Honda VT 750 DC Black Widow 2001 — Specifications

Since its debut, the FJR 1300 A has occupied a unique place in the large touring segment. It is not aimed at riders who favour sporty riding positions or urban manoeuvring, but at demanding travellers who cover thousands of kilometres a year in search of comfort, efficiency and reliability. The 2020 model continues a lineage that predates the 2008 model year, refined in 2013 and reworked again in 2016 — milestones that have built a solid reputation among long-distance riders. Currently priced at €17,299 in France, it remains a benchmark in its category.

The 1,298 cc inline four-cylinder produces 146 horsepower and torque in excess of 138 Nm. This engine, thoroughly revised during the 2013 overhaul, has since been paired with a six-speed gearbox featuring helical-cut gears — a first for Yamaha. This change not only lowered cruising revs on the motorway but also noticeably improved shift smoothness. A slipper clutch rounds out the package: it absorbs back-torque during downshifts, stabilising the motorcycle under hard braking. At this performance level, two injection maps and a traction control system allow power to be modulated according to conditions.

On the chassis side, the aluminium perimeter frame houses a well-proven geometry. The suspension on the A version is conventional but well calibrated for grand touring, with travel suited to long loaded journeys. The combined disc brakes deliver reassuring stopping power at a kerb weight of 289 kg. The full LED lighting introduced in the fourth generation concretely improves night visibility, and the adaptive technology — which steers the beams according to lean angle via the inertial measurement unit — is available on higher-spec versions. The FJR 1300 A also includes the preparation required for fitting a Dainese D-AIR airbag, a sign of serious attention to active safety.

Compared to its direct rivals — the BMW R 1250 RT above all — the FJR 1300 A takes a different approach: less intrusive electronics, more mechanical character, and a proven long-term robustness. Reviews of the FJR 1300 A from model years 2013 to 2017 consistently highlight its endurance and long-distance comfort, two qualities that remain just as valid on the 2020 model. The seat height of around 800 mm makes it accessible to a wide range of rider builds. For those wondering about the price of a new FJR 1300 A, the €17,299 asking price positions it at the upper end of the market — but when measured against what it delivers over tens of thousands of kilometres, the performance-to-durability ratio proves coherent. A mature tourer, free of pretension, built to last.