Earlier this year, we wrote about the Yamaha FJR1300 was being recalled, as its second gear could crack while under high loads. The recall affected nearly 2,300 units of the sport-tourer, model years 2015 thru 2021.
Now, the Yamaha FJR1300 is getting recalled again, because the fix that Yamaha cooked up the first time is causing the motorcycle not to accelerate properly. 2,462 units are now affected.
Fresh on the heels of the recall of the Yamaha FJR1300 for its gearbox issues, Yamaha has another recall on the books with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this one affecting over 18,000 motorcycles.
At the core of the problem is a faulty brake light switch that is used on seven different models: the Yamaha FJR1300, Tracer GT, Niken GT, Super Ténéré, Star Eluder, and Star Venture.
The Yamaha FJR1300 is the latest subject to a NHTSA recall, as the the sport-tourer’s second gear can crack and break under high-speed loads.
Yamaha FJR1300 owners are advised not to operate their motorcycle until the repairs for this recall have been performed.
The recall affects 2,285 units – FJR1300 bikes produced between December 9, 2015 and February 2, 2020.
Back on the road again, and this time I’m out in Arizona with Yamaha North America, riding the recently updated 2016 Yamaha FJR1300 sport-tourer.
Tomorrow sees our group leaving Phoenix and heading up into Sedona, where the red earth and picturesque mesas should make for an epic backdrop to our full day of riding.
For those who don’t know, the FJR1300 is a model that Yamaha has been slowly evolving each model year, instead of making punctuated improvements every few years. This makes it a surprising machine for press launch, but it also happens to be an important one for us to evaluate.
The sport-touring segment is surprisingly hot right now, with 17% growth in the past year, thanks mostly to the Yamaha FJ-09. There are some who think that the sport-touring market is dead, supplanted by the adventure-sport category, yet for some veteran riders, the ethos of the Yamaha FJR1300 is ideal.
The big news for the 2016 model year is the addition of a new six-speed gearbox, which should make highway speeds a bit more friendly. We will also be keen to tryout the suite of electronics on the base model FJR1300A, and experience the electronic suspension on the FJR1300ES, both of which were on the 2015 models, but are new to us.
As usual, I will attempt to answer questions regarding the 2016 Yamaha FJR1300 from the road. We will have two days of riding on the machine, so that should be ample opportunity for A&R to get acquainted with this venerable sport-tourer, and give you the skinny on its qualities.
As before, if I don’t know an answer, I will try to get a response from the Yamaha personnel that are here with me in Arizona. So, pepper away.
You can follow our thoughts on the bike live via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also try searching for the hashtags: #FJR1300 for the thoughts of our colleagues as well.
The Yamaha FJR1300 is an icon in the sport-touring world. First introduced in the U.S. in 2002 as a 2003 model, the FJR1300’s development over the years has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
2016 is no different, with beneficial new features added to both the standard model (FJR1300A) and the electronic suspension model (FJR1300ES), while retaining the tried and true 1,298cc in-line four engine with shaft drive and familiar FJR styling.
The sport-touring market in the U.S. has changed a lot over the last decade, with much of that change being driven by the ever increasing popularity of ADV bikes. Most of the big Japanese and European manufacturers have shifted their focus to the adventure market, and have either chosen not to update their sport-touring line, or have eliminated it all together.
Yamaha is keenly aware of that fact and continues to actively update their sport-touring machines in what they see as an important market niche. As such, Yamaha has done a lot of research on the desires of its sport-touring customers and found that these bikes are being used less for short rides and commuting and more for full day rides and long touring.
Additionally, their research found that technology is extremely important to the sport-touring rider. With that in mind, Yamaha added a number of new features to the 2016 Yamaha FJR1300 that should enhance comfort and safety, while still retaining the same familiar look and feel of previous generations.
Yamaha is recalling 9,850 units of its FJR1300 motorcycle manufactured between February 2006 & March 2009. This recall is due to a ground joint connector in the wiring harness that could overheat and become deformed, and thus possibly cause an intermittent ground wire connection. Should the electrical system become improperly grounded, then the ignition system, or other electrical components, could malfunction, which could cause the motor to stall.