Lot's of FJR1300 owners

[Dirt_Dad]

In my opinion the FJR (Fast Jap Rocket for rem) would be the turbo Bonanza and if keeping to the Cessna theme, the muscular Super Tenere is more of a 300hp C-206 in it's ability to do pretty much whatever we want.

I'd probably link the FJR to a Porsche Mooney. Fast and sporty, lousy off a smooth runway, but able to carry some stuff. The S10 makes me think of a Maul. Rugged, all purpose, not fast, but with a good pilot very versatile.

 

[EricV]

I had a '04 FJR and was simply taking it places I probably shouldn't have. I thought nothing of two track or even single track for a short distance. It would go anywhere I wanted and after 160k+ miles, I was very comfortable with it and had it set up exactly the way I wanted it. The other issue was that I was starting to see maintenance issues that don't occur on lower mileage bikes and hoping to go to Alaska again this year, but possibly all the way up the Haul Rd to Phrudoe bay. With the S10, there were lots of good features and it was a Yamaha, shaft drive and had more ground clearance. Seemed perfect for my riding which was transitioning from LD rally and endurance riding to more relaxed adventure touring.

I sold the FJR and the S10 is still being farkled. Then I got drawn for the '13 IBR... so now the S10 is in the process of becoming a rally bike that I can also adventure tour on.

I miss the better weather protection, greater and smoother power, power adjustable windscreen and more consistent gas mileage of the FJR. I'm enjoying the greater ground clearance and low maintenance of the S10. Now if I could just get cast wheels and cruise control, I'd be even more happy with the bike than I already am. ::013::

 

[spklbuk]

Let my FJR go...never looked back...tried hard for 5 years...never was "my" bike. Now my Versys, that's another story. Miss it terribly. Little hooligan in the twisties that was just PURE fun.

 

[creggur]

It's not just former FJR riders - I see a lot of folks here coming off Sport-Tourers of all makes and sizes. I've run into two other former VFR owners here that I knew from a popular VFR forum. ::012::

FJRs are probably more represented because you guys already had a thing for ::022:: ...

A riding buddy of mine asked me just last night if I ever miss my VFR. "Nope, not at all," I said - but couldn't really explain why other than the Tenere just fits and works for me so well. I feel like I've found "My Bike"...

 

[sportrider]

I had three vfr's before the fjr. All great bikes, but don't miss them. KTM 950 SE, now that bike I miss.

 

[Skiptonian]

Had an 06 FJR from new and never thought I would ever see it go, and then had a ride on a friends S10, we did a deal that day and I came home on the S10. For me it is easier to ride on my local roads in rural Yorkshire and I get more enjoyment out on the back roads than I did the FJR on these roads, with the boys in blue clamping down more on speed the back roads on the S10 at the lower speeds and increased fun factor do it for me. Shoulder problems have also been eased with the S10s more upright position. Would I ever get another FJR.. who knows, never say never. Heading off tomorrow for a Europe trip across Germany and down through the Black Forrest, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. My two mates are are on the BMW 1600s, should make for an interesting trip. They might have it easier on the Autobahns but I am sure they won't have as much fun on the twistys.

 

[mingo]

It looks like the new FJR1400 is coming soon.. who's going to dump their SuperTen for a new and improved FJR1400 :question: ::013::

 

[EricV]

It looks like the new FJR1400 is coming soon.. who's going to dump their SuperTen for a new and improved FJR1400 :question: ::013::

If it's 100 lbs lighter, not as hot, has 9 gears and factory cruise control, they'll sell lots of them. Of course, the only color available in the US will be silver. ::025::

 

[lapi]

Ok, you take the S10 to a private road or designated kill yourself zone, how foes the SuperT do above 120?

Yeah, it's an FjR owners kinda question.

 

[Scoop47501]

Never had or desired to go that fast on this bike. When I ride it it's more of a where can I go new kind of ride.
I kept my "04" FJR for "The Rush" but honestly the Tenere just fits much better so I tour with it. Matter of fact I'm leaving today for a week of romping in West Virginia.
Scooper

 

[OX-34]

I took my Aussie-based FJR out for a ride yesterday - 2528km in 23 hours 58 minutes.

The aux tank made it easier than when I rode the Tenere that sort of distance in a day with a 10litre jerry can on the back.

Both good bikes for long days.....

 

[EricV]

Ok, you take the S10 to a private road or designated kill yourself zone, how foes the SuperT do above 120?

Yeah, it's an FjR owners kinda question.

It's just fine. Stable, nimble, no particular worries. When mine was still low miles, 125 was about it with bags on. It's a little looser now and I suspect itwill go a tad more, but haven't been in a test track situation lately. The FJR has more power and will certainly go faster if you have the space to run.

What you will notice is that the fuel consumption of the S10 is significantly higher and more variable at warp speeds. IIRC, I saw 16 mpg on the S10 at 120 or so mph. (the FJR would average munch more consistent mpg at sustained high speeds, though you could get it down into the low to mid 30's if you were on the track) Over 75, the S10 drinks fuel to the tune of about 35 mpg for me, but at 75 or a little under, I was seeing 40-42, depending on wind. Just finished a 1100 mile day of mixed twisties in WY/ID/UT this morning, so had occasion to pay attention to fuel consumption during the day.

I had a lot of fun romping with the S10 yesterday/last night in the hills and canyons, from Jackson Hole & Teton pass to Monteplier canyon and some early morning straffing of USH-30 heading Southh to I-80 around 2 am. And all on K60 Scouts too. Don't slow you down at all.

 

[Madscots]

2 newer FJR's before getting an S10

You have to push the S10 flat out to do a cruising speed of a FJR having done serious long runs on both, Nurburgring to Edinburgh via Dover in one hit on both ::26:: For speed you'd have an FJR for everything else there is the S10 ::26::

on the clock S10 130mph give or take (standard bike) but FJR 2 up had it 155mph (blue flame exhausts and K&N) and a bit faster on me own just don't have top box on , as others have said the S10 eats fuel when pushing it along where as FJR's just takes it in it's stride.

Just shame Yamaha won't update it :'(

 

[markjenn]

Yes, the FJR is a fine bike to sit on 120 indicated, but the S10 is pretty close to being tapped out. There is really no comparison above 100 indicated or so and if this is the sort of speeds you regularly run on pavement, the FJR is the bike to have.

I view 100 indicated (which is probably closer to 90 actual) as the effective upper cruising speed of the S10. 99% of the time, this is as fast as I care to go and in some ways, it is better not to have a bike that encourages ultra-high cruising speeds.

On that subject, I can relate an incident two years ago on my FJR where I was doing about 90 on some wide-open, almost-no-traffic two-lanes in an extremely remote part of E. Washington, making time coming home. I topped a very small rise to see a pickup truck pulling up to my road from the left on a farm access road. I backed out slightly, but they appeared to be coming to a stop. I was incredulous when they didn't stop and instead made a left directly into my lane of travel. I had just enough space to squeeze by on the right without running into the ditch at 80 mph but it was very very close. Certainly the driver of the truck violated my right-of-way, but my doing well over double the normal speed on such a road was a huge contributing factor. These sort of incidents make one realize how quickly things can go pear-shaped in situations that appear completely benign. Margins are good.

- Mark

 

[Koinz]

Never had or desired to go that fast on this bike. When I ride it it's more of a where can I go new kind of ride.
I kept my "04" FJR for "The Rush" but honestly the Tenere just fits much better so I tour with it. Matter of fact I'm leaving today for a week of romping in West Virginia.
Scooper

+1 on both accounts: Touring and Romping West Virginia and parts south 10 days beginning July 12

 

[Madscots]

Yep it's nice to be there when you need it but I tend to cruise along 80 or 90 if needing to be somewhere rest of time down to what I'm doing ::008::



If I wanted speed I'd buy a sports bike and wear a leather baby romper suit like the rest of them ::26:: ) ) ) ) ) ) )

 

[jajpko]

I have had mine up to 123mph and with brand new Conti Trail Attacks it went into a slight wobble. Not a real tank slapper but interesting non the less. ::025:: After I got about 2k on the tires the front end settled down.

If you put on the Trail Attacks, be careful in the firs thousand miles. The stem was tight and the tires were balanced..

 

[lapi]

Well, on a private road I hit indicated 130. Wouldn't want to spend more than a few moments at that rate but 80-100 is fair expectation. Slowing down isn't always the answer to sticky situations! I'd rather see cars approaching me from the front than trucks towering over me from behind.

I do have the feeling that the S10 at 80 miles per hour may be more fun than my FJR at 80mph. S10 fun meter reaches "yes" at slower speeds I imagine. Seems I remember having some moments on my DL 650 that I haven't yet had on my FJR. But, I admit it,embarrassingly, I do like the respect I the bike gets from folks who know what the FJR can do.....even if I can't actually do it. I just didn't get into motorcycling for reflections in chrome, comparing top speeds or ripping the knees in my jeans.

Just curious, I've used to the power as a characteristic of riding enjoyment despite that not being my,aim interest.. It's one of the reason I still think of the S10/R1200, because the FJR1300 begs me to be a sporty rider when I mostly like riding because of where I go and what I see. Although I can get that out of the FJR she is always saying "Ride me harder!" I'm addicted to it but miss the slower, cooler, more meditative experience. Seems I had more of those on my VStrom. The other things this, the S10 throne I so much taller. I like sitting high up, seeing over cars and through SUB windows.

So, I'm looking at that S10 again, knowing I'd love it's basic functions, knowing I'd have off road options and fearing wanting more power when the day has gotten long and I have 6hours left to my destination. Thanks!

 

[lapi]

Oh yeah 130 was on Pirelli Angel STs with about 3,500 miles on them - nothing but great tracking.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I do have the feeling that the S10 at 80 miles per hour may be more fun than my FJR at 80mph. S10 fun meter reaches "yes" at slower speeds ...

Exactly why I sold my FJR after the first month. To get any adrenaline out of it I had to ride it much faster than I wanted to. In Virginia those types of speeds are very, very expensive.