2013 Sport-Touring Shootout 1.0

Since Yamaha was kind enough to revamp the FJR1300 for 2013, we thought it was high time to see how it stacked up against the Honda ST1300 and Kawasaki Concours 14 in a sport-touring shootout.

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[letitrest]

I own a 2013 Fjr1300a . I bought it in May of 2013. Now have 48, 000+ miles on it. I've done two long trips. First 5685 miles, over 10 days. Then 7835 miles over 20 days. I love my FJR. I added Heli-bar risers and a Sargent seat. Along with a Givi top box. The bike operates flawlessly. One of things I like about it, and this is related to the linked braking on the Fjr, compared to the Concours. If you're approaching and have to stop quickly, mashing the rear brake, does not upset the balance. The whole bike just squats slightly and stops quickly. The linked brake is very easy to modulate. I've purposely mashed the rear brake pedal, enough to get a reaction from the ABS, and the bike won't give you any unexpected surprises. Yamaha did a great job on the brakes. As far as comfort, well, let me put it this way. My 7835 mile trip, was from Atlanta, all the way up to Seattle, down the West coast to L.A., and through the desert southwest. I road through the Mojave in late August, middle of the afternoon, averaging over 70 mph. My temp guage never exceeded 186 degrees. The outside temp, hit 114 degrees. I was 56 years old, and road from Peoria, Il. to Rapid City, S.D. in one day. With detours.... 952 miles. It didn't wear me out, and I wasn't cramped and stiff. Yamaha made a winner with this bike. I'm currently thinking about buying a second one. Keeping my 2013, in case a friend wants to try it out and do a trip with me, and as a daily rider. Keeping the new one for long trips. My first trip took me to Jackson Hole(Grand Teton National Park). On the way back, I'd booked lodging near I-80 in Rock Springs, anticipating getting a jump the next day, to my travels down into Colorado. On the way to Rock Springs, I picked up some time, so I didn't have to be on the road at night, in Wyoming, as the pronghorn are thick. I covered 80 miles in 45 minutes. That's an average of 106 mph, on two lane blacktop. It felt like a walk in the park. My trip fuel mileage ranged from an average of 40-44 mpg. The concours won't do that, from what I'm told. High 30's.

[CXACXA]

I have a the 2008 Concours. I bought in 3 years ago (2020). How do I like it? I just bought the 2022 model. Reliable, comfortable, fast, a lot of power, beautiful design, I can put a full size helmet in the panniers, and virtually… no maintenance, other than oil changes, shaft drive oil change, air filter, … never had issues mechanically, or electronically. It looks mean, sexy and sporty! I love it!

[JPAFJR]

This was one of the videos that helped me decide. My 2014 FJR is the bike for me. Got her in 2021 and love it.

[TracerGTRider]

'07 ST1300 owner here...since December '15. Best bike I have ever owned, and I've had all types. The ST is amazing!

[seanoleary]

I'm on my 2nd C14. The last one had 157, 000 miles on it it when I sold it to a young guy a few blocks away - and it's STILL going strong 4 years later! I enjoy the reliability and the awesome amount of power - almost 50 hp less than my ZX14R! Its handles a but clunky, and I had to lower both of them, but it's C14s for life for me! If I want to be THAT disconnected/isolated from the ride, I have an old '06 Goldwing that's a road-going Barco-lounger!

[honzacaf]

I have 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 and I just love it!! I wouldn't change it for anything!

[Algarin]

I have the 2011 concours 14, and I agree the weight and fuel range could have been better but it is so nice and affordable.

[mtbrider]

I love the ST1300 - crashed mine a few years ago and was gonna buy another one but found a deal on a Goldwing I could not pass up - I still want another ST though and will get another one again before long.  I take long trips to and in mountainous areas - love the comfort, range and mileage of the ST, and when you are in the twistys it does very well.

[johnadams]

I ride a 2011 C-14, it's a great bike. Smooth, very quick, fast. It just eats the miles. Rode 200 and a bit miles today, no complaints at all.

[foil]

ihave to agree with most people here, owning a st1300 at 5"6' and 14 stone these bikes can be awkward. the st has a ajustable seat height- big difference- the missus loves being on the back, superior wind protection.plus the build quality and materials used  seems much better than the others. i personally perfer analog gauges, and the only thing missing is cruise control but there are gadgets to overcome this,
  To me the st was purpose build as a sports tourer, the others seem to be sports bikes with added panniers and looks like a after thought. just my opinion

[kenpoole]

Overall I can agree with the findings here. I've had the early FJR1300 2002 model and just changed it for the 2013 version -the improvements are welcome and really take the FJR into the present day . The build quality and longevity here is important - we don't buy these bikes for the short term so they need to be reliable and the build quality and finish on the early model was exceptional - (apart from an annoying diff oil leak caused by using a steel oil seal instead of copper).  On a trade in Feb 2014  I got 25% of the original price of the bike after 12 years - you won't get that on the others listed here.  I came from a Suzuki sports bike background and wanted a compromise that could still give me the excitement of a sporty machine with the refinements of a tourer and the FJR delivered over all others I tried in my price bracket - now with their upgrade Yamaha have addressed many of the issues that the earlier model had or technlogy improvements it lacked (albeit a long time coming as their interim upgrades simply didn't cut it and were superficial or bare minimum requirements to keep just behind the pack like ABS).  The only 2 disappointments with the new model is that they should have strengthened the frame more as handling has always been the key issue at low speeds with the FJR although the new model feels more nimble and planted (the earlier models had a tendancy to want to lie down on tight corners) this improvement could have enabled the use of a top box with panniers - I mean - come on Yamaha it's a tourer designed to chew up the miles two up . . .how can you do that if your partner can't pack four pairs of shoes, two dress options, hair dryer and makeup bag on a two week trip to the south of France?  The second annoying area is that the upside down electronically adjustable forks which significantly improve handling are only available on the AS model. That apart, the FJR has stepped up to the mark and still thrills me on a weekend blast ( my son was recently shocked he couldn't shake me off his tail on his 1998 YZF 750) and it gets me to my far flung places effortlessly on a long tour with additional comfort with the likes of cruise control - I wouldn't trade my FJR for any of the others listed here and look forward to the next generation -  The Yamaha FJR1300 is the equivalent of the Boeing 747 - and that went on for 40 years - if it ain't broke - don't fix it - but it must keep up with technological advancements that are a natural progression to improve what is already a great  product.

[kenpoole]

Oh just a PS - I've never had an "Off " in all my years of riding on the road and the day I picked the new FJR up I took a familiar route dropped off the old bike and returned on the same route with my new pride and joy - the only difference being the torrential rain on the way back ! On the approach to a roundabout on a busy afternoon I pulled away on a reverse camber where I met with a diesel spill ! How embarrassing after three miles to have to take the bike back in bits - no so with the new Yamaha - the traction control cut in seamlessly, prevented the back wheel from spinning out - accurately and smoothly put me upright and on I continued - enough said !

[peter-eq]

Thanks guys! I was struggling between the ST and the FJ but you've helped me settle on the FJ! Don't like the BMs at all.

[locoslair]

Great review! My dream is to ride that beautiful countryside. Bikes have come so far since my old husky 250 in the 70's. Just getting back to riding in my older days and really appreciate the review.! Keep up the good work, us older guys are listening! Be safe

[ChandlersCarry]

I bought the FJR for it's bulletproof motor. Aside from the somewhat uncomfortable, forward-leaning position required with stock bars, it's a great bike and I couldn't be happier for a sporty bike with long-mileage ridability.

[dh]

In this test the ST1300 had the best weather and wind protection, the best mileage and range, was the most comfortable, and to top it off it was the best handling. Seems almost a clean sweep, yet the ST1300 was ranked last. I'm puzzled as to exactly what it is the Yamaha and Kawasaki do better to be ranked in front. Also, how about specs like saddlebag capacities, details that touring riders would be interested in. It would be nice to see motorcycles reviewed for their intended purpose once in a while instead of always being rated as sportbikes.

[Gigantor]

Ivan's ECU flash improves Throttle response and power to redline. I have the 2014 C14

[MrPmailloux]

for 2013 There was cruise but no 6th gear. Great bike, but the Kawasaki is my favorite. The bike is agile for it's size, fast an tractable. I have no complaints.

[phineashenshaw]

Comparisons are entertaining at best. I have ridden all of these bikes. As standalone entities, they are all good motorcycles. The first one I rode was the ST1300. I rented it to ride around the Lake Tahoe area. Spent the whole day on it. It was a little high for me being 5'7". However, it got me around those hair pin turns. When I looked into buying one, I got sticker shock. Instrument cluster worked fine.
The next one I tried was the Concours. Not as comfortable as the ST, but had way more takeoff power. I also like the transmission the best out of all 3.
The FJR was cool and had nice handling. But the transmission was the worse out of the 3 for me. Despite the features, having to manage the shifting was something I would have to get used to.

I wound up buying the Concours. Best bang for the buck. Changing to Pilot Power 3 tires vastly improved the handling over the stock ones.

Again, I could live with and be happy with any of these bikes.

[semihekercin]

Had all these for many years. ST1300 differs from the others with its special balance.