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As a motorcycle purist, I was initially skeptical of Yamaha’s new “clutchless” FJR 1300AE. After two and a half hours of stop-and-go traffic on San Diego’s infamous Route 76, that skepticism had turned to awe. The FJR’s five-speed manual transmission literally shifts with only the touch of a finger—a first among motorcycles. The bike’s computer attaches to an electronic shift actuator and clutch controller that retain the bond between rider and machine while eliminating the fatigue associated with operating a conventional clutch. The shifting response is flawless, and, at 1,298 cc’s, the engine kicks some serious asphalt.
—Matthew Cokeley $15,300; yamaha-motor.com
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