07-07-2019, 04:49 AM
Wow, tough question getting tougher all the time as I learn the idiosyncrasies of the FJR. Remember I rode the ST for 11 years and 110,00 miles to all four corners of the country. We were old friends. The FJR just celebrated it's first birthday with 15,000 miles. It hasn't quite proven itself to me yet, but I imagine it will get there.
The ST fit me better. I rode in the ST, I ride on the FJR. The ST had a better windshield system, more range of motion. The FJR has some awfully nice features like ABS, Traction control, tour and sport modes, cruise control, heated grips and a 6th gear none of which the ST had. The FJR is by far easier to change the oil and oil filter on. The ST was a pain in that regard. I get better gas mileage on the FJR by about 5 mpg and it takes regular where the ST required premium, however the FJR holds 1.1 gallon less fuel so there is less range overall. The FJR has a better linked braking system as well, less complicated. Then again for some goofy reason the FJR has 4 sets of front brake pads. I just bought a set of replacement pads for it to keep in stock and they were nearly $300. OUCH! I think I preferred the ST's saddlebags. The FJR looks better with the saddlebags off though. I find them both equally smooth in the rev ranges I ride in and like the CB I find myself riding between 2500-3500 rpms on both the ST & FJR. The FJR weighs less by some 80 pounds, but it's so tall it's really top heavy. 26,000 mile valve inspections on the FJR vs 16,000 on the ST. The FJR is much easier to put on the center stand. I think fit and finish on the Honda was slightly better. I ride them both equally fast (or equally slow, depending on your perspective)
I take the FJR in Thursday the 17th to get some Soupy's lowering links installed in place of the stock dogbones and to drop the back end 1/2". I've already dropped the front 3/8". I won't lower it any more than that due to possible issues with the side stand and center stand. If that isn't enough to suit me I will send my seat to GreatDayToRide.com and let Frank lower the seat another 1/2" and put some of his long distance foam in it. He did my ST seat, dropping it an inch and adding LD foam to both front and rear seats.
I am more of a Honda guy. If Honda brought out the ST with the improvements that were made to the FJR, for me it would be a no brainer, I'd buy another Honda, but as things are now old ST vs new FJR, a guy would be foolish to buy the old ST.
At least that's my opinion.
The ST fit me better. I rode in the ST, I ride on the FJR. The ST had a better windshield system, more range of motion. The FJR has some awfully nice features like ABS, Traction control, tour and sport modes, cruise control, heated grips and a 6th gear none of which the ST had. The FJR is by far easier to change the oil and oil filter on. The ST was a pain in that regard. I get better gas mileage on the FJR by about 5 mpg and it takes regular where the ST required premium, however the FJR holds 1.1 gallon less fuel so there is less range overall. The FJR has a better linked braking system as well, less complicated. Then again for some goofy reason the FJR has 4 sets of front brake pads. I just bought a set of replacement pads for it to keep in stock and they were nearly $300. OUCH! I think I preferred the ST's saddlebags. The FJR looks better with the saddlebags off though. I find them both equally smooth in the rev ranges I ride in and like the CB I find myself riding between 2500-3500 rpms on both the ST & FJR. The FJR weighs less by some 80 pounds, but it's so tall it's really top heavy. 26,000 mile valve inspections on the FJR vs 16,000 on the ST. The FJR is much easier to put on the center stand. I think fit and finish on the Honda was slightly better. I ride them both equally fast (or equally slow, depending on your perspective)
I take the FJR in Thursday the 17th to get some Soupy's lowering links installed in place of the stock dogbones and to drop the back end 1/2". I've already dropped the front 3/8". I won't lower it any more than that due to possible issues with the side stand and center stand. If that isn't enough to suit me I will send my seat to GreatDayToRide.com and let Frank lower the seat another 1/2" and put some of his long distance foam in it. He did my ST seat, dropping it an inch and adding LD foam to both front and rear seats.
I am more of a Honda guy. If Honda brought out the ST with the improvements that were made to the FJR, for me it would be a no brainer, I'd buy another Honda, but as things are now old ST vs new FJR, a guy would be foolish to buy the old ST.
At least that's my opinion.