2013-2014 FJR = Evil Temptress

[rotortech71]

I have a bad habit of wandering into my local Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki dealer. Not that it's bad, but for me, I want everything I see. I have one tidy spot in the garage for ONE bike though, and the S10 fits the bill nicely. But yesterday, I found myself sitting on the 2013 FJR, and right away, noticed it was one of those bikes that felt like it was built just for me. Ergonomics felt perfect. With the key on, I started messing with the instruments, and flicking though the menus, drooling at all the techno wizardry. Of course a salesman pounced on me and wanted to know if I'd ridden one. "No, and I don't want to", was my response.

I know what would happen. I'd sell the Tenere, buy the FJR, then be frustrated at my decision the moment the pavement ended. That's why I went away from cruisers several years back. I got tired of cussing in my helmet, and turning around every time I rolled up on an interesting gravel road. (And there are plenty in Oregon).

In my perfect world, (I say MY, which differs from my wife's), I'd park the 2014 red FJR right next to the S10, and start having the wife park her CR-V in the driveway. But realistically, I went home yesterday and apologized to the S10, patted it on the seat, and forgot about it.

 

[greg the pole]

well, if it makes you feel any better, we're all like that.
WE should start a support group. Not one bike fits the bill.

Hi my name is Greg, and I have a motorcycle problem:
A few years ago, I had a dl1000, st1300, dr650, and a 98 cbr900rr fighter. Besides doing the odd long trip on the ST13, it sat. The DL, and DR got the nod for out of town stuff, and the cbr got it in town.
I eventually sold off the ST13, DL, DR, CBR, and i'm very happy with my ST12.
that didn't top me from trading the DR for a vfr, selling the cbr, and buying a project DL650.

now the DL done, and the vfr never gets used, so they are back on the block.
If they both go, I will wait till next season (fat chance) test drive the FZ9 (sleep on it for a week or so) and hopefully not buy that bike.
Did I mention that a new redesigned tenere is coming in november ::010::
and rumors of a 800 dp triple....

 

[escapefjrtist]

Excuse the fugly garage pic...but they DO make a really nice pair!

--G

 

[jrb_nw]

I love the new FJR and have purposely been avoiding the dealer in Beaverton (where I got my S10) or the one in Sublimity, even though I go by them all the time on my way up to Bend. I'm afraid of what might happen if I try one, as I've found I just don't take my S10 off road much. For one thing, it sucks in dirt without knobbies. Secondly, I like to ride pretty hard on the street and we have a lot of rain, so I'm not putting knobbies on it. Thirdly, we have a lot of rain, lol. Like right now as a matter of fact.. so heck, I'm actually most tempted to just buy another BMW R1200T and be done with it. Such a great touring machine for this climate (and an old guy like me). Big-ass fairing, heated grips, heated seats, cruise...

 

[Nimbus]

I demo'd one over the weekend. It is a very nice bike, but didn't leave me wanting one. It didn't feel smoking fast or feel any more comfy than the S10. Plus, the tank spreads your legs really wide. The thing that I was least impressed by was the handling: harsh but wallowy at the same time. My thoughts might change on long trip, but for around town, it wasn't much fun.

 

[longride]

WOW! I was recently torturing myself for weeks on which I would buy; a 2013 FJR or the 2012 S10. Well, it was a split decision, but I looked at it this way. The S10 can pretty much do everything the FJR can, and many things the FJR can't do. I just don't want to ride the road any more. Too may trails to explore here, and the FJR is a beautiful bike for sure. Google S10 vs. FJR. I did. A suprising amount tf people are selling their FJR's and going with S10's. I don't regret my decision one bit so far, but I'm sure the Fjr would have put a smile on my face also........until the dirt started!

 

[greg the pole]

I love the new FJR and have purposely been avoiding the dealer in Beaverton (where I got my S10) or the one in Sublimity, even though I go by them all the time on my way up to Bend. I'm afraid of what might happen if I try one, as I've found I just don't take my S10 off road much. For one thing, it sucks in dirt without knobbies. Secondly, I like to ride pretty hard on the street and we have a lot of rain, so I'm not putting knobbies on it. Thirdly, we have a lot of rain, lol. Like right now as a matter of fact.. so heck, I'm actually most tempted to just buy another BMW R1200T and be done with it. Such a great touring machine for this climate (and an old guy like me). Big-ass fairing, heated grips, heated seats, cruise...

Might want to try some mitas 50/50 tires. Great in the rain.
Clutch switch mod, tc2, and have some fun.
they do well in the rain, in the cold (been riding at near zero for a week or so to work)
no complaints.

 

[20valves]

If I could only have one bike, I'd have the Super Tenere. If I have a pavement only trip, hands down FJR. Both are superb bikes. Regardless of what's been said here, if you take the time to sort the suspension settings for your riding, the FJR is a very fast, amazingly sporty mile muncher and will do anything you should reasonably be doing on the street. ::008::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I really wanted to like the FJR. Found a good deal on a nice 2005. Drove from Virginia to Michigan to pick it up. It was a lot of effort, and I really wanted to like it.

Two weeks later the FJR was up for sale and I swore off buying any more street only bikes. Just not for me. I know it's one of the best bikes out there, I have total respect for it, but it finally broke the back of me buying bikes that need good pavement.

 

[racer]

I demo'd one over the weekend. It is a very nice bike, but didn't leave me wanting one. It didn't feel smoking fast or feel any more comfy than the S10. Plus, the tank spreads your legs really wide. The thing that I was least impressed by was the handling: harsh but wallowy at the same time. My thoughts might change on long trip, but for around town, it wasn't much fun.

You're right, the FJR wallows in the turns. I upgraded the forks and added a Penski shock and that fixed the problem. The S10 still handles better though.

 

[Doug44]

I had both FJR & now ST, one thing the FJR (Fast Joy Ride) has over the ST is....."...no contest is its motor. ::015::

Ain't a Busa but she ain't bad my FJR ! ::014::