The History of the Yamaha FJR1300 | A Journey Through the Iconic Sport Touring Bike 

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!!!!

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.

Hundreds of thousands of miles covered in my FJR's. Awesome bikes.

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.

Right on. I am on my third FJR. I just keep coming back for what this bike does so well. Sport touring.

The best bike I'll even own. Better than you can imagine

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 !

Just darksided my 2014 FJR and I love it!!! Such a fun bike to take everywhere I can.

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!

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.

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'm currently on a Honda VFR 800 VTEC, but this will be my bike in 2025. I love it. 👌

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 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.

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.

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 🙄

Great review and history lesson thank you for your time and effort !

One of my favorite bikes ever

my 2001 fjr still rocks!

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.

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 love FJR1300 and i will never stop having it also i love this review 💖

Excellent video. Thanks for doing this research.

Bro great video, major nostalgia.

Thanks so much for this 🙏🏼👍🏼🎉🥳🎊🎄🍻 Great documentary 🍻

FJR = Finally Just Right

108k miles on my 07. Best sport touring bike ever made

Nice review very informative.

Great history lesson , thanks .

Superbe video..Merci pour avoir résumé l’histoire des FJR ✌😍 La mienne est de 2003... ....elles vont nous manquer, quelle tristesse

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.

Great video! 👍 thanks

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.

Great video man!

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. 👍👍👍❤️‍🔥🔥

Great vid. I agree. A terrific bike it is.

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!

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

Yeah Buddy! Great Video. Keep the rubber side down......✌

Have a 09 fjr1300a with 31k on the clock and i luv it

Fantastic video, sir 👏🏾

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 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😂🎉

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!

This video is sick!

Awesome bike. ❤

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!

Excellent review.

Love sport touring! Riding a 2012 Ducati multistrada 1200 with 40k miles on it ❤

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

If in Gods garage will be an motorcycle, than for sure is FJR..I owe one too, 2005❤🎉

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)

please break down the differences and features in the generations the 2016 had a 2nd gear transmission recall 😊

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 😊

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.

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.

I had on 2005 I sold this year. I miss it. Had 50k miles on it.

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.

Great nostalgic video. Here in Europe (Portugal at least) they are no longer sold new due to the pollution emission crap legislation...

This is the greatest "what if" Yamaha decided create a CP4 FJR-1000 to compete against Suzuki GSX-S 1000GT, Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX.

♥️♥️♥️💯💯💯

mine is a black one 2002 its so good there is nothing close maybe the gtr kawa

Anyone have any idea what would be the cause of a 2007 for having issues downshifting?? And the possible cost to repair?

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 !

A naked st1300 with windshield and a normal looking headlight looks decent. Oh, and open the exhaust.

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!

Guess you forgot about the Kawasaki Concours being around before the FJR

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 ☺️✌️🤙

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

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 🙂.

Can't get them new in the UK anymore, something to do with euro 5 or some rubbish, slow sales even!

Linkage and rear suspension is ridiculously awkward to strip down and service..

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

So disappointed, sound quality was poor😢

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.

If you like ugly bikes, buy the BMW.

zzzzz