Do folks that bought an 06 to replace their 04 or 05 like them better?

[Mogambo]

My apologies if this has already been asked, I have been somewhat out of the forum loop and wasn't able to track it through a search. Anyway, my local dealer has an 06 on the floor and I was considering trading my 04 in on it. I love the color and the design changes, but I haven't ridden it. For those who have made the change...what do you think? Big improvement? Moderate? Like the older models better? I'm all ears and eyes. Spare me no details, I've got the bug, but I don't want to deal with buyers remorse. Educate me. please.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

I had an 05, now have an 06. :yahoo: In my opinion there is a world of difference and the 06 is a far better bike. No heat issues at all.It handles better and the ABS brakes are super. I am very happy with the 06 model.

 

[Ignacio]

I've ridden the '06 and think the rear-end is a little more refined and the stock seat seems a bit better.

I don't like the smallish gauges and turn signals on the '06, but liked the display.

I think there's a heat issue in the '06. Instead of spreading 1300cc of hot engine between the nads and shin in a diffused way in my '05.....it's concentrated in a blow torch on the calf.

And, finally I wouldn't get an '06 because the difficulty farkling things. There's not the room in the nose of the earlier bikes.

 

[chornbe]

Did the earlier models have linked brakes, too? It seems the balance between the front and rear on the '06 when using the rear is spot-on.

And as mentioned, the ABS is nice. It's not too aggressive, but it's there when you need it. It lets you know it's working without ever leaving you feel like it's taking control away from you (I got the opportunity to test mine with only about 50 miles on the clock - cell phone + woman + mini-van + cross street - 'nuff said )

 

[Afast03nNJ]

cell phone + woman + mini-van + cross street - 'nuff said

Don't you just love that combination... :angry2:

 

[Ari Rankum]

I've owned an '05 and an '06. I'd buy an '06 instead of an '05, if given the choice. But if I already owned an '05, the improvements on the '06 aren't significant enough that I'd trade the '05 in on an '06.

The only real difference between an '05 and your '04 is that the '05s were blue, and therefore, quite a bit faster.

 

[zzzzip]

The earlier models did not have linked brakes like the '06.

I had an '04 ABS. '06--I like the new windshield, and seat seems more comfortable. Wife says the rear seat is a little better. Gear indicator is nice, and higher gearing is good on the road. Seems to have a tad more storage under the seat.

Only got 500 miles on the '06, and so far it is getting about 5 mpg less than the '04-- jury is still out on mpg.

I really liked the '04 (had 18,000) and it was paid for. Wouldn't have moved up, but circumstances worked that way. I like the '06, but not sure I would have dropped the '04ABS just to get one.

Bet this post helped alot. :glare:

B)

 

[T120TT]

I've owned an '05 and an '06. I'd buy an '06 instead of an '05, if given the choice. But if I already owned an '05, the improvements on the '06 aren't significant enough that I'd trade the '05 in on an '06.
The only real difference between an '05 and your '04 is that the '05s were blue, and therefore, quite a bit faster.

I bought an '06 and sold my '05. If you do the heat fixes on an '05, it's pretty much a toss up. The '05 has better gauges {speedo and turn signals}. I tend to overlook leaving the turn signals on with the '06 because the small indicator lights don't get my attention like on the '05 and the speedo is more difficult to read at a glance. The handling seems slightly better on the '06 because of the shock spring redesign and longer swing arm. The bars are involved and expensive to fit risers on the '06 whereas on the '05, it's a piece of cake. The biggest advantage the '06 my have over earlier years is that the valve train changes may actually have fixed any possiblity of the dreaded "tick" issue occuring. However, the overwhelming majority of '04's and '05's don't get it either. The '03's seem to be the most suseptable to the tick because of the softer valve stem hardness.

My 2 cents.

 

[tripletango]

Have an 05 which I am selling and an 06. The heat issue makes it a no brainer for me. The 05 is a blast furnace and the 06 is quite comfortable as the heat is redirected down.

Some of the 06 heat comes out around the lower leg area but if you don't ride in shorts it is no problem.

Hiway pegs help on both 05 and 06 as you get your legs out in fresh air. By far the best heat fix IMHO.

 

[XLR8]

I had a chance to sit on a 06 in Billings, MT. The very first thing I noticed is that the brakes had a much more positive feel. My 05 brakes have always been spongy feeling (I didn't do the group buy ) and I like the new feel.

The rest of the bike is impressive. It's not enough to cause me to upgrade but when it's time I'll be looking forward to it. Someday, I WILL be getting another FJR or possibly a BMW GS.

-r

 

[gregarious]

I had an 03 which was an absolute heat monster, even after the mods. I think the best improvements on the 06 are the stiffer suspension, and the taller gearing. Also, my wife likes the higher seating position, as she can now see over my shoulder. I was hesitant to buy a bike with ABS after my experience on a 2000 BMW RT -hated the ABS. The 06 has great brakes, can't tell the ABS or linked brakes are there until you need them. :yahoo:

 

[Diesel]

I like my 06 better.

 

[Longrifle]

The 06' heat problem is mostly non-existant; however, I have noticed the heat blast on my left ankle when the temps go over the half-way mark. Lately, afternoon temps have been 90-97 degrees or more and I can feel it while slipping through traffic at slow speed.

I think I'd much rather have the occasional fire at me feet than in my crotch!!!

 

[SMC]

My apologies if this has already been asked, I have been somewhat out of the forum loop and wasn't able to track it through a search. Anyway, my local dealer has an 06 on the floor and I was considering trading my 04 in on it. I love the color and the design changes, but I haven't ridden it. For those who have made the change...what do you think? Big improvement? Moderate? Like the older models better? I'm all ears and eyes. Spare me no details, I've got the bug, but I don't want to deal with buyers remorse. Educate me. please.

:good: Had an '05 and also have and '06.

First some questions you need to ask yourself, did you experience a heat problem? Did you have a valve ticking problem (5% to 6% had problems)? Did you have a problem with negative air pressure and buffeting behind the windshield? Did you have a fit problem with either the reach to the handlebars or with the seat? Did you want to plug in a farkle such as GPS, radar detector, cell phone, communications gear? Did you experience comfort problems with your seat or passenger seat? Do you have a wife or girlfriend that rides pillion with you and find her riding position a little cramped? Did you have a problem with headlight aim when loaded down with gear? Did you experience a stickion problem with your front forks? Did you think your RPM's at highway speeds was too high?

If you didn't notice any problems in any of these areas, keep your '04. If you have experienced a problem or problems in more then one area, all these "problems" were addressed in the '06.

There is no longer a heat problem. Valve ticking seems to have been solved. New venting eliminates buffeting and negative pressure, adjustable handlebars and seat height help alleviate most fitment problems, 12V outlet now provided, passenger pegs lowered, moved forward and outward, seat is more comfortable, adjustable headlight aiming knobs are now provided, three washers in front fork help eliminate stiction problems, elongated rear swingarm and slightly stiffer spring provide smoother and more planted feeling, slightly taller gearing drops highway RPM's a slight amount.

Last but not least is this just a rationalization for a "new toy"?....only you have the right answer!

 

[cota95]

I had an 04 with 19k on the clock and had no issues-loved the bike. I ordered the 06 as an impluse at the end of December because I wanted the adventure of riding it home from Alabama to Rhode Island. The 06 is a little more comfortable right out of the box as far as the handlebar placement and the stock seat. The guages are better on the older models. I installed a buzzer on the directionals because they were so small on the 06. My son bought my 04 so I got to switch off and try both. Bottom line is the the 04 is smoother and shifts better but the redesign and improvements in the fairing and ergos make it a worthwile purchase

 

[Dan23]

>> It seems the balance between the front and rear on the '06 when using the rear is spot-on.<<

It might seem right to you becasue the front lever is not linked to the rear brakes... and the rears are only linked to the front IF a threshold pressure level is exceeded at the rear pedal.

These are the ONLY linked braking system I've ever thought positively of: crossing a parking lot slowly, expecting to use only the rear brake when suddenly a car sped across my path. More rear pedal pressure (by me) put the front brake into play and the incident ended safely.

Good job Yamaha.... unlike Honda, BMW and likely others.

Better than ABS, IMO.

Oh and regarding your question, I never owned a pre-'06, but I rejected the bike for years over it's short comings. As soon as I heard what Yamaha had done for '06, I started looking for one.

 

[Cal24Master]

I was really happy with my 03. The 06 is better in many respects, just as good in others. It is different farkling things, I wouldn't say better or worse. There is less room under the upper fairing, more room under the left side inner panel. There is much more room under the seats for putting things. The windscreen works better, there is less turbulance. Over all it is slightly more stable.

If your looking for major change, you would probably be disappointed. It is more of a evolutionary step, rather than revolutionary. They took a very, very good motorcycle and made it better. I was perfectly happy with my 03. I only traded up because I had 84,000 miles on it, and it made more financial sense to sell it with the warranty still in place than wait till it had over 100,000 miles and no warranty.

The bottom line is that there is nothing the older models do better than the 06 does. There are several nice improvements on the 06 over the others. Whether it is worth the money to trade up is going to a personal decision.

Tom

IBA #161

 

[SkooterG]

The bottom line is that there is nothing the older models do better than the 06 does.
Tom

IBA #161

After my AE demo ride at WFO, I came away thinking that the 06 was a little slower in the handling department. More stable, but not as quick handling-wise as my 04. Now that impression is based on only 35 miles, and my 04 has full Wilbers set-up, but that was my strong impression none-the-less. Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't *bad*, just a bit different I thought.

 

[RadioHowie]

There is no longer a heat problem.

Never has been a "problem". Many complaints, but not problems. And not according to some posting here with '06 heat complaints. Certainly not as complained about as earlier models, but many of us think the problem with earlier models is overstated. Here in Central Florida, it's 90+ degrees damn near 11 out of 12 months and I've never experienced the "roasting chestnuts" complained of by some.

Valve ticking seems to have been solved.

WAY too early to tell. You're probably right, and hedged your bet using "seems". Let's hope so.

New venting eliminates buffeting and negative pressure,

New venting has nothing to do with buffeting and negative pressure. Strictly a windshield issue. Which many are STILL unhappy with. Search for "'06 windshield replacement" related threads.

adjustable handlebars and seat height help alleviate most fitment problems,

Strictly a subjective statement. What works for a 5'2" pilot ain't gonna work for a 6'7" rider, considering the tiny range of adjustment provided in the seat and bars

12V outlet now provided,

Described as "useless" because of its location inside the fairing compartment

passenger pegs lowered, moved forward and outward,

FINALLY, a quantative observation. And patently unimportant for anyone but the occasional passenger.

seat is more comfortable,

Again, strictly subjective

adjustable headlight aiming knobs are now provided,

Funny...my '04 has adjustable headlight aiming knobs, just not accessible while driving. So what? You should not be adjusting your headlights while driving. You can do that on an '04/'05 before driving. Minor convenience feature.

three washers in front fork help eliminate stiction problems,

Been reading posts here for the year + this forum has been in existence. Don't recall a single stiction-related post in that time. Yamaha apparently fixed a problem I don't have with my '04.

elongated rear swingarm and slightly stiffer spring provide smoother and more planted feeling,

Swingarm extended 1.3 inches, yet the wheelbase remains the same...how'd they do that? Sounds like a compromise would have to be made in either rake and trail on the front end, or swingarm pivot to steering head distance...1.3 inches SHORTER to compensate for the addition "out back".

If the rake and trail were "tightened up" to accomodate the lost 1.3 inches from swingarm pivot-to-front axle distance, then the steering has been compromised compared to the oft-praised stability of 03-05 FJRs.

If the rake and trail hasn't been tweaked, then the 1.3 inches gained in the back half of the bike will have to come out of the pivot-to-steering head distance, meaning a 1.3 inch loss in the seat to bar relationship. No wonder Yamaha put adjustable bars on it.

On top of everything, while the swingarm has been lengthend 1.3 inches, the rear wheel travel hasn't increased at all. That makes no sense. It tells me that the shock isn't being worked as hard as on earlier models, which tells me a cheaper shock will suffice. And if a cheaper shock CAN be used, then it WILL be used. No manufacturer doesn't cut corners when they can.

And the slight change in the final drive ration is an almost meaningless amount of "slight". What is it? 50-60 rpm?

I can't imagine you're gonna get ANY "I hate my '06 -- wish I had my '0X back" replies. No one wants to admit to making a $13,000 mistake and buyer's remorse is hard for folks to verbalize and admit to.

Probably the biggest reason to trade is the "gottahaves". Gotta have a new one.

Speaking only for myself, except for the YCCS, nothing about the '06 is evolutionary, or revolutionary, enough to make me consider trading. Except for the "newness", I see it strictly as a lateral move.