Honda F6C Valkyrie 2001 — Specifications

Twenty years of dominance on Europe's roads — that is the legacy the Yamaha FJR 1300 leaves behind as it exits the stage in 2020. This grand tourer is built for the long-haul rider: the kind who covers hundreds of kilometres at a stretch, luggage loaded and passenger on board, without ever sacrificing the pleasure of riding. Its final version — dubbed the Ultimate Edition — embodies both the culmination of a project and a grand farewell from a motorcycle that held its own against the competition for two decades.

The heart of the machine remains its inline four-cylinder engine of 1298 cc, producing 146.2 hp and a generous torque figure exceeding 14 mkg. Numbers that speak for themselves on a tourer designed equally for motorway cruising and winding mountain passes. The engine impresses with its responsiveness across the entire rev range, offering notable flexibility in town and crisp power delivery the moment the throttle is opened. The various D-Mode mapping options allow the rider to tailor throttle response to mood or weather conditions, while the shaft final drive ensures everyday reliability and refinement with no demanding maintenance. The YCC-S 2.0 automated gearbox, featured on the AS variant, manages the clutch during gear changes and handles automatic downshifts to a stop — a genuine asset on long journeys.

On the chassis side, the twin-spar aluminium frame provides a composed foundation. The electronic suspension — standard on the AE and AS versions — offers three damping settings (Hard, Standard, Soft) and four load configurations depending on luggage and passenger presence. The stated kerb weight of 292 kg (296 according to some sources) makes itself felt at a standstill, but disappears on the move thanks to a well-managed centre of gravity. Standard equipment is extensive: cruise control, cornering lights, traction control, slipper clutch, heated grips, electrically adjustable windscreen, 30-litre panniers on each side, and a centre stand. All of which explains why the Yamaha FJR 1300 spec sheet continues to be consulted regularly by grand tourer enthusiasts.

Against its long-standing rivals, the FJR 1300 went the distance. Where others — the BMW RT chief among them — evolved toward more modern configurations, Yamaha maintained a consistent, muscular, and pragmatic philosophy, found as readily among private owners as in professional fleets, including Yamaha FJR 1300 gendarmerie deployments. The Ultimate Edition, with its black and gold livery, contrast stitching on the seat, and numbered series badge, brings a touch of exclusivity well suited to a swan song. Listed at €19,699 on launch, the Yamaha FJR 1300 new price for 2020 may seem steep today — but the used market reflects a strong residual value for anyone seeking a Yamaha FJR 1300 on the second-hand market. A grand tourer that bows out with no announced successor, leaving a genuine gap in the category.