Following my introduction as a newbie in June a reader (Dale_I) replied and asked if I could comment comparatively on the FJR and the ST having moved from FJR to ST – I have just discovered the post so my apology for lateness.
I happily make the following comments but these are not authoritative nor based in fact other than the fact that I have ridden the ST for 6 months and the FJR for several years. Just my impressions.
- Both the FJR and ST are supreme sport tourers,both superbly engineered,
- FJR is undoubtedly more at the sport end of the sport-tourer spectrum.
- The FJR is feels more powerful under the right hand than the ST, no question at all, but this is academic as the ST has plenty of touring power, especially for me as a one-up rider.
- FJR is a more spirited ride than the ST – it says, ‘come on, come on, let’s go’. Where theST seems more placid and in this sense a better cruiser at legalish speeds. Just my impressions please remember.
- The FJR feels like it has longer legs/taller gearing than the ST and power to match. This makes the FJR roll-on power feel it will go on forever as RPM climbs and legs to match. I have not detected this in the ST.
- I find myself using more rpm with the ST. Maybe it is the silence (quieter than the FJR), or gearing?
- The FJR inline engine is excellent and sounds great through its standard mufflers. At starting it leaps into life and idles silky smooth.
- The V4 in the ST is a symmetrical gem. I like the whole configuration of the ST and gearbox.
- ST sounds a bit lethargic at starting (see my post) and is a bit fussy for a minute until it settles down.
- At my level of capability, the ST is easier to service than the FJR: Fluids, filters, are relatively simple to do and of course spark plugs change is like no other bike and ultra-easy.
- FJR feels taller, narrower and not quite as upright seating as the ST I feel. I needed bar risers on the FJR, I don’t on the ST.
- No question about stability of the FJR on the road in all conditions – been there. Rock solid. I assume the ST is its equal.
- Cross winds etc? Not sure I had a sense riding the ST home from pickup it was more affected by the wind but I reserve judgement on that for now. As you can imagine I had all my monitoring senses turned to ‘high’.
- Handling is a bit sportier with the FJR and tends to be more agile perhaps than the ST, doesn’t reach the foot rest bumps as easily as the ST. Again, all academic.
- FJR seems more minimalist (contradiction?) and spartan than the ST in standard equipment, and layout.
- I like the panels and finish, panniers, fittings etc of the ST – much better body quality than the FJR I think. The ST’s pannier removal, size, closing is superb. The ST also has the better body work to live with at service time. Beautiful body work.
- The ST is easier to manoeuvre in my garage and at parking despite being heavier than the FJR. The FJR seems veeery heavy i.e. very top heavy! A constant issue for me. Maybe the ST has a lower C of G (?).
- I think the drive through gears, clutch is smoother on the ST than the FJR. ST is a pleasure.
- On/off drive lash is generally no problem on either bike. It is there if looking for it but smooth hand control overcomes it.
- Brakes are linked ABS on both and equal in my estimation, both very powerful. ST possibly feels slightly more effective (stopping) under the front brake.
- Comfort. I am not sure as I have not done a long trip but may be near equal between the FJR and ST.
- FJR looks a bit sportier to me. Mine was light silver with silver Canyon cages and panniers. Attractive bike.
- ST looks a very smart bike. A work of Honda art. Very stylish and unique.
So why did I change from FJR to ST? Well…the rider relationship with a bike runs deep in the rider’s psyche does it not, and this is not always a technical or practical matter.
- In general, the ST is a friendlier bike to live with; a more accommodating ride for me, a good travel partner and one I am happy to tour on I expect. It makes me smile.
- The FJR I can say, for all its excellent features and quality, I never connected with it. It delivered the goods but was not always a pleasure to own. It was a business machine. This is a matter of interpretation on my part but nonetheless important. My bike prior to the FJR was the venerable Bandit 1250, a faithful pony and as smooth as silk. Nothing of the build quality of the FJR, but I really like that Bandit even more than the FJR somehow.
- Having said the above I will never disparage theFJR, it is a mighty bike and one of the many bike legends. I admire it.
- The fact that I was driven to seek out and inspect the ST a few hundred km away from my home confirms I had a need to change from the FJR. I had no hesitation when I saw the ‘mint’ ST and returned to pick it up. I had a need to find a ‘smiler’ of a bike again and I have found it in the ST
Thanks for reading.
D
I happily make the following comments but these are not authoritative nor based in fact other than the fact that I have ridden the ST for 6 months and the FJR for several years. Just my impressions.
- Both the FJR and ST are supreme sport tourers,both superbly engineered,
- FJR is undoubtedly more at the sport end of the sport-tourer spectrum.
- The FJR is feels more powerful under the right hand than the ST, no question at all, but this is academic as the ST has plenty of touring power, especially for me as a one-up rider.
- FJR is a more spirited ride than the ST – it says, ‘come on, come on, let’s go’. Where theST seems more placid and in this sense a better cruiser at legalish speeds. Just my impressions please remember.
- The FJR feels like it has longer legs/taller gearing than the ST and power to match. This makes the FJR roll-on power feel it will go on forever as RPM climbs and legs to match. I have not detected this in the ST.
- I find myself using more rpm with the ST. Maybe it is the silence (quieter than the FJR), or gearing?
- The FJR inline engine is excellent and sounds great through its standard mufflers. At starting it leaps into life and idles silky smooth.
- The V4 in the ST is a symmetrical gem. I like the whole configuration of the ST and gearbox.
- ST sounds a bit lethargic at starting (see my post) and is a bit fussy for a minute until it settles down.
- At my level of capability, the ST is easier to service than the FJR: Fluids, filters, are relatively simple to do and of course spark plugs change is like no other bike and ultra-easy.
- FJR feels taller, narrower and not quite as upright seating as the ST I feel. I needed bar risers on the FJR, I don’t on the ST.
- No question about stability of the FJR on the road in all conditions – been there. Rock solid. I assume the ST is its equal.
- Cross winds etc? Not sure I had a sense riding the ST home from pickup it was more affected by the wind but I reserve judgement on that for now. As you can imagine I had all my monitoring senses turned to ‘high’.
- Handling is a bit sportier with the FJR and tends to be more agile perhaps than the ST, doesn’t reach the foot rest bumps as easily as the ST. Again, all academic.
- FJR seems more minimalist (contradiction?) and spartan than the ST in standard equipment, and layout.
- I like the panels and finish, panniers, fittings etc of the ST – much better body quality than the FJR I think. The ST’s pannier removal, size, closing is superb. The ST also has the better body work to live with at service time. Beautiful body work.
- The ST is easier to manoeuvre in my garage and at parking despite being heavier than the FJR. The FJR seems veeery heavy i.e. very top heavy! A constant issue for me. Maybe the ST has a lower C of G (?).
- I think the drive through gears, clutch is smoother on the ST than the FJR. ST is a pleasure.
- On/off drive lash is generally no problem on either bike. It is there if looking for it but smooth hand control overcomes it.
- Brakes are linked ABS on both and equal in my estimation, both very powerful. ST possibly feels slightly more effective (stopping) under the front brake.
- Comfort. I am not sure as I have not done a long trip but may be near equal between the FJR and ST.
- FJR looks a bit sportier to me. Mine was light silver with silver Canyon cages and panniers. Attractive bike.
- ST looks a very smart bike. A work of Honda art. Very stylish and unique.
So why did I change from FJR to ST? Well…the rider relationship with a bike runs deep in the rider’s psyche does it not, and this is not always a technical or practical matter.
- In general, the ST is a friendlier bike to live with; a more accommodating ride for me, a good travel partner and one I am happy to tour on I expect. It makes me smile.
- The FJR I can say, for all its excellent features and quality, I never connected with it. It delivered the goods but was not always a pleasure to own. It was a business machine. This is a matter of interpretation on my part but nonetheless important. My bike prior to the FJR was the venerable Bandit 1250, a faithful pony and as smooth as silk. Nothing of the build quality of the FJR, but I really like that Bandit even more than the FJR somehow.
- Having said the above I will never disparage theFJR, it is a mighty bike and one of the many bike legends. I admire it.
- The fact that I was driven to seek out and inspect the ST a few hundred km away from my home confirms I had a need to change from the FJR. I had no hesitation when I saw the ‘mint’ ST and returned to pick it up. I had a need to find a ‘smiler’ of a bike again and I have found it in the ST
Thanks for reading.
D
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