AE owners: Silly things you've done

[Woketman]

When I was on my test drive with my '06 AE two years ago, I tried to exclusively use the paddle shifter because it seemed exotic and all new to me. I rode the FJR for about 30 minutes while deciding that I had to have this awesome machine. I went through several parking lots at low speed, getting a feel for the YCCS at low speeds. I kept blowing the horn while shifting 1st to 2nd or vice-versa. I was getting a lot of dirty looks from folks thinking I was blowing the horn at them!

That day was the last time I used the paddle shifter. Foot only for me! Heck, I have no idea which way is 1-2-3-4-5 on the paddle!!!

 

[DailyCommuter]

I frequently pull up to the Dunkin' Donuts drive through, located just a mile or so before one of the locations I work out of, to get my Large Ice Coffee before work. There are 3 sets of lights between there and work. I'm not sure where the surprised looks are bigger, at the actual drive through window, or at the red lights when I am sipping on my icy cold refreshment. Either way, you can only do that on an AE. The AE is the ultimate commuter machine for me.

 

[dbx]

Like others, I forgot to enable the hand shifter once, so I quickly added a small circuit made up of a relay, a capacitor, and a resistor. (I posted a diagram and parts list at the time. Simple to build, simple to install.) Now the hand shifter gets enabled automatically every time I start the bike. I haven't pressed the 'enable' button in over a year and am seriously considering converting it's function to a garage door opener or something useful.

I think it's coming up on 2 years since I used the foot shifter. I hope it still works. The hand shifter results in much smoother shifts for me. There's nothing quite like flicking through a few gears while leaned over in a sweeping curve, all without moving my foot off the peg.

 

[networkguy]

Like others, I forgot to enable the hand shifter once, so I quickly added a small circuit made up of a relay, a capacitor, and a resistor. (I posted a diagram and parts list at the time. Simple to build, simple to install.) Now the hand shifter gets enabled automatically every time I start the bike. I haven't pressed the 'enable' button in over a year and am seriously considering converting it's function to a garage door opener or something useful.

Oh snap...I'll search for this...I like this idea!

I think it's coming up on 2 years since I used the foot shifter. I hope it still works. The hand shifter results in much smoother shifts for me. There's nothing quite like flicking through a few gears while leaned over in a sweeping curve, all without moving my foot off the peg.

Agree 100%! The hand shifter is sooo much smoother.

 

[Jim Morrison]

Like others, I forgot to enable the hand shifter once, so I quickly added a small circuit made up of a relay, a capacitor, and a resistor. (I posted a diagram and parts list at the time. Simple to build, simple to install.) Now the hand shifter gets enabled automatically every time I start the bike. I haven't pressed the 'enable' button in over a year and am seriously considering converting it's function to a garage door opener or something useful.

I think it's coming up on 2 years since I used the foot shifter. I hope it still works. The hand shifter results in much smoother shifts for me. There's nothing quite like flicking through a few gears while leaned over in a sweeping curve, all without moving my foot off the peg.

I will need to look for this also..... graet idea

 

[dbx]

Here's a repost of the diagram since I wasn't able to find the original discussion. In a nutshell, I installed these components under the left side tupperware, in the area just under the heated grip controller. I take power from the wire that goes hot AFTER the engine starts (the same circuit that powers up the headlights after engine start).

The capacitor conducts electricity momentarily while it charges up, but once it's charged, it blocks further current flow. This momentary conduction is enough to trigger the relay momentarily. The relay toggles the hand shift circuit, just as if I had pressed the button manually. The resistor is needed to discharge the capacitor, thus resetting it for next time.

I don't think I have a picture of the components as installed, but I basically RTV'd the capacitor and resistor to the side of the relay to protect everything, including the electrical connections.

 

[But Officer.....]

Yup, done all those things except the "Crossed Arm Throttle Rocker Adjust" thing. I can add one more thats happened twice to me that wouldn't have happened on a non-electronic clutch bike. I pull up to a parking spot on the street in first gear. I'm taking my helmet or gloves off while the motor is running. I put the kickstand down (killing the motor) but now I'm getting something out of my tank bag or occupying myself with some other equally distracting chore. Now I get off and walk away. The problem of course lies in the fact that I failed to turn the ignition off!! All the while i'm stretching my legs, having a cold one or whatever, the headlights are burning nice and bright. Ran the battery down once but was lucky it came back enough to start when I turned it off and let it sit for a bit.

The rewire DBX came up with is brilliant!! I'd love it cause I haven't used the foot shifter on my 08 AE yet in 15,000 miles. I've also found that it's more natural for me to use my left index finger on the top paddle ONLY for the up and down shifts.

I no longer see any reason for a clutch lever to be hanging off the handlebar. I never tire of 'flicking' that paddle without letting up on the throttle on a spirited acceleration through the gears.

 

[BobMercer]

My AE experience wasn't so much silly as it was embarrassing. I was sitting at a red light in the left hand turn lane on a major thoroughfare waiting for the left turn arrow. When it appeared, I give it some throttle and the engine roars and I'm not going anywhere. WTF? I look down and check to see if I'm in gear and it's in first, so I give it throttle again and no movement. Now I'm getting nervous and the light has changed to red. Damn. Now I'm duck walking the bike to the left side of the lane to get out of the way of traffic behind me. Then I decide to turn off the ignition and restart. It fires right up and when the light turns green I'm off and running. WHEW!

I subsequently found that I had an "SH48" failure on the display. Apparently that is a high idle failure which causes the YCCS to keep the clutch from engaging. Shutting the engine off and restarting cleared the condition because the idle was then low enough on the restart to allow the clutch to engage. Reading up on the problem I was able to determine that I needed to lower my idle from 1100 to 1000, or less. Haven't had the problem since.

Bob

 

[CCA]

I always leave the bike in first gear when parked. So, I got on the bike to let it warm up and then twisted the throttle (just like everyone else).

Only they were in neutral and my bike lunged forward.

I also leave my bike in 1.st then the rear wheel is locked, like you put a disc lock on the rear wheel.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Isn't this the most silly thing all ya'll have done?

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:rofl:

 

[networkguy]

Isn't this the most silly thing all ya'll have done?

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:rofl:

You arent funny. :lol:

 

[cruppelt]

Bluesman, you really lost your timing this time. This topic was started APRIL 11, and it took you THIS LONG before you posted your favorite looser pic?

SHAME on you!!!

 

[W.M.-Millman]

Quit using the thumb to shirt just use the forefinger side because of hocking the horn.

Taking two hours trying to get the air filter out utill I figured out that you have to take the shifting motor off first.

Trying to start in first gear with the kick stand down.

Quit using the thumb to shift just use the forefinger side because of hocking the horn.

Taking two hours trying to get the air filter out utill I figured out that you have to take the shifting motor off first.

Trying to start in first gear with the kick stand down.

*shift

 

[FJRBluesman]

Bluesman, you really lost your timing this time. This topic was started APRIL 11, and it took you THIS LONG before you posted your favorite looser pic?

SHAME on you!!!

I know, I'm getting slower. I don't know how I missed it. Sorry folks.
Ride safe.

 

[beemerdons]

Isn't this the most silly thing all ya'll have done?

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:rofl:

You arent funny. :lol:

Actually Bluesy, that was damn funny! Almost as funny as Bustanut falling down the hill at CFR! Or, watching johnny80s doing an FJR valve adjustment.

 

[Spook]

Isn't this the most silly thing all ya'll have done?

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:rofl:

You arent funny. :lol:

He is just too chicken shiit to come out of his closit

 

[LowAndSilent]

Normal proceedure for me when pulling into my house is to pull across perpindicular and past the garage door while it's opening, so I can back my bike into it. Before I start backing it up, I shift to neutral and kill the motor.

When, I was in a bit of a hurry one day, so after pulling across and stopping, I kill the motor and quickly start to back it into the garage. Oh...did I shift it into neutral? I realized I didn't, just about the time the bike disengages the clutch, slamming the bike to a quick halt mid backup, and mid turn. It took a lot of muscle and cussing to keep the bike from dropping.

From now on, I make damned sure the bike is in neutral or leave my power on after killing the motor.