'08 News

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One of the key features of the 08 FJR is:

* Advanced electronic fuel injection (EFI) system is ideal for long-distance sport-touring. The 42mm throttle body fuel injection system with 4-hole Nippon injectors delivers crisp, seamless throttle response regardless of weather or altitude. This system also enhances fuel economy, reduces emissions and offers instant, choke-free starting.

Does it sound like they fixed the high altitude surging problem as it specifically emphasized "seamless throttle response regardless of weather or altitude"?

 
Flylooper has it already.
What happened to Flylooper, anyway? He came on a ride on the Oregon Coast with a few of us about a year ago, then dropped off the face of the earth. He was an old Connie man, wondering if he defected all the way...
He lives solely in the toilet known as 'Politics Only' over at ST.n. I might add he's one of three lumps swirling around, never seemingly to get flushed down the drain. ;)

I keed, I keed, 'Loop! :lol:

 
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It looks to me like someone saw Alex's 03 that he had repainted. Me likey, not enough to trade my galaxy blue star cruiser, but it is nice :D

 
All the Japanese manufacturers cater to Europe because they sell more of these style bikes there. We don't get several Yamaha and Honda models sold there that I wish they sold here, like the MT01, or the XJR, or Honda's CB1000. What they don't sell alot of over there are the cruiser models, those are reserved for us lucky Americans.

The marketing guys should have their heads examined. I would love to have the new Honda 599 with the latest CBR600rr motor in it, which is still not going to be sold here. Was introduced last year in Europe and I was hoping it was coming for this year, but alas it is not. Honda and Yamaha play it too safe. Back in the mid 80's when Honda was introducing Interceptors they were the leaders, they created a market. Now they just play along, its pretty sad.

 
The Raven

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I labored weak and weary,

Over an oil and filter change that I should have done yore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my garage door.

‘Tis prolly just Rad,’ I muttered, ‘tapping at my garage door-

Only this, and not my whore.

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And my drain plug washer had been lost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly consciousness was borrowed.

Just forty winks I beg, - just a quick nap upon the floor.

For the rare and radiant drain washer, I need a nap upon the floor.

No slumber for now, nor evermore.

And the silk-o-lene puddle, like that of Royal Purple,

Spilled me – filled me with lower back pain never felt before;

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I cursed repeating

‘Tis only Rad entreating entrance at my garage door –

A man-****ed visitor entreating entrance at my garage door; -

This it is, and not my whore.

Presently my back grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

‘You S.O.B.,’ said I, ‘your forgiveness I will never implore;

But the fact is I was napping, and so rudely you came rapping,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my garage door,

That I pretended not to hear you’ – here I opened the garage door; -

Darkness there, no Rad, nor my whore.

Deep into that darkness peeing, long I stood there emptying, then fearing,

Dreaming dreams of man-****s like no mortal ever dreamed before.

But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, ‘Whore!’

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, ‘Whore!’

Merely this and not my whore.

Back into the garage turning, my urinary tract within me burning,

Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.

‘Surely,’ said I, ‘surely that is a **** flicking my lattice;

Let me see this **** then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore –

An in-ie, an out-ie? A mystery any man would explore; -

‘Tis the wind and not my whore!’

Then this ebony bike was before me, but I was not smiling,

By the grave and ashy decorum of the countenance it wore,

‘Surely you’re not the ’08,’ I said, ‘I wanted color and they send Raven?’

‘And you say that Yamaha sent you? – this will not be believed by my whore.’

‘And you say your name is FJR? - this neither will be believed by my whore.’

Quoth the raven bike, ‘Nevermore.’

Much I marveled this ungainly bike to make these claims so plainly,

Though as it answered, its appearance was really a bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was cursed with seeing this Raven that sits at my garage door.

Of all the threads of constructive input, this is what is laid at my door?

‘Nevermore. I’ll just ride my whore.’

 
Just seeing if I can get a reply in before this thread is closed/merged...

:bye:

Edit: Darn you Iggy, now this doesn't make sense. For the record, post 165 was it's own thread about thirty seconds ago. :***:

 
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It seems the Canadian site has more detail on the new stuff for 08'.

This is what I extracted.

1 - Revised throttle pulley shape for improved drivability...smoother throttle action and improved throttle feeling

2 - Middle geardamper spring load is increased for improved feeling at clutch engagement & better shifting feel overall

3 - Revised 3 & 4 pinion gears feature and additional dog for improved shifting feel

4 - Revised engine ECU settings for improved drivability

5 - All new ABS system for 2008. The ABS or Anti Lock Braking System now features a linear controlled 3 position system (Vs 2 position in the past), an ECU integrated compact hydraulic unit and a new active type wheel sensor with a new magnetic rotor. The benefit is a reduced weight and better lever feedback feeling when the system is operating. The benefit of ABS is excellent control under hard braking or braking on wet or slippery surfaces. The ABS system prevents wheel lock up.

6 - Revised front and rear rims to accommodate the new ABS sensors

7 - For 2008 the windshield has been revised. A new hard coating on the windshield surface helps to prevent scratching. The internal screen holder or base has been revised from a 2 piece to a 1 piece design to reduce weight. The external cover for the activation arms is changed to rubber to reduce noise. And finally, the internal mounting system for the windshield has been revised to reduce the vibration of the windshield at speed.

8 - Revised easy-to-read instrumentation includes an electronic analog speedometer and tachometer, LCD digital odometer, dual tripmeters, fuel and coolant temperature gauges, plus a clock as well as a range of warning lights. Other functions include outside air temperature, a gear position indicator and fuel consumption read out. The meter cover has been revised from silver finish to a black metallic finish to reduce glare on the windscreen.

Soooo, sounds like the throttle stiffness and surging (FI mapping) is addressed for 2008, I think the biggest problems. :yahoo:

The USA Yamaha site doesn't mention alot of these new changes. regarding #8, the USA site shows the revised dash with the black bezel and new speedo/tach face in the pic gallery but doesn't mention it verbally like the canadian site.

Rob

 
No point in updating for a couple of tarted up cosmetic changes? na I'll wait for the next change and see what happens 180HP Jobbie would be nice? Yamaha would listen if you don't buy there bikes so I'm doing my bit won't buy another until there is real improvement I say REAL IMPROVEMENT! I bet they listen then...

 
It seems the Canadian site has more detail on the new stuff for 08'.
This is what I extracted.....
Yamaha Canada also mentions "Variable heated grips keep hands warm on cool days or evenings". This is not listed on the Yamaha USA site as a feature. So are we to assume that what's listed as features on the Yamaha Canada site is also available on the US model or is Canada considered an extension of France and rest of the European market Yamaha caters so well to?

 
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Yamaha Canada also mentions "Variable heated grips keep hands warm on cool days or evenings". This is not listed on the Yamaha USA site as a feature. So are we to assume that what's listed as features on the Yamaha Canada site is also available on the US model or is Canada considered an extension of France and rest of the European market Yamaha caters so well to?
Heated grips have been available (sort of) as an option for the '06 and '07 - they are speed sensitive. They are standard equipment on all 'AE' models.

In '07 on the 'A" model in CANADA (but not the US) the heated grips were standard. There's no reason to believe that this has changed for '08 based on the published text.

 
+100

The Raven
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I labored weak and weary,

Over an oil and filter change that I should have done yore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my garage door.

‘Tis prolly just Rad,’ I muttered, ‘tapping at my garage door-

Only this, and not my whore.

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And my drain plug washer had been lost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly consciousness was borrowed.

Just forty winks I beg, - just a quick nap upon the floor.

For the rare and radiant drain washer, I need a nap upon the floor.

No slumber for now, nor evermore.

And the silk-o-lene puddle, like that of Royal Purple,

Spilled me – filled me with lower back pain never felt before;

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I cursed repeating

‘Tis only Rad entreating entrance at my garage door –

A man-****ed visitor entreating entrance at my garage door; -

This it is, and not my whore.

Presently my back grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

‘You S.O.B.,’ said I, ‘your forgiveness I will never implore;

But the fact is I was napping, and so rudely you came rapping,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my garage door,

That I pretended not to hear you’ – here I opened the garage door; -

Darkness there, no Rad, nor my whore.

Deep into that darkness peeing, long I stood there emptying, then fearing,

Dreaming dreams of man-****s like no mortal ever dreamed before.

But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, ‘Whore!’

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, ‘Whore!’

Merely this and not my whore.

Back into the garage turning, my urinary tract within me burning,

Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.

‘Surely,’ said I, ‘surely that is a **** flicking my lattice;

Let me see this **** then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore –

An in-ie, an out-ie? A mystery any man would explore; -

‘Tis the wind and not my whore!’

Then this ebony bike was before me, but I was not smiling,

By the grave and ashy decorum of the countenance it wore,

‘Surely you’re not the ’08,’ I said, ‘I wanted color and they send Raven?’

‘And you say that Yamaha sent you? – this will not be believed by my whore.’

‘And you say your name is FJR? - this neither will be believed by my whore.’

Quoth the raven bike, ‘Nevermore.’

Much I marveled this ungainly bike to make these claims so plainly,

Though as it answered, its appearance was really a bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was cursed with seeing this Raven that sits at my garage door.

Of all the threads of constructive input, this is what is laid at my door?

‘Nevermore. I’ll just ride my whore.’
 
It seems the Canadian site has more detail on the new stuff for 08'.
This is what I extracted.

1 - Revised throttle pulley shape for improved drivability...smoother throttle action and improved throttle feeling

2 - Middle geardamper spring load is increased for improved feeling at clutch engagement & better shifting feel overall

3 - Revised 3 & 4 pinion gears feature and additional dog for improved shifting feel

4 - Revised engine ECU settings for improved drivability

5 - All new ABS system for 2008. The ABS or Anti Lock Braking System now features a linear controlled 3 position system (Vs 2 position in the past), an ECU integrated compact hydraulic unit and a new active type wheel sensor with a new magnetic rotor. The benefit is a reduced weight and better lever feedback feeling when the system is operating. The benefit of ABS is excellent control under hard braking or braking on wet or slippery surfaces. The ABS system prevents wheel lock up.

6 - Revised front and rear rims to accommodate the new ABS sensors

7 - For 2008 the windshield has been revised. A new hard coating on the windshield surface helps to prevent scratching. The internal screen holder or base has been revised from a 2 piece to a 1 piece design to reduce weight. The external cover for the activation arms is changed to rubber to reduce noise. And finally, the internal mounting system for the windshield has been revised to reduce the vibration of the windshield at speed.

8 - Revised easy-to-read instrumentation includes an electronic analog speedometer and tachometer, LCD digital odometer, dual tripmeters, fuel and coolant temperature gauges, plus a clock as well as a range of warning lights. Other functions include outside air temperature, a gear position indicator and fuel consumption read out. The meter cover has been revised from silver finish to a black metallic finish to reduce glare on the windscreen.

Soooo, sounds like the throttle stiffness and surging (FI mapping) is addressed for 2008, I think the biggest problems. :yahoo:

The USA Yamaha site doesn't mention alot of these new changes. regarding #8, the USA site shows the revised dash with the black bezel and new speedo/tach face in the pic gallery but doesn't mention it verbally like the canadian site.

Rob
Oh, so do we have a lesson for Yamaha? How about full disclosure so we don't have to bash them so much for not doing anything? It seems like some pretty good prioritization was done on that list too. Some low hanging fruit, but some serious effort too for the smoother shifting. Now I want to ride one to see how much smoother shifting is.

 
There's also an extra litre of motor oil rolling around the system for a total of 5L. I wonder how they accomplished this? why did they increase the volume? Did they add an external oil cooler? Sooo many questions...... It's just that i'm thinking they may have traced some of the (Motor vibe complaints) to thermal/viscosity breakdown when at normal operating temperature. As my bike is literally vibrationless untill it has completely warmed up 4+ bars,..I also realize that's prolly the point that the ECU really starts doing it's (lean this motor out dance, off the 02 sensors)...

Cheers

-Don

 
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These are some nice, minor tweaks to the Gen II bikes that would be nice to have had on my bike from a purely a psychological standpoint (hey, I've got the latest and greatest), but certainly not enough to make me lust after an '08. (BTW: I saw a "Raven" '08 YZF-R6S this morning when I dropped my bike off for service. It's black - nothing special. It's as black as the 2 unsold '06 Honda ST1300s sitting less than 10 feet away. Interestingly, the 3 sales guys I talked with are less than enthusiastic with the '08 color choice for the FJR A. Black on big bikes - except HDs - is very tough to sell in the NW according to them; GoldWings and ST1300s particularly.)

My '07 is an awesome bike and, for the first time since I started riding, I seem to be cured of my case of bike lust (at least temporarily anyway!). My next bike however (see, already planning ahead) will be a 2010 FJX1400 with more-than-a-John-Deere-tractor ft/lbs of torque, and holy-mother-of-jeebus hp (oh yeah, and it'll run on bio-diesel. Hey, I'm from Oregon.) Until then, I'll ride mine like I stole it - but keep it covered in the garage at night. :D

 
There's also an extra litre of motor oil rolling around the system for a total of 5L. I wonder how they accomplished this? why did they increase the volume? Did they add an external oil cooler? Sooo many questions...... It's just that i'm thinking they may have traced some of the (Motor vibe complaints) to thermal/viscosity breakdown when at normal operating temperature. As my bike is literally vibrationless untill it has completely warmed up 4+ bars,..I also realize that's prolly the point that the ECU really starts doing it's (lean this motor out dance, off the 02 sensors)...
Cheers

-Don
The FJR engine has always had a "total" of 4.9L (5.18 US Quarts) :ph34r: oil in her innards...not to be confused with the 4L "replacement" quantity (with filter change).

 
Interestingly, the 3 sales guys I talked with are less than enthusiastic with the '08 color choice for the FJR A. Black on big bikes - except HDs - is very tough to sell in the NW according to them
Agreed. I was contemplating upgrading to an '08 until I saw the color. Black looks badass, but I don't want to spend my life trying to keep the thing remotely clean up here in W. WA. :blink:

 
Thanks to the early demise of my '06 I'm more than a little curious about the '08. Has anyone looked at the 360 view of the raven bike? 360 link The black looks a little better here, but who is to know if any of these pictures are of actual production bikes. Does anyone remember when the 07's were actually available for first hand viewing?

 
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