Duel Versys 1000 Vs FJR1300: road maxitrail killed GT sport ?
The FJR1300 retires at the end of the year … To celebrate the event, Site organized a last outing with this iconic Yamaha road on the one hand and the recent Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE on the other. Why ? To identify the strengths and limitations of road maxitrails … Duel !
Duel Versys 1000 Vs FJR1300 page 1: GT sport is dying…
Before, to investigate the terminals at very high speed without tiring too much, there were a myriad of medium to very large displacement "sport GT" motorcycles: Honda VFR or CBR-X, Kawasaki ZZR or GTR, Suzuki GSX-F or Hayabusa, BMW K1200S, Triumph Sprint, Aprilia Futura, etc. But that was before … Sniff ?
At Yamaha, the FJR1300 is still in the catalog for a last and small year only. This dreaded road bike – and dreaded cop bike! – withdraws, failing to comply with the new Euro5 antipollution standard. The Iwata firm did not see fit to rework its big 4-cylinder…
The FJR1300 will therefore retire at the end of 2020. To thank it for its 20 years of good and loyal service, Yamaha is offering its "top" model and its fans an Ultimate Edition unveiled last fall ahead of the Eicma show in Milan and presented in detail on Site.
- MNC special file :
Le Journal moto du Net naturally wanted to salute the FJR which, because of its notorious reliability and its good second-hand rating, will cross paths for many years on the roads and highways. And not necessarily painted blue or white, adorned with a flashing light and stashed behind a bush !
Rather than a simple test, MNC imagined a duel that would illustrate and understand the decline of Sport GT motorcycles over the past ten years. Indeed, manufacturers and bikers have gradually preferred faired roadsters, with raised handlebars and more or less well integrated suitcases….
More recently, another type of motorcycle has attracted mass riders in droves: road trails! Some of them have only the name and a vague allure of trail. This is the case with the bike that we have chosen for this new confrontation – the last for the good one – but too old? – FJR1300 !
Le Journal moto du Net selected the Kawasaki Versys 1000 for one simple reason: it was last year. Third best selling maxitrail behind the adventurers BMW R1250GS and Honda Africa Twin 1000, it was ahead of the sportsmen KTM 1290 Super Adventure and Ducati Multistrada 1260.
- MNC special file :
Updated in 2019, the Versys 1000 also and especially since benefits from a new version nicknamed SE for Special Edition … or as electronic suspensions! As a reminder, it is this top-of-the-range model – equipped with the Grand Tourer accessory pack – that Site discovered when it was launched in the press..
The Versys 1000 SE that we find today also incorporates a high and wide screen, heated hand guards and grips, a color TFT screen, curved lighting and an Up & down quickshifter, "of course". So many arguments – of sale – which designates it as an opponent of choice against the FJR1300.
At Kawasaki, moreover, this maxitrail took over from the 1400GTR. Quite a symbol, given the solid know-how of the Akashi Greens in Sport GT matters: to this day they still offer the most extensive range in the segment with its ZZR1400, H2 SX, Ninja 1000SX or even Ninja 650..
The FJR against the replacement of the GTR
For this first post-containment duel, Site gave itself a little pleasure, selecting the most sophisticated and successful of the FJR1300: the AS version fitted with electronic suspensions and gearbox..
In its "ultimate edition", the FJR1300 AS also benefits from a large screen, side deflectors – just in front of the footrests – and small cosmetic touches: handlebars and risers, levers, upper yoke, fuel flap, handles passenger, brake calipers and passenger footrest brackets are painted black.
The golden tint of the rims – and a small central stripe on the tank – is specific … and gorgeous from a Site perspective. The classic lines of the FJR lend themselves admirably to this biton color, very classy.
The lights retain their original design but their switch to "full LED" in 2016 has modernized them and offers a nice contrast with the black dress. The perforated mirror brackets fit perfectly (a pity, however, that they do not rotate more) and the double exhaust outlet balances the whole.
In contrast, the pencil stroke on the Versys 1000 is very tortured. With its mandibles and small fins, the front is inspired by the Ninja series. The fairing of the maxitrail makes more use of raw plastic and partially covers the engine with the crankcases worked "nunchaku" way.
The additional lights, protective pads and handguards (three accessories) as well as the mirrors form a less harmonious motorcycle, but this more raw appearance has its – many – followers! At the same time, the petal discs with radial calipers, the short and compact pot and the profiled cases (accessories) bring a skilful touch of sportiness..
In terms of look, therefore, "our" motorcycles of the day are clearly different. This will eventually simplify the task of heavy riders who hesitate between the Sport GT or the road maxitrail … or risk on the contrary to complicate it for those who would have preferred a FJR with more daring lines or a wiser Versys. Rah.
Another point that clearly distinguishes the two machines: the price! The FJR1300 AS Ultimate Edition is displayed at 20,699 euros at Yamaha Motor France dealers while the Versys 1000 SE with its Tourer Plus pack costs 18,449 euros.
Paradoxically, the most recent machine therefore costs 2250 euros less at "on" equal equipment than its older rival … Can the latter count on its large engine and its robotic gearbox to justify this large price difference? Answer on next page.
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