Bought an 06!

[mubikS]

So we made the 3-hour road trip to the greater Baltimore area (Catonsville) this morning to meet forum member Frisson. His bike was what I was looking for, if only a little over my budget. So FWIW, he's got a couple of extra items in the Classifieds that I didn't have the cash for.

It's a 2006 A-model, blue, with about 25k on the clock, with the top box. So I took it for a quick test ride, as I'd only previously sat on a '10 at Richmond Yamaha. My first impression was that this bike is set up to be easy on the rider. [My current ride is a Warrior, see sig]. It has a lot smoother torque curve, easier shifting, and it does NOT feel like it weighs as much as it does (unless, of course, I'm trying to push it up a ramp into the back of my fullsize pickup :dribble: ).

I still need to get it out of the back of the truck, and take you guys some PICS! :yahoo:

 

[BPFowler]

They say the blue ones are the best. :yahoo:

I think you will enjoy it more than you think.

 

[highcountry]

Congrats! Get those pics up soon.

 

[mubikS]

Sorry, too dark for pics, stayed out riding too long!

So I put about 150 miles on it today. Second impressions:

Throttle response is non-linear, likely due to the G2 cam. It seems to induce some driveline lash when I shift, as the throttle just isn't as open as it should be. This will likely be an de-farkle.

The suspension is much more stable than I give it credit for. I really have to give it to Yamaha on this one; the Warrior also carries the R1 front end and also handles great.

What, no self-cancelling turn signal? :angry2: Seriously, Yamaha? You had this technology 25 years ago on my Radian.

Boy, do I miss hard cases. I had them on the Ducati ST2, and never want to be without them again. Super thumbs-up to Yamaha's design. These are WAY easier to put on and take off than the Duke's, and I'm confident they won't suddenly open up on the highway.

The adjustable windscreen, in the down position, guides the breeze right across my neck. All the way up, its right across my helmet, but the only buffetting occurs in highway traffic. No complaints there, other than it does rattle a bit going over bumps.

I'm 6'3, and wonder how anyone shorter can flatfoot this thing (although I do have the seat on the high position). Wild Bill will be hearing from me soon for a set of highway pegs. Haven't ridden with the missus yet, so no verdict from the pillion.

I like all the features on the computer, like a full fuel gauge and gear indicator. Quite handy.

The whole bike does seem very buzzy... numb fingers after an hour ride. Looks like a cushy grip change is in order. Any recommendations?

 

[Patriot]

The whole bike does seem very buzzy... numb fingers after an hour ride. Looks like a cushy grip change is in order. Any recommendations?

grip puppies that go right over the stock grips...closed cell foam and feel like a really firm sponge...love 'em

 

[escapefjrtist]

Congrats on the *new* purchase...right color choice too!

Couple of look-outs and suggestions:

For shift / driveline smoothness, make sure your idle speed is at least 1100 RPM. This will reduce the amount of lash you feel between shifts.

Leave the G2 in place until you get some get-to-know-you miles on the bike. Check the free play of the cables and adjust to the minimum play in the owners manual. This will help a lot.

For the overall buzzy feeling, do a TBS on the bike, [change plugs while you're there] check for loose motor mount bolts and give the bike a good overall look at. If the ECU recall has been done, the engine *should be* as smooth as FJR's are. It's not the smoothest 4 out there, but when everything is to spec. it's not half bad either.

Have fun with the new ride!

--G

 

[Bigbeavk]

Congrats on the new ride! See my Sig line for links to a couple great posts. You will definetly want to check your suspension settings and if the throttle is tight you can do the spring unwind mod. Check with the previous owner first to see if he already did the spring unwind. If you are close to MD maybe we can get some rides in.

:yahoo:

 

[Sharif]

Congrats on the new ride! See my Sig line for links to a couple great posts. You will definetly want to check your suspension settings

+1 on the suspension changes - I was amazed at how much smoother the bike was after tinkering with the suspension.

Also, one thing I've noticed is that my '06 likes to be shifted quickly. Lash greatly reduced.

 

[GreyGoose]

Sorry, too dark for pics, stayed out riding too long!
So I put about 150 miles on it today. Second impressions:

Throttle response is non-linear, likely due to the G2 cam. It seems to induce some driveline lash when I shift, as the throttle just isn't as open as it should be. This will likely be an de-farkle.

The suspension is much more stable than I give it credit for. I really have to give it to Yamaha on this one; the Warrior also carries the R1 front end and also handles great.

What, no self-cancelling turn signal? :angry2: Seriously, Yamaha? You had this technology 25 years ago on my Radian.

Boy, do I miss hard cases. I had them on the Ducati ST2, and never want to be without them again. Super thumbs-up to Yamaha's design. These are WAY easier to put on and take off than the Duke's, and I'm confident they won't suddenly open up on the highway.

The adjustable windscreen, in the down position, guides the breeze right across my neck. All the way up, its right across my helmet, but the only buffetting occurs in highway traffic. No complaints there, other than it does rattle a bit going over bumps.

I'm 6'3, and wonder how anyone shorter can flatfoot this thing (although I do have the seat on the high position). Wild Bill will be hearing from me soon for a set of highway pegs. Haven't ridden with the missus yet, so no verdict from the pillion.

I like all the features on the computer, like a full fuel gauge and gear indicator. Quite handy.

The whole bike does seem very buzzy... numb fingers after an hour ride. Looks like a cushy grip change is in order. Any recommendations?

Get use to the buzz, its one of the few things you cant farkle out. I will say that as you get more and more miles on the bike, it does decrease (and grip pups will help) some, but it is what it is.

GreyGoose

 

[majicmaker]

Heavy Bar Ends got rid of Most of the Buzz on mine. The TrottleMeister killed two birds with one stone for me! :yahoo:

 

[mubikS]

BeavK, would be glad to get in a ride with you if I can make it up there. I am about an hour east of Richmond on the Bay.

I do have throttlemeisters on; it looks like I'll be trying the grip pups. I'm not sure, but I would guess that the throttle spring has been unwound... I've fiddled with the throttlemeister to make sure it's not hanging and it still seems like it's slow to snap back.

So I just took her for a ride... 109.2 miles total. I don't like to ride new bikes with gloves (just to get the feel of everything), so this time I went with my armored leather and the handlebar buzziness was much reduced. I also went with (cheapo orange foam) earplugs, and at 70 i could hear nothing but wind. She did great in the 30 miles of twisties I went though... and Sharif was right: fast shifts are much smoother. I did manage to get my toe down in a couple turns... but that's what long legs and size 12s get me. I am SO pleased to be able to pass again: I had the opportunity, not once but four times to stroke it from 60 to triple digits on the left of the yellow hashes. :evilgrin:

I think the first thing I have to do is work on ergos: seat, handlebar pullback, and highway pegs. I prefer the slight forward lean in the twisties, but my neck can't stand it on the highway. I'll take off the sheepskin next time... not sure if it's really helping. Anyway, as promised, sorry for the bad cell phone pix:

 

[RPrice]

Sorry, too dark for pics, stayed out riding too long!
So I put about 150 miles on it today. Second impressions:

Throttle response is non-linear, likely due to the G2 cam. It seems to induce some driveline lash when I shift, as the throttle just isn't as open as it should be. This will likely be an de-farkle.

The suspension is much more stable than I give it credit for. I really have to give it to Yamaha on this one; the Warrior also carries the R1 front end and also handles great.

What, no self-cancelling turn signal? :angry2: Seriously, Yamaha? You had this technology 25 years ago on my Radian.

Boy, do I miss hard cases. I had them on the Ducati ST2, and never want to be without them again. Super thumbs-up to Yamaha's design. These are WAY easier to put on and take off than the Duke's, and I'm confident they won't suddenly open up on the highway.

The adjustable windscreen, in the down position, guides the breeze right across my neck. All the way up, its right across my helmet, but the only buffetting occurs in highway traffic. No complaints there, other than it does rattle a bit going over bumps.

I'm 6'3, and wonder how anyone shorter can flatfoot this thing (although I do have the seat on the high position). Wild Bill will be hearing from me soon for a set of highway pegs. Haven't ridden with the missus yet, so no verdict from the pillion.

I like all the features on the computer, like a full fuel gauge and gear indicator. Quite handy.

The whole bike does seem very buzzy... numb fingers after an hour ride. Looks like a cushy grip change is in order. Any recommendations?

I can easily flat foot this thing on the high seat position, but I'm close to you @ 6'2"! I replaced the stock windscreen with a Rifle +5 +4 and life is good, there is no buffeting at any speed, but there is enough "air" to keep me comfortable at least up to about 90º F. With the screen in the down position, it's windy!!

I installed a G2 and when I first started riding with this there was some drive line lash, but as my experience with the bike and throttle control increased, the drive line lash disappeared. Give the G2 a chance!

Very Buzzy??? Wow, you must have ridden some extremely smooth bikes in the past!! Others have complained about this too. No issue for me, and I don't use or want to use Grip Puppies, etc... Nothing "goes numb" for me, BUT everybody is different.

Suspension?? Is it still at the stock settings?? If so, search the forum to get some advise on how to set it up. Then you'll really be happy!

I'm glad you're enjoying it so far!!

Bob

 

[mubikS]

Hi Bob, yeah, I am enjoying it so far. ^_^ I'm coming off a big V-twin, so the vibration was lower frequency, even if it was 5x the amplitude. This is much more WIIIIIINGGGG and much less BLLLLAAAAAAPPPPPP. :lol:

Maybe I didn't say that right about the suspension: I am VERY happy with it, whatever the previous owner set it at. Both my Warrior and this thing stick in the corners much better than that 450-lb Ducati, especially if I have to modulate throttle.

 

[RPrice]

I was looking through your list of bikes............... cool! I owned a Yamaha XS 500 and two XS 750's back in the late 70's early 80's, but no Honda 750's although several of my friends had them. One of my XS 750's even had Vetter Windjammer III fairing installed! That sure gave a lot more protection than the stock FJR windscreen! (The Rifle is comparable though)

I'm glad you're having fun, it will probably get "funner" the more you ride it! At least that has been my experience. I just got my FJR in January.

 

[mubikS]

The '88 YX600 was my first bike, and went through a few tumbles before I got my license. I ended up disassembling it, having a pearl blue custom-mixed to match modern Yamaha paint, and buying an '86 for parts... which i ended up riding for another year after that.

I got the CB750 for free from a guy cleaning out his basement, and gave it to Dad as a restoration project. He went eBay-nuts and bought tons of stuff for it, including the full Windjammer with hard bags. Unfortunately, he didn't live long enough to start putting it together, and now it's in my yard, still waiting for the YX to get finished. It'll probably be 10 years before I get around to that thing. Oh well!

 

[Sticky Throttle]

Suspension settings truth and enlightenment...Linky

Read, apply, enjoy. :thumbsup: