Clutch questions after demo ride

[JimNtexas]

I've been lurking here for a long time since I came back into riding about two years ago. I've found I really like long distance riding, and probably as a result of my first bike being a Honda Dream I like a 'UJM' style bike.

I have a Ninja 250 (with an SS1000 plate backer) that I've used for a number of long rides. My poor little Ninja is kind of sick, and the finance committee has given me a go-ahead for a new bike.

Recently I've borrowed my brother's Speed Triple and demoed a Triumph Sprint ST. I've also demoed a bunch of Harleys and Victories, but find that cruisers are not for me. Friday I rented a Honda ST-13000 and drove it about 150 miles. It's the most short person friendly (29.5" inseam), its very comfortable, but the heat issue is real.

Today I demo'd a 2010 FJR and a Concurs at the Dallas IMS show. The Concurs is out, it's too tall, the seat doesn't adjust. It's a miracle I didn't drop it. I liked the FJR a lot, it's seat is slightly taller than the ST-1300, but very manageable for me. One minor quibble was windshield shake on the FJR the other two bikes didn't have it, the demo FJR did. Not even close to a show stopper.

The only thing that really bothered me about this FJR was the high clutch lever effort required. This FJR required a noticabley higher level of effort than the ST or C14. This is important to me because i have a 22 mile one way commutte in heavy traffic. My hand gets tired on my little Ninja. I could never commute on that FJR. I was surprised because Yamaha brags about having reduced the clutch effort in 2009.

Half way home from the show I realized that the clutch lever is probably adjustable. Could it have been the case that this clutch was not adjusted correctly? I've done a site search ( site:https://www.fjrforum.com clutch pull ) and do see that others have had clutch pull issues.

Thinking about my commute I'm starting to be tempted by an FJR AE, especially considering the good prices some of the dealers are offering. I've read all the A v. AE threads, no need to repeat them here.

Just one AE question? Do you AE owners stay awake at night worrying about being stranded with a 'shift 26' error? I know one fellow in Europe was plagued by this problem, but I don't know if the problem is widespread or not.

So bottom line: How adjustable is the clutch effort on the FJR A? Is 'shift 26' something a big worry to you FJR AE riders?

TIA

 

[madmike2]

:clapping: Welcome to the forum. :clapping:

[SIZE=8pt]Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated.[/SIZE]

Okay, Jim, let me give you some reading to see if it answers your question.

For me, the clutch pull isn't that difficult and my commute is 20 miles (though we can lane share and that helps). IIRC, someone has exchanged a clutch slave cylinder from an older model to ease the effort.

Edit: I've changed my levers. Pazzo and other aftermarket levers change the angle of the clutch handle that is more comfortable for me. TWN [RIP] changed levers to help the arthritis problems developing in his hands. YMMV

Perhaps the answer will be in one of the following links:

clutch effort site:fjrforum.com

clutch pull site:fjrforum.com

clutch lever adjustment site:fjrforum.com

 

[sportsguy]

I commute every day on my 09 FJR A. Clutch is fine for my 10 miles one way. I will admit my hand gets a work out in traffic, but even stuck for 25 - 30 minutes in stop and go is manageable.

I'm more bothered by the fact I can never seem to make into 5th gear on my commutes...

 

[SnowAviation]

Weird, my 09 seems light on the clutch too, I've been considering getting a

shorty clutch lever so I only have to use the first two fingers to operate it.

Maybe you should try an 09 and see if there's a difference...or...get one of these:

 

[bramfrank]

I was going to say the same thing as snowaviation . . . my '06 supposedly requires a lot more pull than the '09+, which had the clutch hydraulic system redesigned to reduce the pull . . . but I never saw it as a problem that needed fixing . . . then ahain I never had any issues with the throttle either, which was redone in '08.

If it is that big an issue you need to exercise those fingers and eat wheaties to eliminate that wimpy handshake and grow a pair.

 

[Braenen]

To answer your question about the AE, no, I do not stay awake at night worrying about the YCCS system failures.

It takes a few miles and a few shifts to get the hang of it but once you do the shifts can be butter smooth. The bike does not loose any functionality from the system. You can power wheelie (yes, I have done it) with ease. The only thing I have noticed is that AE riders tend to use higher RPMs in the twisites than A riders. I am not sure why but a few of us discussed it at EOM this year.

One other thing you should know, and this is true of both the A and AE; the FJR has a split personality. If you are light on the throttle she is a kitten. If you snap the throttle wide open you had better have your G-Suit on. I litterally pulled every muscle in both of my arms in a power wheelie going up hill through two gear shifts. To say that it is a fire breathing dragon is an understatement.

I strongly recommend you take an AE for a ride. Just about everyone who owns one loves it.

 

[griffithds]

22,000 flawless miles on my AE. Love it!

 

[Fred W]

The clutch lever effort is generally reported to be higher on the 2nd gens (2006 and up), so consider that as you look at people's replies. Several 2nd gen owners have swapped a 1st gen clutch slave cylinder in to reduce effort at the expense (?) or a longer lever throw. It means you need to keep the lever adjusted out on one of the settings furthest from the bars to get the engagement point far enough from the bar.

Unless you really want an AE, I would not buy one just because of the clutch lever effort is high. That can be mitigated. Try riding one first and then decide if you really want an automatic clutch bike. If you do, there are a lot of deals on leftover '07's, '08's and '09's. They discontinued the AE for 2010, probably mostly because of those leftovers.

 

[ahchiu]

Yamaha changed the clutch slave cylinder on the 09 to have the same as first gen1, the 06,07,08 has a stiffer pull, I changed the slave cylinder on my 06 and clutch pull feels lighter

 

[dustyrains]

Just one AE question? Do you AE owners stay awake at night worrying about being stranded with a 'shift 26' error? I know one fellow in Europe was plagued by this problem, but I don't know if the problem is widespread or not.
So bottom line: How adjustable is the clutch effort on the FJR A? Is 'shift 26' something a big worry to you FJR AE riders?

TIA

My 06 AE is doing the shift_26 error intermittently right now. Bike has about 24k on it, almost all of it put on by me in the last 18 months. I am the 2nd owner. Last time it did it, I took it in to have it checked out and they cured it by soaking the clutch plates overnight. They told me that they had consulted with Yamaha on it, and Yamaha said that what can cause it is letting the bike sit for long periods of time. However, I had not been letting the bike sit, in fact I had been riding the hell out of since I got it. So, at the time I picked it up, I told them that it had not been sitting, and predicted that this would occur again. Sure enough, 6 months later, it is giving me a problem again. This only occurs when the bike has sat overnight and is completely cold. I have found a work around for it until I get it cured again. I make sure I park it in neutral. The next morning when I turn the key, pull the brake lever and push the start button, if the shift_26 code comes up, of course the bike won't start. When that happens, I turn the key off and back on quickly, pulling the brake lever and pushing the start button immediately, before the instrument sweep finishes and the LCD diagnostics finish and the bike starts right up. Other than this intermittent problem, which I don't believe is a serious thing, I love the YCCS system. I have ridden a lot of miles in my lifetime and I don't miss the clutch lever at all. It's a complete kick to twist the throttle and click off a series of instantaneous, perfect, butter smooth shifts with a flick of the finger. And it is really sweet in city traffic.

 

[fjr mississippi]

20k trouble free miles on an 07AE. My only complaint about an AE is the inability to coast, not that it is a big deal. I would highly recommened the AE for stop-and-go traffic. The AE for sure has a learning curve but well worth it. It is very nice to pull up to a light and not worry about finding neutral so I can let go of the clutch for the duration of the light. Getting used to "feathering" the throttle in a parking lot vs. the clutch is for sure a new experience but is quickly adapted to.

 

[happyPuppy]

I agree with fjr mississippi the AE is great if you have to deal with stop and go. The throttle control issue was improved in 2008 by doing the same thing that you can do on earlier models with the G2 throttle cam. The rear brake is used at low speeds as a quasi clutch at low speeds too. I too looked at the C14 , but the "simple" maintenance tasks are difficult compared to the FJR and more often. My left hand is busted up pretty bad with several repair jobs on it as well as that ankle is fused. I was afraid of the A and the ability to shift it a lot in traffic, hence I went with the AE.

 

[dbx]

I absolutely do not worry about the YCCS system on my '07 AE. I'm too busy riding it, enjoying every run up through the gears.

I'm very disappointed, though, that Yamaha isn't making the AE for 2010. If they were going to suspend production on a model, I would have suggested the old fashioned manual clutch model, but that's just me.

As for clutch pull effort, adjusting the lever so it's closer to the bar will do wonders for decreasing the effort required.

 

[mcatrophy]

...I'm very disappointed, though, that Yamaha isn't making the AE for 2010.

...

My best information (from my dealer) is that Yamaha are continuing to make and supply the YCCS bike to the UK market at least.

The UK Yamaha web site shows the FJR1300AS (as the AE is called this side of the pond) as still current.

I will learn more when I visit the NEC motorcycle show, early December; I will ask the guys (and dolls?) on the Yamaha stand.

 

[Fred W]

I absolutely do not worry about the YCCS system on my '07 AE. I'm too busy riding it, enjoying every run up through the gears.
I'm very disappointed, though, that Yamaha isn't making the AE for 2010. If they were going to suspend production on a model, I would have suggested the old fashioned manual clutch model, but that's just me.

As for clutch pull effort, adjusting the lever so it's closer to the bar will do wonders for decreasing the effort required.

Well, considering that they had trouble clearing the AEs out of showrooms at firesale prices, I'm doubtful that would have been a wise business strategy.

The problem with moving the levers in toward the bars on a second gen is that you can lose the ability to fully disengage the clutch. Reported on here by many 2nd gen owners with (small hands?) is that they experience clutch drag with the levers adjusted all the way in. It also doesn't actually change the lever effort, it just puts it into a location that your hand is better able to deal with it.

The UK site doesn't say that those are MY 2010, so I'm kind of suspiciousl that they may be more leftover 2009's.

 

[bramfrank]

...I'm very disappointed, though, that Yamaha isn't making the AE for 2010.

...

My best information (from my dealer) is that Yamaha are continuing to make and supply the YCCS bike to the UK market at least.

The UK Yamaha web site shows the FJR1300AS (as the AE is called this side of the pond) as still current.

I will learn more when I visit the NEC motorcycle show, early December; I will ask the guys (and dolls?) on the Yamaha stand.

Dealers know dick and have big mouths that engage long before the brain has any clue about what is happening - the link you provided is for the 2009 bike and the brochure that you get when you click the appropriate link is for the 2008.

It may well be that Yamaha will continue to supply the AE in other markets, but my personal feeling (take this for what it is worth) is that the AE is history, otherwise Yamaha USA would have made them available as special-order.

 

[ScottyUSN]

Welcome Jim,

I recommend you try to find an AE to test out, but I'm not sure I would have walked away with an appreciation for the AE until a couple hundred miles had past.

The discount and availablility was the primary reason I ended up with the AE. End result is I'm very happy with it. I will purchase the extended warranty for an additional couple hundred $$, but at the end of the day I still got a great bike an a fantastic price, and no regrets.

Just my .02

 

[IronHorse]

Hey Jim,

I'm a 2007 AE owner and I really love the auto clutch. I was considering a new bike (for a moment) the other day

and quickly realized I could not be without the auto clutch. What's fun when I'm riding with a few other guys who don't

know I have an AE I'll put my left hand on my hip and pull up to a light, stop and ride away never having moved my hand.

To answer your question, no I have never worried about the clutch not working. It's a Yamaha!

 

[mcatrophy]

...I'm very disappointed, though, that Yamaha isn't making the AE for 2010.

...

My best information (from my dealer) is that Yamaha are continuing to make and supply the YCCS bike to the UK market at least.

The UK Yamaha web site shows the FJR1300AS (as the AE is called this side of the pond) as still current.

I will learn more when I visit the NEC motorcycle show, early December; I will ask the guys (and dolls?) on the Yamaha stand.

Dealers know dick and have big mouths that engage long before the brain has any clue about what is happening - the link you provided is for the 2009 bike and the brochure that you get when you click the appropriate link is for the 2008.

It may well be that Yamaha will continue to supply the AE in other markets, but my personal feeling (take this for what it is worth) is that the AE is history, otherwise Yamaha USA would have made them available as special-order.

Generally I agree with you about dealer's knowledge. I did ask mine the specific question just before the owner was going to a Yamaha dealer presentation. He asked the question there, they replied that there were no plans to drop the AS.

I'm hoping he's right and you are wrong, as I am sure you are (even if you don't want one for yourself).

As I said, I'll ask a bit closer to the Yamaha horse in December, and hope to get a definitive answer from the Yamaha horse's mouth.