Has anyone had a chance to ride a Yamaha fjr1300ae ? I've been reading the reviews on it, with an electronic thumb shifter, it may be a bike I can feel comfortable riding. Ride Safe...Robert in Az.

Robert,

I hear the 1300 is a very nice bike but you may want to check to see if the 1300 is still in production with the shifter. I thought I read something somewhere that it was dis-continued. I could be wrong though. When I read stories about this bike or the Concours it seems the riders complain about the amount of heat that the engine gives off. Being in Arizona you may want to look into that. But I hear they are great crusiers and very comfy.

I'm waiting for the new Honda Mid concept to come out. I think the DCT would make it really nice and smooth, even though it will have a chain. Have you thought about the VFR 1200? They have the setup of the DN-01 with the automatic setup with the gears shifter like the Burgman 650.

The automatic 1300 has indeed been discontinued. The motorcycle magazines never did have anything good to say about it. I can't comment, as I've never seen one, let alone ridden one.

I have only ever seen one, I was quite impressed by it's looks and performance. Then the owner said after only three months of ownership he was returning back to auto scooters. Something to do with the clutch at take off!!! It was a few years ago so specifics have drained to the bottom of the brain sump - sorry!!

I know Yamaha dicontinued the fjr1300ae, but you can find some used ones on the internet. I' am also, waiting for Honda to start producing the Mid Concept. BMW also has a nice looking Concept Scooter, lets hope they both come out, and give us scooter riders some choices. Ride Safe...Robert.