Major differences are:
Air flow management.
https://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/airManagement.aspx
At 70MPH in high gear, RPM's are approximately 500 less on the 06's and 07's compared to the 05's.
06 and 07 model years now come standard with linked braking and ABS.
Major Differences (cont.):
Fairings are different (And wings to manage air around rider's legs).
Windshield is different.
Seats are different (driver's is adjustable for height).
Bike is narrower (measured across the panniers).
Forks are different (parts will not interchange with previous models).
More ventilation through and around dashboard (Fresh air in the cockpit).
Dashboard is different.
Handlebars are adjustable (rotate to change angle of grips fore-and-aft).
More insulation between engine and gas tank.
Swingarm is longer.
The aftermarket sources for farkles are up-to-speedm so there is nothing for the OldGen that is not available for the NewGen.
My advice:
If you can, buy the NewGen bike. The air management is THAT much better and there aren't reports of HOT bikes as with the '03-'05s. The differences in handling w/ the longer swingarm are negligible and IF you notice it (I didn't when I test rode an '06 on mountain roads), suspension tuning (aftermarket shocks and fork springs) would likely make up any difference. As the models age and if Yamaha redesigns the bike in 2 years or so, the '05 will be even more dated. There are many on this forum who have owned both generations of the FJR and I can't think of one who would go back to the OldGen.
If you must buy the '05, this is a win-win choice because I highly doubt you would be disappointed with either iteration. They are fantastic (The Governator's favorite adjective) bikes. (A strictly unbiased opinion from someone who as owned an '04 & an '05).
Let us know which you end up with, so we can..... :clapping: :yahoo: :clapping: :yahoo:
