If You Could Reinvent The FJR What Would You Change?

[Top_Speed1]

Weight reduction would be common, I would just hope for better overall balance!

So weight distribution.

Then my list of goodies goes on from there like more torque, less(none) harmonic imbalance buzz/pitch, a 6th gear OD would be nice, anti-theft/alarm, FOB, central locking, TPM, bluetooth w USB interface, on board GPS, Xenon headlights, cancelling turn signal, full LED...ahh I guess forget all this stuff, I already got it

So weight management/distribution should be well within reason for Mommi Yami.

 

[RavFJR]

Dzus (zeus) fasteners on all plastic panels and 6 gears...

 

[verranth]

- fuse block standard (where the battery is now)

- better wind screen

- battery relocated to under seat (lets get some weight off the front)

- more watts!

- less weight (but somehow, i dont think it's possible)

- TPM (edit: how did I forget to include this the first time?!)

- stronger sub frame.

All this shouldnt affect the weight too much, right? Is there a way to make it less top-heavy? I havent cracked my subframe yet, but only cause I got really lucky.

 

[garyahouse]

One thing that's been an issue for most FJR riders is the handlebars. They're perfect for some, but not for many. Why not make them adjustable... I mean REALLY adjustable? It's not like Yammie doesn't know HOW to do this. This is not an expensive matter, but what a huge difference it would make.

--Just consider what most of us do to these things as soon as we get them. The windshield has to be the most popular change that most guys make, seconded by the seat. Optional Yammie 'quipment's been abailable for years, so it seems that base is covered. But many things could be altered a little to make the bike better in small ways. For example, why not put a decent size pad on the sidestand? That is not expensive. Or a slightly longer front fender? How many of us put Fenda-extendas on to reduce flying road debris and water? How much would a couple factory installed ram balls be? The cruise control was indeed a brilliant idea, but how about a factory fix for the '13s with their 80mph limit?

Fuze block: this has got to be so very easy for a manufacturer to do. Why not, given the number of these bikes that carry extra electrical goodies?

Battery tender wired from the factory. Wires don't cost that much.

Lemme guess: providing a simple throttle lock would be a legal problem ??

I'm ok with the battery location, after all they have to put it SOMEWHERE. But maybe make it a little more accessible on the Gen 3?

A 90 degree valve stem on the front wheel? Checking that pressure is murder. How much could that cost?

Just some simple changes that wouldn't add much if any to the price of the bike?

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Jack D]

I use my FJR for touring and lond distance riding. I would like less weight, lower center of gravity, 50 % bigger bags, bars farther back, pegs farther forward. I don't care about the seat as any bike I buy makes a trip to Russell for a Day Long seat. I have tried the stock windshield, the touring windshield and the V Stream shield and don't really like any of them. I keep searching for the "perfect" motorcycle or trying to build one from current offerings. Right now the FJR is pretty good but for the next bike I am going to look at the new Tenere as it has less weight, supposedly lower CG and cruise control. I will also look at the water cooled BMW GS but I just don't buy into the BMW kool-aid. And I will also look into the new ES FJR.

What's good about the FJR for me? Good fuel capacity and range, uses regular gas, shaft drive, adequate alternator capacity, comfortable for 2 people, instrumentation and reliability.

 

[Geezer]

Even though the 5 speed transmission is fine, I find myself poking the lever looking for one more at times. I suppose if there were 6 gears I'd still poke at the lever looking for one more.

Time to upgrade to a newer FJR that has the gear indicator?

Does it count up to 7?

Just kidding. I do believe the gear indicator is a good idea, though I don't like having to look down at the instrument cluster any more than absolutely necessary. Before someone asks how I watch my speed without looking down, I use a GPS and keep it mounted high enough that I can see the speed without having to look down and it works very well for me.

 

[Geezer]

Dzus (zeus) fasteners on all plastic panels and 6 gears...

Yes! Dzus fasteners or something similar of Yamaha design would be very nice. The only time I've seen them on a factory bike was on the somewhat exotic Bimotas, but others may have them as well. It sure makes it easy to get the fairings off. The reason I say something similar of Yamaha design is that Dzus may be a proprietary design protected by a patent.

 

[xcsp]

Dzus (zeus) fasteners on all plastic panels and 6 gears...

Yes! Dzus fasteners or something similar of Yamaha design would be very nice. The only time I've seen them on a factory bike was on the somewhat exotic Bimotas, but others may have them as well. It sure makes it easy to get the fairings off. The reason I say something similar of Yamaha design is that Dzus may be a proprietary design protected by a patent.

Yamaha uses them on some snowmobiles, why not the bikes?

 

[JimNtexas]

Gen 3 fixed my biggest issue with my 2008 by adding cruise control and traction control. I would NEVER change the basic engine and transmission, the FJR engine system is perfect as it is.

Areas to improve:

1) Improve battery access.

2) TPM

3) stiffen up the rear subframe

4) simplify fairing removal/replacement

5) factory lowering option (like BMW does)

Please MamaYama, don't do what Honda did to the VFR and drop a proven platform for no good reason.

 

[CA G-Man]

I would replace the glove box with an ATM console linked to a well-stocked Swiss bank account so I wouldn't have to work so much and could ride more.

(I assumed the question implied "assuming you could have anything you want...")

 

[carlson_mn]

Just to make things fun I will offer my take on your options and below I'll offer what I think I would change on my '08.

Hey folks,
I've had my beautiful black 2008 FJR for a little over a year now.

Was just thinking if there's a few things I could change what would they be?

1. For me probably a half fairing instead of a whole one I think would be interesting.

I actually like seeing more of an engine, and you'd still get wind protection with a full windscreen.

Also less plastic to take off when servicing.

The lower fairing provides a lot of weather relief for the legs and it comes off in about 5-10 minutes - a little longer to put back on. Also I find it easier to clean than a dirty engine. For me, the looks of the FJR are stellar with the full fairing.

2. One other thing would be a little less weight, which would automatically be accomplished somewhat with a half fairing.

I agree about 20lbs would be a great thing to lose for the FJR. An aluminum gas tank would probably take 5-10 lbs off, but cost more money. The full lower fairing only weighs about 2lbs of plastic so that is a wash. Overall I don't think the weight of the FJR is too bad considering its size and stoutness. Any significant weight savings would require expensive exotic metals or a reduction in reliability/stoutness of components. For example the rear drivetrain is big and heavy but it's also stout and reliable as hell.

3. The power of the FJR is pretty good but I wouldn't mind about 145 at the rear wheel instead of the about 125 that we have currently.

I'd love a little more power because we get conditioned to the 128hp that my bike puts out. However, that'd be accomplished one of two ways; more displacement which will result in more fuel both on the gas and at cruise. The other would be to keep the 1300cc displacement and use a different camshaft. This could easily result in 20-30 more top end hp but it will come at a loss of midrange power and efficiency at lower rpms. Give and take. Overall I am still impressed by the power and fuel economy (40-50mpg that the FJR returns.

4. One more...a FULL wet clutch instead of the "splash" clutch that we have, would keep the plates cooler.

The FJR seems to have a greater reliability record with the clutch than any bike I've heard of - probably linked to the riders and riding style though. Mine has held up to thousands of wheelies over 45k miles. Would a full wet clutch result in more drivetrain loss through increased drag?

That's about it for me, so far I think the FJR has been the best bike I've ever owned, a great "all arounder" and comfy to ride at a reasonable price.
So, what would you change if you could??

5sp works pretty good but sometimes an extra gear in the middle would be nice. Overall I'm fine with the 5sp rpms are perfect on highway.

The gas tank made out of aluminum would be nice. It would remove some weight from the top of the bike. Not too many people use magnetic tank bags anymore and you shouldn't anyways.

HID lights would be nice someday.

 

[rPGoatBoy]

- Relocate the battery to underneath the seat, where God intended.

- Top opening bags sound nice, if they can somehow maintain the same on/off/latch functionality they currently have.

- Open source easily programmable ECU? A guy can dream, can't he?

- Instead of redesigning the entire motor and trans casing to accommodate a 6th gear, maybe the option of different ratios, at least for 5th gear?

- Dzus fasteners on the Tupperware would be dreamy

- Stiffer subframe

- BETTER GROUNDING, moar Watts.

- Put it on a diet.

 

[mcatrophy]

... Not too many people use magnetic tank bags anymore and you shouldn't anyways. ...

I do, and, why not?

 

[Spud]

... Not too many people use magnetic tank bags anymore and you shouldn't anyways. ...

I do, and, why not?

Yeah--never heard that before. I can't go anywhere w/o my magnetic tank bag--I love it!

As for any improvement--no complaints here but I'd take another 1/2 gallon in the tank if they could fit it somehow.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Carlson..........regarding the clutch.

A lot of posts on this forum and other FJR forums about people having to do "clutch soaks" ect......

I think this has to do with just the "splash" of oil it gets (especially during a HOT Summer) instead of a full cooling soak that other bikes clutches gets.

I belong to other bike forums and I don't remember seeing this with a full wet clutch, at least it's VERY rare.

 

[HotRodZilla]

So far, I've seen people that want a:

GoldWing

FZ1

C14

Miata

Hard top Corolla

ST1050

V-Max

ST1300

BMW R1200RT

Each of these people is easy to satisfy. If you don't like what you have, but they make what you want, quit bitching and go buy it. Oh yeah, If you buy one of those, you'll find something else to ***** about. Nevermind...It's just a never ending circle. Whaaaah, I don't have this. Whaaah, I want that. Whaaaah, I wish I could get one of those. Whaaah, I want this to be different.

Seriously, I could see making the plastic easier to get off and maybe finding a way to reduce weight, but weight reduction may cut into some of the bulletproof building many of us depend on our FJR for. The rest is solvable, and those other bikes even have their own forums. You can go gripe over there and be happy.

 

[Lauren_TK]

The gas tank made out of aluminum would be nice. It would remove some weight from the top of the bike. Not too many people use magnetic tank bags anymore and you shouldn't anyways.

I too am confused, as I too use--and really like--my magnetic tank bag.

I am one of many enquiring minds that wants to know why we shouldn't use a magnetic tank bag. Reveal your mystery to us!

 

[bergmen]

I would like to see Yamaha get rid of the maintenance requirement of having to adjust valve clearance (and removing camshafts to do so) by going to hydraulics. There are systems out there that are not rpm limited and are rather simple to implement (although adding rocker arms is required). Something like this:



Dan

 

[Jehos]

My wish list for my Gen2:

1. Fix engine vibes. Seriously, this thing buzzes in the hand grips and pegs more than other bikes in its class.

2. Make the windscreen stick where I left it.

3. Make room for my heels. The heel guard doesn't need to extend to the rear axle.

 

[Bokerfork]

The only one of these steller suggestions I could get behind would be the FULLY udjustable handlebars.

For all of you that want more horsepower, remember this. If the dang thing had 2,000 hp, you'd get used to that and want 2,020.

The Feej has more than enough hp at sea level and plenty up to around 6000'. After that you need to plan your passing a little more in advance, and it doesn't rip your arms off coming out of a turn, but she still gets the job done.

HRZ hit it right on the nose. No bike is perfect, but the Feej comes pretty close.