De-linking the '06?

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When reading all the posts from those who love ABS and LBS, one must keep in mind that over 60% of FJR riders are gray haired old guys with slower reflexes, many of whom came to this bike from cruisers or from a mid-life retirement from riding motorcycles. So it's no surprise to see a bunch of support here for automated riding, these guys need all the help Yamaha can give them. Small wonder that automatic shifting is available in '06 as well - just good market research on Yamaha's part. Doesn't mean everyone wants to be forced down this road, however......

Those Keith Code style automatic training wheels will be next, to help all those who can't seem to remember how to navigate a parking lot or park their bike without tipping it over. :haha:

 
Being an ex-roadracer and control freak, I was SURE I'd HATE linked brakes...until I had them on my VTX. They were seamless, flawless, unobtrusive, and virtually undetectable, other than the fact you noticed your bike didn't dive on the brakes. Obviously I don't know how the '06 Yami will compare, but having a bike equipped with them was a pleasant eye opener...even for an ex-roadracing control freak. :D :D :D

 
When reading all the posts from those who love ABS and LBS, one must keep in mind that over 60% of FJR riders are gray haired old guys with slower reflexes, many of whom came to this bike from cruisers or from a mid-life retirement from riding motorcycles. So it's no surprise to see a bunch of support here for automated riding, these guys need all the help Yamaha can give them. Small wonder that automatic shifting is available in '06 as well - just good market research on Yamaha's part. Doesn't mean everyone wants to be forced down this road, however......
Those Keith Code style automatic training wheels will be next, to help all those who can't seem to remember how to navigate a parking lot or park their bike without tipping it over. :haha:
Gittin' goin' on the bike is one thing anyone can do. Whoain'-up is another that 90 - 95% of riders will fail at when pinched sphincter time comes. I'll take all the help I can get, thank you.

 
Since no one complaining about the 2006 FJR linked brake system has actually experienced that feature on said bike, I 'd have to say let's wait and see. Or, in the words of the late John Lennon "All we are saaaaying. is give links a chance". If it sucks then hopefully the aftermarket or even Yamaha will come up with a solution. :rolleyes:

 
Say you don't like the linking of the brakes. Would you be able to come up with a set of lines to "delink" it? I've noticed in some pics that the front right caliper has two lines/banjos into it. Do we know if there is a "modulator" as in cars, that applies the rear caliper a fraction of a second before the front as to control the diving on the forks?
Don't know.... never had an ABS bike but I do like the idea. Not so sure about the "linking" thing... I use both brakes quite often (please don't go on a shpeal about rear brake usage...) and I don't know that I'd like the bike applying them for me.....

Just thinking....
Back to the original question.

Please note...."(please don't go on a shpeal about rear brake usage...) and I don't know that I'd like the bike applying them for me..."

Uhm, I stand on my original post. Someone will come up with an idea on how to bypass the system because there will always be those who do not want the feature, just as there are those who do not order ABS. I'm sure it is too difficult for Yamaha to build the bikes with and without the link system and offer it that way (It probably has more to do with production or legislation than customer desire, but that doesn't matter in this discussion.). It might be as simple as disconnect and bypass without affecting the rest of the braking system. You can only wait until the bikes come out and someone inspects, modifies and tests their bike.

 
Gittin' goin' on the bike is one thing anyone can do. Whoain'-up is another that 90 - 95% of riders will fail at when pinched sphincter time comes. I'll take all the help I can get, thank you.
That's cool. Each to his own. Still don't mean EVERYONE wants that level of help.

The FJR is an extremely powerful bike with ~125 HP at the rear wheel. If one can learn to accelerate properly, then one can learn to brake properly as well. It's a simple matter of practicing and becoming familiar with your bike's performance capabilities. Same with cornering, or any other aspect of vehicle control. When you regularly practice controlling your vehicle, you find after a time that your reactions to emergency situations become automatic. This can be a good thing, as it helps prevent operator panic, a leading cause of operator error (which causes accidents).

But consider this also - if you develop the conditioned response of mashing the brakes in every emergency situation, and relying on the bike's computer to drive for you, what will happen if you decide to take a ride on a bike that lacks that level of automation, such as a friends bike? If you happened to encounter an emergency situation your conditioned response could easily take over, landing you flat on your ***.

I'm not anti-technology by any means. I loved electronic ignition from the start, and always hated points. Likewise with modern EFI, which was a primary concern in buying an FJR - I wanted to be done with carburetors on my main road bike. But those features simply make starting easier and improve engine performance - they don't ride the bike for me.

IMO, if the bike's going to start riding itself, I might as well sit on the pillion. It's softer and easier back there. :D

 
IMO, if the bike's going to start riding itself, I might as well sit on the pillion. It's softer and easier back there. :D
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 
I do brake just before a corner and may use the rear in the corner. Linked brakes bad for me.
Both my Gold Wing and VFR were non-ABS with linked brakes. Never once did tapping the brakes for corner entry cause issues. Indeed, the linked brakes allowed me to get hard on the brakes prior to entry to a point that I cannot match on the FJR. Braking through the corner was a comfy experience too, as you experience little brake dive that may cause your chassis to get unsettled. And never once did I lock a rear wheel with the LBS bikes even when trying. With the FJR, if I sneeze with my foot on the brake, the rear will lock up.
My buddy has a non abs gwing. Riding for many years he went to a course for expert riders. Came away swearing that he would always have abs from now on. They put you through some absolute max stopping exercises - scared himself !!

ABS on road bike used for long distance touring should always be an option. Personally I am looking forward to the rider controlled input linked braking available on my 06AE when it gets here. As I said I heard that the first 40% of rear brake pedal pressure goes to the rear disk first. That's about all the actual rear brake you should need for low speed manoevers and hairpins etc.

I always dislike the tendancy for the 05 ABS to weave when using maximum front brake alone from very high speeds. Rear brake pressure at the same time almost alleviates this idiocincracy. Linked braking may help here. Oh yeh the longer swing arm too!

 
Incase Mother Yamaha is reading this thread I only want to add my comment that personally I don't want an FJR with linked brakes. As competition heats up and models similar to the FJR appear, the ability to obtain a non-linked brake model super sport-tourer will certainly play a role in the next bike I purchase. I love my current 05 (ABS) FJR & think it is a fine machine. I would buy it again without a second thought. I just don't think linked brakes suit my riding style nor do I want to have to have them. Give me a choice Yamaha.

 
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Incase Mother Yamaha is reading this thread I only want to add my comment that personally I don't want an FJR with linked brakes. As competition heats up and models similar to the FJR appear, the ability to obtain a non-linked brake model super sport-tourer will certainly play a role in the next bike I purchase. I love my current 05 FJR & think it is a fine machine. I would buy it again without a second thought. I just don't think linked brakes suit my riding style nor do I want to have to have them. Give me a choice Yamaha.
That sounds reasonable!

 
Gittin' goin' on the bike is one thing anyone can do. Whoain'-up is another that 90 - 95% of riders will fail at when pinched sphincter time comes. I'll take all the help I can get, thank you.
That's cool. Each to his own. Still don't mean EVERYONE wants that level of help.

The FJR is an extremely powerful bike with ~125 HP at the rear wheel. If one can learn to accelerate properly, then one can learn to brake properly as well. It's a simple matter of practicing and becoming familiar with your bike's performance capabilities. Same with cornering, or any other aspect of vehicle control. When you regularly practice controlling your vehicle, you find after a time that your reactions to emergency situations become automatic. This can be a good thing, as it helps prevent operator panic, a leading cause of operator error (which causes accidents).

But consider this also - if you develop the conditioned response of mashing the brakes in every emergency situation, and relying on the bike's computer to drive for you, what will happen if you decide to take a ride on a bike that lacks that level of automation, such as a friends bike? If you happened to encounter an emergency situation your conditioned response could easily take over, landing you flat on your ***.

I'm not anti-technology by any means. I loved electronic ignition from the start, and always hated points. Likewise with modern EFI, which was a primary concern in buying an FJR - I wanted to be done with carburetors on my main road bike. But those features simply make starting easier and improve engine performance - they don't ride the bike for me.

IMO, if the bike's going to start riding itself, I might as well sit on the pillion. It's softer and easier back there. :D
All very valid points. However it is raining and you are at the end of a long day and it is dark in the country on a less traveled road. Not quite as gifted and bright as you were 4 hours earlier. There are some leaves on the road impossible to see. Well you know the rest. Yes I know exactly how much brake to apply (maybe get lucky) but give me a computerised abs system under those circumstances to help me with my decision. Thank you Lord, I walked (rode) away from another one safely!!!

 
When reading all the posts from those who love ABS and LBS, one must keep in mind that over 60% of FJR riders are gray haired old guys with slower reflexes, many of whom came to this bike from cruisers or from a mid-life retirement from riding motorcycles. So it's no surprise to see a bunch of support here for automated riding, these guys need all the help Yamaha can give them. Small wonder that automatic shifting is available in '06 as well - just good market research on Yamaha's part. Doesn't mean everyone wants to be forced down this road, however......
Those Keith Code style automatic training wheels will be next, to help all those who can't seem to remember how to navigate a parking lot or park their bike without tipping it over.  :haha:
Arrrggg I am a grey hair, wow do you give us a thrashing! One point though the AE does not shift automatically!

Personally I enjoy the speed and handling of the FJR but would not call it a sports bike! It is designed as a high performance, comfortable sports tourer and thankfully it is getting a few more bells and whistles to make it even more capable in that regard. Roll on my AE. Will performance suffer because of the techno bits. I doubt it, Will they save your life in a real pinch maybe not but they do help somewhat. I know my rear tire will wear out more quickly with the AE as temptation to blast off will always be there with the ease of flicking through the gears WOT.

Personally this old grey hair loves to rocket around on his Triumph Speed Triple (Now that is what I call a sport bike 130 hp, great torque and 400 lbs), hairing around bends and changing gear up and down the box manually to my hearts content. As soon as my *** gets tired which is about 200 miles I park the thing!

The FJR is the best long distance tourer bar none. It is quite sporty too which is why I prefer the FJR over all other bikes including the new BMW KGT (ugly bike that it is)

PS hopefully you will be in Reno and we can ride together. I ain't that dam slow and my reflexes are just fine as you will find out! Looking forward to it!

PPS Had a VTX 1800 once lasted about a month sold it, hate that cruiser riding position!

 
I had linked/anti-dive on my '91 Venture. Hated it. The rear braked not only didn't work the front disk very well--it also didn't work the rear disk very well, and no adjusted and bleeding would fix it. It just stunk.

Now I have the '04 ABS FJR--UN-linked and I much prefer that, especially on dirt or gravel roads.

Brake-linking is one of those ideas that SOUND like a good idea, but isn't.

 
To all the women crying about new technologies being applied to the new bikes, why don't you wait till you've experienced it for yourselves and then decide? Your worries are unfounded! You ride your present machines with complete knowledge that it couldn't be any better (in your mind), because that's what your used to, your comfort zone let's say. Give these manufacturer's a chance to prove their design in the real world before you guys go bashing and quoting some noname racer stating "they'd never have linked brakes on their bike!". You'll be amazed at what you can adapt to and then learn what you really don't want to be without. Ride the new bike and make a decision for yourself. I'm betting you'll come to the realization that you like it!

Continue on! lol

 
I had linked/anti-dive on my '91 Venture. Hated it. The rear braked not only didn't work the front disk very well--it also didn't work the rear disk very well, and no adjusted and bleeding would fix it. It just stunk.
Now I have the '04 ABS FJR--UN-linked and I much prefer that, especially on dirt or gravel roads.

Brake-linking is one of those ideas that SOUND like a good idea, but isn't.
Yeah, but YT, it was on a Venture! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Poll time!

 
PPS Had a VTX 1800 once lasted about a month sold it, hate that cruiser riding position!
I gave mine a year. The linked braking and the looks were probably the only things I liked about it. It was a nice cruiser, but cruisers aren't really nice bikes. Just don't tell that to the cruiser guys. ;)

 
I had linked/anti-dive on my '91 Venture.  Hated it.  The rear braked not only didn't work the front disk very well--it also didn't work the rear disk very well, and no adjusted and bleeding would fix it.  It just stunk.
Now I have the '04 ABS FJR--UN-linked and I much prefer that, especially on dirt or gravel roads. 

Brake-linking is one of those ideas that SOUND like a good idea, but isn't.
Cmon Yanktar...you can`t compare your ole '91 Venture brakes (which would have been designed in the late 80s ) to present day tech./engineering ! Not even close... :assasin:

 
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