, nice to accelerate out of corners without having to change gears too much. Great great bike, I really love it! Never failed me. Drove it across Europe without much fatigue and also on authobahn speeds it's super comy. Always a joy to drive and I always look forward even to the commute. Thanks for your really nice video!.
I can’t get enough of my 2015 FJR ES. It’s the best of all motorcycle types. It’s big, comfortable, and very fast! Lots of options like heated grips, adjustable suspension on the fly! Adjustable windshield, and super convenient cruise control😃 It’s like an oversized sport bike but comfortable👍🏼 It’s very close to the performance of the Hayabusa 1300 as well.
Great review. I appreciate the history as well. I am the proud owner of a 2007 and I can tell you without reservation that no other bike does so much, so well. It's beautiful to look at and an absolute blast to ride. It's the standard by which all future motorcycles I own will be judged. I can not overemphasize just how amazing this machine is.
Love the bike so much I bought two, 2013 and 2015. I also have a 2018 Multistrada. The FJR requires more rider feedback and body positioning which I really enjoy, whereas the Multi requires less rider movement. FJR is simply brilliant. 👍👍👍❤️🔥🔥
Same for me. Bought a 2023 Multi to replace my 2016 FJR, and then I kept it. There is something fun in the way you must work with you whole body in order to drive aggressively with the FJR.
40,000 trouble free miles on my '04 FJR 1300A. It is the most reliable, fuel efficient, capable motorcycle I have ever owned. I'm looking to get a new one soon. I have owned and ridden (8) different bikes over the years, but this is by far my favorite. My other three are insanely jealous in my garage 🙄
Timeless is right. I still think, despite its years, the FJR is one of the best looking bikes on the market. I had a 2016; wish I had not let it go. Hoping it comes back for 2025 in the USA.
Best bike Ive ever owned or ridden. Just hope Yamaha can continue this legend if a bike in some way in the future. Huge market loss with police forces wanting the shaft drive bulletproof FJR still but are now being forced to buy the BMW again.
Own a 2019 - great bike - time tested reliability, effortless long distance cruising and low maintenance costs (easy to work on yourself). It doesn't have a fancy TFT screen but it has everything that is important for the serious long distance motorcyclist.
I just got an 06, with 29,000 on the clock, to upgrade from my 85 FJ600. I live in the snow belt, so I haven't had a chance to wring it out. Like you said...previous owner (just 1!) was meticulous in maintaining it. I hope to follow suit! GREAT video!
The most reliable bike ever made. Since new, I have a 2008 Kawasaki Concours 1400, and has been very reliable, too bad they dumped that model in 2022. Whenever I decide to upgrade, the FJR will be the one for me.
Thanks for all the entertainment throughout the year, if you're ever buying something in SW Florida Cape Coral fort Myers Sanibel. Your welcome to crash here. Merry Christmas, ride safe.
I have a 2008 AE and love this machine I will never get rid of it in if the engine ever goes I think I will just buy another engine that's how much I love this bike I got 50k on it I have 2 other bikes also to help keep the mileage down on this beast I plan on riding it until it falls apart I think I will always have one in my motorcycle stable
@ScottoGrotto well the NC750X is a all around decent bike you can go light off road I have taken it down miles of gravel and dirt roads out into the countryside back roads and in the mountains and twisties nice around town bike also its kinda a Swiss army knife of a bike I have SHAD saddle bags and top case so I have gone on blue ridge parkway weekend get aways to be honest I only have one real complaint that really bothers me and it is the damn seat it is without a doubt the worst seat I ever had on a bike and I just don't get why manufacturers put a crap seat on a bike after 10 minutes of riding I just wanted to throw the thing off a cliff that's how bad the seat is to me I am not an overweight gut either I am 6.1 190lbs so I went and had the seat re-foamed and that did help I know can get an 1 hour plus before I start some soreness so I am taking the seat back and will have more foam added and soften it some and that should do the trick other than that it really is a great bike I like having a lighter bike to ride i also added GIVI crash bars, GIVI windshield, Givi fog lights, highway pegs and the SHAD top case is the expandable one it looks good cause when you collapse the case it looks sleek and it can fir 2 full face helmets of any size
@@michaelsloane1034 Thanks for all this great info and the nature of the NC750x! I like the swiss army knife bike idea, and that it can handle some light offroad too! I just watched a Big Rock Moto video on touring a Honda Transalp. In the video the reviewer said that seat was ( for him ) one of the most comfortable seats ever. Don't know if that might fit the NC750x? I can appreciate be willing to put a new motor in a bike you love, FJR. What is your favorite types of riding for your FJR? Thanks again for your generous reply!
Fell in love with the FJ series many years ago finally ended up with a 21 ES hated the graphite color at first but it is surely grown on me I usually leave the luggage on and with the muted color I think that a lot of people don't realize it's a wolf in sheep's clothes I still think the old color scheme with a red and white was pretty great on the FJ it would be cool if Yamaha came back with a limited run of the original FJ color I thought I knew quite a bit about this run of bikes but I definitely learn from your video thanks. By the way I know you live close we have ridden many of the same roads hope to catch you out sometime love to buy you a cup of coffee and talk bikes!
Well done. I have 13 and have two before this one I have been on kawi 14, concourse, a few st and the 14 would be my only bike I would consider for my next one .
You made a great video, love the time capsule intro! Great overview of this iconic bike! I lusted a bit over these when they came out, but never drove one, yet. Appreciate the reliability endorsement! My dad had a Kawi Concourse early 1st gen. That bike was a revelation for me back in the 90’s so much capability compared to my 1983 GS850 GD Suzuki with 1970’s Vetter Fairing, which had a scary wobble ~ 95 mph( because of the fairing), and flexy frame! A friend had an FJ 1300 sport bike that seemed like overkill on power… you had to know and respect it or it might leave you behind! Any significant differences in suspension between gen 1 & 2? You mentioned the BMW RT series handles better? Probably more expensive to own? I lusted after these bikes too :) Well done, very entertaining and informative!
Hi, sorry i'am from Gernany. Meine FJR ist eine der ersten die in Deutschland zugelassen wurden, 03.2001. Läuft super! Beste Maschine die ich bis jetzt hatte. 2014 gekauft. (Ich: 59 Jahre alt)
I was and still am looking to get the fjr. Couldn't find one I wanted local so I grabbed a kawasaki zzr1200 to tide me over. Hopefully if they do a 2025 I'll finally get one. The zzr is fun and powerful but I'm seriously jealous of you fjr owners.
I have the forks off my 2005 FJR for seal replacement - the second time. Seems to be the only weakness of the bike. Have to say I never got to love it the way I did my 1990 FJ 1200, probably because of the extra weight.
Great review!!!! I had a 2007 and now a 2015 ES, great bikes for sure, and easy to sell too, great community online and cheap parts. I would also do the same same type of review on a super duke 1290 R, it is going to be a classic and a collector bike for sure
Fantastic machines imo. I have owned two. Only issues I had was a lack of aftermarket. Bar risers were almost impossible to find and it was just a little too tall for me, yet still very ridable. If it could have been safely lowered about 1.5" - 2" would have been nice for a rider at 5'9". Yamaha really built an incredible motorcycle that gets far too little appreciation.
If you are thinking of buying this bike, here’s what they don’t tell you: I had the 2006 model. That year the model received a number of improvements and updates. Here is my impressions of my 2 years of owning the bike: it is very heavy. It is not sporty at all. The engine is great. Silky smooth, yet powerful. I loved the shaft drive and not having to fiddle with maintaining a chain. For the life of me I don’t get the ever repeated mantra that this bike is so comfortable. It isn’t. I have never been in so much physical pain on any other motorcycle. The seat is rubbish and the bike is very heavy and needs manhandling to stear. On longer rides this means pain in the shoulders like nothing I have ever experienced. And I’m 187 cm or 6”2 inches and pretty strong. Another completely missleading thing thing reviewers keep saying is that it is a sporty bike. It isn’t. It’s a power cruiser. It has poor lean angle and the tank has you spreading your legs wider than a hooker. I grinded the hero blobs or angstnipples, as the germans call them, down in no time and with little effort by just normally leaning the bike in corners and had started eating away at the gear shifter when I got rid of the behemoth. Unless you are a rather short rider, you will have to ditch the wind shield for a taller one as well as the stock one is pretty useless. But it’s cool that it is button operated and reverts down when you shut off the ignition. The one complain some of the reviewers have about the bike is also wrong, they complain about the it only having 5 gears. Not a problem at all. That is a problem on the original Hinckley Bonneville. Not the FJR. City riding is horrible on the Feejer. It’s so heavy it can easily cause you to fall over if you have to make an unexpected stop while cornering at slow speed, as I had to when a lady stepped out from the sidewalk right in front of me as I was slowly coming around a corner. I couldn’t keep the bike upright and just had to let it go. It is not good for veering through traffic either. It’s too heavy. Quality is good though. I took it on 2 long trips and used it quite a lot over the years I had it and I had zero issues with it. It had 20000 km on it when I bought it and I put another 20000 on it. A cruise control would have been nice but it lacked that. The handle bar is like on a scooter and difficult to fit gps and phone mounts to. I bought the bike after having watched a number of videos like this one, praising the bike for all the wrong reasons. These are my impressions, I hope they can help balance all the praise this bike gets.
To be honest it is not the emission standard. It is the fact that almost nobody wants to buy a big touring machine nowadays, making them 'clean' is not worth the investment. And the riders, like myself, that still buy a big touring bike will go for the RT. After having tried many touring bikes, my conclusion is that the RT is the best touring bike. It is not without faults and certainly not perfect yet if you NEED to ride a bike over a longer distance in all weather conditions a RT is hard to beat.
Sure, until a starter has a problem and you have to remove the intake manifold and most of the engine just to try and reach in from the top to do the change. THEN you view of the bike may moderate somewhat....
I had a series of 4 FJRs from 2003 to 2021, when I changed to a BMW 1250RT, but only because the FJR isn’t available in Europe any longer. If the FJR had been completely discontinued I’d understand why they didn’t make it Euro5 compliant, but seeing as it’s still available in other markets I’m puzzled as it’s surely not such a big challenge? I suspect that Yamaha are content to rely on the Tracer, which is a very good bike but not a replacement for the FJR, with its engine being used in so many different bikes. I might say that the RT is more refined, has better luggage, but is way more expensive, especially servicing, takes a lot of getting used to after the smooth FJR engine, and has so far been more unreliable in less than three years than the Yamaha was in nearly 20!
The windscreen is not good enough for european high speed touring. Raised at already low speed, you get " sucked in " forward. Works at low speed in heavy rain. Need better aerodynamic ! Otherwise a great sportstourer with very good curve performance. Very satiesfied with my 2003. Have had from started riding 1970 a 125 AS 2J, XS 750, XS 1100 in a Moto Martin chassi, FJ 1100, XJ 650, XJ 900. Tire rear last up to 17.000 km. Love the FJR !
I firmly believe there is no best bike. There may be a best bike for me or you personally, but that does not make it THE best bike in a certain class. To me sport-touring is a difficult category. Such a bike is either more sport or more touring. I believe the FJR and the VFR 1200 are too sporty. I also believe the ST and the RT are too much touring. As the English say 'horses for corses'. So to solve this problem I have a RT as the daily work horse and a VFR for the fun ride on a sunny Saturday evening 🙂.
yup ☺️ that is the bike of polizia stradale italiana ☺️🤙 man do you change the st? a lot of time i saw you enjoing this yamaha ☺️🤙 i tell you the true man. between st1300 fjx1300 and gtr1400 for me at leats with video the most sportouring bike i like is the gtr1400 i hope you try this too☺️ but they are all good 🤗 the xjr1300 is very beautiful machine the zxr1200 of kawasaky too ☺️✌️🤙
Yeah i sold the st1300. It was a bit unexpected. But i wanted something smaller. I do like the st1300 quite a bit. we don't get the gtr1400 and xjr1300 over here unfortunately. Europe definately has many more types of bikes.
@@motardsquid no man no 😯 i cannot believe you 😯 no man ☺️ you was the st man ☺️ try the gtr 1400- the big councors 🤙too man try k1200gt try trophy 1200 se thats i would try for sportuoring bikes but i like more nakeds xj1200/1300 zxr1200/1100 cb1100/1300 they look very beauty but not protective ☺️✌️🤙bandit 1250n too gsx1250f or my favorite sv1000n vtwin ☺️✌️🤙
Used bikes? I currently have 2 of the 2nd gen FJR's (i bought used) that looked new. After doing maintenance I founds that neither previous owner had done spark plugs, air filter, rear end oil changes, coolant change or even brake/clutch fluid changes! Beware that just because they are run for years without problems by the original owner that they were not completely neglected on routine maintenance.
It's both concerning and a head scratcher that here in Europe there is no longer the Super Tenere or FJR1300 and nothing apparent in the pipeline so we just have the Tracer 900 and Tenere 700. It's like they've handed their market share to BMW. The Police alone used to be tons of these across Europe
Yamaha has applied for patents on some new technology and their graphics show it implemented on the FJR. So it is possible that we will see a new generation FJR as of 2025 or 6. In the meantime the 2024 model is in production with no changes.
Here in southern Spain you will often see the traffic police hooning up and down the coast road on these. I had a succession of ZZR1100s super comfy. Don’t see many these days😎
My experience with the first FJR in 2002 was that is was: uncomfortable, the seat was painful after 1-2 hours, the wind screen created the most brutal buffeting I've ever experienced to the point of being painful, the bike ran hot, really hot, it was a dull riding experience unless you wicked up the pace well above legal speeds, it was heavy and under-braked, with lack luster suspension. Plus, I had one of the "tickers", that's right, it needed valve guides after 1000 miles!!! What it had was a stonkin engine, stiff chassis, and great side cases. Saw a new one in a showroom the other day. Pretty much looks the same: outdated.
![เจ็บที่ยังฮัก - ม่อน วรวิทย์ [ Official Mv ] จอนนี่มิวสิค](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KALIGSRSjFs/mqdefault.jpg)
Looking for someone with a FJ1100 or FJ1200 in the Washington D.C. area for a video
Yes, I'm a Harley guy, but i'm not stupid! The FJR1300 may be the best bike ever made!!!! I've had an '05, '07 & '08! Love 'em!!!!
I have 2009 FJR 17800 MILES WELL TAKEN CARE OF, BEAUTIFUL CRASH BARS ALL 4 CORNERS, $5000.00
Hundreds of thousands of miles covered in my FJR's. Awesome bikes.
My 2008 FJR1300 that I bought new in 2009, is the best motorcycle I have ever had, bar none. Zero issues, maintain it and it will go the distance, no problem.
I've got the same bike, raven black I brought it home on a trailer packed it and laid down 6000 miles....
SAME
Right on. I am on my third FJR. I just keep coming back for what this bike does so well. Sport touring.
I bought an FJ1100 in 1984 in Halifax, Nova Scotia when I was 19 years old. I spent most of the previous winter drooling over the glossy brochure I had picked up at the dealer the previous Christmas. I remember the smooth engine and the beautiful body lines and how it turned heads everywhere I went. I recall once I parked illegally on a sidewalk to make a quick errand, just out of sight from the bike. When I came back a cop was waiting and just about to write me a ticket. He looked at me and smiled and said "if you let me sit on it and start it, I won't write you a ticket". Easy win for both of us.
Lovely story. I miss Halifax and people there.
As a Aussie owner of the 86 FJ1200 still in red and white , agree that look and sound not to mention incredible torque and acceleration , was like a UFO on the roads .
I am currently considering buying an FJR1300, and I am tickled that TH-cam's algorithm threw this great video in my feed! ✌️😎
I just bought an '04 with 40k miles for $2500. Few scuffs from PO dropping it once in driveway, but other than that its fantastic. Slightly top heavy with a touchy-ish throttle only negatives. Love the power windshield and just THE POWER. Best used bike value out there period.
I fell in love with the FJ 1100 back in 84 and also the FJR when it came out been wanting one ever since then ! Finally got one in 2019 absolutely love it !
Looked up the prices of them and they seemed to cost as much as the fjr
I bought a new FJ 1100 in 1984. Had many bikes after that…. Then “came home to my 2012 FJR! Amazing, Amazing bikes!!
I just bought a Gen 2 FJR. I'm 42 years old. I love it! Powerful, smooth, handles very well for a heavy bike, and is very comfortable to ride. It serves a purpose. I use it to commute 56miles (90kms) every day to and from work. Screen up, 5th gear, 60 to 70 mph, glorious. She purrs along at 3500rpm. It's a bike I will keep, far too good to sell. She'll be the wise old girl in the stable of R1s and TZRs😂🎉
What's the fuel consumption, at that speed and rpm?
I'm currently on a Honda VFR 800 VTEC, but this will be my bike in 2025. I love it. 👌
108k miles on my 07. Best sport touring bike ever made
what kind of maint did you do...thanks
@@garybaldwin1061 oil change every 5k. Brakes and tires. Lubed the linkage and air filters. One valve check and they’ve never been out of spec
I love my 2013 FJR1300A. It’s a beast They have moved on to 6 speed and updated lighting. I’ve taken mine from PA to NC and the tail of Dragon. No problem. Lot of Mid East rides PA MDva NC and Tennessee. Won’t give her up. Test rode a lot of bikes with check book in my pocket. I keep getting back on FJR.
I’ve never ridden an Fjr 1300, but it is very appealing. I’ve mostly ridden cruisers for the last 20years, but do 😢like to ride a spirited bike when I can. Many believe that the laid back cruisers are the most comfortable, but on longer rides an upright or slightly leaned forward position will allow you to ride further with less discomfort. It puts your weight on your bit and upper thighs and not so much on your tailbone. Many complain about bikes that don’t get massive changes as the year models progress. When something it right it don’t need change. Many of the long time models have changed to the point that they suck with all the modern gadgets. From what I’ve seen of the FJR, it has all the things you might need to enjoy the road. I hope to ride one soon. It might be my next bike.
No motorcycle or car I've ever owned gets my heart pumping like my FJR. I've never met a FJR owner who didn't rant and rave about their bike.
OMG❤this is what I look for!
I’ve been riding Gen2 for a while, but I’ve just got last Gen 2022 brand new.
This is the first time for me to buy same bike.
Truly great motorcycle for me at least.
Love you! And ride safe!
Love my 17ES, I've been all the way to the arctic circle and covered thousands of miles through Europe. Best bike I've ever owned and a great upgrade from my 2008 model. Excellent video.
The best bike I'll even own. Better than you can imagine
Just recently picked up a well-cared for 2016. Wow! Amazing, beautiful, smooth and powerful machine.
I've had my 2015 FJR 1300 since I rode it home as my Christmas present to myself that year. Before this bike I owned the short-lived electric shift FJR. Both bikes were essentially flawless, performance wise but the latter did have some issues with the electric clutch. The 2015 has no such issues and wants nothing more than tires and typical fluid maintenance. It still turns heads in 2024 and, aside from the slipper clutch and 6th gear of the later models, I couldn't be happier.
Had a 2012 ZX14R..Loved that bike but as I live down a long gravel road I got tired of cleaning the chain and also being 71 wanted more amenities..Bought a 2015 FJR and love it..Yes I gave up a fair amount of horsepower but it doesn't really feel like it as the motor is so well tuned for torque and horsies..Have Yosh slip ons with power commander..Dyno tuned at 134 at wheel so plenty of go..Shaft drive..Yea! Cruise control, electric windscreen and heated grips..Keep fluids changed and bike is bullet proof..Have 63000 care free miles so far with not one hiccup..
Just got home from 1600 miles in 4 days and im ready to get back out there. 72000 miles on my 07 and its been am incredible time!!
Great thoughts, thanks. The FJR is unpretentious and does most everything well; I do nothing to them but oil and tires. I now of three of them: an 07, 09, and a 2010. I started sport touring in 1986 when I started reading about the FJ1200, so I bought it new in May 1986. I still have it in perfect condition, but ride a 1987 slightly rough FJ12 as the one I put the miles on. While amazing for their respective original times, both the FJ and FJR are still remarkable designs for fun today. I live in W-CO and since last fall I have been to NoCal, then to AZ/NM/W-TX, and then to VA/SC, etc totaling 15k miles on the FJRs. They gobble up miles [I made it from SC to W-CO in 2.5 days, and had to crank out 952 miles from W-TX in 14 hours straight to beat a March mountain storm]. The bike is effortless to me, even at age 68. And fun is an understatement to me, all from 25 year old technology that I paid $4-5k each for and only 20k miles used. I simply don't like the looks of many of the bikes from the last couple decades, but the FJR is timelessly beautiful to me. [P.S. - I have 3 dirt bikes and 2 TransAlps to satisfy that dirt itch ...lol, 10 bikes so my out-of-town buddies just show up to ride]
I started my FJR journey with a blue 1992 FJ1200 Then on to the 2014 FJR1300. I would not even consider riding a different bike.
Getting ready to buy the 2023 model. Awsome bike.
Similar journey. Owned an FJ1200 (1987). Bought a 2007 FJR 1300 5 years ago. Such an incredible bike. Rock solid and reliable. I’m thinking of trading up to a 2023 FJR. Did you get your ‘23 and if so, how do you like it.
Thanks for a great video, well narrated! I was curious about the history of this model and found your video. I own an FJR1300/A from 2004, so one of the earlier models, the first with ABS. I've had it for 6 years now and it's really a keeper. Never had any issues with it whatsoever. So easy on maintenance due to the shaft drive. I change the oil and filters and fluids myself incl the shaft drive oil, it's easy. I love driving this bike as intended, I enjoyed hearing the design philosophy of a daily commuter bike that is also fun to drive in the weekend. That's exactly how I use it and what I love about it. Great for a fast and smooth commute with cases on during the week and in the weekend I take those off and enjoy driving more sport style on the curvy mountain roads. Absolute best bike I ever had and there is nothing on the market even in 2023 in my opinion that offers the same performance and rideabilit. I also agree with the downside, you do feel the weight a lot on twisty roads, I've ridden other bikes that are more easy to handle in fast corners, but hey, this is a big bike. I love the low end power and smooth delivery of that as well, nice to accelerate out of corners without having to change gears too much. Great great bike, I really love it! Never failed me. Drove it across Europe without much fatigue and also on authobahn speeds it's super comy. Always a joy to drive and I always look forward even to the commute. Thanks for your really nice video!.
Just darksided my 2014 FJR and I love it!!! Such a fun bike to take everywhere I can.
Fantastic review. You were very informative and I own 4 bikes....now I want a FJR at age 69!
I can’t get enough of my 2015 FJR ES.
It’s the best of all motorcycle types.
It’s big, comfortable, and very fast! Lots of options like heated grips, adjustable suspension on the fly! Adjustable windshield, and super convenient cruise control😃
It’s like an oversized sport bike but comfortable👍🏼
It’s very close to the performance of the Hayabusa 1300 as well.
Great review. I appreciate the history as well. I am the proud owner of a 2007 and I can tell you without reservation that no other bike does so much, so well. It's beautiful to look at and an absolute blast to ride. It's the standard by which all future motorcycles I own will be judged. I can not overemphasize just how amazing this machine is.
Broham, I'm looking at an ad for a 2007 in my area. Anything in particular I should look for? what about the clutch and all?
Fantastic review! Love my 2009 FJR 1300 AE! Best motorcycle ever!
Love the bike so much I bought two, 2013 and 2015. I also have a 2018 Multistrada. The FJR requires more rider feedback and body positioning which I really enjoy, whereas the Multi requires less rider movement. FJR is simply brilliant. 👍👍👍❤️🔥🔥
Same for me. Bought a 2023 Multi to replace my 2016 FJR, and then I kept it. There is something fun in the way you must work with you whole body in order to drive aggressively with the FJR.
Great review and history lesson thank you for your time and effort !
Many thanks!
my 2001 fjr still rocks!
40,000 trouble free miles on my '04 FJR 1300A. It is the most reliable, fuel efficient, capable motorcycle I have ever owned. I'm looking to get a new one soon. I have owned and ridden (8) different bikes over the years, but this is by far my favorite. My other three are insanely jealous in my garage 🙄
One of my favorite bikes ever
I got my hands on a 2023 with 550 miles - the previous owner traded it for an H-D tourer. His loss, my gain. My favorite bike ever.
Timeless is right. I still think, despite its years, the FJR is one of the best looking bikes on the market. I had a 2016; wish I had not let it go. Hoping it comes back for 2025 in the USA.
Superbe video..Merci pour avoir résumé l’histoire des FJR ✌😍
La mienne est de 2003...
....elles vont nous manquer, quelle tristesse
Best bike Ive ever owned or ridden. Just hope Yamaha can continue this legend if a bike in some way in the future. Huge market loss with police forces wanting the shaft drive bulletproof FJR still but are now being forced to buy the BMW again.
I love FJR1300 and i will never stop having it also i love this review 💖
Own a 2019 - great bike - time tested reliability, effortless long distance cruising and low maintenance costs (easy to work on yourself). It doesn't have a fancy TFT screen but it has everything that is important for the serious long distance motorcyclist.
I just got an 06, with 29,000 on the clock, to upgrade from my 85 FJ600. I live in the snow belt, so I haven't had a chance to wring it out. Like you said...previous owner (just 1!) was meticulous in maintaining it. I hope to follow suit! GREAT video!
Nice review very informative.
The most reliable bike ever made. Since new, I have a 2008 Kawasaki Concours 1400, and has been very reliable, too bad they dumped that model in 2022. Whenever I decide to upgrade, the FJR will be the one for me.
Thanks so much for this 🙏🏼👍🏼🎉🥳🎊🎄🍻 Great documentary 🍻
Happy holidays!
A very well presented bike. The bike that made history. Everybody should now about the FJR. :) Cheers.
Thanks for all the entertainment throughout the year, if you're ever buying something in SW Florida Cape Coral fort Myers Sanibel. Your welcome to crash here. Merry Christmas, ride safe.
Thanks! Im going to start looking at bikes there :)
Have a 09 fjr1300a with 31k on the clock and i luv it
I have a 2008 AE and love this machine I will never get rid of it in if the engine ever goes I think I will just buy another engine that's how much I love this bike I got 50k on it I have 2 other bikes also to help keep the mileage down on this beast I plan on riding it until it falls apart I think I will always have one in my motorcycle stable
Other bikes?
@@ScottoGrotto I also have a 2023 Honda Goldwing and a 2023 NC750X and soon to add a Kawaski Ninja Z H2 SE
@@michaelsloane1034thanks!
How do you like the NC750x?
What kind of riding do you like on the 750?
Nice stable of bikes!
@ScottoGrotto well the NC750X is a all around decent bike you can go light off road I have taken it down miles of gravel and dirt roads out into the countryside back roads and in the mountains and twisties nice around town bike also its kinda a Swiss army knife of a bike I have SHAD saddle bags and top case so I have gone on blue ridge parkway weekend get aways to be honest I only have one real complaint that really bothers me and it is the damn seat it is without a doubt the worst seat I ever had on a bike and I just don't get why manufacturers put a crap seat on a bike after 10 minutes of riding I just wanted to throw the thing off a cliff that's how bad the seat is to me I am not an overweight gut either I am 6.1 190lbs so I went and had the seat re-foamed and that did help I know can get an 1 hour plus before I start some soreness so I am taking the seat back and will have more foam added and soften it some and that should do the trick other than that it really is a great bike I like having a lighter bike to ride i also added GIVI crash bars, GIVI windshield, Givi fog lights, highway pegs and the SHAD top case is the expandable one it looks good cause when you collapse the case it looks sleek and it can fir 2 full face helmets of any size
@@michaelsloane1034 Thanks for all this great info and the nature of the NC750x! I like the swiss army knife bike idea, and that it can handle some light offroad too! I just watched a Big Rock Moto video on touring a Honda Transalp. In the video the reviewer said that seat was ( for him ) one of the most comfortable seats ever. Don't know if that might fit the NC750x? I can appreciate be willing to put a new motor in a bike you love, FJR. What is your favorite types of riding for your FJR? Thanks again for your generous reply!
Great video
please break down the differences and features in the generations
the 2016 had a 2nd gear transmission recall 😊
Great video man!
Thanks for the visit
FJR = Finally Just Right
If in Gods garage will be an motorcycle, than for sure is FJR..I owe one too, 2005❤🎉
Love sport touring! Riding a 2012 Ducati multistrada 1200 with 40k miles on it ❤
Fell in love with the FJ series many years ago finally ended up with a 21 ES hated the graphite color at first but it is surely grown on me I usually leave the luggage on and with the muted color I think that a lot of people don't realize it's a wolf in sheep's clothes I still think the old color scheme with a red and white was pretty great on the FJ it would be cool if Yamaha came back with a limited run of the original FJ color I thought I knew quite a bit about this run of bikes but I definitely learn from your video thanks. By the way I know you live close we have ridden many of the same roads hope to catch you out sometime love to buy you a cup of coffee and talk bikes!
Well done. I have 13 and have two before this one
I have been on kawi 14, concourse, a few st and the 14 would be my only bike I would consider for my next one .
You made a great video, love the time capsule intro!
Great overview of this iconic bike!
I lusted a bit over these when they came out, but never drove one, yet.
Appreciate the reliability endorsement!
My dad had a Kawi Concourse early 1st gen.
That bike was a revelation for me back in the 90’s so much capability compared to my 1983 GS850 GD Suzuki with 1970’s Vetter Fairing, which had a scary wobble ~ 95 mph( because of the fairing), and flexy frame!
A friend had an FJ 1300 sport bike that seemed like overkill on power… you had to know and respect it or it might leave you behind!
Any significant differences in suspension between gen 1 & 2?
You mentioned the BMW RT series handles better?
Probably more expensive to own? I lusted after these bikes too :)
Well done, very entertaining and informative!
Fj 1200 king forevermore
Hi, sorry i'am from Gernany. Meine FJR ist eine der ersten die in Deutschland zugelassen wurden, 03.2001. Läuft super! Beste Maschine die ich bis jetzt hatte. 2014 gekauft. (Ich: 59 Jahre alt)
Years back I considered the FJR, but my right shin kept banging into the fairing. Still think it's a badass bike, but I love my 2014 Goldwing 😊
Excellent video. Thanks for doing this research.
Yeah Buddy! Great Video. Keep the rubber side down......✌
I was and still am looking to get the fjr. Couldn't find one I wanted local so I grabbed a kawasaki zzr1200 to tide me over. Hopefully if they do a 2025 I'll finally get one. The zzr is fun and powerful but I'm seriously jealous of you fjr owners.
I have the forks off my 2005 FJR for seal replacement - the second time. Seems to be the only weakness of the bike. Have to say I never got to love it the way I did my 1990 FJ 1200, probably because of the extra weight.
Just use OEM seals and dust covers. Bit of red rubber grease on stanchions and pump into the seals helps longevity. Silicone spray on dust covers.
Great history lesson , thanks .
This video is sick!
Trying to make better videos. Lets work on some videos together
@@motardsquid goldwing videos are coming up soon
Bro great video, major nostalgia.
Great review!!!! I had a 2007 and now a 2015 ES, great bikes for sure, and easy to sell too, great community online and cheap parts.
I would also do the same same type of review on a super duke 1290 R, it is going to be a classic and a collector bike for sure
Great video! 👍 thanks
Fantastic machines imo. I have owned two. Only issues I had was a lack of aftermarket. Bar risers were almost impossible to find and it was just a little too tall for me, yet still very ridable. If it could have been safely lowered about 1.5" - 2" would have been nice for a rider at 5'9". Yamaha really built an incredible motorcycle that gets far too little appreciation.
If you are thinking of buying this bike, here’s what they don’t tell you: I had the 2006 model. That year the model received a number of improvements and updates. Here is my impressions of my 2 years of owning the bike: it is very heavy. It is not sporty at all. The engine is great. Silky smooth, yet powerful. I loved the shaft drive and not having to fiddle with maintaining a chain. For the life of me I don’t get the ever repeated mantra that this bike is so comfortable. It isn’t. I have never been in so much physical pain on any other motorcycle. The seat is rubbish and the bike is very heavy and needs manhandling to stear. On longer rides this means pain in the shoulders like nothing I have ever experienced. And I’m 187 cm or 6”2 inches and pretty strong. Another completely missleading thing thing reviewers keep saying is that it is a sporty bike. It isn’t. It’s a power cruiser. It has poor lean angle and the tank has you spreading your legs wider than a hooker. I grinded the hero blobs or angstnipples, as the germans call them, down in no time and with little effort by just normally leaning the bike in corners and had started eating away at the gear shifter when I got rid of the behemoth. Unless you are a rather short rider, you will have to ditch the wind shield for a taller one as well as the stock one is pretty useless. But it’s cool that it is button operated and reverts down when you shut off the ignition. The one complain some of the reviewers have about the bike is also wrong, they complain about the it only having 5 gears. Not a problem at all. That is a problem on the original Hinckley Bonneville. Not the FJR. City riding is horrible on the Feejer. It’s so heavy it can easily cause you to fall over if you have to make an unexpected stop while cornering at slow speed, as I had to when a lady stepped out from the sidewalk right in front of me as I was slowly coming around a corner. I couldn’t keep the bike upright and just had to let it go. It is not good for veering through traffic either. It’s too heavy. Quality is good though. I took it on 2 long trips and used it quite a lot over the years I had it and I had zero issues with it. It had 20000 km on it when I bought it and I put another 20000 on it. A cruise control would have been nice but it lacked that. The handle bar is like on a scooter and difficult to fit gps and phone mounts to. I bought the bike after having watched a number of videos like this one, praising the bike for all the wrong reasons. These are my impressions, I hope they can help balance all the praise this bike gets.
Great vid.
I agree. A terrific bike it is.
Fantastic video, sir 👏🏾
I had on 2005 I sold this year. I miss it. Had 50k miles on it.
Great nostalgic video.
Here in Europe (Portugal at least) they are no longer sold new due to the pollution emission crap legislation...
Yeah it's a shame. I think they replaced it with the yamaha tracer? the super tenere is not available in portugal either
To be honest it is not the emission standard. It is the fact that almost nobody wants to buy a big touring machine nowadays, making them 'clean' is not worth the investment. And the riders, like myself, that still buy a big touring bike will go for the RT. After having tried many touring bikes, my conclusion is that the RT is the best touring bike. It is not without faults and certainly not perfect yet if you NEED to ride a bike over a longer distance in all weather conditions a RT is hard to beat.
Awesome bike. ❤
Sure, until a starter has a problem and you have to remove the intake manifold and most of the engine just to try and reach in from the top to do the change. THEN you view of the bike may moderate somewhat....
Excellent review.
Thanks for watching
I had a series of 4 FJRs from 2003 to 2021, when I changed to a BMW 1250RT, but only because the FJR isn’t available in Europe any longer. If the FJR had been completely discontinued I’d understand why they didn’t make it Euro5 compliant, but seeing as it’s still available in other markets I’m puzzled as it’s surely not such a big challenge? I suspect that Yamaha are content to rely on the Tracer, which is a very good bike but not a replacement for the FJR, with its engine being used in so many different bikes. I might say that the RT is more refined, has better luggage, but is way more expensive, especially servicing, takes a lot of getting used to after the smooth FJR engine, and has so far been more unreliable in less than three years than the Yamaha was in nearly 20!
I was tempted to replace my FJR with a Tracer, but the riding position is ridiculous - feet too high and back.
This is the greatest "what if" Yamaha decided create a CP4 FJR-1000 to compete against Suzuki GSX-S 1000GT, Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX.
Just remember to warm up your FJR before going hard on it. Nikasil coating inside the cylinders doesn't like going from cold to hot in a minute.
mine is a black one 2002 its so good there is nothing close maybe the gtr kawa
♥️♥️♥️💯💯💯
The windscreen is not good enough for european high speed touring. Raised at already low speed, you get " sucked in " forward. Works at low speed in heavy rain. Need better aerodynamic !
Otherwise a great sportstourer with very good curve performance. Very satiesfied with my 2003.
Have had from started riding 1970 a 125 AS 2J, XS 750, XS 1100 in a Moto Martin chassi, FJ 1100, XJ 650, XJ 900.
Tire rear last up to 17.000 km. Love the FJR !
Guess you forgot about the Kawasaki Concours being around before the FJR
A naked st1300 with windshield and a normal looking headlight looks decent. Oh, and open the exhaust.
I firmly believe there is no best bike. There may be a best bike for me or you personally, but that does not make it THE best bike in a certain class. To me sport-touring is a difficult category. Such a bike is either more sport or more touring. I believe the FJR and the VFR 1200 are too sporty. I also believe the ST and the RT are too much touring. As the English say 'horses for corses'. So to solve this problem I have a RT as the daily work horse and a VFR for the fun ride on a sunny Saturday evening 🙂.
Get a 2014+ vfr800 and now you have a prettier bike that can tour forever and it's also sporty. And not as fast as the 1200. 😅
Anyone have any idea what would be the cause of a 2007 for having issues downshifting??
And the possible cost to repair?
yup ☺️ that is the bike of polizia stradale italiana ☺️🤙 man do you change the st? a lot of time i saw you enjoing this yamaha ☺️🤙 i tell you the true man. between st1300 fjx1300 and gtr1400 for me at leats with video the most sportouring bike i like is the gtr1400 i hope you try this too☺️ but they are all good 🤗 the xjr1300 is very beautiful machine the zxr1200 of kawasaky too ☺️✌️🤙
Yeah i sold the st1300. It was a bit unexpected. But i wanted something smaller. I do like the st1300 quite a bit. we don't get the gtr1400 and xjr1300 over here unfortunately. Europe definately has many more types of bikes.
@@motardsquid no man no 😯 i cannot believe you 😯 no man ☺️ you was the st man ☺️ try the gtr 1400- the big councors 🤙too man try k1200gt try trophy 1200 se thats i would try for sportuoring bikes but i like more nakeds xj1200/1300 zxr1200/1100 cb1100/1300 they look very beauty but not protective ☺️✌️🤙bandit 1250n too gsx1250f or my favorite sv1000n vtwin ☺️✌️🤙
Used bikes? I currently have 2 of the 2nd gen FJR's (i bought used) that looked new. After doing maintenance I founds that neither previous owner had done spark plugs, air filter, rear end oil changes, coolant change or even brake/clutch fluid changes! Beware that just because they are run for years without problems by the original owner that they were not completely neglected on routine maintenance.
Have a 04 fjr1300 and a 2010 vfr1200f dtc The yamaha seems a lot more comfy but the honda has a lot more power
5th gear is almost same as 6th in many bikes. Discontinued cause of emission euro norm.
Linkage and rear suspension is ridiculously awkward to strip down and service..
Good video. Bad audio.
And thats my best audio too :)
It's both concerning and a head scratcher that here in Europe there is no longer the Super Tenere or FJR1300 and nothing apparent in the pipeline so we just have the Tracer 900 and Tenere 700. It's like they've handed their market share to BMW. The Police alone used to be tons of these across Europe
Very strange thing. Two of my fav bikes.
Yamaha has applied for patents on some new technology and their graphics show it implemented on the FJR. So it is possible that we will see a new generation FJR as of 2025 or 6. In the meantime the 2024 model is in production with no changes.
Here in southern Spain you will often see the traffic police hooning up and down the coast road on these. I had a succession of ZZR1100s super comfy. Don’t see many these days😎
They are working on it. They are a little late to the game. The first thing you see from them is the Tenere 900 tho
Can't get them new in the UK anymore, something to do with euro 5 or some rubbish, slow sales even!
So disappointed, sound quality was poor😢
Sounds like you have some real problems
My experience with the first FJR in 2002 was that is was: uncomfortable, the seat was painful after 1-2 hours, the wind screen created the most brutal buffeting I've ever experienced to the point of being painful, the bike ran hot, really hot, it was a dull riding experience unless you wicked up the pace well above legal speeds, it was heavy and under-braked, with lack luster suspension. Plus, I had one of the "tickers", that's right, it needed valve guides after 1000 miles!!! What it had was a stonkin engine, stiff chassis, and great side cases. Saw a new one in a showroom the other day. Pretty much looks the same: outdated.
Williams Carol Lewis Jose Jackson Margaret
The FJ1100 do NOT have a top speed of 160 mph.
If you like ugly bikes, buy the BMW.
As an owner of 2 yamahas and a bmw. I agree with that statement.
Problem free???? They had recalls galore
What recalls?