Considering used: should I be afraid of the auto-clutch?

[RiderX]

I think you could, and I'll explain, but first a disclaimer: don't try this, because it's a good way to fall resulting in damage to your FJR and injury to yourself.

The AE does engage the clutch with the engine off, if it has been off for a few seconds. This is how you can 'park' an AE on a hill and not worry about it rolling. The clutch doesn't disengage until the starter is pressed. I know this from trying to push a bike that was in gear, with the ignition turned on, but not started.

I think if you had the bike on, shifted it into 2nd, got it rolling down a hill, and then turned the ignition off, it would engage the clutch after a short while. The trick would be having the bike lurch as the clutch engaged, being able to control it, and then reach with one hand to turn the ignition key back on... all without crashing. If I was taller I'd run an experiment, but as it is I can barely get my toes down. This is something I would keep in mind for a desperate situation, but wouldn't do otherwise.

Hmmm. Interesting. Now how are you shifting it into 2nd, assuming you are elsewhere? Seems to only want to downshift when stopped. So without engine speed, curious how you'd get it in second (say your starter is busted).

 

[Auron]

The writer's comment about solving an accel-jerk problem with money referred only to Gen-I AE bikes, but with a Gen-II AE there is far less issue, so no need to throw any money at the problem.

There is no such thing as a Gen-I AE, as all AEs are Gen-II spawn.

I think he may have been talking about the improvements made to the '09 model vs the original '06-'08 bikes. Maybe not though.

Nah...the 09s were as big a piece of crap as the 06 to 08s.

I think that particular change to the Gen II piece of crap was in 2008, which definitely made it a nicer piece of crap to ride than the 06-07 pieces of crap, even if they were the same size.

100% agreement!

Awe ****, so the piece of crap '08 I test rode will be the same piece of crap of the same size, and have the same characteristics (smell, taste) as the new '09 piece of crap I'm getting this weekend? How much more nicer of a piece of crap were the '08 and 09' bikes compared to the '06 and '07's? What did they change?

 

[RadioHowie]

The writer's comment about solving an accel-jerk problem with money referred only to Gen-I AE bikes, but with a Gen-II AE there is far less issue, so no need to throw any money at the problem.

There is no such thing as a Gen-I AE, as all AEs are Gen-II spawn.

I think he may have been talking about the improvements made to the '09 model vs the original '06-'08 bikes. Maybe not though.

Nah...the 09s were as big a piece of crap as the 06 to 08s.

I think that particular change to the Gen II piece of crap was in 2008, which definitely made it a nicer piece of crap to ride than the 06-07 pieces of crap, even if they were the same size.

100% agreement!

Awe ****, so the piece of crap '08 I test rode will be the same piece of crap of the same size, and have the same characteristics (smell, taste) as the new '09 piece of crap I'm getting this weekend?

Yes.

How much more nicer of a piece of crap were the '08 and 09' bikes compared to the '06 and '07's? What did they change?

Major changes in the ECU, easier clutch action, MUCH improved throttle control. MORE nicer, but still infinitely inferior to ANY Gen I!

 

[mcatrophy]

The writer's comment about solving an accel-jerk problem with money referred only to Gen-I AE bikes, but with a Gen-II AE there is far less issue, so no need to throw any money at the problem.

There is no such thing as a Gen-I AE, as all AEs are Gen-II spawn.

I think he may have been talking about the improvements made to the '09 model vs the original '06-'08 bikes. Maybe not though.

Nah...the 09s were as big a piece of crap as the 06 to 08s.

I think that particular change to the Gen II piece of crap was in 2008, which definitely made it a nicer piece of crap to ride than the 06-07 pieces of crap, even if they were the same size.

100% agreement!

Awe ****, so the piece of crap '08 I test rode will be the same piece of crap of the same size, and have the same characteristics (smell, taste) as the new '09 piece of crap I'm getting this weekend? How much more nicer of a piece of crap were the '08 and 09' bikes compared to the '06 and '07's? What did they change?

They changed the windscreen "W" piece of crap to be a single piece of crap instead of two pieces, the screen itself is supposed to be more scratch resistant. No difference in use.

The YCC-S computer was changed a bit supposedly to improve its operation (I didn't notice any difference).

They changed the wheel speed sensors (so the wheels are not interchangeable), but no difference when riding (see post here).

They probably changed the ECU mapping a bit to keep up with emission regulations, that could be on-going year on year. I've notice no difference.

The most significant change was that throttle cam. IMHO, the 06-07 throttle profile was bad crap, now I don't need to hold my sphincter muscles when exiting a slippery corner, so that makes the later cam profile good ****.

I've probably missed something, my memory is also crap. Oh, yes, just seen RH's post above, the clutch master cylinder reverted to the Gen I's, I wouldn't notice that with my AS.

[edit]

I believe there was a change to one of the gearwheels in the gearbox, another dog? a bit more lubrication?

An extra retaining spring in the clutch assembly.

Neither noticeable in normal riding.

[/edit]

 

[beemerdons]

Major changes in the ECU, easier clutch action, MUCH improved throttle control. MORE nicer, but still infinitely inferior to ANY Gen I!

Verily I say unto thee, this man is a GOD!

 

[Fred W]

So we have two major generations of FJR, and several minor ones:

2002 thru 2005 Generation 1

2006 thru present Generation 2

Within each generation there were smaller changes introduced between certain years.

Gen 1.0 was the 2002-2003

Gen 1.1 was 2004-2005

Gen 2.0 was the 2006 and 2007

Gen 2.1 is 2008 and later?

Did I miss anything? Is there a Gen 2.2 (post AE?)

 

[wmadoty]

Yes, 2006 - 2009 had earthing issues. 2011 + had recall for front brake switch. I own a 2010 and am not a part of either recall, but truth be told, only time will determine if 10's are truly the best year for the FJR.

 

[Fred W]

So 2010-2012 are Gen 2.2 then?

I think 2009 was also the last year that an AE was actually produced for the North American market. How the AS seemed to still show up in different euro markets for varying numbers of years is still somewhat of a marketing mystery.

 

[RadioHowie]

Yes, 2006 - 2009 had earthing issues. 2011 + had recall for front brake switch. I own a 2010 and am not a part of either recall, but truth be told, only time will determine if 10's are truly the best least worst year for the Gen II FJR.

Contextually correct now.

 

[Auron]

And the '09 AE is technically the best clutchless version of a motorcycle that may ever be produced :clapping:

With the lack of interest in Yamaha's AE and the poor reception of the VFR1200's auto tranny, who is going to spend money to develop another automatic? Whoa baby am I glad I got a new one while I still could :yahoo:

 

[mcatrophy]

Added a couple of items to the change list in my post above.

 

[Top_Speed1]

And the '09 AE is technically the best clutchless version of a motorcycle that may ever be produced :clapping:

Not sure if I would call it "clutchless" as there already is enough misconception about the AE. That being said, some peeps don't think it even has a clutch or needs to be shifted ...staying in 1st must get old after awhile! :lol: So maybe "electronic clutch" or maybe "computer clutched" might be more appropriate

Anyway I really enjoy mine. So freeqn smooooooooth and gear transition is instantaneous. If a new Gen-3 FJR came out with an AE option, I would buy it in a heartbeat. I swapped bikes with a friend (Honda CBR) last weekend for about 25 mile shot, man I actually had to tell my brain that I need to pull in the clutch handle... sad maybe but in a good way that I had a smile when I got off. Stan was like "you like that lightweight bike didn't ya?" I was like "Yeah it's nice" (And I would never put a bud's bike down verbally) but I was really thinking of how lazy I've become now and how easy the AE is to use.

This laziness is in a very good way. Ride an AE till you get use to it (and it might be quite a few miles until your brain excepts it) but when you do and it feels comfortable, you won't go back to wanting to churn butter by hand.

Good luck with your decision and either way you will still have the big ole smile on your face after a ride