YAMAHA FJR1300 (2013 - 2015) Review

I have the electronic suspension model and the ride is very plush when set to soft. It's great that you don't have to tear your knuckles apart trying to change the spring loading the old fashioned way

Now it has 6 gears, the engine RPM at 70 has dropped by about 600 leading to better MPG and a much smoother ride

Only 3 weeks old but some fasteners already have small rust spots on them, due to winter road salt. Chrome trim has peeled away a bit on one of the panniers after only 2 days.

Unknown yet, as I've only had the initial 600 mile service completed and this was £200, so a full one could be 300-500?

Digital display, LED lights, cruise control, heated grips are all great. Standard screen is far too low for winter user and I'm only 5ft 7. I have ordered an aftermarket screen.

The bike is smooth and is at its best on sweeping A-roads. Very well planted on motorways at 'typical' speeds.

Smooth predictable power delivery with torque everywhere.

Seems robust with good fit and finish. Attention has been paid to previously vulnerable areas like the fork legs. Reliability based on previous experience is likely to be supreme.

Value is reduced because the seat and screen should be sorted at this price. Running costs are minimal for the type of bike.

The new electronic suspension and dashboard menus are great as is the addition of cruise. Not state of the art, but all the things you could reasonably want. The bonus is that they all work, all the time. Bikes are for riding - not sitting in a workshop. A great value package if, like me, you have to use your own hard earned money.

Suspension gone after 6000miles only two years and eight months old had a suspension failure on my 2007 bike couldn't believe it's happened again dealer not very helpfull

Comfy Ride

Heavy bike so rides over undulations and you don't really feel them underfoot. . Back shock is a bit weak with 2 up but can be adjusted - Will consider Ohlins later in the year before touring season. Brakes are superb, ABS linked is the safest way to go .

Turbine smooth and is whisper quiet especially through the stock twin exhausts - reminds me f the Honda CBX 1000 I used to own. IS pretty quick but not in a K1200S way. In touring mode its docile and wont frighten anyone but good for relaxed touring.

Well built machine - well put together and going like a swiss clock .

So far so good doing about 40 MPG overall average but can go down to 30 with some spirited driving in S mode

Has ABS, Heated grips, Aux sockets and Panniers so basically you could load up and go on tour right now. Attachments for GPS unit and power from socket so you won't run out of juice.

Very comfortable - seat s a little wide and ends to spread the legs . With the K1200S the seat is narrow at the front so you can move the knees in to grip the bike bit with the yamaha you cant really do this without effort and get Horses thighs pain in inside legs. The S mode is noticeably more sharper more instant and quick off the line but the main T mode is fine for everyday runs

Engine is of the best Japanese traditions - not a screamer like the K1200S but more subdued until you wind it out .

Yamaha - very reliable - owned for 3 Months and nothing out of joint yet

Only have a couple of months so we'll see how the servicing costs compared with the other bikes

Good equipment for the price, electric screen, cruise control, heated grips, duel mode S and T and ABSS interlocked brakes - nearly better than the K1200S

Brakes top class abs. Great in wet. Can easily do two hours in saddle or full tank on motorways... 200 plus miles.

Smooth, fast. 5 gears fine. Pulls from low 40s in 5th.

Holed radiator... Can't really blame the bike. Two of them 100k miles. Awesome durability.

Service every 6 months. Fuel economy brilliant plus 45 average through London. 72 mile a day commute fill every third day.

Panniers ok weak locks, heated grips great, socket for power great, instruments great, have not had a bad tyre whatever brand,

More of a motorway cruiser than a track day bike, although a good rider will hold their own with the sports boys on the right track. Brakes are good but fade a little when pushed really hard. Normal riding, no problem. If you fit the touring screen and a top box, you have an all day touring bike. Tip: fit a hugger stop all that road grime getting into the shock area. Take no notice of the dealer who tells you they don't make one for the AE. Skidmark do, but make sure you specify AE when you order, as the hugger is quite different between the A and AE.

Huge turbine like power and lots of torque. Don't believe the nonsense you read about no sixth gear. I checked out the ratios between average 5th and 6 gear set ups and there is nothing in it. At 70 the rpm between my 5 gear FJR and 6 gear K series was negligible. An engineer told me top gears are more overdrive than anything and that would certainly explain it.

All the panels fit tightly together, the paint is deep and durable and all the external parts wear well. Make sure you get the suspension linkage/swing arm etc., all lubed at the right intervals. Few dealers actually do this at it is a main stand removal 'jobby'. Service the FJR properly and it will probably outlive you! Superb reliability. Got rid of a BMW to buy one. Best move I ever made. In summary, not as heavy as my Pan (which I still miss) but does the job nearly as well.

Average 50mpg very possible. Recommend FJR Owners club for best quality and best price servicing - you can even watch them do the job! Compared to my BMW, this bike is cheap as chips to run. BMW take note!!!

Suspension offers more adjustment than you are ever likely to need. More toys than a toy shop on the bars. Bridgestone and Metzelers are to be avoided. Best tyres according to my club are Pirelli Angel GT (9000 miles rear and 5000 rear, but a bit expensive) Best price and wear and Maxxis Diamonds with 7000 miles front and back. Got new Bridgestones (023s) at present, wise after the event but ok so far, but plan to try the Maxxis next.

Suspension can still get a little harsh, recently went up to Yorkshire and did 1300 miles in 4 days, seat is comfortable and fuel economy is good averaging about 50 mpg you can easily ride for a couple of hours or more without a break

Different power modes give a soft power delivery in touring mode which I find good around town and sport mode livens it up and gives good acceleration from low down in the Rev range when on the twistys A strong engine that makes this bike fun to ride on a bike that doesn't look like it should go as quick as it does

No problems

Best feature has got to be the cruise control so easy to use made the ride up to Yorkshire a doddle.