Just came back from 2000 miles of tight canyon curves, long sweapers, some interstate, and town riding through North West Washington back roads, first of hopefully many longer tours on this machine. I came away with firm head to head comparisons against a BMW 1200 GSA, and Triumph Sprint 1050 ST. And I now know what I need to do with this bike to make it work for me.
Clearly the advantage of the FJR has to go be the drive train, the usability of the engine at almost all speeds cannot be under-estimated, it's ability to return pretty impressive fuel economy levels if you want to ride like a grampa [ I followed a buddy home at much reduced speeds [55mph] because he had run his rear tire to the steel belts 300 miles from home] , you can leave the thing in high gear even going through the towns if you want, and can and did paint nice blackies out of tight corners if you get the engine up over 5K. It's got shaft drive that just works, gearbox that works, just no drama, it does what it's made to do. The FJR drive train make the BMW feel like a John Deere tractor.
Again, direct comparison to the other bikes on hand that I swapped time with, the GS Beemer1200 is a superior handling bike, no question, below 80 mph, nothing can touch these things, their limitless clearance, big handlebar countersteer feel and control, ultimate compliance of the telelever front end, with equal skilled riders, it is very difficult to keep with one of those things. Now, over 80 mph, the playing field definitely moves over to FJR territory. Where you can play using these higher speed capabilities without getting chucked in jail, are limited. I'd say though, if you are a poor rider, and can't keep up with your buddies, an FJR is for you, where you can develop a great 'point & shoot' riding style to make up for your lack of cornering abilities. The FJR is close mind you, but there a things you pick up after 6 hrs on a different bike face to face.
Luggage and payload, I'd have to give the nod to the Beemer, they just are pack mules. As well, not just Yamaha, but all touring and sport touring bikes have panniers that are side load, which if you travel much, will agree that are a PITA. Whoever makes a top load pannier that DOES NOT look like an army surplus shell casing box, will be really thinking about the needs of a motorcycle traveller. Side load panniers are an engineering cop out!
Visually, there's no denying that the GS, in fact most dual sport bikes, are butt ugly, and the GS trumps them all, as my dear ceparted Dad would say, "ugly as a mud fence". Typical German function, and form be damed. The FJR is a great looking package, clean, neat, dense in package, it has a much or more 'garage appeal' as any modern sport touring bike available today. The Sprint is ok as well, but trumps to the almost timeless profile of Yamaha's touring machine.
The sweetheart as far as character is the Triumph, the triple engine constantly sings, talks, purrs, bellows, and generally makes you want to go faster just to listen to the music at a different octave. Good power, astounding fuel economy, nice midrange and top end, this lovely engine is ultimately let down by Triumph's handling. Not dangerous, but quirky, loose, as if the front and the back are not talking to each other, kind of like my Moto Guzzi.
Reputation, and price go along way in my possible purchase. Airhead BMW's of old had and still have solid reputations as extremely reliable. The newer 'oil heads' and current 'hex heads' have less of a solid reputation, with regular examples of rear drive failures as evidence. And cost,,, well they are alot of coin. And over complication is also something that bothers me. Yamaha is currently building what I think are the best made engines in the bike industry right now. Solid engineering.
My current bike will have to be changed in one major area. My seat to peg clearance I'm sure will work fine for most, but it's too small for this beenpole. Clearly my previous posts on possibly moving the pegs down will not happen, as I'm grinding pegs on virtually every corner, with lower pegs it would be a joke. So the seat has to be brought up, I think 2" to keep my old hockey knees happy. Why this distance if so small, I'm not sure what they were thinking. But I'll fix that. The heat issue with the Gen 1's, it's no big deal. I ride an RC 30, you want heat, you got it man, blistering, literally and figuratively. I was in 90dergF yesterday, it's not an issue.
So it's a keeper. I've owned many bikes, and currently own more than 1 bike for each day of the week. Just as I don't suffer fools gladly, I don't look at any bike through rose colored glasses in an attempt to justify a poor purchase. I must admit, it will take some time to get used to the lack of character of the FJR engine. I like to have an engine that talks to you with more than just a gear whine and a slight baritone drone. Certain engines naturally emit a character, most v-twins, V-4's, triples. BMW twins, in line 4's don't. Putting louder exhaust on either of these simply makes the obnoxious sounds louder. Loud does not always make things better, just think about the last time a slach cut piped Honda/Yamha/Suzuki/Kawi/HD goes by, you see my point.
So, yes, this is now a permanent resident in my garage.
Now, I'll put my flack jacket on for those who eat, breath, live FJR.
Steve
Clearly the advantage of the FJR has to go be the drive train, the usability of the engine at almost all speeds cannot be under-estimated, it's ability to return pretty impressive fuel economy levels if you want to ride like a grampa [ I followed a buddy home at much reduced speeds [55mph] because he had run his rear tire to the steel belts 300 miles from home] , you can leave the thing in high gear even going through the towns if you want, and can and did paint nice blackies out of tight corners if you get the engine up over 5K. It's got shaft drive that just works, gearbox that works, just no drama, it does what it's made to do. The FJR drive train make the BMW feel like a John Deere tractor.
Again, direct comparison to the other bikes on hand that I swapped time with, the GS Beemer1200 is a superior handling bike, no question, below 80 mph, nothing can touch these things, their limitless clearance, big handlebar countersteer feel and control, ultimate compliance of the telelever front end, with equal skilled riders, it is very difficult to keep with one of those things. Now, over 80 mph, the playing field definitely moves over to FJR territory. Where you can play using these higher speed capabilities without getting chucked in jail, are limited. I'd say though, if you are a poor rider, and can't keep up with your buddies, an FJR is for you, where you can develop a great 'point & shoot' riding style to make up for your lack of cornering abilities. The FJR is close mind you, but there a things you pick up after 6 hrs on a different bike face to face.
Luggage and payload, I'd have to give the nod to the Beemer, they just are pack mules. As well, not just Yamaha, but all touring and sport touring bikes have panniers that are side load, which if you travel much, will agree that are a PITA. Whoever makes a top load pannier that DOES NOT look like an army surplus shell casing box, will be really thinking about the needs of a motorcycle traveller. Side load panniers are an engineering cop out!
Visually, there's no denying that the GS, in fact most dual sport bikes, are butt ugly, and the GS trumps them all, as my dear ceparted Dad would say, "ugly as a mud fence". Typical German function, and form be damed. The FJR is a great looking package, clean, neat, dense in package, it has a much or more 'garage appeal' as any modern sport touring bike available today. The Sprint is ok as well, but trumps to the almost timeless profile of Yamaha's touring machine.
The sweetheart as far as character is the Triumph, the triple engine constantly sings, talks, purrs, bellows, and generally makes you want to go faster just to listen to the music at a different octave. Good power, astounding fuel economy, nice midrange and top end, this lovely engine is ultimately let down by Triumph's handling. Not dangerous, but quirky, loose, as if the front and the back are not talking to each other, kind of like my Moto Guzzi.
Reputation, and price go along way in my possible purchase. Airhead BMW's of old had and still have solid reputations as extremely reliable. The newer 'oil heads' and current 'hex heads' have less of a solid reputation, with regular examples of rear drive failures as evidence. And cost,,, well they are alot of coin. And over complication is also something that bothers me. Yamaha is currently building what I think are the best made engines in the bike industry right now. Solid engineering.
My current bike will have to be changed in one major area. My seat to peg clearance I'm sure will work fine for most, but it's too small for this beenpole. Clearly my previous posts on possibly moving the pegs down will not happen, as I'm grinding pegs on virtually every corner, with lower pegs it would be a joke. So the seat has to be brought up, I think 2" to keep my old hockey knees happy. Why this distance if so small, I'm not sure what they were thinking. But I'll fix that. The heat issue with the Gen 1's, it's no big deal. I ride an RC 30, you want heat, you got it man, blistering, literally and figuratively. I was in 90dergF yesterday, it's not an issue.
So it's a keeper. I've owned many bikes, and currently own more than 1 bike for each day of the week. Just as I don't suffer fools gladly, I don't look at any bike through rose colored glasses in an attempt to justify a poor purchase. I must admit, it will take some time to get used to the lack of character of the FJR engine. I like to have an engine that talks to you with more than just a gear whine and a slight baritone drone. Certain engines naturally emit a character, most v-twins, V-4's, triples. BMW twins, in line 4's don't. Putting louder exhaust on either of these simply makes the obnoxious sounds louder. Loud does not always make things better, just think about the last time a slach cut piped Honda/Yamha/Suzuki/Kawi/HD goes by, you see my point.
So, yes, this is now a permanent resident in my garage.
Now, I'll put my flack jacket on for those who eat, breath, live FJR.
Steve
