2016 FJR1300/ES gets 6th gear!

[dsinned]

http://ridermagazine.wpengine.com/top-stories/2016-yamaha-fjr1300-fjr1300es-first-look-review.htm/

[TTSE14]

I seriously considered the FJR prior to choosing the Trophy.  With the latest improvements and the blue color choice: maybe I should have waited. The main reasons I decided against the FJR were fuel economy, and color choice, but it is a well built motorcycle, worthy of consideration.

[triucati]

Unless Yamaha did some major upgrades to the suspension, I would not consider an FJR.  Especially comparing to a Trophy. 

[cropbiker]

It still has the same, stupid, lozenge shaped panniers and you can't spec a top box as standard and Yamaha still say you shouldn't have one. They also haven't corrected the design to get rid of that ugly swing arm.... why no single sided swing arm in this day and age??

[bobv07662]

The Yamaha's swingarm illustrates how advanced the engineering is on our Trophys!

[AZBob]

Originally Posted by triucati

Unless Yamaha did some major upgrades to the suspension, I would not consider an FJR.  Especially comparing to a Trophy.

Have you ridden an FJR with the electronically adjustable suspension? Supposedly it's a fair bit better than the base model's suspension. At the very least, it has an upside down fork.

[Volfy]

Originally Posted by AZBob

Have you ridden an FJR with the electronically adjustable suspension? Supposedly it's a fair bit better than the base model's suspension. At the very least, it has an upside down fork.

I test rode an ES and the base model back to back at a demo event yr of so ago.  I think it 'll make more of a difference if you regularly vary passenger & luggage.  Push the limits of even the '14s, and the FJR is still weak legged.  The FJR may look sporty, but suspension-wise, I'll put even the C14 ahead of the FJR.  The European ST's are in a whole 'nother class.

Everybody is fixating on the 6th gear, but to me, the significant upgrade is the slipper clutch.  Once I got spoiled with slippers, riding anything "sporty" without it just feels unrefined.

The biggest problem I have with the FJR is the fat mid-section, which feels like I'm humping a whale.  Even though the bikes like the TTSE and RT have very wide front section, the midriff narrows down like a wasp, so it is svelte where the rider engages the motorcycle - exactly where it needs to be narrow.

Yamaha is to be commended for the remarkable refreshing on the basic 15yr old design... but it is still the same basic 15yr old design.

[AZBob]

Originally Posted by Volfy

I test rode an ES and the base model back to back at a demo event yr of so ago.  I think it 'll make more of a difference if you regularly vary passenger & luggage.  Push the limits of even the '14s, and the FJR is still weak legged.  The FJR may look sporty, but suspension-wise, I'll put even the C14 ahead of the FJR.  The European ST's are in a whole 'nother class.

Good to know, I hadn't had a chance to ride the FJR.

Everybody is fixating on the 6th gear, but to me, the significant upgrade is the slipper clutch.  Once I got spoiled with slippers, riding anything "sporty" without it just feels unrefined.

I saw that as the really big deal rather than the 6-speed, too. The Trophy's transmission, without a slipper clutch, is so smooth, however, that it seems like it has one. Or at least that's how it felt in my test ride.