Dickf
Well-known member
Yamaha really doesn't give their dealers much information. Last year I walked into the dealer two days after Yamaha started taking orders for the '06. I ordered mine on September 30, and got it in July. The dealer could only show me a small brochure and limited description of the AE clutch operation. You would think Yamaha would have posted a short video on the net or something. I ordered the AE model because I was interested in the technology. So, what do I think?
I like up-shifting without using a clutch and have been doing so for years. This, the AE does very well, as well a decent down shifts. When slowing down, I get the smoothest down shifts if I leave the throttle on. Normally, though, I want to roll the throttle off to slow down. This is, of course, why we blip the throttle for downshifts with a standard clutch. When up-shifting between first and second, there is too much clutch slippage if I am at all aggressive with the power. The same is true to a lesser extent between second and third.
The biggest downside of the AE is that it is difficult to launch quickly and smoothly at the same time. That is, if the engine is at idle and you wish to move out quickly, there is no easy way to bring the engine up to the 2,000 (or so) clutch engage point quickly without jolting the bike. With a conventional clutch you have much better control here. Also, if you want to move the bike forward just a few feet you have to rev the engine to 2k (warm) or 2.5k (cold). Reminds me of my fathers 1950 Buick Dynaflow. With a conventional clutch you can keep the bike near idle and inch it forward with a lot less drama. It does seem as though Yamaha could have designed the clutch to engage at lower RPMs, but I am sure they have solid engineering reasons for doing what they did. And, we will probably see some refinements in future years as the company gains confidence and experience with this design. It would be nice to have a conventional clutch that could be used as an option.
Once under way (and during most launches from a stop) I like the AE just fine. I do generally like the way it up-shifts and down-shifts in most circumstances.
I use the foot shifter exclusively, for two reasons. First, that is the way I have always done it and I don't have any other use for my right foot. Second the inboard paddle switch is too short for my stubby fingers. If I use that I would modify the paddle.
If I had it to do over again, would I pay the $1,500 for the AE or save the money and get an A? Now that my curiosity is satisfied, I have to say I really don't know. I could go either way.
Dick Frederick
I like up-shifting without using a clutch and have been doing so for years. This, the AE does very well, as well a decent down shifts. When slowing down, I get the smoothest down shifts if I leave the throttle on. Normally, though, I want to roll the throttle off to slow down. This is, of course, why we blip the throttle for downshifts with a standard clutch. When up-shifting between first and second, there is too much clutch slippage if I am at all aggressive with the power. The same is true to a lesser extent between second and third.
The biggest downside of the AE is that it is difficult to launch quickly and smoothly at the same time. That is, if the engine is at idle and you wish to move out quickly, there is no easy way to bring the engine up to the 2,000 (or so) clutch engage point quickly without jolting the bike. With a conventional clutch you have much better control here. Also, if you want to move the bike forward just a few feet you have to rev the engine to 2k (warm) or 2.5k (cold). Reminds me of my fathers 1950 Buick Dynaflow. With a conventional clutch you can keep the bike near idle and inch it forward with a lot less drama. It does seem as though Yamaha could have designed the clutch to engage at lower RPMs, but I am sure they have solid engineering reasons for doing what they did. And, we will probably see some refinements in future years as the company gains confidence and experience with this design. It would be nice to have a conventional clutch that could be used as an option.
Once under way (and during most launches from a stop) I like the AE just fine. I do generally like the way it up-shifts and down-shifts in most circumstances.
I use the foot shifter exclusively, for two reasons. First, that is the way I have always done it and I don't have any other use for my right foot. Second the inboard paddle switch is too short for my stubby fingers. If I use that I would modify the paddle.
If I had it to do over again, would I pay the $1,500 for the AE or save the money and get an A? Now that my curiosity is satisfied, I have to say I really don't know. I could go either way.
Dick Frederick
:lol: 
