2005 - 2006 Comparo

[vdoguy]

Just read a comparison review of the 2005 and 2006 FJR in the March issue of the french mag Moto Journal. https://www.motojournal.com/accueilBoutique.jsp?lg=fr&id=1

Basic upshot is that the 2006 gets brownie points for better heat management and windshield, (no more back push they say) and comfort and all round adjustability.

The 2005 wins in the motor department. They say that the 2006 has an injection hiccup at low revs. While the 2005 pulls cleanly everywhere.

Handling seems to be pretty well on par, though they say they prefer the 05 a little more for the twisties, the 06 being slightly heavier steering.

But for the long haul they seem to favor the 06.

So, 2005 **** engine and price ***1/2 overall

2006 **** comfort and ergonomics **** overall

After reading it I don't regret my 2004 at all....

 

[Scab]

I can live with the heat, mod the shield, so I guess I did good with my '05.

 

[S76]

Appologies, screwed this up.

 

[S76]

Just read a comparison review of the 2005 and 2006 FJR in the March issue of the french mag Moto Journal. https://www.motojournal.com/accueilBoutique.jsp?lg=fr&id=1
Basic upshot is that the 2006 gets brownie points for better heat management and windshield, (no more back push they say) and comfort and all round adjustability.

The 2005 wins in the motor department. They say that the 2006 has an injection hiccup at low revs. While the 2005 pulls cleanly everywhere.

Handling seems to be pretty well on par, though they say they prefer the 05 a little more for the twisties, the 06 being slightly heavier steering.

But for the long haul they seem to favor the 06.

So, 2005 **** engine and price  ***1/2 overall

2006 **** comfort and ergonomics  **** overall

After reading it I don't regret my 2004 at all.... 

"Basic upshot is that the 2006 gets brownie points for better heat management and windshield, (no more back push they say) and comfort and all round adjustability."

I guess we expected that.

"The 2005 wins in the motor department. They say that the 2006 has an injection hiccup at low revs. While the 2005 pulls cleanly everywhere."

That suprises me as I thought I read about them adding more O2 sensors and I thought that would have been for the old hesitation problem.

"Handling seems to be pretty well on par, though they say they prefer the 05 a little more for the twisties, the 06 being slightly heavier steering."

Is this due to the longer swing arm maybe?

Intersting observations, thanks for sharing.

 

[hippo]

Just read a comparison review of the 2005 and 2006 FJR in the March issue of the french mag Moto Journal. https://www.motojournal.com/accueilBoutique.jsp?lg=fr&id=1
The 2005 wins in the motor department. They say that the 2006 has an injection hiccup at low revs. While the 2005 pulls cleanly everywhere.

Handling seems to be pretty well on par, though they say they prefer the 05 a little more for the twisties, the 06 being slightly heavier steering.

The problem is that emissions requirements are so different for different countires, that one county's bike has very little relation to another country's bike (in regards to engine tune).

Two examples -- 1) I'm not sure if France is one of the countries with a 100hp restriction. 2) The USA is a severe example of differing bikes because we get bikes for different states! California usually gets an emasculated California Air Resources Board certifed model and the rest of the country gets a full power bike.

Engine tune changes from country to country, but most of the other hard bits stay the same (although Germany tends to get cut down windshields, Japan gets wiper blades on Goldwings, and we get all the bad colors in the USA).

Thanks for the heads-up on heat management -- that about does it... I'm putting down a deposit on a FJR on Monday.

 

[FJRocket]

Pretty sure France gets the detuned engine.

Sad to hear the bike feels heavier in the twisties. Wonder if my non-racing, non-test pilot butt will be able to tell the difference?!?

The wait continues....