04' with 44K quieter than 08' with less than 3K??

[HotRodZilla]

Howie...Come on man; don't let the technology scare you. I bet you and RJ are still using rotary phones and driving cars without airbags "Because they might be heavier." Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....

My new 09 goes, stops, and turns as good or better than my 04.

It's got the same motor as a Gen I, but LOTS more weight, plus HIGHER gearing, so it can't "goes" as good or better than an 04. It does have the same motor, but they are now using newer tools to make the motors, which means ours are better. The computers and robots they use for automated welding and assembly build to better tolerances, so again, GenII = better.

The aforementioned weight will make it stop longer than an 04 and the linked brakes prevent 1/4 of the braking power on the front from working, so they're only there as a selling point, or to help a hamfisted (or -footed) rider from screwin' up, so the "stops" is also invalid. The GenIIs do stop better because they have larger rotors. Look at Iggy's (Sorry to bring you into this man, but Howie made me do it) comarison matrix that shows the earlier older, more ancient models with little teeny tiny brake rotors. You know...The ones everyone has to replace with Galfers just to get the bike to stop. The linked brakes do not reduce braking power by 1/4, they efficiently re-distribute the braking power for safer, more effective stops.

And since the bike uses the same size wheels and tires as a Gen I, they're out of the equation, so again the added weight, PLUS the longer wheelbase of a Gen II keeps it from turning as good or better..... Howie, Howie, Howie...Everyone knows a longer wheelbase does not necessarily result in a bike that turns any less better. That is controlled by trail/rake. MY Gen II turns just fine. Maybe you Gen I guys should attend an MSF course to help you with that. What extending the swingarm and elongating the wheel base did was add to the comfortable 'touring' part of the "sport-tourer" equation. If you want a short wheel base and blazing fast turns, you'll have to get a full on sport-bike, but be careful...Those are kind of new-fangled too.

It runs cooler

I guess you mean "the rider is cooler" since I bet the motor runs the same temp, either generation. Accuracy is everything!

Not having spent a Central Florida summer hossin' around a Gen II, I can't argue on that point, but owning an 04 that doesn't have a heat problem, I'd have to say the "issue" is a tempest in a tea pot. But I'll give you this one, just 'cause I'm feelin' generous. You may have 'ol Dave on this point, but 99% of GenII owners do not gripe about the heat, where over 50% of GenI owners do complain about the heat. Technically, Dave was incorret, but it's semantics, and you know what he meant. You are just trying to rationalize your misjudgements.

the instruments are nicer (the goofy idiot lights on the 04 were a constant source of irritation for me)

Pure opinion. Let's see you switch your instruments from MPH to KPH. And how about those really easy-to-read numerals on the speedo and tach!! Sorry...Those instruments ARE nicer. It's not just opinion, I saw it in the internet, so it must be true. AND, if you are having trouble seeing any of the numbers, that's probably an age thing. You're getting old...Just like your bike.

the brakes are better

Explain to me how? The linky thingy keeps 1/4th of the front brakes from working from the brake lever on the bar, so that's out, and the "improved ABS" that Yamaha advertises for late model Gen IIs is simply more marketing-speak. The only time ABS comes in to play is emergency situations, so any "improvement" isn't going to be something that manifests itself in day-to-day normal riding. As already explained, linked braking redistributes power. It does not reduce it. Besides, even if it did reduce power, the larger rotors and better mechanical parts increast the power more than any reduction. The ABS is FREE. We should never plan on a ride being normal. What happens if you have to grab the brakes on an imperfect surface? You lose traction and eat the big one. Us GenII owners have ABS brakes that will kick in, help us maintain traction and braking, bringing us to a safe upright stop. Ain't technology great?

ergonomics are more easily adjustable

You finally get one!!! :yahoo: I guess Helibar is goin' outta business now! He didn't say Helibar was going out of business, he said the ergonomics are more easliy adjustable. Just like you guys say, "Oh...Our bikes are lighter." Just because they are only lighter by a few pounds does not mean they are not lighter. A fact is a fact.

the stock screen is better

How? It's more scratch resistant? That's a great reason to buy a slower, heavier bike. What does the weight of the bike have to do with the windshield? We have better brackets and adjustment. That's just the way it is. You guys are sore losers. Have you and your bike taken your Geritol?

and the lower gearing is better on the highway.

I bet you're one of those "I want a 6th gear" guys, aren't ya? :glare: Ok...I'm with Howie here. WTF were you talking about Dave? Wider ratio gearing actually breaks the GenIs' back. All the GenI guys like to brag about how their bike is faster than the GenIIs. That is simply not the truth. GenI's may be ever so slightly quicker, but with better gear ratios, every one knows the GenIIs are in fact faster.

And I don't see how anyone can argue with the simple fact that an 09 is by far the best looking year, plus the black wheels hide the brake dust.

More opinion, not fact. And that only proves two things:

1 - You like black, and

2 - You're too lazy to wash your wheels

What's not to love?

How about the extra weight and reduced performance? Well, we've already talked about this. The extra weight and reduced performance are minimal, but we have the brakes to riegn that all in, the alternators to power it all up, and the balls that are not over-cooked, but pleaseantly warm to help us enjoy the ride.

Last, but not least.....

Any of you Gen1 lovers want to buy my 04? https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=126349

 


From your own ad --

 

great bike. Fast, comfortable.

 


So, a Gen I ain't so bad, hun? And then there's

 

It could use a new front tire, and the front brake pads are done.

 


How about a little truth-in-advertising?

 

For sale, one crappy, POS 2004 FJR1300. I've been hamfisted enough to drop this overweight beast, which weighs LESS than its replacement, resulting in a few scratches and a ding in the tank. Plus I've been riding around with a worn-out front tire and worn-out brakes, so it doesn't handle and stop as well as an "Adult-owned, well-maintained" motorcycle should.

 


My work here is done.

 


Here we go again making mountians out of mole-hills. Dave never said his '04 was bad. In fact, I bet he thinks it is a great bike. He just thinks his '09 is better. So see...We all have awesome bikes. You don't have to be jealous that ours are better models...That just happens as things progress

 

 


Oh...AND Howie...One last thing:

 

 

[FJRGuy]

HRZ covered off this detail but...

I'm a gen2 owner and i'm proud of it. For me the insignificantly heavier and ever so marginally slower bike is perfect for my needs, I understand that from a performance standpoint my bike is inferior virtually identical to the Gen1, but for me, it is just fine. I come from a Harley sport-touring background, -and when Yamaha purposely dumbed-down tweaked the FJR to attract riders such as myself ....well, I obliged and it was the best move for me.

For the record, I'd probably be and still be a GenI guy had I bought an FJR in '03 like my gut told me (instead of of the V-Strom my brain told me to get.) There just hasn't been significant enough changes to warrant the move. However, had I totaled my GenI, or blown up the engine, I would not be to proud (or stubborn, or fixated) to pick up the latest model.

Reminds me of a joke from my university days. I'll slightly modify it for context.

A GenI rider and a GenII rider received a video call from across the state.

It was a gorgeous blonde with nice big... (you get the idea.)

She said she would do whichever rider could get to her first, but...

they were only allowed to ride half the remaining distance to her at a time.

Naturally, being virile men, they both jumped on their bikes and headed cross state.

The GenI rider, being a stickler for minor insignificant details, quickly realized that he could never reach the destination".

The GenII rider laughed and said, "Well, I can get close enough for practical purposes!

 

[RadioHowie]

The GenIIs do stop better because they have larger rotors. Look at Iggy's(Sorry to bring you into this man, but Howie made me do it) comarison matrix that shows the earlier older, more ancient models with little teeny tiny brake rotors.

Oh Zilla, has the bleeding stopped where you shot your mouth off? :finger:

Since YOU quoted the comparison matrix, you need to go look again. The brake rotors were sized up in 04, so the 04s and 05 Gen Is have the bigger, better brakes.

Such a glaring oversight and lack of investigation on your part completely invalidates the rest of your blah-blah-blah.

Pretty typical of a Gen II pilot to think with his heart and not with his head. That's why you ended up on a Sportster Fatboy Softtail RoadKing Gen II FJR instead of the historically-proven-superior Gen I FJR.

 

[palerider]

Don't get so defensive, Gen II guys....
Hell, I dated a fat chick once, too, and aren't to ashamed to admit it.

You isn't too ashamed to admit it?

Maybe we need to run a survey to find out whether Gen I owners passed basic grammar.

 

[RadioHowie]

Don't get so defensive, Gen II guys....
Hell, I dated a fat chick once, too, and aren't to ashamed to admit it.

You isn't too ashamed to admit it?

Maybe we need to run a survey to find out whether Gen I owners passed basic grammar.

Typical reaction of the terminally lame.....

Attack the messenger, not the message. <_<

 

[RenoJohn]

......but they are now using newer tools to make the motors, which means ours are better. The computers and robots they use for automated welding and assembly build to better tolerances, so again, GenII = better.

[SIZE=18pt]BWWahahahha. What bullshit. [/SIZE]

I had to read no further than the first point to show the outright lies of this post.

Let's take this point. ...and how about we start at the front of the bike:

Here are pictures of the Gen1 front subframe and in particular, pay close attention to the mirror mounts ....important items because real riders have a tendency to mount stuff from the mirror brackets.

You'll notice strong solid welds with 1/4 aluminum ...strong as phuck

Now, let's take a look at the re-done design and the 'tight tolerances' and the other shit you mention....

The end result is this ......weaker, and more fragile ....here is a Gen2 after a 3mile dirt driveway:

Yep, me real sold on how yamaha's automation and tolerances worked out. **NOT**

.....yet another example <insert sigh here> of yamaha taking a step in the wrong direction on the Gen2 bikes.

I really hope that the Gen2 folks can start putting some facts to their arguments ....but the truth is that when you look at the FACTS, the Gen2 is vastly inferior.

Won't even waste my time with the rest of your dribble ...do your home work first, and come back with some facts.

 

[RadioHowie]

Won't even waste my time with the rest of your dribble ...do your home work first, and come back with some facts.

[SIZE=14pt]OUCH![/SIZE]

How's that stake feel, sticking out of your "Gen II" chests?

 

[2wheeldrift]

Won't even waste my time with the rest of your dribble ...do your home work first, and come back with some facts.

[SIZE=14pt]OUCH![/SIZE]

How's that stake feel, sticking out of your "Gen II" chests?

Nowhere near a bad as sticking out of your Gen 1 arse.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

was just watching the gospel hour on the religious network and they announced that the Yamaha Gen II FJR 1300 is the official bike of the 2nd coming! Guess that makes you 666 Gen I owners on the wrong side of the tracks!~

:clapping:

 

[DaveD]

As Mr Zilla said, "Dave never said his 04 was bad."

Just the opposite - I love my 04. Which is why I went out and bought a brand-spankin'-new FJR.

Life's too short to ride the same bike for more than 6 years. I test rode a VFR800, and seriously considered switching to a '10 Concours. But when I really thought about it, and how perfect my Gen1 was for me and how I ride, my conclusion was to re-up with the FJR for another 5 or 6 years.

And you know what? My Gen2 is wicket pissah. (That's Bostonian for frickin awesome.)

And all you guys who love Gen1 FJRs and think they're the balls? Enjoy.

(Oh, yeah - and about the "lower gearing" bit - yeah, so I muffed that one. But you know what I meant. It's nice to cruise on the highway at 74 and be under 4k.)