FJR's 3 year upgrade

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Constant Mesh

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So far fairly significant upgrades/product tweaks have been introduced every 3 years. One might speculate that the 2009 model may have value-added upgrades to meet the Concours 1400 challenge.

 
That would be faulty logic because you'd be assuming the 3 year count starts with North American release. The FJR had an additional 1 or 2 years in other markets. Gen I go back to 2001 in Europe for example. I would bet 2010 or 2011.

 
2001 introduced outside U.S., FJR1300 (N) 1st edition Service Manual Jan. 2001

2002 brought to U.S. as 2003

2003 brought to U.S. as 2004, upgraded with ABS, larger front discs, etc.

2004 brought to U.S. as 2005

2005 brought to U.S. as 2005

2006 the same worldwide, upgraded air flow, new instrumentation, longer swingarm, etc.

2007 the same worldwide

2008 the same worldwide

2009 the same worldwide, upgrades expected

 
I'm guessing 2010 as well. They spent a lot of time and money on the R1 upgrades.

Probably didn't leave much in the budge for the R&D on the FJR.

The FJR pretty much already competes on fairly level ground with the C14, so I don't think they will be hard pressed to really do much anyway.

 
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I understand the tire pressure monitoring is mandated for autos soon (not sure of the exact year) and the C14 now has it. I would expect it on a new FJR within a year or two along with at least minor dash upgrades.

 
CM,

I suspect there might have been more pressure on Yamaha if Kawasaki's C14 had improved upon the Gen II FJR1300. The first generation C14 is a very nice bike but it did not put any pressure on Yamaha to update the Gen II FJR1300. Wish it had.

(Sorry Keith you beat me to the point)

WW

 
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CM,I suspect there might have been more pressure on Yamaha if Kawasaki's C14 had improved upon the Gen II FJR1300. The first generation C14 is a very nice bike but it did not put any pressure on Yamaha to update the Gen II FJR1300. Wish it had.
A good time for Yami to take a clear lead in the growing ST market then. B) One can hope, right?

An update FJR is at the top of my bike list. I was going to get a 2008, but black (tho beautiful) just wasn't an option for me living in the PNW. Thing would look like a pig all but a few weeks out of the year. Bring on 2009 or 2010 Yamaha!!

 
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I'm guessing 2010 as well. They spent a lot of time and money on the R1 upgrades.
Probably didn't leave much in the budge for the R&D on the FJR.

The FJR pretty much already competes on fairly level ground with the C14, so I don't think they will be hard pressed to really do much anyway.
Not to mention the R&D on the new V-Max. I'm sure that cut into the budget some.

GP

 
I'd like to see improvements made in the throttle control system. Throttle control is still too imprecise for a machine costing as much as many small cars. On my '04 the idle rpm wanders too much from stop to stop. I can adjust it and it's spot on and then 30 minutes later it'll drop down to 900 and then after another 30 minutes it's back up to 1000+.

The throttle bodies and throttle control seem to be behind the times, definitely not cutting edge.

 
I'd like to see the engine management improved. Surely the technology is available to have a strong engine like the FJR's meet emissions standards and not surge the way it does in stock form. This is probably in the same realm as Constant Mesh's comment about the fuel injection.

I've owned two FJRs, an 05 and an 07, and found this to be the only negative in an otherwise very satisfying machine.

Whatever they do and whenever they do it, I hope they don't ruin the bike's good looks. I think the FJR just plain looks better than any of the other ST options.

 
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The need to address two things - throttle response and vibration. Both are signficant problems that come up all the time on this forum. Throttle response they have been working on, and may be fixed on the '08.

Vibration is a bigger issue. At the very least, they need to add a sixth gear to move the vibration to a higher speed, and they need to figure out how to quell the vibration getting to the right hand grip.

 
I laugh at the connie 14 challenge, If they wanted to make a world class sport tourer, The first item should be a gas tank with a range of more than 175 miles. The connie 14 was a huge let down to me. Thats why i ride an FJR in the first place.

 
I laugh at the connie 14 challenge, If they wanted to make a world class sport tourer, The first item should be a gas tank with a range of more than 175 miles. The connie 14 was a huge let down to me. Thats why i ride an FJR in the first place.


Bandit,

I think most C14 owners would agree that they are disappointed with the smaller gas tank and thus range. Though, most deal with this short coming. My good friend with his C14 really wishes it had another gallon of gas.

If the C14 would have come with a larger gas tank, adjustible seats, adjustible handle bars, a fully adjustible front suspension, and had a similiar valve check interval (this = $$$) as the FJR1300.... It would of had more of my attention when I bought my FJR1300. Though, I still prefered the look and finish of the FJR over the C14.

That being said, I think the Connie14 is a very nice ride. Just not my first choice for a sport tourer... My second choice, all day!!

WW

 
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