First Look: 2014 Yamaha FJR1300ES: Electronically Adjustable Suspension

Yamaha is slowly bringing its 13-year old touring bike up-to-date with the European competition, last year adding traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, and new headlights to the proven platform. Now, the 2014 Yamaha FJR1300ES adds the ability to adjust its suspension at the push of a button.

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Why Yamaha's FJR1300 Is Still Relevant

Despite its age, the FJR remains a top RideApart choice amongst touring bikes thanks to its smooth motor, excellent handling and all-day comfort. While rivals like the Kawasaki Concours 14 and Honda VFR1200 might trump it on paper, they lack the sheer cohesiveness of the Yamaha's total package. European rivals like the BMW K1600GT and Triumph Trophy match the Yamaha's package, but do so at much greater cost.

This new electronic suspension adjustment applies to the FJR's rear preload and compression and rebound adjusters at both ends, enabling you to set it up for solo or two up riding at the push of a button, further dialing in damping to suit your individual needs. This isn't a level of adjustment that wasn't available before, it's a new level of convenience, allowing you to make the adjustments without breaking out tools.

You control the suspension through bar mounted buttons, with the bike providing feedback through the LCD screen to the right of the analog tachometer.

Along with that ability comes new, UpSide Down forks, which separate compression and rebound damping into individual legs, a la the Yamaha R1.

The FJR1300ES will retail for $16,890; the non-electronically adjustable suspension equipped version, the FJR1300A, is $15,890.