FJR1300

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I'm probably not going to buy a new bike this year but I have to admit I am thinking about it. There are not many new bikes that really interest me, and none I can afford that trip my trigger the way my Valk does. If money was not an issue I'd buy the 6 cylinder Beemer in a heartbeat, but that's just more than I'm willing to spend.

What I want is a bike with equal or better comfort, handling, longevity and classic motorcycle good looks with a substantial boast in performance and less RPM at interstate speeds. It doesn't seem to exist at a reasonable cost which means I'd need to make a compromise. Giving up the classic motorcycle look would have to be it since I'm not willing to give up any of the other attributes.

The 2014 & 15 FJR1300's with ABS seem to come pretty close but they only come with a 1 year warranty. Does that mean they are not dependable? A bike that won't go 200,000 mikes is not a bike I'd be interested in.

Has anyone here bought one? If so, how do you like it? If so, do you belong to an owners group? Any high mileage bikes in that group? I'm nearly 58 years-old. I'd expect the next new bike I buy to be the last new bike I buy. As in, if I'm lucky, really lucky, another 10 to 15 years of "riding it like I stole it".

I probably wouldn't trade in the Valk but would keep it as a daily ride to hold down the miles on the new one.

[Clark]

IF I WERE YOU and was interested I would join their forums and read and ask questions

[Clark]

as a sidenote.. I dont think you can buy a bike.. especially a jap bike that wont run 2-3 hundred thousand miles with proper maintainence

[six2go #152]

As Clark said, "visit some FJ Forums and seek some answers". As with any bike(Valk included), you would probably have to do some seat and handle bar mods to make it yours but a lot of people travel many miles on FJ's & Kaw. Concours'.

[Jess Tolbirt]

well i dont know,,the fjr1300 is an inline 4cyl bike,, thats old technology,,been around since forever,,probably like the harley v-twin,,,
Just Kiddin ya,, a friend has one and it has 76,000 miles on it and has yet to change the plugs, runs great and is very smooth,,go test ride one, you will like it,,and just like the valk you can put an aux. tank on it for those extended rides up to Alaska..

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

well i dont know,,the fjr1300 is an inline 4cyl bike,, thats old technology,,been around since forever,,probably like the harley v-twin,,,
Just Kiddin ya,, a friend has one and it has 76,000 miles on it and has yet to change the plugs, runs great and is very smooth,,go test ride one, you will like it,,and just like the valk you can put an aux. tank on it for those extended rides up to Alaska..

Thanks, that's the kind of info I was looking for. Many times from reading forums without owning the bike you can get an exaggerated idea of potential mechanical problems.

I sat on a Concours at a dealership earlier this year. I didn't care much for it in person, the reviews sure sounded good though.

[GiG]

I sat on a Concours at a dealership earlier this year. I didn't care much for it in person, the reviews sure sounded good though.

Jim Slacker LOVES his 

[Jess from VA]

I think the FJR is a very good machine, but the stock seating position is more Sport than Touring.   I think the Honda ST is closer to sport touring and more comfortable.

This one has modded up hwy pegs, but look at the reach to the bars.  Risers may be available, dunno.



I cannot ride sport bikes in comfort (for very long).  Besides leaning forward being hard on the arms and shoulders and low back (and possibly the neck as you lean forward then look up), at some point your balls become part of the suspension.  And they all have center controls; maybe not as far back as real sport bikes, but similar to the valk, it is a lot of bent knee for taller guys.

Take your time, look around, and go and sit on some (keeping in mind a minute on the seat in the showroom is not 2-5 hours on the road.

[six2go #152]

I think the FJR is a very good machine, but the stock seating position is more Sport than Touring.   I think the Honda ST is closer to sport touring and more comfortable.

This one has modded up hwy pegs, but look at the reach to the bars.  Risers may be available, dunno.

GenMar makes risers for almost any bike on the road. Another option is Helibars for maximum adjustments.

[Davemn]

I was looking for something different than my Valkyrie. Something not too expensive, lighter, sportier and fun to ride. Last March I bought a new Suzuki V Strom DL 650. I rode it 4500 miles last summer. I put 600 on the Valkyrie.
The V Strom does everything and is just more fun to be on. Its not as fast as the Valk but its pretty close. It cruises easily at 80 all day. Cant really justify selling the Valk cuz it isn't worth much and I do like the idea of a big cruiser. But those Adventure bikes are getting very popular and may deserve a look.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think that's the bike Dennis from Blythe got a while back. Looked pretty sharp to me. Give him a PM.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I think the FJR is a very good machine, but the stock seating position is more Sport than Touring.   I think the Honda ST is closer to sport touring and more comfortable.

This one has modded up hwy pegs, but look at the reach to the bars.  Risers may be available, dunno.



I cannot ride sport bikes in comfort (for very long).  Besides leaning forward being hard on the arms and shoulders and low back (and possibly the neck as you lean forward then look up), at some point your balls become part of the suspension.  And they all have center controls; maybe not as far back as real sport bikes, but similar to the valk, it is a lot of bent knee for taller guys.

Take your time, look around, and go and sit on some (keeping in mind a minute on the seat in the showroom is not 2-5 hours on the road.

Seating/footpeg position is one of the many things I love about the Valk. Our footpegs allow standing up while riding which can make all body parts including the "boys' happier on a long ride. I couldn't ride long on a bike that wouldn't allow me to stand on the pegs from time to time. Any idea how tall the guy on that bike is?

[Jess from VA]

He looks my size, about 5' 8"-10" (guessing).

Mike I stand on my Valk boards all the time for a stretch and to let the heat blow out of my clothes.  And with taller risers, I am a perfect fit for standing erect and keeping a comfortable reach to the bars (like it was designed for me).

But standing on that bike will mean leaning forward and down to reach the bars. 

[..]

FJR is a SPORT touring bike
ST1300 is a sport TOURING bike

I've ridden my ST for 125,000 miles. http://www.st-owners.com/

Risers, footpeg lowering blocks and highway blades allow me to move around, stand up without crouching.

Saddlebags are easily removed.

I've added a double Powerlet outlet which is made specifically for the ST.

Electric windshield.

I'm still using the stock seat althought the Russell Daylong made for the ST is the way to go.

My rear gears on teh shaft drive look like brand new. Thnere isn't the same issue aas some have had with the Valkyrie. Although I do wear out tires at about 6-7500 miles so the rear gets regular maintenance.

There is a Hankook car tire that fits on the rear without any mods having to be done. 15,000 miles or more with that reart tire.

Gauges need to be brighter in sunlight.

Bike is plain ugly with the saddlebagsa off.

I've never had to change valve shims.

42mpg on regular although I do use ethanol free whenever I can. Premium is recommnende but that only seems to be needed if you are wrist happy through the gears or if you let the engine lug.

I rarely need to go over 4,000 rpm but when I do the bike will certainly get down the road. Fastest speedo reading I've seen is 155mph.

[..]

ST has a 3 year warranty with an available 4 year extension.

[..]

ST is heavy at slow speed. Carries the weight up high.  650 pounds.

7.2 gallons of gas  - yer butt wears out before fuel is needed 

[..]

CTX is a detuned ST and one of the ugliest bikes on the road.

I don't think I've seen one on the road yet.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

CTX is a detuned ST and one of the ugliest bikes on the road.

I don't think I've seen one yet.

I love the looks of the CTX although I haven't seen one in person yet. Doesn't matter though, as you said, they've detuned it to sportster levels.

I was really impressed with the ST's on the ride I joined you on years ago, but does Honda still make them?

[..]

CTX is a detuned ST and one of the ugliest bikes on the road.

I don't think I've seen one yet.

I love the looks of the CTX although I haven't seen one in person yet. Doesn't matter though, as you said, they've detuned it to sportster levels.

I was really impressed with the ST's on the ride I joined you on years ago, but does Honda still make them?

I think is the last year so some bargains to be had at the dealers.

[Chillerman]

I bought a 2007 FJR1300 in September to go along with the Valk.  I rented a Honda ST1300 when I was on a business trip to California and I liked it a lot.  When I came home I was intent on buying one but after test riding the FJR I bought it instead.  

I'm 6'3" 250lbs and the FJR fits me just fine.  It has 1" risers on it and that is all the mods done to it.  The seating position actually feels better to me than the Valk because my feet are slightly back and it takes all the pressure off of my knees.  I also don't cramp up like I sometimes do on the Valk.  

To me it is a great bike with somewhere around 140hp (more than the ST) and weighs around 582lbs dry which is much less than the ST.  I may sell the Valk next spring.

[Chillerman]

Has anyone here bought one? If so, how do you like it? If so, do you belong to an owners group? Any high mileage bikes in that group? I'm nearly 58 years-old. I'd expect the next new bike I buy to be the last new bike I buy. As in, if I'm lucky, really lucky, another 10 to 15 years of "riding it like I stole it".

I belong to FJRForum.com and everything I have heard about the 1300 is that it is a very dependable bike.  Many, many members with over 100K on their bikes.  The inline 4 is about as bullet proof as the flat six seems to be.  Granted, it isn't as smooth as the Valkyrie, especially at 3500-4000rpm but it is plenty smooth on the highway.  Doesn't have a 6th gear either but I can cruise at 80 and 4000rpm all day!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

My 2006 ST1300 bought new in the crate in 2009 has 164,000 miles and runs and looks like new. I haven't even changed a wheel bearing yet. There are ST1300 and 1100's with over 350,000 miles. FJr1300 last just as long.

I run a car tire and my last tire (GYTT) gave me 55,000 miles. The seating position is different but anyone who thinks it's "wrong" just needs to put 10,000 on a sport touring bike. There is a reason the seating position is different on all the sport touring bikes. I know this won't fly on here in Valkland, the sport touring position is the best for long distance riding. Of course all bikes need a good Russell Day Long to be great bikes. I could-can ride an ST or a Valk 18 hours a day and do it again tomorrow.

I average 43 mpg at 70-75 mph. Unlike the Valk the mileage doesn't drop off that much even running 80-85. (Don't ever challenge me to a mileage contest Carl.) ST also has a 7 gallon tank and will run to 250 miles every time before it hits "reserve". Best tank ever for me was 330 miles.

The ST1300 hasn't changed at all since 2003. The FJR has gone thru 4 updates in that time (2015 is newest change) and several ST owners are buying the FJR's because Honda has not updated the ST to match.

I hear the 2015 FJR's are the bomb and would be happy if anyone dropped one off in my garage.

The second picture is my bike as it sit this summer after I got back from Alaska at 160,000 miles.

Raymond

[Oss]

Russ thanks for this thread

I have been toying with the idea of selling the R1150rtp and getting a used ST1300 or
FJR     Raymond glad to see you are getting your miles in. Havent talked with you in years
in the chatroom

Either bike I would need a Russell as I am addicted to that comfort on
successive all day rides

The 1150 is a dynamite commuter but just not comfortable if a ride is over an hour or so as I am too tall for the foot positions, even with seat on highest setting

[..]

I forgot to mention that the ST too has a 3 position adjustable seat. I have a 32 inseam and use the highest setting with the lowered foot pegs.

[jimmytee]

CTX is a detuned ST and one of the ugliest bikes on the road.

I don't think I've seen one yet.

I love the looks of the CTX although I haven't seen one in person yet. Doesn't matter though, as you said, they've detuned it to sportster levels.

I was really impressed with the ST's on the ride I joined you on years ago, but does Honda still make them?

I saw a guy last summer who already had 70,000 miles on a CTX1300 he bought new. I saw him at a gas station and intentionally turned around to go talk to him. He was quite an unusual fellow (read strange) The way he talked you would swear he was drunk, but I just think that was how he was. He was tall, skinny long scraggly hair and was a sight. 

[BigChris99]

Good reading this. I rode a friends ST 1300 this past summer. Loved that bike. Great riding position, more than enough power and the electric windshield is wonderful. I'm in the market for one right now. The FJR would be a close second, but I'm at the age I'd prefer the TOURING side of sport touring.

[cookiedough]

I think you are going to have to decide by going to a dealership and test riding one for an hour or so a few times before purchasing.  ONLY YOU can see if it is comfy for YOU, not ANY of us. 

that being said, I think a good used yamaha fjr1300 or honda st1300 is a good choice for another bike being faster and longer distance commuter ONLY if YOU are comfy.  I would never buy new, but there are tons of good used ones out there with lower mileage am sure in the 5-7K range to your liking.  Why buy new when used will do just fine in terms of being comfy and reliable?

I'd buy a used 2001 thru 2005 Wing for say 9K if lower mileage and in good shape probably will last me the rest of my life vs. wasting 20K on up for a new one.  Maybe by the time in 15 more years my Valk I/S is too old and tired (that is a big maybe?), I really do like the looks off the blacked out 2014/15 new red/black Wing that say in another 15 years will come down to my price range of 10 grand used?

[Mr Whiskey]

On the gl1800 board right now.............
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?571345-2014-FJR1300A-for-sale-or-Trade-plus-Cash-for-abs-model-GL1800a
Scroll down for pic's.

[cookiedough]

I know you are in the looking stage, but stumbled across this just now in WI.  If I was closer and NOT 20 degrees out in WI,  I'd take it for a test drive for you.  http://appleton.craigslist.org/mcy/4731612961.html

I see other FJR's with similar like new mileage darn near new are in the 12-13K range, so if you can deal with the color being grayed out (won't show dirt and stand out),  this is nicely done and pretty cheap for almost being new, at least in my eyes.
(no affiliation, just passing along a good deal at least in my eyes)