Yamaha FJR1300

I have owned my 2003 Yamaha FJR1300 since last March (2012). I have always been a BMW fan and my previous bike was an R1100RS with ABS and Russell All Day Saddle. While my wife loved the comfort of 2-up touring and the seat on the Beemer, I have to say that the FJR is the best bike I've ever owned. Where it comes alive is in the twisties. For a big, powerful bike that you can jump on and ride from Boston to San Francisco, it is amazing the way it handles the back roads and twisties. I have found it to be a great "all- arounder"---so with a gel seat for the wife (I actually greatly prefer the stock Yamaha seat to the Russell All Day because I can jump around and hang off it in the tight turns), an extended windshield, and padded top box she was comfortable on secondary roads round trip from Boston to Quebec City this summer. At the same time, I can go out for 5 or 6 hours any Saturday or Sunday and keep up with my buddy pushing his Ducati Multistrada through the back roads of New Hampshire or Vermont.

Great motorcycle, in power, performance, handling and looks. As a tourer, it is, in my opinion, let down by a lack of long distance comfort. It is a pity it doesnt have standard handlbars, which can be changed and/or adjusted to suit the rider. The minute adjustment available is not sufficient, and combined with the narrow hard handgrips is a pain for long trips. I know some find it ok as is, but many such as I need to search for hdbr risers and softer grips to prevent sale of the bike. The screen could also be improved. The bike does all the hard thing well and is let down only by these issues which could easily be made more accommodating for serious tourers. I would give it five stars no problem if it wasnt for the above complaints.

I bought my FJR in 2009. An absolute dream, but be weary because you will easily surpass your own ability without realizing it. Fantastic brakes, fast!, RELIABLE. I put 30K on the clock within 24 months, only weekends. Wonderful not to have to put up with 6 gears.

After 15 years on BMWs of all types, I was getting fed up of the same old stories of corrosion and failures and being fobbed off by the usual apathy (they all do that sir). The final strw came whem my 2 year old 1200RT started having the paint peel off the engine, cylinder heads and rear drive. So i traded it in for the FJR. And what a revelation. Forget all the gizmos of the BMWs, this is proper riding on a properly built and finished motorcycle. I have had not one corrosion issue or problem at all with the Yam, she looks as good today as when she was built (can't say that about the 1200RT despite the mileages being similar) She has ample power and is truly all day comfortable. Iam a member of the Iron Butt and regularly do 1000 mile days so can say that the Yam is one of the most comfortable bikes I have ridden. There is a little bit of tingling through the bars at high speed but nothing serious, I have to say that I have ridden the bike in heavy rain and remained dry, and also high winds and it remained calm and unruffled. (the BMW GS used to sray the back of your legs with water and muck which went down your boot tops, even with a hugger). the headlights are superb and are easily adjustable. I have the Auto clutch version which can be a problem in low speed manouvering but just drag the back brake and you have better control. It does tend to 'clonk' going into first gear but if youv'e ever had a beemer then you get used to 'clonking' in EVERY gear The trade off is you don't have a tired left hand from using the clutch in heavy traffic, every other gear change is silky smooth.

The panniers felt a little flimsy at first but they have proved to be very durable and spacious. I did find that with the top box fitted, it tended to be affected just a fraction by cross-winds but I suppose that is to be expected.

Overall the bike has exceeded my expectations in comfort, use-ability, build quality and she looks good too.

I bought my first FJR in 2001 after I got divorced and enjoyed it tremendously.I married again and my wife who also bikes but with a cruiser next to the FJR I got frustrated and traded my FJR for a cruiser twice can you believe it? My current and fourth FJR a black beauty gives me a lot of pleasure at the age of 61 years as I have retired in the most beautiful part of the world the western cape in south africa with the ultimate roads one can desire.

To anyone out ther with a FJR do not make tah same mistake I did by selling/trading it for something else.

Regards,

FJR1300 supporter.

After the last 15 years on sportbikes the time had come for something a bit more comfortable. After considering all the big sports tourers, the FJR was far and away the best looking, which, being a vein sort was very important. The FJR certainly has plenty of comfort, but the surprise was that it is also ballistically fast which I was not expecting, and it handles superbly,like a proper motorbike rather than a comfy settee, what a bonus!

I've been riding for 37 years and when all things considered, this is the best bike I have owned as an all rounder in all that time. I thought giving up the sportsbikes was going to mean less excitement, but in fact the opposite has happened. It offers so much more. I really can, tour, scratch, blast and relax all in the same day. A superb execution of the design brief. A sportsbike with all the comforts, or a tourer with obscene performance. Marvellous. I'll be keeping this one.

I acquired the dark blue Yamaha FJ1300A in 2003. It does what a big tourer should: fast performance, excellent lights, effortless top gear; good (adjustable)screen protection. 200 mile tank range, comfy seat; good ABS brakes. It also handles well for a large beast. Full stainless exhaust still looking good. Only peeling paint on the shaft drive has let the cosmetics down. The only caveat was an overly soft shock two up. Upgrading to a Hyperpro has sorted that nicely. Tyre wear is reasonable (Conti Road Attacks). Having paid just £7.5k 7 years ago I think it is probably worth just £2.5k less today = an amazingly small annual depreciation. I did a Land's End to John O'Groats run on it in about 15 hours and was amazed at how easy it was. The Alps,Pyrenees and Norway have all provided memorable trips. Hauling two plus camping gear it has been totally reliable. I get it serviced by Ernie at the FJR owners club run by Phil Hacker. The club offers peace of mind, good value and a host of sensible accessories/advice. In short, best bike I have owned by some margin.

solid machine with lots of comfort. even after a couple of hundred miles you can easily get back on and do similar. lots of power, good acceleration even in 5th gear. would love a larger fuel tank. that would make it a proper grand tourer, although 200 miles per tank is achievable.

The bike looks fantastic, rides like it is solid and safe. It does not get blown around on the open road like some sport bikes, i am 5 foot 7 and the screen is excellent for me but maybe a 6 + foot fellow may find it to short even extended. I actualy like the way it retracts when you turn off the bike. The panniers fit my Aria Vector helmet no problem. Room for 40 cans of beer!

I added a set of staintune mufflers and the bike sounds like it looks, not to be messed with! This is one of the best touring bikes in the world today and at a fraction of the cost of bmw.

I get 300km a tank and thats hard pushing. In summary great ride, excellent touring, wind protection and safety. awesome machine!!!!

after owning pan europeans for a number of years, i broke the bank for my 50th birthday and bought a new fjr1300 in stunninbg black. got a great deal from Chorley yamaha, the bike rides like a dream , it pulls like a train and im the envy of my mate who has a pan. Ajustable screen is great and gives me 53 to the gallon on a recent trip to france and belguim with my 16 year old son on the back. travelled all the way down with no discomfort or cramp, bike is dead comfy. I would recommend the bike to anyone. had it 5 months got 2,500 miles on her already thats how much i like it.