A poor man's FJR 1300

[Bamaboy]

I had thought about getting a used FJR 1300 until I saw what they were going for.  Maybe I could afford a slightly wrecked one.  

Wouldn't the ZZR 1200 and the CBR1100XX be just like an FJR if they had raised bars and bags?  I mean really besides being newer what does the FJR have over the ZZR and the Black Bird?

Just thinking out loud and would appreciate any thinking out loud responses.  

[Ack535]

I really like my 2004 ZR1200 and the CBR1100XX is no slouch either!

Just depends on what you want to do. The ZZR12's have really come down in price. I am sure you can find a nice one on craigslist or at zzrbikes.com

Pete

[Bamaboy]

I really like my 2004 ZR1200 and the CBR1100XX is no slouch either!

Just depends on what you want to do. The ZZR12's have really come down in price. I am sure you can find a nice one on craigslist or at zzrbikes.com

Pete

hey,  I noticed that you also have a Connie.  How does you ZZR hold up in the comfort department on a long ride when comparing it to your Connie?

[2WheelTiger]

One thing those bikes have that the FJR doesn't: a chain.

Some things the FJR has that those bikes don't: A full fairing.  High/wide bars.  Side bags.  Top cases.  

There's more to the value of an FJR than just the price.  If I was looking for a cheap tourer, I'd look at an older C10 or Suzy Bandit 1200.  (or an Old Wing)

[Bamaboy]

One thing those bikes have that the FJR doesn't: a chain.

Some things the FJR has that those bikes don't: A full fairing.  High/wide bars.  Side bags.  Top cases.  

There's more to the value of an FJR than just the price.  If I was looking for a cheap tourer, I'd look at an older C10 or Suzy Bandit 1200.  (or an Old Wing)

Yea, I might end up with one of those or an ST1100.  Old Wing?  No way!  

[Zerosum]

I don't know about the 1100, but the 1300 is a TANK.    I sat on one at a cycle show once... yikes.  I'm sure it feels lighter when it's underway, but still...

You might also want to consider the 1st Generation Yamaha FZ-1.  It was made between '01 and '05, so I'm sure there are nicely depreciated ones out there.  I have heard that the wind-protection isn't great on it, though.

[Cricket1]

Some things the FJR has that those bikes don't: A full fairing. 

HUH??? A ZZR or XX don't have a full fairing??

I had thought about getting a used FJR 1300 until I saw what they were going for.  Maybe I could afford a slightly wrecked one.   

Wouldn't the ZZR 1200 and the CBR1100XX be just like an FJR if they had raised bars and bags?  I mean really besides being newer what does the FJR have over the ZZR and the Black Bird?

Just thinking out loud and would appreciate any thinking out loud responses.   

So once you put the higher bars and hard bags on a ZZR or XX, about the only thing it doesn't have that the FJR does is a driveshaft, and about 80 lbs. (and a pipe and slippers! )

[UHOH]

I had a Bandit 1200/s before the FJR and felt they were pretty close
in acceleration, braking, and good weather comfort.

the type of bike you're looking at, and those posted above,
should be a good less expensive S/T alternative.  I like the FJR, tho...

[SilverHound]

Don't forget the FJR has the all-important electrically adjustable windshield too. Plus the Gen II FJRs have the adjustable seat that is either high or NBA player high. That said, I had a Blackbird before the FJR and had it set up pretty nicely for touring. The insurance on the FJR is a lot less than it was on the Birdy.   Otherwise the Bird is a great platform for sport touring IMO.

[Jeremy Z]

Earlier FJRs are selling for about $6k. That doesn't seem like too much for a bike that cost $14k new.

Don't settle. Save up or finance and get an FJR, ST1300, ST1100, or similar. Shaft drive, hard luggage, full fairing, ABS... these are all good things for STs.

If you really are a beginner, these bikes are on the heavy side, and require care & skill & low speeds.

[2WheelTiger]

HUH??? A ZZR or XX don't have a full fairing??

Even if you're only worried about the semantics, you can't tell me a XX has the coverage and rain protection of an FJR (especially a 2G).  Full fairing means more than "lowers" in this context.

[Cricket1]

Even if you're only worried about the semantics, you can't tell me a XX has the coverage and rain protection of an FJR (especially a 2G).  Full fairing means more than "lowers" in this context.

Maybe semantics, but your original post seemed to indicate the ZZR or XX have a half fairing, similar to an FZ1 or Bandit 1200.  While the winshield and fairing on the FJR are larger than ZZ or XX, to say they don't have a full fairing is flat out untrue.

[mygala]

I think of a "full" fairing as something that protects me from the wind, or at least most of me, ...not just the gas tank.  

[Cricket1]

So, you've never ridden a ZZR, Sprint ST or XX either??

On these bikes, and most other lighter weight SPORT-touring bikes with the stock windshield, if you are 6 ft tall or less, the only area of your body to get any wind is your head. The advantage is your head is in clean/clear air with no buffeting. YMMV
With the touring screens on these bikes, the wind will go over your head. Sure sounds like a full coverage fairing to me.

Ok, so maybe the FJR fairing throws the air 3 feet over your head, and 4 feet wider than your body. Great, and bfd.  But in the summer when it is 90 degrees, you're gonna cook!

[tyler73]

I've ridden all 3...FJR, ZZR, CBRXX + the first gen Connie.

For the budget FJR there's only the Connie (They're everywhere since it was made the same for 20 years). You WILL lose a lot of the enhancements that make the FJR what it is. Electric windshield, more powerful engine, fuel injection, blinding eye of god lighting, and the modern look. You WONT lose the all day comfort, the standard hard luggage, shaft drive, great wind/weather protection.

The ZZR12 and CBRxx are more of a comparison to a budget Hayabusa than a FJR. If that's your cup of tea, go for it. I LOVED my Busa until I separated my shoulder and couldnt spend any real time on it.

[2WheelTiger]

So, you've never ridden a ZZR, Sprint ST or XX either??

On these bikes, and most other lighter weight SPORT-touring bikes with the stock windshield, if you are 6 ft tall or less, the only area of your body to get any wind is your head. The advantage is your head is in clean/clear air with no buffeting. YMMV
With the touring screens on these bikes, the wind will go over your head. Sure sounds like a full coverage fairing to me.

Ok, so maybe the FJR fairing throws the air 3 feet over your head, and 4 feet wider than your body. Great, and bfd.  But in the summer when it is 90 degrees, you're gonna cook!

That's very interesting commentary from a guy who has no idea what I've ridden, what I own now, have owned in the past, nor how many miles / years I have in the saddle.  DO NOT presuppose.

[ShawnKing]

Ok, so maybe the FJR fairing throws the air 3 feet over your head, and 4 feet wider than your body. Great, and bfd.

All true of the FJR - *if* you are 6" tall.

But in the summer when it is 90 degrees, you're gonna cook!

I had no problems with being "cooked" this past summer on my FJR with the stock fairing.

[mygala]

So, you've never ridden a ZZR, Sprint ST or XX either??

On these bikes, and most other lighter weight SPORT-touring bikes with the stock windshield, if you are 6 ft tall or less, the only area of your body to get any wind is your head. The advantage is your head is in clean/clear air with no buffeting. YMMV
With the touring screens on these bikes, the wind will go over your head. Sure sounds like a full coverage fairing to me.

Ok, so maybe the FJR fairing throws the air 3 feet over your head, and 4 feet wider than your body. Great, and bfd.  But in the summer when it is 90 degrees, you're gonna cook!

Actually, I HAVE ridden those bikes,

...maybe you should ride an fjr so you could make an honest comparison. The still air bubble is not near that big, nor do I "cook" in the summer at 90+.

[Cricket1]

That's very interesting commentary from a guy who has no idea what I've ridden, what I own now, have owned in the past, nor how many miles / years I have in the saddle.  DO NOT presuppose.

Ok, so you have ridden a Sprint ST, XX and ZZR 1200. And you still think they don't have full fairings???

I guess the question is, what do you define as a full fairing?

Don't misunderstand, the FJR has a larger fairing & stock windshield than these, and for long distances and two up, makes a better bike.

I just am confused of your definition of a full fairing. Because someone who was unfamiliar with these bikes might think you were implying they had a half/ bikini type of fairing like an FZ1 or Bandit 1200S.

[Cricket1]

Actually, I HAVE ridden those bikes,

...maybe you should ride an fjr so you could make an honest comparison. The still air bubble is not near that big, nor do I "cook" in the summer at 90+.

I was kidding about the still air bubble of the FJR to make a point. ALL of these bikes have full fairings, some are larger than others. If you are 6'4", the FJR will make the most sense. If you are 5'8", the XX, Sprint or ZZR will give you just as much wind protection, in a lighter, more flickable bike.