FJR-AE RIDER REPORTS

[bikemonster]

It's me, the AE pessimist. One issue everyone will have, is if you shut the motorcycle off with it in gear to park , all is well. However, to move it, you have to reinsert the key, shift it into neutral, then move it. This is a pain in the ass if the key is in the house and you need to move it. Can't just slip into neutral, or pull in the clutch and wheel it around.

Also, has anyone ended up lugging the bike in a too high gear, and you're giving it gas, downshifted to the correct gear, and startled yourself with it lurching forward? Gets your attention. I know, don't lug the bike, but it happens sometimes and your body wants to automatically feather a manual clutch.

Another observation, this bike does not feather the clutch at slow speed as smoothly as you can do with a manual clutch.

Other than this, love the bike.

 

[qmotion]

Seems like a little extra built in security to me :clapping:

 

[qmotion]

Well I got surprised today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm now the proud owner of a 2006 FJR-AE. I left it at the dealer so they could install the Stebel horns and the sliders. I did take it for a 35 mile spin. I'll just say that electronic clutches are the next evolution to motorcycling. In time Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and BMW all will have to step up to the plate. I imagine soon a touring bike won't be a touring bike without it. Make no mistake, IT WORKS.

I'm accustom to clutchless up shifts. Backing off the throttle a little produces the smoothest up shifts. How much you back off depends on the RPM level and torque under demand. The upshifts can only get better with time as I feel the bike out with more miles. Unless Yamaha was a little slow on delivering the second wave of AE deliberately to make some fine tuning adjustments on my bike that wasn't on the first batch, I don't know, but I really didn't percieve any issues with jerkiness. From the stand still the clutch transitions very smoothly from stop to start. It only requires a gentle hand and slow twist of the wrist to get under way smoothly. No more or less than what what be required of an experienced rider driving with a clutch. I'm 5'10" and it looks like I will be needing a slightly taller windshield.

 

[qmotion]

I only got to put 360 miles on the FJR-AE but I'm loving it every mile. Been a hectic week and I have to leave on a business trip in a couple days and I won't be able to take the bike. Still good to see the ride reports updated.

 

[06FJRAEPILOT]

Proof once again that when it comes to "professional motorcycle writers", don't believe everything your read.

Isn't that the truth! Kind of makes you wonder just how professional!

I just hit the 1000 mile mark on my "AE". The bike just get better and better every ride. In fact, I am about to let it get a little better in a few minutes! Shifting has been pretty smooth, crisp and timely from day one. I have found on upshifting (contrary to the manual) it is best to just relax the throttle during the shift. Maintaing throttle postion while down shifting seems to work best. I still haven't used the foot shifter yet on this motorcycle. The paddle is just too great a feature to not employ. There should be paddle shifting on all motorcycles period! The die-hard foot shifter's would probably all agree after ten or fifteen minutes on a bike with paddle shift capability. I still ride my 05 a couple days a week. No problem transitioning back and forth between the two bikes. Each time I get on the 05 it seems like I have never been off it. With 48K on it we are kind of getting used to each other, however, I truly enjoy the 06 "AE" on twisty roads as it handles better than the 05 and the paddle shifter really comes into its own there. If your riding style leans toward touring (yes, with a bit of sport) the "AE" is the ticket! Getting used to the "AE" happens within the first five to ten minutes if you have been riding a bike recently and can chew gum and walk at the same time. The horn button does get a little more use than planned because of the close proximity to the down shift paddle. Time and thumb resting postition will cure that! Good thing no one can hear the horn other than the rider him/her self. All-in-all, the "AE" is a great bike right out of the box! I'll have the "AE" out for a long road trip later this month. My guess is that she will perform well. My only question is YCCS reliability..... Works good, will it work long?

 

[06FJRAEPILOT]

Well I got surprised today!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm now the proud owner of a 2006 FJR-AE. I left it at the dealer so they could install the Stebel horns and the sliders. I did take it for a 35 mile spin. I'll just say that electronic clutches are the next evolution to motorcycling. In time Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and BMW all will have to step up to the plate. I imagine soon a touring bike won't be a touring bike without it. Make no mistake, IT WORKS.

I'm accustom to clutchless up shifts. Backing off the throttle a little produces the smoothest up shifts. How much you back off depends on the RPM level and torque under demand. The upshifts can only get better with time as I feel the bike out with more miles. Unless Yamaha was a little slow on delivering the second wave of AE deliberately to make some fine tuning adjustments on my bike that wasn't on the first batch, I don't know, but I really didn't percieve any issues with jerkiness. From the stand still the clutch transitions very smoothly from stop to start. It only requires a gentle hand and slow twist of the wrist to get under way smoothly. No more or less than what what be required of an experienced rider driving with a clutch. I'm 5'10" and it looks like I will be needing a slightly taller windshield.

Where do you live? I hear people complain about the windshield often. I am 6' 5" and I ride with the windshield down all the time unless it is raining moderately to hard. I bought a larger windsheld for the 05 FJR and it stayed on the bike for one day! That windshield has been in the garage since. The 06 and 05 stock windshields are just fine with me. Climate and the fact that everybody's different dictate windshield needs! Kind of like seats. I kind of figure it's "how much do you want to pay to be uncomfortable"! Sooner or later your butt is going to feel the same no matter the seat......

My experience with the 06 "AE" has been similar to yours. Pretty happy with the bike!

 

[RadioHowie]

Longer swingarm -- same wheelbase -- how 'dey do 'dat?

Damn good question....

Different frame...less rake in the front end...???

Anyone have an answer?

 

[Constant Mesh]

Not the same wheelbase.

From '04 FJR

Service Manual -- wheelbase = 1515 mm = 59.65 inches

Owner's Manual -- wheelbase = 1515 mm

From '06 FJR

Service Manual -- wheelbase = 1545 mm = 60.83 inches

Owner's Manual -- wheelbase = 1545 mm

30 mm difference

 

[Rickster]

My AE is great.... have ridden for the past 21 years continuously, and the AE shifting is slick!

I'm finger clicking the upshift, and foot lever down-shift (now no worries on hitting the horn)

Anyone figured a way to force the finger paddle shifter on start-up?