The Hedgehog

Most replies here accurate - my mate was a despatch rider for years and loved it. No doubt about the hard work though, although he was at least lucky in that the firm gave him the bike (and maintained it). For sheer payoff London is the place..

Nothing wrong witha FSIE - a bit of nostalgia for many bikers... I had a greenish yellow one... even now the smell of two stroke reminds me of it. Worth a bit now too.

Complaints to the police should go to the station involved in the first instance (useful if you have names of the officers btw). Then the Police Complants Authority, I believe. The Ombudsman is for complaints against Local Government or Financial institutions - depending on whish Ombusdman we are talking about. I would certainly make a complaint. Even if it doesn't help you, things won't get better unless we kick up a fuss, so its worth doing on behalf of all of us. Have you tried approaching some of these 'no win no fee' lawyers? Unlikely they'd be interested but worth a try. Did your policy have a Legal Expenses clause? If so then this would pay for legal advice. Failing all this there's always the Citizen's Advice Bureaux... Wouldn;t be so bad if you'd thrown it down the road yourself...but no one deserves this. Hope you get it fixed soon.

The good thing about making such airbags compulsory would mean that the product would go mainstream, with many manufacturers making it....hence price would fall. A few hundred quid is better than a cracked spine I think.

Good looking bike. I've got an FJR 1300 - its nice to know its got such a long heritage. Take care on it! Welcome to the Forum.

Welcome Mate.

I can recommend cabergs - the Justissimo is OK if you like a flip-front. Most of theirs are good value for money, if a bit noisy. Reliable fittings and not too expensive visors.

I love the cold - better than summer any day. You don;t get hot, and there is less traffic.

The thing with the FJR is that its very hard to accurately pigeon-hole this one - does well as a tourer and also for sports. Seems big but this vanishes when on the move. You get used to it anyway. The thing to emphasise is that its just soooo smooth. Does everything you want it to, but without fuss. Turbine-like engine, great and precise handling, pulls in any gear. Two-up, you hardly notice there is a passenger. I am biased but for my money the best all round bike ever made. Just wish that; a. They made a 1400 version with another 20-30 bhp, and that; b. There were more extras available. Paint jobs are a bit boring too. However, it one of those machines you can get a real affection for. Grin Factor 10, Mr sulu. Hedgehog

The FJR is a great bike - brought me back to Yamaha after many years... The standard seat is OK, but need something comfier for long trips. Anyone know how to get a comfort seat without having to be without the original for several weeks? Incredible that these things can't be got off the shelf given that the FJR has 28% of the US touring market and is pretty popular throughout europe too. Its possible to buy a comfort seat from the USA (Yamah make one and sell it there), but the cost including duty is £420 - too steep for me. If anyone has either an original 06 on seat or a bagster etc for this model, I'm interested in buying... Thanks Hedgehog

I've got an 08 FJR 1300A in Black. Its easier to list its good points rather than faults. However, if pushed I would say that the seat could be a bit more comfortable, and a heated seat would be good (no comments please gentlemen) as this bike is good to ride all year round. But that's about it, except the price - although this is falling rapidly as the recession bites. Some real bargains to be had (e.g. Whites / Fowlers). Come to think of it exhaust is rather quiet and characterless - but easily fixed with aftermarket cans (Mine has Beowulf Warriors for £350). I can't say I find it particularly big or heavy (I'm 5'10', and with muscles that wouldn't look out of place on a hamster). IT's just a question of being in control and watching what you're doing. I'm happy to use it for everything, commuting, touring (at which its best) and sports riding (agility is astonishing and its easy to keep up with sports bikes due to the huge amount of torque - helps you go into bends slow but come out very fast). Weaving in and out of traffic no problem at all (so long as your filtering skills are up to it). Stability is excellent, yet easy to chuck around once moving. Respect is needed when putting on stand or wheeling about manually though , as weight does become an issue then. But its precisely this weight that gives it such a good ride - comfortable, smooth, but precise and with no wallow at all. Quite an achievement. Power is good, brakes excellent, handling great, good level of equipment, long range (around 250 miles), Pillion position is comfy, no chain to care for or cover things in oil. Very, very smooth, easy to use; lazy power but very rapid accleration (easy to hit the rev limiter when doing 2nd gear overtakes - yet not prone to unwanted wheelies). Reliable and just fine to live with. I love it to bits. Just hope they bring out a 1400 with another 25 bhp! Thoroughly recommended The Hedgehog