Cobalt blue better than Galaxy blue and that damn silver too

[Fencer]

I rode over and visited Scab yesterday (great fellow) and we road up Mt Cheaha (tallest point in AL) and a few other roads in the area. We swapped bikes for a short while and made a few observations that I don't think have been posted yet on the diff in the bikes.

Suspension: We both noticed a diff here. The 06 seemed to inspire (we both used ) confidence. My 06 now has 1100 mile his 05 a little over 13000. From the article posted from the gent in the Azores:

The big 48 mm Soqi front fork gets an extra set of bushings (there are now three) in each leg, to reduce sticking friction and improve suspension action. Like last year, it's adjustable for preload, compression and rebound, and it gets a little heavier spring rate, too. The rear Soqi shock is altered too, with a slightly heavier spring and a bit more rebound damping in the factory setting.

(I think) we both felt this confidence could be from the tires as well (I know this will get some shots) But I felt the bouncing/cupping of the Avons and also the lean roll did not feel as smooth as my Metz Z6. I believe Scab said he had around 4000 on his tires.

Handle bars: He had risers on the 05 and I had my 06 in the furthest back swept position. I felt the position to be about the same in feel. For all those folks wanting risers on the 06. the 06 forks are sitting 1/2 higher to the top fairing where it come up from the road and puts it at about the same hight as an 05 w/ risers.

Heat. I noticed tank heat (not uncomfortable by any means) on this 90 degree day on the 05 but not my 06.

The V stream windscreen offered almost as much dead air in the low position as the stock 06 in the up position. Scab reported the 06 stock was way better than the 05 stock. I have ordered a V stream from Gary at university motors for when they become avail. But for me, a 6'2 rider I am splitting the screen in the up position when I look through it. Optically better than stock.

Most of the cosmetic changes have already been noted so I'll just cover a few: pretty much all of em. from the front fender to the rear rack. Some look as if they could be swapped over do to same bolt patterns front fender and prob even the whole front fairing but you would have to do the WHOLE fairing to make it work. The rear is diff. the muffler/bag hangers are mounted in a diff spot on the bike.

"IT"

Oh and Cobalt blue is faster

Scab....

 

[odot]

Nice pics.....kinda looks like an "older brother, younger sister" situation, though....parents figured out what they did wrong with the older and worked on the younger to fix it....of course, the older is carrying "baggage"........

 

[madmike2]

The ride of the new bike is going to feel much stiffer than the old one. When my '04 was totalled and I got the '05, 2 weeks later, I was amazed at how much difference there was in the "feel" of the ride. I surmised that at 14K the rear shock was almost "toast" and front springs had really worn and that I had become used to the gradually softening ride.

Congrats on the new bike. Ain't it fun doing the comparo? Good news about the new windshield and fairings being such an improvement. Ridden side-by-side by those who've been on both gives us better insight into the improvements....and obviously Yamaha has improved the wind/heat management.

 

[odot]

So, when's a good time to change out the shocks?

 

[Bearly Flying]

Interesting comparision, But you will notice in the pictures, the 05 is still ahead of the 06!!!!!!! :yahoo:

 

[black mamba]

Seems like 3 out of 4 European testors preferred the '05 to the '06 in a recent European mag article when comparing the two under their " sportiness " category. When it came to the dicy sections of their ride route, they felt that the '05 offered sharper handling and a little more rewarding experience. Overall, they are a bid fan of the FJR.

 

[Fencer]

Interesting comparision, But you will notice in the pictures, the 05 is still ahead of the 06!!!!!!! :yahoo:

That's because the 06 arrived first (closer to the curb) and we had to move the 5 out of the way so you could see the beauty of Cobalt.

Also in the shocks, thats why I posted milage so YOU may make your own decision. I just know how my butt felt (and if thats not an opening for a shot I just can't set it up any better).

 

[madmike2]

So, when's a good time to change out the shocks?

That would depend on your riding style and mode of travel (touring vs. more sporty or one-up vs. 2-up). Some have put 25,000 miles+ or more and have no complaint about the suspension. I prefer mine to ride a little more firm, so I adapt the bike to my particular desires and needs.

 

[FantasticJohnR]

I know many of you guys like the windscreens so big that you get absolutely no air buffeting...but that huge screen of the galaxy blue is butt ugly compared to the 06s stock. I look at that screen and I think "grandpa."

 

[git-r-dan]

Handle bars: He had risers on the 05 and I had my 06 in the furthest back swept position. I felt the position to be about the same in feel. For all those folks wanting risers on the 06. the 06 forks are sitting 1/2 higher to the top fairing where it come up from the road and puts it at about the same hight as an 05 w/ risers.

FJRFencer -

I'm 6'1" waiting on an '06AE and curious if you're happy with the handle bars the way they are w/o risers. I know it's probably personal preference and everyone's different, just curious.

 

[Spridal]

I know many of you guys like the windscreens so big that you get absolutely no air buffeting...but that huge screen of the galaxy blue is butt ugly compared to the 06s stock. I look at that screen and I think "grandpa."

+1 in my case the stock works well since I'm only 5' 7" :clapping:

 

[Fencer]

Handle bars: He had risers on the 05 and I had my 06 in the furthest back swept position. I felt the position to be about the same in feel. For all those folks wanting risers on the 06. the 06 forks are sitting 1/2 higher to the top fairing where it come up from the road and puts it at about the same hight as an 05 w/ risers.

FJRFencer -

I'm 6'1" waiting on an '06AE and curious if you're happy with the handle bars the way they are w/o risers. I know it's probably personal preference and everyone's different, just curious.

I find them very comfy and have no plans for risers. this trip was about 265 miles. I also ride w/ the seat in the lower position. shorter folks may want to raise the seat to get closer. Scab who I would guess to be around 5'9 echoed the bar position.

One other note on diff

Reguarding gearing: when we swaped we did some long sweepers with straight-aways. I was on the 05 running mostly in 4th. IMHO I felt the 06 had a quicker response (torque) on roll-on at least in 4th

 

[Spridal]

I know many of you guys like the windscreens so big that you get absolutely no air buffeting...but that huge screen of the galaxy blue is butt ugly compared to the 06s stock. I look at that screen and I think "grandpa."

+1 in my case the stock works well since I'm only 5' 7" ;0

 

[Scab]

Got a little busy after the ride, so it took me awhile to get back here. For the most part, Yama Mama has done her homework on the improvements. While we only swapped for a short bit, here are my impressions also:

Handling was indeed different. Partly, I could tell there has been some degradation from my 13K, but also, the '06 seems a little more 'sure-footed'. While I was cautious on the '06 (because I couldn't afford to replace it), there is a difference. I am not sure how much is suspension upgrade, my suspension degradation, or the difference in tires. While the Avons are accompanied with much fanfare and hooplah here, I honestly have not been that impressed vs. the stock stones. Granted, my experiences with different tires on the fjr are limited, I have not been thrilled with mileage or the handling of the Avons. The Avons seem a little unpredictable when you roll into leans and a little less able to hold a line. Whatever the exact reason, the '06 inspires more confidence in handling.

Wind management is also a major place of improvement. It is hard to tell from the pics, but the fairing (from the headlights up) is larger. Of course, the new ventilation of the fairing has already been noted. However, was has not been discussed to a large degree is what effect the changes have on wind management. If the '05 had been this good with the screen up, I never would have considered changing screens. With the screen up there is no noticible buffeting (only rode up to about 70mph) and no back pressure. Noise is very minimal. The changes on wind management are excellent in my opinion. All this with a stock screen that appears a slight bit smaller that the stock '05. It has a more 'square' appearance, so this may be just an illusion.

The seat is more comfortable also. The rear seems to have improvements that would address some concerns in the pillion department, but I cannot speak from experience or anything here. It just looks like my wife would like it better. (Kicks up at front.)

The rear pegs also look like they will address wife's complaints.

While the much discussed heat issue has never been a real personal issue on the '05, it is not even worthy of discussion on the '06. It's just not there.

Handlebar position as adjusted by FJRfencer is nearly the same as mine with set-back risers. Mine may be just a tad wider, but that's it. His stock bars were plenty comfy.

So, in a nutshell, apparently Yamma Mamma is still listening and still making improvements. A good thing from my short ride.

Too bad it was slower.