As we all get swept up by the current adventure bike trend, it is pretty easy to forget the fact that people have been traveling on motorcycles for decades, and an ADV isn’t necessarily the best tool for the job. That will always depend on your specific use case. If you want the added convenience of being able to go off-road when the need arises, then an ADV might well be for you. But in reality, most riders will never actually take their adventure bike off-road.
For most riders, a touring bike will be a better fit. But most riders do not have $20k to spend on a leisure vehicle. There are some exceptional middleweight bikes on the market that are more affordable, but if you are willing to consider a used option, then there is one budget-friendly alternative that will still feel more like a luxury motorcycle.
A Couple Of Luxurious Used Alternatives
By the 00s, the Honda Gold Wing was the “Gold Standard” for luxury touring motorcycles. Today, these bikes still offer a lot of value, but much of what set them apart two decades ago is pretty much irrelevant today. What is not irrelevant is the fact that it already had a smooth-running flat six, and about as much wind protection as a motorcycle can have before we start talking about motorcycles with roofs. It is still a little pricey compared to its contemporaries.
An altogether more affordable option is the Kawasaki Concours 1000. This isn’t anything like the Concours that just went out of production. It was a leftover from the 80s and was in its penultimate year. While proven, it really is just an 80s superbike with some luggage and wind protection tacked on. As such, you can find these bikes for next to nothing. To the right buyer, it represents fantastic value, but it simply is not luxurious.
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The 2005 Yamaha FJR1300 Still Feels Like A Luxury Motorcycle
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
The FJR1300 sort of splits the difference between the old Gold Wing and Concours. While it is affordable, it still offers impressive luxury for a motorcycle this old. Over the years, it has also proven capable of accumulating a huge amount of miles without much fuss. That said, any bike that has been neglected will be a recipe for disaster.
The trade value is currently sitting at $3,370, and while we doubt dealers would consider trading in a bike this old, it does provide a frame of reference for what you should be paying for the bike. You might well find a bike for under this value, and while there is every chance you could get a good deal, it would usually indicate the fact that something is actually wrong with the bike. Resale value is pegged at just under the $5k mark, but for bikes with unusually low mileage – remember, this is a touring bike and high mileage is to be expected – will sell for a little more.
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Powered By A Smooth, Durable Inline-Four
Power: 141 Horsepower
Initially conceived as a superbike back in the 80s, the FJ1200 had already evolved into a sport tourer by the early 90s. After a fairly lengthy hiatus, Yamaha eventually replaced the sport tourer with the FJR1300 in the early 00s. It took everything up a notch, with a bigger, more powerful liquid-cooled inline-four, better wind protection, and a more comfortable seat.
Over the years it has been in production, this smooth-running 140-horsepower engine has also proven to be exceptionally reliable. Its shaft drive is relatively low maintenance, but it certainly saps some of the power. It also contributes to the overall weight of the bike, which is most certainly not insignificant, but will still keep up with sportier modern tourers on a canyon road.
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The FJR1300 Is Sport Touring Royalty
The 2024 model year marked the end of production for this legendary motorcycle. Any bike with a production run of over two decades obviously has some serious staying power, but there is no denying that the modern equivalent is starting to show its age. We live in a time when motorcycles come with all sorts of electronics, and it is important to remember that these electronic safety nets all make modern machines safer.
The only safety feature that the FJR1300 has is ABS brakes, and that is only if the system has been properly maintained. Some older ABS systems that have not had regular fluid changes can be more of a hindrance than a help. As such, this is not an approachable motorcycle. Although it might have a fairly low seat height, that is about where it ends. With a dry weight of over 550 pounds to go along with its 140 horsepower, this is a dangerous bike in the wrong hands or in the wrong condition.
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Amazing Bang For The Buck
Seeing a bike this old, but still this good, is a double-edged sword. It offers incredible value if it has been maintained, but can become a dangerous money pit if it has not. High mileage shouldn’t put you off, but no service history should. This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, an easy bike to purchase, and due diligence is required. These bikes are most likely onto their third or fourth owner by now, and finding one with a complete history will be very hard, and well worth paying more for, but some service history is a must.
Sources: KBB, Yamaha Global