06 vs 08

[SigepKat]

Is there any reason to choose one over the other? As best as I can tell they're identical excerpt for color, but the 06 is cheaper...someone help me make a decision!!!

 

[MCRIDER007]

They are not identical, the 08 had multiple upgrades which added up to a much improved model.

 

[07FJRVegas]

As per the last post, 08 has many of the issues found in the 06 (1st year of Gen II) & 07 (I have an 07) worked out. It would depend on how much cheaper you're talking.

 

[escapefjrtist]

They are not identical, the 08 had multiple upgrades which added up to a much improved model.

'007 speaks the truth here. The '08 is a much better bike with many incremental improvements than the '06. If you can swing it, pick up the newest / lowest mileage bike you can afford.

Good Luck!

--G

 

[dcarver]

As an 06 owner, hate to agree. But I do.

 

[zed88]

Pick up a powercommander 3 for $300 and you've got most of the upgrades. What else changed?

 

[El Toro Joe]

The 08 is a much better machine? Really?

 

[SigepKat]

IThe 08 is about 2k more, but it actually has about 5k more miles...

 

[Panman]

I own the early Gen II and have ridden both and the big and only real improvements on the 08 is the throttle abruptness improvement and somewhere along the line the spider bite improvements. The throttle deal is a huge improvement even with the PC III and G2 throttle tube on my 07 it still isn't quite as smooth as the 08 I rode but good enough.

That being said the 07 Dark Cherry is the best looking of all three Gen's!

 

[MCRIDER007]

I own the early Gen II and have ridden both and the big and only real improvements on the 08 is the throttle abruptness improvement and somewhere along the line the spider bite improvements. The throttle deal is a huge improvement even with the PC III and G2 throttle tube on my 07 it still isn't quite as smooth as the 08 I rode but good enough.

I have ridden several 06s and 07s and in comparison the 08 engine is smoother with much less vibration through the handlebars, has smoother transmission shifting, and the throttle abruptness is gone. It also has a newer ABS system (that I have never used) but overall the 08 just feels more refined than the older models.

I think the 08 is worth 2K more than a 06, especially when you will get at least half of that back when you sell or trade it in, but FJRs do not seem to be created as equals, especially when it comes to engine smoothness, its best to ride both and then decide.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

FWIW...I have a 2008 with 7,500 miles on it now (bought it with 2,900 last Feb) motor is VERY smooth, throttle is smooth, no abruptness

 

[ULEWZ]

I have an 07 with throttle spring mod, G3 throttle cam mod, and PCV, and I get comments all the time how smooth the throttle is. I also have the upgraded ECU which helped loads. For two grand, get the 06, do the mods listed above, and have money left over for the suspension.

 

[mcatrophy]

I swapped my '06 for a '10. Immediately noticed the improved throttle response and less motor vibration.

That throttle response has increased my confidence in tight hairpins no end. Very glad I shelled out the big bucks to do the swap.

 

[airboss]

Done both.

06 rode for 72,000 mile (crash), replaced by an new in the box 08 currently with 42,000 mile.

If I had to decide beteen the two it would be a difficult decidison for me. like everyone said the 08 has many improvements and an extra 5,000 mile is no biggey for an FJR. I did love that 06 and the throttle snatch was no big deal for me got used to that right away. I did unwrap the throttle spring one turn. That is one stiff throttle.

Ride both, maybe they'll drop the price on the 08 to help make up your mind.

 

[SigepKat]

Just so I can get a handle on this throttle abruptness, how does the 06 compare to the 05 (I'm replacing a wrecked 05.) I test drive something, but they're all hours away, so...

 

[escapefjrtist]

You will definitely notice a much stiffer throttle pull and abrupt on/off transition verses your previous '05. Nothing you can't get used to and overcome, but it takes a steady hand to be smooth on the '06 & '07 bikes.

FWIW on my previous '06, I added a G2 tube (got it for free), bumped up the idle and played with the CO settings with satisfactory results for me. It's just that the later bikes are much better right out of the box w/o any fiddling necessary.

Just my $.02

--G

 

[bramfrank]

I've ridden several model years and I own an '06. I never had any problems with the throttle.

The differences between the '06 and '08:

The throttle cam was redesigned - it is more progressive on the '08 - it was further refined on the '09 and the '09 also got a new clutch slave cylinder.

The dogs on the 2nd/5th gear in the transmission were redesigned - a dog was added and the angle of attack increased to make shifts from 2-3 more positive - you're still going to blow the shift fork if you miss a shift under power and not many bikes had issues, but it is something to keep in mind.

Yamaha changed suppliers for the ABS unit in '08 - it has no impact on performance - I gather this was driven by a temporary supplier issue. ABS modules are available for older machines from parts inventory if you need one, but it IS a change worth mentioning.

The '08 got a scratch resistant coating on the windshield - the 06/07 windshields were non coated.

$2K buys a fair amount of oil, fuel and tires.

 

[mdisher]

As an 06 owner, hate to agree. But I do.

+1

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Neither one is the best choice. The 06 is one year too soon and the 08 is one year too late. You know the rest of the story!