AE SPECIFIC QUESTION

[mossman]

ok, as an 06 AE "waiter" I'd like to know: What happens when you activate the hand paddles &

push & HOLD IN the button?? Does this put the bike into neutral like pulling in the clutch while your bike is in gear on an A version?? As many of us are used to comming to a stop in 1st gear , holding in the clutch on a normal bike & bliping the throtle, as I've read this would be a very serious mistake on an AE, But what if we held the button????? Also we need more feedback from AE riders ESPECIALLY TURBO DAVE, you still out riding?????

 

[SkooterG]

No.

TurboDave is out riding the crap out of his FJR. But it's his 05 FJR as his AE has still not arrived yet.

 

[turbodave_98]

ok, as an 06 AE "waiter" I'd like to know: What happens when you activate the hand paddles &push & HOLD IN the button?? Does this put the bike into neutral like pulling in the clutch while your bike is in gear on an A version?? As many of us are used to comming to a stop in 1st gear , holding in the clutch on a normal bike & bliping the throtle, as I've read this would be a very serious mistake on an AE, But what if we held the button????? Also we need more feedback from AE riders ESPECIALLY TURBO DAVE, you still out riding?????

Yea, I am still out, there just got in from riding the AE in the mountains along Angeles Crest Hwy. Yesterday, I did some short distance slab runs for about 50 miles. All is I have to report is the AE is performing better than I imagined it would. I like the electronic shifting and it was very quick for me to get used to it. First riding was slow riding with lots of 360 turns and quick left and right turns at slow and moderate speeds. I like the flickability of the bike and also as it is my first ABS and linked setup so far I have not been able to notice much difference. Stopping power is great. I think the power on acceleration is about the same as the 05. I used both foot and finger controls on all roads and at this point I prefer the finger shifting. The bike shifting is very quick and smooth in the twisties on both hills, downhills and flats. It is really a kick to diddle with the gearing with only the finger. I did not find any stiffness in the throttle like several have reported on the 06A models.

Lucky for me, my fuel both average and instantaneous work as speced, ie not 17mpg problem. The bike feels very solid and has the same old FJR low torque grunt. The taller gearing in 5th gave me an indicated speedo of 70 mph at appx 3500 rpm. did not have the gps on for speed.

I am a farkle nut as some know and I sure as heck hope someone comes up with a design for a shelf like on my 05. This O6 has little OEM space to mount things like GPS, XM or Radar dectectors.

I like the blue-silver paint better than the 05 blue. I don't know how the OEM saddle is going to work for me. On the two rides so far is ok but I doubt it will work for me on long rides.

I have the saddle in the low position I can flatffoot it with no problem. the position of the bars seem very similiar to the Motorcycle Larry risers I have on the 05.

I believe the bike will work out just fine for my type of LDR and running hard in the mountain twisties. For the "go faster" guys I think the bike will still perform well.

As I live in the LA area, the paddle shifting will be great when lane splitting, and folks that is a big problem her almost everyday during rush hour.

For mossmann, at stop lights/signs I found that you can easily put the bike in N and blip the throttle all you want. When you have it in 1st just a slight twist and you can get a smoot acceleration and from then on the shifting is fast, smooth and IMHO, SLICK. I am bummed out that my Tanji fuel cell will not mount on it without modification.

I found the OEM windshield to be ok, but I will probably go to an aftermarket. I found the handle grips to be ok for me.

all in all, I am pleased with the AE. I will be putting powelet outlets on it and Skyway sliders and a Garauld 06 luggage rack(Gary, how goes its build??) Also gota have my music XM, GPS, radar and my NECESSARY COFFEE CUP HOLDER!!

I am riding again tomorrow and I will have more miles on it for more impressions.

Oh, and yes, I only exceeded 4k in 3-5 gears a few times!!

 

[mossman]

Thanks Turbo Dave for your excelent review!

1st. look up techmounts.com for a perfert stem mount for gps or anything they also have a quick change adaptor plate. Better yet call Dee she has riden the FJR & can advise what would work best for you call her @ 407.905.6944, no afiliation, just bought my stuff from them.

2nd. what exactically happens when pressing & holding the shift paddle????

 

[SkooterG]

No.
TurboDave is out riding the crap out of his FJR. But it's his 05 FJR as his AE has still not arrived yet.

D'oh, Bart!

 

[RadioHowie]

what exactically happens when pressing & holding the shift paddle????

Your thumb goes numb. :rofl:

 

[turbodave_98]

Thanks Turbo Dave for your excelent review!1st. look up techmounts.com for a perfert stem mount for gps or anything they also have a quick change adaptor plate. Better yet call Dee she has riden the FJR & can advise what would work best for you call her @ 407.905.6944, no afiliation, just bought my stuff from them.

2nd. what exactically happens when pressing & holding the shift paddle????

Checked it out tonight. when you hold down or disable the enabling switch for the electronic shift, it stays in the gear that you are at that time running.

I have found it simple to come to a stop by downshifting and when stopped shifting it into N. then as time to go, shift into 1 and it pulls away smoothly.i

 

[bikemonster]

Thanks Turbo Dave for your excelent review!1st. look up techmounts.com for a perfert stem mount for gps or anything they also have a quick change adaptor plate. Better yet call Dee she has riden the FJR & can advise what would work best for you call her @ 407.905.6944, no afiliation, just bought my stuff from them.

2nd. what exactically happens when pressing & holding the shift paddle????

Nothing. Pushing it makes it go up (or down), holding it does nothing more (no neutral). It stays wherever it last went. One interesting thing is, when coasting to a stop, you can just keep kicking it down, and the lowest gear it will go to is first. To go to neutral the bike must be stopped. It's a little like a standard bike and stepping down a bunch of times on the shift lever and gettiing only first gear.

 

[Woodstock]

One real advantage of the AE would seem to be that stopped at a light, you're always just a wrist flick of getting out of the way of a (potential) rear-ender.

No more "Can I risk putting it in neutral to give my left hand a rest?" questions.