Clutch vs. AE?

[Kentmax5]

OK guys and gals......in my search for a new to me FJR I have found several of both with and w/o a clutch.I live in southeast Texas and there are a dozen or so just around the Houston/Katy area. My question is this......which do you prefer and what do you ride now? I am seeing alot of the AE's with less than 8000 miles.....kinda like someone gave it a go and it didn't pan out. I plan to ride both before I make my final decision. all thoughts,comments,experience and at my expense jokes are welcomed and appreciated......thanks in advance for your time......Kentmax5

 

[yamafitter]

I really like my AE but if you have the opportunity to ride both the A & AE models then pick the one you like the best. There is lots of discussion on the forum such as this thread.....

Auto Clutch or Manual

You can do a Google search for <auto clutch site:"www.fjrforum.com"> and find other discussion. In the end it is all about your preferences and your choice.

 

[mcatrophy]

Couple of points. Most people with the AE (or AS this side of the pond) love it. As far as I am aware, you can count on one finger the number of members of this forum who have (or had) one and actually hated it.

Be aware there are some different techniques needed when low speed manoeuvring, also when changing gear it helps to be sympathetic with the throttle, there's no help like there is with a car's flappy paddle change.

On a test run, you may not achieve the necessary touch for smooth gear changes, it can take different people between 10 minutes and several weeks to get the knack, so if you find it jerky during changes, don't let that put you off. You can't hurt anything, it protects itself (and you) very well. And you can't miss a gear-change.

Whatever you do, don't blip the throttle when waiting for the lights to change, you'll be into that interchange before you know it!

Oh, yes, I'm a fan. But then, because of a pathetically painful finger, I wouldn't be riding if it wasn't for the AS (AE). So I am just a little prejudiced.

 

[bgross]

If you click on thee link in mcatrophy's signature line, you'll notice that he does some serious riding -- all over Europe. The AE isn't just for folks who ride to church and the psychiatrist's office.

If you're the kind of person who is sensitive to wisecracks from other riders about "a girl's bike", forget it - you'll be in a puddle of tears before the end of the first week. Of course, since you live in Tejas. So you'll get lots of 'friendly comments' just because your bike has more than two cylinders!

But if you enjoy 'riding your own ride', you owe it to yourself to give it a try before deciding.

Enjoy!

 

[wnyfjr]

Well, I am partial as I have the AE, but you'll like either model, I guarantee! And just to be correct, both the A and AE models have a clutch. The difference is that the A is manually actuated with the clutch lever and the AE is electronically actuated. You still make the shift yourself, but you have the choice of foot or finger shift. I find that I use the finger to upshift and the foot to downshift...don't know why, I just do it that way.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

You’ll like the AE if you like perfect up & down shifts every time. I wouldn’t be afraid of the slow speed maneuver fears. I’m an MSF rider coach and practice on the range with the FJR all the time by keeping the clutch engaged with a few revs and dragging the rear brake. I've had a 07 and a 08 AE and loved them and would still have one if the new 2013 hadn't lured me away. Maybe someday the glacier will recede from North Dakota and I'll be able to see if I made the right decision but I know I will always miss that AE transmission.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Mcatrophy hit on what I have seen. The magazine reviews never gave the AE a chance, and it seems most of us kind of followed suite. However, prolly 99% of the people that own them seem to love them.

 

[willboe]

FJR1300AE: Own one, love it. I bought my first motorcycle, a behive engine single 250cc sold by Montgomery Ward, in 1963. I have had at least one motorcycle most of the years since. The FJR is my favorite bike by far, and IMHO, the computer activated clutch is superior once you get to know it a bit. A full on 'power shift' produces waay to much feathering. Sounds kinda cool, but is non productive. The slightest retard of the throttle at the proper moment produces excellent drag strip performance, and you will never miss a shift going to the grocery store either, or drag your boot shifting into second whilst turning left at a big intersection, or a tight left curve in the road. The "whilst" in the previous sentence is a tip o' the hat to Mcatrophy.

Whether it is the electric shifter, or the lever, the FJR is one hell of a good motorcycle.

 

[allrider]

I love the fact that it cost $1k more new and you can usually find one for less than a manual clutch model on the used market.

 

[fastpappy]

I'm in the 99% I love my AE I bought it originally because of a bum left hand and didn't realize at the time what an outstanding machine this is.

 

[Top_Speed1]

The one's who own the AE tend to side with it quite strongly. Personally I would say find a deal you like either A or AE, ride it and if you like it (and within ur budget)... buy it!

I will say for me, it took awhile before I actually liked the AE. So maybe an AE test ride will not be to your liken. Best bet would be to "borrow" or trade bikes for let's say a weekend, then you can give the AE (and yourself) time to get acquainted.

Good luck!

 

[Fontanaman]

Here we go again. The market spoke and the AE is no longer in production. If you like it buy it.

 

[Niehart]

Here we go again. The market spoke and the AE is no longer in production. If you like it buy it.

In the us market.

They are still being produced but not sent to the US.

 

[Old Michael]

.

 

[willboe]

Here we go again. The market spoke and the AE is no longer in production. If you like it buy it.

The AE is not in production, but the AS is as of 2013, just not in the US.The AS is Yamaha Gen II Electronic clutch. The lucky folks in Europe, Asia, etc. who buy this bike also get on the fly electronic suspension 'mode ' choices, 12 or 16 of them. This is in addition to the 'FlyByWire' throttle, Cruise Control, Traction Control et.al.

 

[Auron]

They've had these 5 forever. Wonder if they will ever sell. How sad. ****, they will probably still have one in the crate when I'm ready for a new one in 10 years.

https://www.teamwinnebagoland.com/2009-Yamaha-FJR1300AE-inventory.htm?id=291862&used=1&vin=&unitType=1787&unitBrand=40

 

[Top_Speed1]

They've had these 5 forever. Wonder if they will ever sell. How sad. ****, they will probably still have one in the crate when I'm ready for a new one in 10 years.
https://www.teamwinnebagoland.com/2009-Yamaha-FJR1300AE-inventory.htm?id=291862&used=1&vin=&unitType=1787&unitBrand=40

At that price and w this economy they will keep them!

I told my dealer the same thing when I was dealing on mine. Finally they came down to reason. Mine was $11K out the door including all taxes n fees. Got a 1" bar riser installed as well in the deal.

Me= Happy

Dealer= Not so, but he did get rid of one of his (Yami auction purchased) crated-bikes that was just sitting, sealed n warehoused.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

They've had these 5 forever. Wonder if they will ever sell. How sad. ****, they will probably still have one in the crate when I'm ready for a new one in 10 years.
https://www.teamwinnebagoland.com/2009-Yamaha-FJR1300AE-inventory.htm?id=291862&used=1&vin=&unitType=1787&unitBrand=40

At that price and w this economy they will keep them!

I told my dealer the same thing when I was dealing on mine. Finally they came down to reason. Mine was $11K out the door including all taxes n fees. Got a 1" bar riser installed as well in the deal.

Me= Happy

Dealer= Not so, but he did get rid of one of his (Yami auction purchased) crated-bikes that was just sitting, sealed n warehoused.

I agree they will sit on those for that price. I bought my 08 hold over for $9999. with out tax and license.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Some dealers are more stubborn than others, some don't think we're in a recession. Maybe Barack O. is even a better 'talker' than I thought; as in he has half of America believing we are prospering! (well not this American however!).