2016 Is Official 6-spd, Slipper, LEDs, Analog Tach, Price

[beemerdons]

Is gear noise that big of an issue? I can't hear it most of the time because I like music in my ears while I ride. Then there are times I ride with just earplugs, which is music of a different sort. I like the "noises" my bikes make.

 

[El Toro Joe]

FWIW - I just noticed that the side panels are NOT color matched. They are black.
Looking closely at the cornering headlights in the video at the Yamaha US website, it appears that this feature may just turn on the high beam light on the inside cornering headlight when it detects more than X amount of lean angle. If that is all it does, that should be a relatively simple retrofit to apply to any bike once a lean detection device is installed.

I don't care about the side panels...the bike is freaking beautiful. I think you all just need to go for a ride...

As for the cornering lights...

"The cornering lights are activated by an IMU that senses lean angle, thus sequentially illuminating an array of three (3) LED lights on the side you’re leaned for extended headlight coverage into the corner."

 

[RC65]

As one of those dipshits who doesn't own a FJR but has taken one for three test rides at slow and, yes, highway speeds...

...they need to appeal to non-FJR-owner dipshits. If that audience of non-FJR-owning dipshits generally believe, as I do, that a six-speed transmission that provides "evenly spaced gearing for sporty riding and a tall 6th gear for relaxed highway riding" (Yamaha's site) is preferable to a five-speed that revved higher at highway speeds...

Aaaaaaaaand, thanks for my proving my point. You went on 3 WHOLE test rides and know the FJR needs a 6th gear because it is too "high revving" at highway speeds?

Yes -- from my subjective point of view. I'd suggest that my three WHOLE test rides is probably more than most prospective consumers give a bike before pulling the trigger, so a lack of experience with a new bike is part and parcel of the consumer experience. While it'd be nice, you can't borrow a bike from a dealer and ride it for years before deciding to buy it. I readily acknowledge that as a non-owner I don't have the experience with this bike as the FJR owners on this forum and from an objective point of view my judgment of the true value of the five-speed transmission may be lacking, but by definition I can't...my limited experience has to be my gauge, and that experience showed upper highway speeds to be high-revving and buzzy in fifth gear, not horrible but notable, especially in a bike that is designed for touring. If Yamaha has made the sixth gear taller and not just shoved a six-speed in the same five-speed spectrum, then it's a solution for me and my subjective point of view.

 

[El Toro]

Yamaha HAS to consider what the motorcycle press thinks. Because most motorcycle buyers are strongly influenced by the motorcycle press. And on this 6 speed v. 5 speed issue, how can it not be better to have more choices? You want your engine to run in the sweet spot for maximum gas mileage (that's why we ride FJRs right?

). More gears means more road speeds that will match up nicely with engine speeds.

My Tundra's got 6 speeds. The Prius has a continuously variable torque splitting drive.

Five speeds just seems totally underwhelming.

Meanwhile, I'll pronounce judgement on the 2016 FJR ES after my nominal 3 month test ride, probably around mid June. I'll bet it'll be a keeper.

 

[Fred W]

I wonder if the 2017 will be black....

Maybe it will be black with blue side panels?

As for the cornering lights...
"The cornering lights are activated by an IMU that senses lean angle, thus sequentially illuminating an array of three (3) LED lights on the side you’re leaned for extended headlight coverage into the corner."

OK, I see the lights on in this still photo

And those three lights are not there on the A models...

That kills that idea.

 

[chivvalry]

RC65 - Yes, the new 6th gear is supposed to be taller than the current 5th gear.

 

[RC65]

FWIW - I just noticed that the side panels are NOT color matched. They are black.

Hmmm...they sure look blue in this manufacture video that was posted earlier:

 

[xcsp]

Not so sure I care for the look of the '16 headlights, either A or ES.

A better option could have been some optional LED lights such as Clearwaters on the fork legs?

 

[user 8909]

FWIW - I just noticed that the side panels are NOT color matched. They are black.
Looking closely at the cornering headlights in the video at the Yamaha US website, it appears that this feature may just turn on the high beam light on the inside cornering headlight when it detects more than X amount of lean angle. If that is all it does, that should be a relatively simple retrofit to apply to any bike once a lean detection device is installed.

Looks to me like the inner fairing panels and the tank wrap-around is black but the side panel, which is silver on my 05 is color matched.

Since Yamaha was slow to update their site prior to the release maybe some pictures are still prototypes?

Also the Cobalt Blue looks darker to me than past models. Can't wait to see one in person.

 

[Warpdrv]

FWIW - I just noticed that the side panels are NOT color matched. They are black.
Looking closely at the cornering headlights in the video at the Yamaha US website, it appears that this feature may just turn on the high beam light on the inside cornering headlight when it detects more than X amount of lean angle. If that is all it does, that should be a relatively simple retrofit to apply to any bike once a lean detection device is installed.

Looks to me like the inner fairing panels and the tank wrap-around is black but the side panel, which is silver on my 05 is color matched.

Since Yamaha was slow to update their site prior to the release maybe some pictures are still prototypes?

Also the Cobalt Blue looks darker to me than past models. Can't wait to see one in person.

Agreed..... Looks like a mesh between Cobalt and Galaxy Blue of the 05.... Which I thought was a better looking blue IMO...

 

[Fred W]

Yeah yeah... tank trim... side panels, whatever. They're black not blue.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I can see a leftover 2016 in my future.

The 2008 will be mutated into a LD bike.

Dave

 

[user 8909]

Yeah yeah... tank trim... side panels, whatever. They're black not blue.

6-speed VS 5-speed, gear noise yes,no, slip no slip, heated grip ranges...?, Blue again? Gen3.5 or 4, ......yeah whatever.

Only down side I see is that my 05 is worth less now than it was last week.

No doubt that the Gen3 SixSpeed will still be "the best damn sports tourer out there".

 

[Auron]

Haha to the 5 speed worshippers. They did it without widening the engine too. Now it really is the worlds best ST

 

[C&C]

No matter what Yamaha does someone's gonna bitch about this or that; IMO Yamaha did real good in the new model. I'm probably too old to buy another new bike (my '04 is still a baby at 34,000 miles) but if I were in the market for a new model this would be on the top of the list.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Yeah yeah... tank trim... side panels, whatever. They're black not blue.

...yeah, but if you're keeping your red bike...what does it matter?

 

[Hertz]

Black is the new blue?

I love the '14 red but I REALLY love the blue. If I make it to 62, the gov-ment can subsidize my upgrade.

 

[dcarver]

Can you imagine how great the 2016 cobalt blue gas tank will look covered with CarverTape?

 

[DocFJR]

I’d like to offer an opinion regarding the “generational” naming debate here. Since it’s not likely to be shared, give me a second to duck.

Claim: the 2016, even more than 2006 and 2013, deserves recognition as a new generation

Why? Except for choppers and some later Harleys, most manufacturers moved to unit construction back in the 1950s and 60s, so the transmission and clutch are more distinct functions than separate devices. Since the first European FJR in 2001, that “unit” has gone without any fundamental changes (insert: "unit" joke here). The 2016 design is the first elemental change to that core design. It must have been extremely costly in time and money to research, develop, test, and manufacture. And the new lighting, clocks, angle sensors, etc. are not insignificant either.

And given that Suzuki never entered the space, Honda seems to have left the building, and Kawasaki is in a holding pattern, Yamaha is really making a ballsy play with this change, particularly when so many are wondering if sport touring will survive at all. Go Yamaha.

It’s a Gen4.

[ducking]

 

[ElectricFJR]

Will definitely be trading my '13 for a '16, but cannot believe that they still haven't installed a TPM system. How much could it cost for that very important feature that just about every other current ST bike has?