FJR 1300?

[twood1972]

Would like to invest in another touring bike before spring.
Thoughts on the FJR? I love my 1200 but to get it comfortable for my wife and I "and all my wife's necessities", I'd be spending a bundle. We can do a couple hours on it but that's it.
Thanks.

[Pat Conlon]

Several long time FJ owners have migrated over to the FJR and by all accounts, they love their bikes.
I have ridden an '09 and I came away impressed.....although not at first. I got on the FJR and thought to myself, shit, this bike is a friggin boat. Compared to my smaller '84 FJ1100 the FJR felt huge but it was just a temporary feeling. The FJR was 100 lbs heavier than my '84 but that's just on paper because when rolling, I really didn't notice the extra weight.  I was impressed at the handling and power of the FJR. The FJR I rode had an upgraded forks and a Penske shock.
Lots of benefits with the FJR over our FJ's.....fuel injection, shaft drive, real effective ABS, strong water cooled engine, plenty of room for gear, and the FJR handles just fine. Plan on an aftermarket shock and beware the early FJR's which had poor heat ventilation.  The 2016 + have a 6 speed tranny although many owners are happy with the 5 speeds.
In short....the FJR's are very good bikes however, next year will be the last year, the 2023 20th Anniversary model. Yamaha will stop production after next year due to strict Euro 5 emission standards.
20 years is a damn good production run for a motorcycle....that should tell you something.

Cheers.  Pat

Paging San Dimas Mike, Henry R, Dean N,  just for starters...

[ribbert]

Would like to invest in another touring bike before spring.
Thoughts on the FJR?

Depends on the riding you do.

5 years ago I decided I needed a stablemate for the FJ,  something that would carry out the same duties as it but with all the modern farkles. The FJR was the natural successor for we FJ lovin' folk and I settled on '13-'16 (cruise control / 5 speed) model and started hunting around for a good example. The test ride however changed my plans and as much as I desperately tried to talk myself into it, the extra weight and longer wheel base made riding the twisties too much work, I literally found it exhausting. I'm lucky to live in a part of the country where such roads are plentiful and close by and on which most of my riding is done, I needed something a bit lighter on it's feet. My FJ loves these roads and the FJR was truck-like by comparison.

Make no mistake, the FJR is a great bike but it's more autobahn blaster and not as nimble as the FJ.

Just depends where and how you ride.

Noel

[Motofun]

Uhhh?  2023-2004 = 19..or maybe 20 if you include EU..... (you know I'm kidding, right?)
FJR is a great MC, does everything it's supposed to, so much so that I found it to be a bit unexciting.  Weird, right?  I like my motorcycles to have a quirk, something to make you ride around it.  Maybe it's a vibration, I know on my 2 stroke it's when it comes on the pipe....something that keeps you engaged.  As a 2-up sport tourer, though the FJR is a great choice.

[Motofun]

As far as the sport portion of a sport tourer goes, the FJR can haul the mail.  It does require a certain type of commitment though.  The problem is the weight.  You can address all those extra pounds with good suspension BUT no matter what you do, that weight will make the bike feel numb.  It's not, it just feels that way.  You can ride past that feeling and make great progress it just takes a certain amount of faith or experience.  I never really got to that place.  The bike was Nancy's so I didn't ride it much and that may have been my problem with it....

[red]

Would like to invest in another touring bike before spring.
Thoughts on the FJR? I love my 1200 but to get it comfortable for my wife and I "and all my wife's necessities", I'd be spending a bundle. We can do a couple hours on it but that's it.
Thanks.

Twood,

I own both a 1985 FJ1100 and a 2008 FJR1300.  I ride both.  The FJ is leaner, maybe more nimble, but not by much.  The FJR is sensitive to tire pressures.  It can feel like a log with the front tire underinflated (for your weight).  Over-inflation makes it want to "stand up" in turns; you would have to hold it down, when leaning into a curve.  In the golden "sweet spot" between those extremes, you can expect the fine Yamaha handling that you like.  For the FJR, tires count also: I now run on Pirelli Angel GT, and they gave me a whole new bike, as compared to the handling with the old Michelins.  An FJR test ride on unknown tire pressures could be less than you expect.  Start with 40 PSI Front/ 42 PSI Rear, and tinker (a few PSI at a time) from there. 

As a "new" buyer, I would want five gears and Cruise Control on a used FJR.  Search for a file- comparo.pdf -to see every change in the FJR, year by year.  Zoom in repeatedly, because the print will be small.  There are several FJR forums out there.
Happy hunting!

[Pat Conlon]

Uhhh?  2023-2004 = 19..or maybe 20 if you include EU..... (you know I'm kidding, right?)

Yep, a typo...correction made...thanks!

[twood1972]

Thank you brothers for the input. I've done the research and based on your thought I've decided to go shopping for one. I've got all winter so no hurry yet. Soon there'll be snow on the ground and will stay till mid April. I'm sure I'll ride the FJ most of the time "me time" but when we decide on a overnight trip we'll take the FJR. Right now I'm seeing them for less than 4k and in decent shape.
Once again. Thanks.

[red]

Thank you brothers for the input. I've done the research and based on your thought I've decided to go shopping for one.  Right now I'm seeing them for less than 4k and in decent shape.
Once again. Thanks.

Twood,
This sounds serious.       
Well, this is the time to buy, for the best prices.  If you are looking at a 2008 FJR or older, there is one part you need to check, beyond all else.  The old versions of the Cam Chain Tensioner were weak, and a failure there would destroy the engine before you can reach the key.  You need to see a GREEN dot on the top of the CCT mounting flange, then all is well.  No dot? Blue dot?  Do not run the engine.  Either replace the CCT, or have a shop do the deed.  If the Present Owner says it will be safe to ride the FJR to the repair shop to get the CCT replaced, have the Present Owner do that before you hand over any money.  The FJR forums have tech write-ups on the CCT replacement process.  You can inspect the CCT for the green dot without any dis-assembly, but an inspection mirror and a strong light will be needed.  The Present Owner may have receipts to show it was already replaced; otherwise the part is about US$ 100 and it needs a couple hours of labor.  This issue can be a bargaining point, for the price of the bike.  Check here:
https://www.fjrowners.com/threads/2007-funny-engine-noise.133586/post-1056346

[twood1972]

Thank you Red. Duly noted. I had a cam chain tensioner fail on my VTR1000 some years ago. Rebuild was big $$ so I purchased a used engine from a wrecked bike. Made sure to put a upgraded tensioner in that one. Regrettably, sold the bike so I could get a 636 Kawasaki that I just never could get friendly with.

[ribbert]

Red, does your FJ have standard suspension / ride height?

[red]

Red, does your FJ have standard suspension / ride height?

Ribbert,

Can't say, because I bought the bike used.  Sorry.
I would be very surprised to find anything is still stock inside the suspension system.  
The PO was very mechanically inclined, which is why I bought it from him.
There are no local 1985 FJs that I can compare to mine.