Rode an FJR1300 Today

[Fireball18]

Last year my friend bought an '06 FJR and since then he's been after me to take a ride on it. Well today we went for a nice little ride and after lunch I finally caved and rode his bike. I jput about 25 miles or so on it.

IMO the FJR is a fine bike, however it has a bit of vibration throughout, especially in the hand grips that I didn't like. Also, my knees were bent a bit more than I care for, and the seat is, what I would rate, firm. Not bad, but if I owned one, it would have an aftermarket seat on it. I thought it handled well, but not a whole lot better than the ST1300. The brakes are on a par with the ST, but it seems to have more power to the rear wheel.

Were I to return to the ranks of ST owners, I have to say that I'd go back to an ST1300 in a heartbeat! No flies on the FJR, but the ST just seems to be a better fit. Speaking of which, he put the Heli bar risers on his FJR and the ergos are pretty good in that respect, but I think it's better on the ST with Heli or MCL risers. While the FJR is decidedly sporty, the ST remains smoother and more refined all the way around.

When we traded back and I got back on my GL1800 Gold Wing, I felt at home and that I am not missing anything by not having an FJR. I still miss the ST1300. Now my curiosity is satisfied. Just thought I'd comment.

[Mark]

FB,

Thanks for suffering through the event for us!...
(For all you FRJ lovers out there: that's a joke!)

Mark

[STOnkin'aussie]

Greg

Pretty much my thoughts as well. I really like the FJR and can find many great things about the bike. But once I rode the ST it all seemed to work so well for ME...and at the end of the day I guess that is the thing that matters. I can't wait to have a ride on a 'wing - so many members report they handle well both in the carpark and out on the open roads...
Angus

[ST13Fred]

Two thoughts that stuck in my mind when I switched bikes on windy backroads in North Georgia (1) The bike has a more top heavy feel when rolling thru swithback turns (2) the front suspension is harsher. A good bike, but I'll keep my ST13, thank you.

:04biker: :smile:

[Fireball18]

Greg

Pretty much my thoughts as well. I really like the FJR and can find many great things about the bike. But once I rode the ST it all seemed to work so well for ME...and at the end of the day I guess that is the thing that matters. I can't wait to have a ride on a 'wing - so many members report they handle well both in the carpark and out on the open roads...
Angus

Be careful about riding an 1800 Gold Wing. It's sort of habit forming. What's surprising is that the weight seems to just disappear as soon as it starts rolling. It handles the twisties very competently, has great power, and is a *****cat in a parking lot. The problem for so many is after taking a ride on an 1800 Wing, they find that they just have to buy one. That happened to me, even before I owned my ST1300.

BTW, after riding that FJR, we rode about 20 miles on a nice twisty road, and I didn't feel that I was sacrificing anything by going back on the Wing. (with apologies to all you FJR lovers out there--it's a great bike, but not for me)