Yamaha FJR 1300 A 2019

After the major overhaul of 2013, everyone thought that the big Yamaha roadster would set off again for ten years. Redesigned silhouette, electronic suspensions on the AE and AS versions, revised engine, traction control, cruise control, dual injection maps, modernized dashboard: the list of improvements could assure it a lot of vintages in complete peace of mind.

Well, not really. The FJR made a step in 2016 to offer itself some fine evolutions, which are sure to interest everyday and / or long-distance riders..

At the moment, not easy to distinguish this 4th generation of FJR. Same fairing, same chassis, same seat, same suitcases. Passing fleetingly in front of you or glimpsing furtively on the forecourt, you will not make the distinction. It is by approaching ……… closer, on the left, that we perceive THE big change of this FJR. There is a small series of numbers in front of the selector, which now goes from 1 to 6. Tilt! The left foot has just collided, your approach to his ride too. After 15 years under the regime of a 5-speed gearbox, the FJR gains a 6th gear. Enough to ensure more energetic revivals, make the most of the generous power of the 1298 cm3 4-cylinder, and cruiser at a lower engine speed. Let’s keep smiling. The manufacturer did not just add a pinion to the box. It is all of this transmission that has been redesigned. The manufacturer bazarde the gears with straight teeth for a helical profileïdal. This is the first Yam to benefit from such a gear. Are we finally going to have a soft, refined and irreproachable selection of Iwata models? Technically, this box 6 already benefits from a weight reduction of 400 gr without being wider than box 5.
An anti-dribble clutch with specific springs as well as a special cam between the bell and the pressure plate reduce the effort on the clutch lever. Above all, by digesting the excessive torque transmitted by the rear wheel on downshifting, it stabilizes the motorcycle on hard braking. It must be recognized that with 146 horsepower in the reactor and over 14 mkg of torque, a jovial mood and a generous right hand quickly took the FJR to aeronautical speeds..

Well, I admit, I first wanted to focus on this transmission. Because at the first approach, the FJR 1300 "4" is also distinguished from the old one by its headlight set. The facies of the front optical unit has absolutely not changed but in it, Yamaha has introduced something big. The lighting is full LED, the position lights are chevron-shaped with multifaceted reflectors; and all this little world provides increased lighting power as well as a very spaceship look. We love.
In turn, Yamaha offers adaptive lighting technology. Thanks to the on-board inertial unit, the FJR knows when it takes an angle and three LEDs in each headlight light up as the tilt progresses. Reflectors placed along a certain axis make it possible to conveniently illuminate the edge of the road, the amount of lighting thus being optimized according to the dynamics of the motorcycle. Pitfall, this system is for the moment reserved for AE and AS versions with piloted suspensions. Not having it, even as an option on version A, we like it less.
The rear light also evolves. Finally, the taillight, I should say the Star Trek luminous stern. A whole set of LEDs give a striking dimension to tail signaling. Do not procrastinate for ages; take a look at his image gallery instead, it’s much more telling.

A few details are to be credited to this general evolution of the FJR 1300. The dashboard benefits from the scent of finishing, with a calligraphed tachometer in the R Series style (R6, old R1, etc.), a new arrangement of the information on the central LCD screen as well as an anti-reflection treatment.
Ah, too, the FJR is now thinking of an additional and external level of security. I mean the airbag jackets. It is designed to accommodate the Dainese D-AIR kit, with all the necessary wiring, sensors and mess. Attention, it is not installed on the grinding wheel! Yam prepared the ground to put her on board, nuance.

The Yamaha FJR 1300 "episode 3" seemed perfectly accomplished to us. The "phase 4" shows that the road segment has not finished drinking technology. Gaining a 6th gear that many users have been waiting for a long time, completely revisiting its internal transmission, improving its lighting and gaining in modernity, this road vessel continues to improve. To satisfy as many backpackers as possible, each version benefits from these improvements: the FJR 1300 A here, the AE variant with electronic suspensions, and the full technological AS with the same suspensions and a robotic gearbox..