Trade an FJR1300 for an 1150R - would you???

[b12bandit]

Hi,

I'm seriously thinking about trading my 2003 Yamaha FJR1300 for an 1150R.

The Yamaha is FAST, reliable, comfy and FAST! But.....

I keep asking myself - do I NEED A 143HP/150MPH motorcycle? I use it for my daily commute - approx 40 miles each way, but rarely exceed 90mph.

The motor is powerful enough but is a bit...bland - if you can call 140+hp bland! It's like sitting on top of a giant electric motor. Sure it will blitz anything else out there - everything with 4 wheels and most other motorcycles, but I do I really need to do that?

I want something with a bit of character. Something different. Something that is not a liquid cooled, 4 cylinder Japanese motorcycle.

I'm 47yrs old. Having been riding motorcycles for 37 of those years. Married, 2 kids. I'm a police officer - ex Traffic motorcyclist. I used to ride the K100/1100LT's at work.

I've always fancied a GS and. like thousands of others, have been inspired by the Long Way Round/Down TV programmes. I took an 1150GS for a test ride a couple of weeks back and was most impressed. I subscribe to the Horizons Unlimited website and began to believe that only a GS would satisfy my longing for a Beemer.

That is until I read the latest Bike magazine (here in UK). They tested the 1200R and reckoned it was a better road bike in every way than the 1200GS. I wondered if the same held true for the 1150?

If I want to go off-roading, I'll try one of these organised trail-riding holidays where the bikes and all the kit are provided. I reckon if I bought an 1150GS it would spend 100% of it's time on asphalt (like the majority of them do I suppose)

So, do I take the plunge and trade my FJR for an 1150R? Will I be able to cope with a 60hp loss of power? Will I find the BMW to be slow, lumpy and ...slow? What about weather protection?

Dare I dare to be different? Especially at my age? Or is that what us, boring, middle-aged men are supposed to do? You know - get a BMW, pipe and slippers, join the IAM etc..?

It's a stupid question to ask on a BMW website I know. I suppose I'm after words of encouragement.

I asked the same question on the FJR owners club website. You can guess the replies I got!

Thanks in anticipation of your advice.

PETE
SHEFFORD
BEDS
UK

[towerworker]

Pete

I bought my first R when I was 47 - I will be 53 in a few months. I have never owned an FJR but I have heard they are good bike and very fast. I even considered one for a short time just a short bit ago when I totaled my 03r about two months ago. Also considered a Concours 14. I ended up buying a really nice 04r with alot of accessories.

I guess one reason I bought another r was that I was intimately familiar with it and taking care of one. One of the biggest reasons I stayed with the r is because regardless of where I park it and what other bikes are around -Honda, HD, Kawasaki, Yamaha and so on---always, always folks gather around the BMW and comment on how good they look, the reputation, the workmanship and so on. I know all the others make good machines and they look good too but there is something different in the remarks from people when it comes to a BMW. A Beemer is not perfect I know but the little bit of being different really suits me.

Another big reason are the folks on this site. You won't find a nicer, more helpful bunch anywhere.

The list of things the R does well is very long and I won't rattle on about it but I really can't see myself owning any else. The GS is attractive, I was in my dealer's showroom last week and they had a fully loaded Adventure sitting there and it sure looked great but a bit out of my price range not to mention inseam range as well!

Good luck in your decision!

Wayne

[mnnden]

[quote="b12bandit"]Hi,

I'm seriously thinking about trading my 2003 Yamaha FJR1300 for an 1150R.

NO!! Den

[iowabeakster]

hmmmm... that is a really tough question. I can't begin to answer. The bikes are very different. The R seems like it would fit your desires (except weather protection, but there is aftermarket stuff of course). I love mine, as most everybody here will say. It is a great all around bike.

Maybe you could meet up with an R owner in your area. Switch bikes for an afternoon ride? See if a dealership has a bike you can test ride? A thorough test ride is the only way I can see that you will get a good answer to your question.

[boxermania]

b12bandit

Interesting dilema.

As a matter of fact I had both a slightly modified 1200S Bandit, with 118 rwhp and a R1150R with a few mods and about 88 rwhp.

As mentioned before the bikes are of different characters, but in my case I couldn't part with the Bandit so I decided to keep both and rode both about the same amount of miles. That was the best decission I made.

I do suggest that you get to try the BMW for at least two or three days.......see if there is a posibility of renting one in the UK. The one thing that the BMW has that the inlines don't is the torque down low, where most riders spend their time......

Best of luck and keep us posted

[ruddy]

What about a R1200RT or R1150RT? Wouldn't that be more like your FJR but with more character?

[b12bandit]

Rick,

Yes, an 1150RT would be the ideal choice but it's out of my price range at the moment.

My local dealer has an 1150R on offer. About the same age as my Yamaha. Slightly less miles, in very good condition and the price is OK (for a dealer!).

I'm tempted.

[b12bandit]

Den,

Why so emphatically "No" ?

[Arbee]

An interesting step backward...

A step though which may come from a person who has never had to maintain a motorcycle...

The BMW requires much more maintenance so unless you dont mind doing it yourself, it will cost...

[RBrider]

I wouln't trade my '04 Rockster r1150r for an FJR.

I've done short test rides on the FJR and it's a great bike, but there's just something about a well mannered twin in a good handling chassis that's hard to beat,imo.

While the 1150 engine is down on power according to the dyno charts, it is still plenty fast. I like it because all the power seems to be available all the time. A very user friendly engine, imo.

I guess having both of them is out of the question?


RB

[duke]

Pete,

In regards to the power and speed remark - R1150R/Rockster is not a crotch rocket.
But makes a very nice traffic lights dragster despite the weight!



Two years ago, the beginning of January I got my R1150 Rockster.

I love the bike to bits, but:

One thing I was not impressed - the cold from doing 80 Mph on M25 and M1 with snow both sides of the road nearly killed me after 60 miles on very first day of ownership.
And in case you know what I am talking about - I had 2 piece Hein Gericke Master IV suit and gloves kit, and the heated grips were set to "cook" mode.
Zero wind protection. Sure - you can put a screen ... but that would be nowhere near compared the full fairing you are accustomed to.

Another thing - filtering may not be the same as the bars and cylinders stick out a fair bit.

Do not want to discourage you - if you can borrow the bike from the dealer and make 1 day commute this week (with the good weather coming) and see if you like it ...

One question - does it have ABS?
I am sure as Police rider you know how to break - it is just that the servicing of the ABS adds £££s to the bill.

Cheers

Francisco

[markg]

One thing you have to ask yourself, how often do you have the throttle pinned on your fjr? If the answer is "never" or "very seldom" you probably won't miss the power. If the answer is something like"4 times a day" I wouldn't trade. This is the real world power test, not the spec sheet comparison.

I agree with the other people that have suggested a lengthy test ride. There is, as you know, alot more to defining riding pleasure than HP.

[mnnden]

Den,

Why so emphatically "No" ?

Pete, This is just MOP!! I have a good friend who rides a FJR1300 and we trade off every now and then, and to me these bikes do really not compare, In my experience the FJR out performs the "R" in every area,
The bike is "Smooth" about my only complaints are the heat distribution (it can get warm riding , and I feel the Wt. at slow speeds) Don't misunderstand me, I really like the R1150R but I do not think the bikes are comparable. another bike very high (on my list) is the Honda ST1300.
Good Luck Den

[1150929]

I kept my Fireblade because every so often I love that feeling of warp speed that only a low 10 second bike (or better) can provide. You won't get that with an R, but having ridden the FJR it's certainly powerful but not what I'd call "thrilling" either. But, the FJR is too powerfull to thrash regularly on the streets, wheras I can redline the R all day and it feels great doing it. Kinda like an old Alfa or TR6, not outright fast but still fun and involving to drive hard.

You suggested the FJR's motor feels a bit without character, and I agree. The R has interesting vibes and feels more alive, but sounds just as dull unless you pipe it or take the exhaust out (an easy no fuss mod). I'd say the suspension is superior on the R, while the brakes and bags and seating position are great on both. While he R has some decent wind protection from the oil colers and jugs, it can't be compared with the FJR, though the heat soak on the (early) FJR I rode was unbearable. Wind deflecter / windshields works nicely on the R, but it's hit and miss for buffeting.

Another friend has a V-strom 1000 and we take fireroads together often. While he has more travel (as a GS also would), the R is firmer and never bottomed out. The only thing that kept me from riding more aggresively was fear of denting a rim. Otherwise, a R can easily play GS, an FJ can't.

Two great bikes either way.

[Johan_SA]

Hi

Someone mentioned the cost of maintenance - especially if the bike has ABS. My nearest BMW agent is 350km away. I decided to do my own maintenance and with the asistance from the members here, I have not come accross a problem that I could not repair. Thanks to them I've saved many $$$ (or pounds).

As for your age, go and try the bike out. If you like it buy it.

Good luck

Johan

[duke]

To confirm what Johan_SA said:

It is doable, and there are excellent articles on the topic ...
Just I do not want to do it, and I am losing the use of my (1/2) garage (the owner wants it back ).
Also - BMW have to make some money


Pete, a word of warning:

Just do not get involved in the long running "feud" pro-ABS/anti-ABS ...
Or how to best check the oil level for that matter

[rockstercliff]

I had a bunch of japanese bikes since I got out of college in 1972, one day a co-worker let me try his R90S, 1974 I believe, it was way cool looking and had some interesting vibes, plus I was tired of dealing with the chains. So over the years I have owned a R75, R60, R80ST[ should never have parted with that one]. In 2003, decided to go whole hog and bought a K1100LT, which was wonderful as long as you stayed on the highway. Anyway, since I live in a city, it didnt work out well around town. My wife was aware of my dis-satisfaction, one day at our local dealer, she saw his 04 Citrus Rockster demo, and thought that was the prettiest bike to her, she said, "you need to get one like this". In 26 years of marriage she has never said that, and I am a car and bike nut, so I jumped on that deal. End of model year, big savings, plus touring winshield and system bags, done. I have never looked back, quite happy with it in the city, power not an issue to these 56 year old bones, I will never utilize all the power this bike has, even 2 up.

[geothepencil]

Unless the FJR is too heavy for you, I'd stay with it for a while longer.

geo

[cruiser]

I'd stick with the FJR too. Forget the performance comparison, it's a more refined motorcycle imo. I'm reasonably happy with my 04 R1150R but, to be honest, there are just too many "they all do that" issues.

[Buckster]

One thing the R has that the FJR doesn't is a 6th gear. If you plan on taking long rides, the FJR is probably better for wind protection. There are a lot of different shields for the R but none seem to be all that great. I love the R for the fact that I do a lot of running around town. It's easy to just get on and go. It's a lot lighter than the FJR.
I went on a 500 mile trip with a friend who is 25 years older than me and rode 5 hours to get to my house before we left. He has the FJR and seemed less aaffected than I did on my R with the wind blast. I have a tall shield and still the wind just beats me up on ling trips.
Most dealers will let you take a pretty long test ride on a BMW...at least in the states.
I suggest you do that. I believe you will like the bike...I'm not sure you will like it better than the FJR.