FJR1300AE - is the 'YCCS' a sales flop?

[freebirdforever]

I love the idea of Yamaha'a YCCS computer-controlled system. However, I really think they should have put it on a small bike such as the FZ6 for those daily commuters who ride to work in metropolitain areas. Sales of the AE seem to be rather slow and I wonder whether it will it be available after the 2007 model year. Too bad, I would have liked to see the YCCS as an option on other models.

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[818Guy]

I would have liked to see the YCCS as an option on other models.

Just wait. It will be available.

 

[twowheelnut]

Flop? Could be. I'd say more likely, over estimated and under marketed. Every bike mag you see has an R1/R6/Star/Dirt ad, but you never see FJR ads. I think as time goes on and the system is further refined, you'll find more of a following for these gizmos.

 

[madmike2]

And every bike magazine tester has panned the AE. They are all very experienced riders and ex-racers who love enjoy the more total control they get with a clutch.

That being said, there are many happy AE owners on this forum who do commute with an FJR so the theory of having YCCS on a smaller displacement, different use bike may not be the best point to reason from. IMO, the largeness and torque of the FJR make it the best candidate for YCCS rather than on a smaller bike with a smaller displacement engine with a more "peaky" engine performance curve.

In its current iteration the YCCS does a good job. The one I rode at WFO in Reno did excellent upshifts but I am a little better at smoother downshifts. That being said, with a little practice and pre-thinking before the downshift (Read: technique, i.e., my decision processes would adapt to the bike) I would think anyone who is thinking of purchasing an AE would have nothing to fear. Especially those with physical limitations (missing digits, arthritis, age, etc.)

As to a discussion of its failure in marketing, that will not be known for 5 or 10 years. They're still available so Yamaha hasn't given up on the idea. Its a shame that so many people rely on everything they read in magazines without taking into consideration the background of the tester and how that affects his presentation.

 

[chipset]

And every bike magazine tester has panned the AE. They are all very experienced riders and ex-racers who love enjoy the more total control they get with a clutch.
That being said, there are many happy AE owners on this forum who do commute with an FJR so the theory of having YCCS on a smaller displacement, different use bike may not be the best point to reason from. IMO, the largeness and torque of the FJR make it the best candidate for YCCS rather than on a smaller bike with a smaller displacement engine with a more "peaky" engine performance curve.

In its current iteration the YCCS does a good job. The one I rode at WFO in Reno did excellent upshifts but I am a little better at smoother downshifts. That being said, with a little practice and pre-thinking before the downshift (Read: technique, i.e., my decision processes would adapt to the bike) I would think anyone who is thinking of purchasing an AE would have nothing to fear. Especially those with physical limitations (missing digits, arthritis, age, etc.)

As to a discussion of its failure in marketing, that will not be known for 5 or 10 years. They're still available so Yamaha hasn't given up on the idea. Its a shame that so many people rely on everything they read in magazines without taking into consideration the background of the tester and how that affects his presentation.

I think there's some valid points here. I see it as a safe bet to put it on the FJR. FJR sales aren't the focus of Yamaha. If they put this on a motorcycle that doesn't have the mainstream appeal, something where the price can be more easily absorbed, they can iron out the kinks and refine it. Think about it. 2K more (I believe) for the AE over the A is easier to swallow on a 12K bike than a 7K bike. In addition to this, the FJR is a commuter bike, longer rides (than my old R1) and has a somewhat loyal following.

If you throw this on an FZ1 (9K), it becomes an $11,000 motorcycle, breaking a key psychological barrier. On an FZ6, $6800 becomes $8800. That's a big difference when comparing like motorcycles. Prices in these bikes (and the R1/6) are very price sensitive when compared to competing motorcycles. The FJR, sport touring class, is less so. Those of us who by them usually have more discrenary spending.

When you look at the evolution of Automatics, it took a long time before it took over in the automotive landscape. They were far more expensive and problematic.

Me, I expect that it will continue to be offered in the FJR and slowly expanded. However, for it to work on the other performance motorcycles, the price is going to have to come down so it doesn't price itself out of the market. As for it being put on cruisers... I just don't know. I can't see a high-tech function on an old school looking motorcycle. Maybe the Warrior?

Just my thoughts.

 

[HaulinAshe]

...anyone who is thinking of purchasing an AE would have nothing to fear. Especially those with physical limitations (missing digits, arthritis, age, etc.)

There you go, picking on me AGAIN!

:angry:

 

[madmike2]

...anyone who is thinking of purchasing an AE would have nothing to fear. Especially those with physical limitations (missing digits, arthritis, age, etc.)

There you go, picking on me AGAIN!

:angry:

I'm so very sorry. I forget that age discrimination is a crime. At least I kept it in the realm of "physical" limitations. If I had visited the "mental/psychological" impairment we might all be disqualified from owning an FJR of any type. :lol:

 

[kindofblue]

I love the idea of Yamaha'a YCCS computer-controlled system. However, I really think they should have put it on a small bike such as the FZ6 for those daily commuters who ride to work in metropolitain areas. Sales of the AE seem to be rather slow and I wonder whether it will it be available after the 2007 model year. Too bad, I would have liked to see the YCCS as an option on other models.
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The YCCS is pretty cutting edge technology and my sense of AE owners is that many if not most have had FJRs before they got the AE. I think it's going to take a while for this technology to gain acceptance with a wider audience but I can tell you as an AE owner that when people ask me about it and I explain it to them the most common reaction is "cool."

Also, I've yet to see a used AE on the market. New 06 unsold AEs yes. Used, no. Riders that got 'em aren't selling them.

 

[madmike2]

Also, I've yet to see a used AE on the market. New 06 unsold AEs yes. Used, no. Riders that got 'em aren't selling them.

Now that's an interesting observation, though I'd have to check the different sites: Cycle Trader, Craig's List, etc. From the magazine reports you'd think those who own them would be selling them cheap.

 

[twowheelnut]

Also, I've yet to see a used AE on the market. New 06 unsold AEs yes. Used, no. Riders that got 'em aren't selling them.

Now that's an interesting observation, though I'd have to check the different sites: Cycle Trader, Craig's List, etc. From the magazine reports you'd think those who own them would be selling them cheap.

This is the 2nd or 3rd AE that's come back for trade-in, IIRC. 700 miles, 12,995.

CalCoast has had a new AE on the floor since summer that they can't give away...

 

[Toecutter]

CalCoast has had a new AE on the floor since summer that they can't give away...

I'll take it!!!

 

[Warchild]

Flop? Could be. I'd say more likely, over estimated and under marketed.

I'd basically agree with this premise. But I think over the next couple of years, it's possible that it might be a bit more accepted. That, or go the way of the GTS1000. The AE has had its share of first-year teething stories, no question.

My assessment is that the AE takes some "re-learning" toward one's basic approach to motorcycle riding at low speed, parking lot maneuvers, U-turns, start-offs, etc. Seems the majority of issues we've read this past year is when the new owner has failed to fully understand how the bike is different from a normal clutch bike, particularly in the low-speed situations. Once on the road at cruising speeds, bike appears to behave pretty much like any other FJR.

But like MadMike2 correctly observes, we have plenty of AE owners right here on this forum that love 'em. Still, they don't necessarily seem to be a blistering seller for Yamaha, and it's true there are a fair number of leftover '06 AE's compared to FJR1300As.....

 

[madmike2]

CalCoast has had a new AE on the floor since summer that they can't give away...

I'll take it!!!

One assumes....for the giveaway price?!?! :lol:

 

[mcatrophy]

As one of the cripples who own a YCCS, all I can say is I'm grateful to Yamaha for producing this bike, just at the right time for me. Without this, I would have been forced to give up motorcycling, and that would be unacceptable. Incidentally, my arthritic left little finger (which forced the change from my Trophy) has improved to the point where I can use it almost normally. The manual clutch must have been really aggravating it.

I suspect Yamaha will refine the YCCS (possibly controlling the throttle during shifts, but I can see problems with potential failure modes).

Does anyone know what warranty returns they are getting with electric shift bikes? My clutch gets a lot more slipping during my stop-start commute than a manual, however I can't do 8000 RPM clutch dump starts. Not that I ever did.

 

[Shadow]

I am just waiting to see how reliable is over time, say with around 50,000 miles done.

My clutch gets a lot more slipping during my stop-start commute than a manual, however I can't do 8000 RPM clutch dump starts. Not that I ever did.

I have heard of this before, I am told that is is simply a build up of heat due to the operation of the 3 electric motors in a stop/start situation in heavy traffic.

 

[C&C]

Too early to say much (about reliability, general acceptance and wave of the future potential). Yamaha did it right by putting it on a low volume motorcycle to begin with. For sure, Yamaha has gotten a lot of exposure to its brand and specifically to the FJR by adding this feature. At this point in my life, it's not for me, but in the future who knows; it isn't hurting anything to be "testing the waters', as they say.

 

[Geezer]

Is the FJR really a low volume motorcycle? They seem to sell quite a few of them in other parts of the world. I would guess that the future of the AE rests with it's acceptance in those countries where the FJR sells in greater numbers.

 

[Constant Mesh]

Over time they'll probably reduce the price adder for this feature. They'll refine the system and it'll eventually become mainstream.

The heated grips included in the AE model are a head-scratcher. While many appreciate these grips was Yamaha trying to attract buyers to the AE with the grips? Does an AE buyer desire creature comforts? If so, maybe an AE buyer is someone more likely to add heated grips to a standard bike.

 

[Loki]

CalCoast has had a new AE on the floor since summer that they can't give away...

I'll take it!!!

Sorry toecutter. His information is not quite accurate! What he has been seeing is SEVERAL AE's on the floor. They have one now they have had for about a week and a half that came from another store. They sell 'em pretty quickly (about 2-3 weeks on average), and try to keep them on the floor to hook more FJR owners ( I had never heard of them before I saw it on the sales floor!) using tricks like ordering them in salesmens' names. Make NO MISTAKE, AE's may not be as hot as that cobalt blue, but ANY FJR is going to be hard to keep in stock! I really wonder if that will remain true with "cherry cola". Maybe Yamaha came out with that color on purpose to force folks to TRY the AE. I know I am glad I did, and while the wife realy likes "Cherry Cola", it would not work for me! Maybe custom Yamaha RED!