Test rode an FJR1300 today...

2OHOH2 · 07-09-2003, 5:46 PM

A friend of mine let me ride his fairly new (7K on the clock) FJR1300. I am impressed. The ergonomics were spot-on - everything was where it needed to be, and the bike felt comfortable and familiar from the get-go. The engine was buttery smooth, turn in was smooth as well with a very confidence-inspiring feel to it (planted?). The machine is very refined, which makes me wonder just how close to perfect the ST1300 must be if the FJR feels as good as it does. The bike gets a hair over 300 miles to the tank, which sure would've come in handy on my recent VT trip.

Smooth. That's the FJR in a word.

I want one... or even better, the ST, but either way, I want one. Hmm, maybe it's time to get serious and sell the Supra, and/or the Accord...

Skully · 07-09-2003, 5:51 PM

That's my next bike. I hope they are still making them in 2050.

ccwilli3 · 07-09-2003, 10:55 PM

300 miles to the tank eh? Hmmm...

Warchild?

nedro · 07-10-2003, 12:23 AM

The ST will get close to 300 on a tank with freeway driving.

nedro · 07-10-2003, 10:51 AM

BTW Did your buddy do the heat problem fix on his Yami?

2OHOH2 · 07-10-2003, 2:34 PM

Quote:

nedro : BTW Did your buddy do the heat problem fix on his Yami?

I'm not certain, but I don't think he has. Are you talking about the 'hard-boiled eggs' problem?

Chain · 07-10-2003, 3:15 PM

Quote:

2OHOH2954 : I want one... or even better, the ST

Nice account, thanks. I really like that Yamaha. From what I've read and seen (admittedly, I've ridden neither machine), I honestly think you couldn't go wrong with either bike, yet I tend to like the looks of the FJ a little better. And haven't I read that the overall impression it gives is one of a little more 'sportbike bend' than the Honda?

BizJetGuy · 07-10-2003, 3:24 PM

Had my first FJR sighting last weekend... sneakers/shorts/t-shirt guy with his young son (maybe 8 or 9 years old) on the back with a tank-top (he wasn't old enough to be wearing a true 'wife-beater' *).

The bike looked really sharp but you could see by the tell-tale scrapes on the hardbags that he had already laid it down.

I think between the two, I prefer the looks of the ST. *I haven't ridden either one - I was scheduled to do a test ride on an ST but they sold it the day before I was scheduled to come in. *Just sitting on the ST in the showroom was impressive and my GF loved sitting pillion. *It did feel pretty heavy, though.

I haven't seen a single FJR in the showrooms around here and you have to pre-order them with no chance of a test ride.

2OHOH2 · 07-10-2003, 3:25 PM

Yep, that's what I've read too. The Yammie did feel pretty damn sporty for what it is

Why would I prefer the ST? Well, it's a Honda (bla bla bla), and their last ST design was good for a decade. However... the 04 FJR will have ABS, and some other goodies, and still be cheaper than the standard ST (unless Honda steps up and drops their price), so...

nedro · 07-10-2003, 8:05 PM

I hope Warchild doesn't mind me posting this. It's some good info on the heat issues of the ST and the FJR Enjoy.

2OHOH2 · 07-10-2003, 8:21 PM

Quote:

nedro : I hope Warchild doesn't mind me posting this. It's some good info on the heat issues of the ST and the FJR Enjoy.

Yep, good info

Damn, I'm actually doing some heavy window shopping for either model right now