wheatonFJR
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+ 10 bazillion.I don't want a 6th gear, since sometimes I forget to upshift from 4th on the highway.
+ 10 bazillion.I don't want a 6th gear, since sometimes I forget to upshift from 4th on the highway.
I did that after getting on 64, when i left EOM this past year...probably went 10 miles before I noticedI don't want a 6th gear, since sometimes I forget to upshift from 4th on the highway.
Well, one way to look at this is that by bowing to market pressure they will sell more bikes and thus keep them committed to the FJR platform.Besides having a still new bike with only 7K, I am among those who fail to see the need for a 6th gear. It seems purely psychological. There is no question of the engine durability, or the lower RPM improving durability. The bike is already bombproof. And the fuel economy difference will be so minor as to be trivial. If it is true that it remains inside the same size transmission casing, then it must be true that the individual gears are slightly thinner. I don't know, it just seems like mamayama engineers bowed to market pressure, but knew it was not an actual improvement. I routinely go fairly long distances and never once have I wished I could lower my 5th gear RPM.
I'll still be breaking my bike in while these new shiny versions are getting tested. I'm eager to hear from those that get them to hear what they think. Just glad they are still committed to the FJR platform as it means parts and such.
According to thisThe verbreders that come with the explorer edition are not the spacers. They are the mirror mounted hand guards....
Well Alan, you of all people, should know that the FJR is a porky little pig and there's no way it will be able go fast on the curves unless you row faster and have that bike in the rpm sweet spot. And everybody knows you can't row faster unless you have more gears to row. So to sum up, you need six gears for the FJR to ride with the real sportstourers like the Honda VFR 1000s of this world.After all the bellowing in the past that the FJR has to have a six speed, and now that you got your wish, why is everyone suddenly cold to the '16 six speed? I didn't want a 6 speed but I'm presented with one anyway if I choose to get a '16.
I often wish I had a bit higher top gear. My 06 was always a little buzzy, and I wanted to be able to cruise at a few hundred lower RPM. I've never cared how they achieved that, whether with a higher 5th or a 6th. I doubt the 2016 5th gear will be a significant change from the 2015 5th. We'll have to wait and see. But no one who buys a 2016 *has* to ride in 6th. All you 6th-gear haters can buy a 2016 and just keep it in 5th. That way everyone's happy.After all the bellowing in the past that the FJR has to have a six speed, and now that you got your wish, why is everyone suddenly cold to the '16 six speed? I didn't want a 6 speed but I'm presented with one anyway if I choose to get a '16.
Guess I'm lucky cuz both my '07s have been "electric motor" smooth at 4K rpm, (And above.Most of that "bellowing" was from non-FJR-owners. Magazine writers, and people that were comparing the FJR to other models (BMW K bike or Concours) Most people that had actually bought one and ridden it for more than just a few test rides came to realize how well the gears are (were) spaced out on the 5-speed and how senseless it was to add another cog just to bump the overdrive up.
But, as palerider insinuates, what people are really looking for with a higher overdrive is to get below that Inline 4 buzzy range around 4k rpm. Personally, I don't think you can do that by just gearing higher, unless you ride like a total grandma.
On my '14, the bike is so damn smooth at all other times that it accentuates the primary engine vibration at that range. The designers have done a really good job of keeping it out of the seat, and the new thicker foot pegs isolate more as well. But the handlebars still buzz.
I may have to try one of those Vibranator setups and see how effective those are. Otherwise, maybe a rubber dampened mounting (in lieu of risers maybe?) could be designed that would be made with the right elastomer density to filter out those 4k vibes without making the steering feel all soft and mushy. I seem to recall that on my prior '94 BMW R1100RS it had some sort of aftermarket bar backs (on it when I bought it) that had some vibration reduction capability.
At work we have some (really smart) guys that measure seismic vibration amplitudes and frequencies that our machines produce and design vibro-mat isolation pads to keep it from coupling into the floor of the buildings they are sitting in for acoustic coupling and propagation reasons. My point is, if someone really wanted to pursue elimination of handle bar buzz, which seems to be the only place it remains objectionable on the FJR, it could be done. It's just a matter of having the know how and money to pull it off.
edit - What's crazy is that I looked on my (totally disorganized) parts shelf and low and behold I somehow have a pair of Vibranators in a box from some prior bike. I'm sure that the spacers, bore diameter, and such are all wrong for the FJR, and probably the weight is wrong for the "mass tuning" needed for the bar shape, length and frequency of the offending vibes on an FJR vs what they were intended, but it is still funny that they are there (and no longer on whatever bike I bought that they were fitted on).
As an active member of the Dutch FJR coummunity I can give you some background to the 'Explorer' versions.According to thisThe verbreders that come with the explorer edition are not the spacers. They are the mirror mounted hand guards....
https://www.splashdes...AHA-FJR-1300-06
they are mirror spacers. There's a kind of logic to that, since "mirror spacers" is the actual translation.
I did that last weekend with 4th. Riding along thinking "must be the old gas or something" when I glanced down and saw 4 instead of 5 DuhHuh!LOL - last weekend, we were running 70-ish on some back country road. Super straight, wide open - I'm just listening to my tunes and riding my ride. After about 7 minutes, I'm thinking "Man, something feels buzzy." I look down, and Ah Ha!!! That's it, I'm in 3rd gear!
I often wish I had a bit higher top gear...I've never cared how they achieved that, whether with a higher 5th or a 6th. I doubt the 2016 5th gear will be a significant change from the 2015 5th...After all the bellowing in the past that the FJR has to have a six speed, and now that you got your wish, why is everyone suddenly cold to the '16 six speed? I didn't want a 6 speed but I'm presented with one anyway if I choose to get a '16.
Yamaha didn't just stuff an extra gear into the gear box, they redid all the gear ratios. On paper Yamaha has somewhat reduced acceleration in first gear and 6th gear is definitely taller than previous years 5th gear. We have extensively covered the gear ratios earlier in this thread.Most of that "bellowing" was from non-FJR-owners. Magazine writers, and people that were comparing the FJR to other models (BMW K bike or Concours) ...But, as palerider insinuates, what people are really looking for with a higher overdrive is to get below that Inline 4 buzzy range around 4k rpm...
Other than Ionbeam's note about launch speed--and we don't yet know if this will be a problem--I'm not sure why switching from a 5- to a 6-speed elicits such anguish from some of us. Those of us who have Gens I-III bikes and think the 5-speed is perfect still have their perfect bikes and can keep them for as long as they want. And going forward for quite a few years, anyone who wants to have a perfect 5-speed will be able to buy either leftover new Gens I-III or good used Gens I-III. And even if the traditionalists are forced to buy a Gen IV (sorry Ignacio), The good news is that we all have free will. We can choose never to use 6th gear as a protest. Please just be sure to email or phone Yamaha every time you don't upshift so they know about the principled stand you're taking.Guess I'm lucky cuz both my '07s have been "electric motor" smooth at 4K rpm, (And above.Most of that "bellowing" was from non-FJR-owners. Magazine writers, and people that were comparing the FJR to other models (BMW K bike or Concours) Most people that had actually bought one and ridden it for more than just a few test rides came to realize how well the gears are (were) spaced out on the 5-speed and how senseless it was to add another cog just to bump the overdrive up.
But, as palerider insinuates, what people are really looking for with a higher overdrive is to get below that Inline 4 buzzy range around 4k rpm. Personally, I don't think you can do that by just gearing higher, unless you ride like a total grandma.
On my '14, the bike is so damn smooth at all other times that it accentuates the primary engine vibration at that range. The designers have done a really good job of keeping it out of the seat, and the new thicker foot pegs isolate more as well. But the handlebars still buzz.
I may have to try one of those Vibranator setups and see how effective those are. Otherwise, maybe a rubber dampened mounting (in lieu of risers maybe?) could be designed that would be made with the right elastomer density to filter out those 4k vibes without making the steering feel all soft and mushy. I seem to recall that on my prior '94 BMW R1100RS it had some sort of aftermarket bar backs (on it when I bought it) that had some vibration reduction capability.
At work we have some (really smart) guys that measure seismic vibration amplitudes and frequencies that our machines produce and design vibro-mat isolation pads to keep it from coupling into the floor of the buildings they are sitting in for acoustic coupling and propagation reasons. My point is, if someone really wanted to pursue elimination of handle bar buzz, which seems to be the only place it remains objectionable on the FJR, it could be done. It's just a matter of having the know how and money to pull it off.
edit - What's crazy is that I looked on my (totally disorganized) parts shelf and low and behold I somehow have a pair of Vibranators in a box from some prior bike. I'm sure that the spacers, bore diameter, and such are all wrong for the FJR, and probably the weight is wrong for the "mass tuning" needed for the bar shape, length and frequency of the offending vibes on an FJR vs what they were intended, but it is still funny that they are there (and no longer on whatever bike I bought that they were fitted on).) and seem rougher below 3.5K. Fer my bikes; 4K haz been the sweet spot.I think it's the peeps that come from "paint shaker" twins wanta 6th gear, and get excited if a bikes above 4K.
Itsa shame that we all have to bend over to marketing pressures. :sad:
But that's not what it's about, just one more gear. All the gear ratios are different, everything you are familiar with has changed....The good news is that we all have free will. You can choose never to use 6th gear as a protest...
You may be right. We'll just have to wait and see whether Yamaha has ruined the FJR. If they have, and if there's enough complaining, Yamaha will re-bend to market pressure and bring back the perfect 5-speed. In the meantime, everyone who loves his or her 5-speed should start taking even better care of it.I've ridden a '14 and it was amazingly better than my Gen 1. On the highway I was quite happily riding along enjoying the relaxed cruising with good acceleration on tap, then casually looked down to see what the RPMs were when I noticed that I was in 4th gear. On my Gen I in 5th at that speed I would have been looking for 6th gear but on the '14 I didn't even feel the need to shift into 5th.But that's not what it's about, just one more gear. All the gear ratios are different, everything you are familiar with has changed....The good news is that we all have free will. You can choose never to use 6th gear as a protest...
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