Handling: ST1300 vs FJR?

[Bribak]

Hello all,

In various shootout/reviews I repeatedly see that the FJR engine is significantly stronger than the ST's. I don't doubt that. It's not a big deal to me - as I find the ST to be more than quick enough for my style of riding. I have much more fun in the turns than I do blasting down the straights.

Handling impressions in the reviews seem to vary, though. Many reviews give the impression that since the FJR is 80 lbs lighter, it handles "sportier" than the ST. I'm not sure what that means. I find that the steering on the ST is "lighter" than any other bike I've ridden. It takes less input to tip it into the turn...and almost no effort to keep it there. For a bike of its size, I find it extremely tossable. I have ridden a few much lighter bikes (sportbikes and naked sportbikes) and found them all to require more effort to initiate and hold a turn. I have never ridden the FJR, but the magazines seem to absolutely love it! I am curious about its handling characteristics. I would be interested to hear from those who've ridden both the ST and the FJR - what are the handling differences?

Thanks, Brian

[coldoughboy]

I have ridden the FJR1300 some. I have a couple of friends that have them. It is a lighter bike and feels a little more nimble in the curvey mountain roads that we ride here in Colorado. The engine does accelerate a little quicker (but not smoother) on the FJR but I do not do much drag racing so it is not a big deal to me. I felt like the riding position was a little more sport bikey on the FJR. I liked the fit and finish on the ST much better. I also liked the brakes better. I thought the added weight also added to the stability on the highways. My gut feeling is that the Honda will hold up better in the long run than the Yamaha but only time will tell. I am very glad that I own the ST but the FJR is a good bike.

[BigBadblue]

I have ridden the FJR1300 some. I have a couple of friends that have them. It is a lighter bike and feels a little more nimble in the curvey mountain roads that we ride here in Colorado. The engine does accelerate a little quicker (but not smoother) on the FJR but I do not do much drag racing so it is not a big deal to me. I felt like the riding position was a little more sport bikey on the FJR. I liked the fit and finish on the ST much better. I also liked the brakes better. I thought the added weight also added to the stability on the highways. My gut feeling is that the Honda will hold up better in the long run than the Yamaha but only time will tell. I am very glad that I own the ST but the FJR is a good bike.

Ditto, exactly

[Fastraveller]

I think these two bikes are so similar in their mission that you have to evaluate them at the upper 10-20% of their capabilities to draw significant distinctions. Most peolpe never ride at 10-20% of their bikes capabilities, so performance-wise it's a wash (although I do consider lighter weight to be of significant importance regardless of how a person rides). Personally the singel greatest difference that matters IMO is which one is more comfortable for the longest period of time. That will change with every rider/passenger. There is simply NO GREATER performance enhancement to any motorcycle, car, plane, boat, etc. than added comfort. It is comfort that will keep you going down the road longer and more safely every time you throw a leg over either of these bikes. Generally the reviews by most, but not all, of the mags give the preference to the FJR. This is because most of the editors and testers are so enamored with measurable performance which helps sell bikes and is relatively easy to report. Even though most mags give the FJR the nod, I sometimes pick up from the articles that as the miles build up toward the end of the day, the ST actually comes out on top. I think it would be helpful and constructive if the mags would ask the test riders to report "which bike would you rather be on for the last 200 miles of an 1100 mile day?" for all comparison tests. They just rarely conduct their comparison tests this way.

[jholder]

Slightly off-topic maybe but anyone have any thoughts on the lack of a clutch on some of the new FJR's?

From Yamaha's website, "FJR1300AE receives, in addition to the other `06 refinements listed, heated grips and a Yamaha exclusive electric-shift five-speed transmission that eliminates the clutch lever entirely—now you can click off supersmooth shifts using either the left bar-mounted paddles or the foot-operated gearshift lever."

Personally I'm very used to using the clutch for low speed, tight maneuvers and found the BMW odd to ride without slipping the clutch. Anyone have any thoughts on no clutch at all?

[Keith_UK]

I know this is a trivial point of comparison between the ST13 and ANY other motorcycle, but I want to make it anyway:

I temporarily parked by bike badly the other day :rolleyes: On the side stand leaning into the road's steep camber, so the bike was nearly upright with little weight on the s/stand's foot; AND facing slightly downhill.

You guessed it; the STeed rolled forward over the s/stand and down she went onto her LHS. First time I've ever done such a dumb*ss thing. But that little tip-over wing saved the day. It's always the first point of contact and prevents nasty scuffs occurring on any other area of bodywork (fairing, panniers, etc). And it costs just £14 (USD $25) to replace this little piece of plastic.

I am only aware of one other m/cycle out there that has a similar feature (Honda's range of GL-Wings excepted), which is BMW's K1200 LT. Anyone know different?

It is probably inappropriate to mention this often overlooked great little feature in this thread, but IMHO the tip-over wing is sooooo good to have on a heavyweight tourer, as I found out recently - and NOT to my cost, either.

The FJR doesn't have a similar bodywork-saving device fitted. Apart from this and other reported issues regarding the FJR (e.g. engine ticking, excessive heat, hard stocker seat, etc) the FJR is a great machine and certainly looks the part - what's more, I bet it goes like a bat outta hell.

[tdeboeser]

I spent 4-5 hours on a FJR. Good bike. The ST handles better, and has better torque in the places most will use it.

The FJR handles like my old '86 VFR, not bad just not as quick as the ST.

Tom de

[keithf]

I had an '03 FJR that I rode for one season and logged about 25,000kms. I installed an Ohlins shock and used a superbrace fork brace. The FJR was brutal on bad bumps and had a tendency to wallow and run wide during high speed 8/10ths rides. I think the FJR was too low in the rear as a matter of design (despite the aftermarket shock) and this significantly affects the precision of the handling.

I now have an '03 ST13A with a fork brace and the bike is far more stable on bad roads in high speed turns but the effort due to the bike's heavier weight is greater.

My $.02 CAD.

[STWannaBe]

One of my best friends has a 03 FJR and I have ridden it several times, mostly on our yearly trek to Bike Week in Daytona. We like to swap bikes with each other just so we can see how the other bikes perform.

I have ridden it both fast and slow, in the curves and down the straits and I have to say I love it! My take is that if you ride it under 5000 rpms, it rides like a tourer. Over 5000 rpms, it rides like a sport bike. I love the sound it has, deep and growling. I love the fact that the headlight doesn't come on when you turn the key on, only after the bike is started does the headlight work. I love the fact that when you hit the gas, it acts like a rocket: either the front wheel is off the ground, or the rear tire is spinning. It is a very worthy sport-touring rig and for the money, you can't beat it.

Every bike is going to have its querks with some better than others. Now, after saying all of that, you can see where my loyalties lie under my name at the bottom. That's why I have an 05. I don't think you can beat the ST in any sport-touring area. It has it all and more.;)