The FJR1300 has been a huge success for Yamaha down the years, with over 120,000 of them sold worldwide so far. Introduced as a fast sports tourer way back in 2001, it's evolved gently ever since, and goes into its twentieth year in the range with a look that's recognizable from the first models, but an air of sophistication and a suite of electronics that we could only have dreamed of at the start of the century. At its heart is a beautifully, creamily-smooth inline four engine with bags of low and mid-range grunt, allied to fuss-free shaft drive and a stable, but surprisingly nimble chassis based on an aluminium twin-spar frame with fully adjustable forks and a rear shock with remote preload adjuster. Earlier models were criticised for having a five-speed gearbox which was a little undergeared for fast motorway cruising. Yamaha were adamant that it wasn't possible to fit a six-speed box, but then did precisely that for 2016... Weather protection is excellent, and comfort is too, whether solo or two up, although the rear suspension's a little soft for fully loaded two-up use as standard. Bizarrely for a sports tourer, Yamaha insist you can't use a top box if you're using panniers, and vice versa. This is clearly nonsense, and pretty much everyone does just that with no problems.
Over the years, the FJR has built up an enviable reputation for reliability, as well as being known for low running costs (for a big sports tourer, that is) and easy home servicing. Owners love them and there's a flourishing online community as well as a physical owners' club which is well worth joining.
Next year's mildly updated version will be the FJR's final incarnation before being replaced with something entirely new (assassinated by emissions rules rather than dying of natural causes), so with existing owners contemplating a last-chance trade-up, now's the time to explore the FJR's good and bad points on the used market.