Faults:

Nothing. Flawless. Nary a hiccup in 24,000 km, including nearly a month in the saddle during summer 2008.

General Comments:

This review is for the 2006 FJR1300AE. Bought in the crate in Jan 2008 for $9500 Cdn.

I had never really considered this bike, had my eyes on an ST1300. This bike is a better fit for me, and is also lighter, handles better and has better performance than the ST.

I've done several 1000+ mile days on it and can still respect myself in the morning.

Stock seat is OK, I added an Airhawk prior to doing a 15,000 km tour last summer, which was very much needed. Custom saddle has been added this winter, just because of the sort of very long distance riding I do.

The stock windscreen produced a lot of buffet regardless of positioning. Replaced with a Givi screen, which was better but still not ideal. Looking at a Laminar Lip this off-season, which combined with the stock screen will (hopefully) give both myself and passenger the air capsule we want. Note that among FJR owners, the windscreen seems to be the biggest complaint.

Heat was a problem on the earlier bikes, but redesigned fairing and ducting on the '06 + models seems to have solved this problem.

Lost of spare juice from the electrical system for all the goodies you may want to add. I have rider/passenger intercom, outlets for rider/passenger electric vests, and GPS. Considering aux lighting to improve an already pretty good system.

The AE clutch system has been fantastic. I was somewhat leery of this when I bought it, but would definitely get another one.

The bike is 650-odd lbs with a full tank, which is very noticeable at low speed. Low-speed handling without a clutch to feather is a new skill that needs to be learned and practiced before you can get really confident in parking lots and confined spaces. Once at speed, it is very nimble and smooth, and the linked ABS brakes are superb.

Suspension adjustments are probably necessary to get the bike to handle "just so", but these are easily done. The FJR owners group (FJRforum.com) have helped me a lot in getting the bike set up just the way I want.

Looking forward to many, many more enjoyable miles on this bike. At the price I got it, I should have bought 2. A phenomenal bike even at the regular price... and this one was about 50% of the cost of new with zero miles on the clock.

General Comments:

Great bike for 2-up riding, and still sporty enough to be still be fun to ride for a large bike!

But the EFI fueling glitch off idle is brutal, and the transmission is out of a gravel truck! In this day and age and for the price, no excuse for it!

Otherwise, a fun bike to ride for something this large. If it had the finesse of my VFR, it would be a perfect large 2 up bike! It doesn't.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

My first motorcycle purchase was a V-star 1100 custom. It was a great bike for what it was, however, after a couple of years riding I craved a motorcycle that was quieter, smoother, faster, better handling and supplied a lot more of the grin factor.

Parting ways was hard to do, but having purchased a 2008 FJR, I finally have a bike that handles the way I always thought a motorcycle should.

The impression the FJR gives its rider is one of piloting a modern, powerful, capable machine, that is willing, and more importantly able, to perform any task required of it.

The ride is extremely smooth, and although not exactly flickable, it turns and holds a line extremely well.

I absolutely love the ABS brakes; they have a great feel under normal use, and I no longer have to fear hammering the brakes in an emergency situation. (Which I know I will do,again, having already high-sided on another bike in said situation).

This is such a great bike, I will gladly forgive its shortcomings.

It is tall, which is great when riding, but it is top heavy, and if not held completely vertical when pushing it around, it really wants to fall over, at least compared to a cruiser or lighter sports bike.

The seat is super spongy, but still manages to get my butt aching after a half hour or so.

The location of the rear set pegs were a concern, but for me at five-eleven they provide a really relaxing position.

The electric windsrceen is a cool feature, but could offer a quieter air pocket and with less buffeting.

The bags are great, and come off the bike with the turn of a key and a lift of the handle.

Engine heat is really not an issue unless stuck in traffic, and will be great in cooler weather when the adjustable fairing sides are pulled out, to allow the heat to blow on you legs.

The torque will not leave you wanting, and hard acceleration is such a blast it really takes self control not to get foolish.