When will we see a new FJR design?

[HotRodZilla]

Thought I'd weigh in on this one. I was up at the Kawi/Yammie/Zookie dealer yesterday, so I kicked a few tires in the showroom. I meandered through the forest of shiny new metal, examining all the latest offerings. My opinion: Y-U-C-H-H. They can keep all of it. Call me old fashioned or weird, I don't care. I don't like the monstrous mufflers. Gads, do they really HAVE to be that big??? I looked at the cosmic ray gun styling... for example; the new Kawi 1400 road burner. It looks like something from Star Trek-- Gag. More and more junk, more and more money, more and more stuff to break. More chrome, more weight, more money. Multiple levels of electronic acceleration control. Gauges and gizmos to monitor air pressure, engine oil information and how long the new owner can plan on being broke. Good grief. Is that the direction we're hoping for?

Maybe, just maybe it's better this way. Perhaps we should be thankful that the "market," which determines what changes will be made to existing platforms, hasn't yet dictated it's new plans for the FJR.

I walked out to the parking lot and stood for a moment to admire the best looking bike I saw that day. I kicked a leg over it, hit the starter button, and headed home. Reflecting back on the experience, I'm as glad today as I was the first day I saw one, that I own an FJR.

Gary

darksider #44

That may be the best post so far this year!!

 

[beemerdons]

Having owned two FJR AEs, and a K1600GTL, I have to tell you that the FJR holds its own against the K1600. I re-bought the second FJR after having owned the K1600 for about 5 weeks and I will keep both.

The K1600 shines for situations where you need a lot of storage space, and it also shines if you're too lazy to check your oil or your tire pressure the conventional ways, or if you're too lazy to dial in your suspension by conventional methods. And the factory cruise control, is very nice too.

Otherwise, the K1600 has a lot of weight, and the guys who tell you that it evaporates once your underway have forgotten that you do have to slow down again. I like, maybe even love, both of these bikes, but if all you've got is an FJR, you could do a heck of a lot worse. The FJR is a great bike, and with over $15,000 less invested in my current "new leftover '09" FJR compared to my "new '12 K1600," you'd have to put an awfully large premium on the gadgets, extra storage space, and sexy 6, to justify the extra money.

As for an FJR upgrade, I don't see it coming. But if it were being considered, I wouldn't mind factory cruise, electronic tire pressure and oil level monitoring, and saddlebags that were large enough to stow an XL helmet. Aside from these upgrades, I can't think of a thing.

Go out and enjoy your FJR!

+1, Gunny; Great Minds Think Alike, El Toro and Papa Chuy are on the exact same page. I love my 2003 FJR and I love my 2012 K1600GT, equally! Really, really!

However, if I could only afford to own one motorcycle (instead of as many as my garage will hold!), it would be "Miss Lucy Liu", my FJR. "Gisele" is a sweetheart and I really enjoy her, Son Seth and I will be riding the K16 to Alaska after NAFO; and yes, we will be on dirt and gravel since we are taking the Cassiar Highway - Canada 37.

Push comes to shove Lucy would stay and Gisele would go! I'd then have to have the Bleu und Weiss BMW Roundel Tattoo removed from my ***, unless I keep my GS!

OFF TOPIC: What in the Hell is this beast? I was just thinking, if HotRodZilla was an animal, then this creature would be exactly what HRZ is! jes' sayin' and nuff' said!

 

[MCRIDER007]

.........Son Seth and I will be riding the K16 to Alaska after NAFO; and yes, we will be on dirt and gravel since we are taking the Cassiar Highway - Canada 37.

If riding to Alaska means taking the Cassiar Highway (north) to Hyder then you don't have to worry about dirt and gravel unless you plan to ride off pavement on some side road.

 

[beemerdons]

.........Son Seth and I will be riding the K16 to Alaska after NAFO; and yes, we will be on dirt and gravel since we are taking the Cassiar Highway - Canada 37.

If riding to Alaska means taking the Cassiar Highway (north) to Hyder then you don't have to worry about dirt and gravel unless you plan to ride off pavement on some side road.

Many thanks, MCRIDER007! It's been 25 years since I've ridden the Cassiar Highway and it was all dirt and gravel back then, I appreciate this up to date information!

Now another quick question for you, is this rodent an "AJ"?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Now another quick question for you, is this rodent an "AJ"?

If that rodent is a baaaaad ************ with lots of smarts, superior handsomeness, and a way with the ladies, then yes...That rodent is an AJ.

Well, as AJ as a rodent could be. And no Don...You can't stick this one up your butt.

 

[burt the plumber]

I wonder when we will see a new design?

I think its's time.

I'd like to see a FJR1600

 

[SacramentoMike]

I wonder when we will see a new design?

I think its's time.

I'd like to see a FJR1600

Or a 1601. Screw BMW.

To the OP: my FJR is unique. I'd bet anything it's the only one in the world with my exact combination of add-ons, farkles, and improvements that make it perfect for me! You want heated grips? Add 'em. Cruise control? Likewise. A fifth gear, more cylinders, a roof? Buy something else. Like they say in the Marines, "there are many like it but this one is mine." More than happy with it, too.

(This thing STILL hasn't gone to "Never-Ending Pointless" land?)

 

[gixxerjasen]

True-Mamaha doesn't have a big sport bike to share tech with but she could always stuff in the new Vmax mill....If I had my druthers I'd just leave it alone..meebee a big chrome air horn or somethin'.. after all, the cost of producing the FJR has long since been amortized so make a few and sell a few..

I think Kawasaki has the right idea. I think Suzuki should remove it's head from its'....you know. The Hyabusa is NOT a sport tourer. However, I'm pretty certain that if they'd stuff that powerplant into something more FJR/Concourse like (Not BKing, sweet bike but not the right direction) they could have a clear winner there.
And I'll throw in my vote for a crossplane crank FJR and FZ1. From what I've read it's not the greatest race motor but could be a fantastic street motor.

 

[El Toro]

If you're lusting after more pubic cubic inches for the FJR, you could try to get Yamaha to take the 1700 they use in the VMax and set it up for touring. If the crank's longitudinal, it would be Guzziesque. If the cranks transverse, it would be ST1300esque. In either case, it would undoubtedly scream. Not sure how much fun it would be for touring though. I really like the 1300. It gives good power, good torque, and decent gas mileage. FWIW, the FJR and the K1600 have very similar power to weight ratios as they currently exist.

 

[Road_Runner]

If you're lusting after more pubic cubic inches for the FJR, you could try to get Yamaha to take the 1700 they use in the VMax and set it up for touring. If the crank's longitudinal, it would be Guzziesque. If the cranks transverse, it would be ST1300esque. In either case, it would undoubtedly scream. Not sure how much fun it would be for touring though. I really like the 1300. It gives good power, good torque, and decent gas mileage. FWIW, the FJR and the K1600 have very similar power to weight ratios as they currently exist.

I think the VMax motor is used in a touring bike already... the Royal Star Venture.

As far as a redesign goes, I don't think Yamaha will mess with relative success with market conditions being what they are, and the FJR not selling all that many units. Even when times were good, Honda make the ST1100 for 12 years (1990-2002).

 

[Pepperell]

You really need to know what the sport touring market and Yamaha's share of it in Europe is as well as North America to get an indication of what the economics are of a redesign.

There's a lot that can be done with the current design which wouldn't be too difficult. Upping engine size via bore and/or stroke might be possible. Plastic changes are the most likely candidate, perhaps integrating some of the styling cues of the R1 (hopefully not the seat, tho!). :wacko: A change to LED lighting might yield an increase in available electrical power and more room in the fairing and tail piece for design and "stuff". Perhaps a muffler under the engine/transmission would get rid of the twin mufflers, which would allow for larger, redesigned bags. A lot depends on what the "other guys" are doing in this segment. Gasoline prices and fuel economy may also need to be considered; I can buy a Prius that gets better gas mileage than an FJR.

Answer to question #2: Guinea Pig?

 

[beemerdons]

You really need to know what the sport touring market and Yamaha's share of it in Europe is as well as North America to get an indication of what the economics are of a redesign.

There's a lot that can be done with the current design which wouldn't be too difficult. Upping engine size via bore and/or stroke might be possible. Plastic changes are the most likely candidate, perhaps integrating some of the styling cues of the R1 (hopefully not the seat, tho!). :wacko: A change to LED lighting might yield an increase in available electrical power and more room in the fairing and tail piece for design and "stuff". Perhaps a muffler under the engine/transmission would get rid of the twin mufflers, which would allow for larger, redesigned bags. A lot depends on what the "other guys" are doing in this segment. Gasoline prices and fuel economy may also need to be considered; I can buy a Prius that gets better gas mileage than an FJR.

Answer to question #2: Guinea Pig?

Thank You Pepperell, your answer is the absolute very best one to Question #1. Everything you have suggested makes sense and could easily be implemented by Yamaha Corporation: And still keep our FJR's the FJR's we both know and love.

And many thanks for the answer to Question #2, I have always suspected HotRodZilla was a Guinea Pig!

 

[madmike2]

Answer to question #2: Guinea Pig?

And many thanks for the answer to Question #2, I have always suspected HotRodZilla was a Guinea Pig!

Hmmmm....from the exchanges I've read, Don, he may be YOUR Guinea Pig....

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Even if he's not and you have your own personal Guinea Pig...for whatever reason.....

 

[beemerdons]

Answer to question #2: Guinea Pig?

And many thanks for the answer to Question #2, I have always suspected HotRodZilla was a Guinea Pig!

Hmmmm....from the exchanges I've read, Don, he may be YOUR Guinea Pig....

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Even if he's not and you have your own personal Guinea Pig...for whatever reason.....

Actually Mike, here in the American Southwest the only pigs we have are Javelinas. This looks more like HotRodZilla and definitely smells like him. Javelinas are stinky!

 

[madmike2]

Answer to question #2: Guinea Pig?

And many thanks for the answer to Question #2, I have always suspected HotRodZilla was a Guinea Pig!

Hmmmm....from the exchanges I've read, Don, he may be YOUR Guinea Pig....

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Even if he's not and you have your own personal Guinea Pig...for whatever reason.....

Actually Mike, here in the American Southwest the only pigs we have are Javelinas. This looks more like HotRodZilla and definitely smells like him. Javelinas are stinky!

1. I acquiesce to your intimate knowledge on all matters concerning the comparison between those species. :bleh:

2. Some of us are glad we live far far away..... :yahoo:

3. I see that "lent" is truly having a peculiar affect on you.

 

[RossKean]

I think the VMax motor is used in a touring bike already... the Royal Star Venture.

The motor in the VMAX and the Venture are both V-4s. Thats where the similarity ends.

The current VMAX has a 1679cc V-4 making 174 HP and 113 ft-lb of torque

The Venture V-4 is 1294cc making 97 HP and 89 ft-lb of torque (carburated)

The engine in the Venture is unchanged since the model's introduction in 1999. It is essentially the same as the engine in the Venture Royale from 1986!

(Note: The VMAX engine had a major overhaul in 2007 when they cryptically changed the name from V-Max to VMAX. Whole new bike but even pre-2007, the V-Max engine was different.

Ross

 

[carlson_mn]

All I know is that my neighbor has both an older(jetted) and a newer VMax and both get MPG in the mid-upper 20s. I can't do 400 mile Sunday joy rides with that kind of mileage. I also vote for leaving the FJR just the way it is, maybe a heavier duty rear shock stock and a K16-like headlight would be nice. Cloverleafs at night are a bit scary as we all know with our headlight beams. I don't even want a 6th gear, the 2nd gen final drive change fixed and perfected the tranny.

 

[Rider_FJR]

Hmmm K-16 lights never heard of them. Are they good? Let me see what I can find in Google about those lights.

 

[beemerdons]

Hmmm K-16 lights never heard of them. Are they good? Let me see what I can find in Google about those lights.

Here you go Rider_FJR, I have this feature on mein "Gisele", my 2012 BMW K1600GT. They are so wicked cool, your headlights are "looking" through the curve for you!

 

[Rider_FJR]

Great technology. I would like to invest in better aftermarket lights for FJR. What do you all suggest? There was one company I looked at months ago, it's three lights in one. Let me google for them.