FJR vs Connie Head to Head in RoadRUNNER

[Fred W]

First of all let us laugh at this very technical discussion between our bikes. Yes, for me, I enjoy the gearing of the Gen2 on every gear. The FJR has so much low end torque the taller gearing doesn't hamper it, and the taller gear allows it to extend it's top end hp. To me the 2G feels a bit faster on the top end than my 1G as it stays in the power band longer once wound up.
I also prefer 1st gear because it wheelies better and doesn't approach redline as quickly - . 2nd gear is a bit longer and works a little better in really tight twisties without feeling quite as twitchy or high strung as the 1G. I'd say 3rd gear is a wash, depends on the road. Sometimes I downshift to 2nd when I would have left it in 3rd gear on my 04.

C'mon Fred you're sharper than that usually... I said "almost every way".

I may be sharper than I appear , or maybe it's the reverse?

...but in either case I still don't get what you are saying about the gearing being better in some gears than others.

I mean, I get that you prefer your second gen gearing to the first gen gearing but, as far as I know, the gear ratios on all gears of both generations is identical. The only difference is a one tooth change in the first stage of the secondary reduction ratio, which goes from 2.773:1 to 2.698:1. That would affect the overall gear ratio of every gear (making them all taller) by the exact same amount, wouldn't it?

Edit - Also, merely a technicality, but as you probably already know, horsepower is torque x rpm. So a lower gearing will produce more horsepower at a given road-speed than a taller gearing will. But I do get that you still prefer the feel of the taller gearing for certain reasons.

 

[ionbeam]

I may be sharper than I appear...EDit - Also, merely a technicality, but horsepower is torque x rpm

Since Fred frequently helps my posts by adding minutia corrections, let me add that HP = (Torque x RPM) ÷ 5252

 

[Top_Speed1]

I think all the ******* live north of Kansas and east of Colorado. Whaaaaah, it won't stop snowing. Whaaaaah, it's been below freezing for 4 straight months now. Sheesh...babies!

I'd almost say I was LMAO on this one, but the truth hurts a lil bit I guess. Winter from Hell! Enjoy your warmth

First of all let us laugh at this very technical discussion between our bikes. Yes, for me, I enjoy the gearing of the Gen2 on every gear. The FJR has so much low end torque the taller gearing doesn't hamper it, and the taller gear allows it to extend it's top end hp. To me the 2G feels a bit faster on the top end than my 1G as it stays in the power band longer once wound up.
I also prefer 1st gear because it wheelies better and doesn't approach redline as quickly - . 2nd gear is a bit longer and works a little better in really tight twisties without feeling quite as twitchy or high strung as the 1G. I'd say 3rd gear is a wash, depends on the road. Sometimes I downshift to 2nd when I would have left it in 3rd gear on my 04.

C'mon Fred you're sharper than that usually... I said "almost every way".

I may be sharper than I appear , or maybe it's the reverse?

...but in either case I still don't get what you are saying about the gearing being better in some gears than others.

I mean, I get that you prefer your second gen gearing to the first gen gearing but, as far as I know, the gear ratios on all gears of both generations is identical. The only difference is a one tooth change in the first stage of the secondary reduction ratio, which goes from 2.773:1 to 2.698:1. That would affect the overall gear ratio of every gear (making them all taller) by the exact same amount, wouldn't it?

Edit - Also, merely a technicality, but as you probably already know horsepower is torque x rpm. So a lower gearing will produce more horsepower at a given road-speed than a taller gearing will. But I do get that you still prefer the feel of the taller gearing for certain reasons.

Good read, I'm sticking around for the end results

And Allen_C... I know your kinda new here, but you can pretty much take what ole Freddie says as "FJR script". jus say'n

 

[Fred W]

I may be sharper than I appear...EDit - Also, merely a technicality, but horsepower is torque x rpm

Since Fred frequently helps my posts by adding minutia corrections, let me add that HP = (Torque x RPM) ÷ 5252

Thanks Alan. I knew there was a factor, but couldn't recall the number off the top of my head and was (am?) too lazy to look it up.

And Allen_C... I know your kinda new here, but you can pretty much take what ole Freddie says as "FJR script". jus say'n

Are you kidding me, KJ? You've been around long enough to know that I just make **** up as we go along.

 

[Allen_C]

I was not doubting Fred's comment about the rpm and mph. I was looking for confirmation to rule out variations due to abnormalities. If one or more other owners confirm the specification, it is easier convince someone that is the norm. Also, I was unaware that gear ratios had changed since I did not look at the tech thread for this info.

Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[ionbeam]

I may be sharper than I appear...EDit - Also, merely a technicality, but horsepower is torque x rpm

Since Fred frequently helps my posts by adding minutia corrections, let me add that HP = (Torque x RPM) ÷ 5252

Thanks Alan. I knew there was a factor, but couldn't recall the number off the top of my head and was (am?) too lazy to look it up.

The divide factor is so coincidentally close to the number of feet in a mile that it is easy for me to remember. Unlike things like phone number and names which vanish from my memory 0.001 seconds after I hear them Useless information: Forever memory retention -- Important information: immediately self wiping

 

[carlson_mn]

Yes the transmission gears are the same. Surely I can like some gears better than others with one final drive ratio or another. For me I prefer the slightly taller gears on my 2G due to the lower final drive ratio.

 

[ionbeam]

The Gen 2 HIGHER gear ratio will cause slightly more engine loading which may be perceived as smoother throttle control and more relaxed cruising. The Gen I Barbarian Jumper Modification and the PC III both produce a slightly richer mixture which also causes a perceived improvement in smoothness.

A Gen I will come close to pulling red line in top gear, the Gen II *may* be drag limited and unable to pull red line, though by the numbers if the Gen II could red line in 5th gear it would be faster than the Gen I. But, alas both Gen's make the same HP/TQ and so a very similar top speed in spite of the different final gear ratios.

 

[Bungie]

Useless information: Forever memory retention -- Important information: immediately self wiping

Welcome to my world. Never challenge me to Trivial Pursuit or Name that tune... ugh, whatever your name is.

 

[SkooterG]

My Gen Is have always been over the redline at terminal velocity. WELL over the redline. Near 10k rpm at GPS speeds from 155- 162. Never hit the rev limiter however ( at top speed) which kicks in at about 10.5k rpm.

Interestingly, my Gen IIs rev limiter kicks in at 9300 rpm IIRC. But due to the taller gearing terminal velocity. is still about the same but at a lower rpm.

 

[Allen_C]

My Gen Is have always been over the redline at terminal velocity. WELL over the redline. Near 10k rpm at GPS speeds from 155- 162. Never hit the rev limiter however ( at top speed) which kicks in at about 10.5k rpm.Interestingly, my Gen IIs rev limiter kicks in at 9300 rpm IIRC. But due to the taller gearing terminal velocity. is still about the same but at a lower rpm.

Interesting. Anyone try to take a Gen 3 to its max speed yet? I may try this tomorrow if weather holds as forecasted.

 

[101stpathfinder]

I run stock tires and my indicated dotted is 1mph higher than gps shows.

My "05 gen 1 speedometer compared to the GPS was 1-2 mph (Faster readout)

My '08 gen 2 had a 5+ mph faster readout.

Is this the only way Yamaha could match the raw power of the gen 1's?

BTW- I subscribed to "Roadrunner" mag and it got WAY too expensive…

They would post up routes with maps for great rides- The gas was killing me!

 

[ionbeam]

My Gen Is have always been over the redline at terminal velocity. WELL over the redline...

My Gen I will also pull over red line in 5th, in fact it charges hard to red line. I have ridden a couple of other Gen I that could not pull red line in 5th. One FJR that I rode outside Tucson petered out at 137 according to my GPS, disappointed! (Not on Miss Lucy Liu at the time.)

 

[FJR Bill]

Tach error?

I have a 2008 Kawi that changes RPM with temperture changes. ie 70 MPH warm day = 8500 Cold day=8000.

It ain't the bike, it's the tach.

Bill

 

[Fred W]

What do you expect from a Kawasucki!!

Gauges on the FJR should all be pretty accurate as they are actually stepper motors driven from the ECU.

Not too much room for error (unless it is intentional like the speedo).

 

[lnewlf]

anyone considering a C14 might want to read March issue Rider mag.-tech Q/A section....

 

[Allen_C]

anyone considering a C14 might want to read March issue Rider mag.-tech Q/A section....

For those of us who do not subscribe, can you summarize?

 

[MCRIDER007]

anyone considering a C14 might want to read March issue Rider mag.-tech Q/A section....

As a C14 owner who has actually done a C14 valve adjustment, I can assure you that the Rider tech who answered that question either (1) has never seen the inside of a C14 engine or (2) is a complete moron.

 

[palerider]

anyone considering a C14 might want to read March issue Rider mag.-tech Q/A section....

As a C14 owner who has actually done a C14 valve adjustment, I can assure you that the Rider tech who answered that question either (1) has never seen the inside of a C14 engine or (2) is a complete moron.

As a former editor, I would just like to point out that those two things are not mutually exclusive. You should have written, "...has never seen the inside of a C14 engine AND/OR (2) is a complete moron."

 

[lnewlf]

Prolly correct when he states that the shop monkey will never get it back together properly...

Have to wonder why hydraulic lifters are not developed for some of the lower rpm ST bikes where valve float would not be a problem-some high rpm cars use them..