FJR1300 Yamaha for 2016

4th December 2015

LEDs | IMU | Dainese D-Air Street System | ABS 

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We're not big fans of the sports-touring market. But we can see the appeal, and so can Yamaha which has re-invested in this niche sector and has updated its FJR1300 with three new models; the FJR1300A, the FJR1300AS and the FJR1300AE. Each has a brand new 6-speed gearbox, a slip & assist clutch, a revised instrument cluster, and the optional Dainese D-Air Street system (air bag protection kit).

But perhaps the most controversial development are the adaptive cornering lights; three front-mounted LED's (each side) that switch on in succession depending on how far you're banking into a bend. There's an on-board Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU) controlling the lights, and as far as we know, it's a first for Yamaha (but BMW and KTM got there some time ago).

However, a failure on a fast bend is worrisome, especially as the system allows us to ride quicker than usual, and because of it we will ride faster. Or has Yamaha considered this? And is this concern just new tech paranoia? So okay, cars seem to manage okay. But cars have four wheels, crumple zones and airbags if it all goes wrong. Try raising this point with your dealer, and then let us know. Might be nothing. But might be something.

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