Road – Test Yamaha FJR1300 AS 2013: electronic facelift – Technical update Yamaha FJR 1300 AS 2013

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Yamaha FJR1300 AS 2013 test: electronic facelift

Road - Test Yamaha FJR1300 AS 2013: electronic facelift - Technical update Yamaha FJR 1300 AS 2013

By equipping the FJR1300AS with the latest technological refinements, Yamaha has achieved a double blow: its GT motorcycle is gaining in efficiency and relaunching the manufacturer in the electronic arms race. As a bonus, its “ 2.0 ” robotic clutch is mature. Test.

Technical update Yamaha FJR 1300 AS 2013

Engine

The 2013 FJR1300 is powered by the same 1,298 cc inline 4-cylinder engine as the predecessor model. This block strongly inclined on the front develops 146 hp at 8000 rpm and 134.4 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm of torque in Full. In France, unfortunately, bikers will have to deal with 40 horses and 14.4 Nm less…

This "4-leg" has dimensions of 79 mm of bore and 66.2 mm of stroke which explain its availability and its torque. Unlike modern engines, it is reasonably compressed (10.8: 1), takes turns with inertia and crashes at 9200 rpm. Old fashioned, what !

Yamaha has however made some changes, especially at the level of the cylinders: their construction no longer uses liners and their surface is covered with a ceramic treatment as on the R1 and R6..

Coupled with a 5-speed gearbox, this engine transmits its power to the rear wheel via an acatene transmission by cardan shaft. One of its main modifications is electronic in nature: it adopts an electronic accelerator (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle, YCC-T), which the brand with three tuning forks was the first to use in series on its YZF-R6.

In fact, the throttle becomes a kind of potentiometer connected to an electronic control unit (ECU). It is this unit which manages, via a servomotor, the opening of the gas butterflies inside the completely redesigned injection bodies. This ECU adapts its action according to the degree of opening of the right handle, the gear engaged, the engine speed or the pressure and temperature of the air in the intake.

Thanks to the precision and speed of the system, the response to the throttle is better and pollutant discharges are better contained. As a result, the number of catalysts could be halved (from four to two), to the benefit of weight. Yamaha took the opportunity to redesign the silencers, now longer and with new, more modern outputs. Finally, the last significant advantage: the YCC-T transplant allows an increase in power of 2 kW (2.72 hp).

Part-cycle

Main development on the Yamaha FJR1300 2013: the installation of electronically controlled suspensions. A "trendy" sophistication, but only available on the version with robotic clutch transmission (AS).

The traditional box FJR cannot indeed adopt this device, even as an option, because it would have to exchange its classic fork for the new inverted model of 48 mm only mounted on the AS. Why deprive owners of standard FJR1300s of the convenience offered by electronic suspension? This is a question the French importer was unable to answer us….

On the other hand, Yamaha France assured us that the adoption of the inverted fork on version A was planned, without however being able to specify for what date.

This new fork installed on the only FJR1300 AS adopts separate damping functions (compression in the left tube, rebound on the right). Already successfully used on the brand’s sports cars, this solution allows more constant operation of the fork’s work by reducing in particular the variations in hydraulic pressure..

On the AS model, the adjustment of the settings of this fork and of the rear monoshock is therefore done by means of electrical controls and small stepper motors. Via a control installed on the handlebars – and when stationary only -, the driver can first of all set the preload of the rear spring to four positions: "driver alone", "driver alone with luggage", "driver + passenger" or "pilot + passenger + luggage".

Then, the mechanism proposes to intervene on the rebound and the compression in order to choose – at the stop or while rolling – between a "soft", "standard" or "hard" damping. However, this system does not change the settings in real time, as do the most recent so-called "semi-active" devices installed on the new BMW R1200GS and S1000RR HP4, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 or the Aprilia Caponord 1200..

On the other hand, the Yamaha offers a subtlety of size: for the three modes, it is possible to fine-tune the factory setting on a hardness scale ranging from -3 to +3. With a flick of the left stalk (when stationary only), you can add or remove some "clicks" on the trigger and preload: in total, the system offers no less than 84 possible combinations !

Made up of two aluminum beams which enclose the engine, the perimeter frame of the "Diamond" type is renewed almost as is. The same goes for the braking which relies, as before, on a set of double 320 mm discs and four-piston axial calipers at the front and single 282 mm double-piston disc at the rear..

Coupled with a standard ABS as in 2012, this braking combines the services of a coupling device going from the rear to the front. An appreciable detail on a daily basis, especially on such a heavy motorcycle: 296 kg all full, or 7 kg more than a "standard" FJR.

Finally, the latest evolution of this 2013 vintage: the adoption of new, more efficient tires, in this case the Bridgestone BT-023 or the Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact.

Electronic

In addition to the electronic suspensions presented above, the FJR1300 AS 2013 also adopts a new disconnectable anti-slip. This Traction Control System (TCS) acts on the ignition advance and / or injection in the event of a difference between the speed of rotation of the front and rear wheel.

A cruise control is now part of the standard equipment. Activated via the left stalk, this system works in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears, between 50 and 180 km / h. By pressing the "+" or "-" buttons, the speed can be set in steps of 2 km / h. Like most devices of this type, it is enough to touch the brakes or the accelerator to deactivate it. Note that triggering the TCS also disengages it.

The 2013 FJR1300 is also equipped with two selectable injection maps on the handlebars: the "T" mode (Touring), where the power distribution is more progressive, and the "S" mode (Sport) with which the engine character is (clearly!) more sporty. The choice between the two is made using the "Mode" command located on the right, under the starter / ignition switch.

Finally, like its predecessor, the FJR1300 2013 version "AS" is distinguished by its electronic clutch mechanism Yamaha Chip Controlled Ship (YCC-S). Fine-tuned for more responsiveness ("+30% speed, according to Yamaha), this system allows up and down gears without having to disengage: the electronics manages the opening and closing of the clutch as well as the engine speed in a fraction of a second.

As before, it is possible to change gears either using the selector or the handlebars via two controls placed above and below the left stalk. The upshift control paddle is placed on the top and front of the grip, while the downshift paddle – redesigned for better grip – is located at the thumb. Exactly the opposite of the derailleur controls on a bicycle !

As on the previous model, however, it is possible to use only the upper control to up and down gears with the index. For more comfort, you can switch from one of these commands to the other (hand or foot) at any time, without having to preselect them as on the FJR AS 2012.

In addition, an "automatic downshift" function has been added: when the FJR1300 AS goes below 29 km / h in fifth, the device automatically downshifts to fourth. And so on until first gear, engaged under 15 km / h to avoid under-revs or restarts other than in first. If necessary, this system – very practical in town and at crossroads – can be deactivated.

To close this "electronic" part, let us point out that the windshield’s electric adjustment mechanism would be both lighter ("-900 g"according to Yamaha) and twice as fast as in 2012.

In addition, this windshield now maintains its position when the engine is off: a real convenience, to which are added standard heated grips and an ultra-supplied on-board console which now houses an "Eco" driving indicator..

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