Why FJR over C14,BMW - Will Purchase 1 of the three soon.

[vabrzn]

Do a bit of searching in your area and see if there are places where you can rent the bikes that you are focused on. I ended up renting three bikes for a day of riding on each and bought the FJR because I had more fun on it than the others

 

[madmike2]

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated!

 

[beemerdons]

Thanks everybody. Great comments. Already the BMW is on the back burner because of the dealer network thing. I'm a good 80 miles to the closest beamer dealer and do not want the hassle. I'm within 30 miles of 4 Yamaha dealers. I'm leaning FJR at this point. Thanks again. I'm off to the Motorcycle show this morning in Atlanta. Will make copious notes and talk to riders and dealers alike. Thanks again. I knew I could count on this Forum to help me. Now, when I get my bike, I can find you folks out and go for a ride.

kiteman11: With forty years experience owning/riding BMW boxer twin's and six years owning/riding a Yamaha FJR 1300 I know a lot about both machines and brands. In 1969 the BMW was the only truly long distance dependable motorcycle that you could purchase. I had suffered through 3 British motorcycles since I started riding in 1963 and the BMW was a godsend.

In addition to the fact that BMW twins have carried me for 500K miles (300K miles on other makes, including Yamaha) I've always enjoyed the camaraderie of the BMW Clubs. I am one of the first decade of membership in BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and BMW Riders Association. When my hometown was Morro Bay, California I was an active member of Central Cal BMW Club and since I have moved to Arizona I have been a fifteen year Director of AZ Beemers www.azbeemers.org

However, in 2008 the Yamaha FJR 1300 has the same club bonding that the BMW clubs had in the early years thanks to our FJR Forum here. I attend all FJR meets through this forum that I can; WFO, NAFO and other get togethers of FJR Forum.

Mechanically the big difference to me is power delivery of the big opposed twin versus the inline four; apples and oranges.

They will both grind out high mileages in great comfort and long term reliability. In 500K worth of riding, my BMW's have never broken down on me and by the same token my Yamaha's have never left me stranded either. Both are great bikes!

Last year I rode 6K miles to Maine, and at age 59 my old body felt just great with 600 miles days. As SkooterG, vectervp1, FJRobert and others will tell you: I often jump on the FJR and ride the 3,000 miles to Cabo San Lucas and back in 5 days.

Even though I am indeed a BMW loyalist, I'd recommend the Yamaha FJR 1300 over the BMW R1200RT. Man that hurt!!

The dealer network fiasco is a real killer. BMW Motorrad AG killed off "mom and pop" dealers that were BMW's backbone!

You asked about Kawasaki: My KLR 650 has ridden dirt roads almost exclusively in Mexico for 6K miles with no problems!

 

[MIST]

80 or so miles to the nearest BMW dealer? Most BMW riders believe that to be a short ride and it wouldn't be a consideration for them in their purchasing decision. I came over to the FJR after owning many different BMW's since I started out with a '00 RT. The '06 2nd generation GT I had was a great motorcycle and I loved it for the most part. Two things I didn't care for were the "Box 'O Rocks" transmission that was very clunky between N - 1st, 1st - 2nd & 2nd - 3rd gears, and the acceleration hesitation around 2500 rpm's that couldn't seem to be solved. The '07 RT was another great all around motorcycle (comfortable, good wind protection, fun to ride) but paled in performance compared to the FJR. Neither I nor any of the BMW guys I ride with ever experienced any of the dreaded leaks or final drive failures you seem to hear about every time you talk to a BMW owner. If I decide someday to go back to a Beemer, it'll probably be the RT.

Mike

 

[camera56]

Here is a decision tool for comparing these bikes (and the other sport touring bikes) that I created [clicky]. Once you answer the questions you can tailor the scoring to suit you.

 

[kiteman11]

Just returned from the Atlanta Motorcycle Show and I will now pursue the FJR. 'Gonna call D&H in AL tomorrow or Lawrenceville, GA Yamaha to get my deal rolling. Thanks for everybody's help. Will take a test drive and buy a scoot. Thanks again for everyone's help. Will talk again once I really have the damn bike!

 

[MrTwisty]

Just returned from the Atlanta Motorcycle Show and I will now pursue the FJR. 'Gonna call D&H in AL tomorrow or Lawrenceville, GA Yamaha to get my deal rolling. Thanks for everybody's help. Will take a test drive and buy a scoot. Thanks again for everyone's help. Will talk again once I really have the damn bike!

Welcome to the dark side. h34r:

 

[jjsC6]

I had a ST1300, and now have had the FJR for nearly two years. I just want to clarify something that has been said a few times here. I had my ST over 100 mph almost every time I rode it, and over 140 (indicated) many times. It NEVER weaved. It did put out some heat, but not that bad (not nearly as bad as pre-06 FJRs).

It's a nice bike, but not very sport, ugly as sin with the bags off, and just didn't inspire much passion in me.

The BMWs come across as much bigger bikes to me, even though they have a good reputation for handling. I do like that they offer Cruise control, heated everything and even a GPS now - but they are way too expensive and just don't do it for me.

The Concours is very interesting. So far, my concerns with it are the goofy Ki-pass system, they have zero under seat storage (I run without the bags, and the FJR has lots of under seat storage), and the looks of the C14 is not nearly as good as the FJR. I'm still on the fence though as it seems to be a good bike.

I love my FJR except the off-idle throttle response and vibration in the right handlebar. Even so, I love the FJR. Did I say I really love the FJR?

 

[Taff]

OK. I've been looking, researching, web surfing, till I'm about to lose my mind. Definitely decided on Sport Touring, I think I'm going for the FJR. Tomorrow, I will be @ the Atlanta Motorcycle Show looking at all three and from this look, I'm going to pursue the winning candidate and buy the damn bike! So if anyone can shed light on the differences of these 3 scooters, I would appreciate it. I know everything is based upon personal preferences, but I want to know everybody's opinion on the competition.

Hi there,

Just my 2 pennies worth.

Been there, done that with Beemers et al.

Trust me, Ignacio gave you some links to look at, I personally have NEVER had a better bike than my "Cherry" Feejer.

Even though it may not have electronic cruise control (can get after market CC) and some other options, the bike is really hard to describe unless you have had the pleasure in riding a demo model.

Stable, likes lots of miles, good ergonomics and a well proven engine/gear box/drive train.

Take a look at the price difference between a BMW and the FJR for example. You will be able to buy a GPS/new after market mufflers etc etc and still be able to stay at the Holiday Inn Express for quite some time!

The C14 did not (IMHO) have a good build quality compared with the FJR.

The only upgrade I would do on the Feejer is put a high quality shock absorber at the back and change the front fork springs and valving, it's just a whole new bike!

Whatever your choice please let us know!

FWIW, this forum has some incredible people who like to laugh and joke but will always offer advice, even if you don't use the "search" function.

Truly one of the best MC forums on the web today...nuff said.

 

[Bounce]

Simple answer? Get the FJR. The other two suck sweaty balls.

 

[Flyguy]

While I agree that all the SST's are great bikes, they are not a coin toss. The FJR has a very different torque feel to it that is only approached by the ST1300. Load up your gear or favorite pillion and they couldn't feel more different. The BMW and the Kaw use gears and rpm's to accelerate, the FJR and ST use grunt even at 2,500. Power up a long grade and the FJR doesn't call for a downshift (or 2).

If you want max wind protection the ST may be a serious candidate. It's V-4 is very smooth and most of us won't be affected by it's high speed head shake using 85 as a upper cruising limit. Out west at 100+ on Rt 10 to Laredo I GUARANTEE you will find it disconcerting. I chose the FJR with these things on page 2 of the comparison list but principally due to the superior heat management and lighter weight.

For me price killed the KGT as did the high cruising rpm's. THe Kaw never made it to first base as a result of the lack of low end. (Flies in OR out) I was smooth though. It also carried luggage high as it did the pillion perch. My girlfriend was very clear that the C-14 would see the country without her. I do think that those transitioning from sport bikes will adapt to the C-14 more readily.

Lastly, the FJR is unquestionably (IMHO) the best looking example out there ESPECIALLY sans bags. I just wish they had stole the slider design from HOndal. Remove the Kaw bags and park it next to the Feeger. There is a glaring difference in design refinement.

I agree that the FJR came OE with modest suspension parts. Good but not great. A quick Penske/Olin upgrade leapfrogs it to the head of the class instantly against even other modified models. This platform is highly reponsive to professional setups which should be considered by many as the mfg's cannot possibly setup the wide array of appllications an SST can be used for. One end of the spectrum you have 135lb testers (a la Motorcyclist) which it's not set up for. At the other end is a 240lb pilot, 140lb pillion and 25lbs of " can't be without". ALtogether different. The MC guys miss this tidbit in their evaluation.

 

[madmike2]

Just returned from the Atlanta Motorcycle Show and I will now pursue the FJR. 'Gonna call D&H in AL tomorrow or Lawrenceville, GA Yamaha to get my deal rolling. Thanks for everybody's help. Will take a test drive and buy a scoot. Thanks again for everyone's help. [SIZE=12pt]Will talk again once I really have the damn bike![/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]It sounds to me like he's made his decision to buy an FJR![/SIZE]

No need to keep "selling" him on the idea.

But this is a gem everyone should add to their mental library:

I agree that the FJR came OE with modest suspension parts. Good but not great. A quick Penske/Olin upgrade leapfrogs it to the head of the class instantly against even other modified models.

 

[zorkler]

camera thats a nice set up you got there 1 problem it tells me i should be riding a HONDA

 

[camera56]

camera thats a nice set up you got there 1 problem it tells me i should be riding a HONDA

Yeah, it's not perfect. Fortunately, you can go into the decision rater once you're done (it's on the evaluation tab), and tune both your preferences and how each bike scores. That should fix it up.