This is directed toward Fred and all of the other 06 riders who feel there is an issue with the throttle pulley design.
There is no doubt that the pulley design was changed, I think everyone can agree on that. If those of you feel that this is a safety issue, then I encourage you to open a case with the NHTSA to start a defect investigation. Here is the link:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Consumer.cfm
This is how most recalls and TSB's get started, by consumers filing a complaint. They investigate every one of them. If they receive alot of them, they do investigate thoroughly.
Alternatively, you could start pushing the issue with Yamaha customer service, although I'm not sure how far thats going to go. Filing complaints with the NHTSA will get you a much quicker response.
As has been pointed out by members on this forum, there is a concensus that there is something wrong with the design of the throttle pulley and that it has been changed from the previous design and this design makes the motorcycle tricky, if not dangerous to drive. Someone posted in this thread, asking if the persons low side could have possibly been related to the throttle pulley design.
I personally do not feel anything is wrong with my 06, but thats just me. Maybe there was a bad batch of throttle pulleys or they were assembled incorrectly. It has happened before. There have been enough people who have tried Fred's fix and have been happy with it and have also echoed sentiments that the bike is hard to drive without the fix. I think it is those motorcyclists duty to open complaints with the NHTSA. In all sincerity, if their complaints force Yamaha to change the design and that change saves someone from serious injury or death, then it is worth all of the arguments and discussion over this particular issue. In all honesty, I don't believe Yamaha will do anything about it unless the government forces them to investigate and acknowledge there is an issue.