I'm sixty years old, and have been riding for 42 years. My 2013 FJR, is THE best sport tourer I've had, by far. Besides the FJR, I owned a 2011 St1300, a 2010 BMW k1300GT, two Yamaha FJ1200's(an 86, then an 89]. I had a 1982 Yamaha Seca 750, a Suzuki GPZ550, a Yamaha xs1100, a Yamaha xs400, a Honda CB750F, and a Honda CB550F. Eleven motorcycles. BTW, if you're wondering what I didn't like about the Beemer....... vibration, electronic brakes, maintenance, maintenance, maintenance, and cost of maintenance, even if you do it yourself, as I did. I'd buy another FJR1300, way before I'd spend an additional $5000 for a Beemer, with more farkles.
Are the newer beemers as maintenance heavy too? I see many great looking used bmw bikes on craigslist for cheap, with relatively low miles. Maybe that's why
@@Crazygaucho62 62 yrs young here and have an 1100 vstar cruiser and it's not comfortable after about an hour. I've been looking for something for longer trips and from everything I've read about the FJ and ST they are comparable but I can get a 2005 FJ with 33K kms for $5000 cdn so I'm sold......
Thanks, fair review. I had as 2005 Yamaha FJR-1300 from 2005 to 2023. I drove it about 42K Km. You are right about the reliability - I never had any significant problems with this bike. I did spark plugs and tires. When the stock battery died, I replaced it with a lighter, more powerful lithium battery. With EFI, it was a simple matter of turning it on and driving away, no stumbling, hot or cold. I agree with most of your commentary. It is very top heavy and when you need to corner hard at speed you really have to fight the bars to get it into full lean. I agree about the heat problem. In summer when you drive around town at lowish speed and the electric fan is on, it is very hot on the legs. I am less pleased than you are with the weather protection. There is full air flowing over my feet which allows them to get cold and wet. While my upper body is fine with the touring windscreen and optional heated grips. I got a set of handlebar risers on mine, so my bike’s riding position is more like a standard UJM than a sport bike. I liked this, as it is easy to put your weight on the pegs if you have to cover some rough ground. I tried LED headlights, but they didn’t work too well for me. The colour temperature was fine but the light source was too large so it couldn’t be controlled properly with the stock lenses, so I switched back to the stock yellowish halogen bulbs as I could see better/further. You neglected to mention that this bike eats rear tires. I never got more than 8K Km on the OEM tire before it was flat spotted in the center and needed replacing. The one thing I would have like to have had is a gear position indicator. With this kind of power/torque sometimes it was hard to know what gear was engaged.
I'm 71 yrs old and really like my 2015 FJR..(My first bike I bought for the street was a 1970 Honda CB450..My, how bikes have changed..That bike seemed plenty powerful back in 72...) First year of cruise which helps out on the long haul...Traded in my 2012 ZX14R for this so Iove power and I didn't give up too much with this bike..I have 50 state legal Yosh slip ons with a power commander and K&N..It was Dynoed at 134 hp and 89 lbs at wheel..My 14 was Dynoed at 191 but Yamaha did such a great job of tuning the motor and unless you're playing rickey roadracer you don't miss the difference..These motors are good for 100K + miles easily if cared for..They added a 6TH gear in 2016 but I don't feel I've needed it as the motor is very smooth. Really not much different bike than the one shown. If something works so well why change it..Keep the shiny side up..Best wishes...
I am currently riding my third FJR1300. I started on a generation one (2003) and most of your comments are correct, however, the generation two (2006+) is a different bike. Being slightly shorter it handles the twisties much better and the for air flow is vastly improved. The third generation ,(mine is a 2022 20th anniversary special) is amazing. The speedometer is a digital display and the cruise control makes riding on open road a pure joy. The weight is irrelevant. The FJR handles like a dream, especially gen two onwards. The battery location is offset by the coolant reservoir on the other side. On the highway, the bike feels like it's on rails
Those analogue dials , the tach and speedo are lightyears better than the digital, they may not seem modern, but the functionality is there, you can catch all you need to know with peripheral vision, you don't have to stare directly at them.
I bought an '04 a couple months ago with 17,000 mi. for a little over 3G's. A great deal. The guy who owned it (3rd owner!) was younger and it just wasn't for him, and it had a tired steering head bearing, which is odd for such low miles. I checked the Carfax, and the inspection data year over year was totally consistent with the indicated mileage. I figure it was owned by a large man who liked to travel 2 up, loaded with gear, or something like that. Most of the flaws are nitpicky, as overall it's an amazing bike. I don't feel the "top-heavy" issue, because I had been riding Harley Davidsons in some of the years prior to purchasing this, as well as a 2000 VFR, (that I blew the motor out of). Compared to an "actually" heavy bike, this thing feels feather light to me, but that's just perspective. I can understand a person of smaller stature perceiving it as heavy. I have zero problems with it in low speed maneuvering, due, again to being well acclimated to MUCH heavier bikes, as my Road Glide weighed over half a ton wet, with me on top of it. It's all relative. First gen examples with mileage in the 50K range, in turn-key condition, can be had for as little as $2500 in my area, and that is as good a buy in motorcycles as you can get.
@@ianm432 It was early in quarantine, and I was bored, so I took up doing red line pulls through the gears and riding it around in the peak of the power curve ( high revs) all the time. I had bought it super cheap, due to it having an electrical prob that I was able to very easily fix, so I basically didn't GAF about it. I liked it, thought it was cool and all, but it was not something I planned on keeping long term. I had it up for sale when it grenaded. 🤷 Easy come, easy go. I still got money for it's corpse.
Fairings on this bike are the main reason my riding season has extended around 2 months compared to my Vulcan 500. Few degrees above freezing point and dry road is all I need now for comfortable ride.
I can’t argue with your analysis. You may know, the heat problem was fixed for Gen 2. I ride my motorcycle year round as long as the roads aren’t wet in freezing weather and I appreciate the plastics. The bike is a great all around bike. I use it to commute my 1 hour ride to and from work.
I'm not lucky enough to ride the latest and greatest bikes that have been improved. My st1300 also had this heat problem, but it was a 2003. I think the later ones were improved. With a 2020 FJR1300 i'll still find things to complain.
Glove compartment only works with the key on and bike in neutral. Works every time. That’s an old bike that has had all the problems you mentioned fixed. Heat problem in 2006. Electronic suspension, cruise control and 6 speed 2016 onward. Also if it’s too big and heavy you need a smaller bike. It wasn’t made for you.
I purchased my 2013 after riding a 2010 FZ1. It’s so much more comfortable. Of course I added canyon cages and a givi top box a few other goodies. Excellent performance. Great for trips n. I rode from Pennsylvania to the Tail of Dragon in to Tennessee and back for my first tour I got hooked. This bike is exceptionally reliable. Most important update was to seat. Looked at other possible new bikes but after test rides I jump on my bike to go home. I’m sure I will never need a replacement.
How is the weight difference compared to the FZ1 and the seat height because I'm 5'7" and my FZ1 I'm just barely able to flat foot I'm worried I'll be too short or not get used to the weight difference
When ever you buy a first gen, 01-05, FJR ALWAYS check to see if the CCT (cam chain tensioner) has been replaced on it before going full send on it. First gen CCT’s have weak springs and are known to break. If they break, it is catastrophic engine failure. Hope this helps someone else out. I have replaced the cct on mine, installed a 2016 rear shock, Racetech front springs, All Balls fork seals, All Balls tapered steering bearings to get rid of the crap roller bearings, new A Spec Pirelli Angel front, A Spec Pirelli Angel GT2 rear in 190/55/17 size ( didn’t go with GT2 front because I do travel roads with grooves concrete and riders of the FJR report horrible tracking), heat blanket kit for the first gen to lower leg temps/gas tank temp. Will be interesting to see if fuel mileage might improve by blocking some of the heat between the engine and gas tank.
Have the same exact bike. I agree, it is too heavy in slow speed cornering. I came from a VFR 800 which was very easy to ride. However, this bike is definitely an upgrade. The engine and power is amazing considering the weight of the bike. The “glove box” on the side you mentioned stopped working, it only opens when the bike is actually on, not just in accessory. Ride safe!
After having extensive long-term experience with both Japanese and German shaft driven bikes, the Japanese are - by far - simpler and better. It almost seems as if by design, German engineering builds in quirks.
I used to ride one, I'm currently looking for one. Super comfortable bike, superb wind protection - I'm a bobblehead with the helmet on and I could go for hours on the FJR. I would describe the engine / power delivery as unstressed but not laid back? It smoked everything I had to pass but I never felt like I was winding it out. I'll also mention I've gotten considerably higher than 35mpg, best ever was 43ish but some guys claim to go over 50 (I'd take that with a grain of salt but who knows), it all depends on how smooth you ride.
Easiest and most forgiving bike I ve ever riden. I ve passed my driving licence no so long in 2015 and wanted a bike which I can tour on and there she came into life in 2018 It was worth waiting I wish I could get this machine sooner Btw my first bike was nc750x
Hi there hope you well ,you mentioned that your fist bike was a NC750 wow.I need some advice please.Would you reccommend the fjr as a first bike.I last rode in 2009 a zzr400 .So i am treating this venture as a newbie.many Thanks
@@kidronreddy1671 fjr 1300 is heavy chunk to move . I would only recommend any bike anyone feels comfortable with no metter what experience is . You can work it up gradually. Not a preaching you should start with XX cc as beginer its all wrong. I dont know a single bike my self fully fit for all terrain and riding style , therefore owning more is must
Not sure where and what type of riding that you are doing, but my ‘08 FJR would get 48-52 mpg typically. When I took it out west on a trip I got a high of 62 mpg with a fully loaded bike . I’m 6’6 and weigh 260 lbs . Not bad for a big heavy bike I would say .
Everything in life is relative. I own a 2000 Goldwing 1500SE... That FJR1300 is light to me. Top heavy? Nope. But, I can put mine in "reverse" and back it up your driveway... Add 40 pounds in a top box and a passenger along with 60 lbs in the two side bags and the Goldwing makes the FJR1300 a light bike. Kinda like comparing the FJR1300 to the NC700.... So, you gave a very good review, but all those weight items passed over my head like wind over a mountain = no big deal.... You got my interest up in trading in my old Goldwing (135,000 miles on it) for a sport tourer.... Thanks brother.
I have an 04 model and not sure how hard you ride your bike but i have never got less than 45mpg and on day cruise i will see 51mpg. Will see 300 miles per tank if i dont fill up when other riders have to fill up. Excellent fuel economy for the amount of power the bike has. Will run 100mph in 660ft and just shifting into 3rd gear. Excellent bike
Bought a very well kept 2013 FJR1300 this past July. Haven't been really riding street bikes since 1981 (been all dirt since), except here and there I'd rent one for a day just to get on the street. Really nice bike. Y put 4000 miles on it so I am fairly familiar with it. I have only three criticisms, and they're really minor. First, when riding slow, it wants to turn in. I'm thinking this might be normal behavior since the bike weights around 650lbs. Is it? When really pushing it on curves at high speed, I'll get it to "walk" a bit, like it feels like it's fishing for the road. Just a bit. The tires look good, although a slight flat spot is forming on the rear. Maybe it's that? I don't feel it on rain grooves, which, from what I remember, was indicative of a rear tire with that flat spot. My third is that it adds front braking to the rear. For casual riding, it's ok, but when I want to push the bike, I'm worried that the combo of what I'd normally apply to the front brake plus that auto-application from the system when I use the rear "disconnects" me from controlling the bike. Can it really be an issue? Again, minor things. No bike is perfect, and even when they're this good (and the FJR is), the criticisms are little more than finding some small weak spots and nothing else.
After watching this, I think I'm going to go test ride a used FJR. Looks crazy comfortable, especially being used to sport bikes and big power cruisers. Looks like you could ride it all day with no problem.
@@absoluteqw nice, did you do any long trips on it yet? How's the handling in the twisties? I'm deciding between a fjr, a fazer 1000, or a vstrom 1000. I want it to be fast and comfy, but also somewhat sporty (ive a cbr600 now)
@@Nick-dz4ml- Get at least a Gen II. Easily take the side bags off and it looks pretty sporty. I have a 2010. Smooth and fast mileage eater, even in the rain. Relatively easy to work on after you remove some of the Tupperware. IMO, you should be able to flat foot this bike for safety. My favorite vehicle I have ever owned.
I have a 2014 FJR ES model, I love this bike and its super fast. I smoke all my Harley buddies no matter what they do to those things but i will agree its very "top heavy" the bike requires some work to muscle it through corners at low speed. My bike will get 45 mpg if you don't go ballistic with it. The gen 2 FJRs have a much better gauge package than the 2005 shown here for sure, my biggest complaint is the bike is heavy and it really could use a 6th gear but other than that I love it
FJR !300 bikes from 2016 to 2020 are being recalled with a suspect second gear - apparently, if that breaks at speed, it has the potential to lock up the transmission. This will undermine second hand values, methinks.
And as for other bikes ive owned 25 motorcycles, Italian, bmw,Harley's to name a few,believe me ive owned 5 Yamaha fjr1300s,without a doubt value for money you can't go wrong with yamaha fjr1300, i currently ride my 5th yamaha fjr1300 ae paddle shifting version my second ae model
2005 is actually gen2 in UK.... Gen 1 is 2001 and 2002...gen 2 is 2003 to 2006, and gen 3 is 2007 and so on.... The drive shaft and differential on all fjrs are bomb proof if you service them when you service your engine the fjr is by far the better bbang for your buck than the st
Shaft drive there have been some that performed maintenance on the shaft and have found it bone dry, no lube on the shaft so that alone tells the owner to take apart and remove the shaft and give it a cleanup and lubricate the gear with Moly Grease and for the smooth section of the shaft use Lithium Grease. Even Suzuki drive shaft have been known to be lacking grease , this is coming from owners of drive shaft cycles. You know the saying catch it before it gets worst to prevent paying a mechanic to repair what is damaged.
Hey motard I see you are in MD. I am as well. Would be cool to find out where you ride to find good roads. Decent review on the FJR. It is tall and for anyone under 6' you can't flat foot it even with the seat in the low position. Presently riding an Interceptor. Love the FJR but that seat is enormous.
Depending where you are in MD. I think the best areas are North Torwards Thurmont, MD and Frederick. Not many good roads in Southern MD. But i just don't go there too often. Out to Cumberland is also nice! Check out Paw Paw
The 2021 model specs for the seat height is low 31.7 inches or high 32.5 inches. Is the seat really wide? My GW is 31.3 inches and I flat foot that. My Husqvarna TR650 Terra is 33.8 inches and I'm on the balls of both feet. I'm 5'9" and I should be able to flat foot at 31.7 inches. no?
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm pretty sure that Honda next to the bike is an NC, especially if it's getting 70 mpg. My 2010 ST1300 gets around 45 with normal cruising.
@@motardsquid Yeah, that's why I almost talked myself into getting one but couldn't resist the umph of the ST1300, though I'm sure the FJR vastly exceeds it. Enjoy your Euro touring!
I bought an 05 FJR with only 19,000 miles in the spring of 14. It was in excellent condition. I had not ridden a motorcycle since 1986. {28 years} I enjoyed this bike. It was a very reliable machine. 2 years went by, I bought a Corbin seat, and a California Scientific shield. I was feeling I needed a change. I could not get comfortable on it. I`m 6.0 and 185 lbs. It was starting to feel a little top heavy in the corners, at higher speeds. I needed to muscle it thru at times. All in all it served me well, The motor was the best part. but it could have used a 6th gear. I still got 46-48 mpg most of the time commuting 80 miles a day. Now I ride a BMW r1200rt. A better bike overall, but more expensive too.
If you have extra cash to spend got to a Yamaha dealership and test ride the current model (with electronic suspension). You will likely buy a new FJR1300 with 6 gears which will help on the fuel consumption issue you reported!!! I usually get around 36 miles per gallon which is exactly the same I got with my previous FZ6R (I doubled engine size with the fuel consumption). And I don't ride slow. The grey Honda you got there is well know for being extremely economical but you also know the performance is well below what the FJR has to offer. The Honda is a commuter bike... The FJR is suited to make a 150 mile ride under 2 hours, on the twisties...
I bought an 07 new and still have it. 70000 miles later I still love it. Yes it is a hot bike and personally I find the shaft drive very herky jerky. Something you get used to. I put bar risers and a seat and that's it. I've had it loaded down looking like Beverly hillbillies and still have a blast in the twistys. Fast fast bike!
@@2wheeler4life what's up! Other than the things I complained about it's been bulletproof. Just one thing. I had a short in my dimmer switch but was a cheap fix relatively. Really can't think of anything else. I'm 6'2 btw and am very comfy. Enjoy!
1:21, yes, BMW shafts are a disaster. I think if one wants a reliable sports bike then the FJR is the way to go, much better than a BMW R1200/1250RT or K1600. I previously owned an 80s Silver Wing and Gold Wing, never had any issues with the shaft - that's how it should be.
You keep heavy, I disagree. The weight helps with the comfort of the ride. 6.6 gallons gives you range to go for hours. Its a sport tourer, you keep forgetting the tour part. Regular touring bikes weight 800 plus. I have an 04 and I love it I also have a Vulcan Voyager the weights 900 lbs. Fuel mileage on the FJR is 40 plus. If you ride like a sport bike you get much less
I've had an st1300. It didn't get any better mileage than my 2013 FJR1300A . I've never gotten less than 38 MPG with my FJR. In fact most of the time, about 40mpg, and as high as 44.5 mpg. My ST1300, which was a 2011, usually averaged about 40-42 mpg. Seventy mpg with an ST1100 ? Respectfully you didn't get the tank full when you refilled and figured your mileage. Or you checked it on open roads, no stops, and not over 45 mph.
I have both 2014 FJR1300 and a 2005 ST1300 as well as a GW! The ST1300 is more comfortable and handles better the the FJR! The FJR kind of drops in the turns the ST is more neutral and a better ride the ST also has more room to move around the FJR is more like a sport bike and kind of cramped but both bikes are very reliable and can last several hundred thousand miles especially the ST.
Why would you need to push it up your drive,I can move mine around no problem at all may I suggest you work out and man up a bit .Not sure your review is accurate, and just your opinion, it is a very comfortable and accomplished tourer. The weight,dials and dash is all personal preference ,simple easy to use perfect
I love so much about the fjr. It's an incredibly good looking bike, but when I see those handlebars I can't understand why they would put handlebars from a scooter on a sport bike.
@@TommyAngelo1337 Comfortable handlebars don't have to make the bike look like a scooter. There are plenty of comfortable bikes that have comfortable handlebars that don't look like they were made for a scooter. If they're going to make a sport bike, they might as well go all the way and put sporty handlebars on it. I've even seen people put clip ons with a few spacers to put the handlebars in the exact same position. They look fantastic, and you don't have to deal with new wiring because the handlebars are effectively identical, just not identical looking.
@@shnarklevonbarkle110 But they weren't making a sport bike? This is a touring bike, it has to be comfortable as well. If you want all out sportiness a clapped R6 would blow this away. Also you can say it's ugly but I don't know how those handlebars make it look like a scooter.
Dude I drove the ES .. & there is no adjustment on the front suspension .... I set up my front and rear suspension & its superior on the twisty s after you dial it in .... ( but I'm taking the bike to the limit on the twisty s ... ) so those who read this if your not scraping your pegs then the ES model if convenient for quick adjustment when riding 2 up .... but still not as stiff as the base model with the ridicules hard and soft lever .... do your research it's always a trade off depending on your riding skills
@@patrickdecambra2219 The joke is that if you're going to buy a bike and ride it slow (as in, slow enough that the heat is a problem), might as well get a cruiser.
The Honda ST has a considerably larger tank than the FJR. And it does not get tge 70 mpg this guy says. My St1300 usually averages around 48 miles per US gallon which is certainly nothing to complan about.
@@motardsquid I’m sorry I must’ve misunderstood you. We’re you not referring to an ST1300? I am considering an FJR1300 as my next bike. I want cruise control so bad
@@lightlyokedsands4142 thats pretty confusing what I said. I was refering to the nc700x getting70 mpg compared to the range of the fjr1300. I knew that sounded off. Looking at my garage now i wish i had that fjr1300.
55-60 mpg Hwy. ANY bike gets low milage when you're into it. It's a TOURING bike. You want a smaller tank? It gets 260-290 miles to the tank. Anyone out there thinking of dark-siding... Do some bead to rim mismatch research. It's called a "Bead lock" for a reason. Motorcycle tire Bead shapes vs car are totally different. Motorcycle tire to motorcycle rim is like a "J" to "J" fit... Car tire to car rim is a different shape. Like a "T" to "T" or L to L. Car Bead to bike is like a L or T to "J". It won't LOCK the Bead into the rim wall. If you're into doing 150+ mph with non-locked tires go for it. I don't agree with helmet laws at all. Freedom is unsafe and I'd rather be free to protect myself. PLUS... Dark-siding is just another totally natural and organic way to thin out the complete idiot genes in the human pool. No matter what, enjoy the ride on the way out!
Wow, you get far better fuel mileage than mine ever did. At 80MPH I'd be closer to 30-40 tops. Besides, the fuel blinker comes on at all sorts of random times. The fuel gauge eats into the effective range of this thing.
FJR's are good but uninspiring bikes. Hot. Heavy. Very boring unless you're flogging it, but it gets out of shape in the twisties re poor brakes/suspesnion. Nice on sweepers. Terrible buffeting, and seat. Great bags and stonking engine. License destroyer. Had one. Wouldn't get another. But a good bike.
@@motardsquid But you can't review a 15 yr old item and complain its not new. The style, the tech it's 15yr old. Of course it's not going to look modern.
@@FJRyder I dont review things based on new tech. Most of my bikes except for a few have been used. I like used bike reviews, this bike held very well for the age of the bike. The weight, the handling and ergonomics are the same as it was if it was new. I try not to buy new things, but there are plenty of people on youtube that always review new things. I like old stuff. Right now i ride super tenere, its used. It rides great and handles better at low speed than the fjr. But the fjr is a great bike.
@@motardsquid I guess I found it funny how you mentioned the dash was antiquated... Of course it is, it's 16yr old. I still like dial speedo's better than digital, but that's a personal opinion.
Kills me when riders be bothered so much about instrument panel that shouldn't even bother your riding enjoyment and nothing to admire while riding so suck it up you light freaks!😂😂😂
It's pretty darn heavy. Rode a fjr1300 back to back with the st1300 and didn't felt the heavyness. But i think with this fjr1300 i was coming from a light bike so it was very relative.
