How is the giddy-up-and-go on the FJR motor, 0-80mph?

[littlefish]

Howdy y'all. NOOB to your forum but not to bikes. I'm about to drop the coin on 2013 model and bring her home.

I don't need to do a bazillion miles an hour, BTDT. I make it a point not go over the ton too often, I get lectured by angry folks in uniforms and it puts a damper on my bank account. I do like to go out every now and then and hooligan it up. I love "torquey" bikes, because they let me feel like I've been shot out of a cannon when I vigorously exercise the throttle hand. Going from 0 to the legal limit can be a blast (pun intended) if you have the stones in your motor.

My ZRX1109 with the ZX-11 cams and one tooth down in front was probably the best motor I've owned for doing this, although my Falco and Sprint ST were not too far behind. I'm ready for some comfort in the form of better wind protection and the FJR has the fairing and ergos to get that done.

My question? How is the giddy up and go on this 1300cc motor, around town, when you don't care about fuel mileage and the roads are empty?

 

[FJRay]

it will stay right with most of them. the performance of the FJR has been well doumented for years. you ought to some research before spending that kind of money. We don't want you dissapointed and have to sell it to one of us for a loss.

 

[Falko]

My previous bike was a Falco, down one tooth in the front.

The accleration from the FJR is what you'd expect from a big four. While it is tuned for torque, it isn't as linear as the Rotax in the Falco. That twin is like an electric motor and the throttle a rheostat. The FJR does pull strong once you build a few revs and had the high rpm power surge you'd expect. But it is a heavy bike that will squat the rear under hard power, don't expect it to be a light weight liter bike in performance. It will give you the yee-haw grin, and does it smoothly, no thump thump. That said, I miss my Falco in the twisties and general assaults on back roads. But love the FJR when I am not wincing from wrist pain after 4+ hours in the saddle. Oh wife likes the seating on the FJR more betterer as well.

 

[RedPorscheKilla]

Well, I try to capture the feel my FEEJAY gives me, on the giddy up and go department and try to compare it to my GSX R750.

The FEEJAY is a big girl but the 150 horse and my elephant weight of 280lbs doesn't seem to bother her much. You roll the throttle bad and she will answer to you bad, meaning wanting to be mean, she get quickly to the legal limits and when i use one of my fav on ramps here on I5 I'm faster at 80 than I can say ****. Because of her volume to horse ratio, she ain't much of a rev'er, she's made to last a very long time, so just cruising and you'll enjoy the silence she gives you at 60 to 80, which shouldn't exceed more than 4k revs, if I recall correctly. At any time you always feel in control though and you can go fast and feel like riding in a car or for a better term in a Goldwing, very comfortable, nothing pulls at you all is cool, even exceeding the 100 still no dice.

Now my GSX R750, well she's a racer through and through, not just decent 200+ lbs lighter, but made for speed. She's nasty, she throws you in to the end of the seat pan, she's faster at 120+ than you wish for, and you still have 3 gears and 4k revs left over to choose from. In other words, scary. But she's a good girl, she tells you when she doesn't like something right away and her response hanging in a curve is second to none....but and this is a huge BUT, she's good for a 100 mile round trip, than your arse, legs, bag,, well hell your entire body is screaming for discomfort and pain!

My FEEJAY? Is like a couch compared to it, I can go 200+ miles and nothing really to report..... You want a bike which is comfortable when you want her and agile on twisties when you need her, there's in my opinion nothing better than a FEEJAY. my Gixxer? This is my all time dream bike and won't leave my stable, and when me hooligan itch needs a scratch, she's right there and I'm glad she does scratch that itch!

 

[azitlies]

A quick search on Google found this info... it's from around 2004, but this is the stuff that I think gives a pretty good idea ...

Below are performance data stats according to Motorcycle Consumer News comparing the ZZR1200 and the FJR1300 that you should find helpful. Good luck with your purchasing decision. Both are great bikes!

ZZR: Measured top speed 167.1 mph, 0-1/4 mile 10.39 sec. @133.76mph, 0-60mph 2.96 sec, 0-100 mph 6.18 sec.

FJR: Measured top speed 152.6 mph, 0-1/4 mile 10.68 sec. @126.28 mph, 0-60 mph 2.97 sec, 0-100 mph 6.84 sec.

 

[littlefish]

My previous bike was a Falco, down one tooth in the front.

The acceleration from the FJR is what you'd expect from a big four. While it is tuned for torque, it isn't as linear as the Rotax in the Falco. That twin is like an electric motor and the throttle a rheostat. The FJR does pull strong once you build a few revs and had the high rpm power surge you'd expect. But it is a heavy bike that will squat the rear under hard power, don't expect it to be a light weight liter bike in performance. It will give you the yee-haw grin, and does it smoothly, no thump thump. That said, I miss my Falco in the twisties and general assaults on back roads. But love the FJR when I am not wincing from wrist pain after 4+ hours in the saddle. Oh wife likes the seating on the FJR more betterer as well.

I miss my Falco too, that motor and bike was special. Sneaky fast but, like you said, a pain in the wrists and shoulders. My ZRX1109 was an inline 4 and I had the most seat time on that. Much fun was had for certain. The lack of wind protection is my only complaint on that platform or I would be buying a ZRX1200.

 

[garyahouse]

The value of the FJR goes far beyond its giddy-up as you put it. Here's a machine that can wear a car tire if you get tired of replacing rear rubber. There are a slew of farkles available for it, and just as many pictoral how to's--- to walk you through the specifics of both farkling and just about every level of maintenance. It's a well sorted, reliable mount that is relatively easy to work on compared to it's competition. It's not nearly as heavy as say a BMW K1200 LT or a Goldwing, and feels more connected to the road than either of them. It's not the torque leader with the absolute fastest 60 to 80 roll on times, but it's got plenty of grunt. The bikes that can beat it are not nearly as comfortable on the road, which you certainly don't want. For me, it's the best bang for the buck out there, as some bikes that may be better are much more money... which I don't have. Not to mention this forum. These guys have been such a HUGE help to me with all my questions.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[littlefish]

A quick search on Google found this info... it's from around 2004, but this is the stuff that I think gives a pretty good idea ...

Below are performance data stats according to Motorcycle Consumer News comparing the ZZR1200 and the FJR1300 that you should find helpful. Good luck with your purchasing decision. Both are great bikes!

ZZR: Measured top speed 167.1 mph, 0-1/4 mile 10.39 sec. @133.76mph, 0-60mph 2.96 sec, 0-100 mph 6.18 sec.

FJR: Measured top speed 152.6 mph, 0-1/4 mile 10.68 sec. @126.28 mph, 0-60 mph 2.97 sec, 0-100 mph 6.84 sec.

Interesting stats. IMHO, the hyper-kawasakis always had to run high up in the RPM range to get the most out of them. If I can stay lower in the RPM range, keep the exhaust note quiet and blast around, that is GOOD. The screaming exhausts of the Ninja bikes just attract uniformed personnel.

 

[jcyuhn]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the power of an FJR. I have both an FJR and a Triumph Sprint ST 1050. Frankly, the Sprint feels weak in comparision to the FJR. The Yamaha pulls harder at low RPM and then comes on at higher revs. The Triumph is more linear, but not as strong anywhere in the rev range as the Yamaha. BTW this is all seat of the pants assessment; not based on performance data or a drag race...

 

[LgFJR]

Buy the 13 and be quickly assimilated into the collective................

 

[littlefish]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the power of an FJR. I have both an FJR and a Triumph Sprint ST 1050. Frankly, the Sprint feels weak in comparision to the FJR. The Yamaha pulls harder at low RPM and then comes on at higher revs. The Triumph is more linear, but not as strong anywhere in the rev range as the Yamaha. BTW this is all seat of the pants assessment; not based on performance data or a drag race...

The 1050 is no slouch of a motor either! I would have kept that bike if the wind didn't go right up into my helmet and make me more deaf than I already am!

 

[AKjitsu]

Perhaps the most productive way to look at this is to place the comfort and mile-eating capability of a sport-touring bike as the "must haves" and then asking the question: what else is available that offers better performance than the Feejer. The list is extremely short.

The Ducati 1200 Multistrada has a huge Yahoo! factor. Genuine literbike performance and (save for absolute wind protection) damned fine long distance capabilities. But it has a chain; a filthy, archaic way to propel a motor vehicle; and a significant PITA on long trips (or an accumulation of short trips). And its a Ducati. Meaning that youll need a backup bike for the time its in the shop. Our household has had 3 MTSs so I speak from experience, not legend or hearsay.

The BMW K1600 offers mind boggling thrust but is going to set you back a boatload of $ more than an FJR. And owners are reporting a raft of difficulties with the whiz-bang electronics. Whereas the electronics on the 2013 FJR were adapted from other mature Yamaha models.

Thats it.

Choose wisely.

 

[Fly Bye]

I am a firm believer that a man should at least two of everything, especially in the motorcycle catagory.

If you are a speed junkie go for it. There are a lot of super fast motorcycles to choose from.

If you are into a sport touring motorcycle there are some worthy of high expectations. You know the brands to choose from.

From my prospective the FJR offers the most amenities along with more than reasonable speed, handling and comfort.

The FJR is reasonably priced and is not a high maintenance motorcycle.

I will say that the FJR is the most versatile motorcycle I have owned in the last 50 years.

If you are disappointed with the purchase of a 2013 FJR please contact me for a quick sale.

 

[Burnspot]

The FJR pulls like a freight train and goes from 0 to illegal in very short order...that pretty much sums it up. And yes, it does feel like you've been shot out of a cannon.

 

[littlefish]

The FJR pulls like a freight train and goes from 0 to illegal in very short order...that pretty much sums it up. And yes, it does feel like you've been shot out of a cannon.

That is what I wanted to see!!! Thank ya kindly!

 

[sickchilly]

It's enough to pucker your butt and put a big grin on your face. If it does neither, check your pulse and get thee to a nunnery.

 

[hppants]

This is like asking "how much can one drink before he is drunk?" It depends.

Any metric bike over 500 cc today has enough power to get just about anybody into trouble - on the slab, on the twisties, everywhere. I mean, if we're being honest, all of us have our squid moments on the bike. It's part of why we buy a motorcycle. For me, it's a very VERY small part, but a part none the less.

But no one buys an FJR for it's 0- xx mph times. This bike is configured such that you can sit in the saddle all day. It's designed such that, with proper maintenance, it will give you 200,000 miles of enjoyment. It will haul you, your pillion, and your gear gladly. In route, you can lean it over a bit and enjoy the path less traveled. And you can do that in pretty bad weather if you want to. It has a relatively large fuel tank, which gives it a nice range for back country touring. For an I-4, the counterbalancers do a great job of keeping vibration to a minimum.

Sport bikes go very nicely from this red light to the next one just down the road.

Sport touring bikes go very nicely from this red light to next week.

They're all good - it just depends...

 

[networkguy]

The FJR pulls like a freight train and goes from 0 to illegal in very short order...that pretty much sums it up. And yes, it does feel like you've been shot out of a cannon.

THIS. Thing is, you can get from 1-95 or so in second gear. Pulling the front tire off the road on each gear shift if you so desire.

 

[littlefish]

But no one buys an FJR for it's 0- xx mph times.

BUT, if the FJR had the acceleration capabilities of the SV650 I raced, I would not buy it, no matter how comfy or long range it was. I remember going down many a front straight, getting tucked in behind the fairing of my SV and having time to start thinking about the lunch I had sitting back in the pit box!