FJR 1300 six gear testdriven

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Hi

I have testdriven the new FJR 1300 with six gear. It is a nice ride and i like it. But when i went at high speed the six gear didnt do much with the high rpm. I still think the ST1300 feels more like a touring and FJR like a racer.
The seat was better though..... and the rear mirrors wasnt blocked by the handles.

Keeping my Honda but like the idea of one more gear. The torque is there even with alot of packaging on the bike.

Is it possible to build a "Electric overdrive" and put in the final gear at the wheel?
 
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Any thing is possible, but it might not be economically worthwhile. It would probably take some engineering, a fair amount of casting of parts and machining of gears.
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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I LOVED 6th gear on my V65S. The difference/drop in RPM really had a pleasant calming effect. On my ride to Alice's last Saturday I was aware of the 4000rpm and it tends to make me slightly antsy. The V65 and even my Duc 750 were very calm inducing.

The latter had the best RPM to MPH ration of any bike I've owned. A little tall in 1st but once rolling in 2nd it pulled well but was always calm never frenetic. The 2017 CB1100ex has a 6th. :D
 
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I've often thought how nice it would be to have a sixth gear, without a gear indicator I find myself trying to grab another at 4000 rpm on the highway, until I glance at the rpm and realize that's it. The bike has so much torque it would pull an OD no problem
 

dduelin

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Shifting up another gear to cruise would require one or two gear downshift to equal the current roll-on time from 70 to 90.

Just sayin, it's a consequence of lowering top gear rpm.
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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CalgaryST said:
I've often thought how nice it would be to have a sixth gear, without a gear indicator I find myself trying to grab another at 4000 rpm on the highway, until I glance at the rpm and realize that's it.
BTDT. I feel your pain. The V65S' roll-on throttle in 6th was great! Cruising at <4000rpm even better.
 
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The 6th gear in the FJR is not really an overdrive...they just redistributed the shifting...oddly enough first gear is higher than in the 5 speeds....I don't see the need for the 6 speed but then again I own the pinnacle of production, the gorgeous red 2014....YMMV....ride well, ff
 

dduelin

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The 6th gear in the FJR is not really an overdrive...they just redistributed the shifting...oddly enough first gear is higher than in the 5 speeds....I don't see the need for the 6 speed but then again I own the pinnacle of production, the gorgeous red 2014....YMMV....ride well, ff
In an instrumented test the gorgeous Candy Graceful Red 05 ST was about 2/10th second behind the 1st gen 5speed FJR to 120 mph. With a taller 1st gear I wonder how they'd do today.
 

ChucksKLRST

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The 6th gear in the FJR is not really an overdrive...they just redistributed the shifting...oddly enough first gear is higher than in the 5 speeds....I don't see the need for the 6 speed but then again I own the pinnacle of production, the gorgeous red 2014....YMMV....ride well, ff
Yep, Flyfisher. I agree 100%
 
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The 6th gear in the FJR is not really an overdrive...they just redistributed the shifting...oddly enough first gear is higher than in the 5 speeds....I don't see the need for the 6 speed but then again I own the pinnacle of production, the gorgeous red 2014....YMMV....ride well, ff
I've never ridden the 5sp version, but I'm digging the 6th gear. I would gladly trade the blue of the 2016 for the graphite on the 13. I can't keep that thing clean for anything. I really liked my 2003 ST for that reason.
 
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I feel your pain on keeping it clean as I have the 15 which still has the remnants of love bug guts all over it that I have not had the time to clean since getting back from Texas.
 

BakerBoy

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IMO, 6 speed is over-rated. The ST13 (and ST11) has the gearing done well across 5 gears.

While I've not ridden a 6-speed FJR, what I find in practice is that my RT's 6-speed has 4-5-6 too closely spaced. The RT's ratios are:
1st - 2.28:1
2nd - 1.58:1
3rd - 1.26:1
4th - 1.03:1
5th - 0.90:1
6th - 0.81:1

Just as with the FJR or RT or ST or other, when you find the best bike for yourself, whether it is 6 speed or 5-speed likely isn't a deal breaker.
:)
 

T_C

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The ST's are placed well for the ones they have... but the steed is such a nice high speed run and has enough torque the 5th gear isn't high enough. I want a six, but I want to add on top of the 5th. The engine is running at 4k for 70 mph. We could easily drop this down with another gear.
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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T_C said:
the 5th gear isn't high enough. I want a six, but I want to add on top of the 5th. The engine is running at 4k for 70 mph. We could easily drop this down with another gear.
YES! +1! I'm pretty sure the V65S' 6th was OD and it had a lot of roll on throttle left. The CB1100EX has 6th gear OD as well.

The ST1300 could absolutely handle an overdrive and drop the RPM noticeably. 4Krpm gets fatiguing after awhile.

What's that FJR turning at 70mph?
 

dduelin

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YES! +1! I'm pretty sure the V65S' 6th was OD and it had a lot of roll on throttle left. The CB1100EX has 6th gear OD as well.

The ST1300 could absolutely handle an overdrive and drop the RPM noticeably. 4Krpm gets fatiguing after awhile.

What's that FJR turning at 70mph?
From Motorcycle.com: "The practical result of the new ratios is the requirement of slightly more throttle to launch the FJR. Since torque is plentiful, this poses no real problem. The lessening of the gap between the gears translated into a smaller rpm drop with each shift for snappier acceleration. Finally, in sixth gear, the tach settles in at a relaxed 3,500 rpm at 70 mph – an ideal location for transport down the interstate. In twistier confines, the lower fifth gear offered a good compromise of responsiveness versus engine speed. Of course, when the pavement really begins to undulate, choosing lower gears makes for more aggressive acceleration out of corners and more easily controlled deceleration from engine braking."
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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dduelin said:
Finally, in sixth gear, the tach settles in at a relaxed 3,500 rpm at 70 mph – an ideal location for transport down the interstate.
THAT'S what I'm talking 'bout! I may not NEED a 6th gear but I sure WANT one that gets me that more sedate pace.

Thanks for the info dd!
 

dduelin

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Welcome.

I think it just mental though. At 4000 at 70 the ST will last a very very long time. 3500, meh.

And I was looking at one of the dyno runs on my ST the other night. 20 mph roll on in 4th.....20 to 120 in 8 seconds.
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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dduelin said:
At 4000 at 70 the ST will last a very very long time. 3500, meh.
I don't doubt the longevity of the engine. The lower RPM, even only 500, makes for a less buzzy ride less fatiguing for me not the bike. My Ducky 750 Sport was geared tall and I believe 70mph was around 3000rpm. It was really relaxing.
 

T_C

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I was thinking it (the ST) should be cruising at 3,000 rpm. May not have great acceleration, but I bet there is enough torque generated to hold it steady and maintain it uphill. That's a 25% reduction. Saving gas and wear-n-tear.
 
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