Decisions

[Richouse]

Since my FJR was wrecked I have been thinking about what to replace it with. Since I love the sport touring class I have narrowed it down to two, Another FJR and BMW K1300GT. I know I am going to get biased opinions here and that is fine. They are biased on their forum, go figure... I think I can muddle through all that to make my decision. I do, however, want some opinions from you guys that have ridden both. Let me hear what you think. I'm not looking for the obvious differences, ie. Price. I'm looking for differences you can't read off the spec. slips. Like ergonomics (compared to FJR), how hard is it to change the oil, quirks the bike might have (like the ground spyder on the FJR) I know it has some issues, but the FJR has some too...

Thanks...

 

[Bounce]

Questions:

FJR or BMW?

FJR or Sticking close to your local dealer?

FJR or Final drives?

FJR or Limited dealer network?

FJR or Costly services?

FJR or CAN BUSS without end user electrical mods?

FJR or Buying TWO FJRs?

 

[MCRIDER007]

I test rode the K1300S (which I was really interested in) and the K1300GT (which I was not interested in) last summer. I was really surprised how much I felt at "home" on the K1300GT but I didn't like the transmission's very low gearing and I thought the ESA was a marketing ploy that doesn't work very well. The K1300GT is a large bike and I think is probably better suited for a couple rather than a solo rider.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=127026&pid=717505&st=0entry717505

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

I rode a BMW R1200RT a while ago. Love it. But really I would intend to buy used where I won't have to worry about being near a dealer, I can use ANY dealer (no warranty), and the cost is a little off, but since BMW has introduced the K1600GTL, everyone's trading in their K1300GTs to get one, so there will be a lot more available on the market.

As for the ESA, it certainly is more for changing between "two-up" and "NOT two-up". Not much more useful than that. I don't know about this CAN-BUS stuff or not, but doesn't it just use the same plugs as a powerlet?

I was once told by a man older and sometimes wiser to get what your HEART wants. Really, the reliability issues are NOT as bad as the internet states them to be. Not since they revised their instructions and now say to drain and replace the final drive fluid regularly as they SHOULD have done in the past.

But really, which bike will you have in the garage and smile walking towards it saying, "Alright. I get to ride THAT again today." Buy IT.

Alexi

 

[RaYzerman19]

Total cost of ownership may be one of your considerations. On most K bikes, servicing is much more involved for what should be simple tasks like changing fluids. If you buy new, you may be required to comply with bringing it to the Beemer dealer for required oil changes and checkups to keep your warranty valid. Ask about this at the service department and what items you can do yourself. I always ask K bike owners if they do their own maintenance, and most say no because is is such a PITA, or they aren't wrencher types. From what these guys tell me, an oil change can be $200 and most have more done than that and don't leave without spending many hundreds. Do that a couple of times a year.... also ask what the ESA paralever or telelever shocks cost when they have to be replaced. There is truth to the saying BMW = Bring More Wallet. But, obviously, there are those who can afford it and those that love their Beemers.

If you don't mind lower power, and by all reports a very nice touring machine, and one with easier servicing, you could consider an R1200RT instead.

But, the FJR gets my vote.

 

[madmike2]

I rode a BMW R1200RT a while ago. Love it. But really I would intend to buy used where I won't have to worry about being near a dealer, I can use ANY dealer (no warranty), and the cost is a little off, but since BMW has introduced the K1600GTL, everyone's trading in their K1300GTs to get one, so there will be a lot more available on the market.

Dealerships are necessary for service, not just sales. IIRC, BMW motorcycles have proprietory computer diagnostics that require their electronics to reset. I could be, and hope that, I'm wrong. I know the older BMWs are repaired and mainatined @ independent shops, I'm not so sure about the newer bikes.

I was once told by a man older and sometimes wiser to get what your HEART wants. Really, the reliability issues are NOT as bad as the internet states them to be. Not since they revised their instructions and now say to drain and replace the final drive fluid regularly as they SHOULD have done in the past.
But really, which bike will you have in the garage and smile walking towards it saying, "Alright. I get to ride THAT again today." Buy IT.

Easy: My FJR! After 9 years, 2 different FJRs, over 100k miles....and I still love to ride for my commute or for the fun of it.

Add to that the ease of maintenance, the resources for aid in maintenance and personalization and the FJR community.

You meet the nicest people on an FJR!

 

[Richouse]

I'm leaning more to the FJR. I've owned one and know it very well. There are at least 4 Yamaha dealers within a 25 mile radius and only 1 BMW dealer and it's the farthest away and it is one of the Yamaha dealers I am talking about. But in realiaty I've only needed a dealer a few times like to put new tires on rims (I guess any dealer would do that) and once to rework my forks. Everything else I've done myself. I don't know if I could do all that on a beemer.

 

[BkrK12]

You really, really, really need to test ride the K1300GT before you decide to buy one. Given, it is an individual thing. But, I took one out for a test ride and brought it back in 15 minutes. I could have kept it for as long as I wanted (reasonably). I hated the bike - everything about it. I was coming off a K1200LT at the time. So, it wasn't as though I hated BMWs - just the GT.

YMMV. But, try before you buy.

Dan

 

[JR'SFJR]

I have owned older K bikes for 18 years and still have one. Nearest dealer for me is 100 miles, so I order parts over the phone and do my own work. I rode a K1200GT in Europe 3+ yrs. ago for 2 weeks, liked it, but no better than my FJR. The GT was more ready to ride for me with a good riding position, seat, windshield, heated grips, cruise and powerlets that I have add to my FJR.

Check for driveability issues on the K1200-1300 in hot climates. Last summer, I attended a seminar on K12-13's at the BMWMOA national rally in Redmond. Or. Many owners were not happy, with few answers from a GA area zone rep. A rider on my Alps tour last fall sold a new K1300 after coolant usage required a month long engine tear down. I got the impression that since the K's are much less popular(compared to R's), solutions are not as forth coming.

I like attending BMW rallies, but will not purchase another BMW.

 

[rollnhot]

A friend and riding buddy of mine has a 2010 K1300 GT, he loves it. More bells and whistles than the FJR, nearest dealer is around 90 miles for him. He bought a demo with 3400 on the clock for $15,000.