Torn - Need Advice on FJR or Other

[RadioHowie]

Honestly, the build quality of a Kawasaki compared to a Yamaha would be enough to sway me to the Yamaha. Kawasaki has a reputation for building crap and putting it in a pretty wrapper. BUT...if YOU like it, well...

'zilla, you've spouted some shit in your day, but where did you come up with this "gem"?

My FJR is the first non-Kaw I've owned in 42 years of bikes, including my current ZRX I'm splitting seat time with the FJR and guess what...NONE of them have ever broken. (unlike a fragged cylinder head on a certain FJR I own)

 

[PanAmerican]

Very interesting topic here, I am actually considering the samething. either Z100SX or FJR1300.

I am riding Honda CB400 for 5years now, time to upgrade, been looking around, and there are a lot of options, personally I prefer sport tourer.

In Singapore, we have couple of highway, but all limit to 90KM/H. From one end to another end of the island, it only took 45mins.. :lol: The only touring option we have is ride up to Malaysia, Thailand or further.

I am looking for something I can ride within the city as well as do a bit of touring; Having this in mind, I am looking for: -

1. Big gas tank (I need something to last me a week at least)

2. Good FC 16KM/L or more

3. Wind Shield

4. Top box, not really fancy side box as I ride in city most of the time, and I need to squeeze through cars a lot.

5. low maintenance

6. Touring capability (ride from Singapore across Malaysia and right to Thailand, around 800KM)

Z1000SX vs FJR1300

1. 19L tank (very small) vs 24L

2. 15-16KM/L (I am ok with this) vs 19KM/L (WOW)

3. Manual vs Electronic (ok with either one, but FJR have more coverage)

4. Side box cost SG$1800 vs standard for FJR (I will install top box on either one, anyway)

5. Chain vs Shaft (no brainer)

6. Both should be good but I can sit like a king on FJR for sure

Cost (in SGD)

Z100SX (29,000 OTR)

24,800 (Machine) + 7% GST (Tax) + 2,000 (Tax) + 1,200 (Insurance) + 260 (Road Tax) + 1,800 (side boxes)

FJR1300 (33,000 OTR)

27,200 (Machine) + 7% GST (Tax) + 2,000 (Tax) + 800-1,000 (Insurance) + 300 (Road Tax)

So the price different is about SG$ 4,000.

Although the FJR not as good looking as Z1000SX, but the build quality is much better.

Honestly, I already have my mind set, now, left only 1 question...

This question is...

...

...

...

...

What color?? :yahoo:

I used to live in S'pore. On Scotts road near the Newton MRT station. If I wanted a bike there I would consider something much different. Something like a Yamaha TMAX. Listen to your Uncle . You can't go fast anywhere around there. Even up to KL. You wouldn't want to anyway. The Malay drivers are pretty poor. Places like HCMC have cc restrictions. Besides the TMAX will keep you dry when the roads are wet. Which is like a lot of the time, la.

 

[rfespinosa]

I have never been on a Ninja 1000 so I can't help with the comparison. However, I also have a Kawi ZX 14 and I find no difference in the build quality between the Kawi and the Yamaha.

 

[pktan]

I used to live in S'pore. On Scotts road near the Newton MRT station. If I wanted a bike there I would consider something much different. Something like a Yamaha TMAX. Listen to your Uncle . You can't go fast anywhere around there. Even up to KL. You wouldn't want to anyway. The Malay drivers are pretty poor. Places like HCMC have cc restrictions. Besides the TMAX will keep you dry when the roads are wet. Which is like a lot of the time, la.

To pktan:

Having visited your part of the world (Indonesia, Malaysia, Tailand, Taiwan), and "forced" to pick between the two, I'd pick the Z1000. Besides the issues you listed, the FJR puts out serious heat with awesome weather protection. Both of these items are 100% undesirable in your part of the world (unless it is raining). I can't imagine a worse punishment than having to negotiate Singapore/Jakarta/Kaula Lumpur traffic on a hot heavy throttle-lurchy FJR1300.

But .. I think either bike is overkill. While I understand that you will be a 'king' on either bike compared to the millions of scooters in your mix, you don't have the wide open spaces where that power can be used or appreciated. In your shoes, I would rather consider a DL650. It is much lighter, much simpler, much more nimble, much more airflow, longer gas range, smoother throttle, suspension to handle rougher roads, and less expensive. It has half the power of the FJR/Z1000 but you would rarely use the upper half anyway.

Honestly, my current CB400 is very good for Singapore Road, I can go in between car when there is a jam; and the 18L tank last me a week most of the time (300-340km in a week)

FYI, I even ride CB400 to Melaka (230km), Kuala Lumpur (350km), Cameron Highland (570km) (Malaysia), also to Betong (750km), Hat Yai (920km) and Koh Samui (1,260km, took me 16hrs on this) (Thailand)

The legal speed will be 110km/h, but I do 130-150km/h on some part and max will be 190km/h (my CB400 top limit). Altough the CB400 can handle the distance, but I pity my butt :banghead: That's why I want something bigger :scooter:

I actually looking at something smaller than FJR, But I haven't encounter other beauty yet. BTW, I haven't check out the Suzuki V-Strom 650, (they don't allow V-Strom 1000cc here) so, I might go down to the showroom and take a look again..

 

[steve'o']

I have never sat on a Ninja 1000, but just by looking at the pics and info on the net, there may only be a couple of similarities. One being a speeding ticket in a hurry. I went from a 1600 Mean streak cruiser, which is all I have ever ridden until now. I have a Gen 1 2003 FJR and I love it. It has all I want, power, agility, storage, awesome looks with or without the side cases and a low maintenance shaft drive. Hey to each their own. I'm now a Gen 1 FJR owner and love it. Someday maybe I'll be able to afford a new one and have two.

 

[flyingz06]

look at the concours 14 !!! its one sweet bike.