This is your typical newby post

[Fyrfyghtr]

First a little about me: I am 49 years old and have been riding motorcycles for a little over 30 years, and I am really impressed with this bike.

I am going to quote the second entry in my new bike log. It about sums everything up.

I am overwhelmed by the differences between this bike and the Honda VTX 1800 that I traded on it. This bike is sooooo much smoother, I think that the Honda had more ʺoff the lineʺ power But after that the Yamaha takes over and never looks back. It goes without saying that the handling is much better on the sport tourer. The riding position is much better. I could not go for more than 30 min on the honda without my back hurting. I did a 3 hour ride on the 17th with one stop for gas, with no back pain at all. The seat will need some kind of upgrade, my butt was not happy at all. Also the grips are too small for my hands. I have already ordered a set of slip on grip pads and a throttle boss for it. I want to get a trunk for toting my junk to work and back and possibly some motorcycle camping. The lighting on this bike is fine for me to see at night but it is severly lacking in people seeing me. I want to add LED driving lights and HID headlights out front and TIR3 brake, tail and turn lights in the rear. I'm looking forward to a long affair with my new best friend.

 

[Niehart]

I would also recommend a set of Alex's rear bag decals. They light up the bags at night and are just barely visible during the day.

https://www.realtimeindustries.com/categories.php?category=Yamaha/FJR1300

https://www.realtimeindustries.com/products.php?product=FJR1300-reflective-rear-bag-decals

And welcome to the asylum.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I traded my 2003 VTX1800R for my '07 FJR back in 07. I loved that VTX. It ran really well, and was very comfortable. It had power for days, but at 30k, I was on my second set of floor boards because I was always scraping them.

It was a really nice bike, but like you, I was amazed by the FJR. I don't think the VTX had more power off the line. It was a torque monster, making 110 lbs/ft on the dyno, but I don't think it could move better than my FJR for more than 5 or 6 feet. Haha. THe FJR is smoother, but that's the nature of a V-Twin compared to an in-line 4.

I bought my FJR in Colorado, so I put around 500 miles on it just getting it home. Due to the changed riding position, I was a little sore in all the new muscles working on the bike, but once I got situated, it's very comfortable for me.

Have fun...You're gonna like it.

 

[networkguy]

Yet another who also traded a VTX1800 for the FJR and havent looked back. The VTX served me well, was comfortable, but just a little sluggish for my tastes. Enjoy your new feejer!

 

[Goodman4]

I have a VTX1300 and just got the FJR this week, so the difference for me is even more significant. I love the speed, cornering and stopping, as well as the styling, smoothness, and passenger comfort. I still will probably ride the VTX to work since town riding is better. I like the seat and the deep rumbling torque feel on the VTX, too, as it has a "cool" factor that is different than the FJR. They are totally different bikes for different purposes.

One thing I was surprised by is that my wife always hated interstate riding, but she is really comfortable going fast on the big roads on the FJR now. That opens up a lot of distance options for us. The only negative surprise has been the vibration is different in my ankle where I have a plate from a dirt-bike accident. It never bothered me on the VTX, but it seems to hit it just the wrong way on the FJR. I am hoping I will adjust as it is just different, but if not I may look into getting the Wild Bill highway pegs.

Can't wait to get to ride the Cherohala Skyway on it, which is my favorite trip.

 

[Sully1300]

I also had a VTX and traded it in on a new '06 FJR back in the day and remember having to wait a month or so for the bike since they were in such high demand. I now have an '08. I did like the VTX but realized that my riding preference had changed to sport touring so the next step was obvious.

I gotta say though, what is going on at Honda in the styling department with the VTX (VT 1300 only now) - awful. Bring back the VTX 1800!