Question for '08 owners

[jjsC6]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.

Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

 

[SkooterG]

Well, it certainly sounds like they fixed the screwed up throttle cam they had in the 06/07 models.

However, there are fixes out there. Have you installed the G2 throttle tube and a PCIII? Sounds like in your case a PCIII would work wonders.

 

[jjsC6]

Well, it certainly sounds like they fixed the screwed up throttle cam they had in the 06/07 models.
However, there are fixes out there. Have you installed the G2 throttle tube and a PCIII? Sounds like in your case a PCIII would work wonders.

Yes, I intalled the G2 about a year ago, and it is a nice piece. I've also done and extensive search of all the posts regarding the Power Commander, and it appears to me that the consensus is that it helps, but does not eliminate the problem. I have thought seriously about installing one, but based upon what I've read, I'd rather put the money to a new bike if I'm sure the problem is fixed.

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[mmonroe]

For me on my 2007, I think the problem manifests itself as a result of driveline lash. I really dont think that the throttle is the problem. Loading and then unloading the driveline, especially in turns, seems to cause the problem. I have to really work to keep things smooth especially when I have someone on back riding with me.

Random thoughts...

Mark

 

[Good2Go]

My 08's throttle is very smooth, definitely no on-off or lurching behavior like you describe. Very linear and predictable. HTH.

 

[jjsC6]

For me on my 2007, I think the problem manifests itself as a result of driveline lash. I really dont think that the throttle is the problem. Loading and then unloading the driveline, especially in turns, seems to cause the problem. I have to really work to keep things smooth especially when I have someone on back riding with me.
Random thoughts...

Mark

Mark, trust me, it's a throttle issue - not driveline. You try your damndest to roll back into the throttle gradually, but you get a jolt of power instead of a nice smooth transition back to power.

Thanks for your thoughts though.

 

[jjsC6]

My 08's throttle is very smooth, definitely no on-off or lurching behavior like you describe. Very linear and predictable. HTH.

Thanks!

 

[Last Chance]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

Before you go to the expense of a new '08, see if your '06 qualifies for a replacement ECU on the "altitude surging" recall. I haven't been able to test my '06 out because it is out of service due to a slight "accident". However, my initial impression is the "lurch", hesitation, etc. was eliminated on my '06 after the new ECU was put in. If it qualifies for the recall the ECU in replaced under warranty...Free. Worth a try! IMHO

LC

 

[Fred W]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

I'm thinking that other people's experiences will not be totally sufficient to answer your question. One person's "jerky" is another person's "smooth as silk".

Your best bet will be to find a dealership willing to let you test drive an '08. If the new bike doesn't exhibit the problem then you're home free. Well, not free, actually...

 

[gregory]

I have an '08 and I have all of 214 miles on it so far. I have noticed a bit of a jerk off of idle, not to much, but I do pay close attention during slow speed manuvers.

Greg.

 

[jjsC6]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

Before you go to the expense of a new '08, see if your '06 qualifies for a replacement ECU on the "altitude surging" recall. I haven't been able to test my '06 out because it is out of service due to a slight "accident". However, my initial impression is the "lurch", hesitation, etc. was eliminated on my '06 after the new ECU was put in. If it qualifies for the recall the ECU in replaced under warranty...Free. Worth a try! IMHO

LC

I've already had the ECU replaced under that TSB. It made no difference in the bike at normal altitudes. I have not been back in the mountains yet, but I was complaining about how badly it ran in the Rockies last summer, so I knew it did need the new ECU.

BTW, I also did the Barbarian mod about 18 months ago.

 

[jjsC6]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

I'm thinking that other people's experiences will not be totally sufficient to answer your question. One person's "jerky" is another person's "smooth as silk".

Your best bet will be to find a dealership willing to let you test drive an '08. If the new bike doesn't exhibit the problem then you're home free. Well, not free, actually...

I agree, and I hope nobody gets offended, but I would not buy one just based upon a few responses anyway. But if a few people tell me theirs does not do it, then I'll go push for a test ride. At least it would give me hope and point me in the right direction. As you know, getting test rides is not always easy.

Thanks for all the quick replies.

 

[Fred W]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

I'm thinking that other people's experiences will not be totally sufficient to answer your question. One person's "jerky" is another person's "smooth as silk".

Your best bet will be to find a dealership willing to let you test drive an '08. If the new bike doesn't exhibit the problem then you're home free. Well, not free, actually...

I agree, and I hope nobody gets offended, but I would not buy one just based upon a few responses anyway. But if a few people tell me theirs does not do it, then I'll go push for a test ride. At least it would give me hope and point me in the right direction. As you know, getting test rides is not always easy.

Thanks for all the quick replies.

Test rides are unlike anything else of REAL value in life. Free.

 

[War Machine]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

Before you go to the expense of a new '08, see if your '06 qualifies for a replacement ECU on the "altitude surging" recall. I haven't been able to test my '06 out because it is out of service due to a slight "accident". However, my initial impression is the "lurch", hesitation, etc. was eliminated on my '06 after the new ECU was put in. If it qualifies for the recall the ECU in replaced under warranty...Free. Worth a try! IMHO

LC

I've already had the ECU replaced under that TSB. It made no difference in the bike at normal altitudes. I have not been back in the mountains yet, but I was complaining about how badly it ran in the Rockies last summer, so I knew it did need the new ECU.

BTW, I also did the Barbarian mod about 18 months ago.

As a former owner of a brand new 06 & a current owner of an 08 I feel the need to share my experience.

The 06 in stock form was absolutely driving me nuts with the on/off throttle response.

I chose the simple way first by way of Barbarian mod with a +7 enrichment across all cylinders. While this made a big improvement, the overly sensative throttle was still there.

I then installed the PCIII & the problem was 95% eliminated. I did reset the CO settings back to stock before installing the PCIII. You failed to state how much you enriched the CO settings when you did the Mod or if you reset to stock.

As for the 08, the weather in NYC has been terrible since I got the bike & have only 81 miles on it, but I can tell you this.... It is alot smoother than the 06 was stock, in fact I'll go as far as stating that it is as smooth as my 06 was after the PCIII install. I am going to install the PCIII from the 06 because I have it & eventually plan to play with a few maps to see if the last 5% could be smoothed out.

Bottom line IMO Yamaha did a good job with a new throttle pulley, updated ECU, different CO setting? (not as lean) to address this problem.

 

[jjsC6]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

Before you go to the expense of a new '08, see if your '06 qualifies for a replacement ECU on the "altitude surging" recall. I haven't been able to test my '06 out because it is out of service due to a slight "accident". However, my initial impression is the "lurch", hesitation, etc. was eliminated on my '06 after the new ECU was put in. If it qualifies for the recall the ECU in replaced under warranty...Free. Worth a try! IMHO

LC

I've already had the ECU replaced under that TSB. It made no difference in the bike at normal altitudes. I have not been back in the mountains yet, but I was complaining about how badly it ran in the Rockies last summer, so I knew it did need the new ECU.

BTW, I also did the Barbarian mod about 18 months ago.

As a former owner of a brand new 06 & a current owner of an 08 I feel the need to share my experience.

The 06 in stock form was absolutely driving me nuts with the on/off throttle response.

I chose the simple way first by way of Barbarian mod with a +7 enrichment across all cylinders. While this made a big improvement, the "surging" was still there.

I then installed the PCIII & the problem was 95% eliminated. I did reset the CO settings back to stock before installing the PCIII. You failed to state how much you enriched the CO settings when you did the Mod or if you reset to stock.

As for the 08, the weather in NYC has been terrible since I got the bike & have only 81 miles on it, but I can tell you this.... It is alot smoother than the 06 was stock, in fact I'll go as far as stating that it is as smooth as my 06 was after the PCIII install. I am going to install the PCIII from the 06 because I have it & eventually plan to play with a few maps to see if the last 5% could be smoothed out.

Bottom line IMO Yamaha did a good job (new throttle pulley, updated ECU, different CO setting? (not as lean) to address this problem.

I went plus 7 as well.

Thanks for the good information!

 

[pilotonboard]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

 

[pilotonboard]

I have a 06 that now has almost 20,000 miles on it. While I love the bike, there is one thing that is really annoying, and I'm ready to do something about it. As most 06 and 07s do, when you roll back to idle (like going into a curve), then roll back into the throttle, there is nothing, then a sudden "lurch" as the power comes back on. This makes it hard to be smooth - especially in slow corners where you are coming out of the turn in one of the lower gears. I actually know two people who got rid of their FJR for just this reason.
Can the '08 owners tell me if this happens on your bikes? I like the FJR so much in every other respect that I'll sell it and buy an '08 if they fixed that. Otherwise, I'll may switch to a Concours. I'm hoping someone can answer this, or I might try to get a test ride at a dealer.

Thanks.

I have an 06 AE with 8,000 miles on it and I just had a new throttle tube installed by a Yamaha dealer. This has gone a long way toward mitigating the problem you describe. This fix costs about about 160 dollars and was a bit of a struggle for the dealer's mechanic because of the heated handgrips. To me a slight struggle for the dealer translates into a major problem that I can't usually fix. Let the dealer do it.

 

[garywayne]

I've noticed this some on my 07 if the conditions are just right but the last time it happened I dropped down one gear and never noticed it again. Seems if I keep the RPM's up more I don't really notice it. I do plan on dowing the G2 throttle tube though.

Gary