Any fjr 1300 owners here? Opinions please as I'm leaning to one as my next ride.

Venom01

Venom01

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I'm ready for a long haul bike. One ill have for a long while. I've come up with a few prerequisites for my next ride being
1. A physically big bike as I myself am a larger rider.
2. Power anywhere I need it.
3. Storage for trips to the cottage or other longer trips.
4. Something less then 10 years old.

All this has lead me to the bike I always liked, but never thought I would own, the fjr 1300. I always liked it ever since its release but I would like actual opinions from owners. So what do you think of
The storage?
The power?
Maintenance?
Handling?

Lets have it!

Thanks so much!.
 
I have never ridden the FJR and it was on my short list too. All my research pointed it to being ideal for all the criteria you mentioned. The only problem was that it was listed as a super sport when I was pricing it out for insurance purposes. Things may have changed since :dontknow: but State Farm is probable the go to place.

I opted for the BMW R1150RT. Fits everything you mentioned above, great insurance rates, rides like a porn star :)
 
JZ67 said:
I have never ridden the FJR and it was on my short list too. All my research pointed it to being ideal for all the criteria you mentioned. The only problem was that it was listed as a super sport when I was pricing it out for insurance purposes. Things may have changed since :dontknow: but State Farm is probable the go to place.

I opted for the BMW R1150RT. Fits everything you mentioned above, great insurance rates, rides like a porn star :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your 2 cents. Only problem with a BMW is that I think they are beyond ugly motorcycles. I'm sure they do everything right. Not worried about super sport and insurance anymore as I'm 30 with 11 year experience with a clean record.

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Consider the Honda ST's at all? Or the VFR1200? Quite a few dealers are blowing them out as they haven't sold very well.
 
Way out of my budget.

I've seen fjr's on kijiji for around $7,500 with anywhere between 35,000-50,000km on then which I have no problem with seeing how Yamaha built those motors for the long haul. I just can't find any quirks about the bike anywhere online and I figured I ask around. I'm pretty sure that's he bike for me. I do love the new Vfr but even used way out of my price range. As for the Honda St, I used to like that bike untilled the fj was released. I even looked for the older fj's but they are getting hard to find in any decent shape. Plus I would like a bike under 10 years old. All the while I'm trying to restore my baby (81 cb750f)

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I have 2 riding buddies with FJR's and it's a great bike. If you're have $7,000 to spend you're probably looking at a 2003 or 2004. Shop around and get one with low mileage and accessories. Fall is the perfect time to buy. A US source bike would be at least $2k cheaper. One of the guys I know paid $12k US for a 2010 FJR with 100km on it.
 
They used to have a reputation for taking out 2nd gear. Do not know if this issue has been rectified.

They would cook the rider in hot days but Yamaha redesigned the fairings, I think it was, in 2008/2009? Magazine reviews report the problem is gone.
 
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JZ67 said:
I have never ridden the FJR and it was on my short list too. All my research pointed it to being ideal for all the criteria you mentioned. The only problem was that it was listed as a super sport when I was pricing it out for insurance purposes. Things may have changed since :dontknow: but State Farm is probable the go to place.

I opted for the BMW R1150RT. Fits everything you mentioned above, great insurance rates, rides like a porn star :)
Click to expand...

Ditto. I ended up with the 1200RT. As others have said, older FJR's did have the heat issue, they also had an issue with the FJR "tick." If you check out some FJR forums the last thing I heard that is causing the tick is excessive exhaust valve guide clearance. I still like the FJR for the reasons you listed. BMW has it's issues also. Final drive failures fuel pump controllers on the hexheads. The boxer's have a dry clutch that is expensive to replace(~$2000.) My next bike may very well be the FJR.
 
What's not to love?
Fi
145 HP
Shaft drive
ABS
Heated grips
Electrically adjustable windshield
Massive power in every RPM range
Outstanding brakes
Fully adjustable suspension

I've been fortunate to have owned or ridden lots of bikes in my life and
I can honestly say the FJR1300 is THE best example of what a Sport Touring bike should be.
The second gen FJR began with the 2006 model and addressed the problems
with excess heat and valve guide wear (the tick).
The side cases have good capacity and remove in 30 seconds if you don't want them on around town.
It's also very 2up friendly if you ride with a SO.
 
I ride an 86 FJ1200 that Starts up quick and still goes like snot. A friend of mine has a 2009 FJR1300. Very nice bike. Much more comforatable than my 1200. 20 years of innovation will do that.
It has heated grips, ABS, push button adjustable wind screen. Pretty sure he said they were all standard options. He has taken his bike to Vegas, Arizona, Alberta, and around Lake Erie a few times. So far no trouble at all. Just regular maintanence.
 
After exhausting my FJ1200 I replaced it with a FJR1300. Best bike I have owned, I'm tall so the size is perfect, delivers power everywhere, will go as fast as your wallet will allow, handles great, stops great. It's not a Ducati, it's pretty heavy but once it's moving it's no issue. I have taken it to the "Dragon" many times and up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway and have never regretted it. The bags are great, easy to use, hold tons. The only complaint I have is, I run somewhat more "sport" than touring tires and with the weight of the bike I can chew up a front tire pretty quickly, but the bike feels like it's on rails. If you want to head across the continent this is the bike, the Kawasaki Concours is great as well, I just don't like the styling as much. Super comfortable, fast, sporty, the best bike I have ever owned, but there are many bikes I haven't owned.
 
Not an owner but came damn close. Did a lot of research on the bike and apart from the heat issue on first gen models, it seems universally loved by owners and magazine reviewers. It's been around long enough to have had most design issues addressed, newer models come standard with top box and heated grips. Height adjustable seat and pegs are a bonus.
It's kept its looks, too. Find one in good shape and you can't go wrong.
 
Never owned one, but do know the reputation of the bike and its rock solid. If I was going to be buying a jap sport tourer I would only be looking at the FJR or the Concours, which I like design wise and power wise. I dont think you can really go wrong with an FJR, its large, fast and feature full.

2010-Concours14.jpg
 
FJR will more then likely be my next bike.
Rode a few and a close friend if mine has one.
Lots of power and all day comfort. Stay with a '06 and up as that's when they took care of some of the drivetrain and heat issues.
These also handle the twisties very well and IMO one of the better 2up bikes for passenger comfort.
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