How good are the FJR1300 brakes

[Ghost Dog]

For my next bike, I have been trying to decide between an adventure-sport or a sport-tourer. I've narrowed my two top picks for various reasons to the Buell XB12X Ulysses and the FJR1300A. I want something that is fun and sporty, can comfortably soak up long miles with luggage, and be scads of fun on the backroads. I also want a bike that will be a decent commuter as well. I have the feeling that I might miss out on perhaps 1% of the riding opportunities to explore a fire road, or not have to turn around when a paved road changes to gravel or packed dirt if I didn't get the Buell. On the other hand, the FJR is a dynamite sport touring bike and it strikes me that the ABS brakes might be a life saver some day when a cager decides to swerve into my path. I know ABS in my cars have saved me from numerous potential bad times. So how good are the brakes on the Feejer, and is this really a solid reason to lean toward the FJR.

 

[Knifemaker]

Read this:

https://www.ibmwr.org/prodreview/abstests.html

KM

 

[Ghost Dog]

Thanks - lots of data and I gather a bit old (FJR1200 non-ABS model kept getting mentioned). I assume the technology has improved even more since the article was written. What about first-hand testimonials from real owners. I specifically want to hear about those who had to panic stop when some cager pulled into their path - dry and wet conditions, gravel, etc. Having only five years of riding experience under my belt, and having read numerous books on riding technique and safety and taken the MSF course, I do try to practice using the brakes to stop quickly. My feeling is that if I own a sporty bike with > 100hp and really ride hard, maybe the linked ABS (FJR is linked right?) might be a very prudent choice over sport, sport-touring and adventure-sport bikes that do not have them. One final point is that I can't spend $19k on a BWM at this point. Thanks.

 

[Captain Obvious]

maybe the linked ABS (FJR is linked right?)

The 2006 is unified braking. A little different in practice then linked. Personally I've rode bikes with linked brakes and the only one i even remotely cared for was the XX. But then again almost everything on that bike is sweet.

 

[Ghost Dog]

maybe the linked ABS (FJR is linked right?)

The 2006 is unified braking. A little different in practice then linked. Personally I've rode bikes with linked brakes and the only one i even remotely cared for was the XX. But then again almost everything on that bike is sweet.

Okay - so what's the diff between linked and unified?

 

[Warpdrv]

2005 ABS unit here... and this baby stops on a dime and gives you 2 cents change....

Works great for quick stops... except for the big breasts pushed up into your back... but thats OK by me....

Warp

 

[Knifemaker]

Yes the article is a bit dated, but it gives a good view of the "real world" diffrences in non/ABS and ABS bikes.

Not really sure the diffrence in "unified" to "linked".. I call the new system linked , well , because the front brakes are linked to the rear and visa-verse...

I have read many testimonials from owners of ABS equiped bikes , all saying in a nutshell that the brakes saved their ass on one or more occasions.

My "shopping list" for my next bike had ABS right on top..and after checking all the available models , I chose the FJR..and am now waiting delivery of my 2006.

But for your benifit I will give you a direct quote from an FJR rider that has a 2005 ABS model.

" After living with the bike for a year now , I will say without a doubt , I will never buy a motorcycle that does not have Anti Lock Brakes on it.."

KM

 

[Ghost Dog]

Yes the article is a bit dated, but it gives a good view of the "real world" diffrences in non/ABS and ABS bikes. Not really sure the diffrence in "unified" to "linked".. I call the new system linked , well , because the front brakes are linked to the rear and visa-verse...

I have read many testimonials from owners of ABS equiped bikes , all saying in a nutshell that the brakes saved their ass on one or more occasions.

My "shopping list" for my next bike had ABS right on top..and after checking all the available models , I chose the FJR..and am now waiting delivery of my 2006.

  But for your benifit I will give you a direct quote from an FJR rider that has a 2005 ABS model.

" After living with the bike for a year now , I will say without a doubt , I will never buy a motorcycle that does not have Anti Lock Brakes on it.."

KM

I'm not sure of the terminology either. I gather there are degrees of linking, from both lever and pedal equally activating both front and rear brakes, to each activating their own respective brakes along with some of the pistons of the other brake. The only complaints I've heard about linked brakes are generally from guys riding high-performance sportbikes where they want to be able to apply a touch of trailbrake with the rear only without compressing the forks and stuff like that. Although I like to ride hard, I don't do track days and would sacrifice a bit of performance for more safety on these crazy roads these days.

I remember the first time I slammed on the ABS brakes in my '98 Toyota Camry in the rain when a truck pulled right out in front of me. I was in a curve and yet the car stopped quickly and in complete control while rounding the curve without missing a beat (like my heart did!).

I also remember back to the MSF Basic Rider course where they have you get up to about 20mph and then brake hard between some cones. I apparently locked both brakes and the instructor was practically screaming at me about how if I had released the rear brake I'd have had a highside accident. Scared the crap out of me.

 

[gasman]

Real world example, when I first got my '04 I wanted to see if these ABS brakes were everything they were purported to be. So, I geared up went to a nice straight stretch of open road shot up to 80 mph and literally jammed both front and rear brakes on. Scary? You bet. But I didn't need to worry because all it did was come to a very quick, quiet and safe stop. Try that on a non ABS bike and you'll be looking at your assend coming around at you in about 2 seconds or less. When it was all over I was sure glad that it all worked the way it was claimed to or I'd have been eating blacktop possibly. JB

 

[Captain Obvious]

maybe the linked ABS (FJR is linked right?)

The 2006 is unified braking. A little different in practice then linked. Personally I've rode bikes with linked brakes and the only one i even remotely cared for was the XX. But then again almost everything on that bike is sweet.

Okay - so what's the diff between linked and unified?

Well... the name....

The concepts are the same, it's the way the actual distribution of braking forces and the way the bike responds with a fixed amount of opposite wheel brake application that are different. Either way some guy has decided what is the best amount of distribution for any situation is and dialed it in. I'd rather do that on my own, thank you. We'll see how this system works once some experianced riders start putting it to the test.

 

[Waaane]

I have 12k miles on an 05ABS model. I messed around with the brakes a bit on a long driveway where I knew there was going to be no oncoming traffic. I wanted to "feel" the ABS work.

It is very easy to make the ABS operate with only the back brake actuated but the front wheel never broke loose with the load I put on it so never really tested the ABS system. I applied some serious braking power from 30 to zero in these tests several times... Now the story...

I ride in the Sierras alot. I was coming down CA SR 108 at about the 7500 foot level above Kennedy Meadows early one morning and was setting up for a nice solid left hand 90 degree bend at about 55 MPH. I am sitting on the outside edge of the pavement and just getting ready to dive in to the apex of the turn when a minivan comes from the other direction heeled over on his left front wheel and crossing the double yellow near out of control.

I just grabbed all my brakes...hard. The bike straightened up I missed the van by inches. Then still braking hard cause I had no road left I leaned it over and got round the turn.

I don't know if I actuated the ABS or not but the brakes on this bike are some kind of awesome. Full on brakes and control. Say no more.

Later

 

[FJRZON]

Ghost Dog, did you check out the BMW R1200GS Adventure (with ABS)? This really sounds like what your are looking for and can be had for what the FJR lists for if you shop carefully. From your statement above, it appears this would be the most logical choice for you over the FJR or the U bike. Happy shopping.

 

[Ghost Dog]

Ghost Dog,  did you check out the BMW R1200GS Adventure (with ABS)?  This really sounds like what your are looking for and can be had for what the FJR lists for if you shop carefully.  From your statement above, it appears this would be the most logical choice for you over the FJR or the U bike.  Happy shopping.

I did check out the 1200GS as a matter of fact. Love to own one! Maybe the BMW dealer here (Raleigh) is over-priced but he wanted $15,600 without bags or ABS. By the time you added them both, the price was up to around $18k. The Yammie dealer wants $13,721 OTD (out-the-door) for the '06 1300A by comparison, so yeah, I figured it's like almost five grand more for the Beemer. Not worth it in my book.

 

[azbikergirl]

When I took the ERC last year, we practiced hard braking. When I braked hard, I felt this sort of 'clunking' that the instructor said was the ABS kicking in. Since then, I've felt it plenty of times while trying to save my skin. I'm still here, so it works like a charm!

 

[Knifemaker]

Have you looked at the Triumph Tiger?

No ABS available but a list of around $10,000.

KM

 

[rodantking]

Ride gave it a great review.

 

[Ghost Dog]

Have you looked at the Triumph Tiger?No ABS available but a list of around $10,000.

KM

Yup. The BMW dealer was also a Triumph dealer and they just happened to have one available for demo rides. I liked it a lot. The guy they had leading the demo rides that day was on a 1200GS and I had a hoot following him on the Tiger. And it sure is one of the more beautiful bikes I've seen. But as you said - no ABS and most magazine reviews say the off road capabilities have been completely bred out of it. Plus - I don't want to have to mess around with chain maintenance on my next bike. Plus, the design leaves one of the panniers half-sized to fit over the muffler (just a minor let down but a let down none-the-less). And I've heard on the Tiger forum how you have to take off the seat to adjust the rear preload and remove some other part to get to the plugs and so forth - usual British silliness. I'd decided after that, if I was willing to forgo the ABS, the Buell was the bike for me.

 

[RadioHowie]

Another "Real World" ABS story for you.

I'd had my FJR for 1 week. Actually, 4 days. Take my first long trip from Lakeland, Florida (near Tampa/Orlando) to Key West. Sunday morning, leaving Key West it's raining. Early showers from Hurricane Katrina. Heading north on U.S. 1, the Overseas Hiway, I'm on one of the many bridges, cruising along about 50-55mph, top the rise on a bridge, and what seems like inches in front of me is a guy on a Goldwing, pulling a trailer, straddling both lanes.

Don't know whether he's jacknifed it on the wet road, or simply trying to do a 3-point turnaround, but he's got both lanes covered. My ONLY choice is to grab a handful, since the only escape is over the concrete guardrail into the Atlantic. Not my idea of a choice.

Needless to say, I'm expecting major pain and extended recovery time, but the FJR comes to a non-screeching halt with room to spare. The pulsating through the front brake lever was almost indetectable. Probably 'cause the amount of ABS feeback through the rear brake was hammering and clunking so hard I thought I was gonna die! In truth, I couldn't swear in court that the front ABS even kicked in, but the rear certainly did.

Regardless, I stopped straight and true on the downhill side of a rain-soaked bridge, and honestly, with no drama at all, besides the rear brake pedal feedback.

I've "tested" the rear many, many times now, just stomping on the pedal for no good reason and stopping smooth and fast. Many times, I've purposely used the rear only in normal riding, to the point of abuse, just to get the feel of the ABS but I still can't bring myself to just grabbing a handful of front brake to see what happens. I endo'd a bike many years ago and don't wanna do it again.

Guess I'm a puss.

But ABS is a lot like sex...I wouldn't want a life without either. :clap:

 

[Ghost Dog]

Another "Real World" ABS story for you.
I'd had my FJR for 1 week. Actually, 4 days. Take my first long trip from Lakeland, Florida (near Tampa/Orlando) to Key West. Sunday morning, leaving Key West it's raining. Early showers from Hurricane Katrina. Heading north on U.S. 1, the Overseas Hiway, I'm on one of the many bridges, cruising along about 50-55mph, top the rise on a bridge, and what seems like inches in front of me is a guy on a Goldwing, pulling a trailer, straddling both lanes.

Don't know whether he's jacknifed it on the wet road, or simply trying to do a 3-point turnaround, but he's got both lanes covered. My ONLY choice is to grab a handful, since the only escape is over the concrete guardrail into the Atlantic. Not my idea of a choice.

Needless to say, I'm expecting major pain and extended recovery time, but the FJR comes to a non-screeching halt with room to spare. The pulsating through the front brake lever was almost indetectable. Probably 'cause the amount of ABS feeback through the rear brake was hammering and clunking so hard I thought I was gonna die! In truth, I couldn't swear in court that the front ABS even kicked in, but the rear certainly did.

Regardless, I stopped straight and true on the downhill side of a rain-soaked bridge, and honestly, with no drama at all, besides the rear brake pedal feedback.

I've "tested" the rear many, many times now, just stomping on the pedal for no good reason and stopping smooth and fast. Many times, I've purposely used the rear only in normal riding, to the point of abuse, just to get the feel of the ABS but I still can't bring myself to just grabbing a handful of front brake to see what happens. I endo'd a bike many years ago and don't wanna do it again.

Guess I'm a puss.

But ABS is a lot like sex...I wouldn't want a life without either. :clap:

Thanks - I appreciate the testimonial.