Yamaha FJR1300ES: A Quintessential Sports Tourer for Canyon-Carving

The Yamaha FJR1300ES sports tourer is a perfect touring machine for long-haul journeys in a sporty style. It provides a perfect blend of a sports-style motorcycle with remarkable touring ability. This ultimate sports touring machine is also referred to as a quintessential bike for spirited canyon riding. The FJR1300ES promises refined power delivery, durability, and unmatched ride quality so the rider can enjoy a relaxed and joyful riding experience.

The FJR in the Yamaha FJR1300ES is an abbreviation of “Fast Journey & Ride” and as you ride this bike, you will find all these characteristics included in this bike. The engine installed in this touring machine is a splendid power mill, generating a reasonable amount of grunt for comfortable open-roads traveling and canyon carving.

Yamaha has been producing superior-quality motorcycles for many years, providing sheer reliability and unmatched performance to riders. Whether you want to cruise around the town or go for a long-distance ride, the Yamaha FJR1300ES is well-designed to handle different riding conditions and styles. In 2001, the Yamaha FJR1300 was first introduced in Europe. Then in 2002, North American riders got the chance to buy this premium sports tourer. In 2004, both ABS and non-ABS versions were introduced in North America. The Yamaha FJR1300 received numerous upgrades in 2013 and shortly after a year, the company decided to produce this bike in two different variants, including the FJR1300A and the FJR1300ES. The FJR1300ES features the inclusion of electronic suspension and is the continued model among the two models.

The sleek and aerodynamic design of the Yamaha FJR1300ES looks quite aesthetically appealing, and the overall appearance of the bike is considerably sharper and sportier. The latest 2023 design of this bike is more updated as compared to its predecessors. Major alterations are made on the front side of this bike that impact an aggressive look.

The Yamaha FJR1300ES motorbike houses a 1,298 cc DOHC 16-valve, liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a smooth horsepower of 105.5 kW (141.5 hp) at 8,000 rpm and torque of 134.4 Nm (99.1 lb-ft) at 7,000 rpm. The engine is coupled with a six-speed transmission.

This bike is ideal for highway riding due to the presence of a tall 6th gear, which also reduces highway cruising rpm by 10% for enhanced fuel mileage.

The collective weight of the rider, passenger, and luggage does not affect the performance of this engine, provided the riders do not exceed prescribed weight limits. Fortunately, the adequate weight capacity of the Yamaha FJR1300ES ensures enjoyable long-distance two-up riding and camping trips.

The Yamaha FJR1300ES also boosts two completely anti-parallel throttle modes with distinctive throttle responses. The S mode allows the bike to deliver an impressive sporty performance. Meanwhile, the rider can switch to the T mode for a more exclusive touring performance, along with the shaft final drive for a quieter and smoother touring experience.

The transmission and clutch technology is designed to make clutch operation and gear shifting smooth and easier for riders. The supplementary clutch plate that operates under the engine torque allows for a 20% decrease in the effort to pull and release the clutch lever.

The optimized chassis geometry of the Yamaha FJR1300ES ensures effortless handling and optimal maneuverability. The bike’s twin-spar aluminum frame also ensures better weight distribution for greater stability. The electronically adjustable suspension features four preload settings and seven damping adjustments.

The front brake includes 320 mm dual discs with four-piston calipers, and the rear brake includes a 282 mm single disc with two-piston calipers. Both the front and rear brakes of the Yamaha FJR1300ES feature a modern high-tech unified brake system (UBS) and ABS.

Regardless of its sporty nature and look, the Yamaha FJR1300ES is no less comfortable than a touring bike. It features an adjustable seat height feature that is easy to use and the rider can adjust the height in a matter of a few seconds with the use of specialized tools. Alongside adjustable seat height, the handlebars and windscreen are also adjustable to completely customize the rider triangle and ergonomics depending on individual preferences.

Being an impressive sports tourer, the Yamaha FJR1300ES features a standard cruise control feature, ensuring a relaxed cruising experience on open roads. You can comfortably cruise at a constant speed once you are on a straight open road without being worried about making any throttle adjustments. The standard traction control installed on this bike allows for better control, grip, and maneuverability.

Other useful features installed on this bike include heated grips for a plush touring experience, particularly while riding in cold weather conditions. The Yamaha FJR1300ES also comes stock with reasonable side cases to carry useful stuff with you on long-haul rides.

Using your mobile phone while you are en route on a cross-country ride is unavoidable. However, you can get in trouble if your phone dies and you cannot charge your phone. To make sure you enjoy more and stay connected with your friends and family back home, the Yamaha FJR1300ES features a 12 V outlet for phone charging.

Optional Functional Accessories: The Yamaha FJR1300ES’s long touring performance can be enhanced by adding a few optional accessories from the company’s aftermarket motorcycle parts collection. The Viking Bags’ Yamaha sports touring-oriented motorcycle accessories include:

• FJR 50L Top Case
• Frame Sliders
• FJR Rear Rack/Top Case Mount

• Best for touring.
• Comparatively more expensive than some of its competitors.
• Comfortable sports tourer.
• Highly reliable.
• Impressive power and torque output.

• Heavyweight.
• Only one-year limited factory warranty.
• Slight lack of cornering clearance.
• Wider geometry.
• Outdated electronic suspension as compared to semi-active electronic suspension.

Both the Yamaha FJR1300A and the FJR1300ES are sports touring bikes, featuring a 1,298 cc inline-four engine. The latest 2023 model of FJR1300ES comes with an electronically adjustable suspension as compared to the FJR1300A. The Yamaha FJR1300A was discontinued in 2022 in favor of the latest FJR1300ES.

The Yamaha FJR1300ES sports tourer is a splendid fully-faired touring-capable bike for sports touring enthusiasts who seek agile and powerful long-haul two-wheelers. The 1,298cc liquid-cooled engine generates moderately strong power and grunt to make a cross-country tour possible on this ride. The inclusion of the latest, cutting-edge technology by Yamaha gives confidence to riders on the road.

If you wish to upgrade your sports bike to a more capable sports touring bike, Viking Bags brings you high-quality and versatile luggage-carrying options. These include tail bags, tank bags, backpacks, luggage bags, and saddlebags.