As I have probably mentioned ad nauseum, :rolleyes: after 13 years of great pleasure, it is time to change the K1200RS.
A week, thanks to a salesman of my aquaintance, on the 1300GT left me unmoved (but alive). :clap: So then I found yoos guys. :clap: :mfr_lol: :clap:
As you know, my GTR1400 hire-day out ended abruptly :biker3: :oops: (but I'm alive).
Now, as a mate pointed out, I should really give consideration to all the top three (God, I can't half beat around the bush) :embarrassed: ...so here it is: Have any members owned or have experience of the (you think I am going to say ST)....
...................................................................................the FJR 1300?
I have found a place who will hire me one :rolleyes: :no: if they have not sold it by the time I am all better :laugh:
(If this don't get me black balled..............)
I cant wait to see the write up after youv'e hired an FJR :mfr_lol:
Be afraid....be very afraid.
:huh: :cry: :cry: :cry: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :sad: :sad: :sad: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :cry: :cry:
the problem with the FJR is finding the correct fuel...... seeing as the engine is soooo old...... Peat, or coal is usual, although wood will do at a pinch..
FJR :oops: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :shit:
:mfr_lol: Please keep 'em coming, a picture is emerging :rolleyes:
i found the FJR to be a very credible competitor to the gtr, I preferred the styling, the handling and the sensible layout,and even the 2 tone colour. i didnt like the price, the smaller and older engine and the lower riding position for the pillion. i prefered the extras that kawa offered like traction and keyless ignition.
If i rode solo id have probably had a nearly new one
Noks ...
not for me I have to say, but a very good friend of mine at work, and a decent rider, has recently come back from his Advanced Bike Course , and one of the bikes he took a shine to was the FJR .. a fleet of FJR's Blackbirds K1300s's and new VFR's ... he generally took the Yamaha. Said he wouldn't have one " Just not me " ( he has a Gs ) but a very capable all round bike ... the instructor, whom I know, said he had to ring the neck off his Blackbird to keep up .. so it certainly has a bit of Ummppphhh.
Horses for courses mate ..at the end of the day it's your £ ! :laugh: :laugh:
Appreciate the comments guys, thank you.
You are so right about its datedness but she do look purdy in the silver and black with the bits blue trim. However, the GTR does offer more fore the buck.
And, I am not in the business of racing Blackbirdees :mfr_lol:
NoK's, FJR. Great engine. No superb engine, what a mill.
Handles like - :shit:
They are bloody awful.
Small, uncomfortable over long distances, don't go round corners and are hideously over priced and over the hill.
Set aside a grand to sort the suspension out and you may get a half decent handling machine.
Spend £1500 less on a GTR/GT/RT/ST and get something out of the box that handles twice as well.
Great engine though.................
Thank you Winston
I had an FJR...the only thing that really lets them down is handling....your to scared to lean it too much as is scrapes foot rests all the time. Other wise in my opinion an excellent tourer. It behaves a lot better when fully loaded. Pillion luggage. But dont use Yamaha top box...weave problems...used to use Heine gerik roll bags instead , strapped beside panniers.
What it does have is loads of bottom end & pulls away in the higher gears. Unlike the GTR which I guess is more sporty than the FJR.
My pillions (Girl friend) neighbor has the BMW 1200 , his mate had one too & has just chopped it in for a GTR..looks like neighbor going same way too.
The GTR is so dam gorgeous too look at too. Kawasaki have always made good looking bikes , right back to my first kawasaki at 17..KH250 Lets face it, most if not all BMs are fuggin ugly....but like an ugly wife practical I guess.....!
Finally on FJRs....the forums shit....I got banned for a joke , mind come close on here too..... :innocent:
Thanks Zider'
Nice review right down to the forum comment. And yes, the forum does add another feature to the machine at least this one does. In my thirteen Beamer years, I only used the (BMW) forums for technical help and opinions.
Perhaps I never gave it a chance; now that I am both retired and (temporally) grounded, I guess I have had more "get up your nose) time available.
(At least I can't hijack this thread...IT'S MINE I tell you mine!!!!! :undecided: I think it is......... :mfr_lol:
Anyway, re the FJR, there is a consensus emerging here, based (I hope) on personal experience which is very much in line with the "pro" reviews I have read. Except of course they (the pros) also sang some praises but, importantly, never placed it top of any shoot out.
When only looking but not riding, I find her a pretty filly particularly in dual tones. Rather in common with most BMWs, I find the GTR's paint faultlessly neat and pleasant but just a little bit too understated.........no?
How about a little bit of silver amongst the black or a bit of dawn at midnight blue.......no?
If/when I get one, I shall enjoy getting pissed off with people like me; always looking for more.
"It's a :single fuck: ing lilly :censored:. Stop trying to gild it!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: :mfr_lol:
For the money you have left over buying a GTR instead of a FJR you can have it professionally re-painted if you prefer another colour scheme and still have some cash left. :hammer:
Quote from: mecki on April 08, 2012, 12:24:59 PM
For the money you have left over buying a GTR instead of a FJR you can have it professionally re-painted if you prefer another colour scheme and still have some cash left. :hammer:
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm whohahahaha, tempted, lime candy green
Quote from: mecki on April 08, 2012, 12:24:59 PM
For the money you have left over buying a GTR instead of a FJR you can have it professionally re-painted if you prefer another colour scheme and still have some cash left. :hammer:
Mr Mecki, nail, head and hit springs to mind;I like your thinking sir. :yes:
Mr Nok you dont honestly think that there is an hire company on earth that would rent you a bike after the last one you had ended up scattered across the country side do you? :whistling: You would be lucky if you could get a :scooter: Oh for the record I had test ride on a FJR and it felt like a bit of a whale, plus I dont know if there was something wrong with it, but it handled like a flock of sheep. :shocked: :wacko:
Quote from: 100milesaway on April 08, 2012, 07:26:59 PM
Mr Nok you dont honestly think that there is an hire company on earth that would rent you a bike after the last one you had ended up scattered across the country side do you? :whistling: You would be lucky if you could get a :scooter: Oh for the record I had test ride on a FJR and it felt like a bit of a whale, plus I dont know if there was something wrong with it, but it handled like a flock of sheep. :shocked: :wacko:
Thanks for the vote of confidence Mr 100MA. Actually, I spoke with another, larger, hire firm yesterday after seeing the purdy pic of the Cheltenham FJR. Anyway, explained my accident, emphasizing mea culpa, and the £2k excess I paid.
Nice man said "No problem Sir.....oh! and our excess is only £1k. :mfr_lol: But true.
I hear you say " He probably praying that you will write off that :single fuck: ing FJR that all his customers hate" :yes: :mfr_lol::mfr_lol:
Quote from: Nok12rs on April 08, 2012, 07:36:59 PM
Thanks for the vote of confidence Mr 100MA. Actually, I spoke with another, larger, hire firm yesterday after seeing the purdy pic of the Cheltenham FJR. Anyway, explained my accident, emphasizing mea culpa, and the £2k excess I paid.
Nice man said "No problem Sir.....oh! and our excess is only £1k. :mfr_lol: But true.
I hear you say " He probably praying that you will write off that :single fuck: ing FJR that all his customers hate" :yes: :mfr_lol::mfr_lol:
Blimey we should stop talking :lipsrsealed: about smashing bikes up, about 15 minutes ago my mate phoned to tell me that he had just turned his FJR1300 into a jigsaw. He was coming back to Leyburn from a day in the Lakes, and dropped it on some loose gravel. Fortunately he is OK, but it's game over for the bike :cry:
Jeeez! :lipsrsealed: :lipsrsealed: :lipsrsealed: from here on.
Very sorry to hear this and commiseration to your friend 100M.
Good night.
Quote from: 100milesaway on April 08, 2012, 08:26:53 PM
Blimey we should stop talking :lipsrsealed: about smashing bikes up, about 15 minutes ago my mate phoned to tell me that he had just turned his FJR1300 into a jigsaw. He was coming back to Leyburn from a day in the Lakes, and dropped it on some loose gravel. Fortunately he is OK, but it's game over for the bike :cry:
Another new member soon? :whistling:
Mr Nok12rs curiosity got the better of me..! so got to ask this question. why are you hiring bikes? just go to a dealer and tell them you want to test ride the bike you want to buy. also tell them a quick ride around the block is about as much use a ashtray on the bike, so you will need it for a few hours to see if it's suitable for you. I've done this a few times and use the dealers insurance with only a £400 compulsory excess applied. I just pay for the petrol I used :smiley:
As you may have seen elsewhere we had both then sold our GTR and kept the FJR. I still think the GTR is the better bike - more spacious, more 'toys', better handling as stock, better wind protection. The comments about the FJR's stock suspension are spot on as well and new ones are over-priced.
Why did we change? Our FJR was originally intended to be our Winter bike but I wanted a GSA and couldn't really justify two bikes that were as similar as the GTR and FJR in the garage so one of them had to go. Our FJR is very well sorted including an Ohlins shock which makes a huge difference to the handling, it has a 6k service interval compared to the GTR's 3750 miles, our local Yamaha dealer (Alfords in Folkestone) is excellent and the GTR was worth more. It took a lot of thinking about before we made the decision and Asif will tell you we'll be back in the GTR fold at some point. I'm sure he's right but probably not for the next year or so. This will be our first year campaigning non-GTRs in IBA rallies so it'll be interesting to see how the FJR and GSA do.
Oh, and the FJOC forum is one of the friendliest and and most helpful forums around; it's on a par with this one.
Kevin
Massey Ferguson
John Deere
JCB
Stevensons Rocket
Take your pick there all better than the very agricultural FJR. I believe Blue Peter buried one in a time capsule to show the future kids how bad engineering became.
Thank you for that Kevin.
Really interesting. Can you comment on which bike best suits a tall 6' 4" bloke?
The Ohlins, as you suggest, transform the bike. What did they set you back? £1,800?
The FJR does seem to be overpriced and is, at least electronically, out of date. It begs the question: How come they sell in sufficient numbers to justify their existance? I guess they don't; they are probably subsidised by the better selling Yams.
The GTR14 does seem to offer much better value and is an all round better bike. The FJR is, I feel, also very good looking but looks alone maketh not the bike :nono: :yes: :nono: :agree: :mfr_lol:
Hey ho, as has been suggested: You pays your money............................
Quote from: zedmeister on April 08, 2012, 11:23:57 PM
Massey Ferguson
John Deere
JCB
Stevensons Rocket
Take your pick there all better than the very agricultural FJR. I believe Blue Peter buried one in a time capsule to show the future kids how bad engineering became.
Thanks for that Mr Z.
You are speaking from personal experience of the bike I take it.
NoK's - were you hit on the head in the RTC?
Look at the FJR next to the GTR.
It is NOT a pretty bike in comparison. It is not a pretty bike - period!
Quote from: Nok12rs on April 08, 2012, 11:24:24 PM<snip> Can you comment on which bike best suits a tall 6' 4" bloke?<snip>
Not without growing 7"! The FJR is much smaller than the GTR so I imagine the latter would be better suited.
Quote from: Nok12rs on April 08, 2012, 11:24:24 PMThe Ohlins, as you suggest, transform the bike. What did they set you back? £1,800?
I bought a second-hand shock from the FJOC forum then had it rebuilt. It was more knackered than I expected so needed a lot more work; I think the total cost was somewhere around £900. If I'd realised how much the total was going to be I may have taken a different path but it has transformed the bike so I've no regrets. I really like Ohlins suspension but it is very expensive kit. If I was buying new I'd probably buy Wilbers as they have a very good reputation and are much cheaper.
Kevin
QuoteTake your pick there all better than the very agricultural FJR. I believe Blue Peter buried one in a time capsule to show the future kids how bad engineering became.
Did you own one, did you do 8k + on one..I did. It's no where as near as bad as you make out
in my opinion. Take out the handling & it does what it says on the tin. Like the Diversion...totally bullet proof engine, with never a glitch. Never ever let me down & was powerful when touring...used to tour well loaded with x wifeee & swung through Alps & Scotland without a problem. Worse thing ever happened was a bolt came loose on a foot rest. Now that cant be bad can it?
Most motor cycle press slagged it from day one. Unless it was a cop killing pan or an over priced BMW with more problems than you can shake a stick at , they did'nt like it.
It was put up against these bikes & in my opinion it was never supposed to be a top cruising tourer. Nor was it supposed to be a ZZR or Blackbird..In between I guess. Sporty enough for most & plenty good enough to tour on. It's very much in a class of it's own. Guess the GTR is too. As often slagged as a tourer. But like many , how many miles do we do touring a year...depends I guess. Me , not to many. So Gtr fits the bill. Great for a blast & a tour & a fanny magent too boot , or is that me... :cool: :mfr_lol:
It's all about personal preference, but I am not convinced it's not as bad as some make out. Think lot worse out there.
Sure I prefer the GTR , handling for one. Mind , getting at the GTR is harder. Spark plugs for example, so if your a DIY biker , then the FJR may well be the one to have. You could have a fun weekend fitting Ohlins..
Thank you Ziderman and all who have contributed ,with grace and tolerance and valuable experienced based knowledge on what is, I accept, rather cheeky use of a GTR site. It almost "morally" obliges me to buy one :whistling:
I realise that I have been a rather stick in the mud; riding (and loving) the same bike for thirteen years while you guys have had various and multiple ownership and riding experience.
I believe that I was so pleased to have found a bike (1999) that accommodated my height/leg bend so well and allowed me to commute (all year all weather) so dexterously through heavy traffic in the madness that is London and then take me and "she who must" across Europe, NSEW, in such fatigue free comfort and joy, that I just stuck with her and paid the price in repairs. Later BMs that I tested, right up to the current 1300GT, failed to cut it for me in terms of comfort- despite their techno advances.
Re suspension, when my stock shocks eventually began to show their age after many many load-limit two up brisk touring miles, I took her to Germany where Wilbers were fitted at their HQ. The following 4,700 miles (12 month) was great until the gear box munched itself.
This has bought to an end a lifetime saga of quick wearing clutches and "failed gearboxes". I, and to be fair, BMW, have poured so many thousands down the BMW drain that it has to end now. I will enquire as to the transferability of the Wilbers with a view to sell but I am not holding my breath :nono: (copy of transmission history available on request) :yawn:
My post on the GTR (short test) :mfr_lol: indicates that shortly after, I was full of praise for the GTR. Of course, a recent post enquired as to my cranium condition at test end :mfr_lol:
So, in conclusion :yawn: :yawn: I shall not test the FJR, BMW has already been dismissed, and the Pan and I have too much in common, tooth-wise. All of which leads me down the long and winding road to the the GTR door ...I should not leave her standing there..........
................should be up for a dealer test ride in a week or two...........you can have too much armchair biking.....NO! Not a Goldwing :mfr_lol:
I spent two hours on a new GTR and two hours on a New FJR and in that short time preferered the handling, the feel and the styling of the FJR.
The price, the advanced technology extras and pillion riding position made my opt for the GTR, but i guess i will never really know if i made the best choice.
I love the GTR , so im happy, however I do refer to it as a hugely capable and comfortable fat ugly pig.
Quote from: viper on April 09, 2012, 12:34:01 PM
I spent two hours on a new GTR and two hours on a New FJR and in that short time preferered the handling, the feel and the styling of the FJR.
The price, the advanced technology extras and pillion riding position made my opt for the GTR, but i guess i will never really know if i made the best choice.
I love the GTR , so im happy, however I do refer to it as a hugely capable and comfortable fat ugly pig.
:mfr_lol:
I have read somewhere that for pillions over five feet nothing, the GTR is not the best but can be much improved with relocated pegs (for those as long in the tooth as me, that is foot pegs not her teeth :whistling:). What say you of the balance view MrV? Or are you :yawn: or :sleep1:
Quote from: Nok12rs on April 09, 2012, 12:47:05 PM
:mfr_lol:
What say you of the balance view MrV? Or are you :yawn: or :sleep1:
im far to dopey and sleepy to even think of a response to your intelligent words
:sleeping: :sleeping: :sleeping:
Fair does Mr Viper :yes: You have helped enough :sleep1: well :mfr_lol:
Before i bought my first GTR i test rode a PAN, BMW RT, FJR , the pan and BMW for a good few hours, the FJR was enough after an hour or so, very uncomfortable very agricultural, very dated and there were more connecting rods than at a fishing match. It took me two days to make my mind up to buy a GTR without having to ask a million questions, make a decision !!!, get a grip and go for the GTR.
And? :grin:
Quote from: viper on April 09, 2012, 12:57:51 PM
im far to dopey and sleepy to even think of a response to your intelligent words
:sleeping: :sleeping: :sleeping:
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
try these, just add FJR pegs....how ironic is that :yes:http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=46_59&products_id=158[/b]
The GTR pillion is perfect for my other half, Having tried her bum on the back of a GS1200, R1200RT, 1200 Bandit, Sprint ST, Sprint GT, SV650, her back side has travelled a bit. At 5 foot exactly in bare feet she prefers the GTR.
Angie is 5' and fits perfectly, suits her to a tee.
Quote from: ChrisB on April 09, 2012, 02:59:57 PM
The GTR pillion is perfect for my other half, Having tried her bum on the back of a GS1200, R1200RT, 1200 Bandit, Sprint ST, Sprint GT, SV650, her back side has travelled a bit. At 5 foot exactly in bare feet she prefers the GTR.
Your wife, perfect in all other respects (I presume to guess) is also, which is the point of my question, perfect, at 5 feet, :banana:as a GTR passenger. But what about taller gels?
Quote from: olde coney on April 09, 2012, 02:50:27 PM
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
try these, just add FJR pegs....how ironic is that :yes:
http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=46_59&products_id=158[/b]
Very! But what an, apparently good solution. Now which after-market can will work with them.
Quote from: Nok12rs on April 09, 2012, 03:23:19 PM
Very! But what an, apparently good solution. Now which after-market can will work with them.
This one.. seen here before the peg kit was installed.
(http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n326/oldeconey/PICTURESIMPORTED2600.jpg)
Any aftermarket can that allows sufficient space between its front/leading edge and the position of the peg lowering kit will work, as seen here
(http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n326/oldeconey/PICTURESIMPORTED5933-1.jpg)
You need to understand that Larry's peg lowering kit also moves the pillion peg position slightly forwards.
It's therefore a matter of ensuring that enough space is available, this will be largely dependant on the length of the intermediate pipe.
You need to understand that Larry's peg lowering kit also moves the pillion peg position slightly forwards.
Thank you v,much for that MR OldeC. Call me a fussy git, (or worse) but unless the camera angle deceives, it looks too close to the rider pegs for my size thirteen feet. Indeed, I could probably use both sets or the mod' as a rear set :mfr_lol:
I/we never experienced any problem with lack of space with the kit fitted
I don't have size 13 feet, so cannot offer comment
The picture is taken from the rear and therefore the space between is most probably distorted somewhat
Quote from: olde coney on April 09, 2012, 04:41:16 PM
The picture is taken from the rear and therefore the space between is most probably distorted somewhat
Thought as much MR O. There is clearly hope for a solution. Chances are she won't ride with me again anyway :hammer:
However, she not the only ......................no don't go there BD :mfr_lol:
Thanks again
Quote from: Nok12rs on April 09, 2012, 03:16:31 PM
Your wife, perfect in all other respects (I presume to guess) is also, which is the point of my question, perfect, at 5 feet, :banana:as a GTR passenger. But what about taller gels?
My wife is not a 5 foot banana, and I don't think I would want to swap her for any other gel?
:mfr_lol: :listencarefully: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: ChrisB on April 09, 2012, 04:54:42 PM
My wife is not a 5 foot banana, and I don't think I would want to swap her for any other gel?
:mfr_lol: :listencarefully: :mfr_lol:
:mfr_lol:
:listencarefully: TOP :banana: :mfr_lol:
Noks
There are plenty of pillion peg adjustment kits available from The states and elsewhere.
But for goodness sake not an FJR..............you may not survive the test ride if the handling is as bad as some say, let alone a year in the saddle thereafter!
Go for the GTR man!
Quote from: nigelp on April 09, 2012, 06:30:16 PM
Noks
There are plenty of pillion peg adjustment kits available from The states and elsewhere.
But for goodness sake not an FJR..............you may not survive the test ride if the handling is as bad as some say, let alone a year in the saddle thereafter!
Go for the GTR man!
It's OK Nigel, I will not be testing the FJR..........................I am afraid that I might like it :yes: and who knows where that may lead :nono: :mfr_lol: