It was 1998 and I was attending a rally somewhere up the valley on a newly acquired Yamaha XJ900 (still one of my favourite bikes) where one of my Ulysses co-horts fronted me and said that if I liked the XJ so much, I should seriously look at the FJ1200. I had actually ridden an FJ1200 and would have loved one but for the fact they were chain drive. Well, time and Yamaha have produced the FJR1300, one of the best sport/tourers I have ever had the pleasure of riding.

Standard equipment on the FJR are panniers (don’t have capacity but you can fit full face helmets in them), 25 litre fuel tank, fuel injection and electronically adjustable windscreen.

I’m a little dismayed by the arrival of Yamaha’s new tourer. I mean there wasn’t much fanfare for the launch of the bike, more like a quiet whisper of "it’s here" while we all dozed away in the lounge chair in front of the telly. The fact of the matter is, this is the motorcycle a large proportion of us have been waiting for. "HELLO IT’S HERE"!!!

Yamaha have obviously thought long and hard about the design and features going into this bike. The Front and rear adjustable suspension system is superb, and matched with the great balance and geometry used on the machine, gives excellent cornering manners. There are going to be a lot of ordinary riders who’ll buy this bike and suddenly gain quite a deal of ability when negotiating corners that were a past problem to them. It doesn’t feel heavy and here in the real world of patched and uneven potholed roads, the FJR1300 shines with confidence. My test ride took in Kurri, Cessnock, Wollombi, Peats Ridge, Mt White via the old Pacific Highway and also along the freeway. Never did I find the bike troubled, it is a very forgiving motorcycle, and I can’t speak too highly of the suspension.

Likewise the 106kw engine is strong and powerful, gives more grunt than an annual pig sale, as well as blistering acceleration for rapid and safe overtaking, plus it’s got a deep throaty growl. It may not be as quick as a Blackbird or Hyabusa, but, there is enough performance to make you smile as you leave just about all in your wake. If you are of the lazy rider school, you can pull away from 40 kph in top gear with no effort at all.

Comfort is something well thought out as well, with both rider and pillion having the accommodation to match the fuel range, I clocked up 380 kilometers before the fuel warning light flashed. Again the suspension comes into play, giving a plush ride without wallowing.

I got a bike that had 1400 kilometers on it and was very disappointed to find that the gearshift was quite noisy and ‘klunky’. However, after racking up 500 kilometers over the course of the weekend the 5 speed gearbox had noticeably quietened. One other gripe I have is that there is no adjustment for the handle bars, however, no one who sat on the bike, myself included, found the riding position uncomfortable.

The electric windshield can be set to either give visor up touring breeze or sports bike blast that’ll have you flapping around like a windsock. I don’t know what advantage there is to having the electric windscreen lower itself when the ignition is turned off, because you then have to reset it every time you fire up again. I do rather like the style of the bike, it having a resemblance at the front, to the mighty R1.

For the taller person the bike has a very low seat height. My shorter person model (165cm) was not home when I called so, his similarly vertically proportioned son Ben was enlisted to see how the seat faired. In bare feet he was able to get both feet to ground albeit not flat.

Headlights are very good, however, the test bikes beams required adjusting, and, I didn’t have the manual with me, I was out on the road at dusk, it requires the engine running so that the headlight operates, and I couldn’t see behind the fairing to see how to set the lights. This said, it is probably better if you make sure the dealer does all this for you and explains the routine. The headlight flash button is a hook type switch and easier to operate than a rocker one.

The mirrors are clear at all speeds and offer plenty of adjustment. Construction of the frame looks strong enough to carry rider, pillion and plenty of luggage with ease. A better than average toolkit resides under the riders seat (seats split) and there is plenty of extra room there for other unknown accessories or general storage. Pre load is under the bike and requires getting down on hand and knees but is easily set by hand, while damping is a slide control on the left hand side just back from the side cover. There is a well placed hand hold for lifting the 237kg (dry) FJR on to its centre stand. A screw on oil filter at the lower left side of engine is going to make oil/filter changes a breeze. Front disc brakes are 2 twin opposing piston calipers, while the rear gets a single piston jobbie. The wheels look good and are shod with Metzler tyres, Front Tyre $195.00 Rear Tyre $285.00. I went looking for the battery (non-serviceable type) and eventually located it up front on the right hand side of the fairing. Brake and clutch handles both are adjustable for perfect reach. The gauges are easy to read white numerals on black facias and reside behind a fairing that offers excellent protection from the not so pleasant elements. Steering will lock to the left or right.

I would like to thank Inskip Motorcycles of Toronto for extra information used in compiling the test report.

The FJR1300 is priced at a level that sets it firmly against a number of bikes, that have, in the past been the mainstay of the long distance touring set. However, it is not a bike that I will comfortably compare to any other marque, as I believe it is actually in a class of it’s own.

Before you buy your next new tourer, you had better visit your local Yammy dealer for a test ride, otherwise you may well regret it.

Accessories include a Top Box (available early next year and should be around 45ltr) and heated hand grips for next winter. Colours include Blue, Silver and Black.

The test bike is $22,500 on road and was supplied by Fraser Motorcycles of Broadmeadow, phone 49522666.

May Your lid never skid.