ST1300 owners first day on an FJR1300

[Bob Hughes]

I picked up my 07 fjr today and rode it for about 125 miles. It was great. I love the ST but some comparisons are just jumping out at me between the two bikes. First is the weight of the fjr, or lack of it. It just feels like a light bike, more like my wife's VFR800 than my ST. Second is the quickness of the darn thing. The FJR is quick as all get out. My guess is the lighter weight and lower center of gravity plus the FJR itself just make it one quick bike. The ST is not a dog at all, but it's big and heavy in comparison, these can be really nice features at times but I'm thinking that these are completely different bikes. Last is the sporty look, I have the ST, VFR (with OEM bags) and FJR lined up in my garage and the ST (with top box) is a larger bike. The ST took me 5500 miles to Nova Scotia and back without a wrinkle and I love it for that kind of ride but the FJR and the VFR both look like sport bikes and the ST does not. Now I loved the ST when I bought it last year and still do but I am sure looking forward to riding the FJR. I guess I like anything on two wheels and am just really glad that I am getting a chance to try another great bike.

 

[Jetmaker737]

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun on your FJR. You pretty much summed up the differences as I see them. I test rode both bikes before buying my FJR.

The ST is a well built, quality bike but it's kind of a big fat scooterish type thing IMHO.

 

[jcolman]

The nice thing is now you have a choice of which bike to take. Not many of us can afford to do that.

 

[Bounce]

The FJR will get you to N.S. and back too. The difference is that it can do it in half the time.

 

[boogahboogah]

Hi Bob ! Welcome & congratulations on your FJR purchase. If you're anything like me, the bike will grow on you even more as time goes by and your gas brake & lean responses become more automatic. I still smile even after 28 k miles & 2+ years...

 

[tmassey]

Glad you made the switch. The FJR is a sport bike with hard bags, the ST is a touring bike with baggage

 

[Bob Hughes]

The nice thing is now you have a choice of which bike to take. Not many of us can afford to do that.

Count me in your club. The ST is sold and being picked up on Tuesday and the VFR is my wifes and is pearl white with pink accents and pink ribbons painted on it. So I have a choice of (1) motorcycle to ride too. I owned many bikes but all one at a time, and I am loving it.

 

[Fore Stroke]

Bob:

Welcome to the collective! I lurked on the ST Owners Board for months (and here also) before I pulled the trigger on the FJR; you've done an excellent job of describing why I got the FJR rather than the ST.

Don

"Fore Stroke"

 

[keithaba]

VFR is my wifes and is pearl white with pink accents and pink ribbons painted on it. So I have a choice of (1) motorcycle to ride too. I owned many bikes but all one at a time, and I am loving it.

I was going to ask why don't you ride the VFR more often, but I think you answered my question!

Which do you think is quicker in the quarter, the VFR or the FJR? (Stats say they are pretty close)

Welcome to the nut house!

 

[I'mAllIn]

Bob,

Most of my friends ride STs and I've followed your adventures on the ST board.............welcome to the dark side of the moon!

 

[WRichStrom]

Bob,

I traded in my ST1300 from last May (after one year). The ST is quite the bike but it sure feels much heavier than the FJR. My experience is that the ST is no more stable than the FJR on the "slab" or in side winds. The FJR feels like it cuts through side winds versus the ST bulls it way through the side winds.

My big difference is my ST was just uncomfortably hot on the upper gas tank and the seat. I don't have that with the FJR. I know that some of the STs may not be as hot as others but mine was hot! And I did the Honda fairing deflectors, inner panel removal, TB synch, and other fixes. In the end I just did not look forward to riding in 100F weather last year and that isn't why I have a bike, I want to ride the darn thing. I don't have the heat issue with the FJR (likewise the ST was great in 35F weather and I believe the FJR will be uncomfortable). With the new Connie out and the FJR along the K1200GT I don't understand why one would buy a ST, Honda has some work to do.

I haven't regretted my change except for the $'s expended buying a new bike two years in a row. I really doubt the FJR is any more or less reliable than the ST. I believe both bikes are "bulletproof".

Best wishes on the new ride and from my short time and 2700 miles later I don't regret it at bit.

Chris

 

[Bob Hughes]

name='keithaba' date='Aug 4 2007, 06:49 PM' post='284872']

VFR is my wifes and is pearl white with pink accents and pink ribbons painted on it. So I have a choice of (1) motorcycle to ride too. I owned many bikes but all one at a time, and I am loving it.

I was going to ask why don't you ride the VFR more often, but I think you answered my question!
Which do you think is quicker in the quarter, the VFR or the FJR? (Stats say they are pretty close)

Welcome to the nut house!

I think that with me at the helm the FJR is quicker but with a practiced VFR rider it could be a toss up. The VFR is a six gear and has the VTEC engine so I find it has a sweet spot that you want to stay in. If you don't do it every day it would be harder to get it right than the FJR which is like most other 5 gear bikes. BTW I love the gear indicator.

 

[Bob Hughes]

Bob,
Most of my friends ride STs and I've followed your adventures on the ST board.............welcome to the dark side of the moon!

It's good to be here. I hope to wear out as much rubber as I can on this fine machine. Did I mention the fun factor is really high on the fjr? I haven't liked racing around this much since I owned a 97 Magna which was great for deflating HD riders egos.

 

[ngarider]

Seems like ALOT of folks here came from the Magna camp at some point, myself included. It occured to me that both of these bikes are/were best in class (FJR/Magna) and attract the type of rider who's looking for the best value, best ride.

Handing Hardley riders their ego with a quiet V4 is truly one of the great pleasures in life. It's no fun on the FJR, they already know we're going to be faster, but the Magna.... maaaaannn.... sleeper. Mine was all black, all chrome (cause they come that way).

Bob,
Most of my friends ride STs and I've followed your adventures on the ST board.............welcome to the dark side of the moon!

It's good to be here. I hope to wear out as much rubber as I can on this fine machine. Did I mention the fun factor is really high on the fjr? I haven't liked racing around this much since I owned a 97 Magna which was great for deflating HD riders egos.

 

[rockmurf]

I also came off a st1300 to the fjr,06. The heat was also the thing that pushed me off. I wasn't going to do another fl summer on that bike and when i heard yamaha fixed their heat problem my deposit was in the salesman's hand and now 14k miles later it has all been good. Enjoy and ride safe. Everett