FJR1300 (2016-on) review

THERE’S not much consensus on what makes a sports-tourer. Speak to KTM and it’s the 173hp 1290 Super Duke GT, one step from the naked bike they called the ‘The Beast’. Speak to Yamaha and it’s the full-dress FJR1300, with glove-box, electric screen and heated grips. Yes, it's listed as a sports-tourer on the firm's website. 

But at least we can all agree on which of those bikes should be launched on track. Oh, hang on.

While the KTM got a rain-drenched road launch, Yamaha, for reasons that still aren’t crystal clear, opted to launch the FJR with some track sessions at Almeria Circuit in Spain. Because who doesn’t want to tackle blind off-camber high-speed bends on a 292kg tourer?

Click here to read the rest of our Yamaha FJR1300 review.

THERE’S not much consensus on what makes a sports-tourer. Speak to KTM and it’s the 173hp 1290 Super Duke GT, one step from the naked bike they called the ‘The Beast’. Speak to Yamaha and it’s the full-dress FJR1300, with glove-box, electric screen and heated grips. Yes, it's listed as a sports-tourer on the firm's website. 

But at least we can all agree on which of those bikes should be launched on track. Oh, hang on.

While the KTM got a rain-drenched road launch, Yamaha, for reasons that still aren’t crystal clear, opted to launch the FJR with some track sessions at Almeria Circuit in Spain. Because who doesn’t want to tackle blind off-camber high-speed bends on a 292kg tourer?

Click here to read the rest of our Yamaha FJR1300 review.