Don't see one of these everyday in the ol' US of A

[racerrad8]

Direct from SoCal.

I know of four of them in the US. This guys owns two of them.

Randy - RPM

[TexasDave]

A lot of guys have complained about Yamaha not offering the XJR on the North American continent. More than a few have questioned why they offer it in the UK and not Canada. I'm sure if Yamaha did sell it in Canada more than a few would have migrated to the US. It is a good looking retro bike. As Honda had mediocre sales of their retro CB1300 I think Yamaha decided sales wouldn't be that good.  I would like to know how someone could get one over here and licensed with the emission laws especially in CALIFORNIA.
Dave

[gumby302ho]

 What a brute, and that is what I would call him, how could that motorcycle ever be female even my FJ or XR650 and my ZX900A1, all dudes! I would like to know how this Brute performs Randy, have you swung your leg over one? Does it have a similar cam profile as the FJ's, will it out muscle our FJ's? Oh the questions! What a great looking machine. 

[ribbert]

A lot of guys have complained about Yamaha not offering the XJR on the North American continent.

Dave

Don't feel too bad Dave, the reality of the XJR is not quite as exciting as many might imagine. Retro/naked bikes are always an emotional success but that rarely translates into bikes out the door. The XJR is not a big seller.
They are only rated at 100hp, still only have a 5 speed box, have no ABS and vibrate more than a rubber mounted FJ. They are neither sports bike nor tourer, a bit like the FJ but without any weather protection. Whenever I ride a naked bike at highway speeds these days, which isn't often, I am shocked at just how uncomfortable it is. Throw in a stiff head wind and you would be hard pushed to put in a big day on one. It makes me wonder how I did so many miles on such bikes, and at great speed, when I was young ("young" is probably the clue) It's certainly not comfortable.

I personally find a sorted FJ a more practical bike and in my opinion a better looking one. Even carbies are not a big issue here with our fuel. Mine have only ever been removed to re jet and I didn't even bother to clean them while they were off.

Would I pay $15000 for a "new" FJ without a fairing? NO. Would I pay half that for a second hand one? NO. Putting that sort of money into upgrading an FJ will give you a better bike.

Sure, it's new, it's shiny and it's related to our beloved FJ's but once the novelty wears off I'm not sure what I'd do with it. If I had an XJR and an FJ both sitting in the garage, I don't know (other than a quick run to the shops) when the XJR would be my pick for the days riding.

Having said that, it remains a mystery why they were never offered to the American market, after all, they're a gazillion times better than a Harley.

Noel

[gumby302ho]

A lot of guys have complained about Yamaha not offering the XJR on the North American continent.

Dave



They are only rated at 100hp, still only have a 5 speed box,

Well that answers a couple of my questions! Still wonder about torque curve, it would seem the XJR is in a mild state of tune for 1300 cc mill, epa  regulations maybe the main cause among others.

[racerrad8]

The XJR's that have made their way to the US are all brought in by servicemen. They buy them in Germany for instance and they are allowed to bring them home when they are returned to the states. The emissions requirement for "North America" including Canada was the reason they were not imported.

Now that the Euro 4 emission requirements are being implemented, the 2016 XJR1300 is the final year. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15676.0

This is the same engine as the FJ 1200 with the only difference being it is 1250cc. The cams, head, valves, crank, transmission and all other hard part are the same as the FJ used. There have been some upgrades to some parts over the years. Like transmission gears, start drive clutches, to name a couple.

No, I have not ridden this one yet. It is here to get sorted out. We rebuilt the carbs but his mechanic could not get them to "run right". I started it and found #1 cylinder stone cold...here is the source of that problem.

We are going to adjust the valves, and then get it all sorted out for the guy.

There is a test ride in the future.

Randy - RPM

[Country Joe]

Well, that mechanic failed troubleshooting 101......

[4everFJ]

In Europe it is quite popular to put an XJR 1300 engine in the FJ (a lot easier to find a low milage XJR engine)

The XJR engine is restricted by using smaller intake boots between carbs and engine. If you use the FJ boots and rejet the carbs, you can bring it up close to FJ hp specs. However, the stock XJR engine has more torque low down compared to the FJ which makes it a really nice ride even with less hp than the FJ.

It is a really good looking muscle bike 

[Pat Conlon]

In Europe it is quite popular to put an XJR 1300 engine in the FJ (a lot easier to find a low milage XJR engine)

The key is a carbureted XJR engine swap in the FJ.
Unfortunately the throttle body of the fuel injected XJR engine will not fit between the perimeter frame rails of the FJ. There's a reason the XJR uses a back bone frame.

[fj1289]

I still want one though!  It's the only thing I can think of that I'd be willing to replace my 89 with as a daily driver.  The first thing I would do is paint it silver with the blue and white stripes like my old 650 Seca...and maybe make us some 1200 Seca  decals for it...and then the engine mods would begin!

[PaulG]

Emissions may be an issue but it probably has more to do with marketing.  The retro style is probably a very small percentage of an ever decreasing demographic.  Although it appeals to most of us on this site - we are part of that demographic.  They are pushing the new FZ-10 as the new big-bore naked bike.  And by the looks of the styling  (IMHO) they are not too concerned with that demographic, despite the fact it's probably an awseome bike to ride.  Another factor may be the XJR could be too expensive to build and can't meet their margin.  Anything to homogenize production will reduce costs, and to have something as anachronistic as the XJR taking up space/time is a no-go.  Even if sales of the XJR affected FZ-10 sales by 2%, that's probably enough for them to cancel it.

2017 Yamaha FZ-10 - FIRST RIDE REVIEW

And that's the end of what could have been a beautiful friendship.   

[jscgdunn]

Regarding the retro style.....not sure about that.  Seems like Triumph is selling a few around here.  The looks of the FZ1 are pretty modern but it seems like a pretty good value and a ton of fun to ride I am betting.

[4everFJ]

Maybe retro isn't popular in US, but in Europe it is the new black..

Just look at the Yamaha 2016 'Sport heritage' range. Nine different retro models (in Europe, at least).

The used market for cafe racers and scramblers is also huge with some ridiculous prices..

[TexasDave]

I like Yamaha's  sport heritage bikes. Round headlights and round clocks just look right on a bike. That means I am in the "heritage" class myself.      Dave

[4everFJ]

I like Yamaha's  sport heritage bikes. Round headlights and round clocks just look right on a bike. That means I am in the "heritage" class myself.      Dave

I second that.

Especially the XSR700 and XSR900 are really nice bikes with retro look and modern technology. They even have a round rear light