Comparing 08/09 FJR vs. 2011 Triumph GT - thoughts?

[pej7445]

I've been shopping hard lately for an 08/09 FJR and have a few in my cross-hairs. I can get this bike for between $8500-10,000 (depending on year/farkles/mileage/etc).

I've previously owned a Sprint ST (05) and it was great except that the saddle bags were too small to house a full face helmet. Now the new Triumph GT solves that problem and is a much better bike than the former ST was. I can't get a GT for the same budget as the FJR, but I can get 48 month 3.99%.

So I'm wondering... anyone had the opportunity to really compare these 2 side by side yet? I searched for reviews on the GT, but they are few.

Any input would be appreciated. At this point I'm 80% likely to pull the trigger on an 08 FJR in TX for $8500..YES until 5/2013 and has service records.

Thanks for reading all this babbling and for your input.

Phil

[Sport-Touring]

[MadOzodi]

Now the new Triumph GT solves that problem and is a much better bike than the former ST was.

Much better?  Maybe for you.  I solved the pathetic pannier problem by just using a topbox that can hold a full face.

I've only sat on my friend's '10 FJR, as well as the Sprint GT at a Triumph Demo day.  Obviously, you need to try riding both to make a comparison that's of any value to you.  Personally, I did not like the look of the GT and switching from the stock '09 bars to a set of the lower '06 bars has actually alleviated my wrist problems.

I'm not a big dude and to me the FJR just feels massive compared to the both the ST and GT.  It seems to me that you've pretty much already made up your mind.  I don't think there's anything about the GT that would justify your extra expense over the '08/09 you've been shopping for.

[caddydaddy]

I rode a GT, and it is more refined than the ST.  If it was out when I was buying, I would have chosen it over the ST.  And yes, the FJR is quite a bit bigger.  I guess it's down to how much touring you're looking to do?

[peacemaker24]

Ride 'em both.  At the risk of bringing all "My bike can beat up your bike," discussions on here to a screeching halt, no one can really tell you how much you're going to like or dislike a given bike.

I personally wasn't impressed by the GT I rode when they came out last year.  The ergos felt too radical for much touring comfort, and the engine didn't live up to what I expected.  Or possibly it didn't live up to what the racy ergos advertised.  I'm still not sure.  Anyhow, I went into the ride prepared to love the thing.  On paper it seemed like the perfect ST, but it and I really failed to gel.  This isn't a knock on Triumph, I really dug the Tiger, (still short on ponies, IMHO, but MUCH comfier) and if I lived closer to some twisties, I'd own a Street Triple, no doubt about it.  

~~~Jesse

[Rincewind]

Sprint:
Sport-Tourer with proper sporting ergos
An engine you can play like a musical instrument and squeeze to the last drop
Lighter weight makes for lighter handling
12-volt charger in the topbox
Better cornering clearance
Longer warranty

FJR:
Touring bike ergos
An engine that is closer to a warp drive
An electronic windshield for when you become bored
Longer valve check intervals and shaft-drive
Optional pipe and slippers

[Croak]

As a long time 955 Sprint ST owner (so nice, I bought one twice), the GT is the real successor to it.  It's a great solo touring rig with some pretentiousness at being a 2-up bike.  They addressed the 1050 ST's lighting and storage shortcomings, though they offended those that loved the stylish-but-problematic ass-heating/space eating undertail exhaust on the ST.

As for ergonomics, I would probably die if I tried to tour on an FJR or similarly upright bikes, just too much of my (substantial) weight gets loaded on the ass, not enough on the arms and legs.

The "upright men" would probably think they'd die trying to ride something that makes them lean forward a bit for any distance.  And they're so used to transparent barn doors in front of them that they don't understand that air pressure at speed also alleviates the forward lean.  To them, air pressure means they need a taller/wider screen, or that they need to exercise a thumb hitting the electric barn door control.

Ok, I kid a bit, I understand there are age, injury, and outright physiological needs that prevent some people from being able to ride a more lean-forward design comfortably. 

And I easily concede that the FJR 1300 and its ilk are hands down better 2-up rigs than the Sprint GT.

But for out of the box solo touring that still remains sporting, it's hard to beat the Sprint GT in capability (or price) when shopping new.

[drbenjamin]

Full disclosure - I bought a Sprint GT 2 months ago, am extremely happy with it and would definitely make the same choice. The FJR was my main comparator, and it is a heck of a bike. There are a lot of people who own that bike and I could find almost nobody who didn't love theirs. It's hard to go wrong with these two and the choice is driven by small differences and your own riding style
For me, the Sprint won out because most of my riding is solo, and I thought I'd enjoy the sportier ergonomics and lighter bike when solo. I have ridden with my wife and my son, we find it perfectly fine for 2-up riding also. If I was doing more 2-up riding (where I'm not racing through every corner) and longer distances I'd have probably gone for the FJR. Also, if I never wanted to bring a passenger I would have probably gone for a Ninja 1000. The Sprint suits me perfectly, it's a blast to ride on my own but also a blast for the passenger when I take one along.
One knock a lot of people have on the GT is that the new exhaust is pretty massive. There are aftermarket units out now, here's a video of mine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5n85pZ6kB0


Took 15 minutes to install.

[FJRmgm]

For me, the Sprint won out because most of my riding is solo, and I thought I'd enjoy the sportier ergonomics and lighter bike when solo.

well stated - but my S.O. rides with me frequently so thats why I have an FJR.

[Sprintboy]

I owned a Sprint ST for 10 years and my touring buddy had an FJR.  The Sprint was sportier when we got to the twisties, but the FJ was more all around comfortable and still very capable.  

I would go with the Yamaha.  I never lived closer than 3 hours from my nearest Triumph dealership and unfortunately needed one several times.  I would bet that Yamaha has twice the dealership network that Triumph has.  Seems like a number of Triumph dealerships are having trouble keeping their doors open.

[sprocket]

The Sprint was sportier when we got to the twisties,   

Sportier? I'm not real sure what this means. Looks? Handling? Faster?

If your suggesting "Handling" or "Faster" thats about 98% the rider!

[Dan K]

Sportier? I'm not real sure what this means. Looks? Handling? Faster?

If your suggesting "Handling" or "Faster" thats about 98% the rider!

Yes it is, but I've ridden both and I'd say the Sprint was much easier handling bike in twisties.  Had an FJR in Colorado for 3 days and loved it.  Would i have rather had my Sprint?  Yes.  Would I rather have had something sportier and/or lighter and more flickable than both?  Yes.

- Dan

[SoCalFJR]

pej.......pull the trigger on the FJR and don't look back.  Strap yourself onto the nosecone and light the burners and you're at a nice mach number in mere seconds.  I've got the Gen 1......had it about 3 years now and went out for a short blast this morning, and I still grin every time I get on it.  There ain't no substitute for HP.  After 35 bikes this is the one that keeps on giving, I do have a little twinge and miss my Valkyrie once in a while, but A to B the FJR gets it done.

The FJR is as maintenance free as they come and goes 26K (at least) between valve checks......I personally plan on doing one check at 30 K and then forget it.  These bikes just run and are proven.  The Gen 2 you are looking at is even more refined than mine.  You've got all the things you never knew you needed like the 6.6 gallon tank so you don't have to look for fuel every 90 minutes.

[atlantaM3]

I came from a 5th gen VFR (still have it if anyone wants one...) looking for a 'new' version of that bike. Looked at everything - triumph GT, bmw GT, FJR, new VFR, concour 14, etc.  

I ruled out the triumph for a few reasons -
-ergo's a bit more sporty than the ride
- chain drive - on a distance tourer that was not a positive to me
- short on options compared to other bike.
- felt really loaded down with just me, didn't look good for 2 up -wife didn't like the seating position either.

I ended up with the C14.can do 90% of anything - touring, sport, warp 5 on the straights - whatever. that said there are compromises, weight being the biggest issue. If I was looking now I would give the ninja 1000 a hard look. The Z1000 it is based on is a RIOT to ride. but more of a single person tourer again.

[Sprintboy]

If I was looking now I would give the ninja 1000 a hard look. The Z1000 it is based on is a RIOT to ride. but more of a single person tourer again.

So there I am, a single rider with an empty spot in the garage, a few bucks in the bank, and a serious case of wander lust.  I can't wait to see one...

[jfusaro]

I'm sure its been said before, ride them both. Decide on what suits your style of riding and preference of roads. I was persuaded by mostly solo touring, sportier ergo's, less weight and a more compact bike for the twisted roads I travel, so it was the Sprint for me.  I would consider the Ninja 1000 tho but not for 2 up but I think the Triumph has more soul

[mmdrake]

Thanks for the discussino.

I am looking for more comfort that sort these days

[mmdrake]

Coming from a true sport bike , any of these are more comfortable.

[ride200mi]

Not sure if the original poster will ever see this but oh well here goes.
I just bought a GT, the silver fast color. I have a really good riding buddy that has a FJR. The big difference is the weight feel. The FJR just feels heavy. Coming off an Aprilia Futura. The GT is about as close as I have found that is like the Futura and I love the Futura. Both are very light handling and responsive. The GT has a lot more power than the Futura, but the FJR has even more power. I didn't like the FJR because the seat height is to low and to me feels like I am setting to low on the bike. I understand that is a personal thing but none the less I didn't like that. Saying that though, the GT has a close seat to peg relationship and can be a little too close on very long trips. Kinda like a GXR or Ninja. I tend to like the more sporty feel. Because I do a lot of canyon riding, that's the reason. I tend to do a lot of two up riding also and my GF likes the seating position on the GT but as well on the FJR. She mentioned that, although it's a little stiffer then even the FJR, she would have no problems riding for long periods of time. The foot pegs are a little lower also on the FJR, so she liked that aspect too. The seat on the other hand is not as comfy as the Futura but I feel nothing will ever come close to the Futura in comfort. The FJR also has a bit of a stiffer seat than I would like but I guess you get used to what ever you have after a while.
As in most of these bigger sport touring bikes, the adjustable windscreen is really nice. But the position that I have it at when I ride makes the bike look all weird in my eyes (boxy upright looking). So I tend to lower it when stopped but then I have to find the right setting again. Kinda a pain in the butt.
One thing that is a particular note on bikes I have to deal with is handle bar position. Because I have broken my right wrist years back, some of the handle bar positions make my wrist hurt after about an hour of riding. The FJR does that. Not quite sure why but it just does. The GT has not but it is pointed down more and just sweeps back a little. In comparison to the FJR, it almost feels like the FJR put s bit of an upward twist on my wrist when riding. It's hard to explain as most might attest too.
So to be honest, I find the two very different although they are classed as sport tourers, one is a little more for lets say, the mass open road and one for touring through the Rockies.
As someone mentioned before, Triumph has a finance deal going on and I did get the 3.99% for 48 months with no down.... As I ride more of the GT I will post a report on what may be good, bad or indifferent.... See you out there....

[Sprintboy]

Sportier? I'm not real sure what this means. Looks? Handling? Faster?

If your suggesting "Handling" or "Faster" thats about 98% the rider!

98%, LOL! Did you know, 85% of statistics are made up?

But seriously, the Triumph, is lighter, has faster turn in, and better cornering clearance than the FJR.  Ultimately, this adds up to faster speeds through the corners.

Exhibit A:  My FJR-riding friend and I took a trip through Arkansas.  These pics were taken in a particularly fast corner.  I had no problem getting through the corner at speed.  However, the FJR began dragging hard parts at the same speed.  I'm sure the extra weight of the FJR didn't help.  Which leads to Exhibit B.  Thankfully, this was not the pre-crash photo and he was able to save the bike.  But, only because he is a better rider than me (self-admittedly).

[ride200mi]