I traded in my 2019 Kawasaki Concours for a used 2014 FJR1300. Although the Concours was slightly faster, the FJR is FAR more nimble. It is easily one of the best all-round motorcycles ever built. Speed, performance, handling, comfort, cost of ownership, and most importantly reliability. Few motorcycles can compare. Definitely nothing from Europe compares in the reliability/cost of ownership category.
I have a friend with a 2017 Concours and I have a 2015 FJR...Yes the Connie is outright faster but not on top gear roll ons..The VVT system makes the Connie slow to respond at low rpm..The FJR will eat it in top gear roll ons..At least until you get up to nuclear speeds. Also weird braking system on Connie..But both nice machines. We trade bikes now and then and he wishes he got the FJR so I guess that tells the story. I have 63000 bullet proof miles on her with NO issues..
0-100mph in 6 seconds Leaned over position Narrow seat Excellent safety electronics Side bags fit full helmet Water cooled, pretty quiet below 90mph Very maneuverable in traffic Many countries used these as police bikes Led head light is extremely effective Cornering lights do help in city or ramps Stock windshield is not that good Excellent braking electronics
'She puts a smile on your face' I couldn't agree more, I use that exact phrase myself every time I ride mine. For me the FJR is the complete bike, a fantastic piece of kit and it's no wonder it's been around for nearly 20 yrs because they got it right first time. Thanks for the vid TMF. 👍
Got my first FJR 1300 in 2001. Rode it until 2016 when I passed it on to my son and got a 1300 AS. Absolutely love it. Thought I would never get used to having no clutch but the electronic change switch on the handlebars is so easy to operate ...... and fast. Toured all round Europe with both bikes and never had an issue. Totally agree with your assessment about the comfort as well. The furthest distance I have managed in one day is about 550 miles. Not bad for an OAP eh?
Good review. Love my 2009 FJR 1300 AE! It was love at first ride. Logged 76,000 miles in 2.5 years and went on 2 weeks cross country solo adventures on 4 different occasions without any issues. Would ride 500 miles a day back to back and at 58, no issues with my legs or rest of my body. Fantastic machine! Ride safe.
The FJR1300AE 2016 or later, is the one to have for sure, no question! If you can afford it and find one, beautiful machine. Electronic suspension adjustment, upside down forks, power modes, 6 gears, traction control, heated grips, electric screen (I would advise in investing in Yamaha's taller touring screen for the bike). Get the proper side panniers for the bike and the bigger top box if you are going to really tour a lot and invest in the internal bags, better than taking the actual panniers off, when arriving at your location. The bike is really good, had two of them, a very fine machine. The titanium colour scheme is the best one. The LED lights are very good and cornering lights are fitted on it as standard. It is old school as Flyer says and as he says it is still a great, great ride. Good luck all who are considering this bike, it's bloody good.
As a FJR owner for 6 years and now own a new one AND 68 years old, I agree totally with your comments. Yes, you need to input more effort in cornering but this comes naturally after time. Yes it's 'old school but still turns heads. This is genuine; last weekend we stopped for something to eat and when we came out there was a bus parked the other side of the road carrying pensioners, and our bikes were surrounded by half a dozen ladies and gentlemen of younger years complimenting us on our FJR's . Beauty is definitely in the eyes of the beholder. Another point missed out Andy is that it is a doddle to service and maintain: everything is accessible (filters, plugs etc). Yes there are just as nice bikes out there but the FJR for me has best package and when it comes in a matt silver, it stands out more.
Nice review of a great bike. One of the best things about the FJR is they do 150,000+ miles with no engine problems and the finish will still look good.
I bought the FJR _precisely because_ she was "Old School". I wanted a Sports Tourer and that's _exactly_ what I've bought. Note, with the panniers, she is wide. If you're used to filtering on a sports bike, re-evaluate the gap before going for it! (DAMHIK). Lifting her off the side stand takes a bit of muscle. Once sat on the bike, she's not heavy. In fact, anything but. Extremely easy to manoeuvre even at a slow walking pace. I frequently spend an hour or more on her at a time and have no problem with the seating positions. Even my dodgy knees are OK! She is so easy to ride either slow or fast. You do have to watch your speed as it's so easy to exceed the limit. On a couple of occasions I've overtaken someone and then gone "oops" as the speed was rather more than I was expecting. The engine is turbine smooth. TFT Display, Why? I watch the road, the scenery, the potholes, white van man etc. I rarely look at the dash. The information displayed is what I need: Revs, Speed, Fuel. I don't want to play "Space Invaders", I want to ride. I have the AE model (ES in the US), the electronic suspension is "nice to have" but could be a bit of a gimick. If you frequently change your riding situation (1 up, 2 up, luggage, no luggage) then it's great but, if you always ride the same (e.g. 1 up) then it's not necessary. Oh, and as most of us "Westerners" weigh _way more_ than 140 lbs (64 kg) dripping wet, an uprated rear spring, suitable for 180 lbs (80 kg) and upwards, would be much better otherwise preload is set towards the top end 1 up. I looked at other bikes and elicited feedback from owners. The BMW RT (loads of extra costs, unreliable electrics and v. poor aftersales service) and Kawasaki (general reliability, slow aftersales service), FJR (keep on top of servicing, check axles are greased properly from the factory). Tip: Don't put too much weight in the topbox, put heavy items in the panniers or you'll be prone to wheelie!
This thing started as the FJ 1100 of the 80's and on its own has gone 20 years. Few bikes can credit that to their name. Police are choosing it over the popular BMW's now. It's a good all around machine.
Way too warm as I type this to ride a bike. Tried yesterday (36c) and had to peel the leathers off after barely an hour. Whereas you are a true professional! I hope you get a medal for your efforts.....
Had one since 2014, after numerous other bikes over the years and in my opinion there is nothing that can touch them as an all round bike, no it's not got a TFT screen not something I care about, 100% reliable, no buffeting, don't feel the weight at all i can easily push it around, not something i could easily do with my GS. The AE suspension adjustments actually do something, it's quick, it's easy to handle around town and can be ridden like a sportsbike when you feel like it. I disagree that you need to muscle it around I think it handles quite lightly for a sports tourer. I'm a big BMW fan but wouldn't touch an RT over the FJR purely on the reliability front (plus for me the FJR is better ;) ). A lot of police forces have gone over to the FJR replacing the RT's, had a long talk with a copper at my local cafe about it and in his opinion and it was just his opinion the RT's were in his words "a pile of shite" and caused nothing but trouble with reliability issues whereas the FJR's had none...
A mate owned one. I remember an Alps trip in 2012 when he had no problem keeping up with my 1200 Multistrada. He could make that think fly! Another pal owns one in Australia and does massive camping tours towing a trailer. It's a terrific machine, just a little heavy slow manoeuvring in car parks and junctions. (yes I've helped pick one up off the floor!)
My good pal traded his FJR a few years ago, and it is my belief based on his conversations that he wishes he still owned it. The bike he trade it for is long gone.
The FJR was the benchmark against which the Kawasaki GTR1400 was specc'd out against. The fact that it had already been around for some time and still is whilst the GTR is now consigned to history is evidence of just how good the package is.
Things to know? front suspension will be shot at 30,000 miles, prepare to rebuild forks, bushings seals etc, it only has 4 psi oil pressure at idle and WILL tick until 3000 rpms when sufficient pressure builds up without the right oil and filter,mine likes valvoline synthetic 10w40 with super tech or walmart filter,it hates rotella t6 but some love it.gen 1s had a valve guide issue that you want to look out for and a weak cam can tensioner that should be addressed but I adjusted mine counterclockwise with a flathead through the frame.ease your hands off the bars around 40 and see if it tracks straight or how bad the headshake is, I had to align my forks/steering stem and rear axle/swing arm/final drive and can ride with no hands now.the clutch basket rattles idling until you pull it in, been doing it for 40,000 miles,they are heavy, especially in the front and you have to really steer it around at parking lot speeds and it handles twisty roads and will hold a perfect line but if you don't know how to countersteer youd better learn.turbulance at interstate speed behind tanker trucks and crosswinds are nothing really,solid as a freight train in a straight line.with a big v stream windshield having it up will cost about 5 mpg and a lot of power but it helps.anyway,its just like any bike,it has its sounds and quirks that might freak you out a little until you realize thats just how it is and getting used to six gallons of fuel and a battery siiting up high over the front wheel and don't drop it going slow and steer and countersteer around with it,shes a big girl which you don't notice until you throw one leg out to catch it from falling and quickly learn to not do that.its much more at home on the interstate where it will eat up miles like pac man than around town in traffic,Ive ran mine 85-95 mph around 47-5300 rpm for hours and hours on end and it just wanted more and sitting in traffic on a hot day is brutal on any bike to me, but with the fjr I look forward to taking the long way around the congestion anyway.my advice would be find one you like,tinker with oil and filters until you find the one you like,tighten the cct with it idling until it whines then back off till it stops and ride.
I have a 2007 AEC trim and I love the simplicity of the bike....I like that 1298 CC engine that pulls like a fright train, the auto clutch system is bang on for 13 year old computerized transmission tech and when you want to get down and thow her in the corners, she will allow but some forward thinking and muscle is required. I love that Yamaha has been using the same engine since the conception of the FJR, makes parts cheaper and keeps the bike super reliable.
I'm shopping for a motorcycle now. I just found one of these for sale. I'm a tad under 5'7". Is this bike on the tall side? Does it feel heavy or overpowered? My other choice is a Kawasaki ZL 1000 but it's quite a bit older.
@@eFasser - The one for sale here he's asking $5500 but he changed the exhaust and painted all the chrome. Then he added a handlebar riser (not sure whether that's a good or bad thing for me) and he installed an adjuster on the rear wheel (not the seat). If it's not done right it can be a problem, so I'm a bit leery about that. I don't understand some people. Why would you paint chrome and get rid of stainless steel exhaust pipes? Otherwise it looks excellent. I'll have to at least sit on it and see how it feels. Thanks.
@@need100k what is the mileage? For me aftermarket pipes are the minus - after few hundred miles in a day they might give you a constant ringing in the ears. Handlebar risers are the plus, stock have only three positions. I'm the end of the day you can change all that, engine and shaft condition is way more important for me. I'm at 60k miles on my 2015, and it runs just as good as at the day one. The engines are nearly issue free till 125-150k miles. So depending on what kind of ride you're looking for it might be a good deal or not.
a few months ago,i tested a few new bikes, but I was happy to go back home on my 2006 FJR, so if I ever replace it, it will be with a newer FJR. It's just the best possible bike.
I've always liked the big FJR....I think what stopped me from buying one was not so much the weight but the tight leg room for such a big bike...your knees really are quite tucked. I think Yamaha did well with the improvements to the bike over the years, especially by going to a 6 speed. That really is a beautiful big smooth engine.
Couldn't agree more. High pegs limit this bike's appeal to me. The ZZR1400/ZX1400R I know can be fitted with lower pegs and higher bars - perhaps this can be too?
The 6th gear really didn’t decrease its operating rpm but maybe a couple hundred revs at best. I rode a 5 speed and a 6 back to back, both otherwise identical ES models, and could barely tell the difference. Personally, and I ride massive miles on interstates, I’d save a few bucks and buy a 5 speed because of the history of reliability that it enjoys over the lesser proven 6 speed.
"If it ain't broke don't fix it!" Looked at it and ended up going with the Super Tenere (not same genre but a little lighter). Got to say it was the weight that put me off.
Th FJR has a legendary pedigree. Up there with the Kawasaki Concours and Honda ST1300. Like I've mentioned, my ZZR1200 has 62k+ hard miles on it, and we've ridden with quite a few FJs, they're awesome.
This bike lines up with the K1600GT more so than RT. Very powerful machine. Never understood why they made the handlebars so narrow though. Definitely could save big bucks over the BMW and likely more reliable especially over the K1600GT.
U nailed it Andy...I love my FJR..u really have to countersteer it . The engine is a peach...well done again ..I have had mine for almost a year and I just love it. Cheers
The other great things about this bike is the sound of the engine, the transmission and the sound of the great amount air it sucks in. It will also make you laugh while it's trying to klll you. It's the best machine I've ever owned. I feel sorry for those who don't know about this bike.
TMF + FJR = FTW!!! It really is a magnificent bike. I was looking at the RT and if I was touring, I might have gone that way. I also looked at the Concours 14 (the GTR on your side of The Pond) and it's an extremely powerful bike, but I liked the "soul" of the FJR. It also wins in the beauty pageant against the other two, IMO, and i feel like I can throw it around in the twisties like she's half her size - she puts the SPORT in SPORT-touring. I will take issue you on that seat, though; the person who designed that thing should be tried for crimes against humanity, and then sentenced to ride it on a tour for two weeks. Love your reviews - keep doing what you do!
The FJR1300 has not changed much over the years for a good reason, they got it right in the first place! These bikes are so well designed and made that they eat up miles for breakfast, lunch and tea. Quite rightly said, "you can sit in the saddle all day without a problem" the ergonomics are very good, the engine is bulletproof, the luggage options are standard and the ride quality is second to none. They have set the benchmark for sports tourers for the last decade and I hope they continue to do so and YES, they do look beautiful, symmetric with clean lines and aerodynamics that work. It's the SR-71of motorcycles.
I bought a brand new 2018 MY. Sold it 5 months later. My top 5 things you need to know: 1. Buy a old one - pre '16 MY had 5 gears but FJR forums suggest not huge difference, with some preferring 5, rather than 6 gears. The bike is otherwise largely unchanged since 2006... 2. AE - electronic suspension and cornering lights are an expensive waste of money - Base version has a very simple lever to adjust for pillion. Cornering lights are flaky and add little useful lighting 3. Auto gearbox is unreliable 4. Low seat height, but [surprised that TMF didn't mention this] has a very wide seat that splays your legs out making reach to the ground more difficult than it would first appear 5. Unless road is flat, you have to get off to move backwards... 6. (Bonus!) Brakes are initially very good and seem well matched to very nice and powerful engine, however, they do start to fade with spirited riding/coming down a mountain pass etc..
I've owned a 2008 (2nd Gen five-speed) for 3 years now; it took a while for us to see eye-to-eye, (the suspension, ESPECIALLY that horrid shock) MUST be changed. Then it becomes a dream bike. Yup, it's HEAVY, especially at driveway speeds, but out on the Road it is a magic carpet. A FAST one. *BE AWARE* if you want to buy a Six-speed (later) model: Yamaha had a RECALL on all of them, for a bad transmission shaft and gear, and they ALL needed to be torn-down to the final nuts. Make sure if you buy a used one that it has been done... PROPERLY. Otherwise... awesome machine.
Just picked a 2016 ES, in loove with it. Had a 78 XS11 that I put 95k on, my brother bought it. Lost track of her but a stout for hell machine.. enjoy it .
@@paulharrison8155 Absolutely...Well apart from taking the world completely by storm with their whole new MT range. (SIGH) Keep it up Son, you might get lucky!
@@dencrane7322 Ah yes, the MT Hyper Naked range - So is the MT-10 Tourer Edition a Tourer, a Sports Tourer or a Hyper Tourer ? The only interesting thing Yamaha have built in recent years is the Niken. And judging by the amount you see on the road it would appear that nobody wants to be seen dead riding that fat lass LOL !
I ride these as Bloodbikes. They really blast out heat onto your thighs in this hot weather. The panniers opening outwards is a pain if they are full and things easily jam in the bottom hinged edge making closing awkward. I much prefer a lighter machine for touring. My Tracer 900 is a breath of fresh air after riding the fjr. I'll be at Calne bike meet with one this weekend if anyone wants to learn more about the bike or Freewheelers Bloodbikes.
Just traded my 03 FJR on a newer Bonneville T100 as my wife no longer wanted to tour, loving the Bonny but really miss my FJR a lot! It was a fantastic bike!
That bike is so you... As a follower, I’d love to see you ditch the GS for the FJR. I like the old school-ness of it too. That and the GTR1400 are almost like the last of the old guard, manning the fort; whilst everyone dry humps the idea of being ‘an adventure rider’ into the ground so hard that there’ll be nothing left. Who will be there to pick up the pieces when we get over ourselves and admit we almost exclusively ride on roads? The men amongst boys that we call the FJR & GTR. We will feel ashamed, but they; being men, will barely bat an eyelid at your frivolity, only beckon us to ride once again... That’s why FJR.
I had 2014 FJR and loved it. I then sold it and bought a GS. Guess what I'm going back to the FJR and can wait. The GS is good but for me the FJR just suit me Sir
Thanks Andy , I disagree about pushing them around , they are a big lump and you have to pay attention where you park reversing uphill out of a car park for me is murder . The seat initially feels comfy but after 2 hours I was up on the pegs , a custom seat was my first mod , my ride time is now determined by mental not physical fatigue . I’ve put 70,000 ks on my gen 3 and nothing , zero , zilch has gone wrong with it , broken or fallen off . Starts first go every time and will be doing my first valve check at 80,000 km (due at 40,000 but rarely need adjusting then). I’ve also put on a pair of delkovic slip ons (baffles removed) giving it a glorious deep burble . Thanks for the review they truly are a wonderful beast
I bought a 2019 FJR1300ES two days ago; waiting for the dealer to receive and prep it. I chose the blue one over the grey one simply because I've never seen any grey FJR with my own eyes.
@@TheMissendenFlyer Thank you! There's no doubt about the FJR being a good motorcycle. I'm coming from a Super Tenere. The engine -to me- is noisy and uncivilized. The only thing I am going to miss is the seating position, but other than that I'm happy to let it go. I've watched countless hours of FJR1300 videos and I'm sure I'll love it. The main reason why I changed? The engine. I tried someone else's BMW k1200lt and I found out it had a v4 engine. When I found out the FJR1300 had an inline v4 engine I fell in love with the bike. It never occured to me that engines could make such a big difference. V4 engines are smooth and powerful without making excessive noise. Tuesday the 30th it is. Cheers from Québec, Canada :)
Pleasantly surprised to hear you say you’d pick the FJR over the RT. The FJ is a much more visceral experience. More involved. And it’s an absolute brawler of a machine. Having ridden RTs, 1200 RS, and Concourse14s along with the Yamaha, I’d take the FJR hands down over any of the rest of its competitors. Add in the historical reliability of them and it’s a no brained to me. It may be a 16-17 year old design, but at its age and so few things can really compete with it, prove just how perfect it’s always been. Great video.
Great bike. Yammy’s best effort. She does make some power, like hydraulic power feeling. Any bike that brews up 120 HP + is more than most can employ. Even in a touring bike. Aim and shoot is how those bikes accelerate. Then you need to remember to stop pulling on the trigger and slow back down again.
long time popular design = great aftermarket, good parts availability, and great FJR enthusiast groups abound.... many have taken those motors over 100k miles.... nice video
I bought the FJR in 2007 brand new from Skellerns motorcycles Cheltenham..still got it😁will never be with out the big old bruiser..had lots of bikes besides,but it’s the only one I’ve always wanted to keep🤘
@@contemporaryhomeaudio I have as well, it’s a valid opinion and I respect it… I feel the opposite way however, with an ECU flash and a Dyno tune I am well over 200 hp on my fat 14. It runs rings around the FJR I had and previously
Always wanted an R1 but at 54 with back problems and the usual age related issues - and needing a tourer…. I got one. It’s an R1 dressed as a tourer. 👌👌👌
I’m 53, had a big bang R1 for the last 5 and added a 2016 ES FJR last year…..R1 is up for sale ☹️ What a great bike - reminds me of the FZR 1000 gen 1 I had some 30+ plus years ago!, more refined obviously but it’s in the DNA, fast, confident….& with luggage! A shame that Yam probably won’t do another version…..probably 😉
For touring, it has huge range. A 25 litre tank on regular fuel good up to 400 km that can effortlessly cruise at 145-160 km per hour on the Autobahn where sport bikes cannot keep up long term. Big enough to carry 2 up comfortably with 2 full size panniers for storage. Both feet flat on the ground w/805mm seat height. Excellent FJRs available used for only 6K USD. Known for being very reliable. Not a happy bike for scooting around town in traffic.
My FJR runs poorly long-term on Regular. Shell V-Power Nitro+ is an amazing fuel for it. The bike loves it so much it sings like a Diva. Huge difference in performance after a few tankfuls.
FJR fun joy rocket was the name I gave my 2004. Loved the bike. Own a new 1250 rt love it also but I think the FJR gave more confidence and handle the line better in the turns and twisted. Maybe because what you alluded to about man handling not sure. My RT is very sensitive to steering my FJR front felt a bit more dead or less responsive but I loved it it stayed on line perfect and the speed well both bikes have more then you need, but the FJR made you want to dig into that speed. I was younger also.
On thing that stands out to me on every ride is that compared to my R1200GS it's so easy to ride slowly, like when rolling along in slow moving traffic merging into a roundabout. You can stall the "foot down" for so long that very often traffic starts ,moving again and you don't have to put your foot down. Never felt it as a negative on the GS, but now on the FJR it feels like the GS was more unstable at very slow speeds.
Lovely, I have waited for this rewiew on the Yamaha FRJ 1300. One thing I miss, was you walk around the bike as you always do😎 But thanks for the great but short rewiew mate. Best regards from the Humblebragger Garage
Coming from a VTX1800 V-Twin to the in-line 4 cylinder with an automatic tranny has been challenging. I've been riding a lot of years but the acceleration and lack of clutch forces you to make changes in your riding habits that are very ingrained and automatic. The first thing I did was to add T-Rex engine and luggage cages. Then it's a matter of steady practice to get to the level I was at on my cruisers and off-road bikes. It's been fun but I can't forget to respect this bike. As he said in the video "you have to drive this bike". If you're in traffic (or on a road with bicycle and pedestrian traffic) you have to not only have your head on a swivel as always but also remember what you have to do to reactively on short notice because they're very different from what you were doing on the Honda all these years. Thumbs Up for my 2006 Yamaha FJR 1300 AE.
I have an FJR1300 AE, MY2017. It is a great bike on both highways and country roads and indeed it puts a huge smile on my face every time I go for a ride :D This year I mounted a quick-shifter to use it when I want to ride sporty. It works great but sometimes is very smooth and sometimes not so smooth, I think I am not used to it yet. The saddlebags can be removed, which is a great feature when you want to take your things in the hotel room and they are big enough to accommodate my helmet, when I don't want to leave it just hanging on the handle bars. The handle bars could have been a little bigger ... would have made cornering easier, but the motorcycle can go around corners as it is very good. Too bad that Yamaha is not selling it anymore in Europe :(
After all of your videos and advices around bikes, i just buy my self FJR1300 2009 with 46k mls... Tnx for this rewiew, and for your channel The best channel on TH-cam Cheers
Hi. Thanks for this. I had a Kawasaki Concours for many years and then changed it a couple of years ago for a BMW 2020 R1250GS, which I thought was my dream bike. Well it was. But, there is always a but, in two years I have run into issues with the GS and this turned me off. Front fork leaked and then recently experienced a well documented problem where the bike just will not start, leaving me stranded at the grocery store on at the fuel station. Very annoying. The front leak was repaired under warranty but it took some discussion as I was told it could be normal wear and tear. Yeah right as if a front fork should leak because of wear and tear after 7,000 km and one year of ownership. The issue with not starting I brought the bike to the dealership and was told it was due to a bad battery batch from 2019/2020 and apparently there was a recall on this. SO they put in a new battery but I know some riders who had the same issue were told the same thing only to experience the same problem a few weeks later. Getting the bike back tomorrow but now I have lost confidence in the GS. So today I went to another dealership and traded in the GS for a 2022 FJR ES. I looked at the FJR in 2020 when I got the GS as I had been happy with a great sport tourer like the Concours but eventually decided ont he GS at the time to get my "dream bike". Taking delivery of the FJR Friday (21 April 2022). I got the top case as well. I always liked that bike and now I'll get to ride one. Hopefully for many years to come. Certainly looking forward to it. Thanks. Dan
@@RRRRefuelRideRace I am. Very much so. I love that 4 cylinder engine. Just so smooth. I thought the saddle was going to be worst than it is really. I like that it's fairly large. It makes it comfy for me as it's my cheeks resting on the seat rather than my tailbone. More comfy for me. The only issue is that the bike was delivered without the side bags. Reading from different forums I saw that all 2022 FJR were shipped from Japan without side bags because of production issues. I was contacted by my dealer earlier this week informing me that they had received some kind of communique from Yamaha Canada informing them that the bags were going to be received mid-June and shipped right away to the dealers. I have my appointment to get them for 28 June. The top case I ordered has arrived at the dealer and I'll get it installed on the same day. But in the end, and to answer th question, yes I really like the bike. It runs like a charm. No regrets. Dan
@@danielberthiaume3648 Great man. Just great. I read a lot of positive comments about it. For the next season I plan to go for the 2019 or 2020 model. Drop by, you may like it. 👍
Nice summary! I started with one of the 2009 electric shift models. After awhile I realized that was a mistake as it took a lot of the manual fun of riding away. I then upgraded to a 2015 AE and haven't looked back. I'm at about 45,000 miles now and have loved every one of them. I agree with you about the electronics and displays. If I were going to upgrade that would be one of the reasons.
I’ve owned 3 of them over the years. My biggest complaint on all of them was the lack of a compliant suspension. The ride is too jarring even on the soft setting. Just my experience. Overall, a great bike though. The turbo sound of the engine is an awesome feature.
This for me is the best touring bike ever made. Only thing I don’t like about it is that digital speedometer. It should be analog and follow suit the whole aroma of it.
So I’m still riding my 2013 FJR1300A (US model) love it. Can’t give it up. I agree she’s a little heavy, but she likes ito run. I did tail of dragon on her. Oh joy. PA TO NC
Been riding back and fwd from Belgium for a few years now. Long days riding and comfortable. You can load her up with loads of weight and she just copes with it all.
Is a nice bike, was on my short list for a tourer but then found a bmw K1300GT. Very similar in specs. These are what I call proper old school bikes. Mega quick and comfy. Awesome videos mate, keep up the fine work .
My gen 1 is most at home on the highway eating up miles around 75-80 mph around 42-4500 RPM it can do that for hours and hours on end.Around town It'll do but as big and heavy and hot as it is I usually use my klr for short trips full of potholes but give the fjr plenty of long stretches of wide open preferably new pavement and you'll give up before it does.
Your VLOGS/reviews and FJR ownership experience were one of the MAJOR things that turned me on to the bike and finalized my decision on a 2018 ES. Thanks!
I had a 2005 FJR which was fantastic, chopped it in for a Harley Sportster and after 9 months went back to a sports tourer, my current bike a 2018 RT. I have to say that the RT is a nice bike, but it doesn't perform nearly as well as the old FJR.
I've had 2 FJRs and took both across America and back to NY state twice. Great bike and still love to ride my 600 pound rocket. PS. THe road you were riding reminded me of the Sawmill River Parkway in Westchester County NY.
I recently bought a 2004 FJR 1300 and love it. Its only my 2nd bike and I've only been riding since September 2017. I've done about 3000k on it in just 8.5 weeks. It now has 113ks. I'd really love to get a 2019 or 2020 bike but they're over $28000 her in Australia.
@@user-jc8cc4ch6w I'm in NSW also. I now have and 07 FJR which I've had for the last 3.5 years and love it still. I rode it from Muswellbrook to Nelson Bay for the weekend.
Now more than ever it would be interesting to see you ride the Zzr1400 and compare it to this. I understand it might be difficult to find one to ride but I surely hope you get the chance soon. Would be a great video.
Nice vid, I'm really drawn to this class of bike. Havent had a chance to ride one yet but nice to hear your conclusions on it being the best in class. Nice jacket too btw 😎
Courier for 6 years on mine, superb bike, only criticism as a shortarse rider of 40+ years experience, as indeed with a lot of bikes, is seat height. Best thing about the FJR? I did my advanced training on it. Do IAM or RoSPA either will teach you to ride more safely.
Thank you all of your videos, I have been looking at the FJR and the 1250 RT trying to decide, watched a lot of videos and two weeks ago bout the Yamaha FJR 1300. Love the 1250 RT but for the price difference and ride I decided on the Yamaha and loving it....though I will say sport mode makes this thing a beast.
Hey TMF, found the video very useful. I'm going to be buying a new bike in May and, finally, I've decided on the FJR. I started at looking at the Kwak GTR 14 but it's just too big and too heavy. Linked brakes are also a thorn in its side, so I'm gonna steer clear. I did consider the Triumph Sprint GT, but I'm 6'1" and 18 stone, and I believe the position could be a bit cramped. A shame coz it's a cracking bike. I'll be going for something like a 2010 FJR, as my limit's £5.5k, but I should be able to get a great bike with less than 20k miles on the clock. Thanks for taking the time to give us real-world bike reviews. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of buying a decent piece of kit. Cheers 😉👍🏻👍🏻
It's a great bike. I'm 6'1" with a 32 inseam and I don't feel cramped at all. Came from a cruiser so took a little getting used to the riding position. You won't have any complaints with a 2010, other than missing cruise control that came on in 2014 I believe. As many have said before - miles on the clock shouldn't be a deal-breaker for you. It'll run forever.
I bought a Gen 1 FJR 2002, been driving it forever and never had a problem with it, 130k later :-)
here the same
I bought an 05 with 17,000 miles on it it is quickly becoming one of my favorite bikes ever. And I've had a lot of bikes.
Bought by mine about 4 years ago. Starting to like it.
Music to my ears.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
I traded in my 2019 Kawasaki Concours for a used 2014 FJR1300. Although the Concours was slightly faster, the FJR is FAR more nimble. It is easily one of the best all-round motorcycles ever built. Speed, performance, handling, comfort, cost of ownership, and most importantly reliability. Few motorcycles can compare. Definitely nothing from Europe compares in the reliability/cost of ownership category.
I have a friend with a 2017 Concours and I have a 2015 FJR...Yes the Connie is outright faster but not on top gear roll ons..The VVT system makes the Connie slow to respond at low rpm..The FJR will eat it in top gear roll ons..At least until you get up to nuclear speeds. Also weird braking system on Connie..But both nice machines. We trade bikes now and then and he wishes he got the FJR so I guess that tells the story. I have 63000 bullet proof miles on her with NO issues..
I went from a Honda Goldwing to a FJR1300. Dropped 250 pounds, added almost 45 horsepower, I did lose some luggage room, but I love the ride.
0-100mph in 6 seconds
Leaned over position
Narrow seat
Excellent safety electronics
Side bags fit full helmet
Water cooled, pretty quiet below 90mph
Very maneuverable in traffic
Many countries used these as police bikes
Led head light is extremely effective
Cornering lights do help in city or ramps
Stock windshield is not that good
Excellent braking electronics
Still a very good package? :) At least I think so.
Only leaning forward if you have short T-rex arms and handlebars can be adjusted 3 ways too!
'She puts a smile on your face' I couldn't agree more, I use that exact phrase myself every time I ride mine. For me the FJR is the complete bike, a fantastic piece of kit and it's no wonder it's been around for nearly 20 yrs because they got it right first time. Thanks for the vid TMF. 👍
Got my first FJR 1300 in 2001. Rode it until 2016 when I passed it on to my son and got a 1300 AS. Absolutely love it. Thought I would never get used to having no clutch but the electronic change switch on the handlebars is so easy to operate ...... and fast. Toured all round Europe with both bikes and never had an issue. Totally agree with your assessment about the comfort as well. The furthest distance I have managed in one day is about 550 miles. Not bad for an OAP eh?
Looking at a 2001 tomorrow with 90k on the clock. Anything i should look out for?
Good review. Love my 2009 FJR 1300 AE! It was love at first ride. Logged 76,000 miles in 2.5 years and went on 2 weeks cross country solo adventures on 4 different occasions without any issues. Would ride 500 miles a day back to back and at 58, no issues with my legs or rest of my body. Fantastic machine! Ride safe.
Love my FJR, probably for me the best bike i've ever owned in 35yrs of biking
Been riding 40-plus years have owned a lot of motorcycles this this one is definitely my favorite
just subscribed, i dont even have a motorbike or a license. But thanks to all these reviews that will change. great channel.
Get your license Mark! It's the single best thing I've ever did in my life!
Welcome along Mark!
TMF addicted me as well... :)
The FJR1300AE 2016 or later, is the one to have for sure, no question! If you can afford it and find one, beautiful machine. Electronic suspension adjustment, upside down forks, power modes, 6 gears, traction control, heated grips, electric screen (I would advise in investing in Yamaha's taller touring screen for the bike). Get the proper side panniers for the bike and the bigger top box if you are going to really tour a lot and invest in the internal bags, better than taking the actual panniers off, when arriving at your location. The bike is really good, had two of them, a very fine machine. The titanium colour scheme is the best one. The LED lights are very good and cornering lights are fitted on it as standard. It is old school as Flyer says and as he says it is still a great, great ride. Good luck all who are considering this bike, it's bloody good.
As a FJR owner for 6 years and now own a new one AND 68 years old, I agree totally with your comments. Yes, you need to input more effort in cornering but this comes naturally after time. Yes it's 'old school but still turns heads. This is genuine; last weekend we stopped for something to eat and when we came out there was a bus parked the other side of the road carrying pensioners, and our bikes were surrounded by half a dozen ladies and gentlemen of younger years complimenting us on our FJR's . Beauty is definitely in the eyes of the beholder. Another point missed out Andy is that it is a doddle to service and maintain: everything is accessible (filters, plugs etc). Yes there are just as nice bikes out there but the FJR for me has best package and when it comes in a matt silver, it stands out more.
Pentoners ,you mean prisoners.
@@zeke2566 thank you. Me and my big thumbs😂
Nice review of a great bike. One of the best things about the FJR is they do 150,000+ miles with no engine problems and the finish will still look good.
Own one myself Andy, just a proper bike, no nonsense, well built, comfortable especially two up , just brilliant .
I bought the FJR _precisely because_ she was "Old School". I wanted a Sports Tourer and that's _exactly_ what I've bought. Note, with the panniers, she is wide. If you're used to filtering on a sports bike, re-evaluate the gap before going for it! (DAMHIK).
Lifting her off the side stand takes a bit of muscle. Once sat on the bike, she's not heavy. In fact, anything but. Extremely easy to manoeuvre even at a slow walking pace.
I frequently spend an hour or more on her at a time and have no problem with the seating positions. Even my dodgy knees are OK! She is so easy to ride either slow or fast. You do have to watch your speed as it's so easy to exceed the limit. On a couple of occasions I've overtaken someone and then gone "oops" as the speed was rather more than I was expecting. The engine is turbine smooth.
TFT Display, Why? I watch the road, the scenery, the potholes, white van man etc. I rarely look at the dash. The information displayed is what I need: Revs, Speed, Fuel. I don't want to play "Space Invaders", I want to ride.
I have the AE model (ES in the US), the electronic suspension is "nice to have" but could be a bit of a gimick. If you frequently change your riding situation (1 up, 2 up, luggage, no luggage) then it's great but, if you always ride the same (e.g. 1 up) then it's not necessary. Oh, and as most of us "Westerners" weigh _way more_ than 140 lbs (64 kg) dripping wet, an uprated rear spring, suitable for 180 lbs (80 kg) and upwards, would be much better otherwise preload is set towards the top end 1 up.
I looked at other bikes and elicited feedback from owners. The BMW RT (loads of extra costs, unreliable electrics and v. poor aftersales service) and Kawasaki (general reliability, slow aftersales service), FJR (keep on top of servicing, check axles are greased properly from the factory).
Tip: Don't put too much weight in the topbox, put heavy items in the panniers or you'll be prone to wheelie!
jlavelle.uk good summary - thanks for sharing 👍
Got the larger fjr panniers but 95% of the time I have the 20 litre tracer panniers. They fit just the same. Much slimmer and adds to the looks.
@@Paul-df7jk I shall look at those. I note that some of the Police in France tend to use the Tracer Panniers rather than the FJR ones...
Ah...a wheelie assist box...interesting....😂
Perfect place for a skid plate. 😋
This thing started as the FJ 1100 of the 80's and on its own has gone 20 years. Few bikes can credit that to their name. Police are choosing it over the popular BMW's now. It's a good all around machine.
Fantastic bike. Yamaha's build quality is second to none.
Way too warm as I type this to ride a bike. Tried yesterday (36c) and had to peel the leathers off after barely an hour. Whereas you are a true professional! I hope you get a medal for your efforts.....
Thank you Bib - back out again today and it's possibly going to top 39 degrees C today!
I agree. Too hot. I've just ridden from London to Poole and can best be described as 'very moist.'
Had one since 2014, after numerous other bikes over the years and in my opinion there is nothing that can touch them as an all round bike, no it's not got a TFT screen not something I care about, 100% reliable, no buffeting, don't feel the weight at all i can easily push it around, not something i could easily do with my GS. The AE suspension adjustments actually do something, it's quick, it's easy to handle around town and can be ridden like a sportsbike when you feel like it. I disagree that you need to muscle it around I think it handles quite lightly for a sports tourer. I'm a big BMW fan but wouldn't touch an RT over the FJR purely on the reliability front (plus for me the FJR is better ;) ). A lot of police forces have gone over to the FJR replacing the RT's, had a long talk with a copper at my local cafe about it and in his opinion and it was just his opinion the RT's were in his words "a pile of shite" and caused nothing but trouble with reliability issues whereas the FJR's had none...
A mate owned one. I remember an Alps trip in 2012 when he had no problem keeping up with my 1200 Multistrada. He could make that think fly! Another pal owns one in Australia and does massive camping tours towing a trailer. It's a terrific machine, just a little heavy slow manoeuvring in car parks and junctions. (yes I've helped pick one up off the floor!)
The police ride FJRs in Australia.
Just a big boat
The police ride FJR 1300s here in Australia
My good pal traded his FJR a few years ago, and it is my belief based on his conversations that he wishes he still owned it. The bike he trade it for is long gone.
ZZR1400 all the way - you can ride mine if you like! I haven’t stopped grinning since I bought it.
It isn't a sport tourer just as the hayabusa isn't...
The FJR was the benchmark against which the Kawasaki GTR1400 was specc'd out against. The fact that it had already been around for some time and still is whilst the GTR is now consigned to history is evidence of just how good the package is.
Things to know? front suspension will be shot at 30,000 miles, prepare to rebuild forks, bushings seals etc, it only has 4 psi oil pressure at idle and WILL tick until 3000 rpms when sufficient pressure builds up without the right oil and filter,mine likes valvoline synthetic 10w40 with super tech or walmart filter,it hates rotella t6 but some love it.gen 1s had a valve guide issue that you want to look out for and a weak cam can tensioner that should be addressed but I adjusted mine counterclockwise with a flathead through the frame.ease your hands off the bars around 40 and see if it tracks straight or how bad the headshake is, I had to align my forks/steering stem and rear axle/swing arm/final drive and can ride with no hands now.the clutch basket rattles idling until you pull it in, been doing it for 40,000 miles,they are heavy, especially in the front and you have to really steer it around at parking lot speeds and it handles twisty roads and will hold a perfect line but if you don't know how to countersteer youd better learn.turbulance at interstate speed behind tanker trucks and crosswinds are nothing really,solid as a freight train in a straight line.with a big v stream windshield having it up will cost about 5 mpg and a lot of power but it helps.anyway,its just like any bike,it has its sounds and quirks that might freak you out a little until you realize thats just how it is and getting used to six gallons of fuel and a battery siiting up high over the front wheel and don't drop it going slow and steer and countersteer around with it,shes a big girl which you don't notice until you throw one leg out to catch it from falling and quickly learn to not do that.its much more at home on the interstate where it will eat up miles like pac man than around town in traffic,Ive ran mine 85-95 mph around 47-5300 rpm for hours and hours on end and it just wanted more and sitting in traffic on a hot day is brutal on any bike to me, but with the fjr I look forward to taking the long way around the congestion anyway.my advice would be find one you like,tinker with oil and filters until you find the one you like,tighten the cct with it idling until it whines then back off till it stops and ride.
Thanks for taking the time to write that lot - appreciated!
I have a 2007 AEC trim and I love the simplicity of the bike....I like that 1298 CC engine that pulls like a fright train, the auto clutch system is bang on for 13 year old computerized transmission tech and when you want to get down and thow her in the corners, she will allow but some forward thinking and muscle is required. I love that Yamaha has been using the same engine since the conception of the FJR, makes parts cheaper and keeps the bike super reliable.
As an owner of the FJR it's the best motorcycle for your money.
I'm shopping for a motorcycle now. I just found one of these for sale. I'm a tad under 5'7". Is this bike on the tall side? Does it feel heavy or overpowered? My other choice is a Kawasaki ZL 1000 but it's quite a bit older.
@@need100k You can adjust the seat, I'm 6' and my buddy who has FJR too is 5'5", the adjustable seat is the blessing
@@eFasser - The one for sale here he's asking $5500 but he changed the exhaust and painted all the chrome. Then he added a handlebar riser (not sure whether that's a good or bad thing for me) and he installed an adjuster on the rear wheel (not the seat). If it's not done right it can be a problem, so I'm a bit leery about that. I don't understand some people. Why would you paint chrome and get rid of stainless steel exhaust pipes? Otherwise it looks excellent. I'll have to at least sit on it and see how it feels. Thanks.
@@need100k what is the mileage? For me aftermarket pipes are the minus - after few hundred miles in a day they might give you a constant ringing in the ears. Handlebar risers are the plus, stock have only three positions. I'm the end of the day you can change all that, engine and shaft condition is way more important for me. I'm at 60k miles on my 2015, and it runs just as good as at the day one. The engines are nearly issue free till 125-150k miles. So depending on what kind of ride you're looking for it might be a good deal or not.
I'm planning to keep mine for few more years, so I could get 100k miles from it 😁
a few months ago,i tested a few new bikes, but I was happy to go back home on my 2006 FJR, so if I ever replace it, it will be with a newer FJR. It's just the best possible bike.
I've always liked the big FJR....I think what stopped me from buying one was not so much the weight but the tight leg room for such a big bike...your knees really are quite tucked.
I think Yamaha did well with the improvements to the bike over the years, especially by going to a 6 speed. That really is a beautiful big smooth engine.
Couldn't agree more. High pegs limit this bike's appeal to me. The ZZR1400/ZX1400R I know can be fitted with lower pegs and higher bars - perhaps this can be too?
The 6th gear really didn’t decrease its operating rpm but maybe a couple hundred revs at best. I rode a 5 speed and a 6 back to back, both otherwise identical ES models, and could barely tell the difference. Personally, and I ride massive miles on interstates, I’d save a few bucks and buy a 5 speed because of the history of reliability that it enjoys over the lesser proven 6 speed.
funny you should say that, I've heard complaints about the missing 6 gear from all sides, the one thing i did not missed on mine was exactly that 🤨
I put drop pegs, handlebar risers on mine and raised the seat. Quite comfortable now. I'm 6'5" so stock was tight.
@@itzajdmting high pegs,what are you high...
"If it ain't broke don't fix it!" Looked at it and ended up going with the Super Tenere (not same genre but a little lighter). Got to say it was the weight that put me off.
Th FJR has a legendary pedigree. Up there with the Kawasaki Concours and Honda ST1300. Like I've mentioned, my ZZR1200 has 62k+ hard miles on it, and we've ridden with quite a few FJs, they're awesome.
This bike lines up with the K1600GT more so than RT. Very powerful machine. Never understood why they made the handlebars so narrow though. Definitely could save big bucks over the BMW and likely more reliable especially over the K1600GT.
U nailed it Andy...I love my FJR..u really have to countersteer it . The engine is a peach...well done again ..I have had mine for almost a year and I just love it. Cheers
Cheers Andy!
The other great things about this bike is the sound of the engine, the transmission and the sound of the great amount air it sucks in. It will also make you laugh while it's trying to klll you. It's the best machine I've ever owned.
I feel sorry for those who don't know about this bike.
TMF + FJR = FTW!!! It really is a magnificent bike. I was looking at the RT and if I was touring, I might have gone that way. I also looked at the Concours 14 (the GTR on your side of The Pond) and it's an extremely powerful bike, but I liked the "soul" of the FJR. It also wins in the beauty pageant against the other two, IMO, and i feel like I can throw it around in the twisties like she's half her size - she puts the SPORT in SPORT-touring.
I will take issue you on that seat, though; the person who designed that thing should be tried for crimes against humanity, and then sentenced to ride it on a tour for two weeks.
Love your reviews - keep doing what you do!
The FJR1300 has not changed much over the years for a good reason, they got it right in the first place! These bikes are so well designed and made that they eat up miles for breakfast, lunch and tea. Quite rightly said, "you can sit in the saddle all day without a problem" the ergonomics are very good, the engine is bulletproof, the luggage options are standard and the ride quality is second to none. They have set the benchmark for sports tourers for the last decade and I hope they continue to do so and YES, they do look beautiful, symmetric with clean lines and aerodynamics that work. It's the SR-71of motorcycles.
I bought a brand new 2018 MY. Sold it 5 months later. My top 5 things you need to know:
1. Buy a old one - pre '16 MY had 5 gears but FJR forums suggest not huge difference, with some preferring 5, rather than 6 gears. The bike is otherwise largely unchanged since 2006...
2. AE - electronic suspension and cornering lights are an expensive waste of money - Base version has a very simple lever to adjust for pillion. Cornering lights are flaky and add little useful lighting
3. Auto gearbox is unreliable
4. Low seat height, but [surprised that TMF didn't mention this] has a very wide seat that splays your legs out making reach to the ground more difficult than it would first appear
5. Unless road is flat, you have to get off to move backwards...
6. (Bonus!) Brakes are initially very good and seem well matched to very nice and powerful engine, however, they do start to fade with spirited riding/coming down a mountain pass etc..
Servo assisted breaks, but there's a lot of metal to stop
I've owned a 2008 (2nd Gen five-speed) for 3 years now; it took a while for us to see eye-to-eye, (the suspension, ESPECIALLY that horrid shock) MUST be changed. Then it becomes a dream bike. Yup, it's HEAVY, especially at driveway speeds, but out on the Road it is a magic carpet. A FAST one. *BE AWARE* if you want to buy a Six-speed (later) model: Yamaha had a RECALL on all of them, for a bad transmission shaft and gear, and they ALL needed to be torn-down to the final nuts. Make sure if you buy a used one that it has been done... PROPERLY. Otherwise... awesome machine.
I was thinking about getting the Yamaha FJR 1300, but after watching your video, you convince me to buy this bike. Thank you!
You could go a lot worse - lovely machine!
I just sold my tiger 900 gt pro and bought a 2017 fjr AE model.....Lovely fast, smooth and very comfortable :)
Just picked a 2016 ES, in loove with it. Had a 78 XS11 that I put 95k on, my brother bought it. Lost track of her but a stout for hell machine.. enjoy it .
Considering trading my tiger 900 for one. Recommend?
It's like the perfect bike for me in 15-20 years or so! Thanks for the video TMF!
Yes and I have no doubt that they will probably still be making it. Yamaha. Bereft of any new ideas !
@@paulharrison8155 Absolutely...Well apart from taking the world completely by storm with their whole new MT range. (SIGH) Keep it up Son, you might get lucky!
@@dencrane7322 Ah yes, the MT Hyper Naked range - So is the MT-10 Tourer Edition a Tourer, a Sports Tourer or a Hyper Tourer ? The only interesting thing Yamaha have built in recent years is the Niken. And judging by the amount you see on the road it would appear that nobody wants to be seen dead riding that fat lass LOL !
The adult crotch rocket.
You won't be disappointed
@@paulharrison8155 well, they won't be making it lol
I ride these as Bloodbikes. They really blast out heat onto your thighs in this hot weather. The panniers opening outwards is a pain if they are full and things easily jam in the bottom hinged edge making closing awkward. I much prefer a lighter machine for touring. My Tracer 900 is a breath of fresh air after riding the fjr.
I'll be at Calne bike meet with one this weekend if anyone wants to learn more about the bike or Freewheelers Bloodbikes.
Just traded my 03 FJR on a newer Bonneville T100 as my wife no longer wanted to tour, loving the Bonny but really miss my FJR a lot! It was a fantastic bike!
I have several friends who have these and they love the FJR1300.
That bike is so you...
As a follower, I’d love to see you ditch the GS for the FJR.
I like the old school-ness of it too. That and the GTR1400 are almost like the last of the old guard, manning the fort; whilst everyone dry humps the idea of being ‘an adventure rider’ into the ground so hard that there’ll be nothing left. Who will be there to pick up the pieces when we get over ourselves and admit we almost exclusively ride on roads? The men amongst boys that we call the FJR & GTR. We will feel ashamed, but they; being men, will barely bat an eyelid at your frivolity, only beckon us to ride once again...
That’s why FJR.
Don’t need to say much when is perfect . Proper sports tourer the best of the best and I’m old school too 😁
Going to look at one tomorrow. Old school too - not interested in the RT electronics at all...
I had 2014 FJR and loved it. I then sold it and bought a GS. Guess what I'm going back to the FJR and can wait. The GS is good but for me the FJR just suit me Sir
I have a 2005 fjr with 75,000 miles and have never had one problem. I have three bikes but I like the FJR the best. It does everything well!
Cannot disagree with anything said about this superb machine
Thanks Andy , I disagree about pushing them around , they are a big lump and you have to pay attention where you park reversing uphill out of a car park for me is murder . The seat initially feels comfy but after 2 hours I was up on the pegs , a custom seat was my first mod , my ride time is now determined by mental not physical fatigue . I’ve put 70,000 ks on my gen 3 and nothing , zero , zilch has gone wrong with it , broken or fallen off . Starts first go every time and will be doing my first valve check at 80,000 km (due at 40,000 but rarely need adjusting then). I’ve also put on a pair of delkovic slip ons (baffles removed) giving it a glorious deep burble . Thanks for the review they truly are a wonderful beast
Wow - quite a bike eh!
Brilliant video! I wanted to buy the R-1 as I really love that bike. But I think I will choose the FJR now as I like to ride with more comfort.
I chose the R-1 ,now I can,t walk..
Yamaha are killing the game, this, the whole MT range its awesome.
The r1 and r6 are decent as well 👍
Couldn't agree more (currently in Europe for a 3 week, 4000 mile tour).
I bought a 2019 FJR1300ES two days ago; waiting for the dealer to receive and prep it. I chose the blue one over the grey one simply because I've never seen any grey FJR with my own eyes.
Congratulations - lovely machine!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Thank you!
There's no doubt about the FJR being a good motorcycle. I'm coming from a Super Tenere. The engine -to me- is noisy and uncivilized. The only thing I am going to miss is the seating position, but other than that I'm happy to let it go. I've watched countless hours of FJR1300 videos and I'm sure I'll love it. The main reason why I changed? The engine. I tried someone else's BMW k1200lt and I found out it had a v4 engine. When I found out the FJR1300 had an inline v4 engine I fell in love with the bike. It never occured to me that engines could make such a big difference. V4 engines are smooth and powerful without making excessive noise.
Tuesday the 30th it is. Cheers from Québec, Canada :)
Pleasantly surprised to hear you say you’d pick the FJR over the RT. The FJ is a much more visceral experience. More involved. And it’s an absolute brawler of a machine. Having ridden RTs, 1200 RS, and Concourse14s along with the Yamaha, I’d take the FJR hands down over any of the rest of its competitors. Add in the historical reliability of them and it’s a no brained to me. It may be a 16-17 year old design, but at its age and so few things can really compete with it, prove just how perfect it’s always been. Great video.
Cheers Patrick!
Great bike. Yammy’s best effort. She does make some power, like hydraulic power feeling. Any bike that brews up 120 HP + is more than most can employ. Even in a touring bike. Aim and shoot is how those bikes accelerate. Then you need to remember to stop pulling on the trigger and slow back down again.
long time popular design = great aftermarket, good parts availability, and great FJR enthusiast groups abound.... many have taken those motors over 100k miles.... nice video
I've 2017 FJR1300 had 100,000 kilometres never been touched love it
I bought the FJR in 2007 brand new from Skellerns motorcycles Cheltenham..still got it😁will never be with out the big old bruiser..had lots of bikes besides,but it’s the only one I’ve always wanted to keep🤘
You have to do a test ride on the kawasaki gtr1400 and try to comaire the two against each other.
I've ridden both extensively. The FJR is a more refined GTR.
@@contemporaryhomeaudio I have as well, it’s a valid opinion and I respect it… I feel the opposite way however, with an ECU flash and a Dyno tune I am well over 200 hp on my fat 14. It runs rings around the FJR I had and previously
Need to bring back better color choices.
Always wanted an R1 but at 54 with back problems and the usual age related issues - and needing a tourer….
I got one. It’s an R1 dressed as a tourer. 👌👌👌
I’m 53, had a big bang R1 for the last 5 and added a 2016 ES FJR last year…..R1 is up for sale ☹️
What a great bike - reminds me of the FZR 1000 gen 1 I had some 30+ plus years ago!, more refined obviously but it’s in the DNA, fast, confident….& with luggage!
A shame that Yam probably won’t do another version…..probably 😉
For touring, it has huge range. A 25 litre tank on regular fuel good up to 400 km that can effortlessly cruise at 145-160 km per hour on the Autobahn where sport bikes cannot keep up long term. Big enough to carry 2 up comfortably with 2 full size panniers for storage. Both feet flat on the ground w/805mm seat height. Excellent FJRs available used for only 6K USD. Known for being very reliable. Not a happy bike for scooting around town in traffic.
My FJR runs poorly long-term on Regular. Shell V-Power Nitro+ is an amazing fuel for it. The bike loves it so much it sings like a Diva. Huge difference in performance after a few tankfuls.
FJR fun joy rocket was the name I gave my 2004. Loved the bike. Own a new 1250 rt love it also but I think the FJR gave more confidence and handle the line better in the turns and twisted. Maybe because what you alluded to about man handling not sure. My RT is very sensitive to steering my FJR front felt a bit more dead or less responsive but I loved it it stayed on line perfect and the speed well both bikes have more then you need, but the FJR made you want to dig into that speed. I was younger also.
On thing that stands out to me on every ride is that compared to my R1200GS it's so easy to ride slowly, like when rolling along in slow moving traffic merging into a roundabout. You can stall the "foot down" for so long that very often traffic starts ,moving again and you don't have to put your foot down.
Never felt it as a negative on the GS, but now on the FJR it feels like the GS was more unstable at very slow speeds.
Interesting
Increase the front tire pressure to 42 psi and you'll find handling is improved.
@@4my4mykaren wrong again fred...
Lovely, I have waited for this rewiew on the Yamaha FRJ 1300. One thing I miss, was you walk around the bike as you always do😎
But thanks for the great but short rewiew mate.
Best regards from the
Humblebragger Garage
You'll want my first ride review then - just here >> th-cam.com/video/5FUDdmKOwI8/w-d-xo.html
I just purchased an 07 FJR 1300. Absolutely love it. Great bike that is like riding a couch.
Congratulations!
Appreciate it. Bike is crazy clean for an 07. Only has 20k on the odometer. Garage kept its entire life.
Coming from a VTX1800 V-Twin to the in-line 4 cylinder with an automatic tranny has been challenging. I've been riding a lot of years but the acceleration and lack of clutch forces you to make changes in your riding habits that are very ingrained and automatic. The first thing I did was to add T-Rex engine and luggage cages. Then it's a matter of steady practice to get to the level I was at on my cruisers and off-road bikes. It's been fun but I can't forget to respect this bike. As he said in the video "you have to drive this bike". If you're in traffic (or on a road with bicycle and pedestrian traffic) you have to not only have your head on a swivel as always but also remember what you have to do to reactively on short notice because they're very different from what you were doing on the Honda all these years. Thumbs Up for my 2006 Yamaha FJR 1300 AE.
Yes amazing machine...
I have an FJR1300 AE, MY2017. It is a great bike on both highways and country roads and indeed it puts a huge smile on my face every time I go for a ride :D
This year I mounted a quick-shifter to use it when I want to ride sporty. It works great but sometimes is very smooth and sometimes not so smooth, I think I am not used to it yet.
The saddlebags can be removed, which is a great feature when you want to take your things in the hotel room and they are big enough to accommodate my helmet, when I don't want to leave it just hanging on the handle bars. The handle bars could have been a little bigger ... would have made cornering easier, but the motorcycle can go around corners as it is very good.
Too bad that Yamaha is not selling it anymore in Europe :(
Yes a lovely bike for sure....
After all of your videos and advices around bikes, i just buy my self FJR1300 2009 with 46k mls...
Tnx for this rewiew, and for your channel
The best channel on TH-cam
Cheers
Wow thank you!
Hi. Thanks for this. I had a Kawasaki Concours for many years and then changed it a couple of years ago for a BMW 2020 R1250GS, which I thought was my dream bike. Well it was. But, there is always a but, in two years I have run into issues with the GS and this turned me off. Front fork leaked and then recently experienced a well documented problem where the bike just will not start, leaving me stranded at the grocery store on at the fuel station. Very annoying. The front leak was repaired under warranty but it took some discussion as I was told it could be normal wear and tear. Yeah right as if a front fork should leak because of wear and tear after 7,000 km and one year of ownership. The issue with not starting I brought the bike to the dealership and was told it was due to a bad battery batch from 2019/2020 and apparently there was a recall on this. SO they put in a new battery but I know some riders who had the same issue were told the same thing only to experience the same problem a few weeks later. Getting the bike back tomorrow but now I have lost confidence in the GS. So today I went to another dealership and traded in the GS for a 2022 FJR ES. I looked at the FJR in 2020 when I got the GS as I had been happy with a great sport tourer like the Concours but eventually decided ont he GS at the time to get my "dream bike". Taking delivery of the FJR Friday (21 April 2022). I got the top case as well. I always liked that bike and now I'll get to ride one. Hopefully for many years to come. Certainly looking forward to it. Thanks. Dan
Are you satisfied with the bike now? Would like to hear your thoughts. Drop by bro.
@@RRRRefuelRideRace I am. Very much so. I love that 4 cylinder engine. Just so smooth. I thought the saddle was going to be worst than it is really. I like that it's fairly large. It makes it comfy for me as it's my cheeks resting on the seat rather than my tailbone. More comfy for me. The only issue is that the bike was delivered without the side bags. Reading from different forums I saw that all 2022 FJR were shipped from Japan without side bags because of production issues. I was contacted by my dealer earlier this week informing me that they had received some kind of communique from Yamaha Canada informing them that the bags were going to be received mid-June and shipped right away to the dealers. I have my appointment to get them for 28 June. The top case I ordered has arrived at the dealer and I'll get it installed on the same day. But in the end, and to answer th question, yes I really like the bike. It runs like a charm. No regrets. Dan
@@danielberthiaume3648 Great man. Just great. I read a lot of positive comments about it. For the next season I plan to go for the 2019 or 2020 model. Drop by, you may like it. 👍
Nice summary! I started with one of the 2009 electric shift models. After awhile I realized that was a mistake as it took a lot of the manual fun of riding away. I then upgraded to a 2015 AE and haven't looked back. I'm at about 45,000 miles now and have loved every one of them. I agree with you about the electronics and displays. If I were going to upgrade that would be one of the reasons.
I’ve owned 3 of them over the years. My biggest complaint on all of them was the lack of a compliant suspension. The ride is too jarring even on the soft setting. Just my experience. Overall, a great bike though. The turbo sound of the engine is an awesome feature.
This for me is the best touring bike ever made. Only thing I don’t like about it is that digital speedometer. It should be analog and follow suit the whole aroma of it.
So I’m still riding my 2013 FJR1300A (US model) love it. Can’t give it up. I agree she’s a little heavy, but she likes ito run. I did tail of dragon on her. Oh joy. PA TO NC
i got an 08 love it to bits im always smiling when on it. gong solo round spain and Portugal next month cant wait
Wow - great bike for that....enjoy!
I had a 1200 special back in the eighties, it was a great bike to ride. Raced a lot of race bikes and beat them! Would love to get one of these!!!
Really nice review. If you like large capacity grunty sports tourers you should test ride a ZZR1400 if you get a chance.
Nice review
Thanks I just sold my 650 v Strom and want to step into an FJR 1300.❤
Been riding back and fwd from Belgium for a few years now. Long days riding and comfortable. You can load her up with loads of weight and she just copes with it all.
Is a nice bike, was on my short list for a tourer but then found a bmw K1300GT. Very similar in specs. These are what I call proper old school bikes. Mega quick and comfy.
Awesome videos mate, keep up the fine work .
My gen 1 is most at home on the highway eating up miles around 75-80 mph around 42-4500 RPM it can do that for hours and hours on end.Around town It'll do but as big and heavy and hot as it is I usually use my klr for short trips full of potholes but give the fjr plenty of long stretches of wide open preferably new pavement and you'll give up before it does.
Welcome aboard, glad to have you along.... :)
Your VLOGS/reviews and FJR ownership experience were one of the MAJOR things that turned me on to the bike and finalized my decision on a 2018 ES. Thanks!
@@robertduffield6754 Good to hear sir, enjoy that new ride and keep safe out there... :)
@@ozarksbackroads5484 Absolutely I will! I am coming up on 15,000 miles in a year-and-a-half and it just keeps getting better and better!
160k on my 2009, still love her.
I had a 2005 FJR which was fantastic, chopped it in for a Harley Sportster and after 9 months went back to a sports tourer, my current bike a 2018 RT. I have to say that the RT is a nice bike, but it doesn't perform nearly as well as the old FJR.
I've had 2 FJRs and took both across America and back to NY state twice. Great bike and still love to ride my 600 pound rocket.
PS. THe road you were riding reminded me of the Sawmill River Parkway in Westchester County NY.
Sounds like a nice place!
have to agree , the fjr is a cool old school tourer.. my choice would be the auto clutch. as i'm already a huge fan of the honda DCT system.
I've had a 1st Gen FJR forever and wouldn't trade it for anything but a new one. Tires, brakes and oil changes nothing more.
Agree 100%
Is it worth to buy one with 50k on the clock from 2004?
Agility is an issue caused by the stock bridgestones. Try a newer tyre like angel gt 2 and it is a whole different story.
bought a fjr 1300 ae thanks for your reviews missendenflyer!
I recently bought a 2004 FJR 1300 and love it. Its only my 2nd bike and I've only been riding since September 2017. I've done about 3000k on it in just 8.5 weeks. It now has 113ks. I'd really love to get a 2019 or 2020 bike but they're over $28000 her in Australia.
Same here love just bought my 06 FJR 1300 last Sunday in Australia
@@user-jc8cc4ch6w I'm in NSW also. I now have and 07 FJR which I've had for the last 3.5 years and love it still. I rode it from Muswellbrook to Nelson Bay for the weekend.
Now more than ever it would be interesting to see you ride the Zzr1400 and compare it to this. I understand it might be difficult to find one to ride but I surely hope you get the chance soon. Would be a great video.
Nice vid, I'm really drawn to this class of bike. Havent had a chance to ride one yet but nice to hear your conclusions on it being the best in class.
Nice jacket too btw 😎
Courier for 6 years on mine, superb bike, only criticism as a shortarse rider of 40+ years experience, as indeed with a lot of bikes, is seat height. Best thing about the FJR? I did my advanced training on it. Do IAM or RoSPA either will teach you to ride more safely.
Nice honest review, as always. My kind of style.
Thank you all of your videos, I have been looking at the FJR and the 1250 RT trying to decide, watched a lot of videos and two weeks ago bout the Yamaha FJR 1300. Love the 1250 RT but for the price difference and ride I decided on the Yamaha and loving it....though I will say sport mode makes this thing a beast.
I switched from a ST1300 to an FJR last summer, and honestly I felt the ST was better in the handling department, just my $0.02
I drove in the 90's the FJ 1200 first model. I loved it and turned me into a reference.
Hey TMF, found the video very useful. I'm going to be buying a new bike in May and, finally, I've decided on the FJR.
I started at looking at the Kwak GTR 14 but it's just too big and too heavy. Linked brakes are also a thorn in its side, so I'm gonna steer clear.
I did consider the Triumph Sprint GT, but I'm 6'1" and 18 stone, and I believe the position could be a bit cramped. A shame coz it's a cracking bike.
I'll be going for something like a 2010 FJR, as my limit's £5.5k, but I should be able to get a great bike with less than 20k miles on the clock.
Thanks for taking the time to give us real-world bike reviews. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of buying a decent piece of kit.
Cheers 😉👍🏻👍🏻
It's a great bike. I'm 6'1" with a 32 inseam and I don't feel cramped at all. Came from a cruiser so took a little getting used to the riding position. You won't have any complaints with a 2010, other than missing cruise control that came on in 2014 I believe. As many have said before - miles on the clock shouldn't be a deal-breaker for you. It'll run forever.
It put a smile on my face, too.! 😊
It’s a beautiful pice of art that ROCKS. Easy bike to ride with respect n the bike is really awesome