I suppose it depends what you are looking for in a motorcycle, I think the worst thing that happened in motorcycle development was the transversely mounted inline four, well apart from Gilera and M.V. Agusta that is. I have never ridden an FJR 1300, but I have ridden, and still own its predecessor, the FJ 1200 ABS, I have owned it for around 20 years, and should have got rid of it 18 years ago, but it sits in my garage, unused, unloved, deteriorating, and worth very little money.
You may well ask why, well firstly my wife and pillion passenger for over 30 years dislikes it, or perhaps I should say more accurately, prefers the Vincent, yes genuinely, fully sprung with a longer than standard seat, she tells it is more comfortable. I tried several screens in an attempt to eradicate head buffeting, finally settling for a MRA screen splitter, I think the FJR has an adjustable screen to overcome that problem, the Vincent, ridden at fair speed does not need a screen at all, just an 8 inch headlamp.
I am sure the FJR is a fine motorcycle, does it have a heated seat? probably the nearest single track vehicle you wil get to Lexus car, but there are a few others, Pan's, Wings, etc. I did own a BMW R100R Classic, a very fine machine I am sure, but Sue disliked the vibes it gave off, thankfully it went to a good home, Bill Cannon took it off my hands. Also owned a Ducati 750S 1975, great bike, loads of grunt and character, if you don't mind a really painful lower back, hands and wrists.
I do not make comparisons with modern machinery, there is little point, my Son's NSR 250, and NC30 both runs rings round my Vincent, well they do when I am riding it anyway, but he is more than happy to jump on my Comet or Rapide and ride them, as we did this weekend going to Kop Hill, great weekend by the way, his one big criticism of the Vincent in general was the brakes, you simply have to learn to ride accordingly and hope no one pulls out directly in front of you, but I try to anticipate those threats also.
Good luck with your decision Bob, I hope you make the right one for you.
You may well ask why, well firstly my wife and pillion passenger for over 30 years dislikes it, or perhaps I should say more accurately, prefers the Vincent, yes genuinely, fully sprung with a longer than standard seat, she tells it is more comfortable. I tried several screens in an attempt to eradicate head buffeting, finally settling for a MRA screen splitter, I think the FJR has an adjustable screen to overcome that problem, the Vincent, ridden at fair speed does not need a screen at all, just an 8 inch headlamp.
I am sure the FJR is a fine motorcycle, does it have a heated seat? probably the nearest single track vehicle you wil get to Lexus car, but there are a few others, Pan's, Wings, etc. I did own a BMW R100R Classic, a very fine machine I am sure, but Sue disliked the vibes it gave off, thankfully it went to a good home, Bill Cannon took it off my hands. Also owned a Ducati 750S 1975, great bike, loads of grunt and character, if you don't mind a really painful lower back, hands and wrists.
I do not make comparisons with modern machinery, there is little point, my Son's NSR 250, and NC30 both runs rings round my Vincent, well they do when I am riding it anyway, but he is more than happy to jump on my Comet or Rapide and ride them, as we did this weekend going to Kop Hill, great weekend by the way, his one big criticism of the Vincent in general was the brakes, you simply have to learn to ride accordingly and hope no one pulls out directly in front of you, but I try to anticipate those threats also.
Good luck with your decision Bob, I hope you make the right one for you.
Last edited:
