Issue:
November/December 2006

Text:
Chris Myers

Photography:
Tom Riles and Brian Nelson

Pages:
32 - 35

Visit the gallery for more pictures

There’s no denying the popularity of Yamaha’s FJR1300. Since landing on U.S. shores in 2002, this fine machine has established a firm grasp on the Cordura® collars of long-distance corner carvers everywhere. The FJR’s combination of all day comfort, integrated saddlebags, elbow-straightening power, excellent value, and surprising agility has landed it at the head of the class, capturing nearly 30 percent of the sport-touring market in the U.S. for 2005. Yet despite the impressive sales figures and the long list of first-rate features, there were still a few niggles many owners and potential owners wanted the company to address. Had Yamaha upped the ante for the FJR or would they let it ride for ’06?

Engine and Transmission
Motivation has never been an issue with the FJR1300 and that hasn’t changed this year. The 1298cc, liquid-cooled, inline four didn’t undergo much tampering. Fed by 42mm throttle bodies and packing a 10.8:1 compression ratio, power remains one of this Yam’s most impressive features with a claimed 141bhp and 99ft/lbs of torque, both measured at the crank. Power delivery is smooth, seamless, and remarkably strong whether slicing through commuter traffic or tossing about the back roads. Along with this throttle-twisting fun, your inner Al Gore can rest easy. In order to comply with strict EU-3 emissions regulations, Yamaha has gone with four three-way catalytic converters and a heated O2 sensor that gives a more accurate gas reading when the engine is cold.

While the mill on this machine truly shines, it’s the transmission, or more accurately, the clutch, that will pique the most curiosity. For ’06, the FJR is available in two flavors. The Cobalt Blue A model has the standard five-speed gear box and manual we’re all used to. The shifting action feels slick and the ratios are spot-on even if the clutch action can become a bit heavy, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Though a five speed may seem a bit dated for a sport-touring model, the urge to jab for sixth never really presented itself....