If You Could Reinvent The FJR What Would You Change?

[SunRider]

Nothing new here...

Better stock seat. Really now, Yami could do better at not much cost.

Lose 50 pounds. At already light in comparison, no chance for this wish. And it would cost $$$

Yet, I think the weight loss would fix the 'Big Bike' handling & feel.

 

[carlson_mn]

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

I do, and, why not?

... 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.

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!

Forgive me if I offended the magnetic faithfuls but it's a thing of the past for me. From having them fly off at 150mph to the accumulation of micro swirls and scratches from bits of metal that attach between the bag and tank, I've moved to tank bags that do not touch the tank nor use any straps.

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.

Yeah I'm familiar with all of that. It was a fairly limited time frame of 2008ish models where basically somebody at the factory didn't do something right pre-soaking/conditioning the clutch plates. It's not an engineering problem.

Also, for those who want to do it, and I have in the past, the battery fits just fine in the front storage in Gen2 models.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Bergman is totally on to something. I just don't get how a modern fuel injected engine needs valve checks. Don't get me wrong, I know the realities of power, weight and cost, but I'd pay a little more for an engine that doesn't require adjustment.

 

[stealth1]

I'm easy. Just unlink the brakes. Linked brakes are an unneeded and unwanted complication that just adds cost and weight. Not to mention extra time for bleeding.

 

[bergmen]

Bergman is totally on to something. I just don't get how a modern fuel injected engine needs valve checks. Don't get me wrong, I know the realities of power, weight and cost, but I'd pay a little more for an engine that doesn't require adjustment.

I owned a 1985 Toyota Supra and a 1985 Honda CB700SC Nighthawk S that both had this valve system. Totally maintenance-free and completely quiet for several hundred thousand miles (on the Toyota). The rocker pivot posts hydraulically compensate for lash and it is a beautiful system. Here is a cross section of the Nighthawk system:



Dan

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

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 bitch 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.

I don't think it's about "griping" Zilla.

It's about what YOU the rider would like to see improved or changed.

Anything that's manufactured can be improved.

We all agree the FJR is a great bike, doesn't mean we wouldn't like to see something changed or improved.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

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.

You obviously haven't ridden a first gen Concourse, now THAT is a buzzy bike!!

My 2008 is pretty smooth, some slight high frequency buzz but barely noticeable.

If you change the grips to something soft that will help, PRO-GRIPS #714 work REAL well.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Bergman is totally on to something. I just don't get how a modern fuel injected engine needs valve checks. Don't get me wrong, I know the realities of power, weight and cost, but I'd pay a little more for an engine that doesn't require adjustment.

I owned a 1985 Toyota Supra and a 1985 Honda CB700SC Nighthawk S that both had this valve system. Totally maintenance-free and completely quiet for several hundred thousand miles (on the Toyota). The rocker pivot posts hydraulically compensate for lash and it is a beautiful system. Here is a cross section of the Nighthawk system:



Dan

The Kawasaki Vulcan 750 cruiser had hydraulic valve adjusters too.

It was made from 1985 to about 2008.

 

[xcsp]

Bergman is totally on to something. I just don't get how a modern fuel injected engine needs valve checks. Don't get me wrong, I know the realities of power, weight and cost, but I'd pay a little more for an engine that doesn't require adjustment.

My Ski Doo snowmobile has a Rotax 4-stroke engine with the no-maintenance hydraulic valve system, as does the new 1330 ACE engine in the Can Am's Spyder.

Maybe it's time for Yamaha to do it as well?

 

[RadioHowie]

Better horns....HID projector headlights...full-boat Ohlins suspension...candy lime green paint (like my ZRX)

In otherwords, nothing I can't do for myself.

The FJR is the perfect canvas for customization.

 

[Lauren_TK]

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

Forgive me if I offended the magnetic faithfuls but it's a thing of the past for me. From having them fly off at 150mph to the accumulation of micro swirls and scratches from bits of metal that attach between the bag and tank, I've moved to tank bags that do not touch the tank nor use any straps.

Not offended by any stretch of the imagination, just very confused by your statement, and I wanted to know more.

 

[HotRodZilla]

AND Howie hit it. How on Earth would Yamaha make a "better" seat? Maybe better for some, but worse for others. Same for windshields and fairing designs. Currently it is a very good platform for people to make their own.

1400cc's? Bigger I guess, but why? 25cc's per cylinder? Big whoop. More HP? Cool! There goes our fuel mileage, or even worse, they up the compression, and we're all putting 89-91 in the tank.

The one that seriously irritates me...Really the ONLY one that irritates me is the 6th gear argument. People that want a 6th gear, claiming lower RPMs seem to know very little about transmissions and gear ratios. Not a put down, so don't all respond with hurt feelings, just an observation.

All a 6th gear would do is add weight, and move ALL the ratios closer together. So, we'd end up shifting more often for the same performance. Really, in the scheme if things, shifting more often is not a big effin' deal, but why do it?? BMW has 6 gears and is at higher RPMs in 6th than the FJR is at in 5th. The engine may lose RPMs in a 6th gear, but will that hurt mileage or help it?

Right now, I can top out my bike in 5th gear. I can almost guarantee there would not be enough torque or HP to top this bike out with even a slight reduction in a 6th gear. More gears is not necessarily better for every application. If anything, Yamaha got this transmission very right.

Maybe a split differential would be a better fix for a tyranny that's not broken. Remember those in your school busses? The red pull knob on the gear shift that moved the rear end from 4.10 to like 3.85, reducing engine RPM? That's the ticket!

 

[carlson_mn]

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

Forgive me if I offended the magnetic faithfuls but it's a thing of the past for me. From having them fly off at 150mph to the accumulation of micro swirls and scratches from bits of metal that attach between the bag and tank, I've moved to tank bags that do not touch the tank nor use any straps.

Not offended by any stretch of the imagination, just very confused by your statement, and I wanted to know more.

LOL sorry man I'm just joking around this whole thread.

This same thread appears about every 6 months and figured I'd mess around in this one.

There's nothing I'd change about the FJR realistically.

 

[supertankerm60a3]

My personal improvements:

Simplify panel attachments. The side panel attachments under the tank/seat is way overcomplicated with 7 fasteners each.

Raise the ratio of 5th gear leave all other gears alone. There is little I do above 4th's redline.

Want more power? TURBOCHARGE IT. My first streetbike was the GPz 750 Turbo it was great. Include knock sensor.

 

[mcatrophy]

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

I do, and, why not?

...

Forgive me if I offended the magnetic faithfuls but it's a thing of the past for me. From having them fly off at 150mph to the accumulation of micro swirls and scratches from bits of metal that attach between the bag and tank, I've moved to tank bags that do not touch the tank nor use any straps.

Not offended in the least, and I understand your reservation, maybe you shouldn't have used the word "shouldn't"

.

Although I've never tested mine at 150mph, it has managed triple figures and shown no signs of flying off, but then I do use the head-stock strap, albeit not round the head-stock, I made a bracket to go under the front tank bolts, got my dearly beloved to shorten the strap, so there's no way it could fly off.

(Click on any image for larger view)

Strap round the bracket . . . . . . . Bracket and strap in place



And to prevent the scratching, I put some cheap duct tape over the tank where the bag or straps might rub, including over the edge where the tank has to hang while fuelling. Pictures below taken after a jaunt in Spain and Portugal, just before I washed it.

General view of taped tank . . . . Detail (after considerable use)



Magnets seem to grip just fine, even through the tape. I use cheap tape because it comes off easily. And because I'm a cheap b*rst*rd.

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

Forgive me if I offended the magnetic faithfuls but it's a thing of the past for me. From having them fly off at 150mph to the accumulation of micro swirls and scratches from bits of metal that attach between the bag and tank, I've moved to tank bags that do not touch the tank nor use any straps.

Not offended by any stretch of the imagination, just very confused by your statement, and I wanted to know more.

Lauren_TK - Please take care with your quote-clipping, you've managed to attribute carison mm's comment to me

. Nothing against his comment, but it wasn't mine. And it's been propagated by carison mm quoting yours

.

 

[jacko]

I use a Magnetic Tank Bag but I'm in the market for a new one , Carlson I would like to hear more about the one you have , sounds interesting , photo would be good

Thanks , Jacko

 

[garyahouse]

This thread is turning out to be a blast. I've enjoyed reading many of the ideas. One that's not popped up yet is variable valve timing. It would be a great idea to increase top end HP w/o sacrificing anything in the lower ranges. However, it's not cheap, and it does add complexity to the valve train. That said, the anti-valve adjustment crowd had a great idea as well with the hydraulic valve adjusters requiring no adjustment. On the surface this seems like a no-brainer: NO VALVE ADJUSTMENT required. Seems like a great selling point. But I'm guessing that designing something like this causes concessions in other areas. After all, as we've read on these pages, every engine design is a compromise intended to achieve a different set of goals. Perhaps cost or valve train location constraints would become an issue therefore Yammie said NOTTT?

One thing I think we can all agree on. Yamaha has done an amazing job at building a solid, reliable platform. It's pretty close to bulletproof and relatively easy to work on. Maintenance costs are minimal and so many issues that plague other makes just don't apply to this machine.

Another thing I've come to appreciate is the fact that Yamaha does indeed hear our cries. The FJR just keeps getting better.

We live in such an amazing age, fellers. My motorcycle has more power than many cars on the road today. It's like my own personal roller coaster. Fuel injection, ABS, GPS... where's it gonna stop? it's like Edison, Einstein and Otto finally achieved their dreams.

FWIW, Zilla - I agree with your thoughts on the 6 speed. I don't particularly like shifting gears and don't want another one to have to deal with. In addition I don't want lower RPM's at cruising speeds since this also means less available roll-on power and necessitates downshifting more often. I don't want or need closer gear ratios or more gears to shift. I'm very happy with the trannie just the way it is.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[DarkStar]

I'll be a bit contrary and would prefer changes that simplify instead of complicate, if I could reinvent the FJR I'd attempt weight reduction as much as possible up to and including chain drive as a replacement for shaft, do away with the linked brakes, redesign the panniers making them smaller and more elegant looking instead of the bulbous bigazz cases they currently are, do away with the electric adjustable windscreen in favor of a mechanical only adjustment, drop the silly Gen III D-mode selector and upgrade the front forks.... sounds like I just described a Ninja 1000...

 

[BanjoBoy]

AND Howie hit it. How on Earth would Yamaha make a "better" seat? Maybe better for some, but worse for others. Same for windshields and fairing designs. Currently it is a very good platform for people to make their own.
1400cc's? Bigger I guess, but why? 25cc's per cylinder? Big whoop. More HP? Cool! There goes our fuel mileage, or even worse, they up the compression, and we're all putting 89-91 in the tank.

The one that seriously irritates me...Really the ONLY one that irritates me is the 6th gear argument. People that want a 6th gear, claiming lower RPMs seem to know very little about transmissions and gear ratios. Not a put down, so don't all respond with hurt feelings, just an observation.

All a 6th gear would do is add weight, and move ALL the ratios closer together. So, we'd end up shifting more often for the same performance. Really, in the scheme if things, shifting more often is not a big effin' deal, but why do it?? BMW has 6 gears and is at higher RPMs in 6th than the FJR is at in 5th. The engine may lose RPMs in a 6th gear, but will that hurt mileage or help it?

Right now, I can top out my bike in 5th gear. I can almost guarantee there would not be enough torque or HP to top this bike out with even a slight reduction in a 6th gear. More gears is not necessarily better for every application. If anything, Yamaha got this transmission very right.

Maybe a split differential would be a better fix for a tyranny that's not broken. Remember those in your school busses? The red pull knob on the gear shift that moved the rear end from 4.10 to like 3.85, reducing engine RPM? That's the ticket!

Purdie much ^THIS^

Don't make me play Billy Joel again!

 

[LKLD]

PLEASE...NO MORE BILLY!

I'm in the camp of loving this bike the way it is. To make 1000's of FJR's off an assembly line, that so many different types of people absolutely LOVE, is an amazing feat in of itself! With after-market support, offering many alternatives, is really icing on a great cake. The subtle changes that are made from year to year, I think, is a genius approach.