FJR?

[Patrick Bateman]

At the risk of getting kicked off the forum, I'd just like to throw it out to anyone who's owned or spent any decent time on an FJR1300.
Give me your pros & cons FJR vs XR.

I commute to work on a Busa, love the instant torque, insane revs, lazy cruising and ease with which it can lane split.
With the mirrors folded in, it gets through most gaps. My shoulders are wider than the bike.
But its uncomfortable and I'm hunched. And the wind protection is non existent unless you're in full tuck

The XR on the other hand, needs a decent amount of revs to scoot off the line (especially 2-up). Since fitting the slip-on, I'm really noticing how many revs it needs
And absolutely sucks to split on. But is comfortable. And the wind protection sucks.

More and more I'm finding I'll take the Busa out instead of the XR - it only gets a look in when the Mrs wants to pillion.

If the Busa and the XR had a love child, I'm thinking it would be something like the FJR.
Don't say K1600 - its a land barge.

[Gairo]

As opposed to giving you pros and cons, have you considered doing what my mate did to his Super Blackbird ?
Ditch the clip ons, add a bar riser kit and a set of straight bars then finish off with a slightly taller screen (if required)
I have already seen this done to a Busa but the guy I spoke to about it was looking for a taller screen simply because the more upright riding position meant the bike was trying to separate his arms from their shoulder sockets at every opportunity

His only other gripe was that the more upright position might have benefitted from lower foot pegs but then he was 6’4” tall anyway so looked like a giant on a kids bike

Anyway, food for thought maybe ?

http://www.thestuntfactory.com/lslharikisug28.html

[Patrick Bateman]

Cheers for that! Going back a few bikes, I had a ZX14R - put on an LSL handlebar kit and KD 3/4" lower pegs - it was much nicer to ride but just didn't feel right. You are correct, the upright position doesn't work well with 200hp. Changed to the Multistrada and found comfort mixed with unreliability and no top end. Changed to the XR and found top end. I havent ridden the FJR but it seems to be the built package. And has good wind protection and no vibes.

[SimonUK]

Have you considered adding a piggyback unit (RapidBike or PCV) to sort out the low rev fueling.

I used to commute into London on a K1300S and the filtering revs on that were atrocious, had to feather the clutch plenty. I added a PCIII (at the time) and adjusted the low rev fueling, managed to get her to putter along on zeor throttle with out stuttering.

PS Isn't the FJR also a bit of a land barge??

[Bree]

Agree with that  work mate ,sold his after one tour to France. Nice bike made for touring. But in his words lt was like driving the equivalent, to a 52 seater coach.

[Gairo]

Originally Posted by Patrick Bateman

Cheers for that! Going back a few bikes, I had a ZX14R - put on an LSL handlebar kit and KD 3/4" lower pegs - it was much nicer to ride but just didn't feel right. You are correct, the upright position doesn't work well with 200hp. Changed to the Multistrada and found comfort mixed with unreliability and no top end. Changed to the XR and found top end. I havent ridden the FJR but it seems to be the built package. And has good wind protection and no vibes.

No worries mate ! As I say, just food for thought

[Gazk]

second the K1300s or K1300r if your not doing big mileage bit more upright but just as much low down power or K1200sr "if you can find one".

Glad to say I've never had an FJR just not my thing.

[Wonger]

I've spent a lot of time on an FJR, and a bit on the Concours14 as well. I prefer the 6th gear of the Connie, which the FJR has had since '14. If you are good with the legroom of the Busa, but want just a bit more legroom and comfort the FJR maybe a good commuting option. It has a very linear torque delivery that doesn't really have a top end rush, but a constant, strong pull. With the added wind protection, you can easily catch yourself doing far above the posted limits without noticing. If I were looking, I'd be trying to find a '13+ because I like the 6th gear, although millions of miles have been done by happy FJR owners with the previous 5 spd.
More bikes and more options in the garage is always a good thing.

[wessie]

I tried an FJR - could not get on with it. I don't like the ergonomics. Big, wide seat spreads your legs and was not comfortable for me. It's very heavy and a bit ponderous to ride. I was looking for a 1 bike solution to tour on and cope with Sunday rides in my local Cotswolds or my Welsh homeland.

Do you need an inline 4 to satisfy your lust for high revs? If you like torque, have you considered 2 or 3 cylinders?

I've ended up with 2 bikes. The XR satisfies the Sunday ride thing but is harder work to ride than my other bike, a R1200RS. For me this is the best sport tourer around at the moment. It is quite fun to ride on rural roads using the twin torque. Makes a fine commuter with a relatively narrow profile and shaft drive so no chain to maintain in our filthy winters of roan and road salt. Superb tourer. Pretty good 2 up. It just won't have the insane revs and warp factor of the XR let alone the 'busa. 

Alternatives would be a Triumph triple.

Both would need a different mind set to bike riding but I am pretty sure you will hate the FJR...

[SAVAGEFOX]

I was about to suggest the R1200RS
But boxer engines are not for me so I don’t think I would personally cope with it...