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

[El Toro]

Well, we could also speculate about which oil Yamaha will use due to the different lubricant shearing that takes place with 6 speeds instead of 5.

And we could speculate about whether or not it might be possible to get a factory "car tire" option, maybe with Monroe shock absorbers, or even better McPherson struts somehow shoehorned in.

 

[russperry]

I've seen some discussion about the business side of Yamaha's development process and I think I'd like to add some more here....

1) This is a business first of all, so you've got to judge their behavior against that

2) I think the demographics of motorcycling as we know it, and sport touring in specific are not so compelling - most of us are older, and I think we're giving up riding at a faster pace than younger guys are coming into the fold (at least seems that way from many posts made to that effect on this board). The growing segment for 2 wheeled transport is really coming from the developing world where they are very comfortable with scooters, not 700 pound - 150 hp and up behemoths.

3) How does Yamaha make money out of us? Four tangible ways - (a) adding stuff we'll pay for (cruise and traction control come to mind), ( B) trying to win share from other suppliers (maybe a 6 speed fits here vs the Concours and others), © controlling cost (don't increase engine displacement - new engine requires big spending in development and reliability testing), and (d) try to increase the refresh rate (ala Apple cell phones - why don't we need new phones every year?)

4) I think the way they're trickling out some new features makes sense for (a) - instead of hammering us with a huge price increase in a single model year, trickle it out and slowly increase the price over several years. Slipper clutch is another good example - probably not so critical for a sport tourer but looking at the design, it doesn't seem like it adds anything to the cost. The 6 speed transmission is an obvious way to try and close one hole in the comparison chart (part B) - probably not so relevant for most people on this board who understand that it's not necessary since it's already a more than capable high mileage machine but might turn some other people's heads who have used that as a reason not to more seriously consider the FJR. But when it comes to major changes like a brand new engine, I can guess that there is no real good ROI from that type of work. Maybe it's a more significant way to try and win share, but the developing costs as well as sustaining costs (in spare parts alone) probably doesn't pass the profitability check.

5) My conclusion - we'll continue to see a smattering of add-ons in the next few years that will help to support the idea of driving a better refresh rate - keeping things stagnant like they did with the Gen 1 and Gen 2 models ended up with most of us hanging on to these machines for years. Look at BMW automobiles - they change those things seemingly every year - the idea is to make the addicts immediately regret their purchase and pine away for the next year's model, and it seems to work. But I wouldn't expect anything too major since the total market for these types of machines is probably on the decline and there's little way for the corporate types to project that a major redevelopment would result in significant increase in incremental business.

 

[RadioHowie]

The new 2016 is definitely "Gen IV"...

Photographic proof!

New foot peg design --

Argument OVER!

 

[mcatrophy]

The new 2016 is definitely "Gen IV"...
Photographic proof!

New foot peg design --

Argument OVER!

[img=[URL="https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/radiohowie/fjr_zpsg6bc18g0.jpg%5D"]https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/radiohowie/fjr_zpsg6bc18g0.jpg][/URL]

Looks exactly the same as a 2014 to me. The view is a bit from the rear, maybe that's making it look different to you.

 

[RaYzerman19]

I had heard various statistics (unconfirmed, not seen first hand) that a matured sport touring model might sell 500 per year in North America..... and I would venture a guess that the new and improved '13 Gen3 might have done that, and perhaps the '14 models sold a fair number, but really, just how many of those red ones are out there? I'm guessing not 500. Would be an interesting question for the sales and marketing guys....... in Canada, I'd say very few Gen3's sold, and there are a couple of leftover '14's. The point I'm making is, there is indeed a business decision made at how much to sink in to a new model or updates considering that sales volumes are in reality not that high. But I think Yamaha is right at hanging in there, since Kawi and Honda haven't done much with theirs at all. Kawi made their first gear not as tall ('cuz it needed it)...... LOL.

 

[RadioHowie]

Have any of you noticed the Gens coincide with major plastics changes? By that standard, the 2016 is a GenIII. If we decide to go by engine/performance uogrades, this would be a GenIV. Lol...Really, who cares?
Does it change the size of your weiner? Make you a better lover? Make you more handsome/pretty? Does it increase your income? No? Then don't worry about it.

For some probably definitely all of the above.

In the famous words of our RadioHowie: "Anyone that would ride/own a Gen2 could not have had much of a Mother and they smell funny too!" JSNS, Swear to God!

You STILL draggin' out that old, tired, apocryphal screenshot, aren't ya??? :finger:

 

[SkooterG]

I had heard various statistics (unconfirmed, not seen first hand) that a matured sport touring model might sell 500 per year in North America..... and I would venture a guess that the new and improved '13 Gen3 might have done that, and perhaps the '14 models sold a fair number, but really, just how many of those red ones are out there? I'm guessing not 500. Would be an interesting question for the sales and marketing guys....... in Canada, I'd say very few Gen3's sold, and there are a couple of leftover '14's. The point I'm making is, there is indeed a business decision made at how much to sink in to a new model or updates considering that sales volumes are in reality not that high. But I think Yamaha is right at hanging in there, since Kawi and Honda haven't done much with theirs at all. Kawi made their first gear not as tall ('cuz it needed it)...... LOL.

500 in North America? If Yamaha could only sell 500 units in North America they would not be in the business of selling that model. I guarantee they sell well more than that. Yamaha's most recent market research has shown a modest increase in sales in the sport-touring category hence their introduction of the FJ-09 as well as continual updates and improvements to the FJR.

And yo! RH! What rock did you crawl out from under? Those footpegs started with the introduction of the Gen III model in 2013. Do try and keep up, will you? Freaking

 

[Ignacio]

I had heard various statistics (unconfirmed, not seen first hand) that a matured sport touring model might sell 500 per year in North America..

That's WAY WAY low. Try 3,000 per year or so...at least in the U.S. I don't know for sure with Canada, but imagine there around the 1/9 or 1/10 ratio with population and add to numbers for even higher NA production well in excess of 3000.

Even though I've never gotten confirmed numbers for any one year it was relatively easy to figure out there were at least 8719 bikes made in a three year period from 2006-2008 via the NTSB ignition recall letters. It's sporadic, but I've included some reasonably considered production numbers for some years in the FJR Model Comparison Matrix and have yet to find anything more credible.

 

[IAGeezer]

Torsion Bars!!!!

Crap- I'm a page late!

 

[AlleyCat]

I remember seeing that Yamaha sells in the range of 3000-3300 FJRs in North America in a year. I'll try and find an official link or source.

 

[odot]

Bailiff................whack his peepee.

 

[El Toro]

Maybe they're all being sold up in the Pacific Northwest.

It's hard to imagine that more than a dozen would be sold in Tennessee in any given year. The big dealerships don't usually stock them, except possibly as leftovers in the fourth quarter. And even then they sit around.

Alabama's figures can't be too large once you get away from Cullman. Over at Gadsden a large dealer's parts manager told me he'd worked there 32 years and he'd seen a grand total of 2 FJRs.

I'd like to see the data. I'm wondering how many are sold in the EU per year too.

 

[LKLD]

Whatever the number is, Yamaha must be content with the ROI's. With the recent generational change ('13), and the tweaking since, tells me they are probably committed to the model. Based on 3,000 sales per year, it should put revenue in the millions. Of course, without actual production cost numbers, gross profit can't be determined. Still, I'm fairly certain they're making money on them.

 

[El Toro]

Still, I'm fairly certain they're making money on them.

+1

I'm hoping that younger guys will join in the fun. These bikes can literally run rings around cruisers, and when you're done pretending to be a pirate, what better place to head than into port for some serious carousing. The FJR is the perfect platform.

 

[Bounce]

I like an unrelated article in a recent MCNews. They were talking about (the wonderful) slipper clutches (everyone demands) when reviewing a KTM dirt bike. They noted that, unlike other slipper clutches on the market, this one didn't negatively impact engagement on launch.

More rowing

Less launch "grip"

All in the name of checking some boxes for the run-of-the-mill moto rags.

Greeeaaaat...

I suspect the 3300 a year may be Cullman by itself. :^P

 

[Fred W]

The new slipper clutch may be fantastic, or it may suck moist ass cheese.

I understand the need for it off-road, but have never felt like I got too much engine braking with a regular clutch. I guess we'll see when the first brave souls drop their hard earned money on one. Of course once they have bought one, most owners will then try to convince everyone it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Just human nature...

A good question might be, why did Yamaha decide that this was what the new FJR needed?

How many people have retrofitted Recluse clutches to their earlier year FJRs?

 

[Data]

What is the significance of Cullman AL ?

I spent a night in that town a couple of weeks ago.

Weird coincidence !

 

[El Toro Joe]

What is the significance of Cullman AL ?
I spent a night in that town a couple of weeks ago.

Weird coincidence !

D & H Cycle in Cullman, AL...probably sells the most FJR's in the country, and also sells the most Y.E.S warranties.

https://dandhcycle.com/

 

[Data]

What is the significance of Cullman AL ?
I spent a night in that town a couple of weeks ago.

Weird coincidence !

D & H Cycle in Cullman, AL...probably sells the most FJR's in the country, and also sells the most Y.E.S warranties.

https://dandhcycle.com/

That's kinda funny- I was riding the bike to New Orleans via I-65 before Thanksgiving and stopped at Cullman around sundown. I can report that the Mexican restaurant in front of the Comfort Inn is exceptionally good . . . . . .

 

[Big Sky]

El Toro says: "These bikes can literally run rings around cruisers..." We all know that but when I try to get cruiser riders to try the FJR, most flat refuse. Why? My guess is they don't want to know how much better things could actually be (or don't want to be seen by their pirate pals riding a "crotch rocket"). When I have goaded them into trying it, it's like: Just way too strange for me; riding position is all wrong ... etc. I got a state H.O.G. president to swap with me for a hundred miles one day as the basis for a news story, "on the record." He was grudgingly, sparingly complimentary: smooth, has good power but you've got to really wind it up, good brakes, etc. I asked if he could conceive of ever owning one: No way; it's just not me.

Back to topic: Slipper clutch? My GSX750R had one. It made sense to me in that application. Seems a slipper would be more/most useful on a race track (downshift to second at 90 miles per hour while dragging a knee). I have never broken the FJR rear tire loose when downshifting for a corner entry, but I do make use of engine braking a lot in the tight twisties along with judicious modulation of throttle and clutch. I will run tight ones in second gear - often 5-7K rpm - lots of engine braking (which I understand is at the back tire only). I can't imagine I'd want a slipper in this situation as I would then be forced to rely far more on the brakes. The FJR sure has sport potential but it ain't no box-stock racer. I think if you actually "need" a slipper clutch on this big ol' girl, you may be pushing it too hard, beyond its design intent. Besides, I don't believe, over the many years, that I've heard FJR riders pining for a slipper clutch. I am sure, however, it will be, as Fred said, slicker'n "sliced spread." I'm no '16 hater (I'd love to have one); just trying to align "changes" with "improvements."