Motorcycle.com Sport Tourer Comparo

[shep]

It must be my fault. I rode BMW RT's for years and they always came in last with all the "quirks" and the high price tag. Now that I switched to an 05 FJR, the Beemer is great and the mighty FJR is a loser. I must have some bad karma or something! I better switch to something else for the sake of FJR owners everywhere!

 

[itsari]

I think they just write the model names in little strips of paper, put them all in a hat and then draw them one by one -- the order of the draw being the final result in the comparison. As for the article text proper, it's just a matter of Cut-Up Technique and Markov chains, they don't even bother to write new stuff, they just reuse last years' article. That explains why they contradict themselves vehemently from one year to the next, and also why the text seems strangely familiar, except maybe in the wrong order or something.

Gah. I stopped caring about motorcycle magazines a long time ago, be it Brit, Portuguese, Spanish or French (the ones I used to read). It's all rubbish. The bike I ride is the absolute best, anyone who contradicts me is a bloody idiot. That's review enough for me

 

[yanktar]

Even though Chopper, oops Cycle World picked the FJR first and we all like that it still doesn't mean their testing is valid. How on EARTH the FJR out-ran the K1200S is beyond me. Weighs more, has 20 less HP. What? were they running the K in the rain?

I test-rode a K1200s and the butt-dyno says this thing has a SHITLOAD more pull than the FJR. Costs a ****-load more too and has other issues, like linked brakes, a VERY heavy clutch and a riding position that's fine on the road but will KILL you in traffic. Still a helluva bike.

So I'm not concerned. CW did a test on nakeds and the FZ1 came in fourth. But, by their OWN measured standards, it should have ranked first...Go figure.

Who cares what these on-line guys think? They think I'm gonna PAY to read their crap? I won't pay to read the Wall Street Journal or the NY Times new "TimesSelect" and I find them both more valuable.

 

[Warchild]

It's all rubbish. The bike I ride is the absolute best, anyone who contradicts me is a bloody idiot. That's review enough for me

 

[RadioHowie]

"Ok, so why am I bagging on the bike that's won every MO Sport Touring comparo that it's participated in? I guess it's because the FJR suffers from appliance-itis. Its engine note is less than inspiring and its over-achieving output simply isn't enough to overcome this inline four's basic lack of character. I'm sorry Yamaha, you make great bikes and the FJR is no exception. But it just doesn't "do it" for me anymore."

What a *******. Basing a review on the engine note? So, slapping on a set of slip-ons changes the finishing order? And WTF is "character" when applied to an engine design? An inline four with balance shafts doesn't vibrate like a V or Boxer, so I guess a vibrating/buzzing/surging motor has "character". And that makes it a better bike?

He's basically saying he's bored with perfection, so let's put it at the end of the list and score everything else based on how much noise and vibration the motor makes.

For gawd's sake, rank the FJR at the bottom because it is slow, handles like a pig, stops like a cow on ice, burns your ankles, goes to pieces at the slightest hint of wear and tear, falls over in corners, gets 5 mpg, WHATEVER!! But score it on "character"??? WTF IS THAT?

Like I said...*******.

 

[Warchild]

Like I said...*******.

+1

 

[pronomian]

This is what I found amusing:

The Winner: BMW R 1200 RT(ABS) $20,720 as tested($17,490 MSRP + $750 ESA, + $1450 Radio/CD, + $215 Trip Computer,

+ $270 Heated Seat, + $50 Oil Level Warning, + $35 Clear Turn Signal Lenses)

A $20k bike beat bikes ranging from $12,490 to $15,099

That's like saying the Chevy Cobalt is nice, but the G35 coupe is a better car....well no **** Sherlock.

Who in their right mind will spend 20gs for a sport tourer? You can get a full tourer for that.

Mike

 

[Shane Stump]

This is what I found amusing:

The Winner: BMW R 1200 RT(ABS) $20,720 as tested($17,490 MSRP + $750 ESA, + $1450 Radio/CD, + $215 Trip Computer,

+ $270 Heated Seat, + $50 Oil Level Warning, + $35 Clear Turn Signal Lenses)

A $20k bike beat bikes ranging from $12,490 to $15,099

That's like saying the Chevy Cobalt is nice, but the G35 coupe is a better car....well no **** Sherlock.

Who in their right mind will spend 20gs for a sport tourer? You can get a full tourer for that.

Mike

It depends what you want.

When I bought my convertible vette in late 1999, I had several people tell me I could have bought TWO rustangs for the same price !

Best Regards,

Shane

 

[garylspolar]

What a *******. Basing a review on the engine note? So, slapping on a set of slip-ons changes the finishing order? And WTF is "character" when applied to an engine design? An inline four with balance shafts doesn't vibrate like a V or Boxer, so I guess a vibrating/buzzing/surging motor has "character". And that makes it a better bike?
He's basically saying he's bored with perfection, so let's put it at the end of the list and score everything else based on how much noise and vibration the motor makes.

For gawd's sake, rank the FJR at the bottom because it is slow, handles like a pig, stops like a cow on ice, burns your ankles, goes to pieces at the slightest hint of wear and tear, falls over in corners, gets 5 mpg, WHATEVER!! But score it on "character"??? WTF IS THAT?

Like I said...*******.

It get's worse. This about the 2nd place ST1300,

"Fine" won't make you a winner with such stiff competition, though. The ST 1300 has a few sore spots for our testers, mostly involving a windscreen that either blasts the rider's helmet from the front when it's too low or "when riding solo, if the screen is all the way up too much wind circulates behind the rider causing him or her to be "pressed" into the handlebars." Also, none of us liked the weight of the big bike, although we understand that's a plus for those of you who like a little more "tour" than "sport", and Pete described the transverse V-four's exhaust note as a "Hoover vacuum cleaner sound."
But those are really minor nits to pick. How could such a refined, reliable, competent machine lose to the more expensive -- and less powerful -- BMW R 1200 ST? The main reason the Honda finished second instead of kicking the new kid on the block back to Berlin is its bland lack of character. The ST is memorable in its unmemorable-ness. A wonderful bike indeed, and a grand choice, especially considering what a value it is, but overall competence won't cut it any more. Acuras are great, but passion inspiring? The ST 1300 doesn't quite have what it takes to open our hearts -- or wallets.

Soo..... it's heavier than the FJR, more bland, less powerful, horrible sound from the exhaust, horrible windshield. Then, how did it make 2nd place?

What a completely horrible review. Hey, is there any problem with me just cutting and pasting the text from this review? Am I allowed to share it with you all, or is there some type of internet copyright that could get the board in trouble? I mean, I'll give credit, put it in quotes and everything.