Possible free replacement FJR?

[radman]

From what I understand, Yammi had increased sales of each successive year of the FJR, the pre-sales of the 06, with the new air control, seat etc overwhelmed them. They ramped up production to the max, but despite all the effort, they started running out of many key components 3/4 of the way through production, one of the big ones being fasteners. They sent the old gopher, Kenjii, off to the hardware store-he returned with boxes and boxes of whatever he could get his hands on, and the line got back to work. As a result, the late 06's have a multitude of non-spec nuts and bolts holding them together. Three rods may have 8mm bolts on them, while the 4th may have 1/4" grade 5's on it, etc. Yammi engineers, getting the word on the line problems, fucked with the ecu, stuff like getting the MAP to crap out on any serious hillclimbs so the engine would get a cool-off period, serious vibrations coming on line just as the real power started coming on so as to keep the rider from pushing it, display issues to keep the riders attention focused on things other than the dialed in preventative measures they had to install. This is why some drain plugs rip the threads out, that 5/8 pipe plug into 14mm threads will do shit like that. You get the idea. Saw all this in a letter to Aussie dealers thats been kinda kept under the radar. Just thought you guys should know.

 

[oldryder]

how about you provide an email address of a person at yamaha that knows about your situation and anyone on the forum that will write them an e-mail expressing dissatisfactio with yamaha's response.

Seems like they'd have to pay attention to a pile of emails all from fjr owners.

give your name and maybe a claim number so we can include it in the post to yamaha.

theres no way you should be putting up with the kind of crap you got from the lady.

 

[vitesse]

Okay! Significant updates!
Tuesday I called the dealer who has my bike and asked if anything new has happened. He explained that he contacted Yamaha Canada and they claimed I had no warranty because they had no record that I did a 1000KM service....She explained Yamaha will NOT provide a replacement FJR as its not their policy and she basically told me I had no warranty, even though I bought it brand new less than a year ago. I told her my service has been followed as the schedule requires and she would check into my warranty status and call me back. No call today.

Unless Yamaha Canada has different rules covering warranty, this response is overwhelmingly shocking. It's universally known that a manufacturing defect unrelated to a maintenance item like changing oil can in any way shape or form void a warranty. And no warranty can be voided if the owner chooses to change his own oil/filter, tires or whatever rather than have it done at a franchised, certified Yamaha dealer (owner documentation of work done/product purchased is sufficient).

I, for one, will be following this closely.

 

[Altinger]

I called back Yamaha Canada today and they agreed I was under warranty until July under manufacturers defect (which this certainly applies so IMHO) but she had no response yet from her boss.

I appreciate the suggestions folks. Next time I talk to them I'll be sure to get a case # and post it if need be.

No matter what happens though, I'm done with Yamaha. The bike is "supposedly" repaired and ready for pickup. Possible outcomes...

>I pay the $388.88, get it home, polish it up and sell it.

>Yamaha pays the bill, I get it home, polish it up and sell it.

>Replacement bike issued. No reason to polish it. Just get it home and sell it.

>Purchase cost given to me and I buy a BMW ASAP. (highly unlikely situation)

All this sucks because I was really looking forward to NAFO which I'm already paid up on.

 

[bramfrank]

If you decide to sell it you will take a huge hit - My local dealer just took $14,000 for a brand new '07. And the '07 came with those very expensive, speed sensitive heated grips, standard.

I still think you should get the YPP.

Did she at least apologise?

 

[Altinger]

If you decide to sell it you will take a huge hit - My local dealer just took $14,000 for a brand new '07. And the '07 came with those very expensive, speed sensitive heated grips, standard.
I still think you should get the YPP.

Did she at least apologise?

I really don't see how the YPP would help me. Its just an extended warranty. If Yamaha is barely acknowledging the factory warranty, why would they pay any more attention to the YPP? The only possible benefit would be resale.

Heh. I didn't call for an apology. It was a brief call. I have to wait for them to call me back now.

 

[jgrover]

Man... I hate to read threads like this... it creates a tinge of doubt in the back of my head *Would Yamaha do me the same way*

Sorry to hear you've had such a bad experience! Hopefully you don't have to resort to legal actions to get it reconciled... I don't blame you one bit for taking your money elsewhere... I would too.

Have you looked at the Concours 14? Looks to be a great bike without the BMW tax added on...

Jason

 

[Altinger]

Man... I hate to read threads like this... it creates a tinge of doubt in the back of my head *Would Yamaha do me the same way*
Sorry to hear you've had such a bad experience! Hopefully you don't have to resort to legal actions to get it reconciled... I don't blame you one bit for taking your money elsewhere... I would too.

Have you looked at the Concours 14? Looks to be a great bike without the BMW tax added on...

Jason

Heh. No doubt the Concours is a wicked machine. Absolutely stunning and when it came out I was salivating all over it at the dealer. But I'm 6'2" and long legs so I think comfort would be an issue for long rides. No... for me the only bike I would look at is the BMW R1200RT. I like the toys on it, and I don't think anything could touch it in the sport/touring class for comfort. I'll worry about that later. The FJR has to go first, although I'll call around and see what I would be in the ballpark range for a trade-in.

 

[mike25]

There has to be more to this story - that is very strange.
However it works out, hope you're satisfied in the end.

I'm also missing somthing here. All nuts and bolts should have

been checked at the 600 mi service.

Loose mirror mounts, and steering bearings are almost normal.

 

[yamaholic]

I for one am sorry to hear you go through this.

My vote is we need to DOGPILE the heck out of customer service on this issue. You paid a lot for the bike and deserve better service. The bike was not assembled properly...period!

I don't think I would have been able to keep my cool as much as you had. Heck no, I would have raised my voice and shouted holy hell right there at the dealership! Like every day--lunch time, after work...whenever there would be customers there to hear the anxiety.

Please post a case # and an address. I'm happy to write a letter explaining the power of your experience and our collective consideration of purchasing their products in the future.

 

[Altinger]

I for one am sorry to hear you go through this.
My vote is we need to DOGPILE the heck out of customer service on this issue. You paid a lot for the bike and deserve better service. The bike was not assembled properly...period!

I don't think I would have been able to keep my cool as much as you had. Heck no, I would have raised my voice and shouted holy hell right there at the dealership! Like every day--lunch time, after work...whenever there would be customers there to hear the anxiety.

Please post a case # and an address. I'm happy to write a letter explaining the power of your experience and our collective consideration of purchasing their products in the future.

Yeah. When I talk to them again, I'll be sure to get a case number.

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm going to pay the bill and pick up the bike tomorrow from the local dealer. They're done with it and so why should they have it sitting around. Yamaha Canada can send me a cheque instead.

Ah, I dunno. I'll decide how its running and maybe keep it after all. As someone just mentioned, I'll take a beating on resale and then have to cough up another $8000 or so for a BMW. I already arranged it with the bank so I can do it at will, but we'll see. Because the bike is likely built like a car with sub assemblies, we'll ASSUME that the motor is just fine, but everything around it was loose. If indeed all major frame and mounting point have been tightened up, then everything should be okay. Well, not perfect. The vibrations might have done some long term damage to shorten the life of the bike. I dunno. I'm just frustrated and sick of Yamaha Canada taking their time.

 

[JRO]

It seems like every manufacturer has these horror stories, from time to time. Sorry to read this time, it's happened to you. I can't blame you for giving up on Yamaha. I would be looking for another brand to ride, myself (not a BMW, though).

I'd pick up the bike, ride it, and see what happens. If anything is wrong, take it back. Do you have lemon laws in Canada?

 

[Altinger]

It seems like every manufacturer has these horror stories, from time to time. Sorry to read this time, it's happened to you. I can't blame you for giving up on Yamaha. I would be looking for another brand to ride, myself (not a BMW, though).
I'd pick up the bike, ride it, and see what happens. If anything is wrong, take it back. Do you have lemon laws in Canada?

Its back in my possession as of a couple hours ago.

Is it any better? The front end feels MUCH better, but I still feel vibration throughout the bike.

As to your question about lemon laws... yes and no. Do we have them? Kinda. Do they cover motorbikes? Not in the least. Nice eh! (sarcasm) I recently did some checking into this.

I think I have to ride another FJR to see how they compare. I'll be hunting down all Edmonton owners in this group ASAP and begging to trade rides for a few minutes. Hopefully some good FJR citizen will be willing.

As for another bike... honestly I don't know what else I COULD buy other than a BMW. Don't want the Sprint ST, Honda ST, Concours 14, nothing from Suzuki. Only BMW makes a bike I like and I was salivating over it today while at the dealer. So many buttons! An actual fairing which creates a proper bubble around the rider. But ugh... the cost.

 

[Altinger]

Gotta love the helpful folks on this board!

I emailed 3 people from the same city I'm in, and not an hour later I had an Email from a gentleman named Don who was happy to swap bikes and go for a ride. He has an 04.

We both agreed the head was now just fine, but there was slightly more vibration than should possibly be there in the rest of the bike. Not enough to turf the bike over.

I guess I'm keeping the FJR. Its paid for and going to a BMW means borrowing a few bucks from the bank which I'd rather avoid. After that comes the inherent farkling costs.

I'm still going to hound Yamaha Canada to flip the $388.

 

[Dudewado]

Just curious,

Did they happen to try adjusting the balance shafts?

IIRC, the procedure in the shop manual is fairly simple, almost too simple.

I think it says something to the effect of:

"Adjust until it feels right."

 

[jayde13]

do you mind if i ask what local dealer you are dealing with? I'm also in Edmonton. Tganks

 

[palerider]

Gotta love the helpful folks on this board!
I emailed 3 people from the same city I'm in, and not an hour later I had an Email from a gentleman named Don who was happy to swap bikes and go for a ride. He has an 04.

We both agreed the head was now just fine, but there was slightly more vibration than should possibly be there in the rest of the bike. Not enough to turf the bike over.

I guess I'm keeping the FJR. Its paid for and going to a BMW means borrowing a few bucks from the bank which I'd rather avoid. After that comes the inherent farkling costs.

I'm still going to hound Yamaha Canada to flip the $388.

Also a carb sync will smooth out the vibration.

 

[Altinger]

Also a carb sync will smooth out the vibration.

Thanks. Assuming I keep it, I'll take it to a friends private shop and let him do that for me. Much cheaper than Argyl Cycle where its been getting its work done recently.

 

[bramfrank]

Still think you should press the dealer for a deal on the YPP.

 

[Altinger]

Still think you should press the dealer for a deal on the YPP.

Time to conclude this story. Much time has passed since a last entry.

Okay. Yamaha Canada continues to do nothing after a couple calls. They insist my problems are all dealer issues. I called Blackfoot Motorsports in Calgary where I bought the bike and left two messages and no return call. Basically, nobody wants to touch this turkey of a bike.

Yesterday I went on a test ride on a BMW R1200RT I mentioned before which I liked. I have to say... kick ass highway bike! It puts the FJR to shame. But as a city bike.... naaaah. If I could have a crotch rocket for burning around in the city like a BMW F800S, and the R1200RTl for long range use... yes... I would buy it. But I can't afford to have both.

I have to admit... after the test ride and getting back on the FJR, the power difference is huge. The grin on my face returned as I cracked the throttle and burned down the road. The FJR inline 4 sounds soooo much nicer than the boxer twin of the R1200RT. The thing sounds like a tractor at low speeds to be honest.

Sooooo... I'll take it to my friends bike shop and have him do a carb sync and check the balance shafts on my bike and let him do some electrical farkle work and be done. I'll keep the thing and hope it behaves. Yamaha will never get my business again... thats for damn sure. As far as buying the extended warranty... I thought about it, but Yamaha has done sweet **** all with my existing warranty. Why pay they them to ignore me some more down the road?

(sigh)

- Low quality/POS/Although still enjoyable 2006 FJR