Deciding between VFR800abs or ST1300abs (2024)

Well.....

It looks as if I'm going to take the SPORT-touring plunge, but I can't decide between these two bikes for a couple of reasons...

Im still into flickable bikes that can carry TWO in comfort

I cannot find a FJR 1300 to save my life

I'm NOT fond of the 2004/5 Yamaha Blue or Honda Blue....what ever happened to SILVER....why only 2003's

My passenger/SO loves the comfort of the ST, but still wants a sportier cool look like the VFR has....and so do I

I want a NEW bike....not to play down a good used deal, but if I bought used, I'd be looking SUPER hard for the right FJR

So.....do I go with the more land yacht-ish ST (no offense to any ST owners), or a VFR that needs bags and a taller screen, Helibar risers, a Corbin + Lady backrest?

Any real world suggestions or ideas would be nice.....or where I can find a GREAT deal on a FJR...in SILVER

keep searching for an FJR if it really interests you. I found mine via Cycle Trader. Also check here
http://p083.ezboard.com/ffjr1300ownersassociationfrm5

Some owners of 04 FJRs are selling them for the 05's, you might find one.
Keep in mind if you find one out of state, you "may" have problems registering it in California if it has less than 7500 miles.

The '05 FJRs have just started rolling in, and more than a few dealers have ordered some for their floor, they arent supposed to, but it happens. Leave your name with all the local dealers and/or check cycle trader. You might also find more than a few FJR owners interested in swapping body work, if you did go with a 05. MAny Many prefer the blue over the silver

As far as what bike, VFR vs ST, if you plan to go two up a lot, the ST might be the better way to go.

Also, how about the ZZR? Supposedly a good bike, more of the sport than either the ST or FJR.

Of course, as an ST owner, I'm slightly biased, however, the FJR has a different (not better or worse - just different) performance characteristic. I'd consider the ST to lean towards comfort and the FJR to lean towards performance but those leans are VERY slight in both cases.

I can tell you that myself and my passengers are very comfortable and I'll soon be ordering a rear trunk (on eBay from the UK since the damn things don't seem to be available in the US). The trunk has a padded passenger backrest built in.

Plus the rear suspension is adjustable with a twist of a knob and the headlight height is electrically adjustable so when the added passenger weight causes the light to rise, twist a knob.

And don't kid yourself. This bike handles very well. It flicks over just fine. It's a heavy bike, but it feels very nimble underway. ABS ST's aren't easy to find either, however, though you may find a used 03 (which would also handle your silver issue). Incidentally, I receive a ton of compliments on the blue color, but I do realize it's a personal preference.

I've made other posts regarding my ST experience so I won't repeat that again. There is a thread in Sport Touring re: FJR vs ST.

Sean

Sport Rider to Touring Rider: "<snicker> Wanna race?"
Touring Rider to Sport Rider: "Sure... To Pheonix."

thanks Mike!

I just can't lean towards the FZ because the wind protection isnt there, but the Passenger comfort is about the same for the VFR, and I like the looks a tad bit better!

Nothing against Yamaha, but they definately made if difficult to get my hands on an FJR this year, and I'm not too fond of the Blue on a bike that big, ( but on lil TTR race bikes isss OKAY )

Ive always had a soft spot for SingleSided Swingarms, and thats kinda the way I'm gonna go for now.....

Wish me LUCK!

mightslip said:

Val, the only way to go is with the fjr1300 for real touring
but if you want a bike that can do the double-duty buy a fz1 get the soft bags or buy the corbin hard you'll have the fickability plus room on a decent seat for your passenger and one great bike.......45000 on mine to date never a problem and seems to get better with age
it rips too!!

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One issue that might matter with the FZ1 is the lack of a lower fairing when riding in the winter.. just a thought..

thorick said:

One issue that might matter with the FZ1 is the lack of a lower fairing when riding in the winter.. just a thought..

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I ride all year and the lower hasn't been an issue yet though a fairing is quite nice when it's raining..the one good thing about not having one is you can put your hand on the motor when your riding to warm it up

SennaSixty8 said:

thanks Mike!
Wish me LUCK!

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To be honest val i don't think you can go wrong with any bike these days,, you won't need luck...

hurry up and buy it so you can join in on our sierra ride next month
( check out details on the other web site )

Personally I own a VFR and I don't think it's all that comfortable, even with the Corbin seat. Maybe you will need to get a bigger windscreen, heated grips, higher bars, luggage for the VFR. But you see, then it ends up coming closer to the cost of the ST1300 and you might as well have had the complete package. I've sat on ST13's and they are a lot more comfortable than VFR's.

My girlfriend can handle sitting on the VFR for a whole day's ride but the lack of a back rest is really sh*tty for her. Also the wind protection sucks (I'm assuming) to a fully shielded bike. Bah don't listen to me, ride a VFR, you'll know what I mean.

donoman said:

My girlfriend can handle sitting on the VFR for a whole day's ride but the lack of a back rest is really sh*tty for her. Also the wind protection sucks (I'm assuming) to a fully shielded bike. Bah don't listen to me, ride a VFR, you'll know what I mean.

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With a Zero Gravity Sport Touring Screen and a Corbin "Gunfighter and Lady" seat, you and your girl should be good to go

mightslip said:

I ride all year and the lower hasn't been an issue yet though a fairing is quite nice when it's raining..the one good thing about not having one is you can put your hand on the motor when your riding to warm it up

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Ah yes, the old hand on the motor trick

Lower fairings only became an issue for me after a trip to the Southwest last winter. I was seeking warm temperatures but the trip coincided with a record cold spell for the region... On my Blackbird, the fairing is pretty good except for the part around the feet. Even with electric jacket and heated grips turned on, my feet were pretty exposed and not enough warm blood was getting down there, icey.. If I'd had no lower fairing at all, I think I would have had to cut the rides even shorter to spend more time off the bike warming back up (the temps were in the 30s)... YMMV...

Check this Val
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/37182943.html

mightslip said:

Val, the only way to go is with the fjr1300 for real touring

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I totally disagree with this statement and others like it. That is a strongly worded comment. The ONLY way...? REAL touring? Hmmm...

I own an ST and would be free of making such comments about the FJR since I've never toured on one. Mightslip, if you have toured on both bikes (and therefore are qualified to make the comparison in the first place), you'd certainly be more balanced than that. The way you made it sound, the ST just isn't a player in REAL touring. Many ironbutt members received their stripes on ST's. I'm assuming that qualifies for "REAL" touring, no?

I may be mistaken about this, but most of the FJR owners and Yamaha fans I've met so far have been downright insulting about the ST, while the ST owners I've met have seemed to be respectful of other people's choice to purchase the FJR. I'm not sure what this means psychologically, but I do find the pattern to be somewhat consistent (before anyone flames me, let me reiterate: This has been MY EXPERIENCE up to now. I'm not suggesting it's a fact, it's just been my reality up to now.)

For example, when I was looking at a non-abs ST in the showroom prior to the arrival of my ABS, an FJR owner came up to me and started defending his choice to buy the FJR. Instead of using positive arguments about his FJR, the only thing he could do was attack the ST. This "mine's better because yours is worse" thing doesn't work for me. Especially when we're talking about something as subjective and complex as the purchase of a $12-15,000 motorcycle.

As an aside, a friend just mentioned that a few days ago he saw an FJR1300 in the showroom at a Modesto dealership. It's last year's model (silver). Don't know much about it but I can find out the name of the dealership if you're interested.

Sean

Mission Accomplished! Thanks for everyone's input!

I now own a leftover 2003 Silver Viffer ABS! And she's purty!

Yeah, but I dont really think the GS1200 is as cheap to own, and I wanted something sportier and had to be NEW

Gimme a call ZG!