Rear subframe failure poll

[Excaleng]

I'm interested to understand just how common (or not) rear subframe failures are. To this end I simply ask, has your FJR (any generation) suffered a rear subframe failure. This of course excludes crash damage. I'm interested to understand the ratio of "normal use" failures to non-failures.

Mine hasn't failed but I am considering fitting a Givi top case and mounting arrangement as I believe this would strengthen the subframe. As I already have a Yamaha top case I want to understand the failure risk to help me decide.

Thanks,

Baron.

 

[Ignacio]

I think you're going to find some subjectivity here. For example, some may think "normal" is using a top case with a pillion that leans back a lot. Would you consider that "normal". What is your definition of "normal use"?

I'll note that mine has not failed during what I think is "normal" use, but one did fail when I pulled off the luggage rack and added a honking-big Pelican. But, even when I used the existing luggage rack with a honking-big Pelican that wasn't "normal use"...no failures.

Is "normal use" the exacting specifications the manufacturer set (e.g. 13 pounds for a top case) and limits on weight of rider and passenger. I dare say few have never exceeded one or both of those specs by some moderate amount that would still consider it "normal use". And some who think that no top with 400 pounds of rider and pillion might think that's normal too.

You also don't distinguish what part of the subframe may fail. There's going to be a HUGE difference in whether it is the cast part on the back (which is probably the part that fails almost all the time) and the tubular part (that I've never heard failing).

Good luck with the poll...

 

[rbentnail]

For me "normal use" is no top case and no passenger. I use a factory top case for extended trips only and when I do I put a tour pack on the passenger seat to fill up the space between me and it to eliminate the buffeting. I've never had a passenger on this bike.

 

[Excaleng]

Okay, just looking to keep this as simple as possible, for "normal" read "however you use your FJR" i.e. if its "normal" to you then that's good enough for me. We all use our bikes in different ways at different times for different reasons, I'm just looking for a simple yes or no answer excluding bike crashes. Didn't think I needed to specifically mention it but it's the rear subframe (the cast part) I'm interested in.

 

[Fred W]

What I think would be even more interesting would be to ask some additional questions that only apply if you have had a failure, something like this:

1) Have you had a failure of the rear subframe

2) If you had a failure do you ever use a top box / trunk.

3) If you used a top box or trunk, did you use a Givi SR rack (SR346 for 1st gens, SR357 for 2nd/3rd gens)

 

[dcarver]

Kinda gotta agree with Iggie - my subframe break was definitely due to abuse and over loading.

Not to say it couldn't have a better design.

Hey MammaYamma, hire ME!

 

[PhilJet09]

Uh, yea, not sure how to answer this. I had a "honking- big" Pelican case on mine with a home-made mount. After I got back from a ride down to the Air Force Museum with my son on back, I noticed the OEM plastic rack/grab rails had cracked. I'm sure had I continued with this set up that my sub frame would have also cracked. I now run a Givi 46 on a 357 rack.

Had my sub-frame cracked, it would have been my fault. Unfortunately, the bike wasn't designed for big loads on it and the manufacturer has told us as much.

 

[Excaleng]

Uh, yea, not sure how to answer this. I had a "honking- big" Pelican case on mine with a home-made mount. After I got back from a ride down to the Air Force Museum with my son on back, I noticed the OEM plastic rack/grab rails had cracked. I'm sure had I continued with this set up that my sub frame would have also cracked. I now run a Givi 46 on a 357 rack. Had my sub-frame cracked, it would have been my fault. Unfortunately, the bike wasn't designed for big loads on it and the manufacturer has told us as much.

"Yes" if it broke

"No" if it didn't.

 

[PhilJet09]

Okie dokie then...

 

[Fred W]

Well, it's your thread, so if that's what you want to know... but that isn't going to tell you a damn thing. For one thing, most people who did not have a failure aren't going to vote, so you still won't know what percentage of bikes have these problems. But don't you want to know how they broke it? Like this last guy said he overloaded the crap out of it. What significance does that have to anything?

Like I said, your thread. You do what you want.

 

[Canadian FJR]

Mine broke but caused by a poorly design fuel cell mount. The good news is that they are able to be repaired in a better than new condition - strength wise.

Canadian FJR

 

[Excaleng]

Well, it's your thread, so if that's what you want to know... but that isn't going to tell you a damn thing. For one thing, most people who did not have a failure aren't going to vote, so you still won't know what percentage of bikes have these problems. But don't you want to know how they broke it? Like this last guy said he overloaded the crap out of it. What significance does that have to anything?
Like I said, your thread. You do what you want.

I take your point but don't wish to overcomplicate this. As you can see even just asking for a simple yes or no seems to be difficult to achieve without getting into a debate. I'd just like to gain a little additional clarity on the matter.

I strongly suspect that the number of failures is very small with causes wide and varied compared to non-failures. I too (and I'm sure a few others here) would be interested to further understand the cause of failure though maybe that is better left for another poll.

 

[Ignacio]

I'd just like to gain a little additional clarity on the matter.

I doubt you're going to gain any with the poll worded like this then.....and more likely further cloud it actually. In fact, I can answer it either yes or no and I'm one of the relatively few people of all FJR owners (I happen to agreen with your supposition on that point) that have had a broken subframe. If you really want more clarity I suggest you dig through the many, Many, MANY threads and discussions previously already had on the subject. Yes, it's more work, but far more illuminating.

Again, your poll and choice. Good luck.

 

[Fred W]

I take your point but don't wish to overcomplicate this. As you can see even just asking for a simple yes or no seems to be difficult to achieve without getting into a debate.

Not all that surprising. The simplest questions generally aren't (simple).

 

[huron52]

No normal failure. And I do overload from what Yamaha says. I did bend it once but then the little old lady that plowed into the back of me could have been the problem there.

 

[Excaleng]

I'd just like to gain a little additional clarity on the matter.

If you really want more clarity I suggest you dig through the many, Many, MANY threads and discussions previously already had on the subject. Yes, it's more work, but far more illuminating.

Been there, done that, extensively. Now just want a little additional clarity by way of numbers. I'm a metering engineer in the oil industry, addicted to data you see.

 

[tcfjr]

I've run a Pelican 1520 case mounted directly to the stock luggage rack on my '05 for about 35,000 miles, with no sub-frame failures.

 

[rogdeb]

Have had the Givi rack installed since 2003 and topped with Givi cases E35, E52 and V45. All been loaded well over the max and with Deb leaning back on them for over 60k miles. No problems with the subframe.

 

[Hello Kitty]

Mine broke. I think it's good to point out also that saying 'Givi' rack doesn't clearly describe the rack. I NOW have a 357, but it was a Givi rack before, but wihtout the forward support.

I had the small Givi topbox, I don't know the model, but would be completely filled with one full face helmet. I did not put excessive weight in it.

I do have a 357 rack now, but it interferes with the aux tank so until I get to my buddy's buddy's shop to modify the fuel cell mount, I can't have them both on the bike at the same time.

Geez, here's the good that just came out of this poll/thread. I was planning to do the mods in April/May. Completely not thinking about the IBR13 rider who wants to borrom my tank for the IBR. Leave it as is for now, after the IBR, then I can mess with it

I think I'm the sole yes at this point.