We’ve loved the Yamaha FJR1300 for a long time and now offers riders an even greater overall motorcycling package as well as a superior ride quality thanks to Yamaha’s advanced electronically-adjustable suspension system in its sophisticated long-distance tourer range for 2014 with the addition of the 2014 Yamaha FJR1300AE. This new model, which sits between Yamaha’s FJR1300A and FJR1300AS in the range. FJR1300AS is the one with the clutch-less gear shift system and now the 2014 Yamaha FJR1300AE makes this system available to customers who prefer to have a standard gear box system.

The electronically-adjustable suspension system is designed to enable riders to vary the suspension’s performance to suit both the road’s surface and the load carrying requirements. With a choice of four main settings, the rider can be confident that no matter what the conditions, the Yamaha FJR1300AE will deliver the best possible set-up and ride quality.

Changing modes on the 2014 Yamaha FJR1300AE

By simply selecting an option via the easily located handlebar-mounted switch, the rider can select ‘One-Up’, ‘One-Up with Luggage’, ‘Two-Up’ or ‘Two-Up with Luggage’ (which would be Kavitha and my favorite) suspension settings. The choice shows up in the instrument panel. In addition to these four main settings, the system also offers the rider a choice of ‘Soft’, ‘Standard’ or ‘Hard’ damping for each setting, giving a total of 12 pre-defined suspension set-up options. I wouldn’t see myself tweaking these settings while out on the road, if they weren’t so user friendly to change.

For even greater flexibility, settings can also be managed manually, allowing the rider to match the most precise setup requirements.

The system is linked to both the front and rear suspension systems, any alteration is made in conjunction with the damping and preload on both front and rear systems and a balance is maintained to deliver smooth and consistent handling performance.

In order to fit the electronically-adjustable suspension to the bike, the FJR1300AE has new upside-down forks, updating not only the bike’s look but also its performance. The new forks contain independent damper mechanisms, splitting the compression and damping adjustment between fork legs. The compression damping mechanism is located within the left fork while the rebound damping is housed in the right fork. This system is currently used on the Yamaha YZF-R1 as well as the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike.

Separating out the damping forces between the fork legs is critical to the operation of the electronically-adjustable suspension as it allows the system to offer a wider and more accurate range of damping settings. The two distinct damping systems reduce the fluctuation in hydraulic pressure within the forks, helping to optimise the damping valve’s performance during hard and sustained use.

With the introduction of the 2014 Yamaha FJR1300AE, they have further enhanced the long-distance capabilities of one of the most established sports tourers. Along with class-leading engine, chassis performance, outstanding comfort levels, the electronically-adjustable suspension system significantly improves its already excellent ride quality.