The third edition of Yamaha’s FJR1300 sports-tourer has a number of detail improvements, some important, some merely convenient. The result, however, is that one of the most competent distance-inhalers on the market just got better.

The 1298cc engine and five-speed transmission are unchanged, other than a slightly lower final-driver ratio for longer legs.

Yamaha quotes 105.5kW at 8000rpm, not big numbers for a four-cylinder musclebike, but this one impresses by the way it pulls from under 2000rpm all the way to the rev-limiter at 9000, without any steps in the power delivery – it just gets stronger the harder you rev it.

The test bike topped out at 257km/h with 8200 showing on the rev-counter, and ran dead steady at that speed with the adjustable screen on its lowest position.

The vertically-stacked gearbox is standard R-series stuff; vocal at low revs and always notchy. The test unit was particularly bad in this respect; unless I got it absolutely right the shift action was distinctly gritty, as if the mechanism had rough, unfinished edges.

Upshifts were a lot better without the clutch, especially above 4000rpm, but the ‘box remains the bike’s worst mechanical feature.

The bike returned an average of 7.1 litres/100km over the test period, which should give a range of 350km on the 25-litre tank.

The adjustable screen on the previous model provided inadequate protection in its lowest position but was uncomfortably noisy when raised.

For 2006 Yamaha has raised the top edge of the screen, moved it 50mm closer to the rider and added a central vent to reduce vortices between the screen and the rider.

The noise is gone  the screen is quieter up than down  but the vortex behind the screen is if anything stronger, sucking the rider’s torso strongly forward at high speeds, as well as inducing some front-end nervousness twitchiness.

It’s a disconcerting feeling and most FJR pilots will leave the screen in its lowest position, as before, unless it’s raining, when the extra protection is welcome.

The swing-arm of the 2006 FJR1300 has been lengthened by 40mm, taking the wheelbase up to a barge-like 1545mm, but the change of balance throws more weight on the front wheel and the bike actually handles more lightly than the previous model.

The wide handlebars, adjustable to three positions by eccentrics at their mountings, give plenty of leverage for throwing the bike around, and the slightly forward-leaning seating position lends itself unexpectedly well to spirited riding.

Choppy throttle

I was surprised at how easily the bike changed direction on our “ride and handling” test track despite its 264kg dry weight, and how well it held its line on long corners.

However, I soon learned to keep a steady right hand; the FJR’s throttle response is choppy at any revs except flat out and can unsettle the bike if the rider moves the twistgrip injudiciously in a corner.

The best is to go in a little slow and steadily wind it on as you pass the apex; the engine’s muscular 134Nm will pull you through and onto the next straight more quickly than you or your mates on their sportbikes would expect.

ABS is standard on the 2006 FJR just as well, because the four-piston Nissin brake callipers provide enormous bite, enough to haul down this big bike very smartly indeed dry roads and present problems in the wet.

The brakes are also linked: the front brake lever operates the left front calliper and two pistons on the right while the foot lever operates the rear brake and the remaining two pistons of the right front calliper, helping to minimise dive under hard braking and stabilise the bike on wet roads.

Deeply padded seat

But the FJR1300 is also superbly comfortable, with a broad, deeply padded seat (adjustable for height) and supple suspension, soaking up the worst of our bumpy test track, even with the remote preload adjustment on its hardest setting, while the sheer mass of the bike keeps it steady.

The new instrument panel has big analogue dials for speed and revs, with a big liquid crystal screen showing bar graphs for fuel level and engine temperature, and digital readouts for the time, ambient temperature, odometer, two trip meters, instant and average fuel consumption.

Strangely, the needles and digits on the two dials are backlit in bright orange while the infoscreen glows in the palest grey. As incongruous as it looks, however, it works; the instruments are easy to read at night and the oddly mismatched colours rapidly become part of the bike’s charm  and the down-to-earth way it does everything.

There are tourers for people who tour and tourers for people who ride. If you’re in the latter group, this bike’s for you.