Yamaha’s 15-year-old FJR1300 is finally getting a six-speed gearbox among a selection of tweaks to extend its life for another few years.
The firm’s top-line tourer might be getting on a bit but it’s still a formidable machine thanks to a 1298cc four-cylinder making 146.2PS and an impressive 138Nm of torque, and the extra cog that’s been squeezed into the transmission promises to make the most of that performance, allowing a combination of faster acceleration and a more relaxed engine speed when cruising in top gear. On the manually-shifted FJR1300A and FJR1300AE, the transmission is backed by a new assist and slipper clutch that smooths down-changes and reduces the force needed on the lever. The semi-automatic FJR1300AS also gets six gears and retains its automated clutch.
The three versions retain the existing chassis, with the AE model using Yamaha’s electronic suspension, with rider-switchable settings.
In terms of appearance, the 2016 model gains LED lights front and rear plus adaptive cornering lights on the AS and AE models. These use the bike’s inertial measurement unit to detect lean angle and a range of cornering lights with reflectors to angle their beams onto the right spot in the road. At mild lean angles, only the innermost pair of cornering lights are turned on, with the middle pair coming on as the angle increases and finally the outer lights as the bike reaches a more extreme angle. They work on both main and dipped beam.
The new technology also includes an option to have the bikes fitted with the Dainese D-Air airbag system, while all versions get a restyled instrument panel that’s claimed to be easier to read.
The FJR1300 is due to be on sale from the end of January next year, in a choice of silver or graphite paintwork. The D-Air kit is due to become available slightly later, but still before the end of the first quarter of 2016.
