Is the 2007 Yamaha FJR1300 Still a Touring Legend? A Comprehensive Review and Ride Experience

[@simonsteer9306]

Loving your enthusiasm for your FJR. I owned an FJ 1200 3cv back in the early 90's and fell in love with the basic engineering but brilliant design. Back in 2021, my mate who was in a biking group in our village persuaded me to get back in the saddle. I saw a gen 1 2005 FJR in galaxy blue at 43000 miles on FB marketplace for £2500. I just had to have a look. The crazy thing was that when I pulled up to see the big blue beauty, it was the same guy selling it that sold me the FJ12 all those years ago. The planets were aligning so I just had to buy her. I have never looked back. Versatile, quick, and great on long journeys but also sweet in the twisties. She's a big bike to hussle around bends but I love that. Proper biking and a love affair that will never end.

[@scrumpymanjack]

Enthusiasm? Seriously?

[@cookielover1018TM]

I just bought my first FJR 1300 2009 low miles, ready to have some fun 😁

[@jazzboy]

2017 FJR1300ES here, and the suspension is actually mighty fine.

[@yaninacepqni2091]

Hey man i also have same fjr as yours. Just a quick question. When in center stand does both tires sit on the floor ? Or maybe i have something wrong with mine

[@jazzboy]

@yaninacepqni2091 don't use it often, but I recall only the front.

[@ronwarber9359]

Great video very honest appraisal of the bike. I had a 2010 model. Took it to BC from Phoenix via the PCH. Very reliable bike a a treat in the twisties. I got old and traded it for a K1600GTL. Stay upright

[@John-gz2me]

I can't comment on the 2007, but I've a six-gear 2016 and I find it rock solid. Sure, it's got the electrics which the bike you're on doesn't have... but I can honestly say I have never felt other than super-planted, even on choppy Irish backroads.

[@geraldtruesdell9930]

I got one in April 2019 and I've been using it to commute year round since. really good for lane splitting

[@D-Almighty]

It amazes me how guy's who are 5'2"-5"7" get these BIG boy bikes and say they are uncontrollable. Maybe it's not the right fit for you broh. I am 6'4" 300lbs and I have NO problems at all with the handling, steering, or anything. 1300cc is no toy, it's for the big dogs. No disrespect, it was a great video, but us bigger guy's need big things like this rocket on wheels. #teamfjr

[@frase32]

I'm 5'4" and I think my 06 FJR is VERY comfy.

[@theslacker29ify]

⁠@@frase32I'm 5'7" and it's comfy and a great bike! 🏍️💨

[@sparkypdx]

Great review. You hit all of the good & not so good. I have the 2016 last Gen. Yamaha fixed a lot of little issues. But still top heavy. Light front end. Overall a great bike. I prefer the ST1300-mirrors, weight lower and pulls hard. ST is “old fashioned” compared to the last Gen FJR, but both are excellent bikes

[@stevil.]

I’ve been riding for over 50 years and I’m looking for my final bike. I must’ve watched about 200 different KZbin videos from all the experts and yours is the very best. The most honest reveal I think I have ever seen on KZbin even listening to all the professional KZbin experts your video out classes them all thank you very much. You are the only one who has helped me decide on what to buy

[@billbonu1639]

Just unplug the windshield return wire, small white plug below the digital readout screen behind the black plastic.button still works but windshield will stay put when you kill the motor.

[@michaelperkins5746]

In the uk the headlights are called fox eyes

[@luc1ferblack]

Best video i have seen on the FJR. I have a st1300 and am considering a FJR gen 3 for the cruise control and to run daily without panniers then tour fully loaded.. The FJR doesnt have the stupid ST engine noise but the front left pocket is too shallow for current phones and the right pocket is missing i also dont know if you can mount a satnav over the dash like the ST can. My main concern is will the panniers take a 2xl helmet and do i need to buy a special topbox rack i heard the existing mount can crack. I like the oil setup on the FJR but i would need crash bars to save the panniers. Or should i just go with another st1300? I like the FJR riding modes. Then i got to the riding bit and i think i should stick with the ST1300

[@oscargarner4615]

Love your channel my friend yeah why are people so wound so tight these days it’s been that way all my life it never used to bother me when I was younger keep up the good work!!!

[@mashed9603]

I agree with this review. While the FJR of that era has a great feel and look of quality, unfortunately it wasn’t particularly comfortable and the suspension struggled with the poor quality roads here in the south of England. The transition of power delivery was not great like you found too. It was a blast in France on their smooth tarmac in the dry however! It roosted the 1200 bmw gsers that I was with on that particular trip - particularly when exiting hairpin bends on the incline. Super fun. But, alas, it had to go because I needed something more comfy that handled better and has more tractable power delivery (something that Yamaha could have mapped better?)

[@LuftdroneDk]

I have a 2009 model and I came from the FZR1000 model with the same amount of hp. I love this and yes, it has it quirks but once you master those it just rides like a dream. As for the gearshift, you can make those much more smooth by applying just a bit of "preload" with your foot before the actual shift and then it clicks in gear much nicer. Alternatively get a Healtech quickshifter and enjoy some REAL fun rides when on the throttle :D

[@tonybucca5667]

JUST picked up an '06,Feb 1st. COME ON SPRING!!!!

[@andycocchia4202]

Any update?? How is it??

[@tonybucca5667]

@@andycocchia4202 Did 280 miles yesterday! SMMOOOOTH, and PUNCH in whatever gear I'm in. Added 1 inch ball mounts for my phone and camera. I'm scoping out LONGER rides. I was leery of the weight/size, but I can flat-foot at any stoplight, and the clutch is just buttery! We're still cool in my neck of the Northeast, so I'm looking forward to a little warmer ride. I have the T-Rex engine and luggage guards coming too, for that little piece of mind.

[@andycocchia4202]

@@tonybucca5667 man in glad to hear that lol I ride my sports bike 250-350 miles a day sometimes and having something that can do that comfortably sounds great lol How tall are you if you don’t mind me asking? I’m like 5’7 maybe 5’8? I’m wondering if I’ll be able to stand on it lol

[@tonybucca5667]

@@andycocchia4202 I've always said I'm 5'10" but that's probably optimistic. i've found that all you really need is one foot down to be able to work it. The FJR has a 2 position seat, with about an inch of difference in height. I have the seat in the lower position, and easily flat foot at lights. BTW, I'll be 72 next birthday, and the weight can appear daunting, but I seem to manage...as soon as the clutch is out, I'm weightless!

[@andycocchia4202]

@@tonybucca5667 I can’t wait. I’m gonna maybe look at some newer ones and see how I feel on them.

[@FREE_PUREBLOOD333]

Ive owned a Gen1 2004 FJR, did 98k miles on it. Was still like new when I sold it. Great bike. I'm on my second FJR now, a 2013 gen3. It's like new still and has everything I need in a bike. Absolutely love the bikes, looks, ride, maintenance, shaft drive, great mpg, etc etc. Just hope Yamaha find a way to continue the FJR in the future. They have given the huge police market to BMW by not getting round the euro6 requirements.

[@newera478]

11:00 One drawback they had after first generation FJR is that they made locking mechanism in that glove compartment able to lock itself even when you don't have electricity on. In first generation that glove compartment was only able to lock itself when you had electricity on the bike, otherwise it wouldn't lock. I heard one of my friends happened to put his key briefly inside that glove compartment and then locked it inside because he forgot to take it outside. He had to have one of his family member to bring a spare key.

[@mikefowler5255]

I've had 2 of these and you can fix the abrupt initial throttle response with a "throttle tamer" - makes the bike much easier to ride smoothly

[@philiplaurell1163]

If you are thinking of buying this bike, here’s what they don’t tell you: I had the 2006 model. That year the model received a number of improvements and updates. Here is my impressions of my 2 years of owning the bike: it is very heavy. It is not sporty at all. The engine is great. Silky smooth, yet powerful. I loved the shaft drive and not having to fiddle with maintaining a chain. For the life of me I don’t get the ever repeated mantra that this bike is so comfortable. It isn’t. I have never been in so much physical pain on any other motorcycle. The seat is rubbish and the bike is very heavy and needs manhandling to stear. On longer rides this means pain in the shoulders like nothing I have ever experienced. And I’m 187 cm or 6”2 inches and pretty strong. Another completely missleading thing thing reviewers keep saying is that it is a sporty bike. It isn’t. It’s a power cruiser. It has poor lean angle and the tank has you spreading your legs wider than a hooker and that might have something to do with why the stock seat is so uncomfortable. Ass gets sore and numb after about an hour or two, so forget all you heard about ”all day comfort”. It isn’t there. I grinded the hero blobs under the footpegs - or angstnipples, as the germans call them, down in no time and with little effort by just normally leaning the bike in corners and had started eating away at the gear shifter when I got rid of the behemoth. Unless you are a rather short rider, you will have to ditch the stock wind shield for a taller one as well as the stock one is pretty useless. But it’s cool that it is button operated and reverts down when you shut off the ignition. The one complain some of the reviewers have about the bike is also wrong, they complain about the it only having 5 gears. Not a problem at all. That is a problem on the original Hinckley Bonneville. Not the FJR. City riding is horrible on the Feejer. It’s so heavy it can easily cause you to fall over if you have to make an unexpected stop while cornering at slow speed, as I had to when a lady stepped out from the sidewalk right in front of me as I was slowly coming around a corner. I couldn’t keep the bike upright as I had to stop at a small angle, and just had to let it go. On any other motorcycle I’ve owned this situation would have been no problem at all but the FJR is not only heavy, it’s top heavy. Especially with a full tank. It is not good for veering through traffic either. It’s too heavy. Quality is good though. I took it on 2 long trips and used it quite a lot over the years I had it and I had zero issues with it. It had 20000 km on it when I bought it and I put another 20000 on it. A cruise control would have been nice but it lacked that. The handle bar is like on a scooter and difficult to fit gps and phone mounts to. I bought the bike after having watched a number of videos like this one, praising the bike for all the wrong reasons. These are my impressions, I hope they can help balance all the praise this bike gets

[@frase32]

I have a new to me 06 with 33k miles on it that I bought this May. The FIRST thing I did was replace the cooked rear shock. After I did that the bike REALLY changed. It's still heavy and not exactly nimble, but it is AMAZING at doing what I bought it for. Which is long distance touring. I just have to work out what phone mount solution I am going to go with. I am thinking of buying another Quad lock steering head bolt mount. I have one on my other bike, a 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Centenario and I am VERY happy with it. Because I purpose bought the FJR to eat up highway miles I think it will suit me just fine!

[@ivankosovac7674]

Its sporty do you know how to drive sporty?

[@frase32]

@@ivankosovac7674 he may be coming from much sportier bikes. I wouldn't call the FJR 1300 sporty when compared to an R6 for example. About 250lbs difference in weight.

[@Jandejongjong]

There are 2 powerlevels on the market. 106 hp version 145 hp version For sure your bike is the 106hp version The 145hp can do in the right condition a high 10 on the 1/4 mile or a very low 11 sec That’s pretty sporty in speed and torq. Yes it’s heavy, but that’s the choice you make in what you wanna ride. It got some nice low end torq en speeds up way over 8k revs.

[@Jandejongjong]

Handling a bike is technique, you don’t stear, you lean the bike. And this bike is realy in for it with handling its a great bike if you can handle it. This one can do some tight corners. Some bike just can’t go tighter but this one realy does.

[@daveh5625]

Man, that is a good looking bike... Dave AZ

[@f.s.7615]

its a wonderful bike, i've done 1'000 km in a day and next day back. driving from almost meditarrenean to the northsea in europe. driving the alps, exelerating out of the curve, its a fun thing. enough power. the second gear is a blast. not like kawasaki as its also a touring bike. it drives very silent as i can move the front window (XL) to a perfect level up: no wind, no noise.

[@chamborespakoka2049]

Compañeros. En mi vida profesional he recorrido más de 1.7000.00 km en moto. El año 2002, nos cambiaron las motos BMW, GUZZI, por las primeras FJR 1300. Hoy todavía siguen en servicio. Motos que se sutituian con 280.00 Km. En mi caso jamas tuvieron que llevársela en grúa por avería. Cuando me jubilé me compre la mía propia, FJR 1300 AS del año 2019.

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

How does the suspension comfort compared to a Concours 14. My 2010 C14 feels quite stiff no matter how I set it.

[@rosarioroberto5823]

Greetings, As always another fantastic detailed video 🇺🇸🍾🎉🇺🇸 Keep producing more videos.

[@vintagebikes4215]

The handling characteristics you describe at low speed in corners are the result of not so great frame/ suspension/ and weight distribution design, problems the Honda ST1100 and Honda ST1300 do not have.

[@alenfora1400]

Mine is a 02 without abs its a rocket but sitting in a sofa and ita heavy but thats what you get i love it

[@roadwarrior8560]

Great video, subbed.

[@llano19fly]

Yamaha is known for making quality bikes. You have to be ready to ride them... my v-max was a point shoot bike. The warrior I had was not. It handled well & was built for touring. Very comfortable & much better gas mileage than the Max.

[@johnsparks211]

Still needs proper servicing. Don't forget the rear suspension linkage. Will need a new rear shock at that age too.

[@VehicleHunter]

I got lucky, new shock added and all the linkage greased along with replacing all wheel bearings

[@kadiocalc]

You have to remember that this is an extremely fast and fuel efficient motorcycle that came out in 2002ish and more police and military have and still use this bike. The Honda and BMW service costs for these purposes was and still is expensive.

[@kadiocalc]

For your information I own a Honda VFR800 and a Honda Forza. The lights are called Fox Eye from the FZR. Happy Travels and Stay Shiny Side Up. Cheers Bing Brisbane Australia

[@Jandejongjong]

Hayabusa 2006 also has the hazard lights like that:)

[@duarte5dm]

It's not a Miuu exhaust...it's a Mivv. It's an italian company that has been building motorcycle exhausts since the 70s...

[@raynic1173]

This is the first review I heard of any complaints about the transmission, power delivery and suspension....hmm.

[@markkunkel7401]

I own an 07 since new. Rock solid but I always wished it wasn't so clunky . You do have to adjust to that

[@raynic1173]

@@markkunkel7401 my dad had a Moto Guzzi Ambassador 750...talk about a clunky transmission... I got my eye on an '07 FJR, anything specific I should look for?

[@johnpaulson996]

I have wide shoulders. Switched to FX1 side mirrors. Direct fit. Much nicer.

[@0n596]

I Have 55000 Km on my FJR . Cons are the loud bearings of the transmission. I hardly hear the engine, instead the transmission. And small steep curves uphill are a nightmare! It puuls a bit to the right side, I guess this is due to the drive shaft. Besides that I like it. Might not a BMW GS1300 but for that you have to dig deep in the pockets.

[@0n596]

Oh, build 2016 !

[@marvinsirvania6629]

Great video. Thank you.

[@Constantstate]

The OE Yamaha oil filter does NOT protrude out like that... it's half the size.

[@williamduckworth305]

Im looking at this, abd tge concourse... im a very big guy 6foot 3 280 lbs. I dont want a garley or a gold wing. Im considering the fjr after sitting on 1 at a dealer. Hell i sat on 20 bikes,b4 i sat on this 1. I went in looking at the zx14 and it was so uncomfortable for me. The fjr felt the best...but the yamaha mt09, and the kawasaki z900 felt good too. So ill have to ride all 3 to realky make a decision.

[@williamduckworth305]

Harley...not garley

[@zeuscallie1572]

I seem to be having issue with my fork seals leaking, yes they have been replaced, anyone have any suggestions.

[@stanza77]

Thank you for the video; currently have BMW K1200s. FJR is looking very appealing after paying the “BMW Tax”😂

[@ontheroad4809]

Does this FJR has some other engine mods, except MIVV exhaust?

[@billbonu1639]

Nah, your not gonna get any more useable rear wheel dyno power out of it, not with off the shelf parts, you might could rig a Honda Civic nitrous kit to it or something but all the ECU flashes and stuff just change the throttle response and where the power comes on and stuff I've yet to see any over the counter stuff give more than a horse or two at the end of the day.yamaha pretty much tuned it where it needs to be and any more power would just be Ludacris and unnecessary in my opinion.

[@billbonu1639]

I try to buy every one I can get my hands on it seems, have a gen 1 gen 2 and a gen 3.and a new klr that I love for different reasons than the fjr, mainly it's ability to handle pot holes and rough roads especially when it rains we have frame breakers that come from nowhere and I cringe every time I hit one on the fjr, klr is like a smooth road wherever I go.anyway if im hitting the highway going out of town or have a lot to carry the fjrs are nice,running down the street or across the field to my brothers the klr is the way to go.

[@SusanWillan]

My FJR 06 model is having ignition switch sticking issues when you turn the key there's no instrument lights then when it's half way between on and off the bike start's up any ideas on whats going on it's done 164 thousand kilometres it's in VGC for the age

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Spraying contact cleaner in and around the cylinder fixed a similar issue on my C14. Don't use lube. Cleaning, not lubing could be the key.

[@SusanWillan]

I was using the graphite pencil so lead on the key 🗝️🔐 it did help for awhile until it just wouldn't start it was transported by van to the shop over 2 weeks ago they put in a new ignition switch and key 🗝️🔐 and is now ready to pick up because I'm retired and living on a pension I'm slowly getting my bike repair paid off hopefully in another 2 or 3 weeks I'll be back on the old frog and toad stay safe and upright love from Australia 🦘🌏

[@Fln.Florin14]

great, love it ❤

[@MotoRoUsa]

That bike looks familiar

[@plpwheeler]

Torturous to ride? Totally disagree, it's an old mans crotch rocket, comfortable and plenty fast. The ST1300 is sluggish compared to the FJR.

[@davemcmahon8140]

These are great bikes, but why are you talking about 2007 build quality? Honestly, if you were to side by side a BMW vs. FjR, I'm sure build quality would be similar.

[@derrickmurphy9859]

I ride a super tenere 1200 and I sometimes contemplate getting a t700 and a 10 or 12 yr old fjr for real comfort and just get rid of the 1200 super tenere.

[@seekingtruth9182]

This guy is so off about a lot of his assessments. It's a stable cruiser man. Great machine to be on

[@Fractal379]

Great content! Take this sub & have a great day! 👍

[@thomsghost769]

The Japanese bikes seem to be so more thought out, plus or minus. The dichotomy of technique and emotion.

[@ColleenHamilton-d4y]

Walker Christopher Taylor George Hernandez James

[@shawnshurtz9147]

You absolutely shouldn't have compared this to a Hayabusa. It's nowhere near the same league.

[@HumeSampson-g4j]

Taylor Cynthia Allen Shirley Moore Sharon

[@arthurfoyt6727]

It's a good grocery getter.

[@larsgeodecke231]

Redicoulous test ! Strange remarks !You get a Scooter instead !

[@RoyalEnfield120]

Should not you be reviewing like a 2017 if not a 2024! But 2007!?

[@joe2479]

This was not a review. It was an explanation of the features. Calling this a comprehensive review is very misleading.

[@Jandejongjong]

I think your FJR needs some service man.. also looks very abused. Try ride some other fjr’s

[@nicholasfey9004]

This guy is the worst rider I’ve ever seen in my life😭

[@stanza77]

Or he’s a bad video editor. But he got the message across

[@di-luca2513]

MIUU? My lord. Typical American, who does not have a clue in European brands. MIVV is such a well known brand

[@dieselguy62]

Because we don't care😂😂😂

[@alexandrosamanatidis7825]

​@@dieselguy62 You can't mask ignorance by saying you don't care. You can not care and still be educated on a topic if you are not an American ...

[@dieselguy62]

@alexandrosamanatidis7825 I can do as I please. I'm well aware, and American, and don't care. So get over it. And get moving around🤣

[@alexandrosamanatidis7825]

@@dieselguy62 You are an American, enough said...🤣

[@dieselguy62]

@alexandrosamanatidis7825 you fucking right I am. And damn proud of it. Better to be American than anything else.

[@jakecrib9971]

Yamaha "Borrowed" several of the FJR features from the BMW RT series , who, by the way, invented the Sport Touring Motorcycle in 1994 with the introduction of the BMW R1100RT. It had an electronically adjustable wind screen, shaft drive, A retractable grab handle for putting it on it's center stand, etc. I can't blame Yamaha, after all, BMW stands for, "Best Motorcycle in the World !"