Kit Palmer | March 22, 2016
We just spent a couple of days with the folks from Yamaha touring a rather large part of Arizona on the company’s latest version of its sport touring FJR1300A (standard) and FJR1300ES models. Both are essentially the same motorcycle, except you get a few more bells and whistles with the ES, namely electronic suspension and new LED cornering lights (plus a larger price tag—$17,990 for the ES versus the standard’s $16,390 MSRP).
The 2016 FJR1300 is not radically changed over the previous model but does feature a few noteworthy differences, the biggie being the addition of a sixth gear. FJR owners have been asking for a six-speed transmission for a while, and now they’ve finally got it—plus a little more when it comes to the FJR’s transmission department. They also get an Assist & Slipper clutch with lighter clutch springs, which Yamaha claims reduces pull by 20 percent.
Amazingly, Yamaha engineers figured out a way to add that sixth gear while keeping the existing engine cases, which means the overall width of the engine remains the same as before. Internal gear ratios have altered, of course; first and second gears are taller, third gear is essentially the same, and fourth and fifth gears are slightly lower. Yamaha says that RPM in top gear is reduced by approximately 10 percent, which translates into more relaxed cruising at open-highway speeds.
Gears are also now helical rather than straight-cut to reduce gear lash and noise and to make the ride feel even more refined.
The FJR also get all-new LED lighting, including headlight, taillight and rear turn signals. The ES model goes one step further and now comes with new cornering LED headlight system. (The A version does not get the cornering lights.) The system works when the bike is leaning and moving over three mph, as lean angle increases, the three LEDs sequentially light up: the first LED at 7°, the second LED at 11° and the third LED at 16°.
The standard model, however, gets revised suspension that is now supplied by KYB, rather than the previous Yamaha in-house suspension brand. The new 48mm KYB fork has revised specs, as well as preload and compression and rebound damping adjustability. The rear shock has preload and rebound adjustability. The ES model previously had KYB suspension components.
The FJR1300 was already an outstanding sport-touring motorcycle, especially after getting a thorough overhaul just a few years ago, but it was not thorough enough—it didn’t get what FJR fans really wanted, a sixth gear. That extra gear is without question a major improvement to the 2016 FJR. No longer do you have that frustration of tapping the gearshift lever expecting another gear but nothing’s there. We wouldn’t quite call it a full-on overdrive gear but the additional cog certainly gives the FJR more flexibility and a more relaxed and comfortable pace at higher speeds.
Also, the overall tighter internal gear ratios translates into a perkier feel in the motor department, greatly enhancing your fun as you wind your way through the twisties. However, the closer-ratio gearbox isn’t so close that you can’t just leave the bike in second gear and have at if you so chose; it’s low enough (and the motor torquey enough) to easily launch you out of the tight turns quickly and tall enough that you don’t always have to click up another gear before you reach the next turn; you can easily hit 60 mph without touching the lever with your left foot. You will, however, be tempted to shift more often in the more aggressive Sport mode. (There are two engine modes—Sport and Touring—and both have a distinctive feel.)
The slipper clutch works pretty much as advertised; it essentially eliminates rear-wheel chatter when you’re hard on the brakes or when you accidentally hit first gear a little too soon. It adds another element of safety and comfort when you combine it with the FJR’s already outstanding ABS and Unified Braking Systems.
We love the FJR’s new LED lighting, which is not only brighter but sucks far less energy from the FJR’s electrical system. The headlight is amazing; it’s very bright, especially in high-beam mode. When I looked into my rear-view mirror and saw one of the other FJRs behind me with its brights on, I felt like I was being followed by the sun.
The new FJR1300A and FJR1300ES are already available for purchase, unless you live in California, but at least you won’t have to wait long. They should be arriving in California dealerships in early April.
We will have much more on the 2016 FJR1300s in an upcoming issue of Cycle News magazine.
For more Cycle News Sport Touring motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
For more Yamaha motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
