ML-FJR13AE
Well-known member
Hi
I'm a new member with over 20 years of driving experience and 18 bikes in my history - never had this problem before.
I got a bunch of problems with my 06AE wobbling and shaking in the steering. I have had the problem since I bought it 1.5 years ago as new. I can't find the problem, nor can Yamaha after taking the bike in 14 times (!). Friends of mine riding behind me has told me my bike looks "funky" when going into turns - I believe them; I ride the sucker
I have done the below:
Any good advice on how to resolve an issue like this without coughing up a couple of thousands on something that doesn't work? (like me paying $376 for the labor of having Yamaha changing steering head bearings. The bearings were paid for by Yamaha under warranty 6 months after expired warranty but they refused to pay for labor???!)
Lemon law?
I'm a new member with over 20 years of driving experience and 18 bikes in my history - never had this problem before.
I got a bunch of problems with my 06AE wobbling and shaking in the steering. I have had the problem since I bought it 1.5 years ago as new. I can't find the problem, nor can Yamaha after taking the bike in 14 times (!). Friends of mine riding behind me has told me my bike looks "funky" when going into turns - I believe them; I ride the sucker
I have done the below:
- Changed steering head bearings.
- Changed 4 set of tires in 14K miles (all front tires wore uneven and square - wobbly). - I drive mixed canyons, freeways etc with 38-40 PSI front and 36 PSI in rear. I drive mostly without a passenger and no lugage but with the two saddle bags empty.
- No matter which suspension setting I'm in; the front will shake at 2-3000 RPM in low speed/gear (11-20 miles/hour 2-3 gear).
- I installed the Yamaha trunk case; but gave up on riding with it in that I couldn't control the bike.
- Forget putting a passenger on the back - the bike will barely make a turn in an intersection.
- My suspension was checked by a racing company specialized in suspensions; naturally they believe that's where the problem is (they need to make a living too). According to them the suspension and springs are waaayyyyyyyy toooo soft from Yamaha. They test drove the bike for 120 miles and used the tires to the rim (so they obviously know how to ride a bike) and the conclusion was the above; too soft even in the hardest setting.
It doesn't make sense to me but I am not an expert. How can a suspension/springs be too soft from a manufacturer even in it's hardest setting? - I'm 175 lbs, so, it's not like I'm weighing down the bike a lot.
Yamaha recently claimed it's because I have a Sirius satelite radio installed (?????!). They can't explain to me why I had the problem before I installed the radio.
Yamaha then told me it was because I shouldn't ride with my trunk case and saddle bags at the same time. Well, I tried that once but almost lost the bike on the freeway because of it rolling like a ship in high sea - although there was no wind really. Also, they forgot I got the trunk case after bitching about the steering for over 12000 miles... :glare: ... and did I mention that I keep meeting FJR owners here in California riding the same bike loaded with navs, radios, extra luggage, extra lights, side cars, trailers etc without any problem?
Yamaha will no longer look at the problem (unless I pay for it) although they have worked on the bike on warranty 6 months past expiration of warranty (!?) However, they haven't looked at any of the following:
Wheel bearings (I assume they would catch that when changing tires). - Allignment (frame/fork etc).
- Fork oil level.
- Suspension.
- Front fork.
Any good advice on how to resolve an issue like this without coughing up a couple of thousands on something that doesn't work? (like me paying $376 for the labor of having Yamaha changing steering head bearings. The bearings were paid for by Yamaha under warranty 6 months after expired warranty but they refused to pay for labor???!)
Lemon law?
