Hard to decide: FJR vs BMW K1200GT

[Quint]

Rod & Mark

True to character, neither of you could resist a parting shot. Well done.

 

[Mogan]

Being the owner of an '05 FJR and an '05 K1200S I also have the perspective of a dual owner. I've recently added an MV to the stable and have sold the beemer. But, I've thought about the K1200GT as a possible successor to my FJR.

I agree with most of the prior comments but also find the following:

-- Equipped with a wilbers front and rear setup, the FJR is a superior ride in the twisties. With the right rubber, the road feel is better than te beemer with it's hossack front-end.

-- Although the beemer is a 6-speed tranny, the FJR's is smoother and less clunky.

-- The FJR should have marginally better range stock due to tank size differences.

-- Aggressive braking on the beemer is more confidence inspiring given the "no dive" feel of the hossack front end. This is a real bonus in turns and situations where weight distribution changes can make dangerous changes in biem handling.

-- The alternator on the beemer blows away the FJR. If you're into lighting up the road with aftermarket lights AND using electric garments for rider and passenger, the beemer wins big. No voltmeter or "CUNT" box needed.

-- Although the audiovox CC works GREAT, the servo takes up lots of valuable farkle space. Not the case with the beemer.

-- One of the most compelling advantages of the beemer (for me) is the ESA suspension. My FJR with custom wilbers is PERFECT for everyday rides, but when I gear-up for a big trip with all the accompanying gear, the suspension is undersprung and under-dampened. All you have to do on the beemer is hi8t a friggin button. If you plan to use the BMW as both loaded tourer and a light duty ride bike, ESA's flexibility can't be beat.

--On the engine front, both have good powerplants. But I do still worry if my FJR will somehow morph into a "ticker." Fingers are still crossed.

Like others have suggested, the FJR is still the value play. The GT is probably the superior bike (with tradeoffs) if price is no object.

Hope this helps!!!!

 

[M Ellis]

Have rented BMWs and seriously considered. Then realized no contest. 07 FJR is every bit the bike, perhaps better in some areas, and substantailly cheaper.

 

[2006FJR]

I love my FJR but if I had to do it over agian I would get the BMW.

 

[Flyguy]

After riding both on a trade-off basis during liesurly day trips I have to say both are great but I bought the FJR, not solely for monetary considerations because both were affordable, but because with a few minor upgrades I preferred it. One of the real stumpers for me is that the Beemer uses high compression to get it's power thereby requiring the need for premium fuel. Not only does it tick me off to pay 20- 30 cents more for a more profitable sale to the oil companies, it is not as reliably available during shortages all over the country. Seems counter productive in a tourer. Even Kaw had the forsight to lower compression on the ZX-14 engine for use in the C-14 for this very reason. Now if they could just make it better looking . . .

 

[FastJoyRide]

After riding both on a trade-off basis during liesurly day trips I have to say both are great but I bought the FJR, not solely for monetary considerations because both were affordable, but because with a few minor upgrades I preferred it. One of the real stumpers for me is that the Beemer uses high compression to get it's power thereby requiring the need for premium fuel. Not only does it tick me off to pay 20- 30 cents more for a more profitable sale to the oil companies, it is not as reliably available during shortages all over the country. Seems counter productive in a tourer. Even Kaw had the forsight to lower compression on the ZX-14 engine for use in the C-14 for this very reason. Now if they could just make it better looking . . .

+1 Premium was the deal-breaker for me to even consider the Beemer. The more interesting the roads, the harder it is to find premium IME

 

[Blueliner]

Being the owner of an '05 FJR and an '05 K1200S I also have the perspective of a dual owner. I've recently added an MV to the stable and have sold the beemer.

The GT is probably the superior bike (with tradeoffs) if price is no object.

Hope this helps!!!!

I am not playing devil's advocate, I am just curious. If the BMW is superior in your mind, why did you sell it and not the FJR.

 

[boogahboogah]

+1 on regular vs premium

On a tour way up in the sticks of Ontario, at one point there was no premium for 200 miles & my cruiser at the time had 130 mile tank range...

 

[Graham Downunder]

I can only say that downunder the BMW is about $13,000 dearer ,That is the cost of an FJR 1300 AND a Suzuki Vstrom AND about $2-3,000 for travelling. I really like the BMW 1200GT ,but they do not sell well here ,the best selling BMW is the 1200GS ( sells about the same number as the Suzuki VStrom ).Value for money is still a major consideration for me and it dose not have it .Both bikes look good but the MOTO GUZZI NORGE in real life is the best looking bike I have seen ,it's like sex on two wheels ,those Italians get it right.

BMW service = Bring My Wallet

 

[Lake Powell]

I've had both as well, but my BMW was a 02 K1200RS, nice bike but my FJR is just as good in some areas and better in others, yes subjective.

The one thing that can't be disputed, however, is the dealer and support network. There is a ton more stuff available for the FJR and obviously many more dealers. When I was shopping for my sport tourer it was down to the BMW or the FJR. After visiting the only dealer here in Salt Lake, I'd forgotten how bad the BMW shop here sucked and the hassels of dealing with there service people. To me the BMW was not 8 to 10K better in value. Also this year the BMW kind of looks slab sided, somewhat plain, again subjective.

My dealer 2 miles from where I lived cut me a great deal, $12,300 OTD, (no tax, montana LLC) and their service and supply is very good.

Great bike, easy decision, I'm very happy with my choice.

 

[Last Chance]

OK, words from the UK.We went through exactly the same scenario last year. After parting with our second ST1100, we rode a BMW for half a day courtesy of the local dealer. (Great coffee by the way). The Mrs liked it but I didnt. Just couldnt get used to how different it felt. To be honest I was disapointed as I have owned about 30 bikes over as many years but never a beemer. I was looking forward to adding it to the list.

The Concourse was not on the horizon then so we went for the 06 FJR. Had a lot of problems with a miss-fire which is documented on this forum. (Previous name max speed). Eventually got a full refund courtesy of an excellent dealer (Sale Yamaha Manchester). We have now bought a new 05 FJR from old stock from the same dealer.

The Concourse (Seems odd calling it that, its called the 1400GT here), would have been our choice but as a previous poster states we cannot get a proper date for its launch. That together with it being a new model put us off. Let someone else deal with the glitches, had enough of that with the 06 FJR.

Good luck, let us know what you do.

Not to hijack the thread, feejer222. I remember your problems. I've gone through it with the '06. Bet I could solve it's throttle problems for under $100. Ergo FJR tamer, TBS, and raise the idle. However, someday I might add pipes and get a "custom" map for the PCIII. The PCIII also helps, not sure it's needed.

Returning the thread to it's proper subject. I think you've nailed the Pro's and Con's of the two.

Just sold my VTX1800C. Just bought Heli-bar triple tree w/risers, McCruise cruise control, Escort RD, Garmin 27something GPS, mounting hardware, Blue Sea fuse panel and all the wiring essentials are on the shelf and awaiting installation. Couple of powerlets and odd and ends are all I need now. (yeah, right) Kept a running total and I've got just at $15k in my '06 FJR. I got a great deal on it. 11,500 plus tax and transfer fee, about 12.5k and only 700 miles on the clock. (At a BMW dealer no less) With all these farkles waiting to be put on, and with a PCIII, Rifle windshield (going to try a Cal Sci next) Ergo2 FJR Tamer, and grips already installed I will have a maximum of 15.5k invested. Much less than a comparable BMW! I tried a new BMW boxer rt, I think it was. They didn't have a new 4 banger GT? in stock to test ride. Nice people. The boxer was too "peaky" for me.

My '06 gets smoother every day and is just now probably getting broken in, with 10,500 miles. Only problem is, I'm afraid, it wears out tires faster than my old VTX! :blink: :dribble:

LC

 

[Rob R]

After my first "distance" ride, not that far for others I found the seating position to upright. I would like a more laid forward position to decrease wind resistance. I just rode 140 miles nonstop in hour and half. With windscreen down, the bars need to be lowered to be more comfortable. Pretty funny how some want to raise the bars.

 

[hoosier]

I'm always a little surprised when someone who hasn't ridden one mile on a bike declares that they're going to have to spend $4K on accessories like seats, windshields, footpegs, grips, etc. to make it acceptable. These are all things that you'll never find out if you need to replace by reading the internet. Instead, you've got to put in some 500-miles days and see how it all works for you.
I'd recommend you get the FJR and leave all the extra money in the bank earning interest. Unless you really want the BMW, it is hard to justify the extra money. Ride it for awhile and then one by one, fix the things that need fixing, asking for advice as you go. It may be a lot of things, it may be nothing.

This is one of my huge pet peeves - way too much internet riding rather than real riding.

- Mark

Well, then let's get away from Internet riding, and into real riding.

I own both a 2005 FJR (full disclosure - put up for sale today) and a 2006 BMW K1200GT. I have toured on both, putting 12,000 miles in under 6 weeks on the Bimmer last summer, touring across 23 states and two Canadian provinces; and 8000 miles in two summer tours over about 3.5 weeks on the FJR in the previous summer.

I feel that after owning, rather than test driving or reading about, both, I'm in a pretty good position to respond to the original question posed; at least with an opinion as to how I see it.

First, the Bimmer offers some advantages over the FJR. Even cooler than the 06 and 07, both of which I have ridden in summer. Cruise control factory installed versus aftermarket (YMMV), which performs flawlessly. This is a big deal to me. Slightly (IMHO) superior brakes. Suspension adjustment (9 settings) with the ability to change the 3 gross settings on the fly (a feature that those who have never had it indicate is unnecessary; much like many of those who shrug off a need for an electric windshield until they've owned one and are willing to admit it). BMW: Superior fit, equal finish. Bags that don't require a key to open. Superior lean angle, stock-to-stock. Both now have integrated (on my 2005, the control sits above the bars like an afterthought) heated grips, bmw offers factory installed multi-level control heated seats. Trip computer with more functions.

On the FJR side of the advantages tally book, you have the ability to add highway pegs (the bmw has no place to bolt these on), a metal tank for those who like magnetic tank bags/map holders. The stock seat on the FJR is so far superior to the BMW's its laughable (altho I still run a Sargeant seat on the FJR).

I've modified both with aftermarket shields, peg lowering kits, and risers, so for me the comfort level/position is equivalent, although for some reason the FJR feels slightly like a better 'fit' after 300-400 miles; but I couldn't tell you exactly why.

Now for the hard part; the price and maintenance cost difference - i.e. the elusive 'value for the buck' calculation.

My honest assessment after having ridden and owned both is as follows. The BMW K1200GT is a superior bike to the FJR. This would be my opinion even compared to the 07 FJR, which is a huge advance over the 05 in heat (I did the Cromeit heat fix which solved the bulk of the problem), but which seemed to me (IMHO) to drive/ride very similarly to my 05 in all other aspects. BUT, does the degree in difference in superiority justify the difference in price - I personally don't think so. If you have to justify the additional amount of price and ongoing cost with the difference in the bikes, you can't. The FJR is the clear choice. BUT, IF the price and maintenance cost is of literally no consequence, and all you want is the best sport tourer available, than the GT is a better pick than the FJR (which constitute #1 and #2 in the list of good choices).

Everything here is my opinion only, but is at least based on weeks in both saddles.

Hey Prof---

I know this is a little late but only check this site occasionally.

Your comments on choosing between the BMW and FJR were very objective and pointed out the differences in the choices. I have a 2003 FJR with 38K and no problems, still original battery. Beyond 600 mile service, did one at 21K, valves, throttle bodies, plugs, and since nothing but tires and oil. I was long time ST1100 fan, and was waiting for the upgrade, when Yam came out with the FJR, allowing you to sit on it at rallies, etc. Not so with the ST1300. Untouchable. I sat on the FJR, hefted it, and ran home to put my money down. Very happy with the bike as it has great handling (compared to ST1100) and very light handling for such a heavy bike. Have many options including a redone Rick Mayer seat, ---which was a disappointment---and the end result is a one-off two-tone seat that is softer and more comfortable than a Russell. And I had a chance to compare side-by-side. Also the Russell seems to have a cheaper, thinner cover, compared to mine and the Russell I had on the ST1100. It surprised the owner of the Russell.

That said, I looked at the GT--I had an '89 K100RS-- and belonged to BMWMOA for 15 years--and it felt top-heavy compared to the FJR, and more "bulky'. Always have been intrigued by the BMW, but the price has driven me away. And the cost of maintenance, as you have noted. One can change the oil on the FJR without removing fairing, as you well know. Granted, they often come up with industry-leadiing ideas, but at a cost. But I wear some of the BMW clothing.

I have done two 6K rides west (from No. Indiana) a month apart, and it was no problem, especially with the excellent seat.

I did no maintenance or changed or added oil during both trips.

I probably spent about $1200 on extras, including custom paint. Now I don't want to upgrade as the bike is set up for me.

I feel very comfortable and secure on the bike, and don't have to worry about passing or mountains, as it takes them all in stride. I might add that crosswinds and gusts don't seem to have a big effect on the bike.

hoosier

 

[tripletango]

Why even consider the FJR if you can afford the BMW. After all you will look great on the Beemer and you can show it off to all your buddies!

In reality there is absolutely no reason to spend the extra money unless this is important to you.

The FJR is an ace number one plu plus perfect shit hot moto.

Be happy with one and the money you saved!

 

[Mogan]

Being the owner of an '05 FJR and an '05 K1200S I also have the perspective of a dual owner. I've recently added an MV to the stable and have sold the beemer.

The GT is probably the superior bike (with tradeoffs) if price is no object.

Hope this helps!!!!

I am not playing devil's advocate, I am just curious. If the BMW is superior in your mind, why did you sell it and not the FJR.

I didn't have the GT, just the S. The latter is AWESOME for short trips but not cross country marathons. The ergos are good, but too aggressive for that (at least for me). It also lacks important farkles like cruise control. I'm already regretting the sale of the S, but my wife went BALLISTIC when I told her I was buying a third bike. Ugggh!

 

[Mogan]

Okay, I wanted to bring this issue to a head for me... either buy a GT or marry my FJR. So I went for a test ride last week on a GT. The results were a surprise for me.

The beemer didn't seem to "win" in any performance categories except perhaps braking ability. The absence of fork dive was apparent. But what really blew me away were the handling comparisons. Granted my FJR is far from stock and the Wilbers setup totally transformed the ride quality. But the FJR blew away the road feel of the beemer. The latter handled nicely, but felt like an RT. Good turn in, but not much feel and a bit mooshy. My riding buddy has an RT and I compared it to a maytag washer on wheels - nice, reliable, comfortable but hardly exciting.

I jumped back on the FJR and it felt less refined and much more compliant... like a sport bike with good ergos in comparison.

The ride test premanently ended the spec browsing for me. I'm keeping the FJR, at least until I can test a new concours!

 

[Blueliner]

I didn't have the GT, just the S. The latter is AWESOME for short trips but not cross country marathons. The ergos are good, but too aggressive for that (at least for me). It also lacks important farkles like cruise control. I'm already regretting the sale of the S, but my wife went BALLISTIC when I told her I was buying a third bike. Ugggh!

Thanks for the response and the opinions you expressed in the next post. Good stuff

 

[jalingo]

HI Quint

i give you the french point of view cause a lot of my friends and people i know here had the same issue before buying

both bikes are good , i own a 2006 FJR, and i rode the BMW more than once cause a lot of friends own one

maybe the BMW has more confort , more smooth ride with all the electronic features more "on cloud feeling"

the FJR as everybody know is a TRUST , and super reliable as the BMW

the problem is the PRICE !!! as usual , maybe in the states more expensive ?

the services and everything here BMW cost you a lot of money , less for a yamaha and also here better get your bmw to your bmw dealer for keeping the warranty clean

the consumption i think is the same , you know here in Europe we pay the unleaded by liter !!!! so a full tank is almost 35 dollars sometimes more

and is super expensive

so go with your feelings , we only live once and is all good what ever your choice is

take care

 

[Fred W]

That may have helped him decide... 9 years ago.

 

[mcatrophy]

That may have helped him decide... 9 years ago.

He did wait until Saturday to post.