Any 08 AE Owners out there yet?

[lacofdfireman]

Just wondering since I have seen alot of the Clutch model FJR owners of the 08's but not any of the AE Autoclutch bikes yet. I am still very interested in the AE model. I have been reading all I can to see what people have said about there AE bikes. Is there anyone on this forum or that you may know that has owned and AE and gone back to the Standard Clutch model FJR? If so why?

As I have stated in previous posts I am a big fan of the Auto Clutches. Have one on my KTM (Rekluse Auto Clutch) and just love it. Never had an ounce of trouble. People always say your lazy or whatever when you are out riding and I love it when they are stalled on a hill climb and you pull up next to them stop and take off again with no problems. Anyways hoping to see some photo's and some write ups on the 08 AE's.

Lastly I am still trying to get the BMW R 1200RT out of my head. I absolutely loved that bike and felt that it fit my 6'4 250lb frame better than the FJR but not a real big difference. I really think I would be happy on either bike but the BMW has me a little worried about maintence items and dealer locations... Any opinons for the Tall riders out there....

 

[Good2Go]

Regarding the 12RT...I spent one weekend each on a '07 12RT, '06 FJR, C14, '06 ST1300 before buying the FJR. The RT has way better wind protection, no heat issues, handles great, is lighter, and has a ton of factory options like cruise control, heated seats/grips, ESA, self canceling turn signals.

On paper it looked like a great bike. Until I rode it. Man, I just couldn't make myself like that engine...too much vibration for me. I get off the bike and could still feel the buzzing in my hands and feet...reminded me of my '92 Ninja ZX10. That boxer engine just didn't feel as "exciting" as the 4 bangers I tested.

My '08 FJRA has just as good, if not better, handling, doesn't appear to put out objectionable heat (summer will be the real test), and I can add any of the beemers options if I want, and still come out with extra $$ for beer.

The 12RT is a great bike, just not what I was looking for.

 

[lacofdfireman]

I have been posting on all 3 forums. I met on guy who's name will remain unknown who owned a R12RT and sold it for an 06 FJR and says he will never look back. Same guy also replied to a post where someone was checking out a new model AE and he told the guy to run away as fast as you can. Is there some inherent problem with the AE bikes that I am missing? Why a fellow FJR hater on the AE FJR. This is the information I am looking and researching. Also he told me if I am tall I would probably prefer the Beemer....

 

[FJRay]

Don't have the AE but know a number of people that do and have never heard a complaint or a problem. I would consider one but have to much invested in farkles on the 03 to make it worth the change.

 

[Shadow]

Same guy also replied to a post where someone was checking out a new model AE and he told the guy to run away as fast as you can. Is there some inherent problem with the AE bikes that I am missing?

The AE like a lot of things doesn't suit every one.

People will post about the virtues of one, but that doesn't mean you will like it.

Ride one for yourself, it's the ONLY way to find out.

I personally don't like it, but i don't knock it either, to each their own.

 

[lacofdfireman]

Ride one for yourself, it's the ONLY way to find out.
I personally don't like it, but i don't knock it either, to each their own.

Had a chance to ride both the AE and the Clutch model at the Long Beach Motorcycle show and absolutely loved the AE. I am definately leaning towards this model if I go FJR but don't mind a clutch either. I just had wondered if people shy away from the AE because they think it's lame to have an auto clutch or if it was cause they have some sort of problem. Like you say to each his own.

 

[Shadow]

I just had wondered if people shy away from the AE because they think it's lame to have an auto clutch or if it was cause they have some sort of problem

All my riding is done in twisty hills, I never tour and I found the manual better for me for that sort of riding.

The other thing was as it is a new unproven concept for Yamaha will it be as reliable as the proven manual?

How long before it needs repairs because I am quite sure it wont be a cheap item to fix.

 

[uctofeej]

Is there anyone on this forum or that you may know that has owned and AE and gone back to the Standard Clutch model FJR? If so why?

I'll be curious to see if anyone has moved down to the A from the AE. Aside from folding under peer pressure on this board, I can't see a reason to go back. I mean really, show me one AE (operative word coming up, folks) owner who absolutely hates the lack of a clutch lever.

 

[Shane Stump]

I just had wondered if people shy away from the AE because they think it's lame to have an auto clutch or if it was cause they have some sort of problem

All my riding is done in twisty hills, I never tour and I found the manual better for me for that sort of riding.

The other thing was as it is a new unproven concept for Yamaha will it be as reliable as the proven manual?

How long before it needs repairs because I am quite sure it wont be a cheap item to fix.

That is what extended warranties are for :blink: :blink: !

I have had my 2006 AE for 18 months and while I only have ~29,000 miles on her, I honestly hope I never have to buy another bike with a manual clutch!

Merry Christmas!

Shane

 

[leedavis]

I prefer manual everything - well, I do like ABS brakes - but out of a zillion AE testimonials I've read I don't recall a single one that was negative. People who have that feature like it and I haven't heard of any problems.

There are scads of big/tall FJR riders including myself. It's a non-issue.

 

[sqidget]

I have a 06 AE and absoutely love it, and I am a person who prefers manuals.(cars,trucks,tractor etc) If it is available I will buy another AE type bike. I only got to put 4300 miles since May when I bought it. The only Valid negative point I have seen posted is: if you have a low battery you can't push start the bike. I ride mostly twisty secondary roads to actual back roads (it does really good on dirt roads too) and could not be happier with the performance. I did look at the standard A model and thought the clutch pull effort was excessive. However I did not get to demo ride it like I did the AE. I understand it is not for every one. But They have not been given a fair shot by people who haven't even ridden one. I was one of those who 8 months before I bought it, turned my nose up at it, because, who the hell would want a auto clutch, those are for *******! Then I rode it. Took a 14 mile demo ride. I bought it that day No second thoughts, no regrets.

 

[Flyguy]

I agree with squidget completely.

I started hearing negative comments on the AE 6 months before its release! I quickly figured out that while some just prefer clutches, as they (myself included) do in cars, there was a lot of "real riders have clutches" bravado out there. And I thing given rider demographics that is to be expected. The negative posts gave me the resolve to test the hell out of the system, especially if Yamaha was going to charge me 1,200 extra to ride one.

Early in my test ride of the AE I tried to check out the complaints (from people that had never ridden one) that you could not shift as fast and therefore it was unacceptable. It not only shifted with infinitely (literately) less effort, it was MUCH faster. Downshifting was instantaneous. You could go through 4 gears up and 4 down (at 40) in less than 10 seconds! Try that on ANY manual clutch bike. Next, I took it out on sweepers and shifted up and down not just one, but 2 gears and found it was actually difficult to upset the bike. Having chirped tires and hung the back of the bike WAY out at inopportune times during a hurried downshift, I quickly learned to appreciate the boring reliability of the YCCS.

Was it perfect? No. It simply won't allow a tire spinning 5k rpm launch, so forget 1/4 mile times. I had long ago lost interest in that kind of riding as have most all who are attracted to the FJR. Also, it won't let you glide off a long exit ramp while going down the gears unloaded. The positive side of this is your brakes will last longer as it forced you down the gear tree. For track riders that corner at high rpms it would take one option away if they found themselves coming in way too hot - rolling through clutch in.

After recently switching rides with a couple of buddies I found that it was fun to go back for a bit but I realized that I had lost the need for a clutch. The AE is just too elegant and easy to ever go back.

 

[mike25]

I just had wondered if people shy away from the AE because they think it's lame to have an auto clutch or if it was cause they have some sort of problem

All my riding is done in twisty hills, I never tour and I found the manual better for me for that sort of riding.

The other thing was as it is a new unproven concept for Yamaha will it be as reliable as the proven manual?

How long before it needs repairs because I am quite sure it wont be a cheap item to fix.

On the other hand. Yamaha will have a hard time claiming operator error, when (or if)

it starts jumping out of 2nd gear.

 

[qmotion]

I have over 12.000 miles on my 2006 AE and I'll never go back to a clutch unless they stop making them

 

[madmike2]

I have a 06 AE and absoutely love it, and I am a person who prefers manuals.(cars,trucks,tractor etc) If it is available I will buy another AE type bike. I only got to put 4300 miles since May when I bought it. The only Valid negative point I have seen posted is: if you have a low battery you can't push start the bike.

Same guy also replied to a post where someone was checking out a new model AE and he told the guy to run away as fast as you can. Is there some inherent problem with the AE bikes that I am missing?

There has been some report of slow speed (parking lot) issues. There is a certain RPM at which the computer disengages the clutch. Those who have ridden the AE say the technique is to keep the RPMs above that point and moderate your speed with the brake.

To the best of my recollection nobody has switche back to the standard shift because of dissatisfaction.

In fact, it has been rumored [SIZE=8pt](by me)[/SIZE] that TWN is shopping for an AE. :lol:

 

[Toecutter]

AE's are certainly (IMO) the best-looking of the bunch! And one could always act stupid and play the clutchless card to whittle down the price. "It doesn't have a clutch? Well, I don't know....Would you take X,XXX.00?"

 

[2006FJR]

I also have the AE and am not sure I could ever go back. Yamaha did a great job!

 

[topanga]

I was a total complete nay-sayer, until I rode one. I wasn't going to buy an AE, totally opposed to the concept.

Now, I love my AE, (obsessed actually) and it would be pretty hard to force myself back to a manual clutch on this class of bike. I bought my 06 in August and put 6k miles on it so far. I have never had any issues with the auto-clutch, NONE, control or otherwise, and expect to get tens of thousands of miles out of it before I go get another one. Yes it's a slightly different technique, big deal, anyone with a higher than room temperature IQ can cope in about 5 minutes, and after a few hundred miles, you forget about it all together. Throttle control and brakes, ooooo scary.

There really is a visceral reaction to an auto-clutch, it's like shouting "I am a vegetarian!" in a meat-loving restaurant. I say have at it, it will make the next one I buy cheaper perhaps, but I severely doubt that this technology is going to go away as many have said they would prefer.

If you've ridden one, and like it, buy it, time's a wasting. If not, the A is there waiting. It's a great machine, and the charcoal '08 is a totally hot looking bike, IMHO, nicer than the black 08.

 

[ARFJR]

There was a member who got rid of his but I'm not sure who it was. I'm sure the vast majority of AE riders Love the way it works. I know I'm one of them. 3rd year and Yamaha is still making them.

I have had a small problem with mine if you care to read about it.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...mp;#entry327980

I was impressed with how Yamaha kept kissing my butt over this. You'd think they had slapped my mother or something. I expected some problems with this clutch. After 20K miles nothing significant has happened. And it works o-so-well!