The 2014 FJR1300 - Woo-hoo!

[Goodman4]

Like the red a lot. Love the black.

I'm no suspension expert, but the instructor at a class I took last week had the K1600 (as well as two other guys in the class). He was teaching about suspension and kept talking about how good the electronic suspension was on their BMWs. He actually said some great things about my FJR, but he said the auto adjusting suspension was the bomb on the front of the BMW. One of the BMW guys said he missed his FJR, though. Back when he upgraded there were just a few features he was missing. I'm interested to see what the experts find about the ES. I won't be jumping for a long time, since I'm very satisfied with my 07, but I love to see the positive future.

 

[wheatonFJR]

...So a deep/rich red in an AE?, I'm sold here

I wouldn't count your chickens before they're hatched...the AE sucked for sales in the US as new bike buyers unfamiliar with the concept didn't tend to bite.

I think more people are aware of the upsides now, due to anecdotal statements from AE owners. Is it enough for Yamaha to change their mind and reenter the NA market with the AE? I think not, but you may be lucky...

 

[gixxerjasen]

Yep, the AE was what? A $1500 upgrade to purchase, but lots of dealers ended up having to sell them for less than the A just to get them off the showroom floor. I'd be surprised to see them come back.

 

[beacher]

Sounds like there are going to be an awful lot of "older" FJRs up for sale, shortly. The thing that astounds me is that none of you have asked, "Why in the world is Yamaha not addressing the issue of a sport touring bike with a saddle that has the comfort rating of a medieval torture device?" I would be much more likely, with some of the other advances in the newer models, to think about loosening my grip on my wallet, had I not already gone through the cost of a couple of different saddles. . .

 

[Fred W]

...after reading every post on this thread, not one has addressed a big question we all had last year. We've heard it said that "no news is good news." I would disagree. How come nuttn's binsedd 'bout the 80mph limit on all American version cruise controls? We need answers, people. Somebody needs ta SHAKE THAT TREE.

I would say that, although certain people made a lot of noise about it, it really isn't a very big deal to the vast majority of riders. Most places you cannot cruise at over 80 mph without risking a ticket. Yes, there are a few places out west where the speed limit is higher, but not many. In those places, which are typically wide open and flat you would just use plan B (a simple throttle lock).

The thing that astounds me is that none of you have asked, "Why in the world is Yamaha not addressing the issue of a sport touring bike with a saddle that has the comfort rating of a medieval torture device?"

We all already know what the answer is: a custom made touring saddle made to your dimensions, Russell Daylong preferred.

The OEM can not possibly make a saddle that is customized to fit your dimensions and still have it work for everyone else's. As long as there is a seat pan underneath the cheap stock seat, I see no reason to spend more money on improving a seat that you would just eventually be throwing in the trash anyway.

 

[Old Guy]

...after reading every post on this thread, not one has addressed a big question we all had last year. We've heard it said that "no news is good news." I would disagree. How come nuttn's binsedd 'bout the 80mph limit on all American version cruise controls? We need answers, people. Somebody needs ta SHAKE THAT TREE.

I would say that, although certain people made a lot of noise about it, it really isn't a very big deal to the vast majority of riders. Most places you cannot cruise at over 80 mph without risking a ticket. Yes, there are a few places out west where the speed limit is higher, but not many. In those places, which are typically wide open and flat you would just use plan B (a simple throttle lock).

The thing that astounds me is that none of you have asked, "Why in the world is Yamaha not addressing the issue of a sport touring bike with a saddle that has the comfort rating of a medieval torture device?"

We all already know what the answer is: a custom made touring saddle made to your dimensions, Russell Daylong preferred.

The OEM can not possibly make a saddle that is customized to fit your dimensions and still have it work for everyone else's. As long as there is a seat pan underneath the cheap stock seat, I see no reason to spend more money on improving a seat that you would just eventually be throwing in the trash anyway.

Bingo!

Getting caught at 80mph will get you an expensive ticket in most of the places I ride. I know that's not true of everyone, but for most of us, that's probably the case. Sure, I'd like to set the cruise higher in some places, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time crying over it.

I guess I'm the only rider ever who finds the stock saddle adequate. I've put 10,000 miles on mine since I bought it March 2nd. That includes many 400+ mile days and a couple of 700+ mile days in temps in the high 90s. For me, the seat height is a bit of an issue, and I fear a wider saddle would make very slow maneuvers on loose surfaces even more difficult.

 

[Warpdrv]

...after reading every post on this thread, not one has addressed a big question we all had last year. We've heard it said that "no news is good news." I would disagree. How come nuttn's binsedd 'bout the 80mph limit on all American version cruise controls? We need answers, people. Somebody needs ta SHAKE THAT TREE.

I would say that, although certain people made a lot of noise about it, it really isn't a very big deal to the vast majority of riders. Most places you cannot cruise at over 80 mph without risking a ticket. Yes, there are a few places out west where the speed limit is higher, but not many. In those places, which are typically wide open and flat you would just use plan B (a simple throttle lock).

The thing that astounds me is that none of you have asked, "Why in the world is Yamaha not addressing the issue of a sport touring bike with a saddle that has the comfort rating of a medieval torture device?"

We all already know what the answer is: a custom made touring saddle made to your dimensions, Russell Daylong preferred.

The OEM can not possibly make a saddle that is customized to fit your dimensions and still have it work for everyone else's. As long as there is a seat pan underneath the cheap stock seat, I see no reason to spend more money on improving a seat that you would just eventually be throwing in the trash anyway.

Bingo!

Getting caught at 80mph will get you an expensive ticket in most of the places I ride. I know that's not true of everyone, but for most of us, that's probably the case. Sure, I'd like to set the cruise higher in some places, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time crying over it.

I guess I'm the only rider ever who finds the stock saddle adequate. I've put 10,000 miles on mine since I bought it March 2nd. That includes many 400+ mile days and a couple of 700+ mile days in temps in the high 90s. For me, the seat height is a bit of an issue, and I fear a wider saddle would make very slow maneuvers on loose surfaces even more difficult.

Thats cause you got no @$$ - Old Guy....... Most of the rest of us are ALL @$$ !!

I hit marks over 80mph on a regular basis, but are short lived. I have zero need for a cruise at over 82 mph and want 100% control of my throttle at those speeds. Although my throttle lock handles that with no problem, I don't think I've set it to cruise anything higher then 5 or 10 over the speed limit.

I'm kinda glad that they don't have the color I like, so it'll give me a year of others reviewing the newly release electronic suspension.

Has anyone seen reviews on the suspension from the EU guys? - links would be nice if there are any thoughts or write ups about it....

 

[wheatonFJR]

I may have missed this, but does the ES control both the front AND rear suspension...or just the fork settings?

 

[verranth]

I may have missed this, but does the ES control both the front AND rear suspension...or just the fork settings?

I dont believe that has been answered yet. We must wait and see.....

 

[majicmaker]

Yep, the AE was what? A $1500 upgrade to purchase, but lots of dealers ended up having to sell them for less than the A just to get them off the showroom floor. I'd be surprised to see them come back.

I'm thinking they might at least set up a "special order" system. If someone wants one, they can get it shipped over. That should be a piece of cake to set up. Back in the day, you had to pay to even order one. Same thing don't you think?

 

[Steel_Gin]

Good thing the '14 didn't come out in Blue, if it did the wife would have kicked me and the '14 out to the curb. Keep up the good work Yamaha!!

 

[RaYzerman19]

Upon thinking about this suspension stuff more....... if the non-ES is the same as the '13, I'd rather have full damping controls in both forks. The ES has that. If you watched the video, I believe (don't quote me) there are 3 or 4 preload settings with 7 damping adjustments in each. Rear is ES too. So, for 1K, why not go for it. IF you find the springs are a tad light, fork springs are cheap enough, and somebody will come out with one for the rear. Again assuming the rear spring rate is same as the '13, are we finding those adequate or not...... Last EOM Ohlins mentioned electronic is the way things are going, so they might have an aftermarket electronic at some point?? I think for 1K you are getting the value, and am gonna bet they don't sell too many non-ES's. They also didn't bring in a lot of '13's so may not be many left over.....

All you might need with a '14 is a new saddle........ time to buy would be at the end of the '14 season once they announce the '15 colours.......... red being the fastest, of course.

About the warranty thing, Honda's 3 year warranty sounds good, but the price of the bike is still a lot higher than a US FJR with Y.E.S..... not that I'm a fan of extended warranties in the first place......

 

[airboss]

Upon thinking about this suspension stuff more....... if the non-ES is the same as the '13, I'd rather have full damping controls in both forks. The ES has that. If you watched the video, I believe (don't quote me) there are 3 or 4 preload settings with 7 damping adjustments in each. Rear is ES too. So, for 1K, why not go for it. IF you find the springs are a tad light, fork springs are cheap enough, and somebody will come out with one for the rear. Again assuming the rear spring rate is same as the '13, are we finding those adequate or not...... Last EOM Ohlins mentioned electronic is the way things are going, so they might have an aftermarket electronic at some point?? I think for 1K you are getting the value, and am gonna bet they don't sell too many non-ES's. They also didn't bring in a lot of '13's so may not be many left over.....
All you might need with a '14 is a new saddle........ time to buy would be at the end of the '14 season once they announce the '15 colours.......... red being the fastest, of course.

About the warranty thing, Honda's 3 year warranty sounds good, but the price of the bike is still a lot higher than a US FJR with Y.E.S..... not that I'm a fan of extended warranties in the first place......

And if you into longer warranties D&H will still sell you an other 4 years for $389.00*. 5 years total for $389.00.

* 'cept for you guys in Florida & Canada

 

[rogdeb]

EXCELLENT !!!

I finally have a 2014 model, albeit a pretend one

Richard ... wanna buy a red 2003 FJR .. carefully used ? ... already well farkled ? .........

.... didn't think so .... I'd love to buy the new 2014 but payments are now being made on Deb's 2013 Honda Coupe :-( ... or rather .. )

Be great to see a lot more red ones out there

 

[Old Guy]

Thats cause you got no @$$ - Old Guy....... Most of the rest of us are ALL @$$ !!

I most certainly do too. It's gotten awfully wrinkled over the years, but it's there

I suspect I'm just a lot more tolerant than most folks. If I don't have a bit of butt burn when I get there, I don't feel like I've been on a ride.

 

[petey]

Thats cause you got no @$$ - Old Guy....... Most of the rest of us are ALL @$$ !!

I most certainly do too. It's gotten awfully wrinkled over the years, but it's there

I suspect I'm just a lot more tolerant than most folks. If I don't have a bit of butt burn when I get there, I don't feel like I've been on a ride.

Yeah +1.... you tell'm old guy...and this is from another old guy...

 

[Warpdrv]

If I didn't have a rough back, I wouldn't have searched out something that will allow me to ride the best bike I have ever owned for hours on end.

Full Disclosure - Im in the old dept as well, comin up on 46 on 9/11...

My youth was fun, adventurous, and filled with things I should not have attempted for as many years as I did... 40ft jumps on Yamaha Raptor took its toll eventually....

Now I have to pay a little extra for comfort. I haven't ridden on the gen 2 or 3 seat, so I have no clue, but I can pretty much figure on a Russel again, whatever the cost may be.

Back to our regularly scheduled program..... Anyone read anything on the suspension from the UK guys ?!

 

[Old Guy]

If I didn't have a rough back, I wouldn't have searched out something that will allow me to ride the best bike I have ever owned for hours on end.
Full Disclosure - Im in the old dept as well, comin up on 46 on 9/11...

My youth was fun, adventurous, and filled with things I should not have attempted for as many years as I did... 40ft jumps on Yamaha Raptor took its toll eventually....

Now I have to pay a little extra for comfort. I haven't ridden on the gen 2 or 3 seat, so I have no clue, but I can pretty much figure on a Russel again, whatever the cost may be.

Back to our regularly scheduled program..... Anyone read anything on the suspension from the UK guys ?!

My bad back is what got me off the Goldwing and on the FJR. The upright seating position on the 'wing required me to wear a brace. The forward position of the FJR carries some weight on my thighs, and I've not worn the brace since I bought it.

 

[CA G-Man]

I guess I'm the only rider ever who finds the stock saddle adequate. I've put 10,000 miles on mine since I bought it March 2nd. That includes many 400+ mile days and a couple of 700+ mile days in temps in the high 90s. For me, the seat height is a bit of an issue, and I fear a wider saddle would make very slow maneuvers on loose surfaces even more difficult.

You're not alone Old Guy. Every time I read one of the thousands of gripes and off-the-cuff dismissals of the OEM seat on this forum I think "Really? Huh... never been an issue for me." Every time I go for a longer ride I keep waiting for "butt burn" but it never comes. I'll feel the distance in my knees, but that's about it. Might be because I'm a relative lightweight at 165 lbs.

 

[Wlfman]

I may have missed this, but does the ES control both the front AND rear suspension...or just the fork settings?

From Yahama Website: https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelfeatures/689/0/features.aspx

This electronically adjustable suspension function adjusts the damping force of the front suspension and the preload and damping force of the rear suspension in a comprehensive way that maintains proper balance between the two suspensions. The adjustments can be performed quickly with the handlebarmounted switch and then confirmed on the instrument panel display.