FJR vs. BMW

sgoat · Jul 10, 2006

Without going into alot of detail, Motorcycle Consumer News did a shootout between the two and the FJR 1300AE came out on top. Even with the fact they tested the AE model that the testors had to try to get use to in a short period of time, it still edged out the Beemer. One of the testors comments was that for their money they would buy the std. "A" model with heated grips. The beemer bested the FJR in the 1/4 mile, but they implied that would not have been the case if they would have tested the more conventional 1300A. The beemer only beat out the FJR by a couple of ponies, but the Feejer had the best torque specs. The price point was the real clincher in this very close evaluation. Anyway, I'm sure we're gonna see more of these heads up comparisons over the next month or two. I just wish they would use a std. version so the test riders were more at home with the shifting when conducting the tests. :clapping:

boogahboogah · Jul 10, 2006

I just read the article & they seemed to be splitting hairs most of the time. They didn't like the push button shifting of the AE, but loved the performance & value for the money.

I was surprised that they thought so little of the Bimmer electronic suspension, other writers have acted as if it was the end all and be all of suspensions, with MCN they liked the fast handling, disliked the slow handling, and...

'Based purely on ride quality, the Yamaha takes the category. However, if the extra money isn't a serious issue, the Beemer high tech may be sufficiently alluring to overcome its slight deficiency in low speed bump control.'

Category & 'Winner'

Engine/powertrain - BMW k1200GT (not by a whole lot, to be sure...)

Chassis/Suspension - FJR1300AE :yahoo:

Brakes - Tie

Handling -K1200GT (The rider makes the difference)

Styling - Tie

Riding Impression - Tie

Ergonomics/Controls/Instruments - FJR1300AE :yahoo:

Value - FJR1300AE :yahoo:

As for the handling 'win', they said "Still, the difference between them is so close that rider skill will win out every time"

Here's their closing paragraph...

" We've rarely had a harder time judging a comparison test. While the YCC-S equipped FJR wins by the narrowest of margins, the manual clutch FJR1300A, priced at 13,799 with heated grips, would be the unamious first choice of your underpaid scribes. For those that can afford it, the BMW GT offers an edge in technical panache and available quipment, but whether its benefits are worth the additional cost is a question only your wallet can answer. We only wish we could have taken months and many thousands more side by side miles to make up our own minds! "

Oh yeah, it was $15,299 (AE) vs $20,335 (K1200GT) (as tested)...

donaldb · Jul 12, 2006

I got my issue yesterday and read it last night. What I thought most amusing is the term they used while describing the AE-- as being best for "those w/special needs"--I kinda thought of a few of our forum brothers and sisters--that single comment helped explain a lot :lol: Joking aside I do see their point concerning those w/arthritis and the inability to work a clutch effectively or for prolonged periods. I think in a nice way that was their way of saying they did not like it all that much, that it took too much away from the overall performance. If they had done the comparison between the BMW and the A, I truly believe the FJR score would have been higher.

Dan23 · Jul 12, 2006

Seems to me that what Yamaha ought to do is offer the AE with a clutch lever that you'd only use to get the bike moving or to come to a complete stop. (This how some big rig truck "automatic" trannies are set up.) That would make sense and make the choice much more difficult.

KYFJR · Jul 12, 2006

I just read the article and I am sure they would have rated the A higher do to "Engine/Powertrain" area. And then look what the discrepancy would be in the value area 21k vs 13.5k !!!

This is a no brainer to me!