FJR vs Gen 1 thou

[MadDogMcQ]

I bought a new FJR1300 in 2007 and did a couple of 1200 mile trips on it before selling it. It was a FABULOUS bike. It really annoys me when so many magazines ignore them when testing "Grand Tourers". That steam-train of an engine has amazing power.

Having said that, they are a big heavy lump. And as KK points out, they throw an enormous amount of heat out. That was probably the main reason that I sold it after 14 months. Great in winter, but awful in summer (yes, I know we don't have them anymore).

I then bought a VFR800 thinking it would be the perfect compromise between sportsbikes and tourers, but to me, it was useless at both. As a sportsbike it was heavy and as a tourer it couldn't hold a candle to the FJR. So after touring all around the coast of Ireland on it, I sold it.

The Fazer feels like it will be a great tourer - on par with the FJR I would say - but with less heat and weight.


Tom.