South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

I don't think you will see the demise of the big tourers just look at the cult like following of the Electra Glide and the Gold Wing.

Like Stever3 I have an FJR1300 and an RIII the FJR is a surprisingly spiritrd bike and if ridden well will surprise many an R1 in its turn of speed and reletive handeling in the right hands even 2 up with luggage.

I also have a Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V which has hard luggage which is as easy to use as the FJR, but so much more nimble it is unbelievably easy to handel through the bends and through the narrow lanes. But my pillion (also a rider) prefers the FJR everytime.

If I had to choose between all the bikes I have and have had I would keep the FJR everytime. I have got 119,500 kms on the clock of my 2001 Fejer...

Personally I am a big fan of the Shaft Drive - less maintenance and stress.

nomad wrote:Like Stever3 I have an FJR1300 and an RIII the FJR is a surprisingly spiritrd bike and if ridden well will surprise many an R1 in its turn of speed and reletive handeling in the right hands even 2 up with luggage.

I also have a Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V which has hard luggage which is as easy to use as the FJR, but so much more nimble it is unbelievably easy to handel through the bends and through the narrow lanes. But my pillion (also a rider) prefers the FJR everytime.

If I had to choose between all the bikes I have and have had I would keep the FJR everytime. I have got 119,500 kms on the clock of my 2001 Fejer...

Personally I am a big fan of the Shaft Drive - less maintenance and stress.

But the FJR isn't really a full on tourer - it's more of a sports tourer.

It was designed by Yamaha to continue the lineage of it's most respected sports tourer, the FJ1200.

Compared to a Harley Electraglide, BMW K1200LT or even a Pan Euro, it's a nimble, lightweight sportsbike.

OK it has shaft drive but interestingly, that was an issue that was addressed in response to a lot of the criticism that was levelled at the original FJ 20 years ago, because it had chain drive.

Stately wrote: It was designed by Yamaha to continue the lineage of it's most respected sports tourer, the FJ1200.

An interesting comment considering that bike was never designed as a "sports tourer" from the outset ....... the term didn't even exist when the "lineage" first hit showroom floors - the FJ1100 was Yamaha's flagship sports bike at it's launch It's akin to saying that a GSXR11K1 is now a sports tourer too

I would suggest that yes, it err's towards the sporty side of touring, but it competes directly with the Pan, which is Honda's big "sports tourer" as opposed to the 'Wing, which is their full-on tourer and Yam do not have a direct competitor for that

Stately wrote:

mattr6 wrote:Rubbish! You go an and do a 12hr day 2 up on a Blackbird and then do the same on a Pan/ BMW/ uber touring. I guarantee you'll feel far fresher coming off the tourer. Thats where tourers excell. Also need to remember that these big tourers are brought by people who have had sports and sports tourers and now want less speed and more comfort (they're also generally 50+)

Uh Hum

Actually I have done a lot of touring over the years on all sorts of bikes, including big tourers.

Not the Pan Euro admittedly but I've done it on a BMW K1200LT, which was a clumsy, overweight pig of a thing on anything other than a clear open road.

It was [Censored] hard work, although I will grant you, the Mrs. did find it very comfortable.

The year before I'd done it on a ZZR1200 and ridden every day, all day for three weeks and felt a hell of a lot more relaxed than I did on that [Censored] great BMW two wheeled winnebago.

Interesting comment that. I've ridden one and I found, once on the move, the weight dissapeared and it actually rode/ handled quite well (considering its size). I've also followed one and witnessed it grounding out the mainstand and footpegs when pushing on so handling isn't that bad. Obviously I'm not in a position to criticise your riding as you have 1000+ years of experience and are a real biker

Going back to the original question, look at who buys these bikes. I bet its people of 55 years+ who want to do a bit of touring, 2 up in comfort but don't fancy a custom/ Harley. A Blackbird/ ZZR12/ sports tourer won't even be on their shortlist.

yes but matt, you're not a weak armed feeble troll who is obsessed with a ring...

TLS-Moose wrote:An interesting comment considering that bike was never designed as a "sports tourer" from the outset ....... the term didn't even exist when the "lineage" first hit showroom floors - the FJ1100 was Yamaha's flagship sports bike at it's launch It's akin to saying that a GSXR11K1 is now a sports tourer too :

That's very true, but by the time the FJ1200 had come out to replace the original 1100, the class was well and truely established, and the FJ was considered King in it's class.

TLS-Moose wrote:I would suggest that yes, it err's towards the sporty side of touring, :

Hence, SPORTS, tourer ?

TLS-Moose wrote:but it competes directly with the Pan, which is Honda's big "sports tourer" as opposed to the 'Wing, which is their full-on tourer and Yam do not have a direct competitor for that

So are you telling me that the Pan European is considered a, SPORTS TOURER

It seems that you are.

Ask Honda if that's how they class their flagship tourer, and I'll bet you find they don't.

The Pan European is classed as a purpose built, long distance, TOURING bike.

If you want something to compare your bike too directly, I would suggest something like the BMW K1200S.

That bike is also shaft driven, with luggage options, but is classed as a sports tourer.

the FJR is a Tourer look ---> http://www.whereistonynow.co.uk/tour2cure.htm <--- honest injun




my fjr and my Bro's Fj (I bought it for him in 2007)

To be honest it's all about how the class moves on. Many moons ago sports bike were racey not some are considered sports tourers. It's just all about development and technical evolution. I don't believe you can pigeon hole the class of a bike based on its history, how have to define it as it's place in the current market.

nomad wrote:the FJR is a Tourer

Where did I say it wasn't.

It is a sports tourer though, as you said yourself.

As I said, the FJR 1200/1300 was built to continue the original FJ1200 sports touring lineage.

I guess they could have named it anything, but chose FJR

thought you were gonna abide by your poll and go ?