2012 MG Norge or 2013 Yamaha FJR 1300

[LongRanger]

Norge or not, there's really no disputing the FJR as one of the premium ST bikes out there. The list of IBA finishes speaks for itself. And I'm biased -- I personally don't care for them.

[biking sailor]

I looked at an FJR when researching my last new purchase.  They are very good bikes that seem to me to be the class of the "supersport" touring.  I know of a couple guys that also have 100,000 miles plus sport touring on Busas, and swear by them as being the best "supersport" touring machines, but they are more sport than tour in my eyes.  So I put the ST1300, FJR, and Connie in the "supersport" touring class.  Needs 150 HP and hardcases. Most of these are 600+ lbs.

I really don't consider the Norge as a "supersport" tourer in the same class.  It is a smaller bike in weight and power, which some people really like.

Isn't choice nice!

PS, I love the sound of my in-line 4 CBR600RR with a scorpion exhaust on full boil.  Almost a howl.  But it does get a bit tiresome after a while.   ~;

[esmurrell]

I disagree.  If I were going cross country and needed to make time quickly, I would ride my K1600GTL.  However, if I only had cruise control on my Norge, it might make the grade.  For me, the Norge is every bit as comfortable for distance as the BMW.  I don't like the ergo's on the FJR, it just isn't the bike for me.  I'm not knocking it mind you, just not for me.  Like just about anything else, to each his own on this topic.  But for the record, there is nothing wrong with the Norge for long distance.

[Nic in Western NYS]

The comparable BMW to the Norge is the boxer RT. More apples to apples in hp etc.

[TribeFan]

Hi John. I have never really considered the Adventure tourers but more than a couple folks have recommended that I add the Stelvio NTX to the short list. I'm just wondering how long distance wind protection and comfort will be on the Stelvio. It's the exact same price at the local Guzzi dealer as the Norge. Hmmm,?

[pyoungbl]

I went from a Norge to Stelvio NTX, no regrets at all.  For me the NTX has better ergos for a long day on the saddle, good weather protection, greater fuel capacity, is easier to service, and a more comfortable OEM seat.  The down side is that the NTX is a taller bike so it's a challenge for riders with a shorter inseam.  The Norge had me sitting in a position where my knees were bent more than I like (for a long trip), much like the FJR I tried.  In fact, the FJR felt like I was sitting down in the bike rather than on it.

Peter Y.

[Travlr]

For me, the Norge is every bit as comfortable for distance as the BMW. 

WOW!  Considering the K1600 is considered THE sport touring bike that's pretty interesting.  I've not ridden the K bike, but I'm following this
thread because I'm considering a touring bike.  Care to comment further?  You might save me a lot of $$$'s.

Mike 

[Vagrant]

I can't believe how long this thread got. BUT, unless I missed it nobody mentioned how many times the FJR was going to be in for new front rubber. my buddy had one and his friend also bought one. while trying to keep up with my 2001 EV in the twistys' of north Ga, N.C. and Tennessee they were luck to make 2000 miles on a front and they tried them all. Randall even tried nitrogen but then lost the front in a tight curve. I had the same problem with a Valkyrie years ago. see the Marchl 2014 Road Runner mag. they got the same results. too much weight pushing the front end.
other than that it truly should be the bike that speaks to your heart!

[roofus]

I sat on a FJR 1300. Too tall for me. I did not have to ride it, it simply didn't fit.
I did not want an inline 4, I wanted a twin. I do not want to ride a sewing machine, and I don't want to cruise at 100mph.
A friend of mine from Church has a FJR 1300 and he has done a 1500 mile day on it. I don't think that would be possible on the Norge

1500 miles in one day!!!!! That's 62.5 mph average speed with no stops to get gas or pee!!!!

[Bill]

My 98 EV was my touring bike of choice and I have no complaints other than it's getting long in the tooth. Wanted something newer for long trips. Kept the EV and bought a 09 FJR. Took a few trips for me to adjust to it. My Fl-CA-FL trip at age 64 proved to me that I made a good choice. However for my short 29 inch inseam the FJR is tall for me when parking in camp grounds with slopes, gravel, sand etc. It's a bit ponderous and takes great care to prevent a drop. The EV is much better for me in those situations. On really tight twists I can probably corner faster on the EV. But on the open road, not so tight turns, and sweepers the FJR is hard to beat. Nice to have choices. :BEER:
Bill

[segesta]

1500 miles in one day!!!!! That's 62.5 mph average speed with no stops to get gas or pee!!!!

That's Chicago to El Paso in a day? Hmm. I need to find a "skeptical" emoticon, but this will have to do: =8^0

[oldbike54]

The Iron butt types do 1500 miles in 24 hours . Not my
cuppa , but not so unusual .
Dusty


Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

[Guzzistajohn]

I've done 1500 in 24, won't do it again either. where's the worn the hell out emoticon??

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've never been interested in big mileage days. 5-600, and I'm ready for a beer.  ;D Different strokes, and all that....

[oldbike54]

I've never been interested in big mileage days. 5-600, and I'm ready for a beer.  ;D Different strokes, and all that....

Yeah , Peter Egan wrote a column about that . No one really cares how far you can ride in a day . 500 to 600 is pleasant . Much more than that becomes a chore . Some of my best days on a bike recently have been "Historical marker " tours . Usually 200 miles , stop at all of the markers , maybe visit a small museum or small town court houses .
Dusty



Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

[Guzzistajohn]

I'm wit 'cha man, I had to try it one time, just to see what it was like, kinda got a reverse motion sickness, when I'd stop, I'd almost barf, get going again- felt better??

Yeah , Peter Egan wrote a column about that . No one really cares how far you can ride in a day . 500 to 600 is pleasant . Much more than that becomes a chore . Some of my best days on a bike recently have been "Historical marker " tours . Usually 200 miles , stop at all of the markers , maybe visit a small museum or small town court houses .
Dusty



Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

[oldbike54]

I'm wit 'cha man, I had to try it one time, just to see what it was like, kinda got a reverse motion sickness, when I'd stop, I'd almost barf, get going again- felt better??

Don't get me wrong , doing it once is fun , give me mild temps and light winds , open road with little traffic , sure, lets go buddy . Might need to sleep the whole day after .
Dusty


Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

[Chuck in Indiana]

Don't get me wrong , doing it once is fun , give me mild temps and light winds , open road with little traffic , sure, lets go buddy . Might need to sleep the whole day after .
Dusty


Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

I don't do well with sleep deprivation..at all.  Like I said, everybody's different.  ;D

[mojohand]

All I can say is...wow. just. Wow.

In lieu of a long write-up feel free to follow my pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/sets/72157641454471383/

The short story is I flew to Huntsville, where the amazing dealership D&H Cycle picked me up and drove me south 40 minutes to Cullman.

After an extensive orientation, I headed up to Lookout Mountain to stay with my brother Ray. On Saturday, we picked up my other brother Jack as well as our pal Dave and rode to Riders Hill in Dahlonega, so Ray could get a tire and I could put miles on the bike.

Wow. Just. Wow.

On Sunday I rode around Chattanooga a bit, eating lunch with a friend and then just riding around.

Monday I rode the long way back to Cullman. I ended up putting exactly 600 miles on the bike when I showed up at the dealer Tuesday morning. After Nick did the initial service, I rode to Atlanta for meetings with a client. Stayed that night with pals in Little Five Points. The next morning I had another meeting (with a different client), then headed WNW. I rode around Athens, then through Greenwood, Clinton, and Chester, SC, picking up the interstate in Rock Hill.


I spent the night in Kannapolis, NC, and headed back to Richmond via 85N to 40W to SR49N all the way to Crewe. Then 360 to RIC.

Wow. Just. Wow.

An incredible bike. Power, comfort, flickability (yes, I said that), maneuverability, real cruise control, and so on. Very happy with my decision. The Norge will get lonely.

[Guzzistajohn]

Sweet machine, I dig it! I had a loaner Triumph Sprint for a month or so, it was pretty sweet too, Had it in 9 states. Loved it!

[oldbike54]

I don't do well with sleep deprivation..at all.  Like I said, everybody's different.  ;D

Sheesh , I can't make either one of you boys happy . Laughing here . How about 750 miles in one day ? We will call it 3/4 assed day . Ha!
Dusty


Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

[Steph]

Yamaha's official Wrenchmonkee kit for the XJR1300  ;-T




http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles/sport-heritage/yard-built/xjr1300-monkeefist.aspx#gallery=image|image=/uk/binary/2013-Yamaha-XJR1300-Yard-Built-WRENCHMONKEES-EU-NA-Static-006_gal_full_tcm230-556194.jpg

[wittangamo]

All I can say is...wow. just. Wow.

In lieu of a long write-up feel free to follow my pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/sets/72157641454471383/

An incredible bike. Power, comfort, flickability (yes, I said that), maneuverability, real cruise control, and so on. Very happy with my decision. The Norge will get lonely.

Glad you're enjoying it, Joe. Looks like you had fun on the break-in ride. Any truth to the rumor that you bought a red one just to match your jacket?

[LowRyter]

400 miles on my Sport or 500 miles on my Bandit is quite enough, thank you.    ~;

[Stormtruck2]

400 miles on my Sport or 500 miles on my Bandit is quite enough, thank you.    ~;

Which you riding to the Vale??  ~;

[kirby1923]

Don't get me wrong , doing it once is fun , give me mild temps and light winds , open road with little traffic , sure, lets go buddy . Might need to sleep the whole day after .
Dusty


Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

Do you honestly think that /5 would make 1000 miles in one day???( you would have to get some bystander(s) to push you off on gas/pee stops!!!)

mike

[youcanrunnaked]

Congrats.  Very nice FJR.  Not crazy for the Pelican case, though; the color-matched OEM top case is so much nicer.

[oldbike54]

Do you honestly think that /5 would make 1000 miles in one day???( you would have to get some bystander(s) to push you off on gas/pee stops!!!)

mike

Well you and GJ are coming along , right ? Na , the beater would make , but not with me on it . Laughing here .
Dusty


Sent from a submarine in Oklahoma .

[nick949]

Do you honestly think that /5 would make 1000 miles in one day???( you would have to get some bystander(s) to push you off on gas/pee stops!!!)

mike

I doubt it would be any more difficult on a /5 than on an Eldorado.  It's just a matter of persistence.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718205&page=2  (last entry on the page).

Nick

[Guzzistajohn]

         Don't be dissin' the Beemer man!

                           DUSTY

I doubt it would be any more difficult on a /5 than on an Eldorado.  It's just a matter of persistence.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718205&page=2  (last entry on the page).

Nick