Just reached the 1K mile break-in mark on my 2023 FJR-ESP and wanted to write down some thoughts both positive and negative regarding this motorcycle.
Have never written a review on any motorcycle, but am really enjoying riding it so here it is! Hoping maybe some of the vast knowledge on this forum may have some input as well!
My two wheel experience includes owning various bikes started in the early 80s (CZ-250) that included many different 2 stroke and four stroke adventures through the years. A slew of Yamaha enduros (Yamaha IT 175 and 465, DT250, XT500 and XT600). A KZ1000 Z1R, an RD-350B, a Virago and my last bike of 13 years a 2006 Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours. There may have been some others here and there, but these are the ones I remember well.
Have ridden quite a few different machines also including a Kawasaki ZXR at the Keith Code Superbike School at VIR just to be a better street rider. Not flexing, just to inform the reader that I have some credentials and have been around on a lot of machines. Been riding, wrenching and obsessed with anything with a motor and wheels, especially 2 wheels since I was 15 yrs old.
Was a huge King Kenny Roberts (Sr) fan and after seeing him ride a GP bike, I decided did not want to race professionally on 2 wheels!
Fast forward to today and like many of you, I agonized about which motorcycle to buy.
First what type? Wanted shaft drive and am well past the enduro riding position and off roading. Also don’t like to ride with my feet way out in front of my body, which eliminated the cruiser bikes. I also like the feel of an old school seating position as well (15yrs on a old ZG1000 Concours for example) as it is familiar. And didn’t want to ride a land yacht that weighs more than a small car.
These requirements got me to sport bike or sport tourer. Since I am probably not responsible enough (or young enough) for a hardcore sport bike, a sport tourer it was, but which one?
I wanted good performance, value for the money, comfort, reliability, ease of maintenance, good dealer network and a strong online forum.
My Concours ZG1000 was an amazing machine, the newer faster modern version was really nice, but too much of a sport bike riding position, valve adjustments every 7500 miles and a lot complaining about the hassle of removing the bodywork all the time to change oils etc.
Also a friend had purchased a new one a while ago and while he loves it, he says the maintenance is a bit of a pain, so a new Connie was out.
I also really considered purchasing a used BMW RT1200 (not overpaying paying for a new one!). After a lot of research and reading, I test rode the RT1200 and it was a really nice smooth riding bike with a lot of features and electronics. I did not like the intrusive traction control cutting the motor off abruptly under hard acceleration. First time riding a boxer twin also which was somewhat funky feeling, but I liked it actually. When you blipped the throttle at idle, the bike actually jumped to the side a little. Weird. Lots of power and torque, it is a cool motor.
The deal killer for me was the gearbox that literally felt like a German tractor with bad clunking (built into the design) as noted on the many forums. There was a lot comments about “adjust your shifting, wear different boots, turn it off at the light and then put it in gear type comments.” I just thought every time I shift this bike into 1st, 2nd or third I am going to regret this purchase.
So it was just a disappointment after all the hype of hearing people for years obsessing over Beemers and the wonderful German engineering, smoothness, ultimate riding machine blah blah blah… It wasn’t for me and it didn't feel right.
I had ridden an FJR in 2018 a few years back during a dealer demo and really liked it. It was awesome, smooth, fast, comfortable and everything I wanted in a machine. Felt it could commute, ride out to the mountains and blast out short trips on the weekends as well. Was getting ready to pull the trigger and BOOM certain events shut down the world.
Fast forward to 2023 and (finally) took the plunge on only my second new motorcycle ever since I’ve been riding! A 2023 FJR-ESP in blue. She’s such a beauty and such a fantastic ride.
Already changed the windscreen to factory touring as it wasn’t tall enough for me. Also added a Adaptiv radar detector with an LED flasher as well. Not sure about that one yet. I did figure out I will not have my cell phone mounted while I ride, as it was just way too distracting (for me). I have the RAM mounts in case I need to navigate or change my mind, but for now will just use the force to navigate or stop and look at a map.
I liked the dealer experience purchasing and doing the first maintenance there; however, one negative was the mechanic said the bars weren’t adjustable on this model, but now I disagree after seeing a few videos about it. I think they just didn’t want to mess with it or didn’t actually refer to the manual. The mechanic said just to get risers, but I don’t need much of a change, so I’ll attempt it on my own soon. The riding position is pretty good, but I want to move the bars back a little just to see if I like it even better.
The seat also makes my rear end a little numb after about 1.5 hours, but it may just be an age thing. Also I had the seat in the lower position for a while, but think it feels better in the higher position so we’ll see if it helps with the longevity as well. I am 6’1 inseam 32 and almost flat foot with the seat in the high position. IT also helped a little with the bars.
One thing I really like about this bike is; every bike I have ridden or owned previously, I always want to find another gear when already in the top gear. I am both surprised and amazed how I have only done that twice in 1K miles! It always seems like I always have the extra gear I want (need?) and damn the motor is amazing. Holy crap it is quick! It is definitely faster than I expected for the weight of this machine. It also handles really well also considering the weight.
First bike I’ve ridden extensively with adjustable suspension, cruise control, heated grips and adjustable windscreen etc. I like these options and it really adds to the rideability. Not sure I will ever get used to cruise, but it is nice in short intervals to rest the throttle hand. The interface menu is a little counter-intuitive but I’m getting the hang of it now. Had to google how to reset the trip meter which is not connected to the interface, but a separate button below the traction control button.
Almost all the electronics on the bike work really well like traction control, abs etc it is awesome. Definitely gives the rider confidence.
Negatives about the bike:
Small one: The grips are too hard for my liking, but will be looking to upgrade those. Not sure how that works with the heated grips so I’ll do a little research first. Looks like Grip Buddies might be an option.
Big dislike is the electronic fly by wire throttle. Probably some bias on my part due to so many years with carburation, slides and cable feel, but I’ve noticed it lacks true feel. I am adapting slowly, but he throttle sometimes feels delayed, vague, and sometimes choppy rolling on or off. The sport mode also just feels really jumpy at low speeds it is a little annoying and kind of dangerous unless you are really smooth rolling on at low speeds. Also the abrupt fuel cutoff when closing the throttle is really noticeable.
Another mode between touring and sport would be better as well. Have read Ivan's tune fixes most of the types of issues I am describing, but am waiting until the warranty is up to do that one.
The luggage also feels a little flimsy opening and closing, the mounting with the handles closing has a cheap flimsy feeling as well. Part of my issue is I was used to the rock solid “Samsonites” that came on the old ZG1000. Also disappointed my helmet doesn’t fit in the side case. I wear an extra large Shoei and it will not go in no matter which way I turn it. Hoping that the color matching 39L top case will fit the helmet and this on my horizon, along with the upgraded luggage rack, (kind of BS I have to upgrade that on a bike this expensive).
The other “real” issue I have so far is the gearbox seems to clunk sometimes mostly after warmup. I know I can be a little lazy with the clutch and a little rough with the shifter sometime. But it feels like on lower rpm shifts it makes a clunk sometimes and also down shifting into first can be loud as well. Was thinking some of it is me, some of it is the new drivetrain, and maybe some of it is the stock weight or type of oil. I did adjust the shift lever up a bit and that seemed to help a little, it was right in the middle and now it is at the top setting. It didn’t solve all the occasional clunking though.
It is a fantastic bike riding fast or slow. It is just as happy cruising along at 2500 rpm at 55 or an 8K screaming shift. It doesn’t really care what gear it is in and pulls like a train in most situations. It is a comfortable, quiet, smooth, extremely fast and amazing machine.
All the negatives will work out over time or I will just learn to live with them. The positives far outweigh the negatives. Mostly it feels like I am just nitpicking as it is hard to find the negatives without looking hard. Also I have only ridden 1K miles on her. I can see owning this machine for many years to come and will get to know Rosie as in "Whole Lotta Rosie" better as time marches on.
I can say, like many of you, I did my due diligence before purchasing it and it has paid off in spades.
One of the biggest positives for me was the amount of FJR junkies out there who can solve any issue with these beasts. I appreciate you all and the amount of effort you have put in to make this such a fantastic community.
Proud to be a part of it now and see you out there! Maybe another update at 10K!
JGuz
Have never written a review on any motorcycle, but am really enjoying riding it so here it is! Hoping maybe some of the vast knowledge on this forum may have some input as well!
My two wheel experience includes owning various bikes started in the early 80s (CZ-250) that included many different 2 stroke and four stroke adventures through the years. A slew of Yamaha enduros (Yamaha IT 175 and 465, DT250, XT500 and XT600). A KZ1000 Z1R, an RD-350B, a Virago and my last bike of 13 years a 2006 Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours. There may have been some others here and there, but these are the ones I remember well.
Have ridden quite a few different machines also including a Kawasaki ZXR at the Keith Code Superbike School at VIR just to be a better street rider. Not flexing, just to inform the reader that I have some credentials and have been around on a lot of machines. Been riding, wrenching and obsessed with anything with a motor and wheels, especially 2 wheels since I was 15 yrs old.
Was a huge King Kenny Roberts (Sr) fan and after seeing him ride a GP bike, I decided did not want to race professionally on 2 wheels!
Fast forward to today and like many of you, I agonized about which motorcycle to buy.
First what type? Wanted shaft drive and am well past the enduro riding position and off roading. Also don’t like to ride with my feet way out in front of my body, which eliminated the cruiser bikes. I also like the feel of an old school seating position as well (15yrs on a old ZG1000 Concours for example) as it is familiar. And didn’t want to ride a land yacht that weighs more than a small car.
These requirements got me to sport bike or sport tourer. Since I am probably not responsible enough (or young enough) for a hardcore sport bike, a sport tourer it was, but which one?
I wanted good performance, value for the money, comfort, reliability, ease of maintenance, good dealer network and a strong online forum.
My Concours ZG1000 was an amazing machine, the newer faster modern version was really nice, but too much of a sport bike riding position, valve adjustments every 7500 miles and a lot complaining about the hassle of removing the bodywork all the time to change oils etc.
Also a friend had purchased a new one a while ago and while he loves it, he says the maintenance is a bit of a pain, so a new Connie was out.
I also really considered purchasing a used BMW RT1200 (not overpaying paying for a new one!). After a lot of research and reading, I test rode the RT1200 and it was a really nice smooth riding bike with a lot of features and electronics. I did not like the intrusive traction control cutting the motor off abruptly under hard acceleration. First time riding a boxer twin also which was somewhat funky feeling, but I liked it actually. When you blipped the throttle at idle, the bike actually jumped to the side a little. Weird. Lots of power and torque, it is a cool motor.
The deal killer for me was the gearbox that literally felt like a German tractor with bad clunking (built into the design) as noted on the many forums. There was a lot comments about “adjust your shifting, wear different boots, turn it off at the light and then put it in gear type comments.” I just thought every time I shift this bike into 1st, 2nd or third I am going to regret this purchase.
So it was just a disappointment after all the hype of hearing people for years obsessing over Beemers and the wonderful German engineering, smoothness, ultimate riding machine blah blah blah… It wasn’t for me and it didn't feel right.
I had ridden an FJR in 2018 a few years back during a dealer demo and really liked it. It was awesome, smooth, fast, comfortable and everything I wanted in a machine. Felt it could commute, ride out to the mountains and blast out short trips on the weekends as well. Was getting ready to pull the trigger and BOOM certain events shut down the world.
Fast forward to 2023 and (finally) took the plunge on only my second new motorcycle ever since I’ve been riding! A 2023 FJR-ESP in blue. She’s such a beauty and such a fantastic ride.
Already changed the windscreen to factory touring as it wasn’t tall enough for me. Also added a Adaptiv radar detector with an LED flasher as well. Not sure about that one yet. I did figure out I will not have my cell phone mounted while I ride, as it was just way too distracting (for me). I have the RAM mounts in case I need to navigate or change my mind, but for now will just use the force to navigate or stop and look at a map.
I liked the dealer experience purchasing and doing the first maintenance there; however, one negative was the mechanic said the bars weren’t adjustable on this model, but now I disagree after seeing a few videos about it. I think they just didn’t want to mess with it or didn’t actually refer to the manual. The mechanic said just to get risers, but I don’t need much of a change, so I’ll attempt it on my own soon. The riding position is pretty good, but I want to move the bars back a little just to see if I like it even better.
The seat also makes my rear end a little numb after about 1.5 hours, but it may just be an age thing. Also I had the seat in the lower position for a while, but think it feels better in the higher position so we’ll see if it helps with the longevity as well. I am 6’1 inseam 32 and almost flat foot with the seat in the high position. IT also helped a little with the bars.
One thing I really like about this bike is; every bike I have ridden or owned previously, I always want to find another gear when already in the top gear. I am both surprised and amazed how I have only done that twice in 1K miles! It always seems like I always have the extra gear I want (need?) and damn the motor is amazing. Holy crap it is quick! It is definitely faster than I expected for the weight of this machine. It also handles really well also considering the weight.
First bike I’ve ridden extensively with adjustable suspension, cruise control, heated grips and adjustable windscreen etc. I like these options and it really adds to the rideability. Not sure I will ever get used to cruise, but it is nice in short intervals to rest the throttle hand. The interface menu is a little counter-intuitive but I’m getting the hang of it now. Had to google how to reset the trip meter which is not connected to the interface, but a separate button below the traction control button.
Almost all the electronics on the bike work really well like traction control, abs etc it is awesome. Definitely gives the rider confidence.
Negatives about the bike:
Small one: The grips are too hard for my liking, but will be looking to upgrade those. Not sure how that works with the heated grips so I’ll do a little research first. Looks like Grip Buddies might be an option.
Big dislike is the electronic fly by wire throttle. Probably some bias on my part due to so many years with carburation, slides and cable feel, but I’ve noticed it lacks true feel. I am adapting slowly, but he throttle sometimes feels delayed, vague, and sometimes choppy rolling on or off. The sport mode also just feels really jumpy at low speeds it is a little annoying and kind of dangerous unless you are really smooth rolling on at low speeds. Also the abrupt fuel cutoff when closing the throttle is really noticeable.
Another mode between touring and sport would be better as well. Have read Ivan's tune fixes most of the types of issues I am describing, but am waiting until the warranty is up to do that one.
The luggage also feels a little flimsy opening and closing, the mounting with the handles closing has a cheap flimsy feeling as well. Part of my issue is I was used to the rock solid “Samsonites” that came on the old ZG1000. Also disappointed my helmet doesn’t fit in the side case. I wear an extra large Shoei and it will not go in no matter which way I turn it. Hoping that the color matching 39L top case will fit the helmet and this on my horizon, along with the upgraded luggage rack, (kind of BS I have to upgrade that on a bike this expensive).
The other “real” issue I have so far is the gearbox seems to clunk sometimes mostly after warmup. I know I can be a little lazy with the clutch and a little rough with the shifter sometime. But it feels like on lower rpm shifts it makes a clunk sometimes and also down shifting into first can be loud as well. Was thinking some of it is me, some of it is the new drivetrain, and maybe some of it is the stock weight or type of oil. I did adjust the shift lever up a bit and that seemed to help a little, it was right in the middle and now it is at the top setting. It didn’t solve all the occasional clunking though.
It is a fantastic bike riding fast or slow. It is just as happy cruising along at 2500 rpm at 55 or an 8K screaming shift. It doesn’t really care what gear it is in and pulls like a train in most situations. It is a comfortable, quiet, smooth, extremely fast and amazing machine.
All the negatives will work out over time or I will just learn to live with them. The positives far outweigh the negatives. Mostly it feels like I am just nitpicking as it is hard to find the negatives without looking hard. Also I have only ridden 1K miles on her. I can see owning this machine for many years to come and will get to know Rosie as in "Whole Lotta Rosie" better as time marches on.
I can say, like many of you, I did my due diligence before purchasing it and it has paid off in spades.
One of the biggest positives for me was the amount of FJR junkies out there who can solve any issue with these beasts. I appreciate you all and the amount of effort you have put in to make this such a fantastic community.
Proud to be a part of it now and see you out there! Maybe another update at 10K!
JGuz
AND so much lighter! Two gripes I have; the key won't come out of anything that's unlocked, and the windshield goes down when you cut the key off! Mine is the 5 speed and shifts like a Swiss watch. I agree; it does need another gear, but I'll wait until I wear this one out. Just like JGuz explained I looked around; before I bought mine. No chain was a must. (once you go shaft drive you become enlightened) Hard bags was the other thing I needed. Not as stout as BMW bags, but they don't leak and they're lighter. It also runs on regular not premium.... and the acceleration is addicting. My hats off to the FJR community here, thank you all.
