Gen 1 to Gen 2 owners

[Fjroamer]

...considering moving from current '03 to forthcoming '08.

Are there noticable differences in;

1) wind management over/around windscreen

2) lower leg wind management with movable lower fairings

3) comfier stock seat

4) more relaxed (?) gearing

my '03 is in great shape but I'm leaning a tad more towards long days and more comfort than I was 5 yrs. ago.

I know I can do mods to current bike but that's not the question here.... just insights from those who owned both generations

thanks.... Roamer

 

[SR-71]

I can't speak for the '08, but I recently switched from an '05 to an '07. For the '07... Not much difference in the seat comfort. Much less engine heat on the '07. Gages different, with mpg computer. Turn signal indicators a lot smaller on the '07. Windshield pops up a bit higher and is shaped a bit different. Adjustable bars (and seat height) on the '07 too. I was able to adjust the bars back a notch and don't feel the need to buy raisers (like I had on my '05). Adjustable headlights. Gen II - Overall nice improvements.

SR-71

 

[HaulinAshe]

You will have to spend a bit of money to smooth the "gearing" of the 07 to anywhere close to your 03.

PC-III

G2 throttle tube

'05 clutch slave cylinder

If you are not willing to buy those three items, AND you must have gearing/shifting/throttle response as smooth as your 03 with Barbarian mod, then keep your old bike.

 

[TheBlueStreak]

I have ridden the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and there is much improvement to the engine heat issue, I felt almost NO heat from the engine and the wind protection, On the Gen I bikes the wind noise was unbarable(NEED ear plugs). On the Gen II no need for ear plugs, I'm 5'9".

I did notice the clutch to be harder and the throttle to be more "ON/OFF" but the 2007 may be getting a recall for a new ECU and the 2008 looks like it already has a new ECU according to the Canadian site, in addition to improved tranny and throttle. Again, according to the Canadian site.

I would test ride a 07' and see if you change your mind after a ride.

 

[conwest]

Fjroamer...I moved from an `04 abs to and `07...the first thing I noticed was the seat. While harder, being a flatter platform, it allowed me to move around more...now 6 months later, the seat and/or my ass is broken in. I do not need any remedial action on this seat like I did on the `04. Throttle response is a little more snatchy on the `07 but I`ve learned to adjust my technique to suit....every now and then it catches me offguard but no big deal. This genII is way cooler then the previous...I can actually ride this thing in 40`C temps. Yes the bottom of my shins are hot, but no hotter then if it were 30`C. The point is, there is no heat bloom surrounding my entire body. My `04 was brutally hot (that was the only reason I got rid of it). The windscreen on the `07 is better and quieter, for me at least. Something u don`t often hear mentioned: the 2nd gens handle better...more sure footed kinda thing...strait line and otherwise. While I have to look down at the tach to notice the lower rpms (because my `04 was glass smooth anyways), the payoff is at the pump. I hit for the first time ever (on the `07), 65mpg (Imperial) this summer. Is the new gen FJR perfect? No...just way better and will always get better than it was before. Now, if they would only reduce the god dammed prices of these things up here they might sell more...sheesh. :clapping:

 

[Niehart]

One of these days we will get together and you can ride my "06".

 

[FJR1300Mark]

I have ridden the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and there is much improvement to the engine heat issue, I felt almost NO heat from the engine and the wind protection, On the Gen I bikes the wind noise was unbarable(NEED ear plugs). On the Gen II no need for ear plugs, I'm 5'9".
I did notice the clutch to be harder and the throttle to be more "ON/OFF" but the 2007 may be getting a recall for a new ECU and the 2008 looks like it already has a new ECU according to the Canadian site, in addition to improved tranny and throttle. Again, according to the Canadian site.

I would test ride a 07' and see if you change your mind after a ride.

Interested to know where you heard about the recall for a new ecu for the 2007. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Fjroamer]

thanks all.... (I'd look fwd. to it Niehart)

just back from a run up to Hyder Alaska and back... on '03

She's been good (non ticker) and frugal (50 mpg for trip- mostly 70 mph-ish)

But.., I mean BUTT was sore (4- 500mi. days, 1 layover) and buffetting tiresome.

have stock low 03 screen and Rifle Tuning Block which is clean quiet air all the way down but only all the way down!! Earplugs always in use.

35,000 trouble free miles but am considering the Raven blackie!!

These insights have been helpful!

p.s. the Feejer did fine on the 20+ mile dirt/gravel road up to the top of Salmon Glacier. I really surprised a BMW1200GS owner who ran up there with me.. (yrs. of dirt biking didn't hurt )

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

thanks all.... (I'd look fwd. to it Niehart)
just back from a run up to Hyder Alaska and back... on '03

She's been good (non ticker) and frugal (50 mpg for trip- mostly 70 mph-ish)

But.., I mean BUTT was sore (4- 500mi. days, 1 layover) and buffetting tiresome.

have stock low 03 screen and Rifle Tuning Block which is clean quiet air all the way down but only all the way down!! Earplugs always in use.

35,000 trouble free miles but am considering the Raven blackie!!

These insights have been helpful!

p.s. the Feejer did fine on the 20+ mile dirt/gravel road up to the top of Salmon Glacier. I really surprised a BMW1200GS owner who ran up there with me.. (yrs. of dirt biking didn't hurt )

What kind of seat do you have?

 

[Fjroamer]

totally stock (w/ sheepskin )

I realize an aftermkt. or reworked seat would be a vast improvement... but so would one on a gen II bike , I imagine ????

I'm 20 min. from Riches custom seats as well

Just don't know if I want to put $$$ into '03 or go new and farkle as I go.

 

[Ari Rankum]

I can't speak for the '08, but I recently switched from an '05 to an '07. For the '07... Not much difference in the seat comfort. Much less engine heat on the '07. Gages different, with mpg computer. Turn signal indicators a lot smaller on the '07. Windshield pops up a bit higher and is shaped a bit different. Adjustable bars (and seat height) on the '07 too. I was able to adjust the bars back a notch and don't feel the need to buy raisers (like I had on my '05). Adjustable headlights. Gen II - Overall nice improvements.

The above is a pretty comprehensive answer. I'd add/change -

I think the seat is noticeably better.

The heat "problem" was solved in Gen II

The suspension is better on the Gen II.

My Gen I was quicker, according to my ass.

The '06A color was best so far.

The wind management is slightly improved in Gen II with better flow under the screen to reduce back pressure. I notice no lower-leg wind management difference.

Taller gearing on Gen II moves 4.5K I4 buzz, if any, above FJR-nominal cruising speeds.

Most importantly, Yamaha screwed the pooch on on/off throttle response in 06 while trying to improve emissions. It's a real challenge to be smooth on my 06, compared to 05.

Except for the gearing and the new FI map, I appreciate all the differences in the Gen II enough to consider them improvements. However, they don't amount to enough improvement in total that I'd consider selling a Gen I to get the improvements. (My movement from Gen I to Gen II was involuntary and mostly airborne).

 

[RonBB]

05 before & an 07 now:

07 seat seems a bit harder to me.

07 feels a bit more refined in the suspension dept.

07 heat managment system is MUCH better

At 4,500 miles on the 07 (and 22K on the 05) I was thinking the other day that I had yet to accidently lift the front wheel on the 07. That was not true on the 05 at the same mileage (longer swing-arm & taller gearing?). My seat of the pants feels like pretty equal acceleration-perhaps I am out of calibration. I agree the 07 is more difficult to ride smoothly with the throttle. I haven't been in the mountains yet so I can't comment on the "surge" on the 07-it hasn't yet. My 05 did not, nor did it tick. I did put on a Rifle W/S on the 05. I plan to put on a Yamaha Touring W/S on the 07 but have not yet. FWIW, neither bike had any wobble in the front. Best of luck in whatever you do.

 

[shuttle1988]

Had an '05 and traded it in for an '06

The '05 was so hot I could not ride it in warm weather (live in AZ), did all the mods, helped but still brutal.

The '06 is still hot around the shins/ankles but can live with it.

Replaced windscreens on both. CeeBailey on '05 and CalSci on '06. I do not think there is much difference between the years.

I cannot tell any difference with the lower fairings in or out. The look better in so I just leave them there.

I think the stock seat on the '05 was better. But, every butt is different. I left the '05 stock, but have a Bill Mayer on the '06.

I can't tell much difference on the gearing.

Other misc. items....

Turn signal indicators were much better on the '05, way to small on the '06

Gear indicator nice on the '06. Saves me from trying to shift up from 5th.

If the '05 wasn't so hot, I would still have it and would be very happy. IMHO if the heat does not bother you on your '03, there is very little to be gained by going to a GEN II. However getting a new ride for any reason is a good thing.

 

[todd493]

I'm gonna ask this and I hope not to derail this thread too far.

Of you riders that noted Gen 1 heat issues , had you all done the full cromeit, Barbarian , & tank insulation mods?

And are we talking heat all the time or 85*+ temps?

I've recently done these to my '04 and it's like night and day difference in all temps but curiousity makes me ask the above questions. TH

 

[Ari Rankum]

I'm gonna ask this and I hope not to derail this thread too far.
Of you riders that noted Gen 1 heat issues , had you all done the full cromeit, Barbarian , & tank insulation mods?

And are we talking heat all the time or 85*+ temps?

I've recently done these to my '04 and it's like night and day difference in all temps but curiousity makes me ask the above questions. TH

I had no issues with my Gen I until I hit stalled traffic at 95F+. The first time that happened, the words my helmet heard were, "you've got to be kidding me." ('I've produced no chilluns since this happened, by the way.) I was aware of the insulation under the tank mod that others had implemented for the Gen Is, but never got around to doing it before my Gen I got vaporized.

As it turns out, Yamaha seems to have completely ripped off the garage mechanic that came up with the idea for the insulating blanket under the gas tank, cuz that's all they did. I've been at 106F, so far, on my 06, at a dead crawl. I can't find the heat. The fix that Yamaha ripped off cured the problem, IMO. So, if you've got a Gen I, and the heat is bugging you, a little insulation under the tank should do the trick.

 

[RonBB]

Of you riders that noted Gen 1 heat issues , had you all done the full cromeit, Barbarian , & tank insulation mods?

The heat on the 05 bothered me when riding in 90 degrees & above. I did not do any mods for heat. My bike was just hot to ride-it did not overheat & the fan cycled on & off appropriately. As said above there is a night & day difference in Gen I & II bikes with regard to air/heat handling. Personally I would still be riding the 05 if I had not totaled it.............or as my wife said, "Killed it" (she rides a horse!).

 

[todd493]

Well mine past the 95* test session today 150 miles of on/off riding keeping the fuel tank at/below 1/2. I used the above mods, smittys' tank blanket and thermotec adhesive insulator on the bottom of the tank. It's interesting how these mods reduce the heat effects in segments. next mod to ventilate the Yamaha tall screen for back pressure reduction, these are great bikes IMO. TH

 

[shuttle1988]

todd493-

Yes, I did all the mods on my '05. They helped but even with the mods still too hot for me. I may be a wimp, but I ride to enjoy the experience not to see how much punishment I can take. The '06 is much, much better than the '05 even with all the '05 mods completed. Again, only my opinion. I know lots of people never felt the GEN I had a heat problem. Very strong opinions on both sides and no one is likely to change their view.

 

[todd493]

Yes I agree with your theory on everyone having their own opinion on heat. And truth be told there are a couple features on the Gen 2 that I prefer. And truth be told in your particular climate I think any heat would be a major deal vs. here where 90+ temps happen about 20% of the year. I was curious because the MCN poll said 40% of FJR heat complaintants hadn't done the mods. TH