Yamaha’s FJR1300 is one of the most popular big tourers in Europe, but she’s a weighty machines and has a reputation for being somewhat punishing on tyres, especially at the front end.
When the 2016 version was launched, Yamaha took the bike somewhat out of it’s comfort zone by holding in on track in Almeria, a statement of supreme confidence in the culmination of 15 years of constant development work.
The bike has sold more than 100,000 units worldwide since 2001, and the latest version finally sees the addition of a 6th gear as Yamaha save space by switching to helical-cut gears. They’ve also integrated clutch technology from their YZF-R1 range, with assist and slip working on both engagement and disengagement, allowing a slipper action under engine braking.
At the launch Motorcycle Monthly tested the latest FJR1300AE model, which comes with an electronic suspension upgrade that looks after your pre-load and damping.
At 292kg pre-fuel, you wouldn’t expect this bike to work on track, but that 1298cc inline four was more than up for it, hitting speeds of more than 130mph (with more to come) before riders had to hit the brakes as the upcoming 90 degree left-hander loomed ever closer.
The big Yamaha comes fitted with Bridgestone’s Battlax BT-023 sport touring tyres as standard, and they performed admirably on track. Approaching the corner at the end of the straight, MCM say:
“Medium to hard braking was enough, with only light pulses of the ABS’s intervention felt, but knock this up a level to full blown panic braking and the ABS doesn’t trust the grip levels achievable by the dependable front Bridgestone BT-023. At least the traction control had more faith in the Japanese rubber, not intervening once despite abusive attempts to engage it.”
The Battlax BT-023 has now been superseded at the top of Bridgestone’s sport touring range by the new Battlax T30 EVO, but is still one of our biggest sellers – riders still buying them in huge numbers, seemingly unable to get enough of the excellent performance and value for money they still offer several years after their introduction.
You can view the full range of Battlax BT-023 sizes here.
