Interesting and honest review of Gen 4 FJR courtesy Revzilla

[N4HHE]

It now says it's a review of a 2016.

If that's the case, how come he didn't mention the optional check-engine-light-for-no-reason accessory? If he did I missed it.

After 10,500 miles mine is in the shop for gasoline odors first thing in the morning when sun hits it. Shop gave up, I suspect their noses have most gasoline sensors burned out. Didn't get out of parking lot before my first FJR CEL. After several more hours they decided they have to call Yamaha for help. Saturday, so have to wait until Tuesday at earliest. .
Being 30 miles away and my ride had already left I was sent home an a Suzuki C109R. Can't wait to get my FJR back. Have no interest in riding that thing for fun. Can understand how some might but carpel tunnel started acting up in right hand before I got home. Had surgery 5 years ago.

 

[ndivita]

I don't see how anyone can say that riding any two wheeled vehicle is boring. If you're bored on a motorcycle, you shouldn't be riding a motorcycle. I want my motorcycling experience to be mechanically uneventful. And if a machine that tops out at 150 mph plus, and goes 0-60 in right at 3 seconds reminds you of a Toyota Avalon, then you're not connected to reality.

 

[danh600]

I don't see how anyone can say that riding any two wheeled vehicle is boring. If you're bored on a motorcycle, you shouldn't be riding a motorcycle. I want my motorcycling experienced to be mechanically uneventful.

I don't even get bored riding my wife's 750 Honda Shadow.

Would rather be on the FJR.

But a bike is a bike.

 

[N4HHE]

I don't see how anyone can say that riding any two wheeled vehicle is boring. If you're bored on a motorcycle, you shouldn't be riding a motorcycle. .

I found myself in a situation where it was necessary I ride a Suzuki Boulevard C109R for 30 miles one day, and 30 miles back several days later. In between it was my very deliberate decision not to ride at all if it meant riding the Suzuki.

Happily back on the FJR which feels like a 125 in comparison.

 

[garyahouse]

Ha, just read all this. I'm a little slow it seems. My favorite part of the write up? The comments made BELOW the article. My take on the article itself? The man's use of the word boring can be taken two ways. Many would disagree, but in a way, this is a compliment. For example, a bike with a different setup will pull wheelies when you don't expect/want them. They might indeed make for some excitement if that's what the author was looking for. But when I want to leave a stop light in a hurry, I don't want to lift the front wheel. I'm not looking to attract any LEO attention, thank you. Same reason I appreciate a quieter exhaust. I don't need to scare the snot out of any of the cagers I pass. Maybe the guy was lusting for more power to give himself a little more thill. Hmmm. Bigger power equals poorer gas mileage. And how many crotch rockets with their big power to weight ratios can boast of running 200,000 miles and getting great gas mileage in the process? And concerning the extra weight? In heavy crosswinds, the FJR is planted. Try that on a much lighter bike. So, if boring means predictable and stable, I'm in. If it means reliable and inexpensive to own and operate, sign me up. Fixing broken motorcycles is expensive business.. I'll take my FJR any day.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[HotRodZilla]

Leave it to Gary to come along over a year later and add some well written perspective. This is why we are at a bigger disadvantage without him teaching anymore!! I think he hit the nail right on the head.

Nicely done Gary!!

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I settled on a new FJR with Y.E.S. in large part because I was tired of repair costs and downtime. I wanted to be able to run high miles, with a good warranty and plentiful service availability wherever I traveled. The FJR was not my top bike choice. But the overall package was head and shoulders above the other finalists. Averaging 20,000 miles a year despite a lengthy repair stint last year is my seal of approval. If an FJR makes you bored, go play parcheesi.

 

[K/W Motoman]

This has been a great thread that I started with great opinions and good ideas.

I have long history of flipping bikes for ones that I think would give me more of whatever I was looking for.

Currently on number #35 a 2015 FJR1300A. This winter I again looked at the new 2017's and started looking for something better.

I am like a crow. Anything new and shiny will get my attention including women with body glitter included? Well after an exhaustive search involving hours on the Internet and reading magazines nothing came close to my current FJR. The 2017 FZ-10 everyone is raving about is only 4 tenths of a second faster than the FJR and doesn't have the amenities I want. After I have had Cruise Control I can't have a bike without it. Honda? What can I say. I waited decades for an updated ST1300 and nothing appeared. The only bike they have I like is the CB1100DX and that is because I am old and remember the bikes of the 70's.

If you watch Brian on Two Wheel Obsession who has a 2014 FJR he took out a 2016ES and he said the new goodies aren't worth trading up. Even the sixth gear made only a very minimal diverence to the rpm's. He did like the slipper clutch though.

In the end I have decided the FJR is awesome as it is and it will very hard to get me to change.

 

[Niehart]

"I am like a crow. Anything new and shiny will get my attention including women with body glitter included?"

What great line, still laughing. Thanks!

 

[Uncle Hud]

My reply on Revzilla's "Common Thread":

As an FJR owner (2015 ES with 50,000 miles) I agree with almost everything you and Mrs. Lemmy said, especially this: “The most important thing to note for your readers is that it's a reliable but boring ride. Nothing is going to break, it's comfortable, and we could probably ride for weeks on that with no issues."

This bike is built for things like an Iron Butt 50CC (done that); a two-day ride to Colorado for three days of Rocky Mountain twisties (done that); and trips to towns named Atlanta in AR, KS, LA, MS, NE, and TX (done that, but still have Atlantas in DE, NY, KY, MI, and MN). It's also built for daily freeway commuting in my hometown of Atlanta, GA.

"Boring" isn't the word I'd choose, maybe "dependable, consistent, comfortable," or, as she said, "reliable". That's important when I have to ride through four states to get home tonight: it's gonna be OK because I'm on an FJR.

 

[Niehart]

^^^^ Like ^^^^

And yes, I was outa' likes.

 

[Fred W]

I agree. If someone is "bored" when riding an FJR1300 then either they aren't doing it right (not riding hard enough) or they are going to be bored riding nearly any motorcycle.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Exactly. I think I said that earlier. I have never been bored on this bike, and I'm ADD like a mofo. Twist the throttle on a good mountain road. If the rider is bored, he's too slow, or dead.

 

[art miller]

Since we are on a boring topic, have any of you with the GenIII 6 speed opt'd for a 190/55 rear tire? If yes, have you found the speedo is now in sync with your gps? Also, in 6th gear what is the ratio of rpm to mph? For example, at 3000rpm what is the speedo reading?

Reason for these questions, I am trying to justify moving up to the GenIII+ when they offer a color I like. Perhaps that would relieve the boredom!!!

 

[Fred W]

Yeah, cause a more accurate speedometer always makes my heart pump faster.

 

[Rain Dancer]

Why doe anyone care about a review? He feels it's boring...OK....it is, compared to my friends R1. And I do know some people that consider a sport bike a sport-touring bike. Some consider a GT1600 a sport touring bike, I consider it a touring boat...er...bike. Whatever makes you happy. I have an old c10 also, and love it. But then, I just love riding. And btw, my c10 has beat a few FJR's on twisty roads (yes, they kill me in the straights). But my fun is in corner carving, or I would ride a V-max. As I said, ride what ya' like!