First FJR Problems

[Dakota_c69]

I put my 09 FJR into the dealer for service this week. I have been having problems with vibration issues. The thing puts my hands, feet and butt to sleep. I noticed this issue right from the get go (but not on a test ride, ), but waited till I had completed the break-in process to confirm if it had improved, it didn't. My vibes start about 4000 RPMS which is right on the cusp of cruising range rpm in 5th gear. It is quite severe and feels like someone is actually tickling you. The bike has 25XX kilometers on it.

So, I dropped it off yesterday and the dealer told me today that they got advice from Yamaha to loosen all motor mounts and re-torque them in a specified pattern. The Throttle Body Sensors will also be checked for synchronization.

While in there, the guy checked the tires and found my front tire is feathering badly as well. I am not sure what will be done about this yet, but it definitely made me concerned. Of course, I am not really sure what it means to the tire or its chances of EXPLODING at some random interval during a road trip. Especially since my Wife and I were hurtling down the Rocky Mountain twisties last week!

I also think I have to do the clutch plate soak as soon as I get the bike back. Towards the end of the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Excursion I found the transmission was acting up (hard to find neutral, and notchy shifting).

Other than the vibes, I love this bike. It is an amazing long distance sport tourer! If it weren't for the 'Tickle-Mobile' (Wife's new name for the FJR - and she would also like to mention it is not the good kind of tickling! :blink: ) situation I would be easily able to do 600 kms a day or more!

 

[mdisher]

I would be interested in what they find. There is method to the madness of torquing the engine mounts in a specific order. I've done it backwards before (when I installed the crash bars) and the vibes were definitely worse. (right side vs. left)

I would be interested in hearing what the Yamaha suggested order is.

-MD

 

[user 213]

Many dealers do the re-torquing of the motor mounts as part of the first service at 600 mi/1km. It often does make a difference. The TBS usually isn't as noticeable. The tire could indeed add to your issue. If you've been running less than 40 psi, especially two up in the twisties, that will prematurely wear a front tire.

BTW, why aren't you asking the dealer to soak the clutch plates while they have the bike?

4k is sort of where the FJR takes off too. A tad fast for cruising legally in your neck of the woods as I recall mdisher.

 

[FJRBluesman]

They're going to correct so many things at once you'll never know what one or two items may have contributed to the buzzing or if all did a little. Hopefully it'll be good to go.

Good luck.

 

[Dakota_c69]

The tire thing definitely concerned me. The tech checked the tire pressure when I first brought the bike in and it was the same as when I took delivery. I think it is just a faulty tire....lucky me. As far as figuring what fixes the Vibes, I will ask a lot of questions, but in the end I just hope the problem is history!

I thought about the clutch soak when I first got to the dealer, but it was forgotten in the disccussion of vibrations and bad front tires...I did send an email tonight to inquire about the procedure.

As far as cruising speeds, I think you recall incorrectly...(or too strictly). The speed limit here on major highways is 110 kph, and I think in the right circumstances up to 20 over is.....reasonable, but yes still illegal when it comes right down to it. I am usually at 125 or lower though, the vibes above that are not fun.

Like I said before, just love this bike... Fast, stable, 'tossable'. and just all around fun, just gotta get this vibe thing done. :yahoo:

 

[GPRIDER]

My 08 has the same vibe problem at the same rpm. Even more pronounced when loading the throttle. Seems like it has mellowed just a tad at 8,000 miles, but, it's still there. Definately more high pitched vibes than my old 04 FJR I had.

GP

 

[Dakota_c69]

Well, the FJR is back home now for a couple of days and the vibrations have definitely subsided into the more tolorable region. I don't find myself noticing it when riding. I haven't had a chance for a longer ride yet for the final assessment, but it looks good so far. :yahoo: In the end the dealer did a TBS and then loosened and retorqued the engine mounts in the Yamaha Specifed Order.

The faulty front tire will be replaced by Bridgestone free of charge as well. That will happen later on this week.

As for the clutch soak the dealer wanted $95 for labour plus the gasket. So I will order the gasket and do the soak myself! B)

 

[bramfrank]

Wow. You got a tire manufacturer to replace a tire for cupping? Your dealer must be very influential. Stay on his good side.

If tire manufactrers replaced every tire that cupped, they'd be replacing about 3/4 of their production.

 

[Dakota_c69]

It had less than 2000 kilometers on it.

 

[Allnight]

Engine mount torque order, eh?

I've been meaning to pester the dealer about the fact that the right mirror vibrates badly enough that I can't read license plates at freeway speeds (rpms in teh 4-5k range).

I finally decided that it's engine vibes after getting the throttlemeister installed and trying the less-than-safe process of locking the throttle and leaning up and touching the mirror mount. Vibes big time, and my hand deadened them quite a bit. Same stretch of road, hit the clutch, released the throttle meister and no vibes to be felt, and whadda yah know: no fuzzy view even before I touched the mirror mount.

Thanks for the pointer...I'm getting a new rear installed Saturday, so I'll see if they can do this re-torque as well.

Mike

 

[SkooterG]

So what was the proper engine mount torquing sequence?

That information would be beneficial to us all.

 

[GPRIDER]

So what was the proper engine mount torquing sequence?
That information would be beneficial to us all.

That is something I would be very interested in also.

GP

 

[SockMonkey]

So what was the proper engine mount torquing sequence?
That information would be beneficial to us all.

That is something I would be very interested in also.

GP

+1 I don't recall coming across a set order in the service manual..? :huh:

 

[Bustanut joker]

Sell That POS as fast as ya can an buy something pre 1980! Why, I believe good bikes that were soothing to everyones ***** were commonly available back then...

I believe the platform is Sport Touring.... IIRC. Fer gawed sakes drop 50 horses, put a second wheel on the *** end.. Better yet buy a Gold wing.. or take the Sport outa it..

I've never heard such a bunch of bitching over something that actually does what it was intended.. Damn! Somebody needs to start a forum based on how many things are wrong with this bike!!!

***!

:jester:

 

[GPRIDER]

Sell That POS as fast as ya can an buy something pre 1980! Why, I believe good bikes that were soothing to everyones ***** were commonly available back then...
I believe the platform is Sport Touring.... IIRC. Fer gawed sakes drop 50 horses, put a second wheel on the *** end.. Better yet buy a Gold wing.. or take the Sport outa it..

I've never heard such a bunch of bitching over something that actually does what it was intended.. Damn! Somebody needs to start a forum based on how many things are wrong with this bike!!!

***!

:jester:

I never heard so much bitchin about bitchin.

GP

 

[madmike2]

So what was the proper engine mount torquing sequence?
That information would be beneficial to us all.

IIRC (from a lonooong time ago, from the instructions when I installed my Moko Sliders) it was the left side first, then the right.

I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. I mean...er..uhm...I actually LIKE some Triumph salespeople.

 

[Dakota_c69]

So what was the proper engine mount torquing sequence?
That information would be beneficial to us all.

That is something I would be very interested in also.

GP

+1 I don't recall coming across a set order in the service manual..? :huh:

I did send an email to the dealer after I rode the bike a little and felt it had improved enough to impress, but I have yet to receive a response. Don't think they are very email oriented there...

Sell That POS as fast as ya can an buy something pre 1980! Why, I believe good bikes that were soothing to everyones ***** were commonly available back then...
I believe the platform is Sport Touring.... IIRC. Fer gawed sakes drop 50 horses, put a second wheel on the *** end.. Better yet buy a Gold wing.. or take the Sport outa it..

I've never heard such a bunch of bitching over something that actually does what it was intended.. Damn! Somebody needs to start a forum based on how many things are wrong with this bike!!!

***!

:jester:

As for the Sport part of sport touring meaning VIBRATION, my YZF1000 never ever bothered me, and I sport-toured on it alot.

It made comparable horsepower and did vibrate (useless blurry mirrors!), but nothing enough to make my trips short. Rode the Cabot Trail on that one. Epic Trip! 10 Hour day.

 

[SCRider]

So what was the proper engine mount torquing sequence?
That information would be beneficial to us all.

That is something I would be very interested in also.

GP

+1 I don't recall coming across a set order in the service manual..? :huh:

The tightening order is on pages 5-9 and 5-10 in my '08 service manual. Looks like the main mounting bolts that could affect vibration are the 2 that sliders are mounted to and 2 that are above and behind those on either side. The upper 2 would require removing the left and right fairing to get to. The 2 left side bolts get tightened before the 2 right side bolts. The right side bolts have pinch bolts that hold spacers that the bolts go through and the pinch bolts are tightened after the mount bolts are tightened. When installing sliders, tighten the left bolt first and then the right one.

 

[hotbike dave]

Sell That POS as fast as ya can an buy something pre 1980! Why, I believe good bikes that were soothing to everyones ***** were commonly available back then...
I believe the platform is Sport Touring.... IIRC. Fer gawed sakes drop 50 horses, put a second wheel on the *** end.. Better yet buy a Gold wing.. or take the Sport outa it..

I've never heard such a bunch of bitching over something that actually does what it was intended.. Damn! Somebody needs to start a forum based on how many things are wrong with this bike!!!

***!

:jester:

thank you!