2020 Yamaha FJR1300ES

The 2020 Yamaha FJR1300A is a motorcycle that has a near-legendary reputation in Europe and much of the US. Powered by a 1298cc DOHC inline 4 that has been refined ever since the model was introduced in 2001, the engine pushes out 142 crank HP and nearly dead on 100 lbs-ft of crank torque to the rear wheel via a shaft drive.

The FJR1300A has a multitude of standard features that would make any sport touring rider happy, including dual-zone ABS, traction control, and easy to read multifunction dash with multiple LCD’s, and an excessive lean angle cutoff that will kill the electronics and ignition should it tip over.

The 2020 FJR1300ES is an FJR1300A with one very interesting addition, that of Electronic Suspension. While the A model does feature semi-adjustable suspension, the ES model places preload, damping, and even minor ride height adjustments on the left handle. This means you can modify your suspension as you go, should you come across a rough road that needs softer suspension, or brand new tarmac that can take a harder damping without shaking your teeth from your head.

The 2020 Yamaha FJR1300A starts at $16,399 US and is not available in Canada, and the 2020 FJR1300ES starts at $17,999 US/$19,699 CA

On this page: we’ve curated specs, features, news, photos/videos, etc. so you can read up on the new Yamaha FJR1300ES in one place.

2020 Yamaha FJR1300ES


Model Overview

General Info

  • Price: $17,999 US / $19,699 CA
  • Key Features:
    • Powerful Braking with ABS
    • Traction Control
    • LED Lighting

Key Specs

  • Engine type: 1298cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline 4-cylinder
  • Power: 142 hp
  • Wet weight: 642 lb
  • Seat height: 31.7 in

2020 Yamaha FJR1300ES


2020 Yamaha FJR1300ES Specifications

From Yamaha

ENGINE

Engine 1298cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline 4-cylinder; 16 valves
Power 142 hp
Bore x Stroke 79.0mm x 66.2mm
Compression Ratio 10.8:1
Fuel System Fuel Injection with YCC-T
Starter Electric
Lubrication

DRIVETRAIN

Clutch Multiplate Assist-and-slipper wet clutch
Transmission 6-speed
Final Drive Shaft

CHASSIS

Suspension Front 43mm inverted fork with electronically adjustable rebound and compression damping; 5.3-in travel
Suspension Rear Single shock with electronically adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping; 4.9-in travel
Brakes Front Dual 320mm discs; Unified Brake System and ABS
Brakes Rear 282mm disc; Unified Brake System and ABS
Tires Front 120/70ZR17
Tires Rear 180/55ZR17
Fuel Tank Capacity 25 L (66 US gal.)
Color Liquid Graphite

ELECTRICAL

Ignition TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
Spark Plugs
Headlight LED
Tail Light LED

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length
Overall Width
Overall Height
Wheelbase 68.8 in (1147 mm)
Ground Clearance 4.9 in (125 mm)
Seat Height 31.7 in (805 mm)
Curb Weight 642 lbs (291 kg)

WARRANTY

Warranty 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)
Extension

2020 Yamaha FJR1300ES


2020 Yamaha FJR1300ES Features

TOP FEATURES

  • Putting the “Sport” in Supersport Touring
    The FJR1300ES features a smooth-running, 1298cc, DOHC, 16 valve, liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine that delivers superb power and torque for unequaled muscular acceleration across the RPM range.
  • Six-Speed Transmission
    The FJR1300ES features a compact six-speed transmission, with ratios providing evenly spaced gearing for sporty riding with a tall 6th gear for relaxed highway riding. Additionally, the transmission gears are designed to offer smooth, quiet running ideal for long distance riding.
  • Advanced YCC-T Engine Control and Rider Aids
    Yamaha’s exclusive Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) is a ride-by-wire system that provides crisp, seamless throttle response. YCC-T also allows for other advanced systems that are ideal for Supersport Touring such as traction control, cruise control and D-Mode adjustable engine mapping.
  • Lean Angle-Sensitive LED Lighting System
    The FJR1300ES utilizes Yamaha’s advanced LED lean-angle sensitive lighting system that allows riders to ‘see-through’ corners for incredible illumination and improved low-light vision. The FJR1300ES is the first Yamaha motorcycle to feature this technology.
  • Adjustability for Rider and Passenger Comfort
    A range of features makes the FJR1300ES the ideal travel companion, including adjustable ergonomics, a push-button adjustable windscreen, a plush seat designed for rider and passenger, integrated hard luggage and a large 6.6-gallon fuel tank.

ENGINE

  • Six-Speed Transmission
    The FJR1300ES features a compact six-speed transmission, with ratios providing evenly spaced gearing for sporty riding with a tall 6th gear for relaxed highway riding. Additionally, the transmission gears are helically cut, for smooth, quiet running, with separated gear dogs for excellent transmission performance.
  • Assist-and-Slipper Clutch
    The FJR1300ES features an assist-and-slipper clutch unit that provides additional clutch plate clamping force under engine torque, as well as reduced force under back-torque from the rear wheel. This allows for the use of lighter clutch springs – reducing clutch lever effort by approximately 20% – as well as smoother, more refined downshifting.
  • Effortless, Big-Bore Thrust
    The FJR1300ES features a compact 1298cc, DOHC, 16-valve, liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine that delivers superb power and torque, for an unequaled spread of muscle over a wide rpm range. The engine is always ready to respond with strong passing power, even with a passenger and a full load of luggage aboard.
  • Advanced Engine Design
    The slant-block motor design uses stacked, tri-axis gearbox shafts to minimize engine size while optimizing chassis geometry for balanced weight distribution and great handling. Inside, lightweight forged pistons with carburized connecting rods provide superb strength and reduced reciprocating mass for outstanding durability and performance.
  • Traction Control
    The FJR1300ES’s Traction Control System detects tire slip and adjusts ignition timing, fuel injection volume, and throttle valve opening to help prevent uncontrolled wheelspin. The system is designed to let the operator ride on roads that have limited traction with greater confidence.
  • Cruise Control
    Cruise control makes touring a breeze, adjusting a set speed via a single push to the switch or, for larger adjustments, by continuously pushing the switch. A resume function returns the cruise control to the most recent setting while activating the brakes, clutch or throttle return releases the cruise control.
  • Advanced Ride-by-Wire Fuel Injection
    The FJR1300ES makes use of Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), a ride-by-wire system that provides crisp, seamless throttle response in a variety of altitude and weather conditions—ideally matched to the refined and sporty nature of the FJR.
  • Adjustable D-Mode Throttle
    Thanks to the flexibility provided by YCC-T, the FJR1300ES gives riders a choice of two throttle response modes to best suit preferences and riding conditions. T-Mode provides a smooth throttle response, ideal for touring, while the S-Mode maximizes performance response for a sportier, more aggressive character.
  • Compact and Efficient Shaft Drive
    The FJR1300ES features a clean, quiet running and extremely durable shaft drive to the rear wheel. Built to handle the big mileage numbers touring riders rack up, the shaft drive system requires minimal maintenance and lets the rider focus on the journey.
  • High Efficiency Dual Exhaust
    The four-into-one-into-two stainless-steel exhaust optimizes engine performance across the powerband, with a clean-running catalyst for reduced emissions.

CHASSIS/SUSPENSION

  • Lean Angle-Sensitive LED Cornering Headlights
    The bold face of the FJR1300ES uses bright, high-efficiency LED lighting, featuring Yamaha’s advanced cornering headlight system. Above the quad-element LED headlight assembly, six LED units illuminate sequentially to shine through turns, controlled by Yamaha’s IMU technology. The headlights also feature toolless adjustment of headlight angle to account for vehicle loads. Finally, the LED tail lamp assembly combines visibility, style, and quality.
  • Aerodynamic Bodywork
    Headlined by the LED headlight system, the FJR1300ES’s stylish, supersport-inspired bodywork with integrated airflow management keeps the rider comfortable. A central vent beneath the instrument panel reduces negative pressure for less buffeting, and adjustable fairing side panels let the rider direct lower body airflow.
  • Adjustable Everything
    A good touring machine adapts to the rider, and the FJR1300ES is ready and willing. The plush, thick saddle offers plenty of comforts and is adjustable over 0.8 inches without tools. The handlebars can be set to one of three positions to fine-tune rider ergonomics. And the windscreen is electronically adjustable over a range of 5.1 inches.
  • Electronically Adjustable Suspension
    Electronically adjusted suspension makes finding the right setting as easy as pushing a button. With four pre-load settings, three damping presets, and an additional seven damping fine-tuning adjustments, the FJR1300ES suspension can be dialed-in to meet the needs of the rider, passenger and the riding conditions.
  • Powerful, Secure Braking
    Advanced brakes front and rear provide exceptional braking power and control, and are linked via Yamaha’s Unified Braking System, for balanced braking power. ABS further boosts rider confidence by preventing wheel lock-ups in reduced-traction conditions.
  • High-Strength Aluminum Frame
    Similar to Yamaha’s supersport machines, the FJR1300ES features a beefy aluminum frame to provide an ideal balance of chassis stiffness and feedback, with a long swingarm to provide enhanced traction and improve rear suspension action.
  • Large Fuel Tank
    The ergonomically-shaped, large-capacity, 6.6-gallon fuel tank offers excellent comfort, generous range and is constructed from steel, allowing for the use of magnetic tank bags.
  • Thorough Instrumentation
    The three-part instrument panel provides riders with all the information they need while enjoying the road, including trip computer functions, riding modes and more. Riders can easily customize the dot-matrix multi-function display to show the information they want with a flick of the bar-mounted switchgear, too.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

  • Integrated Luggage
    Subframe-fitted, quick-release luggage mounts allow easy use of the standard fitted hard side cases, which are conveniently matched to the ignition key. Each case is designed to match the lines of the FJR1300ES, provide plenty of storage space, and thanks to the compact mounting system, overall vehicle width is minimized for in-town maneuverability.
  • Standard Heated Grips
    The FJR1300ES includes heated grips straight from the factory, adjustable through the multi-function instrumentation, with four settings (three settings plus off) of available heat for cooler conditions and foul weather.
  • Fairing-Mounted Storage
    A glove box is built into the upper fairing and includes a 12V outlet ideal for charging phones, GPS units, electric vests, and other compact electrical devices.


2020 Yamaha FJR1300ES Photos


Yamaha Motorcycles Official Websites

Social Media Links

6 Comments

  1. Craig Sussman
    March 24, 2020
    Reply

    I have a 2016 FJR1300A model and it is fun bike to ride whether commuting or doing long distance trips. I have just under 25K miles on it now. The stock and Yamaha comfort seats are way too hard for long distance touring. After riding three consecutive 550 mile days I could hardly sit. I had a custom seat made which solved that problem.

    On the reliability side, the bike was flawless for the first two and a little years but the last eight months I have had a repeated issue with the cruise control cutting off and not willing to reengage unless I shut of the ignition which resets it. My local dealer has of course not been able to recreate the issue on the two one week long stay my bike has had. The second issue is with the coolant temp gauge bouncing all over instead of a single reading. I was told twice this is normal as the bike heats up, again never happened in the first two years of ownership.

    Finally, coming from a BMW before this bike I was surprised to see how expensive maintaining my FJR was compared to my BMW. BMW service intervals are 8K miles while the FJR is only 4K miles, so twice as many as needed by the BMW. My R1200R boxer engined bike had two services, small (about $175) and large (about $780). My Yamaha services have ranged from $220 to $1050 for the largest 20K mile service.

    While I do like and enjoy my FJR, I’ve had issues I’ve never had from any other brand before that I’ve owned (BMW and Honda’s) and will probably go back to BMW in the next 18 months. This was my first and last Yamaha.

  2. Walt Downey
    September 22, 2020
    Reply

    Wow, I am glad I saw your comments, I was looking to go from BMW to Yamaha on the FJR specifically since my Beemer was getting long in the tooth, but I think I will look at the new RT again. Thanks
    1

  3. Neal
    December 13, 2020
    Reply

    Hello
    Looking for a 2019/2020 yahama fjr
    1300 fir summer next year

  4. Peter Blacklin
    February 19, 2021
    Reply

    I have a 2019 FJR ES, before that a 2007 FJR A. The 2007 was totaled after hitting a deer at 70+, I stayed on the bike and walked away. It absorbed a huge amount of energy. I had 98,500 miles on the 2007 at the time. The cruise control dropping out is probably linked to the front brake switch recall that has come out Jan 2021. There is also a gear box recall, mine is currently being performed. The cost of an FJR with the amount of technology is significantly lower that other machines for the same purpose, I took the opportunity to look. The operational costs for me are low, oil, filters and tires, I perform the maintenance myself. The 2019 ergonomics are subtly different from the 2007, better for me. The performance has two modes, touring (normal) and Sports (hooligan). The sports mode is a hang on and slow down to traffic speed after the on ramp acceleration. I ride mine every day unless it is snow or ice. I will probably put 100K plus on this FJR once we have the pandemic mostly behind us.

  5. Donal
    December 8, 2021
    Reply

    I have a 2013 FJR1300 and after the first 12 mths I now do all my own maintenance and there’s been no issue . It can drop out of cruise and thus related to the front brake switch which is being sorted . Now have 12000 miles on it including the drive home from Bahrain to Ireland through Saudi in middle of the summer . She put out a lot of heat but fine now in Ireland . I also have a k1200s which is a different sort of bike but the fjr is better for longer distance driving . Had a stone through the rad and was easily fixed . Just changed the front fork oil and seals due to the horrid potholes around where I live .

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.