The New FJR (NGC)

[mojohand]

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2016-yamaha-fjr1300/



Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ArOJM-epKs

and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMHCxrc1jTQ

[leafman60]

Looks pretty much like the "old" one to me.  But, I don't pay much attention to these.

[slopokes]

  ok i'll bite--beauty is in the eye of the beholder----- '86 sp2 looks better 

[rdbandkab]

I'm sure that thing is an awesome touring bike,  but it looks dated to me.    It would probably do thousands of miles without issue,  but......

[canuguzzi]

Newnis the 6 speed tranny along with some nice features like the cornering lights and all LED lighting.

Look for some good deals on the 5 speed models because Yamaha created quite an upgrade path for FJR owners.

[Queensland Ken]

Nothing released from Yamaha Australia yet.

The FJR is a perfect stablemate to the Stelvio.
I love my 2014 AE but could be tempted with the new model.

[fotoguzzi]

Looked at picture and thought...

Looks pretty much like the "old" one to me. 

[JeffOlson]

That is a beautiful bike! It will probably cost a pretty penny...

For the price, it is hard to beat a new Norge (snapping my suspenders).

[stevet]

Regardless of thinking the bike looks dated, or whatever, the FJR has been a remarkable platform for mixing "sport" with "touring", with the edge going to the sport in that combination.  I've been a fan since 2007 and an owner since 2011, using it for everything from commuting to regional touring to riding the roller coasters of the upper Mississippi River region.  Once dialed in for personal ergonomics, it just simply works.  You don't have to think about the machine, you just need to pilot it to your heart's content.  And now they are making it even better, and I would love to fly one.

I've said it before, my FJR and my V7II Stone are such wonderfully complimentary motorcycles, I enjoy them both so much.  Other than 2 wheels, the bikes are completely opposite of each other.  After riding one for a few days and then getting on the other, it's like a whole new thrill factor.  I'm sure other multi-bike owners have similar experiences, but I am very happy in my decision to own these two fine motorcycles.

Unfortunately I am only allowed one motorcycle payment at a time, and the Stone is just a few months in.  I'll have to wait for this newest FJR, I guess.

Steve.

[canuguzzi]

That is a beautiful bike! It will probably cost a pretty penny...

For the price, it is hard to beat a new Norge (snapping my suspenders).

FJRs compete with the Norge on price outside of the year end deals and even then, the FJR is close enough to make it more a matter of preference than price.

Although the FJR looks like previous years, when you look at the features you can see it continues to evolve.

A completely new tranny, LED cornering lights, nicely updated instruments and so on make common looks with previous models just an appearance thing.

Too bad they don't come in white and painting a brand new bike is just a pita.

[boatdetective]

I saw the second vid in the OP. Those are pretty impressive features. My gut feeling is that this probably does everything that you'd get in a BMW, but for less money and (probably) better reliability. While not exactly distinctive, it certainly isn't bad looking neither.

[sturgeon]

FJRs compete with the Norge on price outside of the year end deals and even then, the FJR is close enough to make it more a matter of preference than price.

In Canada, list price on a 2015 FJR is $17,600 vs $17,000 for a Norge. As you say, not enough to matter to most. Don't knock the FJRs until you've put in some miles on one. I've ridden a friend's a few times (he got to ride my RT in exchange). It's very nice. The new 6-speed gearbox will likely be enough to convince me that I 'need' one, even though the 5-speed is perfectly fine 

[mojohand]

I posted this primarily to showcase the new FJR, since many folks on this board have watched it (and some even owned one) over the years. It's a great bike--I love my 2014, having put just under 25K miles on it since February, 2014 (Fly and Ride: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/sets/72157641454471383/). I'd definitely consider perhaps a roller-tappet Norge as a reasonable competitor (and perhaps somewhat reliable, other than the spark plug wires and the oil pressure switch). YMMV.

[blackcat]

What does it weigh as I didn't notice that spec in the write up? I assume that it is heavy by that lack of information.

[leafman60]

The previous model was about the same weight as a Stelvio NTX, if I recall correctly.

** edit**

Looked it up.  2015 FJR = 644 pounds wet. Very similar to a Stelvio NTX, maybe slightly heavier.

http://www.motorcycle.com/specs/yamaha/sport-touring/2015/fjr/1300es/detail.html


For reference the 2015 BMW R1200RT is 604 pounds, wet. Slightly less than a Stelvio NTX.

http://www.motorcycle.com/specs/bmw/sport-touring/2015/r/1200-rt/detail.html


The Norge 8V is 566 DRY.  With about 6 gallons of gas and some oil, it should weigh in between the BMW and the FJR but closer to the BMW.



.

[blackcat]

And the Norge is 566 pounds (257 Kg) dry or about 615lbs. with a full tank.

[mojohand]

The previous model was about the same weight as a Stelvio NTX, if I recall correctly.

** edit**

Looked it up.  2015 FJR = 644 pounds wet. Very similar to a Stelvio NTX, maybe slightly heavier.


http://www.motorcycle.com/specs/yamaha/sport-touring/2015/fjr/1300es/detail.html



.

So, three pounds less than a new Norge: http://www.ridermagazine.com/road-tests/2014-moto-guzzi-norge-gt-8v-road-test-review.htm/

[blackcat]

According to Guzzi:

http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/motorcycles/norge-gt-8v/specifications.html

566 dry weight.

[canuguzzi]

The FJRs three position adjustable bars and tool free adjustable seat make it easy to fit the ergos. Adjustability is key these days, look at the expense and trials we go through to raise or pull back bars, spend lots on single position seats and such.

These seemingly little things can make a bike fit right as opposed to just OK. I know I'd like to change bar position on longer rides, the seat too.

[BMWDavid]

I've had two FJR's...a 2004 and most recently a 2014 ES. Great highway burner and very nimble in the twisties. I always think of them as a land based Lear jet. It compliments my V11's nicely.

The '16 with six speed's and a taller top gear sounds interesting let alone all the other tweaks for '16. It will be interesting to see what the actual rpm vs. speed will be in sixth gear. My '14 is turning 4,000 rpm @ 75 mph about what my V11 LeMans are doing.

[canuguzzi]

Guessing 3750 @ 75 mph.

[Cool Runnings]

Is it still a tank in the twisties?

[BMWDavid]

Is it still a tank in the twisties?

Guessing 3750 @ 75 mph.

I was thinking the same...perhaps a 7% reduction in top gear rpm/mph.

Nope not a tank...in fact (at least to me) it is more flickable than my V11 LeMans.

[Cool Runnings]

Why would anyone purchase a Norge?

[Arizona Wayne]

I was thinking the same...perhaps a 7% reduction in top gear rpm/mph.

Nope not a tank...in fact (at least to me) it is more flickable than my V11 LeMans.

Your V11  Le Mans is a tank compared to my 750 Breva in the twisties, which I use for both that and long distance trips.  It does 4,500 rpm @ 75 mph w/130/90-17 rear tire.

[blackcat]

Why would anyone purchase a Norge?

I prefer an air-cooled twin.

[Cam Lay]

The Goddess very much likes her 2007, though I find the throttle a bit snatchy at takeoff. It's a bit sportier in performance and ergonomics than my RT was; just as comfortable, but different. She said "Buick" after riding my RT for a day, and happily went back to the FJR. I thought the FJR was fun, but a bit of a handful; perhaps that's why she likes it.

Lots of bang for the buck with an FJR, service has got to be cheaper than BMW and closer than Guzzi... (Though in actual fact, Guzzi service is as close as the lift on the other side of the garage.)

FJR is certainly on the short list if? when? I replace the dearly-departed BMW. Still a long way to go on the recovery road for me before that question is even addressable, unfortunately.

Take care,
C

[Cool Runnings]

I prefer an air-cooled twin.

Yup. 

[Cool Runnings]

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,112057.msg2484145/topicseen.html#msg2484145

[Arizona Wayne]

Yup. 

I have both and really don't give a darn which 1 I'm riding.