patentcad
07-22-2007, 05:25 AM
The Yamaha FJR 1300 has always intriqued me. Lighter, faster, nicer styling (I like it) than the ST, etc. Got to see one up close and personal and talk to the owner (who had upgraded from a 1994 ST1100). Beautiful blue 2006 (with a clutch/shifter arrangement, not that AE model).
Observations:
• The seat looks VERY narrow and potentially much less comfy than the ST's.
• The owner said that the ST is superior in the areas of vibration (ST has far less) and wind protection, the FJR is faster/more nimble.
• The ST has two sizable storage bins in the fairing. The FJR has one much smaller bin. Major bummer for me.
We were on the bikes for the better part of 3 hours on and off yesterday (ride, scenic view stop/socialize with other bikers/ride). I kept thinking how the hardest part of riding the bike for me is how much the noise/vibration/harshness gets to me. Frankly, I couldn't TAKE any more than the ST dishes out, and from all accounts the ST is the most comfortable/forgiving sport tourer on the planet.
So ultimately between how much I love riding the ST, how comfortable it seems to be for a motorcycle and how potentially taxing riding something more sporty might be, I can forgoe the extra sportiness/speed/styling. The other factor for me is the ownership experience - I can't imagine a more positive overall trip than the one Honda provides.
Do FJR owners love their bikes as much as we do? This guy had only owned his new Yamaha for a month or so. But those FJRs are very nice looking bikes.
Observations:
• The seat looks VERY narrow and potentially much less comfy than the ST's.
• The owner said that the ST is superior in the areas of vibration (ST has far less) and wind protection, the FJR is faster/more nimble.
• The ST has two sizable storage bins in the fairing. The FJR has one much smaller bin. Major bummer for me.
We were on the bikes for the better part of 3 hours on and off yesterday (ride, scenic view stop/socialize with other bikers/ride). I kept thinking how the hardest part of riding the bike for me is how much the noise/vibration/harshness gets to me. Frankly, I couldn't TAKE any more than the ST dishes out, and from all accounts the ST is the most comfortable/forgiving sport tourer on the planet.
So ultimately between how much I love riding the ST, how comfortable it seems to be for a motorcycle and how potentially taxing riding something more sporty might be, I can forgoe the extra sportiness/speed/styling. The other factor for me is the ownership experience - I can't imagine a more positive overall trip than the one Honda provides.
Do FJR owners love their bikes as much as we do? This guy had only owned his new Yamaha for a month or so. But those FJRs are very nice looking bikes.