Cycle World Comparo

[NMRoadRunner]

While I like Cycle World in general, I don't really pay attention to the motorcycle tests they do. It directy corralates to who spends the most ad dollars with them. And they don't really try to hide that fact either. Don't really care what the 1600 runs like, it not my cup of tea. The 1600 is like a Hummer, big, expensive to own, expensive to maintain, and really who uses a Hummer for it's real purpose? The FJR is like a Suburban, affordable, reliable, easy to work on, and does everything the Hummer will do. I'll take the FJR everytime.

 

[David Foley]

I'd like to see a few more pics from different angles on that shield. Maybe a profile and a dead on front shot. It looks great in that picture.

Here you go.

I ordered the dark tint as pictured, don't know it I'll like it or not - I won't be looking through it in any case. They also have a lighter tint and clear of course.

The other 2013 CB screens can be found here https://www.ceebaileys.com/yamaha/fjr1300_2013rev_ws.html

 

[CopB8]

The dark tint looks killer. Being 6'2" I don't think I ever look through the windshield either which makes me wonder why I'd need a tint in the first place!

Did you notice any difference in buffeting?

 

[BkerChuck]

One other point haven't seen noted yet in this thread. Magazines generate the bulk of their revenue through advertising and not subscriptions. Any magazine that has advertising in it must tread a fine line so as not to alienate their main source of income. This is a large part of the reason you so rarely see a scathing review of any bike or product in these mags. MCN, by not accepting ads and being subsrciption only, is at least slightly more honest in their opinions of products tested. This post is in no way meant as a promotion for ANY magazine simply as my own observation.

Ultimately it is up to the consumer to perform their own research and make their own decisions. Buyer beware will always ring true at the end of the day.

 

[Old Guy]

It's unfortunate that the buying public takes these things to heart as they do. I'd say a huge percentage of riders who buy these bikes will never push one hard enough on a crooked road to find the shortcomings of the FJR suspension. A number of sport touring candidates will read this article and steer clear of the FJR because of this article even though they'd never come close to the limits of the motorcycle. Yet, they'll read this article and spring for one of the other bikes because this magazine says it's best. And hey, it's only a couple of hundred a month more

I'm delighted with my 2013 FJR. The stock suspension could certainly be improved, but I've been on some spirited rides with my ZRX buddies and had no trouble keeping up. Rides have included 400-mile days of Arkansas twisties that included roads so tight I was in low gear on some of the uphill switchbacks. I've done speed limit days in Colorado and Utah in canyons and mountain passes just ogling the scenery. I've done 800-mile interstate days when I just really needed to be somewhere by tonight. I've added a Givi truck for traveling, and for one-up touring I've got more than adequate room for what I carry. I bought a big bag for the back seat but left it home. I don't need it.

No other bike I've ever owned has ever been so near perfect for all situations. I'm delighted at what I got for $14k.

 

[BkerChuck]

I agree with everyting you just said. I know I'm not a good enough rider to really push my bike to it's full capacity. For me a large part of what makes all of this fun is the changing and modifying to make it my own. The cold reality is that the list of my shortcomings as a rider is longer than the list of my FJR's shortcomings as a motorcycle!

 

[FJR Bill]

It's unfortunate that the buying public takes these things to heart as they do. I'd say a huge percentage of riders who buy these bikes will never push one hard enough on a crooked road to find the shortcomings of the FJR suspension. A number of sport touring candidates will read this article and steer clear of the FJR because of this article even though they'd never come close to the limits of the motorcycle. Yet, they'll read this article and spring for one of the other bikes because this magazine says it's best. And hey, it's only a couple of hundred a month more

I'm delighted with my 2013 FJR. The stock suspension could certainly be improved, but I've been on some spirited rides with my ZRX buddies and had no trouble keeping up. Rides have included 400-mile days of Arkansas twisties that included roads so tight I was in low gear on some of the uphill switchbacks. I've done speed limit days in Colorado and Utah in canyons and mountain passes just ogling the scenery. I've done 800-mile interstate days when I just really needed to be somewhere by tonight. I've added a Givi truck for traveling, and for one-up touring I've got more than adequate room for what I carry. I bought a big bag for the back seat but left it home. I don't need it.

No other bike I've ever owned has ever been so near perfect for all situations. I'm delighted at what I got for $14k.

What a great post. So very true. I'd expect less than 10% take these bikes to realms where performance mods are needed. Bill

 

[Chiefblueman]

Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances. Cycle World provides some information, photos, specs and opinions. The opinions are provided by guys who are paid to ride numerous bikes throughout the year and try to write something entertaining. I've been reading MC magazines since the late sixties and this format hasn't changed much. Once you realize how useful the fastest quarter mile time or lap time is on the street (not very to me) you pull what you need from these articles and combine it with other sources to form your own opinion. I'm sad to say that, due to the consistent bashing the FJR has received in the moto press, we must all hang our heads in shame for owning such a POS. Except for me cuz I ride the superior Gen1 FJR which has yet to be surpassed!

Different strokes, etc., and thank goodness for different bikes, different prices, different levels of farkles, different levels and types of performance. Seriously, I look at the choices we had back in the sixties and seventies and the choices available today, and well, we got an abundance of well engineered amazing rides to choose from.

BTW, I agree with Fred. Numerous factory farkles does not equal superior engineering. Maybe if Mamaha put a back up camera on the FJR its engineering would be improved. I own a BMW automobile and I love it. It is a joy to drive. But I also paid for a lot of stuff I didn't need, but I like. Finding a 335i Coupe with manual trans, no nav, no i-drive, etc is a pita. Also, canbus is a pita. Can't even change the battery in this car without dealer assist. Have had several issues with the vehicle requiring repair. I got rid of a perfectly good Acura that was reliable as an anvil to get this car. It did all things well. Know what, I love that Bimmer and wouldn't trade it for two Acuras. Guess I'm saying there's something to like out there for everyone.

Geez sorry for the long post.

 

[LAF]

Ahh **** em. The the FJR for the money is hands down the best in the I 4's. All the rest is bloat and Bull Shit. I cant waite to keep riding Yamaha untile my death.

The 13 FJR for the cost is hands down the winner in the Super Sport Touring as it is now called.

Now gimme the other fork back, a cruise that sets anywhere, my windshield auto retract, and a six speed and it really will be perfect, but still wont bitch about this other stuff anyway.

 

[AIRHEAD#124]

It's unfortunate that the buying public takes these things to heart as they do. I'd say a huge percentage of riders who buy these bikes will never push one hard enough on a crooked road to find the shortcomings of the FJR suspension. A number of sport touring candidates will read this article and steer clear of the FJR because of this article even though they'd never come close to the limits of the motorcycle. Yet, they'll read this article and spring for one of the other bikes because this magazine says it's best. And hey, it's only a couple of hundred a month more

I'm delighted with my 2013 FJR. The stock suspension could certainly be improved, but I've been on some spirited rides with my ZRX buddies and had no trouble keeping up. Rides have included 400-mile days of Arkansas twisties that included roads so tight I was in low gear on some of the uphill switchbacks. I've done speed limit days in Colorado and Utah in canyons and mountain passes just ogling the scenery. I've done 800-mile interstate days when I just really needed to be somewhere by tonight. I've added a Givi truck for traveling, and for one-up touring I've got more than adequate room for what I carry. I bought a big bag for the back seat but left it home. I don't need it.

No other bike I've ever owned has ever been so near perfect for all situations. I'm delighted at what I got for $14k.

$14K WHERE??? what is the OTD $

It's unfortunate that the buying public takes these things to heart as they do. I'd say a huge percentage of riders who buy these bikes will never push one hard enough on a crooked road to find the shortcomings of the FJR suspension. A number of sport touring candidates will read this article and steer clear of the FJR because of this article even though they'd never come close to the limits of the motorcycle. Yet, they'll read this article and spring for one of the other bikes because this magazine says it's best. And hey, it's only a couple of hundred a month more

I'm delighted with my 2013 FJR. The stock suspension could certainly be improved, but I've been on some spirited rides with my ZRX buddies and had no trouble keeping up. Rides have included 400-mile days of Arkansas twisties that included roads so tight I was in low gear on some of the uphill switchbacks. I've done speed limit days in Colorado and Utah in canyons and mountain passes just ogling the scenery. I've done 800-mile interstate days when I just really needed to be somewhere by tonight. I've added a Givi truck for traveling, and for one-up touring I've got more than adequate room for what I carry. I bought a big bag for the back seat but left it home. I don't need it.

No other bike I've ever owned has ever been so near perfect for all situations. I'm delighted at what I got for $14k.

 

[Old Guy]

Airhead liked my post so much he quoted it twice

I wrote the shop a check for $14,500. That does not include taxes and license, which, in Arkansas, is paid directly to the Dept of Finance.

 

[ElectricFJR]

It didn't understand the assertion that the FJR didn't handle well in the twisties and couldn't keep up. Mine only gets weak if the tires have worn flat and need a change.

Couldn't agree more. The OEM Bridgestone BT-023's were toast at 5,700 miles (front and rear) and had started to feel really squirrelly. Just put on a set of Michelin PR3's and the bike handles great--even better than when the Bridgestones were new. Have gotten upwards of 8,000 miles out of a rear and 12,000 miles out of a front on these in the past on my former '10 Concours 14 and didn't get a big handling issue late in their life.

 

[DrWing]

Dear Abby errr CW, I ride a 06 FJR that is almost stock.

Power commander, steel brake lines and heated grips. 5 or 6 hundred mile days are no problem. I can ride all day on slabs or twisties never going more than 80mph and have a ball. Does this mean I've made the wrong choice? What should I do?

P.S. Never mind, I'm happy.

 

[dcarver]

Old Guy - I understand that I'm probably in the minority here, but I quite like the stock windshield. I actually keep it in the lowest position on most two-lane days and quite often on the interstate. I recently rode 1500 miles in two days, and much of that was in 90+ degrees. I had the shield up thinking that's how it's supposed to be done and was sweating in my helmet and mesh jacket. I lowered it to the lowest position looking for relief and was much more comfortable.

I like the stock windshield too. And like you, due to the murderous Texas heat, I keep it in the lowest position except when I'm on the interstate. There I sometimes wish I had a little more protection. So being new to this, and often times not knowing when to leave well enough alone, I ordered a Cee-Baily Sport Screen.

It's a very conservative shield, measuring only 1 inch taller and two inches wider than OEM. According to the CB website it's rated "E" for everyone. We'll see if it adds more protection on the interstate. At any rate I'll have a spare.

That is nice.. darn you.

 

[Fred W]

One other point haven't seen noted yet in this thread. Magazines generate the bulk of their revenue through advertising and not subscriptions. Any magazine that has advertising in it must tread a fine line so as not to alienate their main source of income.

This is true, except...

The money that an advertiser is willing to pay is directly proportional to the circulation statistics of that publication. If/when you alienate your subscribers with continued bullshit reviews, they will quit buying your rag and those advertisers you've been sucking up to will tell you to take a hike, or at the very least will be asking for reduced ad rates in the future.

You can play some shell games, like some of the MC rags have done in the past, where you give away free "subscriptions" (is it really a subscription when it's free?) to inflate your circulation numbers, and in that way try to increase your ad-space's value, but the advertisers aren't stupid. They eventually see through that and the magazine invariably feels the end result in the pocketbook.

A magazine's best opportunity for long term success is to provide fair and unbiased reporting that appeals to the target audience, not one that sucks up to the advertisers.

 

[palerider]

One other point haven't seen noted yet in this thread. Magazines generate the bulk of their revenue through advertising and not subscriptions. Any magazine that has advertising in it must tread a fine line so as not to alienate their main source of income.

This is true, except...

The money that an advertiser is willing to pay is directly proportional to the circulation statistics of that publication. If/when you alienate your subscribers with continued bullshit reviews, they will quit buying your rag and those advertisers you've been sucking up to will tell you to take a hike, or at the very least will be asking for reduced ad rates in the future.

You can play some shell games, like some of the MC rags have done in the past, where you give away free "subscriptions" (is it really a subscription when it's free?) to inflate your circulation numbers, and in that way try to increase your ad-space's value, but the advertisers aren't stupid. They eventually see through that and the magazine invariably feels the end result in the pocketbook.

A magazine's best opportunity for long term success is to provide fair and unbiased reporting that appeals to the target audience, not one that sucks up to the advertisers.

Plus put a girl on the cover.

 

[WWWobble]

I don't post much on this forum, but I have found this thread interesting, and would like to share my story.

I read all the Cycle mags, they do a good job covering features of the new bikes and one can get a general idea from the tests how they run and handle. What you don't get from the mags is any kind of data driven information on how these shiny new models are predicted to hold up based on past models. Best we can do is ask fellow riders and browse all the forums.

Enter the new BMW portion of the discussion. Expensive. Lot's of technical stuff. Probably a fun ride. Reliability? Oh boy. Here's my experience.

Before my FJR I had a BMW year 2000 K1200RS. It handled well, as good as the FJR after I got the Ohlins so it would turn in easier, and it was powerful and smooth running. I liked the "sport" type ergos and I enjoyed riding the bike. My buddies who rode it thought it was a nice bike as well. It *was* a nice bike to ride.

However:

1. I had to put an Ohlins on the rear for ride height, and also because the stock shock compression damping was way off. The increased rear ride height helped turn in substantially with no penalty in straight line stability, and made two up riding less compromising.

2. I lost two fork seals in the first 30,000 miles. One leak was bad enough to get down onto the brake rotor and I had a trip coming up in two days. The dealership would not take the bike in for service because they were too busy servicing police bikes.

3. The ABS brake computer failed. Dealer estimate for repair was $1,700. I put black tape over the warning flashers and rode without ABS

4. The number four exhaust pipe which goes into the catalytic converter split causing a nasty exhaust leak. The exhaust tubing at that point was so thin that welding a repair wasn't really an option. I purchased a full Staintune system.

5. Thre rear end failed twice, some minor bearing failure, about $350 per repair, and it was going out a third time before I sold the bike.

6. The engine began burning about 1/2 a quart per thousand within the first 30,000 miles and I was told this is "normal."

7. The clutch began to chatter when hot at about 65,000 miles and I suspect oil was getting onto the dry plate from somewhere, probably a leaking rear main seal.

8. The front rim was "dinged" from a minor pothole adventure, it still held air and I was already fet up with the bike, so I left it.

9. NO NUMBER 10! I dumped the bike at 72,000 miles for next to nothing and rode my 91 beater VFR until........

December 2006 I purchased a new FJR off the floor of a local Yamaha dealership. It is now coming up on 81,000 miles. Here is a list of the mechanical "failures" I've experienced so far.

1. None -- I did have the two factory re-calls performed, but never experienced the problems they addressed (altitude sickness and ignition switch)

Two other admissions I should make. (1) I met a guy about a year ago who had the same BMW model, same year, same color. He had 120,000 miles on it with no trouble whatsoever. What can I say?... and (2) I have several friends with various BMW "R" models and they seem to have better reliability than the K bike series had. The R1200s are actually nice bikes, but don't have a motor compared to the FJR

Still, I've never owned a bike with as many problems as the BMW had. I own an 07 FZ1 too, and nothing has gone wrong with it either...

WWWobble

 

[FJR Bill]

WWWobble,

Good post and a good read for anyone considering a bike in the Sport Touring class. You won't get this in a magazine review. Certainly many BMW owners are happy with their purchase and haven't experienced the problems you did. But I think it's well known that BMW's have a higher failure rate and are in general more expensive to maintain than many models offered at much lower selling prices. In other words the premium price of a BMW does not guarantee premium reliabilty and maintenance costs.

You might be lucky but maybe not buying a BMW. I've tried to work with a local BMW dealer buying tires and doing some simple service for my non BMW bikes. They advertise the service but it doesn't work for me. Their pricing for service parts, tires, etc are WELL above the many other dealers in my local area that have provided excellent service at a reasonable price. For this reason alone I'd never buy a new BMW. Just my humble opinion.

Bill

 

[fjrbird]

Thanks WWWobble! What a story you have. That is exactly what the magazine guys never tells or never experiences. I now love my FJR more than ever!

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Someone posted on this site before that BMW's have a worse reliability rating than Harleys....something like 24% with problems/failures if I remember right.