For once a missing clutch lever doesn't indicate a low speed spill. We ride the FJR1300AS, featuring Yamaha's latest piece of electronic gadgetry.
Click to read: Yamaha FJR1300 owners reviews, Yamaha FJR1300 specs and to see the Yamaha FJR1300 image gallery.
Personally I'm a fan of new technology, as long as it works well and enhances my life. But new technology that hinders me really pisses me off. Take digital cameras, which seem to have a 10-second delay between pressing the button and the picture being taken as an example. And don't even get me started on the whole fuel injection v carbs debate.
And so it was I approached Yamaha's new FJR1300AS with its electronic gear change and auto clutch with an open mind.
But before we deal with that we should consider the revised FJRs as a whole. Both the FJR1300A and AS are absolutely (nearly) identical and come with Yamaha's combined brakes and ABS as standard, not to mention colour coded panniers, but for £1000 more the AS has the YCC-S shifiting system and heated grips.
That aside, what's changed for 2006? The FJR gets a heap more adjustability. The bars have three different positions, the seat has two heights, the middle fairing can be moved out slightly for more weather protection and the electrically operated screen is taller and moves through a wider range of heights.
In addition the pillion pegs have been moved forward for greater passenger comfort and the instruments redesigned to include a gear indicator on both models. Finally the forks are new for a smoother action, the swingarm longer for greater stability, the final drive ratio has been made higher to reduce vibrations during motorway riding and ABS brakes are standard.
All these modification are aimed at making the FJR an easier bike to tour on, which it certainly is - on fast motorways the FJR is rock solid and the fairing excellent.
Click here to read the Yamaha FJR1300 review verdict.
