How do you recognise a 2006 plus model

[Topspeed]

Well you could always look at the VIN Stamp, date of manufacture is on there

 

[bikerkash]

From a guy who has owner 4 FJRs go with an 06 or newer you will be very happy.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Well, stepping away from the controversy, I'd just look at the dash. Gen I's have nice big, easy to see arrow-shaped green turn signal indicators on each side of the speedo.

Gen II's have tiny little itty bitty indicators that are so small that you can't see them blinking as you ride. So when you see an FJR going down the road with its turn signals left on, chances are good it's a Gen II.

 

[beemerdons]

2005 one sold and registered in 2006

This is actually the one you want.

You can most easily identify the 2006 and newer as they're most often seen in the rear view mirror of the Gen1 bikes. That is when they're not on the side of the road with an electrical issue.

+100 TENFOLD GUNNY!!!

 

[beemerdons]

From my reading on this forum, I believe the Gen I's can be identified by the ominous ticking noise....sort of like a time bomb waiting to 'splode, but you can't see the clock. Really, there are even recordings of this noise here on the forum.... <_< :blink:

Oh really, since SkooterG put 222,200 miles on his Gen1 and I rode 50K of those miles with him, there was never any ticking whatsoever!!!

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Gen I's can be identified by the ugly "seagull beak" shaped front fender, loud ticking,and yes! the 06 "Bass Boat Blue" color. :assassin:

 

[Geezer]

Gen I's can be identified by the ugly "seagull beak" shaped front fender, loud ticking,and yes! the 06 "Bass Boat Blue" color. :assassin:

I take exception to that. It is the '05 that has the lovely and desirable bass boat blue color. B)

 

[dcarver]

All FJR's and their power ranger 'riders' suck.

Harley's Rule!

:****:

 

[NMRoadRunner]

I apologize. I didn't mean to disparage the 06 with the bass boat blue remark, or is it candy apple blue?

 

[cota95]

I've had an 04, 06, and currently an 07. For my money, I would go for a Gen II everytime. My son on the other hand thinks the Gen I is better. The 04 had ZERO issues but my 06 ignition problems left me stranded in NC and limping home from SD. No issues with the 06 (my son owns it now) since the final 4th ignition switch replacement. The other recalls on the 06 did not affect me at all.

Thanks for the response (also a proud grandfather!) Can you tell me what it is for you that particularly makes you prefer the Gen II version. I'm guessing that any ignition switch issues with an '06 bike would have been sorted by now.

Heat issues (although this never did bother me), screen and fairing position is far superior with little back pressure, adjustable seat height, handle bar adjustment, better instruments (air temp,gear position, trip computer, trip odometer that goes over 1,000), styling, abs and linked brakes, open glove box while in gear, better mirrors, and faster.

 

[BackintheSaddle]

From my reading on this forum, I believe the Gen I's can be identified by the ominous ticking noise....sort of like a time bomb waiting to 'splode, but you can't see the clock. Really, there are even recordings of this noise here on the forum.... <_< :blink:

Oh really, since SkooterG put 222,200 miles on his Gen1 and I rode 50K of those miles with him, there was never any ticking whatsoever!!!

And what did the odo read when he changed the tensioner before it went?

EDIT: Answered my own questions...noticed at 85k to 90k, replaced at 110k....scroll down a bit....Clicky

Don't you just hate forum archives and Google...... :dribble:

 

[seekin]

Well, stepping away from the controversy, I'd just look at the dash. Gen I's have nice big, easy to see arrow-shaped green turn signal indicators on each side of the speedo.

Gen II's have tiny little itty bitty indicators that are so small that you can't see them blinking as you ride. So when you see an FJR going down the road with its turn signals left on, chances are good it's a Gen II.

Mike thanks, you've hit on the thing that I think is a massive safety issue with bikes and I can't believe self canceling indicators aren't required by law. You take a turn, forget to cancel the indicator. Next turning, the car coming out thinks your turning in so pulls out and SMACK...

 

[Patriot]

Well, stepping away from the controversy, I'd just look at the dash. Gen I's have nice big, easy to see arrow-shaped green turn signal indicators on each side of the speedo.
Gen II's have tiny little itty bitty indicators that are so small that you can't see them blinking as you ride. So when you see an FJR going down the road with its turn signals left on, chances are good it's a Gen II.

Mike thanks, you've hit on the thing that I think is a massive safety issue with bikes and I can't believe self canceling indicators aren't required by law. You take a turn, forget to cancel the indicator. Next turning, the car coming out thinks your turning in so pulls out and SMACK...

that's exactly what happened to a CMA friend of mine...nothing more than a bruised knee, but I started calling her "Flash" riding down the road

she turned right onto a four lane and went about 1/2 mile to the only intersection between two traffic lights. A car come to a stop at the stop sign to her right, and she reflexively slowed down from 35 to 20mph. The car assumed she was going to turn right and pulled out to turn right into the right lane. Friend kept going straight and nose of car stuck out, then braked hard. Kissed the crash bar on the right of the bike and low speed, slow motion wobble started and she low sided at about 5mph. Scary sh*t and I'm the safety officer for our CMA Chapter and she is a good student riding only about a year on a Shadow 750 Aero.

I pondered doing something to prevent my turn signal uncanceling habits, and went with the $33 JCWhitney beeping box wired in.

https://www.jcwhitney.com/extra-loud-electr...r/p2002171.jcwx

Works for me.

The Kissan timer module, to me, doesn't solve the problem. I agree, by law, bikes should all have self canceling turn signals...both by time and distance.

 

[RadioHowie]

From my reading on this forum, I believe the Gen I's can be identified by the ominous ticking noise....sort of like a time bomb waiting to 'splode, but you can't see the clock. Really, there are even recordings of this noise here on the forum.... <_< :blink:

Oh really, since SkooterG put 222,200 miles on his Gen1 and I rode 50K of those miles with him, there was never any ticking whatsoever!!!

And what did the odo read when he changed the tensioner before it went?

EDIT: Answered my own questions...noticed at 85k to 90k, replaced at 110k....scroll down a bit....Clicky

Don't you just hate forum archives and Google...... :dribble:

The more you post, the more we laugh. :rofl:

The CCT has ZERO to do with the "tick."

Separate issues...different problems...different solutions.

Perhaps you should peruse the forum archives and Google a bit more diligently.

.....or keep posting up the silliness so we get our minimum daily requirement of "Forum Chuckles."

 

[BackintheSaddle]

From my reading on this forum, I believe the Gen I's can be identified by the ominous ticking noise....sort of like a time bomb waiting to 'splode, but you can't see the clock. Really, there are even recordings of this noise here on the forum.... <_< :blink:

Oh really, since SkooterG put 222,200 miles on his Gen1 and I rode 50K of those miles with him, there was never any ticking whatsoever!!!

And what did the odo read when he changed the tensioner before it went?

EDIT: Answered my own questions...noticed at 85k to 90k, replaced at 110k....scroll down a bit....Clicky

Don't you just hate forum archives and Google...... :dribble:

The more you post, the more we laugh. :rofl:

The CCT has ZERO to do with the "tick."

Separate issues...different problems...different solutions.

Perhaps you should peruse the forum archives and Google a bit more diligently.

.....or keep posting up the silliness so we get our minimum daily requirement of "Forum Chuckles."

Wait...you mean the tick did not destroy your engine at 46k?? It was another, completely different inherent Gen I issue? Good grief......

 

[RadioHowie]

Wait...you mean the tick did not destroy your engine at 46k?? It was another, completely different inherent Gen I issue? Good grief......

Laugh it up, Chuckles. It wasn't a Gen I issue...it's an FJR issue....a poorly designed cam chain tensioner.

Gen I or II, the OEM cam chain tensioner is the same design....i.e., NOT a Zero Return tensioner.

In other words, when the tensioner spring is no longer effective, the tensioner shaft can return into the body of the assembly. Then the sound you hear is first - cam chain noise, then, second - the sound of your bank account being drained.

The "tick" you obviously didn't investigate thoroughly enough, is a valve guide issue that showed up on fewer Gen I Feejers than left the factory after 2006 without self-destructing ignition switches, altitude allergic ECUs or wiring harnesses with built-in disconnects.

Yamaha took the "corporate" route by designing a new CCT with a longer shaft that may or may not prevent cam chain disasters, but didn't address the original problem....designing a cam chain tensioner that won't retract by itself.

 

[Dr. Rich]

This is how you recognize an 06 that was ridden by a crash test dummy!

 

[RadioHowie]

This is how you recognize an 06 that was ridden by a crash test dummy!

Looks like the brake rotor is okay.

 

[BackintheSaddle]

Wait...you mean the tick did not destroy your engine at 46k?? It was another, completely different inherent Gen I issue? Good grief......

Laugh it up, Chuckles. It wasn't a Gen I issue...it's an FJR issue....a poorly designed cam chain tensioner.

Gen I or II, the OEM cam chain tensioner is the same design....i.e., NOT a Zero Return tensioner.

In other words, when the tensioner spring is no longer effective, the tensioner shaft can return into the body of the assembly. Then the sound you hear is first - cam chain noise, then, second - the sound of your bank account being drained.

The "tick" you obviously didn't investigate thoroughly enough, is a valve guide issue that showed up on fewer Gen I Feejers than left the factory after 2006 without self-destructing ignition switches, altitude allergic ECUs or wiring harnesses with built-in disconnects.

Yamaha took the "corporate" route by designing a new CCT with a longer shaft that may or may not prevent cam chain disasters, but didn't address the original problem....designing a cam chain tensioner that won't retract by itself.

With everything else that's going on in my life at the moment I am laughing any chance I get...but not riding nearly enough.

I researched (pretty much all of it on here) the tick thoroughly enough to buy an '09. Last ride went through 5000 ft of elevation change as do most of my rides (or more) so ECU seems happy. And ignition switch is happy.

Thanks for the tip on the CCT....I'll keep my ears open for marbles in the crankcase...not really a surprise that Mama went for a "corporate" solution, its what they are. Although if Skooter G changed his at 110k-ish and does not appear to have changed it again, the new design seems to have been an improvement. Has anyone else had to re-replace a CCT?

All things considered, I'd rather take care of possible electrical arachnids that have been brought to my attention (thanks everybody!!) than have an engine crater....really no contest for me and I hate wiring.

 

[BackintheSaddle]

This is how you recognize an 06 that was ridden by a crash test dummy!

That is a sad sight to see...... :blink: