Gen 1 to Gen 2 owners

[DJW]

I owned an 04 for 10,000 miles and have done 1000 miles on a used 06 that I bought recently. I had done the heat fixes but still found the bike miserable in Virginia summers. Incidentally the best "fix" I found was buying Wild Bill's highway pegs and getting my legs out in the breeze and off the tank. It made an August trip to Birmingham, AL last year bearable. On the flip side the old FJR was a superior winter ride down into the 36F range with minimal cold weather gear.

On the 06 I find the heat to be improved such that it doesn't bother me and it's not just the blanket they put over the motor. One thing is that the tank is slimmer and has that plastic trim piece further up. This slows the heat transfer from the tank and the slimmer tank makes it easier to get some air between legs and tank. The tank doesn't get as hot either and I don't think I'll open the tank to find the fuel boiling as I did on the 04. I have tested it up to about 94F and it's a drastic improvement.

Wind protection is less buffety although I'll probably still order a Laminar Lip and the venting to reduce negative pressure when the screen is up works well. The adjustable bars were comfortable on a pair of 250 mile days and make risers less necessary (probably still get them). The seat is improved but still no substitute for a custom. Handling is improved (but not much different) once you add a few clicks of rebound damping on both ends and overall the new bike is enough better at everything to make it a worthwhile upgrade. Love the ambient temp gauge. The 06 paint is a big improvement over cerulean silver to my eyes.

As for gearing, I was in the "where is my 6th gear" camp with the old bike. When I heard the gearing was only 3% taller I was disappointed but it makes a real difference to me on the highway. I would prefer something a bit taller but I don't find myself trying kick the shifter for an extra gear on the interstate. It takes a slight edge off the bike's acceleration around town which I also like.

I will second Mr. Ashe's post about the throttle mods. The throttle and clutch are a big step backwards from the 04. I ordered the G2 throttle tube and PCIII 5 minutes after driving the bike home from purchase. I ordered the clutch master cylinder within the first week of ownership. So farkled the bike is smooth like the Gen I bike and the throttle cam and cylinder aren't expensive. I installed a PCIII on both bikes so I can't count that money against the Gen II.

I'm a happy camper and doubt you'd regret a switch. It's fundamentally the same great bike with a few key improvements.

 

[Fjroamer]

...thanks all! Very helpful, insightful and to the point responses.

If the '08 has some "issues" sorted out, it will be tempting, as my first two ever street bikes were black. (I'm aware of the extra effort in keepin' 'em clean.)