SMC
Well-known member
:blink: I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, the FJR is the culmination of lots of years in motorcyclling, many other bikes owned and experianced and found lacking in one way or another, but the FJR does so many things so well that I'm just sad it took me sooo many years to find it, or for that matter a company that would manufacture such a well thought out bike, priced so many of us can enjoy it...unlike overpriced BMW's and Harley's.
Liquid cooled engine has all the acceleration, torque and dependability that 99.5% percent of the motorcycling public could want. The gear ratios work well for the bike weight and torque of the engine. I'm not searching for the "right" gear like I am on other bikes.
The wind/weather protection is great and adjustability range suits the majority of people's needs.
What can you say about shaft drive, yeah, no more messy chain lubes that get slung on the wheel or attract dirt, no more chains to tension.
Instrumentation and information available is thorough and right on target for the long distance sport-tourer. (Hey Yamaha, I would surmise the vast majority of people that buy this bike are 40 and older, we wear reading glasses, so it would be much appreciated if you made the numbers a little larger i.e. you don't have to have 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 on the speedo with the numbers so small, just include every other number on the display;20, 40, 60, 80, and have a heavy hash mark to denote 10, 30, 50, 70 etc.,etc.)
Range of adjustment for handle bars and seat are more then other bikes I've owned and suitable for the majority of people. (I'm just so short at 5'6", that no bike designed for the general masses will fit me...no way am I ever going to go the cruiser route.)
Seat comfort is good, but for so many of us long distance riders, no matter what seat came with a bike we would be looking into custom seats for that "all day comfort" that so many of us demand.
Ergonomics is fine for most of us, the reach isn't too far forward towards the bars, leg room is commendable, no cramped knees for most of us and no aggravating the carpul tunnel syndrome as the riding position is fairly neutral and all day comfortable.
Hard luggage is simple and easy to take off and put back on. No more bungy cording duffels and knapsacks on the rear of the seat or luggage rack. The liners on the inside with handles and shoulder straps is something that 90% of us love and applaude Yamaha for including with the bike. It's so much easier to take the liners out and up to the hotel room as opposed to lugging the hardcases up stairs and elevators. The bike looks good with the bags on or off...not like the the Honda ST1300, whiich is butt ugly with the bags off.
Headlight illumination/coverage is much better then any other bike I've owned, and it is adjustable via a simple knob.
The ABS brakes are outstanding and will stop this monster in a hurry.
The suspension is adjustable front and rear. If you're going to ride two up just flip the soft/hard rear lever.
I know their have been plenty of people that have complained about the windsheild not being large enough, or a buziness @ a certain rpm, or the stator not producing enough reserve for farkle operation, but personally I think this bike rocks and is one of the best purchases I've made in my life.
I just hope that when Yamaha designs the next generation FJR, they keep the weight down, include a cruise control and another electrical outlet with a higher amp rating so you can plug in electrically heated clothing or recharge the battery by just plugging in a battery tender.
Liquid cooled engine has all the acceleration, torque and dependability that 99.5% percent of the motorcycling public could want. The gear ratios work well for the bike weight and torque of the engine. I'm not searching for the "right" gear like I am on other bikes.
The wind/weather protection is great and adjustability range suits the majority of people's needs.
What can you say about shaft drive, yeah, no more messy chain lubes that get slung on the wheel or attract dirt, no more chains to tension.
Instrumentation and information available is thorough and right on target for the long distance sport-tourer. (Hey Yamaha, I would surmise the vast majority of people that buy this bike are 40 and older, we wear reading glasses, so it would be much appreciated if you made the numbers a little larger i.e. you don't have to have 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 on the speedo with the numbers so small, just include every other number on the display;20, 40, 60, 80, and have a heavy hash mark to denote 10, 30, 50, 70 etc.,etc.)
Range of adjustment for handle bars and seat are more then other bikes I've owned and suitable for the majority of people. (I'm just so short at 5'6", that no bike designed for the general masses will fit me...no way am I ever going to go the cruiser route.)
Seat comfort is good, but for so many of us long distance riders, no matter what seat came with a bike we would be looking into custom seats for that "all day comfort" that so many of us demand.
Ergonomics is fine for most of us, the reach isn't too far forward towards the bars, leg room is commendable, no cramped knees for most of us and no aggravating the carpul tunnel syndrome as the riding position is fairly neutral and all day comfortable.
Hard luggage is simple and easy to take off and put back on. No more bungy cording duffels and knapsacks on the rear of the seat or luggage rack. The liners on the inside with handles and shoulder straps is something that 90% of us love and applaude Yamaha for including with the bike. It's so much easier to take the liners out and up to the hotel room as opposed to lugging the hardcases up stairs and elevators. The bike looks good with the bags on or off...not like the the Honda ST1300, whiich is butt ugly with the bags off.
Headlight illumination/coverage is much better then any other bike I've owned, and it is adjustable via a simple knob.
The ABS brakes are outstanding and will stop this monster in a hurry.
The suspension is adjustable front and rear. If you're going to ride two up just flip the soft/hard rear lever.
I know their have been plenty of people that have complained about the windsheild not being large enough, or a buziness @ a certain rpm, or the stator not producing enough reserve for farkle operation, but personally I think this bike rocks and is one of the best purchases I've made in my life.
I just hope that when Yamaha designs the next generation FJR, they keep the weight down, include a cruise control and another electrical outlet with a higher amp rating so you can plug in electrically heated clothing or recharge the battery by just plugging in a battery tender.
