The Word from Yamaha

JohnB · Aug 2, 2006

As promised, I contacted Yamaha yesterday and was lucky enough to call at a time when the wait for a “Product Specialist” was only 3 minutes. On other occasions, I’ve been told it could be as long as 3 weeks (!), in which case they take your number and call you back. The first specialist I talked to seemed to be hesitant about a definitive answer. So, I pressed him with a “are you sure” and “can’t we pin this down” and he agreed that he needed to consult with a colleague who was the definitive FJR Specialist. After doing this, he came back with the specific design intent. So, here’s the scoop.

The vents or “cowlings” are used to allow more or less warm air (from the engine bay) to reach the rider in this way:

When the vents are OPEN (or OUT), more warm air will reach the rider.

When the vents are CLOSED (or IN), less warm air will reach the rider.

The vents do this by controlling the cool air flow which is used to neutralize the warm air reaching the rider from the engine bay.

When the vents are open, cool air is deflected away from the rider thus allowing more of the warm air to be felt.

When the vents are closed, more cool air is allowed to neutralize the warm air that reaches the rider.

So, in case you were keeping score, the winners in the debate were:

cota95, fjrrider, mjs, paste007, DrBunsen, ScrapeApe and KYFJR. KYFJR was the person whose analysis came the closest to the actual design intent.

John

Fred H. --> It’s time to make the donuts !

TheAxeman · Aug 2, 2006

JohnB said:
As promised, I contacted Yamaha yesterday and was lucky enough to call at a time when the wait for a “Product Specialist” was only 3 minutes. On other occasions, I’ve been told it could be as long as 3 weeks (!), in which case they take your number and call you back.

Most of the high schools are out on summer break so they have their "specialists" back....

MSLPILOT · Aug 2, 2006

Most of the high schools are out on summer break so they have their "specialists" back....

LMAO!

Fred H. · Aug 2, 2006

Guess I owe someone a box of chocolate donuts (though I am still not convinced, the air coming off the side of the bike is not cool, it is HOT).

KYFJR · Aug 2, 2006

JohnB said:
As promised, I contacted Yamaha yesterday and was lucky enough to call at a time when the wait for a “Product Specialist” was only 3 minutes. On other occasions, I’ve been told it could be as long as 3 weeks (!), in which case they take your number and call you back. The first specialist I talked to seemed to be hesitant about a definitive answer. So, I pressed him with a “are you sure” and “can’t we pin this down” and he agreed that he needed to consult with a colleague who was the definitive FJR Specialist. After doing this, he came back with the specific design intent. So, here’s the scoop.
The vents or “cowlings” are used to allow more or less warm air (from the engine bay) to reach the rider in this way:

When the vents are OPEN (or OUT), more warm air will reach the rider.

When the vents are CLOSED (or IN), less warm air will reach the rider.

The vents do this by controlling the cool air flow which is used to neutralize the warm air reaching the rider from the engine bay.

When the vents are open, cool air is deflected away from the rider thus allowing more of the warm air to be felt.

When the vents are closed, more cool air is allowed to neutralize the warm air that reaches the rider.

So, in case you were keeping score, the winners in the debate were:

cota95, fjrrider, mjs, paste007, DrBunsen, ScrapeApe and KYFJR. KYFJR was the person whose analysis came the closest to the actual design intent.

John

Fred H. --> It’s time to make the donuts !

Thanks for following up with the info, John. Good stuff to know...

Maywannayamaha1300 · Aug 2, 2006

besides having a few imperfections....I still think this bike is "HOT"!!! :clapping:

ShinyPartsUp · Aug 2, 2006

First, thanks for the follow-up. Great work and I appreciate it.

Moved my vents back in last Saturday after the out position didn't work for me in any temp. range up to 106.

You'd think the Yamaha technical writers of the owners manual would have consulted with the one specialist who definitively knew what to do with the cowlings......maybe they were put on hold and said to hell with it!

cartfj40 · Aug 2, 2006

Fred H. said:
Guess I owe someone a box of chocolate donuts (though I am still not convinced, the air coming off the side of the bike is not cool, it is HOT).

I will chime in I am with Fred on this one they are nothing more than air deflectors. I have to say this is the first bike I have ever had that came stock with a "heater " for those -5 degree nights. My .02 ct's it's cooler with the vent's out IMHO .

818Guy · Aug 2, 2006

I have to agree with those who believe it is "cooler" with the vents open/out. I felt more heat with the vents closed/in... *shrug*

JohnB · Aug 2, 2006

No need to shoot the messenger, guys. I'm just relaying what they say the design intent was.

To each his own ...

05fjrBluedevil · Aug 2, 2006

I bet this is more a where are you thing, I do not have the 06, however i have had an opportunity to look at one.

I do like the fairiing design of it better than the previous models. that said if you are stock in traffic I do not think it would be any less hot if it were not for that popcorn cover over the engine.

maybe that new fairing allows the true frame vents to flow more hot air out of the fairing infront of the rider instead of under the rider.

So, we either make a duct for that hot air to escape behind us or let the fans blow the heat out at snail pace in front of us. otherwise the bike is fine and I am getting use to having my nuts warm, I think they decided to do this thinking they would cause sterization of the american race! :lol:

:dribble:

mdisher · Aug 2, 2006

I believed there were to be out for the winter and in for the summer, but ******, now I'm going to have to try it and see...

Fred H. · Aug 2, 2006

maybe that new fairing allows the true frame vents to flow more hot air out of the fairing infront of the rider instead of under the rider

The only problem with this theory is that the when the panels are open (OUT) they do not expose any vents or openings to the engine/frame. All they do is deflect air on the outside surface of the panel.

If you look at the below photo you will notice the opening to the radiator outlet is right in front of this moveable panel, so the hot air from the radiators flows right along the outer surface of this panel.

JohnB · Aug 2, 2006

Fred H. said:
maybe that new fairing allows the true frame vents to flow more hot air out of the fairing infront of the rider instead of under the rider

Click to expand...

The only problem with this theory is that the when the panels are open (OUT) they do not expose any vents or openings to the engine/frame. All they do is deflect air on the outside surface of the panel.

If you look at the below photo you will notice the opening to the radiator outlet is right in front of this moveable panel, so the hot air from the radiators flows right along the outer surface of this panel.

I guess the only point of contention then, Fred, is whether the cowlings in the open position deflect hot or cool air. Yamaha is saying that they deflect the cool air which makes the rider feel more warm air.

chickey191 · Aug 2, 2006

I also thought that it was warmer with the vents open - but I've been wrong before.

I propose a freekin test.

I have a hand held digital thermometer. I will take said thermometer and place it next to the uppper part of the vent in both positions and give you a temperature.

then it wont matter which product specialist you talk to -

by the way -- I'm always shocked when some folks mention that they feel more heat out of the right side on an '06 - when it is DEFINETLY the left side on mine.

I've got a burn on my shin on my left leg from riding through the central valley during the heat wave to prove it. right between the top of my boots and the knee pad of my riding pants.

JohnB · Aug 2, 2006

chickey191 said:
I also thought that it was warmer with the vents open - but I've been wrong before.

This is exactly what Yamaha is saying - open is warmer.

Constant Mesh · Aug 2, 2006

If the effect is so marginal that it can't be positively felt it's a non-issue.

Obviously, Yamaha viewed this feature as an add-on, bell-and-whistle -- an afterthought. You can infer that by where they make mention of the feature.

https://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/airManagement.aspx

In the "How Does It Work" section the description of the adjustable side vents merits the last sentence of the section.

In the "Air Management System Components" section the adjustable middle fairing again garners the bottom rank.

They must have had a few humorous moments trying to decide whether to include these marginal features:

-- Adjustable side vents

-- Instantaneous mpg display

And then they botched the mpg software! All that profit and goodwill down the drain!

jjsC6 · Aug 2, 2006

In theory, I still think Fred is correct (okay, actually I think I'M correct - remember - just marketing B.S.).

However, if Fred is making donuts, I'm in. Can we meet in Centrville some weekend?

EXPDSGT · Aug 2, 2006

I think it is how far you have your lower legs out that makes the difference. If I hold my legs in toward the bike the hot air misses them. I assume what Yamaha is saying is -- in the winter put them out and the warm air will come in on yur legs. But if you spread your legs like a bird the air is definitely hotter.

We have the same amount of heat as before; it is how to get the hot air past the rider that they were trying to solve. I think when it gets cold, we will find out for sure. In slow traffic the vents are not going to do much either way -- heat rises.

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