BMW R1200R vs Yamaha FJR 1300

[Mark]

I'm always looking at different toys and the FJR looks like an interesting machine.
Before going to the F800ST I had a XJ 900 for a long time. Too long possibly but it was a bullet proof machine.

I have recently taken an R1200R for a run and love it too, but I am looking for a sports tourer and a big brother of the F800ST would be perfect - if it existed.

Any comments are welcome.

[celticus]

It seems to me that the FJR would compare better to a K1200RS. I prefer the R1200R to either. Smaller, lighter.
Mark

[Dan-A]

A friend of mine recently bought an FJR. The motor is sweet, and it is stupid fast. Build quality looks good too. We had a little fun on a straight back road and I was staying right with him. I was pretty impressed until he told me he was short shifting because he was still breaking it in (unless he was lying ).

I do not think it would handle as well as an R1200R as it is comparatively a bigger heavier machine. I think the BMW it compares to is more likely this one, the K1200GT, which is about to become the K1300GT:

[racing.mike]

engine, at least in the earlier model, was giving away lots of heat to the driver.....not good at slow speed
but very fast .....used it can be found at bargain price.....too heavy for my taste though .....(but again, I have a R1200R.....not a K1200GT lol)

[qgaex]

Hi Mark

This looks like the R1200ST would perfectly fit your bill. If you can still find one somewhere.
If you do find one, approach carefully wearing very large and very dark sunglasses. Take these off only after the first shock wears off. Stromg men were found weeping helplessly after looking at the design of those headlights.
Otherwise it is probably a very good Sports Tourer.

Cheers

qgaex
+whorodeoneoftheseupamountainracetrackonceandenjoyedit+

[NeilS]

FWIW:

I have a friend with an FJR, and a couple of years ago we rode down to The Dragon in TN/NC. He was on the FJR and I was on my Honda Ascot (500 cc shaft drive V-twin), which was all I had at the time.

Heading south on I-81 was brutal. He could cruise effortlessly at 80 and I was always straining to keep up. Once we got to the Blue Ridge, we both had a great time, rolling fast and enjoying the road and the scenery.

But on The Dragon, the tables were turned. My friend went first, and he was working hard to keep the FJR on the road at the pace he chose. I followed behind, flicking the Ascot through the curves and hardly breaking a sweat.

That trip, actually, was what led me to buy my RR. I wanted something more long-legged than the Ascot, but without giving up much in the way of handling in the tight stuff. And I haven't been disappointed.

[motoracer8]

The FJR is a very good motorcycle, I bought an 05 new. A FJR will run away from most BMW twins, It is a good handler for a 650 lb. motorcycle, It has good wind protection, it gets reasonable fuel milage, and has a great set of headlamps. It could use a better seat, but you can say that about most stock motorcycle seats. In my opinion it's biggest probblem was the heat output, on a summer day it was almost unrideable, everything you touched with your body except the handle bars got hot. The fuel tank got hot enough that you did not want to touch it with your legs. In defence of Yamaha the 06 on has better air management and is better in this reguard, But it is still a water cooled motorcycle, so are all the K model BMW's, the ST1300, and the new Concours, the heat has got to go somewhere. And so what is my point? I have a R1200R, my 5th BMW in 30 years, and no it is not as fast as the FJR, it is 150 lbs. lighter, is a good handler, does not blow heat like a water cooled motorcycle, is good to sit on for a distance, and gets great milage, and I don't miss all the plastic. For the money the FJR is a good value. I think the R1200R is a better allaround motorcycle.

Ken G.