New subscriber! Love your sense of humor. I own an 04' in Cerulean Silver for a little over 10 years. I have put over 20,000 trouble free miles on her on many multi-state tours. Like you, I can't find anything wrong with it 😁😎 Best sport touring machine ever produced!
If you are a practical guy, and need ONE bike that does it all (except off road) - that you can daily, long/short range tour, canyon, and even track - this is the bike to get. Reliability, and quality of buildmanship is just a bonus - you take care of this bike, chances are it will outlive you.
Shout out from KC Mo, like your review on the 2023, I got the 2009, I would want the 6th gear and cruise control, but satisfied with the 2009 for now, safe riding my friend
I’ve had 3 of these. A 2012, a 2017, and now a 2020. Bought the 2020 new in spring of 2021. Now has 25,000 miles in 3+ seasons. And we only have a three season riding season. I’m now daily riding it to work and back as well. Amazing bike. Only suggestion is to straight away get a Sargent aftermarket seat for the FJR. I can’t imagine not having it. The OEM seat will kill your arse.
Great review. Love my 09 AE. Logged 76,000 miles in 2.5 years. Brilliant bike. Can’t understand why Yamaha didn’t continue to make the AE model. Ride safe. Subscribed
Love my 2018. Came over from a Big Vulcan 1700. First test ride I was sold. Smooth endless power. Also a Mo resident, bought the extended FJR windscreen. I keep trying to go back to a cruiser but my inner 15 year old(im 53) wont let me. Its better than coffee in the morning. Plus a local dealer was having a tent sale. I bought my 2018 in 2019,from the show room, 0 miles on the ticker, $13,000.
I'm thinking of moving on from my Vulcan Voyager and was wondering how the riding position is. I have always heard of good things about the fjr. Stay safe my friend.
Someone I know once went 155mph on a 07. I took it to a dyno and it had 125hp at the tire, and did 165mph. I did a Saddle Sore 1500 on it. :) The air filter is very easy to access behind one panel on the left. Accessing the plugs is not terrible, the tank is rather easy to lift off.
This bike was the only alternative I considered to the 1250RT I bought. I love its slimness - for filtering, its performance and durability. But in Europe it has been discontinued due (I think) to pollution regs. Also, funny policy about replacement keys, and as you say the lack of satnav. But I agree with you that it's a great bike.
Great review. I ride my second one. Used to oen 2009, now I ride 2019 AS with automatic clutch. I'm 5'10 put vstrem sport touring windshield , yamaha comfort seat, foot shields, top rack on the top box. Daily milage reckord with the wife at the back - 700 miles.
As others mention here, there is an extended FJR windscreen but for me it is still not tall enough... (I am 1,88 meters tall). That is my only problem with this bike, it is very good. I bought mine in 2009, with the heavier clutch and 5 gears, which is OK. I immediately noticed the balance and how easy it is to manoeuvre in town. And if you need to drive in town a lot, the steering wheel is more narrow than bikes like BMW R and K series. It comes standard with many the options like cruise controle, heated handlebars. The second downside I found so far is that it is so smooth and good that I am missing some of the experience. When I picked up mine, I wondered why everyone was driving so slow... but it was just the bike that was so quiet and smooth. You need to drive 160km/h on the the highway to get a more "thrilling" feeling of driving fast... and even than you can still open the throttle and be pushed back in your seat. This thing just loves speed and curvy roads... I have a hard time deciding what my next bike will be. PS. for a GPS I bought a nut with a RAM mount ball, a bit like this one techmounts.com/shop/ols/products/yamaha-fjr-replacement-stem-nut-mount-with-1-25mm-ball-mount-only
FJR or ZX14 makes perfect sense for midwest USA, powerful bikes with it being heavy gets blown less by cross wind and does well in less congested area.
I looked at them in 2022. Funny thing, I wanted that colour but Yamaha only had black. I went with the Tracer 9 GT. Both nice bikes for commuting and some weekend touring. That was is a 2023? Bummer, that was the colour I wanted or the silver.
I have a 2019 and love it. The adjustable side panels in the faring are actually intended to channel the engine heat towards you or away from you (or so the manual claims). In winter a bit of heat is welcome although I can't honestly say I've noticed a huge difference. There is a taller windscreen available which does keep you in the bubble of calm. As you say it is very planted and it will cruise effortlessly all day at any speed you want to go at. My only complaint is the seat is not that great for all day riding and I have the "comfort" seat. I have a Zumo XT mounted on mine - there is a bracket you can buy that fits between the handlebars. It is very easy to ride at low speed.
Thanks for the review. I am currently interested in the 2023 FJR1300ES. I'm 6'2" with 32" inseam so a taller windscreen will be a must. Love how you talk about things most reviews miss like how solid it feels on the road etc. Wonder how it compares to the older K1300GT seeing you mentioned the K1200, I imagine it's the same?
The riding position is more comfortable than the K1200. See if you can sit on one at the local dealership, helmet buffeting would be a concern at 6 foot two. But you can aftermarket a bigger screen. Let me know if you pull the trigger on one. Thank you for watching.
@@wol9ver6ine It's a Ram Ball on the steering nut. I can't remember where I got it but it works brilliantly. There is also a 12V socket in the little compartment on the left side of the fairing where I plug my Garmin in. The FJR really is a great bike.
I can confirm that the last gen FJR1300 (with 6 speed) is really great. I had the bigger screen, made a lot of travelling with it. Made 30'000 km, really great. You can drive 260 km/h on the Autobahn... I replaced it with a Multistrada V4 Rally, it offers me an even better wind protection and more ground clearance. If I wouldn't have had the cash for the Ducati, I'd still drive the FJR1300 and be happy with it. For the navigation system: I had quadlock attached to the brake reservoir, it was all right.
@@Thomo_qld maybe later, when it's properly broken in. mine was from 2016 (last gen) and had 80'000 km . But in reality (gps) it was probably only 240.
The stock windscreen could’ve been a little taller. I was getting some helmet buffeting with it in its highest position. But really it is one of the most complete motorcycles I’ve ever ridden.
I owned one of these and it's the bike I despised the most despite its 150+ hp. The high center of gravity, the multiple failing gadget, difficulty to reach the engine for simple maintenance. Lack of stability at high speed. It feels the bike is too heavy for the frame. The worst was, the super hard clutch, literal pain in the neck due to the sport position and the constant distraction cause by the gadgets. It's also hot like an air cooled V Twin in town. My M109R is much cooler at red lights. I was also annoyed by the unstable idle. The sound and tuning of the engine is not cool at all. The wind shield is efficient but the c9nstwnt squeeking at low speed is embarassing. I traded it swiftly for a brand new M109R. My 760 lbs M109R feels much lighter.
Yamaha calls this bike a "sports TOURING." but it has no room to mount any accessories needed for touring (gps, cup holder, floorboards, etc.) Japanese bikes all have the same problem....nothing changes. That was the problem with the Kawasaki Concourse, which led to its demise.
I absolutely 💯 love my 2022 FJR1300. Pretty much perfect.
Great opening line!!! "... just won't die." So true!.... Also great review....many thanks.
Thank you for watching!
New subscriber! Love your sense of humor.
I own an 04' in Cerulean Silver for a little over 10 years. I have put over 20,000 trouble free miles on her on many multi-state tours. Like you, I can't find anything wrong with it 😁😎
Best sport touring machine ever produced!
Thank you for subscribing!
I've got an 06 AE. The perfect bike - built for riders!
If you are a practical guy, and need ONE bike that does it all (except off road) - that you can daily, long/short range tour, canyon, and even track - this is the bike to get. Reliability, and quality of buildmanship is just a bonus - you take care of this bike, chances are it will outlive you.
I’ve been riding and racing for over 40 years. You are right. This has to be the best overall all bike made. Performance reliability it has it all
I agree. I’ve been riding my 2013 FJR1300A for 11 years perfect all around bike
Shout out from KC Mo, like your review on the 2023, I got the 2009, I would want the 6th gear and cruise control, but satisfied with the 2009 for now, safe riding my friend
Thank you for watching!
I'm riding a 2022 one, it's my second bike so not very experienced on bikes, but really feel amazing when riding it.
You are now ruined. Everything else is less. 😆
I’ve had 3 of these. A 2012, a 2017, and now a 2020. Bought the 2020 new in spring of 2021. Now has 25,000 miles in 3+ seasons. And we only have a three season riding season. I’m now daily riding it to work and back as well. Amazing bike. Only suggestion is to straight away get a Sargent aftermarket seat for the FJR. I can’t imagine not having it. The OEM seat will kill your arse.
Great review. Love my 09 AE. Logged 76,000 miles in 2.5 years. Brilliant bike. Can’t understand why Yamaha didn’t continue to make the AE model. Ride safe. Subscribed
Thank you for watching!
Love my 2018. Came over from a Big Vulcan 1700. First test ride I was sold. Smooth endless power. Also a Mo resident, bought the extended FJR windscreen. I keep trying to go back to a cruiser but my inner 15 year old(im 53) wont let me. Its better than coffee in the morning. Plus a local dealer was having a tent sale. I bought my 2018 in 2019,from the show room, 0 miles on the ticker, $13,000.
I'm thinking of moving on from my Vulcan Voyager and was wondering how the riding position is. I have always heard of good things about the fjr. Stay safe my friend.
thanks for the review!!!
Someone I know once went 155mph on a 07. I took it to a dyno and it had 125hp at the tire, and did 165mph. I did a Saddle Sore 1500 on it. :)
The air filter is very easy to access behind one panel on the left. Accessing the plugs is not terrible, the tank is rather easy to lift off.
Amen brother...Jesus first! Love your attitude and channel!
Thank you for watching!
This bike was the only alternative I considered to the 1250RT I bought. I love its slimness - for filtering, its performance and durability. But in Europe it has been discontinued due (I think) to pollution regs. Also, funny policy about replacement keys, and as you say the lack of satnav. But I agree with you that it's a great bike.
Great review on the FJR 1300
Thank you for watching!
Great review. I love mine.
Great review. I ride my second one. Used to oen 2009, now I ride 2019 AS with automatic clutch. I'm 5'10 put vstrem sport touring windshield , yamaha comfort seat, foot shields, top rack on the top box. Daily milage reckord with the wife at the back - 700 miles.
Sold mine last April for no real reason other than to not pay insurance on a second bike but now I really regret it.
Great review…… now I want one 😂
As others mention here, there is an extended FJR windscreen but for me it is still not tall enough... (I am 1,88 meters tall). That is my only problem with this bike, it is very good.
I bought mine in 2009, with the heavier clutch and 5 gears, which is OK. I immediately noticed the balance and how easy it is to manoeuvre in town. And if you need to drive in town a lot, the steering wheel is more narrow than bikes like BMW R and K series. It comes standard with many the options like cruise controle, heated handlebars. The second downside I found so far is that it is so smooth and good that I am missing some of the experience. When I picked up mine, I wondered why everyone was driving so slow... but it was just the bike that was so quiet and smooth. You need to drive 160km/h on the the highway to get a more "thrilling" feeling of driving fast... and even than you can still open the throttle and be pushed back in your seat. This thing just loves speed and curvy roads... I have a hard time deciding what my next bike will be. PS. for a GPS I bought a nut with a RAM mount ball, a bit like this one techmounts.com/shop/ols/products/yamaha-fjr-replacement-stem-nut-mount-with-1-25mm-ball-mount-only
FJR or ZX14 makes perfect sense for midwest USA, powerful bikes with it being heavy gets blown less by cross wind and does well in less congested area.
I looked at them in 2022. Funny thing, I wanted that colour but Yamaha only had black. I went with the Tracer 9 GT. Both nice bikes for commuting and some weekend touring. That was is a 2023? Bummer, that was the colour I wanted or the silver.
I have a 2019 and love it. The adjustable side panels in the faring are actually intended to channel the engine heat towards you or away from you (or so the manual claims). In winter a bit of heat is welcome although I can't honestly say I've noticed a huge difference. There is a taller windscreen available which does keep you in the bubble of calm. As you say it is very planted and it will cruise effortlessly all day at any speed you want to go at. My only complaint is the seat is not that great for all day riding and I have the "comfort" seat. I have a Zumo XT mounted on mine - there is a bracket you can buy that fits between the handlebars. It is very easy to ride at low speed.
What is the comfort seat? I also have some pain in my butt or lower back after 2 hours riding and feel the need to get off and take a walk.
@@sandeepramlakshmanan3646 i put Yamaha comfort seat, suits well for me, 700miles a day no problem
Thanks for the review. I am currently interested in the 2023 FJR1300ES. I'm 6'2" with 32" inseam so a taller windscreen will be a must. Love how you talk about things most reviews miss like how solid it feels on the road etc. Wonder how it compares to the older K1300GT seeing you mentioned the K1200, I imagine it's the same?
The riding position is more comfortable than the K1200. See if you can sit on one at the local dealership, helmet buffeting would be a concern at 6 foot two. But you can aftermarket a bigger screen. Let me know if you pull the trigger on one. Thank you for watching.
Touring windscreen would give you the extra height. Also there an aftermarket mount, that screw on the steering nut, you can install a gps on it!
Have something specific in mind seeing I'm looking at one and searching for a decent GPS mount?
@@wol9ver6ine It's a Ram Ball on the steering nut. I can't remember where I got it but it works brilliantly. There is also a 12V socket in the little compartment on the left side of the fairing where I plug my Garmin in. The FJR really is a great bike.
Get a CalSci aftermarket screen I got large had one on 2005 and 2021 1300 ES surprised the guy is still around.
I want one!
I can confirm that the last gen FJR1300 (with 6 speed) is really great. I had the bigger screen, made a lot of travelling with it. Made 30'000 km, really great. You can drive 260 km/h on the Autobahn... I replaced it with a Multistrada V4 Rally, it offers me an even better wind protection and more ground clearance. If I wouldn't have had the cash for the Ducati, I'd still drive the FJR1300 and be happy with it. For the navigation system: I had quadlock attached to the brake reservoir, it was all right.
260 k lol really mine doesn't do that and it's new 😆
@@Thomo_qld maybe later, when it's properly broken in. mine was from 2016 (last gen) and had 80'000 km . But in reality (gps) it was probably only 240.
@@bertranddefrontenac that's what l was thinking 240
@@Thomo_qld yes, 260 was the displayed speed, not the real one...
So what did you find wrong with the FJR?
The stock windscreen could’ve been a little taller. I was getting some helmet buffeting with it in its highest position. But really it is one of the most complete motorcycles I’ve ever ridden.
fewer quirks
Is it supercharged?
Negative, naturally aspirated.
@@rcafmaintainer3723 ah I see. That motor sounds very aggressive
@@jimmygillenardo2709 beautiful engine! Sounds great even with OEM exhaust.
I owned one of these and it's the bike I despised the most despite its 150+ hp. The high center of gravity, the multiple failing gadget, difficulty to reach the engine for simple maintenance. Lack of stability at high speed. It feels the bike is too heavy for the frame. The worst was, the super hard clutch, literal pain in the neck due to the sport position and the constant distraction cause by the gadgets. It's also hot like an air cooled V Twin in town. My M109R is much cooler at red lights. I was also annoyed by the unstable idle. The sound and tuning of the engine is not cool at all. The wind shield is efficient but the c9nstwnt squeeking at low speed is embarassing. I traded it swiftly for a brand new M109R. My 760 lbs M109R feels much lighter.
I test rode one 10 years ago and I would agree with you. But this was a 2023 and I do believe they’ve cleaned up a lot of those issues.
Yamaha calls this bike a "sports TOURING." but it has no room to mount any accessories needed for touring (gps, cup holder, floorboards, etc.)
Japanese bikes all have the same problem....nothing changes. That was the problem with the Kawasaki Concourse, which led to its demise.
I've got a GPS mount on FJR. Google "motorcycle ram mount brake reservoir"
I have a Zumo XT mounted on mine . . .there is a bracket that fits between the handlebars that works well. Cup holder - who drinks while riding?
REALLY DO U ACTUALLY NEED ALL THOSE THINGS🤔 I’m doing this all wrong then Because I HAV NONE OF THOSE THINGS & I RIDE ALL OVER THE US🫢👍👍
Floorboards? Really?
Yeah the motor runs 30 years tho so ppl don’t rlly care 😂