Yamaha`s better kept secret

[Roadstar]

I am so surprised how Yamaha has kept the FJR a secret to most people. When i was looking at first replacing my trusty Roadstar , i was looking at getting a Venture. When most of the people i know ask what bike i`m looking at i told them a Venture & they say , isn`t that the bike touring bike that kind of looks like a Harley . But now that i bought the 07 FJR , friends & family ask what type of bike did you buy & i tell them an FJR & they say (WHAT IS THAT) :blink: I try to explain it to them & then they say (ISN`T THAT ONE OF THEM SPORT BIKES) :angry2: I tell them it`s a sport tourer & then they ask if it hurts my back riding leaned over for a long time , & of course i tell them it`s better on my back than the Roadstar since my spine isn`t getting pounded while sitting straight up or leaned back a little. It could be good or bad that Yamaha doesn`t push or advertise the FJR like there other bikes.

(sorry to rant)

 

[squeezer]

Well, it's a secret on this side of the pond. In the rest of the world, where motorcycles are more commonly used for everyday transportation instead of image, the beauty of a bike like this is more obvious, sales are better, and advertisements reflect that. They're not getting Star ads on soccer games in the EU.

Here, the cruiser is still king because people like the looks. Cruisers and especially their genetic freak cousins, choppers, are really pretty piss poor designs for everyday transportation or for long distances. They're hard on the body for the reasons you noted, have rake and trail angles and wheelbases that make them more handling more difficult, and engine designs that are really based more on aesthetics than power production. They are definitely examples of form over function. However, since most U.S. motorcycle buyers aren't using their bikes for everyday transportation or long distances, that really isn't that big a problem.

Side comment on sport-touring bikes: The head of BMW's bike biz is quoted in the most recent issue of Motorcyclist as saying that the sport-touring segment is shrinking and will no longer be a priority of BMW. I had the impression (though no numbers) that the segment was growing, at least in the U.S. What do you guys think?

 

[Bigbeavk]

Yea I've run into the same thing. It especially doesn't make any sense to me either that there isn't any advertising at all for the FJR. I was checking this bike out on the forum for almost a year and every dealer in the area either had only 1 or none and wouldn't even allow a test drive if they had one. So far I've only met one FJR rider here in Maryland. To bad for those who haven't found this awesome bike yet. I'm thrilled every time I get on it. I can't wait to hit the PA mountains again and hopefully meet up with some of you guys. I found my bike up in Galeton, PA and it had been sitting in the showroom for a year and a half waiting for me to find it. mmmmmmmm what a sweet cherri she is!!!!!!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo:

 

[Roadstar]

Here, the cruiser is still king because people like the looks.

Try living not too far from the HD factory in York PA , as it seems like 85% of the riders here are on Harleys. Sport touring is a very little nitch here & most just don`t get it. (what a shame)

 

[SilverHound]

Apparently it's a really big secret. So much so that when I walked into my local Yamaha dealer back in October and asked if they had any FJRs the salesguy replied "no, we only sell Yamahas" . That's just one reason I ended up buying mine two hours away in Delaware.

 

[Fred W]

Apparently it's a really big secret. So much so that when I walked into my local Yamaha dealer back in October and asked if they had any FJRs the salesguy replied "no, we only sell Yamahas" . That's just one reason I ended up buying mine two hours away in Delaware.

:rofl: That's too funny...

I just checked. Yamaha makes only 8 different models. Star makes 10 more. So this superstud salesman didn't know about one of only 18 models they sell.

 

[Bulldog9]

Ah, this has been my observation for many years. Lets face it motorcyclists, those who are true cyclists and are engaged in the sport and lifestyle know what the FJR is, and as such Yamaha doesnt need any advertisement, and generally has had little problem selling FJR's. How many new ones do you see sitting on a dealers showroom floor? I've been in many dealers that had model after model of most bike, including other Sport Tourers like the Sprint, Futura and Concours, but not an FJR because they seel fast or their quota was prebought.

The hot market is the cruiser..... :blink: I almost went that route this time around because my wife was swayed. But after looking and riding over the last year (well over 2007 & when on block leave in June), she had to admit that she looked and felt old on a cruiser, and that the Sport Touring Bikes were more "US" we almost went for a Sprint ST, but the FJR won out mainly because of its size (more space) pillion comfort, better bags & aftermarket and shaft drive. So happy......... I thought I was going to have to ride a cruiser, though the Kingpin, Road Star, and Rocket were my final 3. All nice bikes, but just NOT what I really want. So my beautiful sexy 4_ year old wife will be very happy and feel young and alive while sitting behind me as we carve up some roads and miles. THATS A GOOD THING before and after the ride. :clapping:

I wish Yamaha made a 1000 CC Sport Tourer, based on the FZ1, or at least had a full fairing and bag option for it.... They do it with the Road Star, why not the FZ? YOU LISTENING YAMAHA??? Suzuki did something similar with the SV650, a naked and fully faired model. 79XS1100 which I rode exclusively for many years had that ability, a full setup of touring bags and fairing. Sure it took 2 hours to swap it all, but it was the 80s for goodness sake.... I can see it now.... FJ1100 "Sport Touring motorcycle by Yamaha" FJ1300 "SUPER Sport Touring"

I for one hope the FJR and Sport Tourers never become the mainstay of Motorcycling, when that happens, I will move on, dont like crowds. THE beauty of modern motorcycling today is the huge variety out there, you truly can find something that fits you to a T, and then make it even more yours with farkles...... But for now, I am thrilled that 90% of the people who own and ride what I do share the passion that motorcycling is.... 3-4 days on the road only stopping to fill the gas tank and drain the bladder, riding the 4 corners of a state in a day and rubbing the edges off your tires while doing it, and still be fresh to go out to do whatever you want that night.

I will say that though that if the Sport Touring market has shrunk a bit, it is because the 'elements' of sport touring, the all day comfort and high performance dual nature has crept into the engineering of other bikes. So cruisers that once were total dogs in power and handling are now higher performance, and sport bikes that were punishing in comfort have grown far more comfortable and can be ridden all day. I cant imagine the niche ever going away, it really is the center of the sport.

Just my opinion on this

 

[squeezer]

Apparently it's a really big secret. So much so that when I walked into my local Yamaha dealer back in October and asked if they had any FJRs the salesguy replied "no, we only sell Yamahas" . That's just one reason I ended up buying mine two hours away in Delaware.

:rofl: That's great.

I got the same thing from a Kawasaki dealer in Lewistown, PA, about my old Concours. I'd ridden there to order some parts and was bullshitting with one of the salesmen while waiting for the parts counter guy to get free. He points out the window at my Connie and asks, "So, what kind of bike is that?" Kawa had been selling the bike for about 15 years at that point. It was the last time I went to that dealer.

But, yeah, both stories point to the same thing: sport-touring is a smaller niche than we think.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snippage>I am so surprised how Yamaha has kept the FJR a secret to most people. ... i tell them an FJR & they say (WHAT IS THAT) :blink: I try to explain it to them & then they say (ISN`T THAT ONE OF THEM SPORT BIKES) :angry2: I tell them it`s a sport tourer & then they ask if it hurts my back riding leaned over for a long time , & of course i tell them it`s better on my back than the Roadstar since my spine isn`t getting pounded while sitting straight up or leaned back a little. It could be good or bad that Yamaha doesn`t push or advertise the FJR like there other bikes.

Remember, MamaYama (Cypress) only imported the FJR 'under protest' back in '03. It may be a self-fulfilling-prophecy that there aren't enough sales in the U.S.?

One of the things that any motor vehicle importer must do to be successful in the U.S. (IMO) is educate the buying public. This, I think, is just too difficult for many. Better/easier to just go with the flow and cater to conventional wisdom.

As G.M. always says: "We make the cars that the American consumer wants."

 

[Fred W]

The other thing to keep in mind is that "Sport Touring" is a general term encompassing a range of motorcycle tools. I would say that the FJR, along with the Honda ST1300, Kawi Concours and BMW K1200(now 1300)GT all occupy one extreme end of that range, closer to Touring, than Sporting. Some new buyers see this as a compromise to their end goal. If they are younger and more sport oriented, there are lighter, better handling ST bikes out there. If they are serious mile gluttons, the big full-on touring bikes are going to be more comfortable on the slab. I think this is one reason why the FJR is not more popular than it is. It fills a narrow sliver of the application spectrum. Lucky for me, I fall into that sliver.

 

[Bulldog9]

Here, the cruiser is still king because people like the looks.

Try living not too far from the HD factory in York PA , as it seems like 85% of the riders here are on Harleys. Sport touring is a very little nitch here & most just don`t get it. (what a shame)

Gotta share this story. Back when my son was about 8 (is 19 now), I took him on a weekend ride with a group from Long Island. Was a mixed group, Harleys, BMW's, Goldwings, maybe a couple other Jap bikes. My XS11 was set up like a Sports Tourer I guess, full Rifle Fairing, Saddlebags, seat. This was in fact its last long trip, bike had about 120K miles on it at the time, and though it was the oldest bike in the group was by far the fastest and best handling if not the most reliable.

Anyhow, after the second day, of Harleys breaking down (lots of the AMC? ones) he wsa frustrated and said, "What kind of motorcycles are those that keep breaking?" I told him Harley Davidsons. He made one of those peesh sounds and said "More like Hardly Ablesons......" To this day, I laugh and think of that statement every time I see the word Harley Davidson....... They look cool, sound cool, but throuw a leg over and....... I dont get it....... never will..........

OK, had to share that. Sorry I am so wordy today, drank 3-4 too many energy drinks..........

 

[squeezer]

I will say that though that if the Sport Touring market has shrunk a bit, it is because the 'elements' of sport touring, the all day comfort and high performance dual nature has crept into the engineering of other bikes. So cruisers that once were total dogs in power and handling are now higher performance, and sport bikes that were punishing in comfort have grown far more comfortable and can be ridden all day. I cant imagine the niche ever going away, it really is the center of the sport.

Good essay.

On the bit I quoted: I think you're partly right. I suspect the bigger influence is the emergence of comfy, good handling, large displacement "adventure" bikes. I think the GS's, KTM's, etc. are siphoning off riders from all other segments, but primarily from sport-touring riders. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if my next bike is a large dual sport -- just to try something different. I'm not looking seriously at the moment because a new bike isn't in the budget, but I've started to develop serious bike lust in that direction. Either that or keeping the feejer and getting a smaller DS, like a WR250R, to start playing more in the dirt.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>...Anyhow, after the second day, of Harleys breaking down (lots of the AMC? ones)

https://www.amf.com/corporate/index.htm

 

[ndivita]

This is a good thread. I have two brothers, otherwise sensible people, who are amazed a the speed, acceleration, reliability and agility of my FJR when we go on our once a year long distance rides. Yet they ride an HD Road King and Vulcan 1600 Nomad, respectively. I cannot understand it. Once in a while I ride their bikes around the block or what have you and they just feel like Gravely lawn tractors compared to the FJR. I don't get why anyone would voluntarily ride such a bike. I will say they do end up making the long rides but my bike has never so much as broken a sweat while theirs labor along and they are always worried about gassing up and with sometimes hard to find 91 octane fuel, no less. Long live the sport touring genre. I don't even bother trying to explain it to people anymore. You either get it or you don't. Anyone who knows motorcycles knows the genre and anyone who knows the genre, knows the FJR. It's that simple. Not sure I want it any other way, frankly.

 

[madmike2]

But now that i bought the 07 FJR , friends & family ask what type of bike did you buy & i tell them an FJR & they say (WHAT IS THAT) :blink: I try to explain it to them & then they say (ISN`T THAT ONE OF THEM SPORT BIKES) :angry2: I tell them it`s a sport tourer........

Here, in CA, the CHP rides BMW RTs. When people ask what I ride I simply tell them an FJR, its very similar in looks to the CHP bikes but made by Yamaha. Then I explain the features (side cases that pull off like a suitcase, electric windshield, wind/rain protection, all-day comfort, etc.) and they usually say things like, "Oh, cool!"

I suppose, after 5+ years of ownership, I'm not so "put-off" by the non-motorcycle community's inability to know my my bike.

Er...uhm...some dealers employ mental midgets. You'd hope they'd at least be passionate about motorcycling, in general, but the truth is that they are usually passionate about whatever segment they currently occupy. I doubt dealers or manufacturers provide/require training about their product lines like some auto dealers used to do.

And Fred is absolutely correct by stating the comparative size of our particular niche in the overall market. It's "huge" to us because it's OUR passion. We need to kep a balanced view and appreciate our being able to contribute to the education of others.

 

[SilverHound]

:rofl: That's too funny...I just checked. Yamaha makes only 8 different models. Star makes 10 more. So this superstud salesman didn't know about one of only 18 models they sell.

Well it's partly my fault as I should have known better. This dealership has established a consistant pattern of being dumbasses. I went in there once to check prices on tires. I wanted a new Pilot Road 2 for the Blackbird and he could only find the Pilot Road in the catalog but he said he was sure that if he ordered the Pilot Road they would send him the latest tire . I said that I was sure they wouldn't and if he sold me the PR for the same prices as the PR2 his boss would probably be pretty pissed.

I ended up getting the PR2 at Cycle gear for 45% less than this guy finally quoted me (after he called the distributor).

Anyhow not to completely hi-jack this thread, I agree that Sport Touring is but a small niche of the US motorcycle market. I have yet to meet another FJR rider in PA in person but in my VTX regional group just for Eastern PA we have over 150 members and have assembled up to 70 at one time for local meet & greets. There are far more cruisers than sport tourers around these parts.

 

[Khunajawdge]

The other thing to keep in mind is that "Sport Touring" is a general term encompassing a range of motorcycle tools. I would say that the FJR (some snippage)... fills a narrow sliver of the application spectrum. Lucky for me, I fall into that sliver.

Well, sliver me timbers! Good one Fred! irate:

 

[jerome burley]

i do like the fact that even people who seem to have a knowlege of bikes still have to ask, "what is it?" which leads me to a question, what does the beautiful logo stand for on the tank? it looks like tuning forks to me? (musical) sport touring seemed a logical step for me. i am thrilled to still be riding in dec. here in idaho!!!!!!

 

[Kromm]

Ah, this has been my observation for many years. Lets face it motorcyclists, those who are true cyclists and are engaged in the sport and lifestyle know what the FJR is, and as such Yamaha doesnt need any advertisement, and generally has had little problem selling FJR's. How many new ones do you see sitting on a dealers showroom floor? I've been in many dealers that had model after model of most bike, including other Sport Tourers like the Sprint, Futura and Concours, but not an FJR because they seel fast or their quota was prebought.

I agree .. I had to go 70 miles to Lodi Ca to find mine. When I got there to "look at it". To my Surprise it was setting "wet" on the showroom floor. It had 0.5 miles on it and they let me take it for a spin around there parking lot (which is HUGE). I put 1 mile on it there and fell in love . I drove her home that day. I told them I was surprised that is was ready to go. They told me that the FJR moves as fast as they get them in. This year alone they have sold 7, and right after I bought it, there was another guy that was looking at it and brought his wife down to look at it (a few hours to late).

I have been riding for over 30 years, and I've owned MANY bikes. and the FJR is BY FAR the best bike I have EVER owned..