FJR is a 5 speed - why not a six?

[palerider]

This reminds me of the (equally pointless) discussion some 20+ years ago among the small mid-engine sporty-car people. One had two choices at the time, the Toyota MR2 and the Pontiac Fiero (V6). People whined and whined that the Fiero was a 4-speed while the MR2 had 5.
Oh, God, why oh why can't GM build a good 5-speed for our darling little car, which otherwise is perfect but is now hopelessly inferior?

Didn't matter to anyone that the MR2's engine was peaky and rev-happy, while the Fiero's was torquey from nearly idle. The Fiero would run away from the MR2 any time, any place. It was even better when it got twisty, because the MR2 got a little more tail-happy than the Pontiac.

But it only had 4 ratios, so it was useless. A relic. Can't give 'em away!

Gearing is matched to the motor, plain and simple. The reason cars (and bikes) have a need for more ratios is because the engine has a narrower useful range. That was not the case for my Fiero (which I actually miss, sometimes), nor is it the case for our beloved Feej.

I wouldn't mind if 5th was ever-so-slightly taller (it's closer to 4th than any of the other gears are to their prior ratios) but I see no need at all for a 6th gear. As for taller, they did that on the Gen-II's in the final drive, didn't they?

I keep thinking this entire debate is based on a mis-communication. I think people asking for a sixth gear mean to be asking for a true overdrive gear, a really tall gear (taller than the GenII fifth gear) that would allow a couple-thousand lower RPMs at cruise. I had such a gear on my V65 Magna, and it was a blessing.

 

[Geezer]

I keep thinking this entire debate is based on a mis-communication. I think people asking for a sixth gear mean to be asking for a true overdrive gear, a really tall gear (taller than the GenII fifth gear) that would allow a couple-thousand lower RPMs at cruise. I had such a gear on my V65 Magna, and it was a blessing.

In my case, YES. If Yamaha were to give us another gear I would want it to be in addition to the same ratios we have now. A taller sixth gear. Of course if I had that sixth gear, I'd probably still find myself poking at the shifter for one more. B)

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'm fine with the bike as is. Initially I thought it needed to have some sort of overdrive but it makes 45mpg...it's always got grunt...I've come to like it the way it is now.

More gears...more weight...

We could also add a second rear wheel for the instance where people do not extend the sidestand fully or cannot flat foot when sitting on the seat...

It is what it is and I like it that way... :yahoo:

 

[Murph]

In previous threads, I've weighed in enough about this topic so I've been biting my tongue while watching this thread.

Besides, I can't top the spirit of this post anyway:

We could also add a second rear wheel for the instance where people do not extend the sidestand fully or cannot flat foot when sitting on the seat...

I just wish I was witty enough to have written it first!

 

[palerider]

We could also add a second rear wheel for the instance where people do not extend the sidestand fully or cannot flat foot when sitting on the seat...

In addition, I think a second front wheel would aid stability.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

A sixth speed? WTF for? I don't like shifting through the five I have now.

 

[v65]

Your question on the 5/6 speed has been discused in lenght several times here so they feel that gives them the right to abuse someone that comes up with a repeat question.

actually it gives everyone the right to expect people to use the search function like they should in every forum. be that a content rich forum like this or a hugfest meat fest like some of the limp-wristed steam baths that some other forums pretend to need.

They never take into account the fact that a new person will have the same concerns all of them had at one time.

use that search function, bubbala. you'll find that SOME may have asked that question (and asked it and asked it with each successive year of release), the vast majority of owners (and potential owners) understood that pulling wheelies in first and going plaid in 5th seemed to meet their needs and wants for both low-end torque and high-end tops speeds.

Other forums too have mentioned the poor manners that are common place here. "If you can stand them" I believe was the quote. They have run off several very well meaning people by their lack of manners. They give the forum and the FJR a bad name.

you mean because we ask that people use that lump between their ears to search for things before asking or because we don't beg the terminally disgruntled and whiney to let us give them a reach around when they threaten to flounce off stage with their toys?

BTW: The original question was one based on opinion and asking about opinions (subjective). The answers are going all be opinion based and have little to do with measurable, objective fact. In the end, it really is like asking what tire or oil is "best". For objective information the FAQs here and the various web sites like https://www.fjr-tips.org have a plethora of data available to use as needed.

+0.99999, you missed one small point here. The question was answered in the second post rather thoroughly.

 

[v65]

I keep thinking this entire debate is based on a mis-communication. I think people asking for a sixth gear mean to be asking for a true overdrive gear, a really tall gear (taller than the GenII fifth gear) that would allow a couple-thousand lower RPMs at cruise. I had such a gear on my V65 Magna, and it was a blessing.

I couldn't disagree more, that gear almost got me killed. The v65 was an absolute beast for acceleration when the revs were up, but accelerating in overdrive when the rpms where down in the 3000-2500rpm range was not that thrilling at all. I was passing a truck in overdrive when it decided to share a lane with me. Had I been in a lower gear it would not really been much of a concern, but being in overdrive it was too frickin' close, I could not get enough speed built up. That was eight years ago and I still pass semi's with a lot of apprehension (but now I use a lower gear and a lot more speed).

Since I am on the subject, I have heard it claimed that magaize top gear roll on tests are garbage. For example the new Connie has six speeds, the FJR has five, so they should be compared in the same gear right? Well I call BS. That test tells you how much time you have to miss that truck when you are going down the highway in top gear, it is not meant to be a measure of the bikes ultimate performance.

Now to recap. Overdrives should be banned on motorcycles. The MSF courses tell us that the advantage to riding a motorcycle is escapability. You lose that cruising around in too high a gear, and if that gear is available you will use it.

 

[zenwhipper]

I did unsubscribe to this (take that you sons-a-biotches!), cause it truly was becoming a NEPRT (now I know what this truly means) and some of the replies seemed like the postee was personally offended that I asked a question that seemingly had been covered before. In my defense - I did not first attempt a search on said topic and so what? Yah, perhaps I should have. I know how to search via the board tools and also with any other freakin’ internet search engine. I think any topic/post, can be re-addressed by anyone who wants to raise the question and by those who want to participate in the discussion (post Hoe's need not add some silly arse comment, you need to get out of the house and ride more often). If you believe topics should be 'closed' - meaning its been dealt with before, you're just a moron. There can and always will be new information from new folks or the old folks who posted before. And my personal belief -if you got nothing to say productive or in a friendly and welcoming tone - then shut your trap.

I may be a newbie to the FJR world/board, but I’m not a new rider. I have found a ton of useful info on this board and have found value in just lurking and posting now and then. When a board becomes more of a peanut gallery rather than a place for good topics/good discussions and a sense of community then it’s a bit of a bummer.

Now for my next topic – Do you think the anonymous nature of the internet breeds a culture of anti-socialistic behavior that results in a fragmentation and breakdown of interpersonal relationships? Or how about this -What does your avatar really say about your personality? Or have these been covered before?

anti-socialistic site:www.fjrforum.com

Nope, looks like I'm good to go.

 

[palerider]

I keep thinking this entire debate is based on a mis-communication. I think people asking for a sixth gear mean to be asking for a true overdrive gear, a really tall gear (taller than the GenII fifth gear) that would allow a couple-thousand lower RPMs at cruise. I had such a gear on my V65 Magna, and it was a blessing.

I couldn't disagree more, that gear almost got me killed. The v65 was an absolute beast for acceleration when the revs were up, but accelerating in overdrive when the rpms where down in the 3000-2500rpm range was not that thrilling at all. I was passing a truck in overdrive when it decided to share a lane with me. Had I been in a lower gear it would not really been much of a concern, but being in overdrive it was too frickin' close, I could not get enough speed built up. That was eight years ago and I still pass semi's with a lot of apprehension (but now I use a lower gear and a lot more speed).

Since I am on the subject, I have heard it claimed that magaize top gear roll on tests are garbage. For example the new Connie has six speeds, the FJR has five, so they should be compared in the same gear right? Well I call BS. That test tells you how much time you have to miss that truck when you are going down the highway in top gear, it is not meant to be a measure of the bikes ultimate performance.

Now to recap. Overdrives should be banned on motorcycles. The MSF courses tell us that the advantage to riding a motorcycle is escapability. You lose that cruising around in too high a gear, and if that gear is available you will use it.

You could make this same argument anytime you are in too high a gear for the speed you're going.

I loved the V65 and miss it. I'd have bought a new one in a heartbeat after I wrecked the old one. Too bad Honda didn't keep making them the way Yamaha kept making the V-Max.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

And my personal belief -if you got nothing to say productive or in a friendly and welcoming tone - then shut your trap.

Good advice

Let the lesson begin with you

 

[Ignacio]

I did not first attempt a search on said topic and so what?

Because we don't want somebody to confuse this forum as a Search Welfare State...because it isn't.

And my personal belief -if you got nothing to say productive or in a friendly and welcoming tone - then shut your trap.

Good advice

Let the lesson begin with you

..yeah I think this thread is done. We don't want somebody saying something seriously nasty at this point.