Mogambo
Well-known member
I just got back from a final days of Summer trip down through the BRP and back up through Tennessee ride on my new 06 FJR. Some may remember me asking opinions of those who had previous model FJR's and are now riding an 06. I had an 04 and now have roughly 2200 miles on the 06.
My thoughts are as such. As my topic title implies, based on different things I have read, there must be some real differences in individual bikes. I have read things like "the 06 FJR needs a new map", to the extent that one owner felt that there should be some sort of recall. I've gotta tell you, that when it comes to throttle jerkiness and surging and the like, I have no idea what you are talking about. This bike is smooth. Now I did do the Barbarian Jumper mod, hoping to improve on an already good situation. It did. It is now VERY smooth. It was smooth in the gentle twists and turns of the Blue Ridge Parkway and although I didn't do the Dragon, I DID ride it on RT. 219 in W.VA. Those who know that road know what I am talking about. There are sections of RT. 219 that will eat you alive, if you're not careful. I took the 06 FJR through the most challenging sections of RT.219 during a moderately heavy rain, with gravel and oil through some of the corners and it handled smoothly and predictably through it all. I thought the conditions sucked. The bike didn't seem to care. It just said "tell me what you want me to do", and it did it. Superbly.
The 06 FJR, in my opinion feels much more planted and tracks much better through the corners. I'm not an engineer, so I won't profess to know specifically what was done to the suspension to change it, but what ever it was, it flat out works.
In terms of lighting, the 06 FJR really lights up the roadway. I have no extra lighting on the bike, but when traveling through heavy deer country on Interstate 79 in PA at night, the FJR lit up a wide birth of roadway in front of me. So much in fact, that it almost seemed as if a car was traveling close behind me. But it was just me, all alone.
I forgot one thing. The new linked brakes. In my opinion, they are terrific and confidence inspiring, to say the least.
The only complaints that I can make are the stock seat and the stock windshield. The stock windshield could offer a little better protection (although I considered it no big deal) and the stock seat can make you squirm a bit after a few hundred miles. Some folks have complained about the tension of the throttle spring, but here too, I have personally found no issue with it as is. For me, it is fine. Shifting was also excellent and without incident.
The 06 FJR ran smoothly and flawlessly. It was an absolute pleasure to be on. Perfect? Nothing is.....but it was pretty darn close. The average milage per gallon was excellent. Indicated reading was 51.3 upon trip completion. My 04 was also great in this regard, ususally around 47 to 50 mpg.
So based on the complaints that I have read and what I have personally experienced, there MUST be some real differences in bikes. No jerkiness or surging here. Smooth as a baby's butt.
The only other modifications I have made to the bike other than the Barbarian Jumper was BMW grips, heavy bar end weights (which I had on my 04)(I primarily think that they just look cool) and RG sliders.
There must have been some real differences in the 04 model, too, come to think of it. I remember reading one 04 owner referring to HIS 04 FJR as a "fire dragon". I thought to myself at the time that he must be insane. I never had any SERIOUS heat complaints on my 04. But....giving him the benefit of the doubt, maybe HIS, WAS hot. Apparently enough people complained about it that Yamaha felt it needed to be changed. People would ask me about it and I would say "no problemo". One thing is for sure, it ain't hot now!
For the record, my stock CO settings were: 5,18,18,21. All were changed to +7 on these numbers.
Just thought that I would share my thoughts and experiences for any prospective new FJR owners out there.
P.S.: An FJR rider (05 or 06) gave me a beep on RT. 441 in the Smokey Mountains late Thursday afternoon (9/21). Anyone here?
My thoughts are as such. As my topic title implies, based on different things I have read, there must be some real differences in individual bikes. I have read things like "the 06 FJR needs a new map", to the extent that one owner felt that there should be some sort of recall. I've gotta tell you, that when it comes to throttle jerkiness and surging and the like, I have no idea what you are talking about. This bike is smooth. Now I did do the Barbarian Jumper mod, hoping to improve on an already good situation. It did. It is now VERY smooth. It was smooth in the gentle twists and turns of the Blue Ridge Parkway and although I didn't do the Dragon, I DID ride it on RT. 219 in W.VA. Those who know that road know what I am talking about. There are sections of RT. 219 that will eat you alive, if you're not careful. I took the 06 FJR through the most challenging sections of RT.219 during a moderately heavy rain, with gravel and oil through some of the corners and it handled smoothly and predictably through it all. I thought the conditions sucked. The bike didn't seem to care. It just said "tell me what you want me to do", and it did it. Superbly.
The 06 FJR, in my opinion feels much more planted and tracks much better through the corners. I'm not an engineer, so I won't profess to know specifically what was done to the suspension to change it, but what ever it was, it flat out works.
In terms of lighting, the 06 FJR really lights up the roadway. I have no extra lighting on the bike, but when traveling through heavy deer country on Interstate 79 in PA at night, the FJR lit up a wide birth of roadway in front of me. So much in fact, that it almost seemed as if a car was traveling close behind me. But it was just me, all alone.
I forgot one thing. The new linked brakes. In my opinion, they are terrific and confidence inspiring, to say the least.
The only complaints that I can make are the stock seat and the stock windshield. The stock windshield could offer a little better protection (although I considered it no big deal) and the stock seat can make you squirm a bit after a few hundred miles. Some folks have complained about the tension of the throttle spring, but here too, I have personally found no issue with it as is. For me, it is fine. Shifting was also excellent and without incident.
The 06 FJR ran smoothly and flawlessly. It was an absolute pleasure to be on. Perfect? Nothing is.....but it was pretty darn close. The average milage per gallon was excellent. Indicated reading was 51.3 upon trip completion. My 04 was also great in this regard, ususally around 47 to 50 mpg.
So based on the complaints that I have read and what I have personally experienced, there MUST be some real differences in bikes. No jerkiness or surging here. Smooth as a baby's butt.
The only other modifications I have made to the bike other than the Barbarian Jumper was BMW grips, heavy bar end weights (which I had on my 04)(I primarily think that they just look cool) and RG sliders.
There must have been some real differences in the 04 model, too, come to think of it. I remember reading one 04 owner referring to HIS 04 FJR as a "fire dragon". I thought to myself at the time that he must be insane. I never had any SERIOUS heat complaints on my 04. But....giving him the benefit of the doubt, maybe HIS, WAS hot. Apparently enough people complained about it that Yamaha felt it needed to be changed. People would ask me about it and I would say "no problemo". One thing is for sure, it ain't hot now!
For the record, my stock CO settings were: 5,18,18,21. All were changed to +7 on these numbers.
Just thought that I would share my thoughts and experiences for any prospective new FJR owners out there.
P.S.: An FJR rider (05 or 06) gave me a beep on RT. 441 in the Smokey Mountains late Thursday afternoon (9/21). Anyone here?
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weekend rider :clapping: 
