Finally test rode and have a qusestion

[cruiser]

I say just get the "AE" problem solved. :lol:

 

[Bogus]

Possible that that '07 is in need of the clutch plate soak? When my '08 was new, I did notice that the clutch was harder to modulate than my previous VTX, but I got use to it very quickly. I have noticed that in the 13,000 miles since, the shifting is a lot smoother be it the transmission getting broke in, or me getting smoother.

 

[RadioHowie]

Most, if not all, of your questions answered HERE.

But you already knew that, having followed the signed-up "suggestions", right?

 

[08FJR4ME]

Gunny on everything said so far. But ahhhh yes grasshopper you have found the one yamaha fjr1300 flaw. It does not have a silky smooth Honda transmission. There are trade offs. Wack that throttle and shift fast. It isn't a cruiser. The FJR loves to be beatin and slapped hard if you know what it mean.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[boomerang]

I think the fjr just leans more toward the sport end of things and just loves to be ridden hard. The harder you ride the better it shifts.

About the only time I clutch 2nd. is when putting around town. Some times I will clucth 3rd. and normaly always clutch 4th. and 5th. The only resone I clucth 4th.&5th. is by that time if you are not careful you are hitting triple digit's and it's time to back her down a little. Not that I have anything against triple digits. I'm just say-n.

 

[highcountry]

I have a Honda Sabre as well as the FJR and they have completely different throttle/clutch responses. A lot less throttle on the FJR does a lot more than the Honda's throttle. The FJR's throttle is also much stiffer which takes a little adjusting to. The FJR's clutch engagement is much quicker than the Honda's leaving me wondering at times whether the Honda is in neutral when starting off after switching from the FJR.

Bottom line - - it just takes a little saddle time to smooth out your shifts.

 

[bramfrank]

What most of the previous responders have said . . .

I've ridden the C14 and obviously the FJR.

The C14 is a very smooth shifting bike. It took me zero time to hit the bike's stride, where I initially needed an hour or two to get my timing down on the Yamaha.

Some have 'issues' with clutch 'stickiness', necessitating a clutch plate soak - some have discussed throttle action and clutch pull, but I have not had any such issues with my '06 - and ostensibly Yamaha has progressively changed everything to make the bike a lighter touch through the '09 model. Perhaps reducing the throttle pull and/or changing the cam to eliminate the variable throttle attack works for some, but I've not experienced any issues and am very satisfied with the way my ride is set up.

For my part, I always use the clutch - IMO replacing shift forks is way too costly to justify the risk of bending or breaking one by 'power shifting'.

Certainly, coming from a VTX this is a different set of ergos. Once bedded in I suspect you'll find it to be second nature to shift smoothly.

 

[Fred W]

I think you are on the right track now. If you decide that you are going to use the clutch for up shifting (many don't), it is best accomplished quickly. You almost fan the clutch through the friction zone just long enough to snick it into the next higher gear. That way there isn't all that acceleration deceleration thing going on.

Just ride around with a passenger on the back for a while, and when the helmets stop whacking together, you'll know you've got it right!

 

[BlackStar]

What I have noticed with my FJR and FZ1 is that when shifting, the engine RPM's fall off fast when you blip or release the throttle for a shift. Much faster than say a big heavy cruiser crankshaft. If the RPM's have dropped of too much, when you let out the clutch, you get the big decell lurch and the backlash noise. Its all about matching the engine RPM's before releasing the clutch. Higher RPM shifts are easier as are faster shifts. It's harder for me to make smooth shifts when riding slowly. What has worked for me is not allowing the RPM's to drop too much by shifting at a higher RPM, working on the speed of the shift, and not allowing the throttle to close as long or as far between shifts. I will say that after riding the Warrior (not much RPM drop due to big heavy rotating mass) for a while, the first couple of minutes back on the FJ or FZ1 are a little jerky until I get re-calibrated.

 

[BkrK12]

What's this and what does it add?

Gen-I clutch slave cylinder

Actually, the Gen1 slave cylinder has a larger bore, giving greater hydraulic advantage, thus easing the amount of pressure required on the clutch lever. The down side is that the slave piston moves a shorter distance for the same clutch lever throw, resulting in a shorter, not longer, stroke. This can cause trouble getting total clutch disebgagement. I put a Gen 1 slave on my Gen 2 for about six months, and it worked OK, after assiduous bleediing. Finally decided the less lever pressure wasn't worth it and put the original slave back. If you'd like to try it, send me a PM and I'll ship you mine.

Dan

 

[JuiceMcGoose]

I think the FJR trans is excellent. Smooth shifts are a matter of getting used to the way the engine changes speed when unloaded. When you bob back and forth you haven't sync'ed the engine speed with the trans speed. I think the easiest way to do this is don't use the clutch. Bending shift forks has nothing to do with not using the clutch. You bend a shift fork if you use too much pressure on the shift lever. A light pressure on the shift lever at the right time and the FJR is a very easy, smooth clutch-less shifter. No bob back and forth, no bent shift forks.

If you want to know what a tricky shifter is like try riding a pre-'70 BMW /2.

 

[Gerry.GEG]

It took me a while to shift smoothly on mine. there are throttle fixes (which I've not done). There are smoother bikes out there but seat time cures most issues. My issues were between 1st-2nd. I still have these issues sometimes.

Just saying.

 

[Harald]

I've been riding for over 30 years and 100's of thousands of miles on various bikes and I feel like the FJR is harder to shift smoothly than many bikes. I have 28k on my 07 and have gotten a lot better since the day I stalled it in the dealer parking lot because the clutch lever was adjusted so that the clutch engaged immediately after the lever left the bar. :angry: I adjusted the clutch lever, added the G2 and a PC-III. It's mostly smooth, although I still get the occasional feeling of something catching on 1-2 shifts. And I notice occasional passenger helmet bonks if I don't have the trunk installed.

I think Blackstar is onto something. I rented a Harley last weekend (it was a free rental - otherwise I wouldn't have wasted my money) and noticed how much smoother I could shift it within short order while getting used to it. On day 2 it had to go back and the wife rode pillon and she commented on how much smoother the shifts were on the Hardley. That big twin flywheel effect makes a big difference (but I have no intention of trading the FJR in <_< ). Of course, the Hardley had a passenger backrest and the FJR doesn't, and this makes a big difference for passenger rocking back and forth during shifts.

 

[lnewlf]

Did the throttle spring unwind, G2 tube, BJM, and some time to train the brain and it's smooth as buttah. Last week did the R1 shift lever swap and it just keeps getting better.

 

[skifrik]

I say just get the "AE" problem solved. :lol:

+1

 

[luxrybound]

Thanks Blackstar the way you explain it makes perfect sense. Now to try to talk the dealer into another test ride.

 

[Karmak]

Thanks for all the input. After reading I think I was taking to long to shift because I would run it up then pull in the clutch(fall forward) then shift then let the clutch out then fall back (thats the way I do it on the vtx but had no body movement).I think I just need to do all the above just faster.Maybe instead of rinding a lazy cruiser in need to get on the stick and go. I'm looking at a 09 but they would only let me test ride the 07. I just thought if it was me the c14 would have acted the same. Once again thanks for helping the new guy

You've got it-the fJR does not like to be shifted slowly. Fast and barely fan the clutch for me, unless I'm lazy.

 

[madmike2]

Thanks for all the input. After reading I think I was taking to long to shift because I would run it up then pull in the clutch(fall forward) then shift then let the clutch out then fall back (thats the way I do it on the vtx but had no body movement).I think I just need to do all the above just faster.Maybe instead of rinding a lazy cruiser in need to get on the stick and go. I'm looking at a 09 but they would only let me test ride the 07. I just thought if it was me the c14 would have acted the same. Once again thanks for helping the new guy

The '09 should have a different throttle tube.

And, yes, it's [probably 95% technique. Shifting positive and quicker would likely solve most of the "lag" you were feeling. At least that's what works on mine.