Darn you Honda

[Whoops]

I think what we're seeing is the California effect and they are pushing for electrification. Getting the new model certified in CA would most likely be problematic, and they don't want to bring a 49 state bike in. Not to mention there are other states looking to follow CA's lead on emissions, and that's a death knell for new models.

California Air Resources Board is a bunch of leftist loons that screw up everything. Then the other Left Coast states march lock step with CA. Then Illinois and the Northeast states join the parade. The CB is probably my last hurrah. I won't buy a Chinese bike no matter the price.....Rant over.
[/quote]

[Ollie]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

It doesn't take THAT much effort on a trip to wipe the chain and spritz it with lube at the end of every day or two. Especially with a center stand.

[the Ferret]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

From 1969 to 2006 when I got my ST 1300 almost every bike I toured on was chain driven (CB 350, RD 350, TX 650 x 3, GT 750 x 2, CB 750 x 2, GS 1100, FZ-1 x 2). I did have a shaft driven 81 GS 850 and an 85 VF 1100 shaft driven bikes.

I've had really good luck with my CB 1100 chains, and have never had to adjust one of my chains on a trip. Not on 1 of the CB 1100 rallies or the Men's Fall Trips I have taken on it, and I have gotten over 36,000 miles out of each of 2 chains. It's rare to have to adjust them between tire changes. Likewise, I have never had to adjust the chain on my NC 750 while on a trip. Modern O ring and X ring chains are pretty darn good. I have to admit.

However, I would PREFER a shaft on my sport tourers, but that narrows it down to Yamaha FJR (this is their last year..I've had one), Kawasaki Concours, BMW, Triumph or Moto Guzzi...or a Gold Wing I suppose is you want to call that a sport tourer.

Honda (who doesn't really have a sport tourer in the US), Suzuki, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia, all of their sport tourer's are chain driven now.

I wish Honda would bring back something along the lines of the 84-86 CB 700SC Nighthawk S with mini fairing, hydraulic valves and shaft drive, only with FI and cruise control.

[Tev62]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

You might think again, shaft drive maintenance is becoming a thing now

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on my 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 was replace the oil in it on first service only then sealed thereon.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on the 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 is to replace the oil in it every two years regardless of mileage.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on my 2023 BMW GS1250 is to replace the oil in the rear bevel gears every 12,000 miles.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on the 2024 BMW GS1300 is to replace the oil in the rear bevel gears every 12,000 miles. and open up the shaft drive and visually inspect & lubricate the universal shaft every 12,000 miles and Replace the Shaft Drive at 48,000 miles.

There's progress for you.

[Whoops]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

From 1969 to 2006 when I got my ST 1300 almost every bike I toured on was chain driven (CB 350, RD 350, TX 650 x 3, GT 750 x 2, CB 750 x 2, GS 1100, FZ-1 x 2). I did have a shaft driven 81 GS 850 and an 85 VF 1100 shaft driven bikes.

I've had really good luck with my CB 1100 chains, and have never had to adjust one of my chains on a trip. Not on 1 of the CB 1100 rallies or the Men's Fall Trips I have taken on it, and I have gotten over 36,000 miles out of each of 2 chains. It's rare to have to adjust them between tire changes. Likewise, I have never had to adjust the chain on my NC 750 while on a trip. Modern O ring and X ring chains are pretty darn good. I have to admit.

However, I would PREFER a shaft on my sport tourers, but that narrows it down to Yamaha FJR (this is their last year..I've had one), Kawasaki Concours, BMW, Triumph or Moto Guzzi...or a Gold Wing I suppose is you want to call that a sport tourer.

Honda (who doesn't really have a sport tourer in the US), Suzuki, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia, all of their sport tourer's are chain driven now.

I wish Honda would bring back something along the lines of the 84-86 CB 700SC Nighthawk S with mini fairing, hydraulic valves and shaft drive, only with FI and cruise control.

Did Yamaha state the FJR1300 is no more in the US? I hadn't heard about that and can't seem to find anything that confirms that.

[The Gecko_imp]

For a number of reasons the prices for motorcycles are significantly lower in the U.S. than in many other countries. This eats into the margins, and this dampens long-term the appetite of manufacturer and whole sellers to import their products.
My dad used to say, "buy cheap and you buy twice."
In this case this seems to turn into "buy cheap and you buy ... nothing".

[Ollie]

Were I in the market for a sport tourer I'd have to consider Yamaha's Tracer 9GT. No shaft but it's 150# lighter than an FJR. The engine was stroked for 2021 giving it more midrange grunt and improved mpg, the chassis was completely redone, semi active suspension, quick shifter, active LED cornering lighting, adjustable seat, bars, and pegs, cruise, heated grips, panniers, all standard. MSRP is $15K (over $3,000 less than an FJR) but the fact Yamaha shows both 2022 and 2021 on their website tells me there may be a good deal to be had on one.
Gecko I'm not so sure motorcycle prices are significantly cheaper here than say Europe?

[the Ferret]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

From 1969 to 2006 when I got my ST 1300 almost every bike I toured on was chain driven (CB 350, RD 350, TX 650 x 3, GT 750 x 2, CB 750 x 2, GS 1100, FZ-1 x 2). I did have a shaft driven 81 GS 850 and an 85 VF 1100 shaft driven bikes.

I've had really good luck with my CB 1100 chains, and have never had to adjust one of my chains on a trip. Not on 1 of the CB 1100 rallies or the Men's Fall Trips I have taken on it, and I have gotten over 36,000 miles out of each of 2 chains. It's rare to have to adjust them between tire changes. Likewise, I have never had to adjust the chain on my NC 750 while on a trip. Modern O ring and X ring chains are pretty darn good. I have to admit.

However, I would PREFER a shaft on my sport tourers, but that narrows it down to Yamaha FJR (this is their last year..I've had one), Kawasaki Concours, BMW, Triumph or Moto Guzzi...or a Gold Wing I suppose is you want to call that a sport tourer.

Honda (who doesn't really have a sport tourer in the US), Suzuki, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia, all of their sport tourer's are chain driven now.

I wish Honda would bring back something along the lines of the 84-86 CB 700SC Nighthawk S with mini fairing, hydraulic valves and shaft drive, only with FI and cruise control.

Did Yamaha state the FJR1300 is no more in the US? I hadn't heard about that and can't seem to find anything that confirms that.

Did Yamaha state the FJR1300 is no more in the US? I hadn't heard about that and can't seem to find anything that confirms that.
That's what I have heard 2024 will be the last year due to emissions. It has already been discontinued in Europe and Japan from what I have read.

No official word from Yamaha yet though

[GoldOxide_imp]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

You might think again, shaft drive maintenance is becoming a thing now

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on my 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 was replace the oil in it on first service only then sealed thereon.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on the 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 is to replace the oil in it every two years regardless of mileage.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on my 2023 BMW GS1250 is to replace the oil in the rear bevel gears every 12,000 miles.

The Shaft Drive Maintenance on the 2024 BMW GS1300 is to replace the oil in the rear bevel gears every 12,000 miles. and open up the shaft drive and visually inspect & lubricate the universal shaft every 12,000 miles and Replace the Shaft Drive at 48,000 miles.

There's progress for you.

None listed are Japanese.

Never had to worry about a Japanese final shaft drive. I had many and they never failed, leaked, nor did any of my riding peers who had one experience any sort of failure. I usually neglected the shaft drive maintenance schedule, and sometimes the oil coming out looked really decomposed. Nonetheless, new oil in and riding continued.

I expect the same from my V85TT.

The said bikes don't have sophisticated final shaft drives perhaps compared to the ones you listed Tev. Maybe simplicity has something to do with it. Dunno.

[Whoops]

I would never buy a chain drive sport tourer.

From 1969 to 2006 when I got my ST 1300 almost every bike I toured on was chain driven (CB 350, RD 350, TX 650 x 3, GT 750 x 2, CB 750 x 2, GS 1100, FZ-1 x 2). I did have a shaft driven 81 GS 850 and an 85 VF 1100 shaft driven bikes.

I've had really good luck with my CB 1100 chains, and have never had to adjust one of my chains on a trip. Not on 1 of the CB 1100 rallies or the Men's Fall Trips I have taken on it, and I have gotten over 36,000 miles out of each of 2 chains. It's rare to have to adjust them between tire changes. Likewise, I have never had to adjust the chain on my NC 750 while on a trip. Modern O ring and X ring chains are pretty darn good. I have to admit.

However, I would PREFER a shaft on my sport tourers, but that narrows it down to Yamaha FJR (this is their last year..I've had one), Kawasaki Concours, BMW, Triumph or Moto Guzzi...or a Gold Wing I suppose is you want to call that a sport tourer.

Honda (who doesn't really have a sport tourer in the US), Suzuki, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia, all of their sport tourer's are chain driven now.

I wish Honda would bring back something along the lines of the 84-86 CB 700SC Nighthawk S with mini fairing, hydraulic valves and shaft drive, only with FI and cruise control.

Did Yamaha state the FJR1300 is no more in the US? I hadn't heard about that and can't seem to find anything that confirms that.

Did Yamaha state the FJR1300 is no more in the US? I hadn't heard about that and can't seem to find anything that confirms that.
That's what I have heard 2024 will be the last year due to emissions. It has already been discontinued in Europe and Japan from what I have read.

No official word from Yamaha yet though

That’s unfortunate. I guess the age of big, shaft-driven sports touring seems to be rapidly declining. It also seems to be the demise of the inline 4 cylinder sadly. As visceral as a twin sounds, it’s just no substitute for the smooth, clockwork like feel of an I4 liter class engine..