FJR has no character?

[Timberwolf]

The FJR has plenty of character you just have to listen to her. When I went on a quest looking for a bike the me and ride could ride and not be a cruiser I stumbled upon the FJR. From the day I saw it I fell in love and could not wait to ride one. Well 8 months later that day came and I instantly feel in love and realized anything else was going to be second best. So a little bit of time went by and I get a call that there is a killer deal on a FJR with low miles. Two days later and I rode her home. Now in the last two years I have found some the things I would like to upgrade comfort and suspension being the 2. Starting looking into prices and began to think and question myself about buying the right bike. So I started riding all other types of bikes from Harley to BMW. Guess I had a big enough glass of BMW-Aid that I considered looking into trading mine in on one. Then I get back on my FJR and take here for another spin and realize I just cant let her go and that I should spend the money on seat and suspension. Dont get me wrong in my opinion BMW has the best suspension of a stock bike I have ridden. But in turn you pay for and when it comes time to repair or replace the suspension its gonna be expensive. But if I ever did get rid of my FJR it would be for a BMW. But my FJR has spoiled me so much that nothing else comes close to how she rides and the power it produces. Its so bad that I can not ever see me going to a Harley or a cruiser. I stuck and sold on Sport Tourers and will continue to ride one until I cant. Then at the point its time to buy a convertible!!

 

[fljab]

My Honda ST1300 is the ultimate "Has no character" motorcycle. Next to it I find the FJR to have a very distinct and exciting character. Especially that torque monster of a motor, that is character rich.

I've been around many ST1300s here and there in the LD world, but never really considered buying one - other than I'd like to adapt that big alternator! - how do the engines compare vs FJR for power, range, etc? Just curious to hear it from someone that's owned both.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

My Honda ST1300 is the ultimate "Has no character" motorcycle. Next to it I find the FJR to have a very distinct and exciting character. Especially that torque monster of a motor, that is character rich.

I've been around many ST1300s here and there in the LD world, but never really considered buying one - other than I'd like to adapt that big alternator! - how do the engines compare vs FJR for power, range, etc? Just curious to hear it from someone that's owned both.

According to the magazine tests there is less than 1/2 second difference in 1/4 mile times. It seems like it is much more than that. My ST seems to have more midrange than the FJR, it will easily power wheelie in 1st gear. On the very bottom they feel the same. In the upper 1/3 of the rev range the FJR will humiliate the ST. The ST has plenty of power, plenty of torque, it delivers it like an electric motor. It will run, it just is not very exciting while doing it. Dad and I did race them for a short distance but his FJR left me for dead. As far as fuel mileage goes, they are close, Dad is usually within 0.10 mpg of me. The ST has a 7.7 gallon tank vs the 6.6 of the FJR. I truly love both of them. The 55 mph engine rpms are identical but because the ST fires two cylinders at a time, it feels like a V-twin and sounds less busy. This obviously is more noticeable at higher speeds. This makes the ST somewhat more relaxed feeling/sounding at higher speeds. I am not blind to their flaws but this type of motorcycle suits my CHARACTER !

 

[fljab]

This makes the ST somewhat more relaxed feeling/sounding at higher speeds. I am not blind to their flaws but this type of motorcycle suits my CHARACTER !

Thanks!

I love my FJR and the only nitpick I have is I wish it had more electrical power. I have alot of farkles and don't know when I'm going to get to a point of not modifying it. I just added some things recently.

As far as gas tank size - the ST is great for a stock tank no argument - but I have an aux tank (and going to building a bigger one this winter). I have 10.3 gl total so that's good range. The new one will take it to IBA max of 11.5, and I've got this idea of how to add more in a detachable tank - dang those voices in my head!

I do look at STs from time to time used, and there are some great deals out there, same as FJRs. If for whatever reason I went away from these, I'd look to those.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Both are fantastic bikes and I could go on for days with the pros and cons of each. I just did my first SS1K on the ST so I never needed the full 7.7 I already carry. And to be more clear, I meant that SPORT TOURING motorcycles in general suit my character. I can't in good conscience try to pick a winner between the two bikes, both have been excellent so far. The FJR is the more exciting of the two. The ST does everything I ask of it and does it well. Of course I have not ridden a Multistrada...

 

[IAGeezer]

Care-ik-turrrrr. I'm no IBR guy or even a rally competitor. But I DO know that after 10-15-20 plus hours in the saddle, and my ass aches, and the wind is trying to blow me off the side of the road or a mountain, I still reach forward, pat the gas tank, and say, "Nice Bike". I trust my Feejer.

And I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

 

[Granger]

"I take ut none of you have ridden a Multistrada 1200"

No, but when I was a much younger man, I once threw my leg over a Kawa-Z1 and nearly shit my pants riding it to the limit down a half-mile straightway, the first part of it on one wheel. At the time I was owning a Suzy GT750 (the "water buffalo") as my daily ride, and a friend offered me a spin on his new bike, 'cause the Z1 had "character". If "character" is another word for mind-effing fear that extends to the base of your spine and then comes back up to your brain where you think "Okay, yes, I could die on this thing instantly, so just stop thinking about it", then that bike had it. :dribble:

But I decided that I didn't want to ride with that feeling all the time. I wanted "dependable, but spirited when desired" for my character. I think I've found that in the FJR.

Knowing when the two aforementioned bikes were selling will tell you my age, and perhaps that has something to do with my current slightly conservative personality, and yes I admit that this shapes my definition of "character". I've owned bikes that were daredevils, and those were always the ones I had to rebuild and fix, time after time. They were also the bikes the brought me closest to death on occasion, but thankfully my balls failed me and I backed off before the bike/road could teach me a final lesson. I don't need that crap anymore, I am happy enjoying my character in long, winding, beach-overlooking, swooping rides with no traffic ahead, on a bike that will let me grab a handful and not worry about burying my head in my ass.

So I don't need to ride the Mulstistrada, BTDT. But hey, enjoy!

See you on the highway...

Granger